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Journalism of Courage

Neerja Chowdhury

The writer is Contributing Editor, The Indian Express

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Striking off Mahatma Gandhi's name from the new legislation is only one part of the story which has drawn criticism. The BJP defends it by saying that “pujya Bapu ji” also wanted to bring about a “Ram Rajya” and that the new law's title is marked with “Ram”.

MGNREGA to G Ram G: How a new flashpoint may shape BJP vs Gandhi family conflict in 2026Subscriber Only

December 25,2025 08:30:51 AM

While G Ram G law may have its appeal, the BJP has upped the ante by overhauling the rural job scheme; sensing an opportunity, the Congress is set to mount a nationwide campaign over the row.

Thu, Dec 25, 2025

Deciphering BJP signals behind Nitin Nabin’s rise: next-gen shift, consolidation to long gameSubscriber Only

December 18,2025 07:45:30 AM

BJP has put in motion its “karyakartaisation”, which Nabin’s elevation represents – it signals that power is devolving in the organisation, even as the party high command has become stronger

Fri, Dec 19, 2025

In the glow of Putin’s visit, why no banquet invite to Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge cast a shadowSubscriber Only

December 08,2025 14:30:56 PM

There have been many instances in the past of the government and the Opposition working together to reinforce India’s position on the global stage on various issues. This bipartisan spirit was missing from Rashtrapati Bhavan's guest list.

Tue, Dec 09, 2025

Shivakumar has to contend with Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition and most powerful member of the high command, who has been batting for Siddharamaiah.

Shivakumar’s gamble, Siddaramaiah’s leverage, and a weak high command: What ails the Congress?Subscriber Only

December 02,2025 07:43:50 AM

Karnataka is a reminder, among other things, that the two-and-a-half-year rotational formula of chief ministership has only served to intensify factionalism in the Opposition party.

Thu, Dec 04, 2025

With battle lines clear for 2026, Nitish’s 10th return as CM a reckoning for INDIA amid driftSubscriber Only

November 23,2025 07:28:57 AM

Barring its common opposition to BJP, INDIA alliance does not have a leader or convener nor a defined structure, nor a clear roadmap or narrative — it stands at a crossroads today

Mon, Nov 24, 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar during a public meeting, in Samastipur district.

Sympathy, shraddha, and the Modi-Nitish model: What next after decisive Bihar mandate?Subscriber Only

November 16,2025 07:00:02 AM

After a pro-incumbency wave, Nitish Kumar has promises to keep in alliance with BJP, Opposition has to address what went wrong and rebuild

Mon, Nov 17, 2025

Prashant Kishor put in the time to carve out space in Bihar politics, but can he play the long game?Subscriber Only

November 11,2025 07:24:02 AM

While some feel Kishor’s momentum petered out after the initial hype, the Jan Suraaj leader is banking on the “50 to 70 lakh” migrants he estimates to have stayed back after the festival season to vote.

Tue, Nov 11, 2025

Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav leaves after casting his vote during the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections, in Patna on Thursday. (ANI Photo)

In the wings, Lalu strikes new notes: ‘jobs priority, no reachout to Nitish’Subscriber Only

November 08,2025 21:59:38 PM

Defensive in the face of an NDA campaign revolving around his ‘jungle raj,’ RJD supremo distances himself from his past

Sun, Nov 09, 2025

Forty-six yrs later, returning to a Musahar village in Bihar, to find change but desire for moreSubscriber Only

November 06,2025 04:00:37 AM

Women in Piparghatti village still barely go to school, but ensure their children study. They are also clear about what they need and their choice: jobs, and Nitish Kumar

Fri, Nov 07, 2025

PK could be the “X factor” in the polls, having said himself that his party would get either 150 seats of the state’s 243 or below 10.

Tejashwi to Chirag, amid rise of young faces in ‘Badalta Bihar’, the X factor is the PK factorSubscriber Only

October 26,2025 07:49:35 AM

It is a moot question whether Prashant Kishor would be a king or kingmaker — or just a courtier who would make his presence felt in the Pataliputra durbar.

Mon, Oct 27, 2025

How will Nitish-BJP play unfold? Key question looms amid NDA vs Mahagathbandhan storySubscriber Only

October 19,2025 17:21:15 PM

Could Nitish be forced to walk into the sunset? Or, would he fight the final battle of his political career if deprived of the chief ministership? The answers to all such questions will depend on the numbers the new House throws up

Mon, Oct 20, 2025

Bihar is arguably India’s most politically conscious state, which has set new trends in the past.

There’s a new ‘M’ factor in Bihar elections: Mahila, will it counter Nitish fatigue?Subscriber Only

October 12,2025 07:58:37 AM

If women voters help Nitish return to power again, schemes like Mukhyamantri Mahila Rozgar Yojana may be seen being rolled out in other poll-bound states too

Mon, Oct 13, 2025

Last week’s protests by young people in Leh that suddenly turned violent, leaving four people dead, are likely to have a ripple effect beyond Ladakh.

Lessons from Ladakh: Why Govt must talk, talk, and talk some moreSubscriber Only

October 03,2025 07:19:25 AM

Protesters have become stakeholders in the country’s evolving and devolving politics in the past. It is important to remember that as an aspirational, young country deals with the reality of joblessness and corruption.

