The last decade, defined by Narendra Modi’s prime ministerial tenure, has seen a concerted bid to make the rhetoric of Hindu supremacy normal. From the prime minister to the sangh parivar’s social media trolls, to frothing film stars, the right to be publicly hostile to minorities, particularly Muslims, has been energetically exercised. I notice that public… Read More Gets under the skin
While the BJP may not be able to write off Narendra Modi just as yet, the party seems to have realised that he is past his peak, and his brand value has eroded Bharat Bhushan In Jammu and Kashmir, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi claimed, “We have finished Modi psychologically. I sit in front of him in… Read More Weakened Modi no longer BJP’s election mascot
The moral distinction between liberal democracies and dictatorships is being flattened by the carnage in Gaza Suhas Chakma For most of human history human rights did not exist. The struggle to secure them arguably began in 1215 with the Magna Carta in England, which promised protection from illegal imprisonment as a right. But it took another 733… Read More Human rights are disappearing before our eyes
Under Xi, the ruling Communist Party has vowed to eradicate “historical nihilism” — or any views that question or challenge its official version of history, including glorified images of sanctified national heroes.China passed a law in 2018 banning any insult or slander of national “heroes and martyrs,” including military personnel. The offense was added to… Read More An artist made scathing sculptures of Mao over a decade ago. Now, he’s detained for slandering China’s heroes, family says
Sai Mukhesh The disinterestedly wise ought to desire the holding together of all being — Bhagavad Gita, Verse 3.25 Normal men do not know that everything is possible — David Rousset Real generosity towards the future lies in giving all to the present — Albert Camus The liberal democratic apparatus has been imploding, and the… Read More Austerity and Managed Democracy
Pro-Palestinian protesters at the Democratic convention have been met with stony faces, jeers – and violence GAZA casualties, live statistics NB: What does it mean, when tens of thousands of Palestinian corpses and mutilated children mean less to you than Israel’s so-called right to commit genocide? What kind of peace will descend upon Palestinians who… Read More Harris wants to bring ‘joy, joy, joy’ to Americans. And more bombs for Palestinians
Progressives and moderates came together to support Kamala Harris by largely ignoring the most pressing moral issue of our time. Since Harris accepted the presidential nomination, the administration approved a $20 billion weapons sale to Israel, without any conditions. on the same day… in the same convention center, among other horrors, a surgeon described treating… Read More Democratic Party Unites Under Banner of Silence on Gaza Genocide
Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past: George Orwell, 1984 When you have a monopoly over power, you develop an obsession with secrecy: Frank Dikotter Amy Hawkins Senior China correspondent In the early hours of 4 June 1989, Li Rui, a veteran of the Chinese Communist party (CCP), was… Read More ‘Monument to history’ battle between US and China over future of Mao’s secretary’s diary
It is almost 38 years since the Belfast mother was abducted and killed by the IRA, yet no one has been found guilty of her murder Amanda Foreman It is almost 38 years ago to the day that a gang of masked IRA men and women in West Belfast burst through Jean McConville’s door. Jean had been… Read More Sinn Fein should never be able to escape Jean McConville’s ghost (2010) / Say Nothing (2018)
The US is transferring $3.8bn to Israel in military aid per year. Biden has leverage to force a deal, but he refuses to use it GAZA casualties, live statistics Lancet warns Gaza death toll could be over 186,000 Mohamad Bazzi Joe Biden is making a last-ditch effort to salvage the Gaza ceasefire agreement he has been pushing… Read More Gaza ceasefire talks are on their last legs, and Benjamin Netanyahu is to blame / Gaza death toll passing 40,000 is ‘grim milestone’ says UN human rights chief as ceasefire talks begin
After the truth-shower 