Narendra Modi and the unsurprising politics of vendetta

The PM has a long memory and imposes meticulous retribution on dissenters. No slight is forgotten, no reprisal considered too petty or disproportionate.

Samar Halarnkar

· Nov 08, 2019 · 02:07 pm

In the time of Godse, a search for Hindus who will stand with Gandhi

The marginalisation of Indian Muslims and the indifference of Hindus can be stemmed by those who defy the tide.

Samar Halarnkar

· Sep 22, 2019 · 06:30 am

Policy by Whatsapp: A disregard of consequences in governing the new India

Democracy requires a national character that isn’t grounded in ignorance and government policy that is not a sophisticated version of Whatsapp.

Samar Halarnkar

· Aug 25, 2019 · 06:30 am

To the cheers of Indians, the lights dim in India’s democracy

The media, the opposition and vast swathes of the country approve of the political dismantling not of just J&K but the national democratic backbone.

Samar Halarnkar

· Aug 09, 2019 · 06:30 am

What this week’s headlines in the Indian media about terrorism and illegal immigration hid from you

Hype and noise are not the same as reasoned public debate. The government’s agenda and priorities may not necessarily be in the national interest.

Samar Halarnkar

· Jul 20, 2019 · 08:00 am

In an age of growing crises, an India focused on the irrelevant

Political, public and media priorities during a week that brought into prominence national emergencies ranged from the atrocious to the absurd.

Samar Halarnkar

· Jun 23, 2019 · 06:30 am

Regardless of the election result, India’s future has been decided

Repairing the damage to democracy depends on a new government rolling back the now rampant misuse of law and technology. That is an unlikely prospect.

Samar Halarnkar

· May 19, 2019 · 08:00 am

Pragya Singh Thakur and the dangers of India’s emerging majoritarian democracy

Modi’s choice of a terror accused as parliamentary candidate signals intent to fundamentally change the character of the republic.

Samar Halarnkar

· Apr 20, 2019 · 07:30 pm

In an ancient land, a forest’s impending destruction threatens India’s future

Opening Chhattisgarh’s Hasdeo Arand to mining will hasten the devastation of the Adivasi people and the country’s natural resources.

Samar Halarnkar

· Mar 24, 2019 · 09:00 am

By design and delusion, the project to radicalise Hindu India gains momentum

The growing darkness of hate and bigotry can only be dispelled if more Indians question, resist and speak up.

Samar Halarnkar

· Mar 09, 2019 · 08:00 am

As politicians look away, a nation feeding on social media becomes fertile ground for radicalisation

The explosion of bigotry in India following the Pulwama attack is backed by administrations willing to disregard or defy the law.

Samar Halarnkar

· Feb 24, 2019 · 08:00 am

The Tamil Nadu or Uttar Pradesh model: What lies ahead for India in 2019?

An exploration of how the two states diverged over 25 years and what that means for the upcoming general elections.

Samar Halarnkar

· Feb 07, 2019 · 08:00 am