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
This general election initially set out to be no more than the sum of its parts. That is why the BJP was ahead even then, because it had a string of solid, rooted to the ground, performing chief ministers and other stalwarts who could deliver seats on a state-by-state basis. … Read More
If ever there was a case for invoking Section 495-A of the penal code – causing religious hurt with intent – it should be invoked against Begum Teesta Setalvad and her accomplices in the Citizens for Justice and Peace organisation, for viciously wounding the religious sentiments and communal dignity of … Read More
There is merit in the Shiv Sena sentiment that the AK-47 wielding Ajmal Amir Kasab, caught on CCTV straddling Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus where he and an associate slaughtered 55 persons in cold blood, and later captured alive due to the personal valour of ASI Tukaram Omble, deserves no defence. The … Read More
The BJP’s election manifesto for the 2009 parliamentary elections is a masterly exercise in rooting India’s great power ambitions in its ancient civilisational consciousness, specifically its holistic and spiritual Hindu worldview which accepts and celebrates diversity and seeks the underlying unity within. Laden as it is with political, economic, and … Read More
Close on the heels of the temporary resolution of the dispute over the sacking of South Indian priests at the Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu, there was a stir in Nepal over the seizure of copies of the Bhagwat Gita that devotees were bringing from Gorakhpur. The incident was quickly hushed … Read More
