The latest ‘National Interest’ column, published 23 June, has elicited backlash and support in equal measure.
New Delhi: When he argued that the aggressive, ‘my-way-or-the-highway’ line...
Judgement free hotel stays for couples, and easier dating options for the LGBT; the new startups of India are making profits by catering to nonconformists.
Like Turkey and Egypt, Pakistan is one of a handful of powers with the human resources and infrastructure to help secure the Persian Gulf as Trump’s America draws down its military presence.
India’s industrial output growth saw a 10-month low in June, with Index of Industrial Production (IIP) growing by mere 1.5% as against 1.9% in May 2025.
ACM Katre was 2nd IAF chief to die in harness. It was at a memorial lecture in his honour where IAF chief AP Singh revealed that India shot down 6 Pakistani aircraft in Op Sindoor.
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.
For the sale of defending Bikram writes . With such mandate , instead of developing the country, only wasted enrgy in dividing people on the ground of caste, religion, rich and poor. Accusing Congres by BJP for their failier is fatal. That is irresponsability and shame. Others failier is never a justification that you fail. It is hypocracy, arrogance and destructive. It is worst condeming to liberals.
This is a shameful attempt to build a false equality! Some things are right and some things are wrong – there is nothing wrong in pointing out what is wrong. That is not being “partial”. The author is clearly an admirer of BJP – ok, why not? It takes all kinds to build a democracy. But it is preposterous to suggest (as does a commentator here) that it needs guts to praise those in power.
A great article exposing the falsehood of paid gangs of pseudo seculars and the fake liberals of India. The nation needs more and more intellectuals like Mr Vikram Sampath to present the true picture of the Indian society and polity.
The author’s only valid grouch is why are these artists/writers openly naming and shaming BJP and Modi? His Twitter bio ‘openly’ says, “followed by Narendra Modi”, if you can openly celebrate, why can’t another person openly condemn? But then you write an article to somehow defend Modi. Well then, do a good job. Your first para had some NCRB data, only till 2016, (because Modi govt have not released 2017 and 2018 NCRB data, just like they stalled jobs unemployment data or the data on how many killed in Balakot) to prove that things were as bad or even worse in Congress regime. And then in subsequent para you had no data at all but proved the same point that things were as bad. You went all the way back to 1949 in your enthusiastic literary whataboutery to prove things were always as bad. Now, I have some data to show there is considerable increase in communal violence in Modi regime.
In spite of all that data, this author who is followed by Narendra Modi on Twitter, and is writing a biography of Savarkar, is outraged people are “openly” condemning Modi’s hate and violence politics. Wonder wonder. Horror Horror.
This is just quick and basic research. Hindu-Muslim animosity goes a long way back in history. I am sure some of us have been direct witness to lynching and burning that happened during 1984. Hate to even recall that dreadful time.
Very well said, Sanjukta Basu. It is typical of fanatics to apply different standards to themselves and to others. Now Advani says that critisism of BJP is not anti-national. Bhakts may go on hoping that everyone will be intimidated into chanting har-har-modi but that is not going to happen – even within the party, there is a slow rebellion building up againt mindless tyrany.
You are aptly named…..
Filmmakers, writers and artistes who hate Modi don’t apply the same standards when evaluating Modi government as they did for Congress lead governments. This difference of standards is not merely a personal choice but a propaganda tool of Congress’s well nourished team of filmmakers, writers and artistes. Common people may take time to understand this game plan of Congress but they will ultimately know the truth.
Great article exposing the hypocrisy of so-called intellectual libtards who are actually Congress and left stooges. Freedom of expression is a two-way street. Diehard presstirltudes feel they have birthright to call all others as intolerant, while they become so intolerant against any contrarian views.
These “intellectuals” are not some misguided liberals. They are part of a well-fed and well-nourished political hit team serving their political masters. They are the internal enemies who are undermining India from within.
