Priyanka Gandhi asks PM Modi to see video clip showing SUV mowing down farmers / Indian farmers to step up protests after 8 killed in clashes

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday cited a new video clip showing an SUV mowing down farmers and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to see it. “Have you seen this video Modi ji? This video shows the son of a member of your council of ministers running over farmers with his vehicles. Please see… Read More Priyanka Gandhi asks PM Modi to see video clip showing SUV mowing down farmers / Indian farmers to step up protests after 8 killed in clashes

Sanjiv Krishan Sood: It Is the Need of the Hour To Understand Police Brutality in India and Take Action

The police all over the country is increasingly brutal in their approach towards common people. Flouting law rather than protecting the rule of law is becoming the norm. When the chief minister of a state says “thok diya jayega” (will be shot), it is an open call to the police to ignore rule of law in dealing… Read More Sanjiv Krishan Sood: It Is the Need of the Hour To Understand Police Brutality in India and Take Action

Bharat Bandh Today Live Updates: Highways, rail tracks blocked; strike successful, says Rakesh Tikait / Bharat Bhushan: Time for farmers' movement to launch a political party

Normal life was hit as farmers blocked highways and squatted on railway tracks at many places on the occasion of the Bharat Bandh called on Monday against the three contentious farm laws. The bandh began at 6 am and ended at 4 pm on Monday. BKU leader Rakesh Tikait said, “Our Bharat Bandh was successful. We had… Read More Bharat Bandh Today Live Updates: Highways, rail tracks blocked; strike successful, says Rakesh Tikait / Bharat Bhushan: Time for farmers' movement to launch a political party

Mukul Kesavan: Photobombing death and the banality of evil / Evil, framed. By SLAVENKA DRAKULIĆ

NB: India’s Prime Minister has warned the world of the threat of ‘regressive thinking.’ The  rhetorical artistry of our Great Leader is indeed admirable; although I think his camp-followers will miss the irony. The article below describes what can happen in India in the name of politically correct nationalism. And here’s another: A Grateful Nation. We… Read More Mukul Kesavan: Photobombing death and the banality of evil / Evil, framed. By SLAVENKA DRAKULIĆ

Mundra Port: Nearly three tonnes of heroin seized at Gujarat port

Indian anti-smuggling intelligence officials have seized nearly three tonnes of heroin – reportedly worth around $2.7bn (£1.9bn) – in a major operation at a port in Gujarat state. Forensic testing is still under way to determine the exact value of the seized drugs, officials told the BBC. Two people have been arrested and several others… Read More Mundra Port: Nearly three tonnes of heroin seized at Gujarat port

A Grateful Nation watches a Roman circus

Bharat Bhushan on the birthday gala to refurbish ‘Brand Modi’   The birthday celebrations of Prime Minister Narendra Modi have metamorphosed into a three-week project of “Service and Dedication” from the single week of “Seva saptah” followed until last year. They will showcase a grateful nation thanking the prime minister for his service. The events projected as entirely… Read More A Grateful Nation watches a Roman circus

Omair Ahmad: What would the proposed large-scale cultivation of oil palm mean to India’s ecology and economy?

The truth is that Indians have switched to palm oil not because of some great choice but merely because it has come cheap. For most people cooking their food in palm oil or some mixture thereof, the content makes little difference. It is just another vegetable oil to them. The very versatility of the oil… Read More Omair Ahmad: What would the proposed large-scale cultivation of oil palm mean to India’s ecology and economy?

The India Forum on government propaganda; sexual violence, periodic labour, the new agricultural laws, and more

The torrent of fake news from groups sympathetic to the ruling party that flows through the Indian public discourse everyday is a phenomenon analysed by Neelanjan Sircar who writes of the ‘disinformation’ that is curated and then disseminated under centralised control to intimidate and harass critics as well as caricutarise the Muslim community. It is a year… Read More The India Forum on government propaganda; sexual violence, periodic labour, the new agricultural laws, and more

Javed Anand: On RSS reassurances to Muslims, deeds matter more than words

NB: To this forthright letter, I would like to add just one point. What exactly is the reasoning behind all this verbiage about DNA? Does it follow that people with ‘the same DNA’ must think alike, or love one another, or even belong to the same ‘Nation’? Sometimes even twins don’t have the same DNA.… Read More Javed Anand: On RSS reassurances to Muslims, deeds matter more than words

Javed Akhtar says he is as opposed to Muslim fundamentalists as he is to Hindu extremism

Noted film personality Javed Akhtar says he is as opposed to Muslim fundamentalists as he is to Hindu extremism, noting that he has even received death threats from Muslims because of his outspokenness. Defending his recent interview in which he drew parallels between the Taliban and Hindu extremists, he said Hindus are the most decent and… Read More Javed Akhtar says he is as opposed to Muslim fundamentalists as he is to Hindu extremism