Suhas Palshikar
The writer taught political science at Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, and is chief editor of 'Studies in Indian Politics'.
Tue, Jan 12, 2021
The US experience indicates that democracy requires continuous caution. But perhaps the least learned lesson at home in India is about the comparative pathology of such autarchy lurking in our midst.
Fri, Dec 11, 2020
Suhas Palshikar writes: In itself, a prime minister agreeing to negotiate is not a shortcoming, but after having built an aura of non-negotiability about his wisdom, a settlement would mean the first step in converting the all-powerful and all-knowing supreme leader into a more routine political player.
Thu, Nov 19, 2020
Bihar Assembly election results 2020: Held against the backdrop of the pandemic, the Bihar contest was also one of the closest in recent times. In this post-poll survey, Lokniti-CSDS unpacks the many aspects of NDA’s narrow victory over the Mahagathbandhan — caste & community, confidence in Modi, and women voting more for NDA.
Wed, Nov 11, 2020
The popularity of Modi seems to be a stable factor in the BJP’s electoral politics. So much so that he has transformed into a brand. Like a brand, he can be used in any state, any context and against any competition.
Fri, Oct 16, 2020
Suhas Palshikar writes: Dalit politics is caught between balancing concerns of political power and altering its social dynamics.
Wed, Sep 30, 2020
The isolation would allow the BJP to more openly march towards where it has been itching to move in the past year or so — an ideological position that openly defies the Constitution and a political practice that rejects all democratic norms.
Tue, Aug 04, 2020
If the BJP is guilty of dismantling the republic, all other parties are silent approvers. Like in the case of the most ardent opponent of majoritarianism, the epitaph for India’s slowly dying republic could also be “Hey Ram”.
Mon, Jul 20, 2020
Suhas Palshikar writes: It would be interesting to see whether the Congress seeks to move in the direction of a more federal handling of factionalism without necessarily allowing state-level factions to hijack the state units. But if what is happening in Rajasthan is mere drift, then it seems more than likely that leaders like Pilot, from many states, might consider forming their own state parties.
Thu, Jun 11, 2020
India seems to have lost that urge to consistently relate to injustice as an assault on democracy. Be it plight of migrants or minorities, their failure to strike wider chord tells truths about us.
Sat, May 23, 2020
In Opposition, non-BJP parties have been lazy in not responding politically at all. It took two full months for the UPA and some other non-BJP parties even to think of talking formally to each other.
Wed, Apr 22, 2020
Equally disturbingly, the lockdown has ensured that the class-chasm would become more real, more sharp and yet politically infructuous. The overwhelming support that the lockdown has received among India’s middle classes is noteworthy not just because of the gullibility of that class but also because of its complete lack of social connection to anything beyond itself.
Wed, Apr 01, 2020
We should brace ourselves not only for the deep impact the coronavirus crisis will have on routine lives and the economy; this crisis will also leave its imprint on the idea of the public and our politics.
Thu, Mar 12, 2020
The two handsome victories of the BJP must have told the political class that the tide of popular sentiment is turning in favour of a particular set of beliefs. Broadly identified as Hindutva nationalism, this new political culture does not have much patience for ideas of inclusion, diversity, compassion and co-existence.
Thu, Feb 13, 2020
Takeaways from AAP victory: Governance matters most in state polls, having a popular face is crucial, emotive issues take backseat to govt performance
Wed, Feb 12, 2020
AAP's win in Delhi elections provides relief, hope. But the romance with the Delhi outcome must halt.
Sat, Jan 25, 2020
An agitation that began in response to an assault on the constitutional idea of citizenship has opened the doors for redefining the idea in a manner that would have made the Republic’s founding fathers proud of today’s protesters.
Thu, Dec 26, 2019
In keeping with recent trends across the country, this Assembly poll saw a focus on local issues and a limited influence of the central leaders of parties, particularly the BJP.
Tue, Dec 24, 2019
BJP loses another state, but continues to make its opponents become more like BJP to fight it
Sat, Dec 14, 2019
Kejriwal remains popular among Delhi voters, most of whom appear satisfied with his govt’s performance in the last five years, a Lokniti-CSDS survey shows.
Sat, Dec 14, 2019
Politics after CAB: On the one hand, are principles emptied of meaning. On the other, a clear-headed majoritarian project.
Tue, Nov 26, 2019
When the fig leaf of decency is gone, the minimal requirements of rule of law can be thrown out of the window as useless appendages to the elixir of power. This is what Maharashtra is witnessing.
Mon, Nov 11, 2019
Even as it is possible to criticise the Court’s ruling, what social and political spaces exist to critique, dispute and contest the political narrative in which the Ayodhya agitation originated?
Sat, Oct 26, 2019
We may be looking at voter fatigue with the Modi model amid continued voter endorsement of Modi.
Fri, Oct 18, 2019
In Maharashtra, the party works on constructing all-India politics while also appropriating the regional space
Fri, Aug 16, 2019
On Independence Day, we heard the aspiring statesman, the man of ideas, the debater, the polemicist, the ruthless executive.