Month: October 2020

Indians condemn Paris beheadings, deplore outrageous statements by Muslim religious and political leaders

Press Release: Indians condemn Paris beheadings, deplore outrageous statements by Muslim religious and political leaders Well over a hundred prominent Indians from diverse backgrounds have today issued a statement condemning the Paris beheadings and deploring the outrageous statements by Muslim religious and political leaders. Among other things the statement read: “No God, gods, goddesses, prophets or… Read More Indians condemn Paris beheadings, deplore outrageous statements by Muslim religious and political leaders

Dilip

Book review: The Hamlet Doctrine: Knowing Too Much, Doing Nothing

Around 1905 or 1906, Sigmund Freud wrote an essay, unpublished in his lifetime, called “Psychopathic Characters on the Stage.” The essay addressed the question of what we, as spectators, get out of watching people go crazy. Freud’s theory was that we’re fascinated by crazy characters because they help us express our own repressed impulses. Drama,… Read More Book review: The Hamlet Doctrine: Knowing Too Much, Doing Nothing

Dilip

Gaiutra Bahadur: In 1953, Britain openly removed an elected government, with tragic consequences

For generations, a parable involving outside intervention has circulated in Guyana, formerly British Guiana, in South America. The story goes that soldiers sent in to suppress the independence movement fixated on homes flying red flags, believing them to be a sign of Communist allegiance. Instead, they were Hindu prayer flags. I’ve encountered this tale in… Read More Gaiutra Bahadur: In 1953, Britain openly removed an elected government, with tragic consequences

Dilip

SC dismisses AAP govt plea against bail to Pinjra Tod activist Devangana Kalita in riots case

NB: Nothing more need be said about the AAP’s democratic credentials than the fact that they wanted to keep Devangana Kalita in jail for an indefinite duration, and that too for such a flimsy reason and on scant evidence. DS… The Supreme Court Wednesday dismissed AAP government’s appeal against the bail granted to Pinjra Tod activist… Read More SC dismisses AAP govt plea against bail to Pinjra Tod activist Devangana Kalita in riots case

Dilip