Nepal’s Experience and the Question of People’s Empowerment
Nepal has once again entered a phase of political upheaval. After weeks of mass protests led mainly by youth demanding jobs, accountability, and an end to corruption, the Prime Minister…
One Thousand Years Later: Why Rajendra Chola’s Naval Campaign Is Not a Moment for Celebration
Rajendra Chola’s campaign was, in short, a war for profit – one that disrupted centuries of shared religious, cultural, and commercial life between South and Southeast Asia. Reproduced from Thewire:…
Why Bihar’s Voter Roll Overhaul Threatens a Fundamental Right
The right to vote is a basic democratic right, enshrined in constitutional provisions and born out of long historical struggles. In India, universal adult franchise was a positive commitment at…
Weaponising Water: Threat to Revoke the Indus Waters Treaty is Unjust!
In June 2025, the already-fraught relationship between India and Pakistan took a dangerous turn. Following the tragic Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of many innocent people, the Indian…
Central Government plans to grab a greater share of states’ tax revenues
As the Centre moves to reduce States’ share of tax revenue, financial power is becoming increasingly concentrated. With States responsible for over 60% of total government spending, this shift threatens…
Denial of Democratic Rights: A Call for Political Transformation
In recent years, the right to assemble, demonstrate, and protest—one of the cornerstones of democracy—has been severely curtailed in India, particularly in the capital city of Delhi. The right to…
Budgets reflect the marginalization of people
The Indian budget, year after year, follows a pattern: increased expenditure on unproductive items like interest payments and defence, while essential investments in human welfare—healthcare, education, and social security—remain woefully…
On the concentration of powers in the Executive!
The recent swearing-in of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in India, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a select group within the cabinet decided on the allocation of ministerial…
Is the Monopoly Over Election Symbols Creating an Unfair Election Field?
Election symbols were initially introduced into the Indian electoral process as a practical solution to overcome the challenges posed by widespread illiteracy. They served as simple, recognisable markers that allowed…
Centre-state relations and federalism at the crossroads
In this “President’s Blog,” the focus is on the complex relationship between central and state governments in India. The article covers topics from the recent debates on federalism highlighted in…