Suffering Rises Due to Lowest-Ever MGNREGS Funding
Funding cuts to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) is straining rural India, as was expected. About 93% of this year’s budget is already spent in the first half, according to a report by the Economic Times.
Let’s Make the Upcoming Elections About Us
Upcoming elections in five Indian states, leading up to national elections next year, may overshadow voter concerns in favour of political spectacle and divisive issues. It’s likely because, during an election, focus of media coverage often strays from governance, the core responsibility of elected officials.
India Needs More Judges with the Courage of Justice Muralidhar
Justice S. Muralidhar, former Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court and a judge of the Delhi High Court, spoke openly on Oct. 8 about a midnight hearing he conducted during the 2020 Delhi riots—a move that both saved lives and apparently upset the central government, which regulates the police in the national capital.
India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Law Undermines Democracy
A law, purportedly aimed at safeguarding the personal data of Indian citizens, passed recently. However, critics argue that the legislation could serve as a tool to stifle investigative reporting and limit public access to information.
Sikkim’s Teesta III Dam Disaster Was Foreseeable
A glacial lake burst in the northeast Indian state of Sikkim led to flash flooding that killed at least 40 people and displaced thousands, a disaster long warned about by experts and environmental activists.
Eroding Media Freedom and Government’s Credibility in India
The recent raids targeting 46 journalists, editors and professionals associated with the independent media outlet NewsClick have set off alarm bells about press freedom in India. Conducted by Delhi Police’s Special Cell, these actions seem excessive in both their severity and scope.
What Would be the Impact of a National Caste Census on Most Indians?
The recent findings from Bihar’s caste census have sparked demands for a nationwide survey, calling into question current affirmative action policies and potentially reshaping India’s political landscape. Here are at least four ways such a survey could affect the majority of Indians.
The Fallout of India-Canada Tensions for Indians
Strained relations between India and Canada have far-reaching implications, affecting Indians in both countries in areas ranging from diplomacy to education.
Why the Women’s Reservation Bill Isn’t Cause for Celebration Yet
The Women’s Reservation Bill was tabled in Parliament in 1996, the same year I was born. Now, at 27, I see it has finally passed. Yet, it won’t take effect until I’m 33. Beyond this glaring delay, I have two other criticisms, one apprehension and eight suggestions for the legislation to make a difference.
What Does Gandhi Have to Do with Cleanliness?
Cleanliness campaigns in India these days invoke Mahatma Gandhi, but the iconic leader’s vision for the country went far beyond sanitation. Gandhi’s writings and speeches reveal a broader mission that contrasts sharply with the current direction of Indian governance.
Another Lynching in India; Who’s the Latest Victim?
A brutal lynching during the recent Ganesh Chaturthi festivities in Delhi resulted in the death of 26-year-old Isar Mohammad, highlighting the increasing incidence of extrajudicial violence in India. This disturbing trend has repercussions not only for the victim and their community, but also carries wider implications for society at large.