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Friday, August 15, 2025
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Sharp Edge

If Rajiv Gandhi had listened to Arun Nehru, Ayodhya politics would look very different

Arun Nehru, who sought to be Court Chamberlain in the Rajiv Gandhi-era, argued to continue with Indira Gandhi’s policy of playing the Hindu card in a subtle way that did not alienate Muslims.

Don’t expect a gentler Modi in 2024. He’s already sure of his place in history

Narendra Modi's supremacy doesn't work in South India. Unless the BJP's next victory is more national in character, the Hindi belt vs the rest problem will fester going ahead.

Why no public outcry over suspended MPs? Indians love to vote but won’t guard institutions

We tend to romanticise the defeat of Indira Gandhi’s Emergency regime. Certainly, India didn’t rise up as a whole in 1977 to defend the institutions of democracy. It was sterilisation.

Modi is following Indira Gandhi playbook—election wins are personal triumphs, CMs don’t matter

Modi's charisma and vision for India is the only mandate for elections. Local leaders become no more than facilitators. They are not expected to win votes in their own names.

Only Modi can defeat Modi in 2024. Squabbling INDIA coalition leaders are just a sideshow

Congress has no natural allies today, only enemies. But even after the opposition leaders have reunited under INDIA, it won't be enough to challenge the BJP in 2024.

How do you tour a state and miss the BJP landslide? Congress believed its own propaganda

Only one thing unites the BJP’s victories in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and it has very little to do with the local factors that are now being trotted out.

Stop fussing over ‘Khalistani’ targets. Is it beyond us to get real Pakistani terrorists?

What about Dawood Ibrahim? We have known for years where he lives, first in Dubai and then in Pakistan. Yet, he has suffered no retribution.

Stop taking pride in Indian-origin politicians abroad. Many are phonies & racists

Many Indian politicians abroad are unscrupulous apologists for racism and empire. Look at Suella Braverman and Vivek Ramaswamy.

Rahul Gandhi has got his act together, but is it enough? Modi is still a force of nature

Even the people who declare that the BJP will lose most states in this round of assembly elections seem convinced that Narendra Modi will be back for another term.

Judge Israel and Hamas on their actions, not where your loyalties lie

If Hamas had attacked a military camp, we wouldn't have called it terrorism. You can see why those who want to whitewash Hamas’s actions are eager to muddy the waters.

On Camera

How Saba Azad became the accidental voice of Bengal’s language protests

Bengalis are hurt over a statement by the Delhi police calling Bangla a ‘Bangladeshi language’ and the lines Azad sang have unwittingly become protest music in Kolkata now.

Slashing GST on waste can unlock Rs 1.8 lakh crore, high tax hurting circular economy goals—CSE

Centre for Science and Environment in new report makes case for rationalising GST on waste material, saying most informal operators can’t afford high tax & it also hinders recycling.

President awards 1st set of Sarvottam Yudh Seva medals since Kargil, 7 honoured for leading Op Sindoor

This year, the Indian Air Force received four of the seven awards, followed by the Indian Army with two medals, and the Indian Navy with one. 

Modi’s ready to risk it all for farmers. Farm reform can answer Trump with new Green Revolution

Standing up to America is usually not a personal risk for a leader in India. Any suggestions of foreign pressure unites India behind who they see as leading them in that fight.