no one’s defending what the congis did to india and its institutions ever since 1950. maybe they were guilty of minority appeasement, draconian measures like emergency, multiple scams, harassment of their opponents, and every grave sin that a democratic govt should never ever commit, including the gravest of all – lying to future generations by biased school curriculum, etc etc. but all those had their own contexts in their periods – lack of enough money, adequate and timely info, paranoid autocracy of indira and family, spineless, brainless opposition who themselves were cutting each other down, etc. but this bjp was given power to stop the mess and do correct course corrections – a lot to do for a party with a difference. but what did we see – modi seems to be an even worse form of indira g or at best , the same – not qualified, insecure attitude to team formations, etc. what we started from the start was shocking – ghar wapsi was the first, then came the dozens of lynchings by goon (a pm whos supposed to be hands on and lost no time in going after jnu students and dalit students like Rohit vemula, didnt do anything to jail the hindutva goons, but was bleating in the parliament!). thats all designed papering over their intentions. stupid things to do like demo, chaotic gst, outright lies, halftruths and the ugliest campaigns for even state byelections have lost this govt all credibility – and it just gets worse. in the same instant of babies dying for want of oxygen cyl, the’ hindutva future’ says krishna janma… will be celebrated in full pomp.no oxygen for babies but ram and family will come in helicopter and pm will do aarathi! how shameless and cruel! now next are old tricks like hindi impositions esp on passports,doctoring central govt postings in states, NEET , etc – to grab south india’s resources, implementing 2011 census as basis for resource allocn and parliamentary seats. even the blindest of fools will see the grand plan. these are the things that we are worried abt. these bjp goons dont stand for the southindian psyche but we are in greatest danger right now. we’re pushed around by 2 men whose sole obj is unbridled power to make india likethe bimaru states or fleece the middle class taxpayer to fund their games.
This is an election more to decide who should NOT stay in power, than to decide who should
Sunder,
Your accusations are so pathetic. Go out travel across India and talk to people to realize the positive impacts of Modi and Bjp.
Whats pathetic is ur party’s lowest-ever-seen campaign strategy – spreading hatred, fear, blackmail, lies and so many more 3rd rate styles like street goondas. so stuff it. if people feel nda-2 is still better, thats their fate
sir,
the argument that things were equally bad in the past doesn’t give any comfort to us. can u join the bandwagon that expects more now (for whatever reason), and ensure they do the same irrespective of who forms the next government. that would be a fair demand of you and others.
just remember, the first christmas post the last election, became good governance day.. for what purpose … and now we have all forgotten. good governance …. unless someone screams nothing happens.
After a very long time an author has supported the Modi Govt on issues raised by Leftist Liberads Selective Lutyens media who are intolerant to the Modi personally……. Mr Sampath, we need more such people like you to counter the fake narratives……. Kudos to your guts…..
Very well written exposing the liberals for what they are worth
Please remove the G+ button from the Sharing Options. Google+ is dead and gone…
For the sale of defending Bikram writes . With such mandate , instead of developing the country, only wasted enrgy in dividing people on the ground of caste, religion, rich and poor. Accusing Congres by BJP for their failier is fatal. That is irresponsability and shame. Others failier is never a justification that you fail. It is hypocracy, arrogance and destructive. It is worst condeming to liberals.
This is a shameful attempt to build a false equality! Some things are right and some things are wrong – there is nothing wrong in pointing out what is wrong. That is not being “partial”. The author is clearly an admirer of BJP – ok, why not? It takes all kinds to build a democracy. But it is preposterous to suggest (as does a commentator here) that it needs guts to praise those in power.
A great article exposing the falsehood of paid gangs of pseudo seculars and the fake liberals of India. The nation needs more and more intellectuals like Mr Vikram Sampath to present the true picture of the Indian society and polity.
The author’s only valid grouch is why are these artists/writers openly naming and shaming BJP and Modi? His Twitter bio ‘openly’ says, “followed by Narendra Modi”, if you can openly celebrate, why can’t another person openly condemn? But then you write an article to somehow defend Modi. Well then, do a good job. Your first para had some NCRB data, only till 2016, (because Modi govt have not released 2017 and 2018 NCRB data, just like they stalled jobs unemployment data or the data on how many killed in Balakot) to prove that things were as bad or even worse in Congress regime. And then in subsequent para you had no data at all but proved the same point that things were as bad. You went all the way back to 1949 in your enthusiastic literary whataboutery to prove things were always as bad. Now, I have some data to show there is considerable increase in communal violence in Modi regime.
Communal riots up 17% in 2015 under NDA https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/communal-riots-up-17-in-2015-under-nda/articleshow/51130192.cms
86% killed in cow-related violence since 2010 are Muslim, 97% attacks after Modi govt came to power: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/86-killed-in-cow-related-violence-since-2010-are-muslims-97-attacks-after-modi-govt-came-to-power/story-w9CYOksvgk9joGSSaXgpLO.html
Govt reports 27% rise in communal clashes between 2014 to 2017 (Note, this is govt report mentioned in Parliament): http://164.100.47.190/loksabhaquestions/annex/14/AU590.pdf
In spite of all that data, this author who is followed by Narendra Modi on Twitter, and is writing a biography of Savarkar, is outraged people are “openly” condemning Modi’s hate and violence politics. Wonder wonder. Horror Horror.
Well, anyone can do such research and come up with equal “wonder, wonder, horror horror”. One example: https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/communal-violence-increases-28-under-modi-govt-yet-short-of-upa-high-118020900128_1.html. Is this the reason why Congress manifesto mentions restraining the reporting of riots etc?
