Nida Fazli Poets Of His Stature Do Not Disappear Into Memory
Safar mein dhoop to hogi jo chal sako to chalo* (The sun will scorch the journey—walk on, if you have the courage to walk.) On his tenth death anniversary, 8 February, Nida Fazli’s voice continues to move through our fractured times like a stubborn beam of light. A poet who chose to stay back when […]
The Erosion of Pluralism: India’s Descent into State-Sanctioned Majoritarianism
The foundational promise of the Indian Republic—a pluralistic sanctuary for all faiths—is currently weathering its most severe storm since Independence. What was once a series of isolated communal skirmishes has evolved into a systematic, widespread campaign of intimidation against religious minorities. As the world watches, the “world’s largest democracy” is increasingly being defined not by […]
Blood on Friday Prayers: The Islamabad Mosque Massacre
Blood on Friday Prayers: The Islamabad Mosque Massacre Another Chapter in Pakistan’s Sectarian Shame In the shadow of Pakistan’s gleaming capital, where diplomats convene and power brokers plot, a suicide bomber shattered the sanctity of Friday prayers on February 6, 2026. The blast at Khadijah al Kubra mosque-cum-Imambargah in Islamabad’s Tarlai area claimed at least 31 […]
The Erosion of Pluralism: India’s Descent into State-Sanctioned Majoritarianism
The foundational promise of the Indian Republic—a pluralistic sanctuary for all faiths—is currently weathering its most severe storm since Independence. What was once a series of isolated communal skirmishes has evolved into a systematic, widespread campaign of intimidation against religious minorities. As the world watches, the “world’s largest democracy” is increasingly being defined not by […]
America’s Bargain, India’s Burden: The Modi-Trump Trade Pact Under Scrutiny
In a surprise announcement that bypassed conventional diplomacy, US President Donald Trump declared a “trade deal” with India on February 2, 2026, following a phone call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Trump framed it as a personal triumph, crediting Modi’s “request” and “friendship.” Modi responded with measured praise, highlighting the reduction in US tariffs on […]
Teacher, thinker and scholar
The Sage of Sripuram: A Tribute to Andre Béteille, the Architect of Modern Indian Sociology With the passing of Professor Andre Béteille (1934–2026), India has lost more than a scholar; it has lost its most refined analytical lens. A founding father of sociology in independent India, Béteille was the bridge between European Enlightenment and Indian […]
Revisiting the 1986 Verdict That Reshaped India’s Future
Ayodhya Unlocked: The 1986 Blunder That Ignited India’s Polarized Inferno On February 1, 1986, Faizabad District Judge Krishna Mohan Pandey brazenly ordered the gates of the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid site flung open, greenlighting Hindu worship after 37 years of lockdown. This unchallenged judicial overreach didn’t just spark a fire—it unleashed a conflagration that scorched India’s […]
Shadows of Indecision: The Galwan Gamble and the Cost of Ambiguity
In the heat of parliamentary debate, Rahul Gandhi’s invocation of an unpublished memoir by former Army Chief General M.M. Naravane pierced the government’s armour, sparking chaos that twice adjourned the Lok Sabha. The Congress leader spotlighted revelations from *Four Stars of Destiny*, alleging a leadership vacuum during China’s 2020 incursions in Ladakh. BJP heavyweights, from […]
Big Vision, Small Relief — When Growth Ignores the Household Economy
Big Vision, Small Relief — When Growth Ignores the Household Economy Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, is unapologetically a Budget of intent rather than impact. Anchored in high capital expenditure, fiscal restraint and long-term industrial ambition, it speaks fluently to bond markets, credit rating agencies and global investors. But for the vast majority of Indians — […]
The Shadow over Baramati: Realpolitik vs. Ritual in the Wake of Tragedy
The smoke from the crash site in Baramati had barely settled when the dust was kicked up at Lok Bhavan in Mumbai. In a state that has seen its fair share of political acrobatics, the events following the tragic demise of Ajit Pawar on January 28, 2026, have set a new, albeit somber, record for […]
