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Friday, April 19, 2024
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National Interest

Can you beat Modi’s BJP? Not impossible, but only if you win back enough Hindu voters

The future challenger to Modi will be somebody who can bring the Hindus and Muslims together again. The Hindus as Hindus, not broken caste groups.

Sack of the Hindu caravan, and future of Indian secularism

For too long was the burden of protecting India’s secularism outsourced to its 14% Muslims. Why it's time it shifted to the Hindus.

‘Othered’ Muslim in Modi-BJP era: 3 essentials before mounting a political challenge to correct it

If the BJP has unchallenged power, as it seems now, do they want one in seven Indians alienated because of their faith? At the very least, this would make for a very imperfect Indian democracy.

Do I have a complaint with Mohd Zubair of Alt News? Here’s why I have 3 answers, No, No & Yes

If the first ‘no’ to whether I have a complaint with Zubair is principled, the second comes from the heart as a believer, a Hindu.

Moral, political & ideological questions on Maharashtra: 1st is simplest to answer, 3rd trickiest

What is Shiv Sena’s ideology? We might say it’s been a convenient mix of extreme ethnic chauvinism & unforgiving Hindutva. Within the second, the party retained space to manoeuvre.

With Agnipath, Modi govt’s shock & awe doctrine may have misfired a vital reform, yet again

Modi govt's biggest flaw has been its disinclination to accept limitations of electoral majorities. This ruined land acquisition and farm reform, stalled labour codes.

The Great Damagers: Why Pakistan will debate which dictator harmed it more, Musharraf or Zia

Dictator Musharraf badly damaged Pakistan: Assassination of Benazir, 26/11 attacks in India and the US Navy SEALs raid that killed Osama in Abbottabad. But he believed he was a democrat.

Let’s discuss: Is Modi govt’s Kashmir policy a success, failure or same old muddling along?

Modi govt's Kashmir policy has been a success in changing status of state & redefining what remains negotiable. To expect it was going to end terror & alienation was wishful thinking.

Why it’s obscene to tell Ukraine to give in & how war-upended global balance of power brings openings for India

Global order is in flux, and India is being wooed by all. It opens up economic, strategic & military possibilities unimaginable till recently. It is for India to take this opportunity.

Mandir or Masjid? New surveys not needed, just acceptance of truth & move towards reconciliation

That temples were destroyed and mosques built is undisputed history. The past can’t be changed, but we can’t deny the wrongs of the past either before we consider reconciliation.

On Camera

TMC should’ve steered clear of Ram Navami. Competitive communal politics do no good

Today Mamata Banerjee is silent, signalling, it seems, that if the slogan and the festival garner Hindu votes, then, fine, we will live with it.

CBDT signs record 125 Advance Pricing Agreements, 31% more than last year

The 125 APAs include 86 Unilateral APAs (UAPAs) and 39 Bilateral APAs (BAPAs). The total number of APAs since the start of the APA programme has risen to 641, with 506 UAPAs and 135 BAPAs.

Agniveer applicants in Army up nearly 10% compared to last year

This year, the Army has scheduled an online combined examination that will span 174 locations across the country. The examination window is from April 22 to May 7.

44 years on, two things that have changed in Modi’s BJP, and one that hasn’t

As the BJP heads for a likely third successive term in power, it's fascinating to debate how true it looks to the original proposition: a party with a difference.