In The Name Of Kali
This week marks what I believe is peak silly season in Indian politics. After the storm over the toppling of the Maharashtra govt there is a slight lull in...
Maha Coup : When Chess Meets WWE
Straight Bat with the back story on the BJP ‘Maha-coup’ Sena-led govt toppled:, ‘New’ Sena under Shinde; Pawar trumped; Fadnavis downsized; Delhi runs Mumbai. 1) Toppled the Udhav Thackeray...
No ‘Profit’ From Hate
In the aftermath of the Nupur Sharma controversy, the Indian television news media is being targeted from left and right. The left-liberal voices argue that news television is culpable...
RG at ED Boon or Bane?
This week, the political headlines have been dominated by Rahul Gandhi’s questioning by the ED.. with Congress workers and leaders protesting across the country. RG at ED Boon or...
So, Who is the ‘Fringe’?
One word has been often referred to in political conversation: a simple six letter word: ‘fringe’. That’s right: ever since an official response to anger in the Arab world...
Process As Punishment
A few days ago, Sameer Wankhede, the NCB officer and man in charge of the drugs on cruise ship case in which Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan’s son Aryan spent...
Yasin Malik The ‘Gandhian’ Terrorist
Its often said that ‘one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter’. It’s a contentious view but it’s a cliché that can often blur the reality. Take the case...
The Joy of Being Umran Malik and Nikhat Zareen
I recall interviewing Nelson Mandela and I recall the great man telling me how he was convinced that the 1995 rugby world cup victory helped unite post apartheid South...
Falling Rupee; Rising Prices Then and Now
Now it’s often said that where you stand in Indian politics depends on where you sit: our NETAS say one thing when they are sitting in the opposition and...
Private Life of Rahul Gandhi
A video of around 12 seconds is put out on twitter on Tuesday morning by the BJP’s hyper active social media chief, Amit Malviya of Rahul Gandhi partying at...