Fri, Oct 03, 2025

While Nitish Kumar-led NDA has been at the helm, anchored by the BJP, the Opposition Mahagathbandhan or INDIA alliance, including the RJD and Congress, seems out to dislodge the NDA government.

Wheels within wheels in Bihar: Amid NDA vs INDIA, why polls may rejig lines between alliesSubscriber Only

September 25,2025 07:35:54 AM

There may be a flip side to an NDA victory crafted by Nitish Kumar, as far as BJP is concerned. It could strengthen his bargaining position vis-a-vis his senior ally in Delhi.

Fri, Sep 26, 2025

Narendra Modi, Narendra Modi birthday, Mohan Bhagwat, RSS, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Narendra Modi 75th birthday, Modi 75th birthday, Modi’s politics, bjp, Hindutva, Indian express news, current affairs

PM at 75: Rising from margins, he rewrote Indian politics. Now, it is about his legacy shaping the futureSubscriber Only

September 17,2025 07:10:49 AM

The prime minister represents the empowerment of communities that have been historically on the margins. But certain tasks remain, namely safeguarding and celebrating diversity and dissent — key to atmanirbhar Bharat

Wed, Sep 17, 2025

Radhakrishnan is from the Other Backward Class (OBC) Gounder community in western Tamil Nadu.

As C P Radhakrishnan is elected Vice-President, BJP makes a telling point, but can it build on it?Subscriber Only

September 10,2025 07:22:58 AM

V-P elections have not normally elicited the kind of hype that this contest generated. But this time, it assumed importance because of the stakes for the ruling party.

Wed, Sep 10, 2025

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat speaks during the third day of 'Vyakhyanmala' event, organised to mark the centenary year of RSS, in New Delhi, Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025. (PTI Photo/Karma Bhutia)

Mohan Bhagwat seeks to widen tent, with a clear message – PM Modi’s turf secureSubscriber Only

August 30,2025 17:35:59 PM

For all of RSS’s differences with the BJP leadership – and Bhagwat admitted these existed in the Sangh family – the Sangh has never had it so good

Tue, Sep 02, 2025

Poised to become Vice-President, low-key Radhakrishnan checks all the BJP boxesSubscriber Only

August 21,2025 12:00:45 PM

Vice President election 2025: After Dhankhar's exit, amid widening Govt-Oppn divides, all eyes are on CPR as to how he would run Rajya Sabha as Chairman, even though he is known for being “affable and non-abrasive”

Fri, Aug 22, 2025

As information filters in, it is evident that the resignation would not have come about had there not been serious differences between Dhankhar and the top government leadership.

As Jagdeep Dhankhar exits as Vice-President, where will the chips fall?Subscriber Only

July 25,2025 06:46:29 AM

The next Vice-President is likely to be someone who represents a style favoured nowadays: rich in symbolism but low in profile.

Fri, Jul 25, 2025

Booth level officers in Patna during the the electoral roll revision exercise. (Express Photo: Rahul Sharma, Patna, Bihar *** Local Caption *** BLOs with residents of Murlichak at Pathimik Vidyalaya in Patna during the electoral roll revision exercise

World’s largest democracy deserves better than an electoral roll revision done under a cloudSubscriber Only

July 19,2025 07:22:14 AM

With instructions given by the EC to all states to get ready for the SIR – even as the Supreme Court is hearing the matter – the exercise in Bihar is clearly more than just a trial balloon.

Sun, Jul 20, 2025

Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray during their joint victory rally in Mumbai on July 5

Thackeray cousins repackage politics of old, but can chemistry trump arithmetic?Subscriber Only

July 12,2025 08:00:57 AM

The coming together of Uddhav and Raj Thackeray poses larger questions about whether it can deepen faultlines in Maharashtra: between Marathis and non-Marathis, and Marathis and Gujaratis.

Sun, Jul 13, 2025

Dattatreya Hosabale’s comment last week is not the first time the issue has come up.

As RSS calls for amending Preamble, why it puts BJP in a tricky positionSubscriber Only

July 04,2025 06:47:52 AM

The Sangh may want to turn the clock back and omit the words “socialism” and “secularism” from the Preamble to the Constitution. It's like talking about undoing reservation.

Fri, Jul 04, 2025

George Fernandes, George Fernandes Emergency, George Fernandes Indira Gandhi, George Fernandes Baroda Dynamite case,

George Fernandes: The man who stopped the Railways, powered an underground networkSubscriber Only

June 25,2025 16:16:50 PM

George Fernandes eluded arrest for nearly a year, and when he was jailed under harsh conditions, intervention of Socialist International, European leaders helped keep him safe

Thu, Jun 26, 2025

Durga, dictator, democrat. How the 3 veins ran parallel in Indira GandhiSubscriber Only

June 24,2025 17:36:49 PM

Her instinct was to “choose order above democracy” when faced with situations that spelt conflict or instability. In 1959, she had persuaded Nehru to dismiss Kerala govt on similar grounds

Tue, Jun 24, 2025

Into his second year, past Pahalgam, could Modi 3.0 fashion a new politics?Subscriber Only

June 12,2025 07:26:55 AM

He has leaned on Opposition leaders to amplify India's voice on Pahalgam, his yes to a caste census expands the political net. Will PM move towards politics of alliances as a strategy, not just as a compulsion?

Fri, Jun 13, 2025