West Bengal’s recent clashes over classrooms, universities, the press and cultural institutions raise a larger question: what happens when political power enters spaces meant for independent thought? The incidents may not be connected, but together they reveal how easily institutional autonomy and dissent can come under pressure.
Dr Bushara Bano’s use of “Assalamu Alaikum”, “InshaAllah” and “Jazakallah” has sparked controversy. But can three expressions of faith overshadow an IPS officer’s qualifications, competitive achievements and professional record? The debate raises a larger question about identity, neutrality and merit in public service.
IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode’s suicide has revived questions about caste discrimination, merit and student rights in India’s elite institutions. As allegations of harassment and casteist abuse emerge, the larger concern is whether campuses meant to nurture talent are becoming hostile spaces for marginalised students
India’s youth have always questioned power, from the student movements of the 1970s to the Anna movement. Today, programmes in Ujjain and Indore raise a new question: is young India seeking cultural identity, political recognition or something more basic — the right to shape its future?
India’s BRICS engagement is not about choosing China over the West but protecting its strategic autonomy. As the global order turns multipolar, India must retain strong ties across competing blocs while defending its independent foreign policy and ensuring that national interests, not Western approval, shape its international choices.
Many Muslim-managed schools struggle not just due to management issues, but because parental neglect and misplaced priorities at home undermine children’s learning. Skipped meetings, delayed fees, and distractions weaken education. True progress requires parents to share responsibility, support teachers, and value schooling beyond just paying fees
Shiny façades and English-medium branding hide a deeper crisis in Kolkata’s Muslim-managed schools, where control outweighs educational purpose. Teachers face low pay, insecure jobs, and exploitative practices, while parents are locked out of decision-making. In chasing prestige through imitation, these institutions risk eroding both learning quality and cultural identity.
Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Digital Dacoity’ charge accuses the Election Commission of enabling voter data theft, duplicate entries, and constituency manipulation. With the media reduced to BJP’s PR arm, watchdogs have failed. He calls for opposition unity, citizen vigilance, and legal action to protect India’s democracy from managed elections.
Trump’s 50% tariff on India and Brazil stems from personal vendetta, not trade logic. Brazil’s Lula defied Trump’s demand to free Bolsonaro, upholding judicial independence. India, meanwhile, failed to diplomatically acknowledge Trump’s role in mediating peace with Pakistan—an avoidable misstep that cost the country dearly in trade relations.
Mohammed Siraj’s journey from the lanes of Hyderabad to international cricket is more than a sporting triumph. With raw pace and unflinching resolve, he rose above personal loss and communal hate. Each delivery he bowls becomes a statement—of resilience, of pride, and of India’s fiercest answer to discrimination and doubt
Despite forming only 2.3% of India’s population, Christians face rising hostility under Modi’s regime. The Sangh Parivar propagates the myth of mass conversions to justify hate crimes, arrests, and anti-conversion laws. Missionary work in health and education is vilified, while churches and burial grounds face targeted attacks.