In the name of a strange religious diplomacy called inter-faith dialogue, Swami Jayendra Saraswati, Shankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Matham, will today meet Cardinal Jean-Louis Pierre Tauran, president of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, and other religious leaders, in Mumbai. The catholic delegation will include native Catholics like Cardinal … Read More
Little lion-hearted Lanka leads by example once again. It was the first nation in the post-Second World War era to elect a woman prime minister; then it became the first nation to spurn ineffective external intermediaries in a fratricidal war and launch a concerted armed effort to end violent secessionism … Read More
Far from examining the causes of its second electoral debacle at the national level, the BJP seems determined to go the Congress way, further consolidating power in the hands of the one man who led it to ignominy and opprobrium. Little wonder that L.K. Advani advised the faithful not to … Read More
Given the alacrity with which President Obama has called for “immediate and unconditional” release of Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who became controversial when an American army veteran (read CIA agent) infiltrated her house detention from 3-5 May, it may be appropriate for the West to relieve the … Read More
When Mr. S.M. Krishna lost the Karnataka elections in 2004, the media naturally asked him what factors he held responsible for Congress’ defeat. He raised his right hand to stop speculation and said as leader he took full responsibility; there was no need for scapegoats. In 2009, Mr. L.K. Advani … Read More
As the Gujarat BJP increased its Lok Sabha tally from 14 in 2004 to 15 in 2009, it is pertinent to ponder why this maintenance of status quo-plus was unanimously perceived as a failure of Chief Minister Narendra Modi, across the political spectrum. Why is this, along with the under-performance … Read More
It took just 46 days for my warning to the BJP leadership to undertake an urgent course correction or face electoral rout to come true: “Something is gravely amiss in the BJP. It has lost its character and sense of direction. Unless the party quickly takes the right turn, Mr. … Read More
When Chinese wish the wrath of heaven upon one, they invoke it gently: ‘may you live in interesting times,’ a euphemism for living without peace and stability. A prolonged spell of ‘interesting times’ is now upon our Himalayan neighbour, ironically Beijing’s budding ally. At the time of writing, President Ram … Read More
America reported its first swine flu death, of a 23-month-old child in Texas, on April 29. After triggering worldwide panic over a virus for which there is NO known cure – despite hysterical and heartwarming (for the pharmaceutical company) sales of something called Tamiflu (useless during the previous pandemic called … Read More
Malaysia has sent mixed signals to its beleaguered Hindu citizens regarding its commitment to freedom of religion and human rights. In a move to ease social tensions, Kuala Lumpur has banned the conversion of children (to Islam) without the consent of both parents. This welcome decision follows the sensational case … Read More
