The privileges of being Hindu in new India

They will not make me prove my allegiance – and then refuse it, whether I fly the flag, recite the Constitution, sing the anthem or die for my country.

Samar Halarnkar

· Feb 24, 2020 · 06:30 am

The BJP’s perilous descent from Hindu appeasement to incitement

Ministers deliver hate speech, police take their cues and goons are empowered to transition from social-media rage to street violence.

Samar Halarnkar

· Feb 01, 2020 · 06:30 am

The growing radicalisation of Hindus threatens the Indian republic and the Constitution

Only Hindus can disprove the proposition of the Hindu nation. If they do not, we know what awaits

Samar Halarnkar

· Jan 09, 2020 · 07:30 am

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