You cannot just wait for comments to conclude and then have a final word. Those who are discerning amongst us will do their own investigation before getting shocked by your half-baked facts. So here’s another of your “wonder, wonder, horror, horror” https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/cong-ruled-states-witnessed-more-communal-violences-home-ministry-data-180323-2014-02-09.
This is just quick and basic research. Hindu-Muslim animosity goes a long way back in history. I am sure some of us have been direct witness to lynching and burning that happened during 1984. Hate to even recall that dreadful time.
Very well said, Sanjukta Basu. It is typical of fanatics to apply different standards to themselves and to others. Now Advani says that critisism of BJP is not anti-national. Bhakts may go on hoping that everyone will be intimidated into chanting har-har-modi but that is not going to happen – even within the party, there is a slow rebellion building up againt mindless tyrany.
You are aptly named…..
Filmmakers, writers and artistes who hate Modi don’t apply the same standards when evaluating Modi government as they did for Congress lead governments. This difference of standards is not merely a personal choice but a propaganda tool of Congress’s well nourished team of filmmakers, writers and artistes. Common people may take time to understand this game plan of Congress but they will ultimately know the truth.
Great article exposing the hypocrisy of so-called intellectual libtards who are actually Congress and left stooges. Freedom of expression is a two-way street. Diehard presstirltudes feel they have birthright to call all others as intolerant, while they become so intolerant against any contrarian views.
Very nice article indeed
These “intellectuals” are not some misguided liberals. They are part of a well-fed and well-nourished political hit team serving their political masters. They are the internal enemies who are undermining India from within.
no one’s defending what the congis did to india and its institutions ever since 1950. maybe they were guilty of minority appeasement, draconian measures like emergency, multiple scams, harassment of their opponents, and every grave sin that a democratic govt should never ever commit, including the gravest of all – lying to future generations by biased school curriculum, etc etc. but all those had their own contexts in their periods – lack of enough money, adequate and timely info, paranoid autocracy of indira and family, spineless, brainless opposition who themselves were cutting each other down, etc. but this bjp was given power to stop the mess and do correct course corrections – a lot to do for a party with a difference. but what did we see – modi seems to be an even worse form of indira g or at best , the same – not qualified, insecure attitude to team formations, etc. what we started from the start was shocking – ghar wapsi was the first, then came the dozens of lynchings by goon (a pm whos supposed to be hands on and lost no time in going after jnu students and dalit students like Rohit vemula, didnt do anything to jail the hindutva goons, but was bleating in the parliament!). thats all designed papering over their intentions. stupid things to do like demo, chaotic gst, outright lies, halftruths and the ugliest campaigns for even state byelections have lost this govt all credibility – and it just gets worse. in the same instant of babies dying for want of oxygen cyl, the’ hindutva future’ says krishna janma… will be celebrated in full pomp.no oxygen for babies but ram and family will come in helicopter and pm will do aarathi! how shameless and cruel! now next are old tricks like hindi impositions esp on passports,doctoring central govt postings in states, NEET , etc – to grab south india’s resources, implementing 2011 census as basis for resource allocn and parliamentary seats. even the blindest of fools will see the grand plan. these are the things that we are worried abt. these bjp goons dont stand for the southindian psyche but we are in greatest danger right now. we’re pushed around by 2 men whose sole obj is unbridled power to make india likethe bimaru states or fleece the middle class taxpayer to fund their games.
This is an election more to decide who should NOT stay in power, than to decide who should
Sunder,
Your accusations are so pathetic. Go out travel across India and talk to people to realize the positive impacts of Modi and Bjp.
Whats pathetic is ur party’s lowest-ever-seen campaign strategy – spreading hatred, fear, blackmail, lies and so many more 3rd rate styles like street goondas. so stuff it. if people feel nda-2 is still better, thats their fate
sir,
the argument that things were equally bad in the past doesn’t give any comfort to us. can u join the bandwagon that expects more now (for whatever reason), and ensure they do the same irrespective of who forms the next government. that would be a fair demand of you and others.
just remember, the first christmas post the last election, became good governance day.. for what purpose … and now we have all forgotten. good governance …. unless someone screams nothing happens.
lets increase the standards for all politicians.
I Wish there was a like button. Well written and very thought provoking.
Thanks for exposing the hypocrisy of certain sections of Indian society for acting as self-appointed thekedaars of liberalism and secularism.
Great article!! Hope some Indians would see and understand the vested interests of these people calling them so-called “liberals”.
After a very long time an author has supported the Modi Govt on issues raised by Leftist Liberads Selective Lutyens media who are intolerant to the Modi personally……. Mr Sampath, we need more such people like you to counter the fake narratives……. Kudos to your guts…..
One of the finest article which I read in recent times . Point by point rebuttal of every charge .