To create an elemental shift in human consciousness, the feminist movement — not unlike other ideological movements — relies on sharing a common goal to define, establish and achieve equal political, economic, cultural, personal and social rights for women. Since the occurrence of the modern feminist movement in two major waves in the US from the late 19th Century till its fanning out into radical, socialist, cultural or liberal wings, […]

As a kid when he was admonished by his father once, he looked down guiltily and his father disapprovingly had told him ‘Only Cowards Look Down, The Brave Do Not.’ Yes that’s my earliest memories about him. Sitting on my grand-dad’s lap this used to be my favourite story about. Needless to mention this small boy from Cuttack went on to become one of India’s most iconic hero. His famous […]

The suicide note written by Rohith Vemula – the Dalit student who recently died at the University of Hyderabad – echoes the discourse Mahatma Gandhi used when he chose to fast ‘unto death’. Like Gandhi, Rohith’s letter displays a passion for a better world embedded in a Bhagwad Gita-esque detachment. There are several other similarities: Introspection, taking personal responsibility, seeking forgiveness and not blaming anyone. In both cases, their willingness […]

Union Minister Bandaru Dattatreya and Vice Chancellor of the Hyderabad Central University were on Monday booked under the SC/ST Act in connection with the suicide case of PhD scholar Rohith Vemula. Students protesting at the University had demanded that the police register a case under the SC/ST Atrocity Act against Dattatreya, while alleging that he had written to the HRD ministry seeking action against Rohith Vemula and four other research […]

In the most recent development with regards to the Pathankot attacks, Pakistan has reportedly arrested Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Maulana Masood Azhar, his brother and several others of the same organisation who are said to be associated with the attacks in Pathankot. This detention and the eventual sealing of their office happened after India demanded constructive action ahead of the Foreign Secretary-level talks. However many experts believe that this is just a […]

The recent terrorist attacks in India has perhaps clarified one basic fact that whether talks with Pakistan proceed at a desired pace or not, it is unlikely to address the core issue of terrorism in India which is being continuously abetted by Pakistan. If we chart out even the immediate history in terms of Indo-Pak talks, one fact is amply clear and that is the painful similarity of the way […]

Firebrand Muslim leader Asaduddin Owaisi, president of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), has received threat from the Islamic State. The Hyderabad MP said that he has been warned by the ISIS terror group on Twitter to keep his mouth shut. “Its better for you to shut your mouth on Islamic State if you don’t know the truth, IslamicState will invade india soon (sic),” a Twitter handle in the name […]

The man threatening Britain in the latest Islamic State video – dubbed “New Jehadi John” – is suspected to be ,Siddhartha Dhar a British Indian who converted to Islam and moved to Syria in 2014. However, there is no official confirmation of his identity yet. His sister, Konika Dhar, told the media on Monday that if indeed the man is her brother, “I am going to kill him myself. He […]

Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump’s much-awaited first TV ad features a promise that once he is at the helm he will “quickly cut” ISIS’ head and “take their oil”. Trump’s ad begins with a shot of President Obama and Hillary Clinton. Then comes a US battleship launching a cruise-missile strike. It moves swiftly through an explosive montage — the suspects in the recent California terrorist attack, shadowy figures racing across […]

The Youtube video starts with the narrator saying that responding to an appeal by secular forces, people are travelling to Patna to express their opposition to the Rath Yatra. A rousing speech by veteran Communist leader AB Bardhan, who passed away on Saturday, which he gave as part of Anand Patwardhan’s 1992 documentary film ‘Ram Ke Naam’ extolling secular values, still holds relevance. The Youtube video starts with the narrator […]