BETWEEN THE LINES
71 years on, frosty relations continue
It was August 12, 1947, three days before India became free. My father, a practicing doctor, summoned us, the three brothers, and asked what our plans were. I told him that I wanted to stay in Pakistan just as the Muslims would in India.
Lynching to nowhere
More gruesome details about the Alwar lynching have come to light. Rakbar Khan, the victim, could have been saved if the police had acted in time. In fact, the force stopped for tea and wasted three and a half hours in reaching the victim to the hospital. He bled to death. If one were to put all the pieces together, one would come to the conclusion that the police delay was deliberate.
Can Imran Khan be the man of the people?
The army in Pakistan seems to have devised a way where a particular person is elected even without a valid cause. Imran Khan is a product of such phenomena. Long before the latest elections, his name was tossed around.
Dangers to secularism
I recall after the Independence, politician and diplomat Syed Shahabuddin articulated the Muslim point of view. He did not ask for separation but suggested a self-rule for Muslims within the country. Nobody took him seriously, not even the Muslims because the partition had brought misery to both the communities.
Rift in India-US relations
An autocrat can really unhinge a democratic system. This is what President Donald Trump is doing. But he is also turning into an imperialist power.
A modicum of truth
I feel honoured that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken notice of my criticism. Indeed, he praised me and said: “I respect veteran journalist Kuldip Nayar ji, he fought for freedom during emergency, he maybe a harsh critic of us but I salute him for this.” The prime minister and I are on the same page when it comes to the criticism of the emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi, the then prime minister.
An apology overdue
Certain dates are so important in a nation's history that they cannot be forgotten.
A false step
Pranab Mukherjee is a man of all-political affiliations. He has occupied the highest position as a Congressman and has also floated a political party with a few of his associates in the Congress. But one can call him a self-made man in the political arena. He has accepted the invitation to visit the RSS headquarters at Nagpur to address the cadre.
BJP staves off strong Congress challenge
In the rumble-tumble of election, the role of Congress President Sonia Gandhi has not been recognised. No doubt, the contest was
No alternative to dynastic rule
There is no surprise. It was well known that the Congress Party is hopelessly dependent on the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty. Elevation of Rahul Gandhi to the post of Congress president was along the expected lines.
Mandir and masjid can coexist
On December 6, the demolition of the Babri Masjid would be 25 years old. Instead of making amends for what the Congress government did in 1992 with the connivance of then Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party government is bent upon building a temple at the site where the masjid once stood.
Challenge before Rahul Gandhi
Political parties all over the world have come to be closed shops. What is known as the “High Command” usually dictates on who will be installed as the president. Rahul Gandhi has been “elected” as the Congress president.
Can Padmavati be a rallying point for press freedom?
The press has been able to consolidate its freedom after several struggles. And today it is generally free from government pressure. There are still other forces which do not allow it to be completely free. Yet among all the democracies in the world, the Indian press is considered independent.
Reopening the Gandhi assassination case was long overdue
I think the Supreme Court's order to appoint an amicus curiae in Mahatma Gandhi's assassination case is important. More about how it happened and why are two points which need to be pursued.
Boundaries that divide us
The government of India has appointed Dineshwar Sharma, former Intelligence Bureau Chief as interlocutor to find a solution to Kashmir's problems.
EC's reputation is on the line
The Election Commission has never done it before and had developed an independent status since TN Seshan. He had given it a stature which was admired by the electorate.
The supreme courage of Gauri Lankesh
A gathering for a memorial a few days ago turned out to be disappointing. I thought that the meeting held to bring attention to the murder of Kannada journalist Gauri Lankesh at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, would draw many journalists, particularly the senior ones, to the venue.
A part-time chief minister
Utttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath has said that he would be taking five days off in a month to attend to his duties as head priest of the Gorakhnath Temple. Television networks ran this part of his speech only once.