Modi Government’s Tryst with Electoral Bonds Should Neither Be Forgotten Nor Forgiven

The episode reveals that when a strong executive decides it wants something, even something that is dangerous and unconstitutional, there is little resistance from within to stop it. Many will not know how diabolical the electoral bonds enterprise was, and it is for their benefit that this is being written. Aakar Patel India’s electoral bonds scheme… Read More Modi Government’s Tryst with Electoral Bonds Should Neither Be Forgotten Nor Forgiven

Gaza war: India’s Water Transport Workers’ Union refuses to load, unload Israel-bound weapons on any ships

They have taken the decision after seeing any role in enabling ship to carry armaments which may aggravate the war in Gaza and particularly in Rafah. Amid the ongoing Israel-Palestine war, the Water Transport Workers Federation of India – representing 3,500 workers at 11 major Indian ports – declared to refuse to load or unload… Read More Gaza war: India’s Water Transport Workers’ Union refuses to load, unload Israel-bound weapons on any ships

Mainstream, February 17, 2023

Letter to the Readers, Mainstream, Feb 17, 2024 Playing Politics On Stage | L K Sharma Unpacking the Moral Relativism of a People | Subhash Gatade Interim Budget 2024-2025: Focus on Individual Beneficiaries | Sher Singh Sangwan Interim Budget 2024: An Estimate of Cherry-Picked Data Determined by Half Truth and Counter-Assertion | Nisha Mishra Everyday Violence is more tragic… Read More Mainstream, February 17, 2023

Bharat Ratna to Advani, Free Speech Ban for Critics as Police File FIR Against Journalist Nikhil Wagle

Incidentally, there is no IPC section which criminalises ‘insults’ against individuals, regardless of what position they hold or have held. ‘Insulted’ individuals have the right to file a defamation case if they wish but third parties or the police cannot do so. Pune police have filed an FIR (first information report) against journalist Nikhil Wagle… Read More Bharat Ratna to Advani, Free Speech Ban for Critics as Police File FIR Against Journalist Nikhil Wagle

Rs 570 Crore of Electoral Bonds Sold in January Alone, 94% in 1 Crore Denomination

The electoral bond scheme came under the scanner soon after it was launched for being opaque and possibly routing unaccounted money to political parties.  Elisha Vermani Electoral bonds worth more than Rs 570 crores have been sold in the latest phase of the electoral bond sale that lasted from January 2 to January 11, 2024,… Read More Rs 570 Crore of Electoral Bonds Sold in January Alone, 94% in 1 Crore Denomination

Modi’s Strange India of Celebrations and Superstition

In this weird India, bizarre scenes are witnessed daily. Words of wisdom come from a villager in Haryana. He says what a scholar could have said: “Modi ji, Hinduism continued to survive centuries of foreign rule because religion was not associated with the ruler. If it were associated with a Prime Minister or President or King,… Read More Modi’s Strange India of Celebrations and Superstition

From Codes to Sanhitas: Power, Myths, and Problematic Continuities

‘The new criminal justice laws mark an important moment in how independent India will function. It may herald a descent towards greater authoritarian tendencies and a nullifying of the judicial role by reducing personal liberty to a plaything.’ ABHINAV SEKHRI In 2019, soon after securing a resounding electoral majority, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government… Read More From Codes to Sanhitas: Power, Myths, and Problematic Continuities

Calicut professor booked for Facebook post praising Godse. (Withdraw the case)

NB: Much as I dislike the political tradition which celebrates the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi; I disagree with the habit of taking police action against persons like Dr Shaija. Isn’t hatred for Gandhiji and celebration of his murderer a widespread stance in India? What exactly does the professor mean by “proud of Godse for saving… Read More Calicut professor booked for Facebook post praising Godse. (Withdraw the case)

‘Our Ram is Gandhi’s Ram, Your Ram is Nathuram.’ John Brittas’ fiery speech in Parliament 

New Delhi: CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP Dr John Brittas hit out at the ruling BJP over Ram Temple Pran Pratishtha in Parliament on February 05. John Brittas also quoted the Supreme Court of India over the Ram Janmabhoomi Case and called the desecration of Babri Masjid as the violation of Rule of Law. He also… Read More ‘Our Ram is Gandhi’s Ram, Your Ram is Nathuram.’ John Brittas’ fiery speech in Parliament