The Forbidden View: ‘Satluj’ chases truth of Punjab’s bounty killings

Sutlej’s message is that a ‘cash-for-kill’ does not eliminate militancy, it end up killing innocents and spreading militancy. It makes criminals out of security force personnel Bharat Bhushan The allure of banned films often achieves the opposite of its intent. That is precisely what is happening with Satluj, pulled down by the government after 48 hours after it released… Read More The Forbidden View: ‘Satluj’ chases truth of Punjab’s bounty killings

Constitution’s silent retreat as Punjab’s lawmakers genuflect before Akal Takht 

 A constitutional problem arises when religious authorities effectively dictate what laws to enact and in formulating State policy Bharat Bhushan On June 15, when the Akal Takht ordered all Sikh legislators across party lines and Punjab’s Sikh Cabinet ministers to physically appear before it, 78 MLAs and nine ministers complied. They were reprimanded for passing the controversial anti-sacrilege… Read More Constitution’s silent retreat as Punjab’s lawmakers genuflect before Akal Takht 

Political parties must find common cause with youth, worker protests

NB: There have already been six student suicide cases like this one, in Nagpur. Lakhs of young Indians have seen their labours go to waste. It’s not just corruption and cynicism that affects our ruling establishment, but criminal irresponsibility. What a shame and tragedy. My heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased students. Students… Read More Political parties must find common cause with youth, worker protests

From The Bench To Barbs: ‘Cockroach’ Slur On Critics

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant’s obiter dicta in a case before him described some unemployed youngsters as “cockroaches”, some of whom go on to “become” (sic) the media, social media, RTI activists, and start “attacking the system”. — PTI Bharat Bhushan Notwithstanding the denial, it is important to note that metaphors that dehumanise any… Read More From The Bench To Barbs: ‘Cockroach’ Slur On Critics

West Bengal, Tamil Nadu show limits of political consulting

The lesson to be learnt, however, is that when parties offload their institutional memory and political judgement to an outsourced consultant, they can come to grief Bharat Bhushan The resounding defeats of parties advised by political consultants in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu may not spell their end, but their role will now be more… Read More West Bengal, Tamil Nadu show limits of political consulting

Blocking justice for Dalit Christians and Muslims / All India Christian Council condemns move to use FCRA to take away Christian properties meant for the development of marginalised people

The ruling tightens the government’s narrative of SC identity as tied to ‘Indic’ religions. Bharat Bhushan The recent Supreme Court ruling that Dalits who convert to religions other than Hinduism, Sikhism, or Buddhism lose their Scheduled Caste (SC) status should have sent shockwaves across India’s socio-political landscape. However, its significance seems to have been lost in the… Read More Blocking justice for Dalit Christians and Muslims / All India Christian Council condemns move to use FCRA to take away Christian properties meant for the development of marginalised people

Limits of spectacle: Modi’s foreign policy contradictions exposed

Under Modi, India has chosen dependence as a strategic choice. But from Nehru to Manmohan Singh, India displayed a fiercely independent foreign policy and autonomy. Bharat Bhushan As Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s global image erodes, he cannot as easily dodge accountability for domestic governance as he did earlier by projecting his larger-than-life capers on the world stage.… Read More Limits of spectacle: Modi’s foreign policy contradictions exposed

Bangladesh Unravels, Even as Indian Diplomacy Continues to Falter

Protestors near Dhaka’s famous Shahbagh intersection has called for the formation of a “revolutionary government”. Bharat Bhushan The political situation in Bangladesh is increasingly unpredictable as some are using the violence following the assassination of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi as an argument to stall the general election due in February 2026. Protestors near Dhaka’s famous Shahbagh… Read More Bangladesh Unravels, Even as Indian Diplomacy Continues to Falter

Refusing Savarkar award exposes Shashi Tharoor’s dilemma

NB: Accepting an award in the name of a prime suspect in the Mahatma Gandhi murder case is but a logical step forward from playing to-ey to-ey with brazen Savarkarites and Godse-ites. Not all patriots are scoundrels; but all scoundrels are definitely patriots. Wit is no substitute for wisdom, Shashi. Your performance is becoming cringeworthy.… Read More Refusing Savarkar award exposes Shashi Tharoor’s dilemma