The Ayodhya ordinance is at best a negative achievement for the Prime Minister. The most that Mr P V Narasimha Rao can claim is that he has contained his detractors within his own government and party at least for the time being secured the consent of a reluctant President even … Read More
No well-known Indian has cut so tragic a figure in the wake of the demolition of the Babri structure in Ayodhya as Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The prime minister too has been in an unenviable position. Indeed, his dilemma has been far more painful. Unlike Mr Vajpayee, he is obliged … Read More
1992 will doubtless go down in Indian history as the year of Ayodhya. This is so not so much because recent events there have pushed into background all other issues such as economic reforms and reservations for the “other backward castes” as they have released forces which will have a … Read More
Indications are piling up that under pressure from Muslim ministers, MPs and others, the Union government is preparing to amend its package on the Ramjanambhoomi issue to provide for a reference to the Supreme Court under Article 138(2) of the Constitution in place of Article 143 as decided by it … Read More
The space for liberals in the Muslim world is severely limited, says Girilal Jain It is only natural for liberal Indians to empathise with Muslim academicians, journalists, lawyers, social activists and others who assembled in New Delhi on January 24. They had been shaken by the demolition of the Babri … Read More
It will be difficult to resolve the temple issue within the existing Constitution, says Girilal Jain Protagonists of Hindutva are as confused about what is happening in the country as their opponents. They are finding it as difficult to distinguish the essential from the accidental as the latter. The accidental … Read More
Combining Bhakti with Power Some liberal Hindus and Muslims have been highly critical of what I have written on the demolition of the Babri structure and related issues since December 6. They expect that I define my position on the question of the place of Muslims in India. Even if … Read More
It is obvious that the district magistrate of Faizabad could not possibly have taken so momentous a decision as to allow public darshan of the Ram Lalla and other idols on the site of the demolished Babri structure without the consent of the UP administration which in turn could not … Read More
It appears that the Prime Minister has recovered his breath and begun directing the government’s and the Congress Party’s retreat from the brink. This message comes fairly loud clear from the proceedings and the resolution of the extended meeting of the Congress Working Committee on Thursday. Though party spokesman VN … Read More
WHEN Pandit Nehru accused the Chinese of betrayal in 1962, he spoke for the nation, though the charge was misplaced. Indeed, the Chinese have spared little effort, especially after the revolt in Tibet in 1959 leading to the fight of the Dalai Lama and thousands of Tibetans into India to … Read More
