All stories by Jyoti Punwani
The Messages From The Bahraich Riots
Rediff.com24 Oct 2024The way the Bahraich riot has played out should worry the BJP. The party has emboldened Hindu youngsters to such an extent that its MLAs feel the need to go to the police against their party members. Is this what the BJP wants, asks Jyoti Punwani.
'A Fearless Man Devoted To Truth, Justice'
Rediff.com13 Oct 2024'Every report I filed for Rediff.com on the professor's incarceration, would leave me wondering for days, at the depth of the State's malevolence towards this disabled professor, and his equally deep capacity to tolerate it,' recalls Jyoti Punwani.' 'No country in the world would do what our country was doing to someone so helpless.'
New York Labor Day Parade Was A Spectacle!
Rediff.com9 Sep 2024Thousands of workers of every description -- from journalists to steel workers, from painters to New York cops, from auto to engineering workers -- marched for two hours down 5th Avenue one of Manhattan's most iconic thoroughfares, reports Jyoti Punwani.
Kanwariya Order: Time For Rahul, Akhilesh To Step Up
Rediff.com20 Jul 2024'There is one way to defeat the intention behind this directive: To patronise Muslim establishments that have been forced to identify themselves.' 'This is one opportunity for the Congress to show that the 'mohabbat ki dukaan' its leader talks about does exist.' 'Can Akhilesh Yadav, who has asked the court to take note of this directive, order his party members to do this?' asks Jyoti Punwani.
Acche Din Coming Back To Parliament?
Rediff.com2 Jul 2024It was almost as if we were back to 'acchey din', when Parliament was a forum where two sides fought ferociously as equals. For that we need to thank Rahul Gandhi, notes Jyoti Punwani.
'It was a people's election'
Rediff.com27 Jun 2024'There was a strong undercurrent of deprivation, and also frustration against misuse of power and authority.' 'This election was an opportunity for the manifestation of this discontentment.'
'Modi-Yogi Rift Seems Only A Bogey'
Rediff.com27 Jun 2024'There might be some internal tussles that can be expected between any two persons in any party.' 'But I do not see any tussle which might weaken the possibility of dictatorship.'
'Fear Has Gone From People's Minds'
Rediff.com24 Jun 2024'Just today a shopkeeper I went to was saying how bad business is. He must have been a BJP supporter.' 'He finally said, "It's a good thing there's an NDA government, not a BJP government, 'they' had become too big for their boots,".'
Lok Sabha Results: Modi's Myth Shattered
Rediff.com4 Jun 2024The Vishwaguru who addressed the maximum rallies and boasted of being blessed with divine energy, who promised guarantees in his own name, turned out finally not invincible, points out Jyoti Punwani.
'I Can Never Give Up On Hope In The Judiciary'
Rediff.com29 May 2024'We were activists when we were students. It was as students that we were propelled to fight for justice. Neither of us regret that.' 'Where the country is now, more and more people should become vocal.'
'Modiji, Can We Survive Only On Rations?'
Rediff.com19 May 2024'Modi must see how we live, what we have to do to educate our children.'
'Tell Modi We Waited'
Rediff.com18 May 2024The MNS chief started his speech with the name of Nehru, then paused. After a few tense seconds, he resumed: "After Nehru, here is the only politician who will be PM for the third term."
'How Will Piyush Goyal Help Us?'
Rediff.com17 May 2024'We need a candidate who will do our work and fight with the authorities; someone we can hold accountable.' 'Piyush Goyal is not that candidate.'
'Shoma Sen Was Entitled To Bail'
Rediff.com16 May 2024'She had been in jail for nearly 6 years; the charges had not been framed and the trial had not begun.' 'Even if it began, it would take years to complete.'
'This Isn't Like Any Other Election'
Rediff.com14 May 2024'We can't sit back clutching our memories of the riots. The country, the future of our children are more important.' Jyoti Punwani reports on an unusual election meeting in Mumbai.
'First Congress Candidate To Get Vote From A Thackeray'
Rediff.com9 May 2024While the responses of the candidates were predictable, depending on which side they belonged to, an interesting point slipped through when Rahul Shewale cited the Dharavi Redevelopment Project as a scheme that would add to Mumbai's importance. No big infrastructural project in Mumbai, he said, could be successful without the Centre's nod.
'Why Are We Being Made To Suffer?'
Rediff.com10 Apr 2024'The last six years have been full of uncertainty. We've been constantly worrying about what will happen next.'
'Shoma Sen should have been released in October 2018'
Rediff.com9 Apr 2024'Shoma didn't have the luxury of time. She was already suffering from so many ailments.'
'Unbelievable after six years my mother got bail'
Rediff.com6 Apr 2024'I was laughing and crying at the same time. Right now, just extremely happy that she will be out and amongst us soon.'
'They wanted to create an image of me as a devil'
Rediff.com20 Mar 2024'Those giving voice to the voiceless should be welcomed, not punished.' 'Yes, I paid a price -- 10 years in jail -- but it wasn't only me who did so. There are many paying the price.'