Shahnawaz Akhtar

All stories by Shahnawaz Akhtar

'I wish there's a society where is no need of censorship for films'

'I wish there's a society where is no need of censorship for films'

Rediff.com22 Jan 2015

Snippets from the eighth Jaipur Literature Festival.

Raje govt in a fix over member's dual role as MP, MLA

Raje govt in a fix over member's dual role as MP, MLA

Rediff.com18 Jul 2014

The Rajasthan assembly is facing a peculiar problem. The monsoon session has been witnessing ruckus almost everyday due to the presence of Sanwar Lal Jat, a cabinet minister in the Vasundhara Raje government. Incidentally, Jat is also a Member of Parliament, who defeated Congress state president Sachin Pilot in the 15th Lok Sabha polls.

Illegal mining a way of life in this town

Illegal mining a way of life in this town

Rediff.com7 Jul 2014

Everyday coal is illegally ferried on around 5000 bicycles out of the mines of Central Coalfield Limited in Giridih, Jharkhand but no seems to mind. Shahnawaz Akhtar reports

Raj MP faces disqualification for not showing Modi rally expenses

Raj MP faces disqualification for not showing Modi rally expenses

Rediff.com26 Jun 2014

The massive crowds during the Lok Sabha election rallies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that defined the historic win of Bharatiya Janata Party seem to have taken their toll on a member of Parliament from Rajasthan.

Khadim's thumb chopped off in clash at Ajmer Sharif

Khadim's thumb chopped off in clash at Ajmer Sharif

Rediff.com17 Jun 2014

Within a fortnight of the clash at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, warring members of two Khadim groups from the Ajmer Dargah clashed on Monday, using swords, which led to injuring one person.

Rajasthan isn't far behind UP in rising rape cases

Rajasthan isn't far behind UP in rising rape cases

Rediff.com13 Jun 2014

It's not that rapes are happening only in Uttar Pradesh. On Tuesday alone, four rape cases were reported across Rajasthan. The rape victims in the desert state include two minor girls, an elderly woman, a child and a transgender.

Modi cabinet minister served notice over rape charges

Modi cabinet minister served notice over rape charges

Rediff.com12 Jun 2014

The only minister in Narendra Modi government from Rajasthan, Nihalchand Meghwal has been issued notice by a court in Jaipur in connection with a four-year-old rape case.

Dalits facing social boycott in Rajasthan village

Dalits facing social boycott in Rajasthan village

Rediff.com6 Jun 2014

The Dalits of Thabola village in Rajasthan's Bhilwara district are facing social and economical boycott for a month now after two grooms from the community decided to defy the diktats of the upper caste villagers. Shahnawaz Akhtar reports.

Include only clean MPs in Cabinet, NGOs' request to Modi

Include only clean MPs in Cabinet, NGOs' request to Modi

Rediff.com23 May 2014

Hoping that the 14th Prime Minister will provide clean and exemplary governance, the National Election Watch and Association for Democratic Reforms wrote to the Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi, requesting him not to induct those who had criminal cases registered against them into Parliament and his Cabinet.

In Rajasthan, NOTA is more popular than AAP

In Rajasthan, NOTA is more popular than AAP

Rediff.com17 May 2014

Of the 2,67,82,371 votes cast in the state, 3,27,911 were cast in favour of NOTA while 2,72,642 were in favour of AAP. Shahnawaz Akhtar reports.

Going strong, BJP set to achieve 'Mission 25' in Rajasthan

Going strong, BJP set to achieve 'Mission 25' in Rajasthan

Rediff.com16 May 2014

The BJP candidates are on the winning trail, outdoing their opponents with thumping leads. Shahnawaz Akhtar reports.

Modi may be included in text books if he becomes PM: Raj minister

Modi may be included in text books if he becomes PM: Raj minister

Rediff.com15 May 2014

With the exit polls predicting Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi led National Democratic Alliance government at the center, not only have the Bharatiya Janata Party leaders started allocating portfolios but also revealing their priorities for the next government.

Five photojournalists injured in poll-related violence in Rajasthan

Five photojournalists injured in poll-related violence in Rajasthan

Rediff.com24 Apr 2014

Stones were pelted and two vehicles were burnt by miscreants who were allegedly trying to rig the process. Shahnawaz Akhtar reports.

Rajasthan: Will BJP's Mission 25 be marred by new candidates?

Rajasthan: Will BJP's Mission 25 be marred by new candidates?

Rediff.com23 Apr 2014

The party's plan to win all 25 seats in Rajasthan may have been affected owing to the decision to field new candidates from five seats. Shahnawaz Akhtar reports

Modi would have ousted Vajpayee like Jaswant, Advani: Rahul

Modi would have ousted Vajpayee like Jaswant, Advani: Rahul

Rediff.com20 Apr 2014

Sharpening his attack on Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi today said the Bharatiya Janata Party leader would have "ousted" even Atal Bihari Vajpayee like party veterans Jaswant Singh and L K Advani had the former PM continued being in public life.

Barmer registers one of the highest turn outs in Rajasthan

Barmer registers one of the highest turn outs in Rajasthan

Rediff.com17 Apr 2014

Barmer, one of the most talked-about Lok Sabha constituencies in the run up to the 2014 general elections, registered 71.60 per cent turn out in the polls held on Thursday, one of the highest in Rajasthan.

Young voters speak out: 'Sincerity a must in my leader'

Young voters speak out: 'Sincerity a must in my leader'

Rediff.com17 Apr 2014

On the eve of the first phase of polling in Rajasthan, Rediff.com spoke to some of the first time voters in Jaipur who form a considerable chunk of the voters. While some youth seek a sincere, development-oriented leadership which has zero-tolerance towards corruption, there are others who think communalism is the main issue. Shahnawaz Akhtar reports.

No rallies in Jaipur: BJP, Cong, AAP give Pink City a miss

No rallies in Jaipur: BJP, Cong, AAP give Pink City a miss

Rediff.com15 Apr 2014

For the first time in the Jaipur City constituency not a single rally has been held for any candidate contesting for the state capital seat.

Modi has no magic wand to change the country: Sonia

Modi has no magic wand to change the country: Sonia

Rediff.com15 Apr 2014

Congress president Sonia Gandhi, while addressing a rally in Jaipur Rural on Monday, attacked the BJP and Narendra Modi and said they are not seeing the achievements of the UPA government. She also sought to point out, in a barb at Modi, that running a state and a country are two different things. Shanawaz Akhtar reports.

Modi spares Jaswant Singh in Barmer speech

Modi spares Jaswant Singh in Barmer speech

Rediff.com12 Apr 2014

In his first speech at Rajasthan's Barmer, from where expelled Bhartiya Janata Party leader Jaswant Singh is contesting as an independent, party's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi did not utter a single word against the former party stalwart.

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