It cannot be doubted that it is a world of increasing intolerance. The space for diversity is decreasing everywhere, though the most obvious aspects are those with implications on human rights of large segments of populations and have a political context. This is convenient, because if someone else – say the political system or the …
A world in which empathy is evaporating – Be the change series Read More »
We, the undersigned, are shocked by the serial raids across the country on the homes of activists and public intellectuals who are critical of the government and the ruling party at the Centre. The arrests of prominent activists and intellectuals Sudha Bharadwaj, Vernon Gonsalves, Gautam Navlakha, Varavara Rao, Arun Ferreira, Kranthi Tekula and others, are …
Joint Statement condemning arrest of activists and public intellectuals Read More »
Next week, we will celebrate yet another independence day. Yet another independence day with fighter planes whirring, tanks roaring, military bands playing and prime minister speaking. We celebrate this independence day with many uncertain dark clouds. Economy The second economic survey tabled by Ministry of Finance paints a gloomy picture on the economy and almost …
I tend to have very strong opinions, so my contempt for the increasing “stupidification” of India is hardly a secret. This is a cause for alarm, because it is indeed contagious. Political views, gender, caste, class, religion are not barriers to this epidemic. The reason for it is the natural human tendency to reply in …
Some thoughts on rising intolerance, paranoia and plain irrationality Read More »
With Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi due to arrive in the UK, protesters of the Awaaz Network projected an image of Modi holding a sword with an “Om morphing into the Swastika” next to him. This has triggered a lot of outrage and offended feelings among many. I see it as missing the woods for the …
Om morphing into the Swastika by Awaaz Network was eloquent Read More »
Writers Speak Up against the Unmaking of India “A distinguished Kannada writer and Sahitya Akademi Award winner, M.M. Kalburgi, and two Maharashtrians, Narendra Dabholkar and Govind Pansare, both anti-superstition activists, have all been killed by gun-toting motor-cyclists. Other dissenters have been warned they are next in line. Most recently, a village blacksmith, Mohammed Akhlaq, was …
Looking at the rain and smelling the scent of wet soil here. #Yakub Memon will probably be hanged tomorrow. Idle question comes up in my mind. What would I do if I were him? Too big a question. I know nothing about being him, his circumstances, motivations. What would I do if I were stood …
What if I stood before a court? Contemplating freedom. Read More »
Dear Aamir Khan, This is about a video of you on the subject of All India Bakchod’s Knockout Roast. I agree with many views you expressed. I think it was juvenile, offensive, irresponsible. I agree that being profane for the sake of being profane is not funny. I agree that jokes about identity, color of …
All India Bakchod hosted a roast that caused an outrage. Responding to threats with apologies set a troubling precedent for frees peech in India.