"If an untouchable marries a non-Dalit girl, then he must be put to death. If untouchable commits adultery with a Hindu woman, then he is to be burned alive" (Matsya Purana, 227.131; Vaishtha Grhyasut

My lifelong passion is cricket, and in more recent times, the political world has become an obsession, not joyful as with cricket, but born of a profound anxiety about the state of the world. Given su

The saddest part is that twenty-two lakh students studied honestly. Millions of parents worried honestly. Teachers taught honestly. Yet a handful of dishonest people have managed to drag one of the co

India's political summer is witnessing impulsive governance, bulldozer crackdowns, and inflammatory rhetoric symbolised by "cockroaches." From hurried populism to selective demolitions and anti-minori

India's discomfort with a Norwegian cartoon and European questions about press freedom expose the erosion of democratic accountability. The issue is not foreign criticism, but a leadership culture tha

Amid the BJP's growing dominance and the weakening of opposition forces, Kerala's UDF victory under VD Satheesan offers Congress a rare chance to build a secular, employment-driven governance model ro

In his message for World Communications Day, Pope Leo XIV urges communicators to preserve human voices and faces amid AI's growing influence. He warns against technological dehumanisation and challeng

Strikes and protests are vital democratic tools in India, but the Mahila Morcha's KSRTC protest before Kerala's new government assumed office was marked by legal ignorance and political theatrics. Ele

Punjab's new sacrilege law, introduced by the Bhagwant Mann government, creates sweeping non-bailable offences that could intimidate converts, minorities, scholars, and ordinary citizens while deepeni

If the Chandala, i.e., untouchable, hears the Veda, then molten lead must be poured into his ears; if he recites the Veda, then his tongue should be cut off; if he memorises Veda, then his body must b

Donald Trump went to Beijing like a wounded soldier, seeking attention and assistance after his Iran misadventure, and returned almost empty-handed after what seemed an eager shopping expedition. He c

For the first time in years, the cockroaches may actually seem like a refreshing change from the polished hypocrites and well-dressed impostors who have crawled through our political system pretending

VD Satheesan emerges as a leader shaped by accessibility, intellect, and democratic openness rather than authoritarianism. His rise reflects Kerala's desire for generational change, responsive governa

Hatred may yield short-term political gains, but history shows that it ultimately destroys societies, economies, and democratic values. Rising communal rhetoric in India threatens social harmony, maki

NEET has become more than an exam; it reflects deep inequalities in India's education system. Repeated paper leaks, excessive reliance on coaching, limited seats, and crushing pressure have undermined

The contrasting first weeks of C. Joseph Vijay and Suvendu Adhikari revealed two distinct political paths shaped by populism, symbolism, and religious messaging. Their early decisions, controversies,

Recent electoral gains have given Rahul Gandhi and the Congress a renewed opportunity to challenge the BJP nationally. Yet rebuilding weak grassroots structures, unifying opposition forces, and presen

From silence to sacrifice: three Imphal Salesian martyrs chose death over betrayal, leaving a legacy of courage that endures twenty five years on.

Dvija (Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya) must throw leftover food of Shraddha on the ground for Chandala (Untouchable), dogs, and birds to eat. (Manu Smriti 3.92, Markandeya Purana 26.45-46; Kurma Purana

Not dictatorship by tanks. Not an emergency rule. But something far more dangerous. Which is a democracy where the scoreboard still works, the crowds still cheer, the commentators still shout, the pla

The 2026 West Bengal elections exposed how democratic institutions can be weakened without a formal suspension of democracy. Through voter deletions, administrative filtering, heavy enforcement deploy

The proposed School Management Committees mark an unprecedented Union encroachment into school governance, threatening state powers and minority rights. The guidelines lack constitutional backing, und

I first heard your name when my friend, an IAS officer, now retired, served under you in the Petroleum Ministry. Recently, I had occasion to write an editorial on the reforms that you introduced in th

The Assembly election results underline a stark warning for India's opposition: disunity is strengthening the BJP's expanding dominance and weakening democratic pluralism. Critics argue that fragmente

The 2026 Assembly elections showed that Christian voters remain influential in areas where communities are concentrated and institutionally organised, especially in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Vijay's rise

When flames tore through the fragile shanties along the Narkeldanga canal one humid evening in February 2025, families lost everything in minutes. Bamboo poles, tin sheets, plastic and tarpaulin roofs

To split human beings into Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra, Untouchable: To place some at the summit of heaven And bury untouchables below the floor of hell Is not just a mistake of history;

Francis Fukuyama, quoting Hobbes, says, people usually fight over necessities, but often enough they contend over trifles. That is to say, many quarrels arise over non-issues. They are expressions

Many of us grew up hearing a sentence repeated by parents, teachers, coaches and even old uncles sitting with cups of tea after a cricket match. "Learn to lose gracefully." We were told that being a g