A Timeless Legacy: Honouring Dilip Kumar on His Fourth Death Anniversary
July 7, 2025, marks the fourth anniversary of the passing of Dilip Kumar, India’s Koh-i-Noor, whose contributions to Indian cinema remain unparalleled. This tribute celebrates the life, artistry, and enduring impact of the Shahenshah-e-Adakari (The emperor of acting) The Birth of a Legend Born Yusuf Khan on December 11, 1922, in Peshawar (now in Pakistan), […]
Ganga-Jamuna Tehzeeb in Muharram: The Legacy of Channu Lal Dilgeer’s Marsiyas
As the Islamic world observes Ashura on July 6, 2025, the 10th day of Muharram, the solemn remembrance of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain at Karbala resonates deeply in Lucknow, a city synonymous with the Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb—a cultural synthesis of Hindu and Muslim traditions. At the heart of this syncretic heritage stands Munshi Channu Lal […]
Language, Politics, and Identity in a Multilingual World
How language shapes political inclusion, exclusion, governance, and resistance—from India’s federalism to global conflicts. Language as a Tool of Power and Identity Language is far more than a tool for communication; it is a mechanism of power, a carrier of identity, and a political battleground. In legislative halls, election rallies, protests, and digital campaigns, language […]
The Erasure of Medieval Indian History: A Dangerous Rewrite of the Past
In a shocking move, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has virtually erased 600 years of Medieval Indian history (1200–1800 AD) from the syllabus of the UGC NET examinations. This follows a disturbing trend, with the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) previously removing the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Empire from Class 7 textbooks, […]
DARK INTERLUDE : THE EMERGENCY AND INDIA’S DEMOCRATIC DILEMMA
Fifty years ago, India witnessed a seismic jolt to its democratic foundations when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared a national Emergency on June 25, 1975. The move, widely regarded as a dark chapter in India’s constitutional history, suspended civil liberties, muzzled the press, and stifled dissent for 19 months. Today, as the nation reflects on […]
The Real Threat to the Constitution Lies Not in Its Words, But in Their Denial
A Point-by-Point Rebuttal of the BJP-RSS Attack on “Socialist” and “Secular” in the Preamble The Constitution of India is more than a legal document—it is a moral compass forged through consensus and commitment to democratic pluralism. Yet recent statements by key figures in the ruling establishment—RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa […]
Muharram: A Saga of Sacrifice and Unity in the Indian Subcontinent
Commemoration, Not CelebrationAs the crescent moon heralds Muharram, the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar, a question arises: Is Muharram a festival to celebrate or a solemn occasion to commemorate? Far from a festive event, Muharram is a time of profound reflection, particularly for Shi’ite Muslims, who mourn the martyrdom of Imam Husain ibn […]
Jim Masselos (1939–2025): A Historian Who Mapped Mumbai’s Heart
Celebrating a Scholar Who Wove the City’s Stories into a Tapestry of Empathy and Insight Jim Masselos, the eminent Australian historian whose life’s work illuminated the intricate social and urban history of Bombay (now Mumbai), passed away on June 25, 2025, in Australia, aged 86. A pioneering scholar, Masselos spent over six decades exploring the […]
Delhi University’s Syllabus Purge: A Step Backward for Academic Freedom and Critical Inquiry
Delhi University’s recent proposal to remove courses on Pakistan, China, Islam, and caste-related topics from its postgraduate curricula in Political Science, Geography, and Sociology has ignited a fierce debate about academic freedom, pedagogical integrity, and the role of universities in fostering critical thinking. The decision, driven by the university’s Standing Committee on Academic Matters, reflects […]
50 Years After the Emergency: From Midnight Knocks to Silent Erosion
As India marks five decades since its most overt democratic breakdown, observers warn of a deeper, subtler crisis unfolding under the guise of normalcy. Remembering the Night Democracy Was Gagged At the stroke of midnight on June 25, 1975, India—then the world’s largest democracy—plunged into its darkest constitutional hour. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, facing political […]
