Author: Dilip

I'm a scholar, writer and teacher; and my blog is designed for intellectual exploration. It carries no advertisements and requires no cash subscription

Rs 570 Crore of Electoral Bonds Sold in January Alone, 94% in 1 Crore Denomination

The electoral bond scheme came under the scanner soon after it was launched for being opaque and possibly routing unaccounted money to political parties.  Elisha Vermani Electoral bonds worth more than Rs 570 crores have been sold in the latest phase of the electoral bond sale that lasted from January 2 to January 11, 2024,… Read More Rs 570 Crore of Electoral Bonds Sold in January Alone, 94% in 1 Crore Denomination

Dilip

Modi’s Strange India of Celebrations and Superstition

In this weird India, bizarre scenes are witnessed daily. Words of wisdom come from a villager in Haryana. He says what a scholar could have said: “Modi ji, Hinduism continued to survive centuries of foreign rule because religion was not associated with the ruler. If it were associated with a Prime Minister or President or King,… Read More Modi’s Strange India of Celebrations and Superstition

Dilip

UNRWA staff accused by Israel sacked without evidence, chief admits

Philippe Lazzarini says summary dismissal of nine employees was ‘reverse due process’ after Israel’s claims they aided Hamas attack Emine Sinmaz in Jerusalem The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees has said he followed “reverse due process” in sacking nine staff members accused by Israel of being involved in Hamas’s 7 October attacks. Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA’s… Read More UNRWA staff accused by Israel sacked without evidence, chief admits

Dilip

The world is reducing its reliance on fossil fuels – except for in three key sectors

Oliver Milman Humanity has made some uneven progress in reducing our addiction to fossil fuels – but there remain three areas of our lives in which we are notably not on track to kick the habit over the next 30 years, according to a new analysis. Record levels of investment in clean energy (solar has… Read More The world is reducing its reliance on fossil fuels – except for in three key sectors

Dilip

Christianity, Violence, and the West

Philippe Buc, Holy War, Martyrdom, and Terror: Christianity, Violence, and the West; 2015 Reviewed by Warren Brown “The medievalist Philippe Buc discerns Christian tropes of holy war and martyrdom in seemingly secular movements with terroristic potential. A brilliant and disturbing interpretation of the religious origins of redemptive violence in the West, this is a book… Read More Christianity, Violence, and the West

Dilip

From Codes to Sanhitas: Power, Myths, and Problematic Continuities

‘The new criminal justice laws mark an important moment in how independent India will function. It may herald a descent towards greater authoritarian tendencies and a nullifying of the judicial role by reducing personal liberty to a plaything.’ ABHINAV SEKHRI In 2019, soon after securing a resounding electoral majority, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government… Read More From Codes to Sanhitas: Power, Myths, and Problematic Continuities

Dilip

Anna Akhmatova: Three poems including ‘Requiem’ / Friendship in the time of terror: Nadezhda Mandelstam’s tribute to Akhmatova

First posted December 04, 2011 Reading HamletTo the right, wasteland by the cemeterybeyond it the river’s dull blue.You said: ‘Go, get thee, to a nunneryor get a fool to marry you…’ Though that’s always how Princes speak,still, I’ve remembered the words.As an ermine mantle let them stream,behind him, through endless years. ‘Hands clasped under the… Read More Anna Akhmatova: Three poems including ‘Requiem’ / Friendship in the time of terror: Nadezhda Mandelstam’s tribute to Akhmatova

Dilip

Why is there still no Gaza ceasefire? Because self-interested world leaders are obstructing it

NB: The world order is grounded on the most evil, ignoble and murderous features of human nature. All political conversation has been reduced to sneering and abuse (and post-modern, ‘post-truth’ academicians aren’t helping); all compassion and human concerns have been sub-divided by racism, identity politics and communalism; all moral philosophy to sophistry and ideological bullshitting.… Read More Why is there still no Gaza ceasefire? Because self-interested world leaders are obstructing it

Dilip

Calicut professor booked for Facebook post praising Godse. (Withdraw the case)

NB: Much as I dislike the political tradition which celebrates the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi; I disagree with the habit of taking police action against persons like Dr Shaija. Isn’t hatred for Gandhiji and celebration of his murderer a widespread stance in India? What exactly does the professor mean by “proud of Godse for saving… Read More Calicut professor booked for Facebook post praising Godse. (Withdraw the case)

Dilip

‘Our Ram is Gandhi’s Ram, Your Ram is Nathuram.’ John Brittas’ fiery speech in Parliament 

New Delhi: CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP Dr John Brittas hit out at the ruling BJP over Ram Temple Pran Pratishtha in Parliament on February 05. John Brittas also quoted the Supreme Court of India over the Ram Janmabhoomi Case and called the desecration of Babri Masjid as the violation of Rule of Law. He also… Read More ‘Our Ram is Gandhi’s Ram, Your Ram is Nathuram.’ John Brittas’ fiery speech in Parliament 

Dilip