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

Bulldozer politics: Turkman Gate under Sanjay Gandhi to Jangpura, via Adityanath’s UP

In 1976, it was the Muslims of the walled city deemed ‘in the way’ of Delhi’s progress and in 2025, it will be the urban poor — the migrants of Madrasi Camp and Bhoomiheen Payel Das The recent demolition of two working-class colonies — Madrasi Camp, a six-decade-old settlement, and Bhoomiheen Camp, a three-decade-old one… Read More Bulldozer politics: Turkman Gate under Sanjay Gandhi to Jangpura, via Adityanath’s UP

Dilip

Directorate S: The C.I.A. and America’s Secret Wars in Afghanistan and Pakistan

“Directorate S,” was covertly training, arming, and seeking to legitimize the Taliban, in order to enlarge Pakistan’s sphere of influence From the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Ghost Wars, the epic and enthralling story of America’s intelligence, military, and diplomatic efforts to defeat Al Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan since 9/11Prior to 9/11, the United… Read More Directorate S: The C.I.A. and America’s Secret Wars in Afghanistan and Pakistan

Dilip

Whitewashing Gas Exploration in Post-Genocide Gaza

By Dan Steinbock / Informed Comment New York (Special to Informed Comment) – In December 2022, Israeli Ministry of Energy launched the Fourth Offshore Bid Round offering new exploration licenses. A year later, it awarded licenses to several Israeli and international companies: Eni (Italy), Dana Petroleum (UK, a subsidiary of a South Korean company, and Ratio… Read More Whitewashing Gas Exploration in Post-Genocide Gaza

Dilip

We Did OK, Kid: Antony Hopkins looks back on a tumultuous life

As the actor approaches his 90th year and publishes an autobiography, he reflects on his early years on stage, being inspired by Laurence Olivier, becoming a Hollywood star and conquering his demons Steve Rose ‘What’s the weather like over there?” asks Anthony Hopkins as soon as our video call begins. He may have lived in California for… Read More We Did OK, Kid: Antony Hopkins looks back on a tumultuous life

Dilip

Israel’s top military lawyer arrested after she admitted leaking video of soldiers’ abuse

Rightwing politicians and pundits have called the soldiers accused of attack on Palestinian detainee ‘heroes’ and military investigators traitors. Her arrest and detention raises serious questions about the rule of law in Israel, accountability for abuse and killing of Palestinians during what a UN commission has called a genocidal war, and the country’s ability to defend… Read More Israel’s top military lawyer arrested after she admitted leaking video of soldiers’ abuse

Dilip

Dalit farm labourer ‘lynched’ in Amethi for seeking unpaid wages of about Rs 2,500

While landlord Shubham Singh, has been arrested over Prasad’s death, the victim’s family rued that the police had named only one accused instead of four and charged him only with culpable homicide and not murder Piyush Srivastava A Dalit farm labourer was beaten to death by a rich landowner and his associates for demanding his… Read More Dalit farm labourer ‘lynched’ in Amethi for seeking unpaid wages of about Rs 2,500

Dilip

Justice still eludes 1984 victims, only 39 convictions in 650 cases / Forty-one years on: 13 murder convictions, 253 acquittals

NB: In the period October 31 till November 2, 1984, mass violence in Delhi following the assassination of Mrs Indira Gandhi resulted in the deaths of thousands of Sikhs resident of Delhi. The official figures were just under 3000; but many believe this to be an understatement. In the links beneath this article, there is… Read More Justice still eludes 1984 victims, only 39 convictions in 650 cases / Forty-one years on: 13 murder convictions, 253 acquittals

Dilip