Opposition’s move to boycott JPC on 130th Constitution Amendment Bill is gratuitous, unwise. Misgivings about government’s intent are more reason to join a parliamentary mechanism. It flies in the face of their attacks on government for bypassing parliamentary standing committees. They must join JPC, if only to submit dissent notes.
After colleges, Trump launches war on museums
After colleges, Trump launches war on museums — the Smithsonian, no less. Museums are vulnerable to politics everywhere. But Enlightenment institutions can’t be expected to promote chest-thumping histories. US history without racism and immigration is dishonest. And ‘land of the free’ template necessarily entails expansion of freedoms, including for LGBTQ+, disabled.
Recall that in the JPC on the Waqf Bill, not a single recommendation made by opposition members was found worthy of acceptance. Recall further how swiftly the bipartisan moment on foreign policy receded when the multi party parliamentary delegations returned home. In a first past the post system, the opposition often represents a higher vote share than the ruling party. Also the opposition still contains many stalwarts, after eleven years, who possess considerable governance experience and political wisdom. They need to be accepted as full democratic partners.