skip to content

Express Opinion

Because the truth involves us all
author
P Chidambaram

P Chidambaram writes: When debate is stifled

To put it bluntly, the government does not believe that a vibrant and debate-rich Parliament will strengthen democracy. The government, led by Mr Modi, is implacably opposed to dialogue, discussion and debate

More From opinion

Ishan BakshiDec 7, 2025
Bring more players in distribution. It will help weed out inefficiencies in the system – in billing, collection, labour costs
Anupam ManurDec 6, 2025
It strains credulity that the dominant market leader failed to plan for such a foreseeable outcome
Dec 6, 2025
Call it reticence or refusal; Rama Duwaji not slipping into the ceremonial template actually sits well within a spectrum where political wives negotiate visibility, often through emotional, narrative or reputational labour, by dodging, distracting, doubling
Guru PrakashDec 6, 2025
He believed in cultural commonwealth, and that India must leverage its deep cultural impact across the region
Derek O’BrienDec 6, 2025
ISI’s strength has always been its independence: An environment where statisticians, economists, and mathematical thinkers could work free of bureaucratic interference. That is now under serious threat
In 2023, there was a 100 per cent rise in witch-hunting cases in Jharkhand from 2022
Ram MadhavDec 6, 2025
KGB agents were trained to develop a mindset best captured in the Russian word ‘derzhavnik’ — ‘those who believe in Russian greatness’. They eventually became staunch statists. Putin is no exception
Dec 6, 2025
For air travellers in India, there are minimal passenger rights, near-zero accountability and few avenues for recourse. In the current instance, the only law in India is the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, which only deals
Dec 6, 2025
Project Mahadeva deserves attention beyond its headlines. It is sending a quiet but powerful message: The next chapter of Indian football will be written not by committees but by children on real training grounds, coached
Shamika RaviDec 6, 2025
India’s labour market has long been shaped by protective laws that turned into a stranglehold, pulling back its economic potential. The new labour codes represent a comprehensive attempt to correct that imbalance
Shyam SaranDec 6, 2025
Europe is the most unhappy about the red-carpet welcome given to Putin by India at a time when he is escalating the war in Ukraine. But Europe has more to fear from the US’s unreliability
EditorialDec 6, 2025
The foreign ministers of the seven SAARC countries pledged their wholehearted support to regional cooperation and unanimously approved the draft summit declaration.
Macaulay’s Minute on Education altered history for sure. It did not, however, sink India, nor did it snuff out its culture. As Macaulay intended, the English language only created another class of Indians
Dec 5, 2025
Regulations meant to protect passengers have instead become a catalyst for passenger suffering. But let’s be clear: The rules are not the problem. The revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) were announced well in advance
Despite state laws, the practice continuues, rooted in medical scarcity, 'ojha-dayan' beliefs and patriarchal control of land
Dec 5, 2025
By working together, the two countries can bring stability and progress to Asia and become a pivotal anchor for the world
Ram MadhavDec 5, 2025
In dealing with Russia, the Indian leadership will not lose sight of its longstanding commitment to ending wars. However, building peace is a two-way street and that calls for greater understanding
Dec 5, 2025
What we must ask is how everyone, including those who moved here from elsewhere, can work together to fix the structural problems in the state. The “local” vs “settler” trope is a mere distraction, intended
Manoj Kumar JhaDec 5, 2025
Engaging with the Opposition strengthens the government—it broadens support, sharpens policy, anticipates criticism, and builds national ownership of decisions. It is a mark of confidence, not weakness. Yet, today, we witness the paradox of a
Amit KumarDec 5, 2025
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has been a vocal critic of India’s membership of the Quad and its relationship with the US. But if Moscow expects India to play cool with its relationship with China,
Liquidity in the system is optimal and supportive of growth. The healthy pick up in credit off take is evident. Credit growth from the larger ecosystem, including NBFCs and private credit, looks robust as deal
EditorialDec 5, 2025
Scapegoating entire nationalities for the actions of one individual will tear families apart and deny people fleeing persecution a safe haven. The sweeping restrictions go against what the US president has himself claimed several times
EditorialDec 5, 2025
At the heart of the LWE and its violence is a tragedy of the marginalised and the disaffected led astray, which Sonu articulated: “This experiment has not succeeded anywhere in the country... They (remaining Maoists)
S Y QuraishiDec 5, 2025
Census 2027 should enumerate caste comprehensively, with the same rigour applied to age, literacy, or occupation. Democracy requires information, even uncomfortable information
EditorialDec 5, 2025
This is the front page of The Indian Express published on December 5, 1985.
Edition
Install the Express App for
a better experience
Featured
Trending Topics
News
Multimedia
Follow Us