Power, Proximity and Public Morality: India’s Ethical Test in the Shadow of the Epstein Revelations
When Association Becomes a Moral Question Across continents, the release of fresh documents related to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has triggered resignations, investigations and public reckonings. From Europe to North America, prominent figures have stepped aside or been compelled to explain why they continued to engage with a man who, […]
When Patriotism Is Mandated: The Constitutional Perils of Compulsory Vande Mataram
A Directive That Reopens Old Wounds The recent directive of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs mandating the recitation of all six stanzas of Vande Mataram before the National Anthem at public functions marks a decisive and troubling moment in India’s constitutional journey. What may appear, at first glance, as a gesture of cultural pride […]
The Sacred Fast: Ramadan and Echoes of Discipline Across Faiths
In an era where indulgence often defines daily life, the ancient practice of fasting stands as a profound counterpoint—a deliberate pause that fosters introspection, resilience, and renewal. As Muslims worldwide observe Ramadan (Arabic) or Ramzan (Persian), the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, this period of abstention from dawn until dusk invites reflection not […]
RAMADAN IN INDIA FROM FEB 19
NEW DELHI: Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, is observed by millions of Muslims across India and the world through fasting, prayer, and charity. Many are already looking for clarity on when Ramadan will begin in India and when Eid-ul-Fitr is likely to be celebrated. Ramadan 2026 start date in India Ramadan follows […]
The Eternal Timelessness of Mirza Ghalib
February 15 marked the 157th death anniversary of Mirza Asadullah Khan Ghalib (1797–1869), the crowning jewel of Urdu and Persian literature. A nobleman of the fading Mughal court and a witness to the seismic shifts of 1857, Ghalib was more than a poet; he was a philosopher of the human condition whose relevance has only […]
Parliament’s Sovereign Space: Modi’s Abdication of Duty A Prime Minister Too ‘Unsafe’ for His Own House
In a parliamentary democracy, the floor of the House is not merely a stage for rhetoric; it is the altar of accountability. The Prime Minister is not a sovereign ruler but the first among equals, tethered to the legislature by an umbilical cord of constitutional responsibility. When that bond is frayed by absenteeism or bypassed […]
Controversy Over Retired General M.M. Naravane’s Book & Its Political Fallout
Has a General Been Silenced to Shield the Prime Minister?The Real Scandal Lies Beyond the BookHussain Naqvi The controversy surrounding General M.M. Naravane’s unpublished memoir is not about whether a book should see the light of day. It is about the Modi government’s palpable alarm at the mere emergence of its excerpts—and the general’s conspicuous refusal […]
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 […]
