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

Michael Safi: Arabic satirical news website launches English edition

A groundbreaking Arabic satirical news site that skewers the Middle East’s politicians and pieties – dodging the ire of hostile governments and their online supporters – has launched an English language edition. Al-Hudood (the Limits), with deadpan headlines reminiscent of the US publication the Onion, has rankled authorities in the Arab world since launching in 2013.  It… Read More Michael Safi: Arabic satirical news website launches English edition

Dilip

Pratap Bhanu Mehta: SC was never perfect, but the signs are that it is slipping into judicial barbarism

In political science literature there is a familiar term — democratic barbarism. Democratic barbarism is often sustained by a judicial barbarism. The term “barbarism” has several components. The first is the overwhelming appearance of arbitrariness in judicial decision-making. The application of law becomes so dependent on the arbitrary whims of individual judges that the rule… Read More Pratap Bhanu Mehta: SC was never perfect, but the signs are that it is slipping into judicial barbarism

Dilip

Book Review – Supriya Gandhi’s Biography of Dara Shukoh Separates the Man From the Myth

Dara Shukoh, along with Akbar, remains among the two well-loved personalities of Mughal India. In the case of Dara, he finds appeal even among Hindu nationalists. As the figure of Dara is inscribed with modern labels of liberal and secular, the nuances and complexities in the personality of Shah Jahan’s eldest son remain hidden. The… Read More Book Review – Supriya Gandhi’s Biography of Dara Shukoh Separates the Man From the Myth

Dilip

“Possibly the most disgraceful episode in Australia’s military history” – The alleged Afghanistan war crimes that shocked Australia

The Brereton report has uncovered credible evidence of 39 alleged murders carried out by Australian Defence Force personnel in Afghanistan. But details of the alleged killings are not provided in full – or in some cases – at all. Only 21 alleged murders can be identified while the other 18 are missing – presumably redacted. The nature… Read More “Possibly the most disgraceful episode in Australia’s military history” – The alleged Afghanistan war crimes that shocked Australia

Dilip

The Shillong Times editor Patricia Mukhim resigns from Editors Guild of India

NB: Patricia Mukhim has a record of exposing and condemning communal and intolerant behaviour even when it emanates from her co-religionists and fellow tribal residents of Shillong. She has campaigned against militancy and fought for communal harmony throughout her career. Instead of appreciating her journalistic integrity, her courage and her humanity, she has been punished… Read More The Shillong Times editor Patricia Mukhim resigns from Editors Guild of India

Dilip

'They pointed their guns at us and started shooting' – How a bloody night of bullets and brutality quashed a young protest movement

Sometime after midnight on October 21, Elisha Sunday Ibanga answered a phone call from his older brother’s number. The person on the other end of the line — a stranger — broke the news that Ibanga’s brother, Victor, had been shot dead at the Lekki toll gate, in Lagos, Nigeria, where he had been peacefully… Read More 'They pointed their guns at us and started shooting' – How a bloody night of bullets and brutality quashed a young protest movement

Dilip

Sam Jones: From Che Guevara to lockdown: photo book tells story of Madrid

One warm June weekend 61 years ago, a scruffily bearded Argentinian on his way from Cuba to Cairo stopped over in Madrid. With almost a day to kill between flights, he did what any tourist of the time would have done: explored the city, visited a bullring, had breakfast and did a little shopping. He… Read More Sam Jones: From Che Guevara to lockdown: photo book tells story of Madrid

Dilip

Oliver Milman – A youth group helped Biden win. Now they want him to fix climate crisis

Joe Biden will have to navigate a path for the most ambitious climate agenda ever adopted by a US president through not only stubborn Republican obstruction but also an emergent youth climate movement that is already formulating plans to hold him to account. A record turnout of young voters, a cohort riven by anxiety over… Read More Oliver Milman – A youth group helped Biden win. Now they want him to fix climate crisis

Dilip

George Monbiot: The US was lucky to get Trump, Biden may pave the way for a more competent autocrat / Zeynep Tufekci: America’s Next Authoritarian Will Be More Competent

Neoliberalism has been neatly described… as the disenchantment of politics by economics. It sees politics as an ineffective or illegitimate means of social improvement. Decision-making should be transferred to “the market”, a euphemism for the power of money. Through buying and selling, we establish a natural hierarchy of winners and losers. Any attempt to interfere… Read More George Monbiot: The US was lucky to get Trump, Biden may pave the way for a more competent autocrat / Zeynep Tufekci: America’s Next Authoritarian Will Be More Competent

Dilip