With Shankersinh Vaghela’s exit, Congress in Gujarat is left with only one hope – anti-incumbency

The veteran leader announced his resignation from the Congress on Friday, severely damaging the party’s prospects for the next state poll in November.

Aarefa Johari

· Yesterday · 07:30 am

Should marriage registration be mandatory? Only if the process is simplified, say couples

Most marriages in India are unregistered.

Aarefa Johari

· Jul 16, 2017 · 10:30 am

GST woes: Theatre groups and performing artists in Mumbai are in despair

With a tax of 18% on most show tickets, artists are worried that the new Goods and Services Tax will hurt the sector.

Aarefa Johari

· Jul 08, 2017 · 07:30 am

Uttar Pradesh police detain Dalit protesters who wanted to present Adityanath with giant bar of soap

The activists were held in Lucknow and Jhansi on Sunday and Monday. Eight were taken into custody before they could address a press conference.

Aarefa Johari

· Jul 03, 2017 · 05:26 pm

Note ban, beef ban and GST: Dharavi’s leather industry braces for a triple blow to business

Leather-based products will be levied a 28% tax as luxury goods, and small-scale businesses are worried.

Aarefa Johari

· Jul 03, 2017 · 10:30 am

In Gujarat, Patidar leaders are inching closer to openly declaring support for the Congress

However, with five months to go before the polls, Hardik Patel’s organisation has not yet made an official announcement about its political leanings

Aarefa Johari

· Jun 30, 2017 · 09:00 am

Activist Nikhil Dey: To make RTI really effective, we need an accountability law for public servants

The Right to Information campaigner was convicted on 19-year-old charges of assault in Rajasthan last week.

Aarefa Johari

· Jun 22, 2017 · 10:30 am

Gujarat’s new rule for village panchayats could undermine electoral democracy

Sarpanches are protesting a government circular that makes it mandatory for them to get the village accountant’s approval for local expenses.

Aarefa Johari

· Jun 19, 2017 · 06:30 am

More convictions in 1993 Mumbai blasts case but no justice yet for victims of riots that came before

The bomb blasts were tried by a special court. The communal riots in which 900 people died were investigated by just a powerless commission of inquiry.

Aarefa Johari

· Jun 16, 2017 · 08:30 pm

‘Why do this to the poor?’: Beef supplies contract in Mumbai as new cattle rules kick in

The Central government’s new livestock trade rules are affecting the supply and consumption of buffalo meat in the city.

Aarefa Johari

· Jun 12, 2017 · 10:30 am

Maharashtra wants a happiness department. But what has the one in Madhya Pradesh achieved so far?

Last year, MP was the first state to set up a government department of happiness. Today, most citizens think it is just propaganda.

Aarefa Johari

· Jun 07, 2017 · 10:30 am

Cold comfort: What ails India’s new centralised online adoption system?

Two years after India revamped the process of adopting children, parents and adoption agencies find the system lacks the human element.

Aarefa Johari

· Jun 06, 2017 · 10:30 am