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Friday, January 23, 2026
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Writings on the wall

Yogi’s cows, Modi’s houses, Akhilesh’s jobs: Why this is a more ‘normal’ Uttar Pradesh election

Caste is back, after 2014, 2017 and 2019. Joblessness is the new nationalism and religion. Too many poor people are hurting as they pay for cow protection.

Stirrings in a Hopeless Land

Finally, there's a new idea in Bihar: ink-in-the-pen vs oil-in-the-lathi.

Bengal stands up to ask for more

And the CPM can't understand why - while Mamata says she is ready to deliver.

Welcome to Pakistan, a full-fledged national security state which suspects everyone, most of all its own.

Welcome to Pakistan, a full-fledged national security state which suspects everyone, most of all its own.

Modi’s Hindutva 2.0 written on Varanasi walls: Temple restoration, not mosque demolition

Modi has boldly ventured to redevelop Varanasi’s messy, filthy inner city. It’s a restoration project that can delight his large Hindu constituency.

Bengal stands up to ask for more

And the CPM can't understand why - while Mamata says she is ready to deliver.

From Soviet Union in Alimuddin Street to a watch repair shop in Singur

The Revolution stands still while people yearn for change.

Varanasi, 2014: Why I’d said, before the secular dip, hold your nose

When a thug wanted for murder joins the fight against communalism, a firebrand secular isn’t pleased they threw eggs at his rudraksh.

Welcome to Freebiestan, also known as KCR’s Telangana

We aren’t being funny. Just reading the ‘Writings on the Wall’ in Telangana, where KCR has redefined handouts and welfare. Yet, it’ll take him more to win.

Writings on the wall: Stumbling on Sonianomics in the land of angrezi dreams

Writings on the Wall is a metaphor that emerged from travels across India, particularly but not necessarily during election campaigns. Writings on the Wall,...

On Camera

Controversial dog-walker IAS Sanjeev Khirwar is back in Delhi. What happened to his wife?

In 2022, athletes claimed they were asked to wind up training early at Thyagraj Stadium so that the IAS couple could walk their dog. Then came the memes and public outrage.

IndiGo profit plunges 78% as Dec meltdown with 3k flight cancellations takes a toll

Net income for InterGlobe Aviation Ltd slipped 78 percent to Rs 5.5 billion for the three months ended Dec 31 compared with the year-ago period.

Rafale saga: 25 yrs of detours, deadlocks & political hesitation. Now IAF getting what it always wanted

Instead of buying more Mirages outright in early 2000s, the requirement was tweaked in favour of a medium-weight, multi-role fighter with Mirage-like performance. 

Pakistan se azaadi. Grow up India, stop giving it prime real estate in your psyche

Pakistan not only has zero chance of catching up with India in most areas, but will inevitably see the gap rising. Its leaders will offer its people the same snake oil in different bottles.