Opinion

When “Why?” Becomes a Threat: Is West Bengal’s Democratic Space Shrinking?

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.

‘Assalamu Alaikum, Inshaallah, Jazakallah’: Peace, Hope and Gratitude Don’t Cancel Out Your Merit

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.

You Can Crack IIT. Can You Crack Its Caste System?

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

What Is India’s Youth Asking For: Cultural Identity or the Right to a Future?

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?

BRICS Isn’t Beijing’s Game. It’s India’s Strategic Autonomy

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.
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Gen Z 1, Govt 0: Dharmendra Pradhan Resigns Over NEET Paper Leak

The NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has probably tasted its first non-electoral defeat in the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan,...

A Tale of Two Silences: Why Indian Stars & Media Stay Mute While Ali, Sobers, and Yamal Speak Truth to Power

Spain's FIFA World Cup triumph is examined through the lens of Palestine, Garry Sobers, Muhammad Ali and Lamine Yamal. The commentary also questions India's media silence, celebrity apathy and the government's response to student protests, arguing that sport and politics have never been separate.

Losing Faith in the Earth Beneath: How Ram Mandir’s ‘Chanda Chori’ Allegations Shook the Devotee’s Soul

`When you lose faith in the earth beneath your feet’ was how a leading international publication described the 2001 earthquake in Gujarat, which claimed...

You Can’t Regulate an Economy by Destroying It: The Case for India’s 90% Workforce

India's informal economy employs nearly 90% of the workforce and powers local markets. As demolition drives, business closures, and street vendor evictions increase, the challenge is balancing legal compliance with livelihood protection. Sustainable development requires rehabilitation, gradual formalisation, and policies that safeguard both economic growth and millions of livelihoods.

The Future of INDIA Depends on Unity, Humility and Struggle

To defeat authoritarianism, the INDIA bloc must look beyond mere electoral math, embrace its diverse ideological roots, and transform political cooperation into a sustained, grassroots movement for constitutional democracy.

Up in Flames: Why 4,000 Burned EVMs Rekindled a Democratic Crisis

A devastating EVM fire in Kolkata highlights a deeper crisis in Indian democracy. More than a physical accident, it reveals how rapidly institutional trust erodes when transparency is compromised.
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