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Sunday, March 29, 2026
HomeOpinionIndian Liberals Matter

Indian Liberals Matter

Violent class-war doctrines of Marx became the sole saviour of labour: MA Venkata Rao

It is not State aggrandisement that has to explain and justify itself but the claims of human liberty and individuality, libertarian commentator MA Venkata Rao wrote in 1958.

Why legal provisions are necessary to curb the power of trade unions: MH Mody

The collusion between the new class of bureaucrats, politicians, businessmen and trade union bosses perpetuates itself partly because of the short-run benefits and partly because they see no way out of the system, wrote author MH Mody in 1980.

The so-called ‘socialist pattern’ and democracy cannot co-exist for long: Minoo Masani

The main enemies of grassroots vigilance are personality cult, loyalty to party 'high command', sycophancy and a controlled economy where permit-licence is a pre-condition to economic survival, Minoo Masani wrote in 1989.

Capitalism isn’t responsible for mass unemployment. Look at Japan, Singapore: BS Iyer

It is not capitalism which is responsible for the evils of permanent mass unemployment, but the policies of the stateman which paralyse its working, wrote BS Iyer in 1971.

Welfare state is socially and economically a national disaster: GN Lawande

In a welfare state, the rule of law has been defiled and public opinion and sovereignty are being superseded by the undemocratic decrees of the ministers, wrote GN Lawande in 1958.

Marxism extinguishes democratic rights the moment it captures power: MA Venkata Rao

Being founded on class war, any State founded on Marxism is bound to set itself in opposition, bitter and all-out, against all other nations, libertarian commentator MA Venkata Rao wrote in 1963.

There’s no need for the outdated and ridiculous shroud of secrecy around Budget: Nani Palkhivala

To every economic policy, we must apply the acid test—how far will it bend our people to fruitful ends and how far will it dissipate them in coping with a bumbling bureaucracy, Palkhivala wrote in 1977.

Liberal methods reach social justice faster than socialism: Minoo Masani

The biggest capitalist has to consider what the smallest man in the market wants. This is how the consumer is king and this is what is called a free market economy, Minoo Masani wrote in 1966.

Indian bureaucracy should be given incentives and rewards: MH Mody

Is there a place for a counter-bureaucracy, or a separate and competing bureaucracy to counterbalance the force of the executive’s bureaucracy, asked author MH Mody in 1980.

Demonetisation is a wild hit at the bull’s eye. It will not hurt the guilty: BP Adarkar

Demonetisation is no terror to politicians, officials and big businessmen who had enough notice to take necessary precautions. It'll catch dumb goats, not black sheep, Prof BP Adarkar said in 1973.

On Camera

Chiraiya shows marital rape is structural—it is embedded in India’s legal framework

Chiraiya, streaming on JioHostar, confronts consent within marriage. It stars Divya Dutta, Siddharth Shaw and Prasanna Bisht.

Drug regulator calls on Indian pharma to move beyond generics, address dependence on bulk imports

Advice comes at a time when India accounts for a 5th of global generic drug supply & 40% of generics used in US. However, this strength in finished formulations relies on imported ingredients.

1st batch of 2,000 India-made Israeli Negev LMGs delivered to Army; 4,000 more to be delivered this year

The Indian Army is set to get another 4,000 of these LMGs as part of a contract signed in August 2024 to replace the 5.56x45mm INSAS LMG.

Gulf war exposed India’s fragilities. It’s time for navel-gazing, in the national interest

It’s easy to understand why the government can’t speak the hard truth. When this war ends, as all wars do, India’s interests will lie with both the winner and the loser.