Columnists

Suhas Palshikar

The writer taught political science at Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, and is chief editor of 'Studies in Indian Politics'.

In Maharashtra, failure of politics is coupled with institutional abdication and rigging

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.

Ayodhya verdict opens door for claims based on community identity, construction of faith

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?

Haryana, Maharashtra results show Modi model may be reaching its plateau

Sat, Oct 26, 2019

We may be looking at voter fatigue with the Modi model amid continued voter endorsement of Modi.

In Maharashtra, BJP works on constructing all-India politics while also appropriating the regional space

Fri, Oct 18, 2019

In Maharashtra, the party works on constructing all-India politics while also appropriating the regional space

The PM’s ideas remain short on promise, high on word play

Fri, Aug 16, 2019

On Independence Day, we heard the aspiring statesman, the man of ideas, the debater, the polemicist, the ruthless executive.

Sonia Gandhi as interim Congress chief represents desperation at best and abdication of politics at worst

Tue, Aug 13, 2019

Sonia Gandhi’s return as party president is likely to impede the real task of party-building that the Congress has been postponing since the 1980s. Rajiv Gandhi reminded the party of this when it was celebrating its centenary. Sonia could not do it when she took over in the late Nineties.

We have lamented political events in Karnataka. We must also note their significance

Wed, Jul 31, 2019

The current processes of in-flow and out-flow underline the weakness of the way parties are organised. Parties do talk about membership drives, but they often obfuscate intra-party democracy and intra-party competition.

One more quota

Wed, Jul 10, 2019

We are moving away from the constitutional logic behind enabling clauses such as Articles 15 and 16.

People’s demand for a strong leader feeds into the BJP’s majoritarian politics perfectly

Wed, Jun 26, 2019

Over the past decade-and-a-half, the idea that claims made by the majority are a natural corollary of democracy has settled itself quite comfortably in India’s collective imagination of democracy

Dear Yogendra, I disagree

Wed, May 22, 2019

Why the Congress is necessary.

Modi has brought into practice a style of one-way communication: Giving out messages

Tue, May 21, 2019

Modi probably believes that he doesn’t need the media because his power derives from the people. He forgets that without the prolonged love affair that the media had with him, his image could not have been built in the way it was between 2013 and 2018.

A debate has two sides

Thu, Apr 11, 2019

BJP shows it will weave nationalism, security with religious identity. So far, Opposition has no response.

Book review: History, process and pious hope

Sat, Apr 06, 2019

A former chief election commissioner does not apportion blame, but focuses on pivotal poll issues

Defeat of saffron party in 2019 may not ensure failure of BJP project

Tue, Mar 12, 2019

The last elections brought about the discourse of “New India”. It brought to the forefront a wound caused (to some political groups) by the imagery of India that originated in India’s national movement.

Good, Bad, Ugly

Fri, Mar 01, 2019

Moments like Pulwama hold up a mirror to the government, media and nation.

Pseudo-social justice

Wed, Feb 13, 2019

Policy is not based on assessments of deprivation — it merely addresses specific groups

Republic of unfreedom

Sat, Jan 26, 2019

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

Sat, Dec 15, 2018

Assembly outcomes won’t bring transformations. But they may just bring BJP narrative down to earth.

Temple entry, and exit

Fri, Nov 30, 2018

Rahul Gandhi’s temple visits point to electoral rise of new Congress, and final departure of idea of Congress

Reshimbagh reality check

Sat, Oct 20, 2018

There is no glasnost. The same consistently confusing politics manifests itself as the core project of RSS.

Opinion & Edits