Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government has drawn wrong lessons from hooch tragedies. Punishing police officials and chowkidars for failing to implement prohibition laws is no solution. Illicit liquor trade, thriving in Gujarat and Bihar, proves their failure. Moral policing impinging on personal liberty is no answer to socio-economic and health concerns.
Gujarat cities banning street food vendors hurts informal workers in a pandemic economy
The decision to restrict street food vendors by four municipal corporations in Gujarat followed the usual routine of provocative statements and cautious corrections. Even if it isn’t targeted at non-vegetarian hawkers, it will still hurt informal, self-employed workers. In a pandemic economy, the so-called ‘pakora’ sellers must be actively protected.
Military nationalism, Hindutva, development – BJP relying on predictable strategy for UP polls
PM Modi landing on Poorvanchal expressway in IAF’s Super Hercules aircraft and the razzmatazz of the air show introduces military nationalism into UP poll discourse. This along with Hindutva and development completes BJP’s three-pronged strategy, a throwback to 2017 election. BJP is becoming predictable but so is the unimaginative opposition.