In some respects 1981 has been like any other year for India – average crops, a “tolerable” rate of inflation, not too dramatic a deterioration in law and order, a government without a clear sense of purpose and direction, a disunited and ineffectual opposition and and so on. Assam has … Read More
All kinds of rumours relating to President Sanjiva Reddy have been floating in the Capital. Conventional wisdom would suggest that one should ignore them. But their persistence and sweep make it difficult and perhaps even undesirable to do so. It may well be helpful to air them openly. It is … Read More
It a sign of intellectual laziness that political commentators and policy makers the world over continue to refer to the United States and the Soviet Union as superpowers. It would not have mattered if it did not confuse our thinking on international problems but it inevitably does. A super-power is … Read More
If Nehru is remembered as a builder of modern India it is not merely because he laid the foundation for its economic progress but also because he helped to establish certain institutions – a framework for governance and the democratic process – and carefully nursed them until his death. … Read More
The state is, without doubt, our most valuable possession. On its coherence and effectiveness depend not only our survival as one nation, our security and territorial integrity, but also our well-being. Without it, we would be sunk as so often in the past. There is a corollary to this proposition, … Read More
During her reply to the motion of no-confidence in the Lok Sabha last Thursday, the Prime Minister said that the only objective of the opposition appeared to be: “Let I us throw Indira Gandhi out of power.” Apparently, she meant what she said. But she was mistaken. This was a … Read More
Mrs Gandhi is on trial – at the bar of history. It will be to her credit if she somehow keeps the system going so long as she is around. But that will not win for her the kind of place Jawaharlal Nehru occupies in Indian history. She will secure … Read More
It often been said in criticism of the press that it exercises power without responsibility which “is the privilege of the harlot.” The time has perhaps come when it may be legitimate to pose the question whether the same criticism can apply to the Congress (I) leaders in office. As … Read More
In an article in these columns last Wednesday, I cited our experience over the last six decades in support of my contention that Indian political parties are critically dependent on towering individuals for their survival and growth and that Indian society is not able to produce and sustain an opposition … Read More
Seldom before have opposition leaders cut such sorry figures as they do today. The people are by and large indifferent to what they do. They can split a party (Jagjivan Ram), merge their groups (HN Bahuguna and Raj Narain), propose the coming together of leading opposition parties (Madhu Limaye), and … Read More
