Columnists

D. Raja

The writer is national secretary, CPI, and Rajya Sabha MP.

Bhagat Singh’s commitment to people can inspire fightback against our COVID-19 crisis

Tue, Mar 24, 2020

The country, already facing multiple challenges, has to contend with a serious health crisis now. The situation demands strong political will and commitment for the people, the sort that Singh had.

Cost of a spectacle: Donald Trump succeeded in boosting the American economy when India is in a slowdown

Thu, Feb 27, 2020

The spectacle put up at huge public expense by the Narendra Modi government to welcome President Donald Trump in Gujarat speaks volumes about the penchant for exhibitionism and the utter servility of the people in power towards the US.

The targeting of university campuses is part of a campaign to discredit dissent

Fri, Jan 17, 2020

All fascist regimes target universities, since intellectuals have put up the greatest resistance against attacks on reason, freedom of expression and liberty.

Those who care for democracy, freedom, secularism, equality must resist CAA

Tue, Dec 17, 2019

By discriminating between migrants on the basis on their religious affiliation, the CAA divorces India from its rich humanitarian tradition of giving shelter to whoever is persecuted.

On Ambedkar’s death anniversary, his legacy can help counter Hindutva forces

Fri, Dec 06, 2019

Ambedkar’s increasing relevance in India gives hope to everyone who dreams of a society free of hierarchies, a society based on equality and dignity. His legacy and relevance is also an undying challenge to the reactionary and divisive forces that seek to perpetrate hierarchy and humiliation.

We owe it to freedom movement to protect ideals of democracy, secularism

Tue, Nov 26, 2019

The BJP-RSS combine wants to impose an undemocratic, monolithic, illiberal socio-political order. In this challenging period it is the responsibility of all citizens of the country to come together to protect the values we have inherited from the freedom struggle, and the Constitution.

Gurudas Dasgupta fought for the rights of working people throughout his life

Fri, Nov 01, 2019

The passing of Gurudas Dasgupta is not merely a loss for the CPI. It is a loss for the communist parties as a whole and all the other socialist and progressive forces. It is a loss for India.

Dyerism: Why the phrase coined by Mahatma Gandhi strikes a chord

Wed, Sep 18, 2019

What was done to J&K is contrary to PM Narendra Modi’s assurance — abjuring “gaali” and “goli” and winning over the Kashmiris by embracing them (“gale lagaane se”). But the clampdown on Kashmiris is nothing but Dyerism.

Hinduism is about catholicity and reforms, not just discrimination. Hindutva, in contrast, is a homogenising force

Fri, May 17, 2019

The debates around hard-Hindutva and soft-Hindutva are seriously tampering with the secular character of our elections and democracy. The RSS and the ruling regime wants to create a new normal — one in which being Hindu is considered a must for representing the population. This agenda should be resisted at all costs.

A Nation Wronged

Thu, Dec 06, 2018

Babri Masjid demolition went against constitutional morality, Ambedkar’s principles

Republic’s Sentinel

Fri, Nov 16, 2018

President Narayanan’s idea of India centred on sanctity of constitutional values

Of Lions And Dogs

Wed, Sep 19, 2018

If the RSS chief had cared to read the speeches of Vivekananda, he would have found that the swami had used the word lion in the context of the awakening of consciousness among all human beings.

The Freedom We Long For

Wed, Aug 15, 2018

Social empowerment remains a distant dream for millions

House Under Siege

Tue, Jul 17, 2018

By undermining Parliament, government is curtailing the role of the Opposition

Karl Marx’s echo in Ambedkar

Sat, May 05, 2018

As capitalism and its exploitation evolves, Karl Marx’s philosophy and intellectual tools continue to have abiding significance

Disfiguring Ambedkar’s vision

Sat, Apr 14, 2018

Communists and Ambedkarites need to work together to fight the communal forces.

Budget freebies for farmers clearly have elections in mind

Thu, Feb 01, 2018

Budget 2018: There is no change in the economic paradigm of this government. It continues to cater to corporate and big business interests. The primary source of revenue generation in this Budget remains the selling off of public sector undertakings.