Editorial

In Defence of Free Speech

EVEN some time back, it would be unthinkable to imagine that free speech needed to be defended. The Indian freedom struggle, which fought back the draconian laws of the British rule, had discarded obnoxious attempts to snuff out freedom of speech and expression. The provisions of the UN Human Rights Charter to which India was a signatory, and the Indian Constitution itself, enshrined iron clad safeguards. Those were different times; critical thought was indisputable.

Unmaking the Constitution, Remaking the Republic

THE nature of Indian democracy was established based on principles which were tempered in the course of the freedom struggle. Hence, it was not a coincidence that the Constitution was established after a protracted debate in the Constituent Assembly for almost three years. This was the institutionalised quintessence of values and ideas which evolved while adopting and customising some of the universal principles experienced and practiced by democracies elsewhere in the world.

Accountability is Right Back on the Agenda

IT was a bizarre situation. On the penultimate day of the monsoon session of Parliament, the all-powerful Home Minister, Amit Shah sounded despondent while talking to media channels. In a tone of soliloquy, he posed ‘what is the point in going inside the Lok Sabha’! For context, almost the entire monsoon session could not transact any substantial business as Shah was refusing to explain the role of the Delhi Police on the July 20, in tackling the peaceful student protest at Jantar Mantar.

The Call of Independence

79 years ago, we were celebrating the spring of hope. It was the best of times. Our collective mood was voiced by the first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, at the stroke of midnight – “we must redeem our pledge” to fulfil our “tryst with destiny”. Our destiny demanded us to create a new nation, to realise the evolution of a huge and diverse India, united as never before. Breaking the colonial yoke, we were destined to be united, overcoming the forces of division and tragedy of partition.

Who Owes an Apology?

IN the last few weeks, it has become patently clear that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is now permanently afflicted by a reality inversion syndrome. For him, the GenZ movement and the distinct anti-people direction of his governance is coming into direct conflict with the grave reality that has overtaken the people.

Battle is Won, But the War Will Be Protracted

THE outcome of the battle has been stunning. In a way, the energy, resilience and fortitude were unprecedented. Since the BJP-RSS led Modi Government has assumed office, arrogance and insularity has perfected an imperial style of governance which abhors accountability. In fact, the hollowing out of this basic principle of a democratic arrangement has led to this confrontation. The government’s approach was raised to such an absurd length that the Prime Minister has not addressed a single media conference in the last twelve years.

Fear is Melting, Collective Courage has Exploded

THERE are moments in history when time scampers. Many Indians who were in a dilemma over the lack of collective rage would now be relieved. With developments over the manner in which the executive, the legislature and eventually even the judiciary appeared to converge, it was almost a replay of the British colonial rule. The freedom struggle, the sacrifices and the democratic secular Constitution, all appeared to be under major strain.

We Heading Towards Certain Destruction of Education!

THE fast of the activist educationist Sonam Wangchuk has completed more than two weeks. Without accountability and sensitivity of the government, his life faces a serious risk. There is growing support and solidarity from various student groups and the broad democratic and secular sections of the society. The fast has achieved the objective of bringing to focus, the dire state of Indian education. Resignation of the Education Minister is naturally the focal demand.

A Great Betrayal: Chickens Have Come Home to Roost

DESPITE the best efforts of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh (UP), a major scandal has exploded on the face of the Hindutva brigade. The biggest political project of the Sangh, which was like a blank cheque for encashment of electoral dividends by the BJP for the last two and a half decades, has ultimately turned out to be their biggest embarrassment.

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