Whatever the outcome of the election to the Lok Sabha in arithmetical terms, it will not pave the way for anything like a stable political order. That much should be beyond dispute even before the results are announced, beginning this evening. What is in question is only whether we shall … Read More
It is being widely assumed that substantial sections of the Muslim electorate in north India have decided to withdraw support from the Congress in the current elections and extend it instead to the Janata Dal headed by VP Singh. If this indeed turns out to be the case, the Muslims … Read More
If the ideological claptrap is cut out, as it should be, it would be obvious that the shilanyas (foundation-laying ceremony) of the proposed Sri Rama temple in Ayodhya last Thursday is possibly the most significant development in the history of independent India. August 15,1947, is, of course, a landmark in … Read More
So riots have materialised on a massive scale, as if to reinforce the case of those who argue that the central issue in the current elections is the fight against “communalism”. Meanwhile, all kinds of rumours have been circulating in connection with the riots. A great deal is being made … Read More
Surprising though it may appear, the anti-Congress, anti-Rajiv to be precise, sentiment is fairly well matched by the anti-BJP sentiment among the same aggressively articulate English-speaking section of the intelligentsia. If it accuses Rajiv Gandhi of being personally corrupt, it holds the Bharatiya Janata Party guilty of Hindu chauvinism, communalism … Read More
In the excitement over the surprise election announcements, two points have generally escaped attention. First, the twin decisions on the dates and the linking of the poll to the Lok Sabha with that to a number of state legislatures have been as much of a surprise for most Congress leaders … Read More
In the book review field, it is not normal to discuss the author and his possible motivation. This clearly leaves a gap and reviews remain, as it were, suspended in mid-air. It must, however, be admitted that this gap is not always easy to overcome since in many cases the … Read More
Mr Girilal Jain, former Editor of The Times of India and an eminent political commentator, says that quality has suffered considerably in the race to raise circulation of newspapers which are becoming like any other products and not an agent of change which it should be, specially, in a developing … Read More
I am in the position of the proverbial cat who set out on Haj after devouring 900 mice. Having practised journalism for over four decades, I do not feel morally entitled to warn against the dangers of a profession which by its nature is full of perils. But it is … Read More
I always wrote against the current: Girilal Jain There is this classic story about Mr NJ Nanporia, then editor of The Times Of India, and his chief reporter, Mr VN Bhushan Rao. Mr Nanporia had (still has) a great fascination for antiques; one Saturday afternoon the two met by chance … Read More
