News and Views

The newly-elected Congress party chief ministers for Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh were sworn in on Monday, 17 December, amid much fanfare. Rahul Gandhi hopped from one state capital to another along with tall leaders to attend the ceremonies, amid a show of opposition strength and unity.

There was also the buzz of top guns Mayawati, Mamata Banerjee and Akhilesh Yadav skipping the mega event(s). But other top leaders of the Congress party were present at the dais in full strength, killing rumours of factionalism and unhappiness over the selection of chief ministers, within the Congress.

The J&K government has imposed a ban on wearing the pheran in the Civil Secretariat at Srinagar. Commoners visiting the administrative departments have to take off the traditional Kashmiri garment at the main gate before entering the offices. The Civil Secretariat security staff have put pherans on the barred items category.

Ever since Narendra Modi came to power, analysts and pundits have never had respite from deciphering the ‘real’ Modi.

Is he the great communicator who can share his ‘Mann ki Baat’ with millions and galvanize voters when needed (by making them partners in his dreams of inclusive growth), or – like his illustrious predecessor Atal ji, with whom he is often compared and contrasted with – does he have many masks from which he can choose, to suit the audience and occasion?

Kanakadurga, one of the women who entered Sabarimala, said that the devotees did not create any hurdles for them.

Speaking to The Quint, Kanakadurga said:

“During the entire time, not a single issue was created by any of the devotees there. No violence. We also worshipped along with the other devotees. After a good worship, we have returned. When we reached Pamban river, we needed police protection and that was provided to us,” said Kanakadurga.

2 January, 2019 marks the 30th anniversary of playwright and director Safdar Hashmi’s sudden demise.

A man with a thousand faces, Hashmi was known for street theatre or nukkad natak in India, where he would often freely oscillate between the roles of actor, writer, director, lyricist, theorist, and at times, even political commentator.

As Safdar Hashmi Trust Memorial or SAHMAT (which was formed by artists, writers, activists, photographers within weeks after his death to defend artistic expression), geared up to put up cultural programmes on Hashmi’s death anniversary, we spoke to his brother Sohail Hashmi at Lutyens’ Canning Lane. Listen to the podcast.

If your 2018 was terrible, never fear, we're here. From getting a tattoo that’s spelled wrong, to going skiing on a fractured ankle, and even throwing up on someone they were kissing, these are some of the funniest, most embarrassing stories of 2018!

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh released his book Changing India at a book launch at Delhi's India International Centre. The five volumes of Changing India deal with his perspective on a wide range of economic, social and political issues as they evolved through his political career. Singh also writes about his time in academia during the 1950s, and his tenure as the prime minister from 2004-2014. 

Tune in to listen to interesting anecdotes on his childhood, education and joining politics shared by Singh in conversation with Indian economist Kaushik Basu.

The Supreme Court bench that has dismissed all the petitions relating to the Rafale deal, has taken a narrow and orthodox view of the issue.

The judgment read out by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi has said that the need for the aircraft and its quality are not in doubt. That is, indeed, true. The aircraft is first-rate, and, yes, the Indian Air Force needs them badly. Further, it has said that issues relating to business decisions such as pricing and choice of offset partner, are not within its purview. But that is precisely where the rub lies.

The last full-fledged Parliament session of the Modi government commencing on 11 December promises to be a tumultuous affair as a united Opposition prepares to confront the ruling alliance with an eye on next year’s Lok Sabha elections.

The outcome of the five state Assembly polls, which are coincidentally to be declared on the opening day of the winter session, will set the mood for this face-off between the rival political camps.

For the record, the all-party meetings called by the government and Rajya Sabha chairperson M Venkaiah Naidu on Monday, 10 December will follow a familiar trajectory. The Opposition parties will reiterate that they have no intention of disrupting proceedings but are only seeking accountability from the government. On its part, the Centre will point to the heavy legislative agenda and hope for the Opposition’s cooperation in the passage of key Bills.