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

Arvind Kala – LOVE JIHAD LAW WILL FAIL. Seasoned Indian journalist speaks his mind on current issues

LOVE JIHAD LAW WILL FAIL    HINDUTVA IS OUTDATED, POINTLESS    Bakvaas: Muslim Hindu Se Zyada Ho Jaaenge    SONIA A DISASTER RAHUL A CATASTROPHE    Arvind Kala Speaks: Bandarr Hamare Baap / Sushant Singh Rajput Case ki Faaltu Baatein / Mere Khayal Hindu Dharam Per / I Like Hinduism, I am an atheist   … Read More Arvind Kala – LOVE JIHAD LAW WILL FAIL. Seasoned Indian journalist speaks his mind on current issues

Dilip

Shyam Saran: If Modi really sees India as a democracy, then he must stop the labelling exercise / Sukhbir Badal says BJP is ‘real tukde tukde gang, has smashed national unity’

At the foundation stone-laying ceremony for the country’s new Parliament building, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that in a vibrant democracy like India, there was room for differences, but not disconnect. This is a welcome acknowledgement of the Argumentative Indian who loves debate, who is curious about the world around them and is open to… Read More Shyam Saran: If Modi really sees India as a democracy, then he must stop the labelling exercise / Sukhbir Badal says BJP is ‘real tukde tukde gang, has smashed national unity’

Dilip

Discussion on Indian Agriculture and the ongoing Kisan agitation

NB: Here are some observations which I have received from friends (or passed on by them) on Indian agriculture. The observations have been provoked by the current farmer agitation. The comments are placed in the order I received them. Some are in the public domain, and helped spark off the debate. Five of these are listed… Read More Discussion on Indian Agriculture and the ongoing Kisan agitation

Dilip

John le Carré, author of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, dies aged 89 / Betrayal, illusion, late middle age — John Le Carré novels were more than just spy thrillers

NB: John le Carré was a literary genius and not just a writer of espionage thrillers. His novels were beautifully written, with deep existential reflection about the frailty and decency of human beings, and about contemporary politics. A Perfect Spy, The Honourable Schoolboy and The Russia House were among those which plunged readers into the conflicts of… Read More John le Carré, author of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, dies aged 89 / Betrayal, illusion, late middle age — John Le Carré novels were more than just spy thrillers

Dilip

Iran executes opposition activist over 2017 anti-government protests

Iran has executed a former opposition figure over his involvement in anti-government protests in 2017, state TV announced on Saturday. Ruhollah Zam had been granted political asylum in France and reportedly lived in Paris, running a website called Amadnews and a channel on the Telegram messaging app, before being “lured” back to Iran. State television… Read More Iran executes opposition activist over 2017 anti-government protests

Dilip

Bharat Bhushan – Farmer leaders as 'extremists': Govt prepares a fallback narrative

It would seem that the Narendra Modi government is preparing a fallback narrative in case the stalemate with agitating farmers continues. It has begun putting its weight behind allegations that the agitation has been hijacked by “extremist” elements. Government leaders are talking about the subversive intent of “Urban Naxalites” or of “Khalistanis” alleged to have infiltrated the… Read More Bharat Bhushan – Farmer leaders as 'extremists': Govt prepares a fallback narrative

Dilip

CDS Bipin Rawat told Gorakhpur students to rediscover culture but forgot military tradition. By LT GEN H S PANAG (Retd)

On 4 December, Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat was in Gorakhpur as the chief guest for the inaugural programme of the week-long 88th Foundation Day celebrations of Maharana Pratap Siksha Parishad at Maharana Pratap Inter College. The event was presided over by the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, who is also… Read More CDS Bipin Rawat told Gorakhpur students to rediscover culture but forgot military tradition. By LT GEN H S PANAG (Retd)

Dilip

Sam Jawed – “Too much democracy”: NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant denies what he stated twice

What exactly did Kant say?   To find out what exactly Kant said, Alt News listened to the recording of the event and found that he had indeed said India is “too much of a democracy” not once but twice. First, at 25.43, Kant can be heard as saying, “In India we are too much of a democracy… Read More Sam Jawed – “Too much democracy”: NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant denies what he stated twice

Dilip