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

Israelis’ defiance of Netanyahu holds a lesson for anyone who cares about democracy

Jonathan Freedland Beware the strongman leader who fears jail. Donald Trump is running for president in part because he sees a return to the White House as a literal get-out-of-jail-free card: reinstalled in the Oval Office, he would be able to pardon himself for the mounting pile of serious federal crimes for which he is indicted. His… Read More Israelis’ defiance of Netanyahu holds a lesson for anyone who cares about democracy

Dilip

Bollywood film accused of trivialising Holocaust with Auschwitz scenes

NB: The mind-numbing historical illiteracy and moral vacuity of some of our artists and members of the intelligentsia is embarassing, were it not also predictable. Adolf Hitler is much admired amongst many educated persons, Mein Kampf is freely available even though Rushdie’s Satanic Verses is banned. The ideological icon of India’s current ruling dispensation –… Read More Bollywood film accused of trivialising Holocaust with Auschwitz scenes

Dilip

Global boiling has arrived

Global warming has ended and “the era of global boiling has arrived”, the UN secretary general, António Guterres, has said after scientists confirmed July was on track to be the world’s hottest month on record. “Climate change is here. It is terrifying. And it is just the beginning,” Guterres said. “It is still possible to… Read More Global boiling has arrived

Dilip

RIP Bhiku Daji Bhilare: the man who saved Gandhiji’s life in 1944

Subhash Gatade First posted August 06, 2017 For a section of people – whose number is diminishing fast – it is a moment of nostalgia when idealism was in air and sacrificing oneself for the cause of emancipation of humanity was looked at with respect, whereas for a larger section which is being intoxicated with… Read More RIP Bhiku Daji Bhilare: the man who saved Gandhiji’s life in 1944

Dilip

The Censorship Files: The Battle of Algiers (1966)

By Philippe Clifton, William Gao, Oskar Zimowski WHO: Gillo Pontecorvo, Saadi YacefWHAT: The Battle of AlgiersWHEN: 1966 – 1971WHERE: The Republic of FranceWHY: For depicting a pro-Algerian perspective of the Battle of Algiers The Battle of Algiers (1966) is a historical film depicting the resistance efforts of Algerian national groups against French colonial authorities between 1954 and… Read More The Censorship Files: The Battle of Algiers (1966)

Dilip

‘PM is sleeping’: BJP leader says Manipur violence ‘defamed India’; resigns

Amid high-tension drama in Parliament during the monsoon session, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state spokesperson from Bihar Vinod Sharma on Thursday tendered his resignation from the party over the ethnic violence in Manipur after he felt ‘stigmatised’ to work under the BJP leadership. He further alleged that the Manipur incident, where two women from the… Read More ‘PM is sleeping’: BJP leader says Manipur violence ‘defamed India’; resigns

Dilip

Mahatma Gandhi and His Myths

Civil Disobedience, Nonviolence, and Satyagraha in the Real World http://www.markshep.com/peace/books/Myths.html General InfoReviewsSample Text I have been known as a crank, faddist, madman. Evidently the reputation is well deserved. For, wherever I go, I draw to myself cranks, faddists, and madmen.” Mahatma Gandhi is one of the least understood figures of all time—even among his admirers.… Read More Mahatma Gandhi and His Myths

Dilip

Humanitarian crisis grows in Nagorno-Karabakh

Thousands of protesters took to the streets in both Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia’s capitals on Tuesday evening, demanding international intervention and support, as the Red Cross warned of a humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh.  Protesters demanded action to support the blockaded region, which is facing critical shortages of staple goods. Shortly before the protest, Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol… Read More Humanitarian crisis grows in Nagorno-Karabakh

Dilip

Adivasis to hit streets on Friday to protest against atrocities against Kukis in Manipur and UCC

A forum of 26 tribal outfits of Bengal will hit the streets across the state on Friday to protest against the atrocities against countless people from the Kuki community in Manipur and the plan for the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). According to the plan by the tribal outfits, large rallies and processions will be organised… Read More Adivasis to hit streets on Friday to protest against atrocities against Kukis in Manipur and UCC

Dilip