Kumbh Mela Debate: Culture vs. Environment
The Kumbh Mela, a significant Hindu pilgrimage held every 12 years at the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers in Prayagraj, attracts millions of devotees seeking spiritual purification through ritual bathing. However, recent reports from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) have raised serious concerns regarding the water quality at this event, particularly due…
Education Funds’ ‘Blackmail’: Tamil Nadu, Centre, and the Language Debate
The ongoing conflict between Tamil Nadu and the central government over the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and its three-language policy has reignited long-standing tensions regarding language and education in the state. The NEP, introduced by the Union government, advocates for a three-language formula, which includes Hindi, English, and a regional language, a move that…
ISI Links: Assam CM and Allegations
The controversy surrounding Congress MP and Deputy Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, and his wife, Elizabeth Gogoi, has intensified following allegations made by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma regarding Mrs. Gogoi’s potential links to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The Assam Cabinet has directed the state police to investigate these claims,…
‘Tariff Pe Tariff’: Trump 2.0 and US-India Trade
With a protectionist Donald Trump in the Oval Office threatening US’ trade partners with reciprocal tariffs the trade relationship between the United States and India is undergoing a hencebefore unknown evolution. This month, Trump announced a plan to impose tariffs that would match the rates charged by other countries on U.S. imports, a move aimed…
Freedom vs. Funny: Where Do We Draw the Line on Jokes in India?
The controversy emerged from a recent episode of the YouTube show “India’s Got Latent,” hosted by comedian Samay Raina, where Allahbadia, known as BeerBiceps, posed a highly inappropriate question to a contestant: “Would you rather watch your parents have sex every day for the rest of your life or join in once to stop it…
Rohingya Children’s Right to Education: National Security v/s Human Rights
The issue of access to education for Rohingya children in India, particularly in Delhi, has gained significant attention, in light of recent legal proceedings involving the Supreme Court. The court is currently reviewing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by the NGO Rohingya Human Rights Initiative, which challenges a Kejriwal-era Delhi government circular that restricts…
Congress Faces Delhi Debacle
The recent Delhi Assembly election results have significant implications for the Indian National Congress, which has faced a challenging political landscape in the capital. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured a decisive victory, winning 48 out of 70 seats, while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) saw a dramatic decline, capturing only 22 seats, and Congress…
Biren Singh Resigns: Meanings for Manipur
N Biren Singh’s resignation as Chief Minister of Manipur on February 9 marked a significant turning point in the state’s ongoing political turmoil, which has been exacerbated by ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities since May 2023. Singh’s departure follows mounting pressure from within his own Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition,…
Modi’s ‘Holy Dip’: Practicing Faith or Politics?
On February 5, Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the Maha Kumbh Mela taking a ‘holy dip’ at the Triveni Sangam (the believed sacred confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh), an act which he described as a moment of divine connection. Dressed in a saffron jacket and…
‘Illegal’ Indians Sent Back: Meanings for India’s Foreign Policy
With Donald Trump back in the White House riding on strong anti-immigrant rhetoric, U.S.’ deportations, particularly concerning Indian nationals, have gained prominence amid the Trump administration’s stringent immigration policies. Recently, a U.S. military aircraft deported 104 Indian nationals to Amritsar marking a significant moment in the ongoing enforcement of these policies. This deportation is part…
