Kathua, Unnao: Shame on us
In Kathua and Unnao, just blaming politicians is another way of exonerating ourselves
Our conduct as a society in the rape and murder case of an eight-year-old in Kathua has been so despicable that it can be said, without exaggeration, that India’s moral compass has been completely obliterated, carpet-bombed out of existence by the very custodians of law, morality and virtue who give daily sermons on national pride. […]
Politicizing tragedies
Individual freedom is ebbing in Kashmir valley due steady government encroachment. Encroachment of individual liberty is the main reason behind, why youth abandon school/college and pickup the gun. The political climate prevailing in valley has affected the personality and development of youth. Fighting between Indian forces and militants is a routine. Youth, children and women, […]
Fake encounters: The expendable Kashmiri
How do we get to a situation where it's alright for soldiers to go scot-free after committing premeditated murder?
By: Mirza Waheed On January 23, the Indian Army passed a not-guilty ruling in the Pathribal Case of 2000 in which five civilians were executed in Indian-occupied Kashmir by the Indian Army and passed off as dreaded militants. The somewhat resigned silence, even among Kashmiris, over the ruling begs a few essential and profound questions. […]
The message from Kathua and Unnao
What Does it Mean for Indian Democracy When the Police Has to Appoint Investigating Officers From a ‘Third’ Religion
What does it mean for a democratic nation when rape is justified? And rapists protected, first by mobs that march in their support, and then by the administration that refuses or unable to take action? And then to cut through the absence of trust and communalisation a state police has to bring in officers […]
Kashmir Issue and the Solidarity ‘Overdose’
‘Solidarity’ is a marvelous word and a very convenient one too. Once expressed, it assures those badly battered by adversity that they aren’t alone in their hour of crisis and at the same time it costs nothing to those who express it. However, there is a problem- though an excellent tranquiliser, ‘solidarity’ unfortunately doesn’t solve […]
Mi’raj: The Night Ascension
For the supervision and guidance of the creation, Almighty Allah sent down the Prophets. Each Prophet had been granted miracles related to the issues that were prevalent and ubiquitous at their times. For instance, during the time of Prophet Musa, magic and wizardry were at its peak. In order to eradicate that magic, Prophet Musa […]
Skripal affair: a counter view
What seems distant or remote could be the trigger for what passes for domestic turbulence.
IF one were to anchor a TV programme with the archival revelation that it was Benazir Bhutto who introduced Theresa May’s husband to the future British prime minister at an Oxford reunion ball in 1976, many of us would perhaps happily spend a lot of our precious time glued to the looped and re-looped discussion. […]
Burdens of the past
My comparison was ill-chosen, and the chastisement I received for it is merited. I also agree that the headscarf and the skull-cap are akin to the turban and the vibhooti, markers of religious identity that should not offend anyone when displayed in public.
BY: Ramachandra Guha “Indeed, the Muslims have all the social evils of the Hindus and something more. That something more is the compulsory system of purdah for Muslim women. These burka women walking in the streets is one of the most hideous sights one can witness in India.” Thus B R Ambedkar, writing in the […]
What is in the name?
Highlighting ‘Ramji’ in Ambedkar’s name!
Currently many a dalit’s leaders are up in arms and criticizing the move of UP Government of adding ‘Ramji’ in official records of Bhimrao Ambedkar. It is true that Babasaheb signed the Constitution as Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, but as such not too often Ramji is added to his name. The addition may not be challenged […]
The realpolitik of change
Saudi reforms are a way to preserve its political order. But they are still welcome.
BY: Sameer Arshad Khatlani The global media has been abuzz with the pace of the Saudi Arabian reforms. And rightly so. After all, Saudi Arabia has come a long way. From being the world’s only country to bar women from driving, it has now even made the abaya, a loose-fitting robe that covers a woman’s […]
