Archive for the “General Interest” category

Rahul missed a trick in his reply to Singapore audience

by Ritwik on March 18, 2018

Rahul Gandhi should remember that when he speaks publicly, he does so as the leader of the Congress party. While it is crucial to appeal to the fence-sitter, it should virtually never be at the cost of demotivating one’s core, articulate, political network. He made that mistake in Singapore.

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From Davos to Padmaavat: The Method in the Madness of Modi’s Politics

by Ritwik on January 29, 2018

Either, Modi means well and his government is trying but unable to control the situation. Or, Modi is unable to appreciate that the violence is hurting India’s ‘image’ and nullifying his efforts at attracting investment. Both these hypotheses are unwarranted.

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So Near Yet So Far in Gujarat: Lack of Local Leaders and Agenda Setting Campaign Cost Congress A Historic Win

by Ritwik on December 18, 2017

Despite losing Gujarat, the Congress looks set for revival. Strong local leaders and an agenda setting campaign can turn the tide in 2019.

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Don’t be surprised at Yogi Adityanath’s elevation

by Ritwik on March 21, 2017

Adityanath’s elevation as UP CM indicates Modi and Shah’s continued ideological clarity and tactical nous. The signs are troubling for progressive politics in India.

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The Political Calculus of Demonetization

by Ritwik on November 13, 2016

Modi revels in painting himself as a lone crusader against the established order. He has successfully used this tactic in Gujarat, and against the old guard in the BJP. If the opposition unitedly attacks demonetization, Modi is going to pretend that they want to stop him from doing good for the country.

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Delhi Kiss of Love Event: Q & A

by Ritwik on November 8, 2014

India seems to be on the brink of something similar to what happened in Pakistan, Iran and other places, where the historically open and plural nature of the society is being sought to be radically re-engineered from within.

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Are all forms of ‘questioning’ of the same importance?

by Ritwik on November 2, 2014

It is my submission that a ‘Rational’ critique is more substantive, powerful and effective, than other modes of critique. A rational critique offers up features that may be missing in other critiques, namely, a framework of analysis, articulation of alternatives and a replicable, universalizable, systematic approach.

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A discussion on trial by media and its ethical limits

by Ritwik on December 27, 2013

A discussion on TV reporting and its ethical limits in the background of Khurshid Anwar’s media trial and his subsequent suicide.It will be an open forum.Prominent journalists will be participating in the discussion.

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this is the kind of lazy, blinkered reportage

by Ritwik on July 9, 2013

As if both ‘Hinduism’ and ‘Buddhism’ [both isms are by the way recent constructs made by westerners] are monolithic entities with all of Buddhism being ‘rational’ [um, Tibetan Buddhism?] and all of Hinduism being ‘mystic’ [um, nyaya or sankhya or for that matter the philosophical part of Advaita Vedanta?]

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Mannequin Lingerie Ban in Mumbai – It’s about controlling women, not men

by Ritwik on May 29, 2013

While the BMC is trying to spin this move as a means to control men by removing from sight a ‘provocative’ object, it should be more than clear that the real attempt is to control women’s sexuality.

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