We have often heard a rant that says Hindus Katre mein Hai. Is it really so? It does not seem right. Maybe such slogans are hiding something important. What is in real danger is our democracy. It has become fragile. Democracy is in retreat almost all over the globe. Our constitution and our freedom and equality seem to have...
Save us from the Tyranny of the Majority
Has democracy landed into trouble? Without taking anything away from the great victory of the BJP , we seemed to have reached a point where our democracy is threatening to dissolve into the tyranny of the majority. Although, there are nay Sayers of Modi- Shah duo and several conspiracy theories about the role of the EVMs, godi Media ...
Denial of Democracy
Democracy is said to have brought self-determination to the people. The will of the people is understood to be paramount for an active running of any democracy. Today paradoxically, there is a denial of democracy in the name of democracy. The will of the people has become insignificant as our political leaders and their parties appear to bow down...
Democracy and Numbers
What is it to be an Indian after the death of dharma? How are we to face the crises that is brewing in our society? We may metaphorically describe our plight by declaring that ‘the Sabda brahman’ has been replaced by ‘Sankhya Asura’. Well this calls for explanation. The Vaisnava and several other traditions of Hinduism view all pervading...
Democracy, where is your Sting?
The politics of these days has taken the sting out democracy. The demos/people are expelled and cratos/power is grabbed by heartless politics of the right wing forces. We will have to ask: Democracy where is your sting? We seem to have been left with only pursuit of power and not rule of the people for the people and most...
Myth and Reality of Democratic Equality
Every society moves through what may be called politics of recognition. Political powers have exploited the quest for recognition to build vote banks based on castes difference and religious majoritarianism. Often, this need for recognition remains unfulfilled as the political powers thrive on this craving of our people to build their support base. Within this desire for recognition, it...
Hindu Nationalism, Democracy and Demographics
Hindu nationalism is 100 years old. It is said that it was born out of upper caste demographic anxiety in the context of British offer of one man-one-vote to Indians. The colonial act of 1919 gave Indians for the first time (although in a limited way) electoral power to choose their own leaders. Never before did Indians have an...
Democracy, Citizenship and Nationalism in India
The students in India are agitated and are on the roads. Several campuses of higher education have witnessed explosive protests of the students. Along the growing unrest, one can trace high handed state repression of the same. Are there any lessons emerging from this student unrest? What do these protests and resistance movements tell us about Democracy and citizenship...
