Columnists

Jyoti Punwani

Once upon a time in Mumbai, a death most foul

Sat, Mar 20, 2021

The Sachin Waze episode recalls the 2003 alleged custodial death case of Khwaja Yunus and highlights the complicity of Maharashtra political parties in police impropriety

Anti-conversion law will push women in interfaith marriages to discard Hindu identity

Tue, Dec 22, 2020

The manner of the law’s implementation could also lead to an outcome that goes against Hindutva’s aims. Those for whom religious identity never meant much will now be forced to adopt a Muslim identity.

The past in the present

Mon, Aug 10, 2020

Ayodhya events and Shiv Sena’s reiteration of support for Ram Mandir resurrect past ghosts

Breathing space for secularists: Maharashtra election results bust some myths about how people now vote

Mon, Oct 28, 2019

There’s a long long struggle ahead for those working to counter the BJP’s divisive programme. All that can be said is that Maharashtra’s voters have given them some breathing space.

India Versus Bharat

Mon, Jun 10, 2019

Electoral compromises of BJP indicate that idea of India has prevailed over Bharat

In Varanasi, it is farmers and a soldier that are challenging the PM

Thu, May 09, 2019

Who could have imagined that some day, it would be a jawan and a kisan who would challenge the prime minister in a Lok Sabha election! A pliant Election Commission has eliminated the jawan from the competition; it hasn’t yet managed to get rid of the kisan.

Even when a police officer is killed by Hindus, it is minorities that face the brunt

Thu, Jan 17, 2019

Going by the record, it would appear that when the perpetrators of the violence are minorities, the process of justice is swift. When they form part of organised Hindu militant groups, the fabled long arm of the law barely moves.

Telling a new story

Thu, Dec 27, 2018

Correcting falsehood and bigotry in school textbooks should be a priority in Rajasthan

In Mumbai, hope from Hashimpura

Thu, Nov 08, 2018

For 15 years, the Maharashtra government has done its best to shield policemen accused in the custodial death of Khwaja Yunus.

List of Innocents

Mon, Apr 02, 2018

Why governments hesitate to withdraw cases when the accused are Muslims

The Forgotten Riot

Fri, Sep 22, 2017

There is no clamour for justice in Mumbai 1992 riots since it can’t be used politically

Identities That Matter

Tue, Feb 28, 2017

Language and religion dominate voter preferences in Mumbai’s municipal elections

Trials By Terror

Wed, Jan 04, 2017

The vulnerable often face fake charges, leaving them to fight state might alone.

In A Category Of His Own

Wed, Oct 19, 2016

Court has been remarkably kind to DGP Rathore, who was convicted of sexual assault.

Let’s reclaim faith

Tue, Dec 23, 2014

When Babu Bajrangi boasted that he felt like Rana Pratap as he killed Ehsan Jafri, most Hindus felt sick.

A way out of alienation

Mon, Oct 27, 2014

The Maharashtra assembly election has again proved that Muslims do not vote as a block

Not dancing to VHP tune

Thu, Oct 09, 2014

In Gujarat, as always, Muslims were present at garbas as organisers, entertainers and participants.

Murder he wrote

Sat, Jul 11, 2009

Ibrahim Rahimtulla has a direct interest in the findings of the Justice M.S. Liberhan Commission.

Helped by the enemy of an enemy

Tue, May 19, 2009

In Mumbai,the Congress win was on the back of the MNS

Sweet Karachi

Thu, Nov 19, 2020

Raj Thackeray can erase shop signs. He can't erase Sindhi memory

The chilling Tabrez Alam

Fri, Dec 16, 2005

How wonderfully well etched out is the character played by Nana Patekar in Apaharan! His chilling gaze, his smooth laughter, the aplomb with...

Time spent under water

Tue, Aug 02, 2005

That's the one word that best sums up the qualities of Mumbai’s ‘teeming millions’, seeing their conduct on Deluge Tuesday. A...

Another Shah Bano?

Fri, Jul 08, 2005

It’s the same old sickening Shah Bano scenario again. A poor Muslim woman in a terrible domestic crisis, being condemned to a worse fat...

Dutt went beyond the party line

Tue, May 31, 2005

Rarely does a film star’s death cause a void in the hearts of those least interested in films. But Sunil Dutt’s death did just tha...

The other side of morality

Sat, Apr 16, 2005

As Maharashtra’s baby-faced, squeaky clean Home Minister keeps “teenagers away from temptation” and “families from ruin&...