Suhas Palshikar
The writer taught political science at Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, and is chief editor of ‘Studies in Indian Politics’.
Articles By Suhas Palshikar
Pseudo-social justice
Policy is not based on assessments of deprivation — it merely addresses specific groups
Republic of unfreedom
Our political class has failed to uphold civil liberties. It counts on the people’s apathy on the question.
Here’s looking at you, BJP
Assembly outcomes won’t bring transformations. But they may just bring BJP narrative down to earth.
Temple entry, and exit
Rahul Gandhi’s temple visits point to electoral rise of new Congress, and final departure of idea of Congress
Reshimbagh reality check
There is no glasnost. The same consistently confusing politics manifests itself as the core project of RSS.
The urban Naxal subterfuge
Such naming is meant to suppress dissent. It erases the distinction between disagreement and violence.
The new reservation
It is not a demand for social justice but proportional power-sharing that underlies the new quota agitations
Don’t hold your nose
Congress needs to frame a cogent stand on coalitions rather than looking at them merely as tactical necessity
Two speeches, a spectacle
At Nagpur, Pranab Mukherjee lost an opportunity. Mohan Bhagwat seized it
The Karnataka lesson
For BJP, reliance on PM could become a limitation. For Congress, electoral discourse must go beyond identities
Citizenship rights, not burka
Why the Harsh Mander-Ramachandra Guha debate must continue — and expand.
Gorakhpur to Delhi
BJP’s Opposition has scored a moral victory. Much hard work is needed to turn it into material success
Discontent powers vote for change
The Northeast verdict indicates a major shift in the nature and structure of the politics of Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland. The coming polls in MP, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan will, however, present a different set of challenges — fighting anti-incumbency, the BJP will be defending rather than attacking.
A general overstepping
Army Chief’s statements on the Northeast are problematic in terms of prudence, politics, principle.
Do we want to keep the Republic?
Creating it was an act of audacity. Maintaining it is proving to be a daunting task
Caste adrift
Violence at Pune, Mumbai speaks of distorted political economy, communities failed by political leaderships
Decoding the BJP’s victories: Trends of continuity with some significant change
BJP has gained in voteshare, widened its base among Dalits and even Muslims — but it has lost seats. The Congress has gained seats, but it has retreated among traditional supporters and the poor.
Lampooning Rahul
It speaks about the new Congress president. It also mirrors the level of politics, issues at stake
Polls apart
The proposal for simultaneous elections goes against basic principles of the parliamentary system and the Indian Constitution.
The mandate, the mirror
The first past the post system has served India well. Arguments for change must tread carefully.
