Archive for the “Politics” category
Petition against removal of Ramanujan’s Essay
by Ritwik on October 22, 2011
Please sign and circulate this petition against the removal of AK Ramanuja’s beautiful essay “300 Ramayanas: Five Examples and Three Thoughts” from the history syllabus of the University of Delhi due to pressure mounted by right wing zealots:
Continue ReadingThis university is a cola free zone
by Ritwik on October 18, 2011
while coca cola and pepsi have been banned in JNU, the sale of other products manufactured by these companies goes on unabated. Hypocrisy or what?
Continue ReadingAtulya Bharat, part 1
by Ritwik on September 22, 2011
Set poverty line at Rs. 31 “Target” subsidy schemes to the “genuinely” poor – those earning less than Rs. 31/dayMake mandatory “hi-tech” id cards to check “pilferage”. After all the non-poor [those earning >Rs. 31/day] are stealing grains allocated for the poor
Continue ReadingFor Anna: Mumbai’s dabbawalas to take a break tomorrow, first time in 120 yrs
by Ritwik on August 19, 2011
the issue is that the people are spontaneously organizing against the excesses of the political class. and that is a damn good thing
Continue ReadingIf we are not our brother’s keeper, at least let us not be his executioner – When Brando Refused an Oscar
by Ritwik on July 19, 2011
Marlon Brando’s speech refusing to accept an Academy award for The Godfather.Unfortunately the essence of his lamentation is as valid today as ever.
Continue ReadingA meditation on the plight of MF Husain
by Ritwik on June 10, 2011
Dilip Simeon writes on the death of MF Husain – Our great secularists have always found it possible to keel over when it comes to confronting fascism. Sadly that’s equally true of Very Revolutionary people. The fact remains that the Shiv Sena, Bajrang Dal etc hounded MF Husain out of his country in his old age.
Continue ReadingA Padma for courage?
by Ritwik on March 26, 2011
I can think of no reason why Mrs. Neelam Katara, Ms. Sabrina Lall and and Mr. Chaman Lall Mattoo should not be awarded for distinguished public service. Each of these individuals managed to overcome personal tragedy to fight against the most rotten substructure of the Indian state. Their courage helped restore, albielt to a limited degree, a measure of faith in the criminal justice system of India.
Continue ReadingWhat Manmohan doesn’t know…
by Ritwik on February 11, 2011
A note to the PM’s spin doctors – the people would prefer that Manmohan knew about all these scams. It’s probably better to have a cunning and corrupt prime minister than one who has no idea of what members of his government are up to.
Continue ReadingA Few Questions On Roy, Geelani, Kashmir etc.
by Ritwik on November 2, 2010
“India is a fake democracy”. Repeat after me. “India is a hindu upper caste state”. Oh good, come and join the left-liberal bandwagon. Now that you are an admitted member of the club, child, go on and say whatever the fuck that comes to your mind – but remember, the more caustic you make it, the higher you will rise in the ranks. And don’t you forget to collect all state-funded scholarships on the way. My question is, why is the (still numerous) genuine left-liberal opinion in this country, of which I consider myself a tiny and insignificant part, allowing this scam to take place in its name?
Continue ReadingA Kafila of Brown Sahibs and Memsahibs?
by Ritwik on October 13, 2010
By muzzling the Nirmohis on a matter inextricably linked to them, not only does Kafila show intellectual arrogance, but a rather unfortunate sense of cultural and linguistic superiority which is a relic of the colonial episteme. Kafila should know that if they open their eyes to this, they can discard what we can call, the Educated Brown Man’s Burden, and this will enrich both their understanding and analysis.
Continue Reading