Articles

Tomahto, Tomayto – Soaring Prices, Government In Denial

Surging food prices have had a domino effect, materially changing India’s inflation outlook. India’s retail inflation rose to 7.4% year-on-year in July, surpassing the upper limit of Reserve Bank of India (RBI)’s tolerance band of 6%. This trend has led to the RBI upwardly revising India’s Consumer Price Index inflation rate for the year from 5.1% to 5.4%. The RBI Governor has even warned that policymakers will have to stand ready to go beyond keeping a watchful eye, and deploy policy instruments if necessary.

Data Protection Act: A systematic wreckage of democratic procedure

The Digital Personal Data Protection Act can lead to muzzling of voices within the media, civil society and Parliament

6 Former PMs And Their “Manipur” Moment In Parliament

Since Independence, no other Prime Minister has insulted Parliament more than Mr Modi. Let me share with you six instances when Prime Ministers have spoken on the floor of Rajya Sabha on crucial issues.

In Parliament, unmute the Opposition

Power to expunge speeches is too broad, and is often used to mute legitimate criticism of government In an age of WhatsApp videos, YouTube feeds, reels on Instagram and visual tweets (sorry, X), interventions made by MPs on the floor of Parliament spread very quickly. So why do Members of Parliament get outraged when words… Continue reading In Parliament, unmute the Opposition

Manipur Needs Healing, Today

As I write this, we have just concluded the seventh day of parliament. No sign yet of Prime Minister Narendra Modi inside Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha. The closest he has come to the chambers of both Houses is to address the media somewhere in the precincts of parliament House. The INDIA parties (preferred usage to “Opposition parties”) are striving to get a discussion going in parliament on Manipur. There is one hitch. The PM does not want to participate in the debate. The INDIA parties insist he must. Hence, the logjam.

I-N-D-I-A is a big idea

The leaders of the political parties who met earlier this week at the Bengaluru summit were not just looking for a name. They were looking for an idea. They were looking for a BIG IDEA. They came up with one. INDIA. Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance. Add the tagline Jeetega Bharat or more and you have a blockbuster.

Between 2 Opposition Summits, BJP’s Growing Nerves

Rarely has a large-sized conference room anywhere in India ever hosted a political gathering quite like this. I do not know what the collective noun for biodatas is, but the no-frills conference room at 1 Anne Marg, Patna was an array of curriculum vitae. The heads of the political parties (considering one representative per party… Continue reading Between 2 Opposition Summits, BJP’s Growing Nerves

How lotus, by association with BJP, has been diminished

In primary school, we were taught that the lotus is our national flower. In middle school, we were told that the lotus symbolises the purity of our thoughts, mind, and speech. In the contemporary school of Indian politics, we have quickly learnt that Operation Lotus has a whole new meaning — most recently exercised in Maharashtra. A beautiful flower, which blossoms amid mud is now being used to promote such muddy values!

What Really Happened At All-Party Meeting On Manipur

After over 50 days of soporific inaction and radio silence, the Union government finally called for a meeting of all political parties in parliament for a discussion on Manipur… Here are some observations from a fly on the wall during the all-party meeting on Manipur.

The speech I wish Prime Minister Modi gave in the US

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed lawmakers in the United States of America. Here is the speech I wish he had delivered.

Derek O'Brien

Derek O'Brien

Tomahto, Tomayto – Soaring Prices, Government In Denial

Data Protection Act: A systematic wreckage of democratic procedure

6 Former PMs And Their “Manipur” Moment In Parliament

In Parliament, unmute the Opposition

Manipur Needs Healing, Today

I-N-D-I-A is a big idea

Between 2 Opposition Summits, BJP’s Growing Nerves

How lotus, by association with BJP, has been diminished

What Really Happened At All-Party Meeting On Manipur

The speech I wish Prime Minister Modi gave in the US