Meghnad Desai
Meghnad Desai loves to cook, watch and write about old Bollywood movies and shuttles between London, Delhi and Goa. He pursues controversies on economics, history and anything else which catches his attention. He is also a British parliamentarian sitting in the House of Lords. He has written over 25 books, over 200 articles in learned journals and hundreds of newspaper columns in UK and India.
Articles By Meghnad Desai
SC verdict in Priyanka Sharma’s case is a classic example of the half loaf of freedom
When India became independent, Indians did not win freedom. The ruling class changed colour but the accents remained pucca. The punitive laws passed by the British were preserved just in case the natives revolt.
Congress is developing serious memory loss
If Congress wants to survive, it will have to forget its past and invent itself a future.
When did it become required to declare your caste on the nomination form?
Class inequality is also debilitating, but in theory, it is possible to escape the class in which you were born and be upwardly mobile. No such luck in jaati. You die the same as you are born.
In middle of tall claims about secularism, tolerance and Mother India, three cases have come up of injustice to women
A most important development happened during the week of the second round. It will have long-run consequences for all. This was the age-old issue of gender discrimination.
Out of my mind: New hegemonic order set to take over
It could be that the high significance of this election has at last sunk in. Not since the days of Congress hegemony (1947-1971) has the result been a foregone conclusion, as it is now.
Out of my mind: A bloodless revolution
Prime Minister Theresa May has practically lost control of her party and been defeated three times over her principal proposal. But she cannot be made to resign nor can she call an election as in the old days.
Out of my mind: Rahul has claimed his legacy
The severe defeat in 2014 taught the Congress that they were losing out by being thought not as secular so much as pro-Muslim and, worse, anti-Hindu. Hence the turnaround.
Out of my mind: Creation of a political myth
The victory of the incumbent will be hard for opponents to explain.
Out of my mind: Cong chances in a three-cornered fight
The surprise in the campaign is the failure of the Grand Alliance to emerge.
Out of my mind: The meltdown in Britain
History has crippled politics. But don’t worry. The UK remains the fifth largest economy in the world.
All socialists now
Is the BJP a socialist party? During early days, the Jana Sangh used to assert their belief in Gandhian Socialism. But now they follow Deendayal Upadhyaya, who consciously searched for a path rejecting socialism and capitalism.
Out of my mind: Justice for Kashmir
Over the last 70 years, India has failed to make Kashmir love it nor has it learned to love Kashmir. We say Kashmir is an integral part of India. Yet, the reaction against Kashmiris in mainland India showed that Indians do not like Kashmiris.
Out of my mind: Our urgent need
In each of these attacks, India was unprepared. The intelligence agencies failed to foresee any of these threats. There appears to be no effective counter-terrorism machinery which could deal with a threat even if it was foreseen.
India won three out of four wars against Pakistan. The 1948 war can be called unfinished
Ever since the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan created, with American financial and military help, the Islamist terrorist movement, Pakistan has had a third pillar of authority, the Islamist terrorist armies.
Out of My Mind: Power of Centre against that of states
The Government of India Act 1935 was the basis for the 1946 elections which created the Legislative Assembly which became the Constituent Assembly. Partition changed everything.
Out of my mind: Income guarantees
The idea of giving a bit more to the poor has been the perennial policy of the Congress.
Out of my mind: The lessons from Pravasi meeting
While India is proud to attain per capita income of $2,020 this year, Mauritius had already reached beyond $10,000 by 2017. Indeed between 1976 and 2017, Mauritius doubled its per capita income.
Out of my mind: The British Armageddon
British Parliamentarians can bring the Executive to answer questions and listen to criticisms in a variety of ways. In Indian Parliament, the backbencher has no freedom and is at the mercy of the Whip of the Party. Not so in Westminster.
Out of my mind: Full speed
The new quota Bill (124th Constitution Amendment Bill) is no doubt for regaining that lost ground. Narendra Modi has shown that he is a master of the political game.
Out of my mind: A new game
By giving interview to ANI, PM Modi also ensured that all the channels carried it simultaneously and each carried on analysis for the rest of the evening. A press conference would not have been carried that extensively.
