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Denial of Voting Rights to Undertrials: Blinds Spots in India's Democracy

At its heart, the challenge to Section 62(5) is a test of constitutional sincerity, of whether the Indian Republic truly believes that citizenship endures even behind bars. Enacted in the infancy of the republic, the provision has long outlived its moral logic. It collapses the distinction between confinement and culpability

Reforming Higher Education: A Reset Moment for Kerala Universities After Years of Drift

To its credit, the new state government’s policy declaration recognised this reality. It emphasised skill development, industry-linked learning and stronger connections between educational institutions and emerging sectors of the economy. Whether those aspirations translate into measurable reform remains to be seen.

The Burden of the Disenfranchised and Excluded in India's Democracy

Apart from risks related to the integrity of the process, the SIR process also turns what is celebrated as the festival of Indian democracy into a nightmare for the excluded. It can create divisions and split neighbourhoods, particularly when the numbers are large and hotly contested, as they have been in the most recent example in the state of West Bengal. 

India's Gen Z Cockroach Revolt: Ignoring Youthspeak can be at Democracy's Own Peril

The rise of the Cockroach Janata Party may ultimately fade as quickly as it appeared. Most internet movements do. But the frustrations driving it are real and unlikely to disappear soon. Millions of young Indians feel politically unheard and economically cornered. Increasingly, they are expressing that frustration not through traditional political participation, but through irony, parody and nihilistic humour.

More on Public Policy and Governance

Is the Ganga water treaty between India and Bangladesh at risk?

Thus, the renewal of the Ganges water treaty is much more dependent on the bilateral relations between the two countries. Under the present conditions, there are politically driven ideological differences between both countries that may carry adverse consequences for the Ganga treaty. 

India’s sports bosses need to answer for its Olympic fiasco and poor showing

Shouldn’t we reflect as a nation of 1.4 billion people, with 117 participants at the Paris Olympics, winning only six medals (that included no gold) and ranked 71 among participating countries? Can we not learn from much smaller countries, some indeed tiny,  that won several gold and silver medals and ranked above India?

India needs to change the way we think

India must look to improve the quality of education and make it affordable equally to all irrespective of religion or caste. Else, we will continue to feel safe in “reservations” and never ever look at improving the quality of the society

What could be behind Sheikh Hasina’s ouster? Challenging times for India ahead

China was miffed with Hasina giving the Teesta project to India but why China gave $11 million to Bangladesh instead of earlier promised $3 billion during Hasina’s visit is because it perhaps knew regime change in Dhaka was coming?

Lessons from Bangladesh’s descent into chaos

How quickly a country which was coasting along for a decade of strong, export led growth with improvements in poverty as well as human development indicators and social capital, can crumble.

Who is responsible for the Wayanad disaster in southern India?

There are any number of disasters happening in India, with the sad conclusion that the elected representatives of the people are failing in their duties and remain indifferent to pressing local issues and the needs and grievances of the people.

Pakistan's mishandling could worsen Balochistan situation

Such behavior from the Pakistani State is a concern for the future of Balochistan. Pakistan needs to thoroughly review its policies in Balochistan; otherwise, it may not be long before another Bangladesh is born.

Can peace return to Manipur?

The rise of ethnic violence in Manipur has had a devastating impact on the state. Thousands of people have been killed and displaced from their homes. The violence has also crippled the economy and disrupted the development of the state. 

India's democratic traditions in danger: Time to lower the political temperature

The government’s answer is to keep the pot boiling as it lives a Rip Van Winkle story – almost as if it slept through the election results and now wants to live an old reality in a new world.

Unruling parliamentary behaviour setting a bad example for Indian democracy

The proceedings of the recent parliamentary session create doubts as to whether our MPs are capable of setting up such standards. By their behavior as seen currently, they are setting up a very bad example for the younger generation and are doing great harm to the fiber and fabric of a resurgent India.

Quota unrest in Bangladesh has lessons for India

There should also be no doubt that these protests are being fueled by China and Pakistan to depose the pro-India Sheikh Hasina Government and install a pro-Islamist anti-India government like the erstwhile BNP-led government in Bangladesh. 

Rumblings in the BJP point to a more fundamental problem

The reality is that communal politics of the kind played by the BJP, led by Prime Minister Modi, has stopped paying dividends of the kind that it once did. 

A Republican future and its impact on international relations

As the world watches the unfolding drama in the United States, the implications for South Asia, particularly India, Pakistan, and China, are profound

The shadow of 5th GW over Baloch resistance movement in Pakistan

The Baloch resistance movement faces an unprecedented threat in the form of deepfakes and propaganda propelled by 5GW tactics. The strategy aims to destabilize and discredit the movement, paving the way for a tightened grip on the region.

India's healthcare reform: Need to look at medical system in totality

This need got a number of us doctors working in different parts of India to come together as a group. We post our questions in the group, or call up an expert for guidance: How do you manage fluctuating blood sugar in a young woman with diabetes? How do you treat malaria in a pregnant woman? We meet online once a week - to share new knowledge, case studies, and also ask questions.