Mainstream Weekly

Most recent articles

• Building a Wall to Greet Trum

  28 February 2020, by Badri Raina

  Bernard Shaw once quipped, “If you would learn about Finance Capital, do not read Das Kapital, read Little Dorrit.”
  In that path-breaking novel by Charles Dickens, a man called Podsnap rises to be a very rich man from humble origins.
  Then, as he sits down to dinner alone on a long long table, he puts up a wall-like arm to obstruct anyone who brings him bad news of any kind.
  This gesture has since come to be christened “Podsnappery”. To wit, what you do not see does not exist.
  As rich (…)

• On Harmony of Religions

  28 February 2020, by Eduardo Faleiro

  Religion has emerged as a major source of conflict across the globe. Ideological strife has now given place to the “clash of civilisations” and it is felt that in the foreseeable future, religion will be a major source of conflict within and among nations. The possibilities of conflict are greater in countries such as India where different cultures and religions do meet. How-ever, such clashes can be prevented if appropriate strategies are formulated and implemented at an early stage so as (…)

• The Union Budget 2020-21 May Not bring Indian Economy back on Track

  28 February 2020

  by D.M. Diwakar
  The Economic Survey of the current financial year 2019-20, presented in Parliament, gives the present status of the Indian economy. This provides the basis for the policy responses through the Union Budget for the next financial year 2020-21. The Union Budget has become now merely ceremonial, as many financial decisions have been taken outside Parliament. The latest press conference by the Finance Minister for the benefits of the corporates to the tune of Rs 1.46 lakh (…)

• Budget Justice Eludes Persons with Disabilities: Strong Case for More Resources

  28 February 2020, by Bharat Dogra

  In recent years there has been growing concern that adequate resources are not available for persons with disabilities and for implementation of new legislation related to their needs and rights. Hence a significant increase in allocation for disability-affected persons was needed and expected in the Union Budget but the recently presented Budget has failed to live up to these expectation and needs. What is even more difficult to understand is the reduction made in some important (…)

• One of the Forgotten Makers of the Indian Constitution

  28 February 2020

  by Ranbir Singh
  Bharat Ratna Babasaheb Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar has been legitimately recognised as the Architect of the Indian Constitution on account of his role in its drafting as the Chairman of the Drafting Committee for this Document which has been rightly described as “The cornerstone of a nation” by the famous American political scientist G. Austin. Babasaheb’s role in defending the draft of the Constitution during the debates on the provisions of the Draft Constitution in the (…)

• The Law is an Ass (Shakespeare)

  28 February 2020, by Badri Raina

  When men make laws that rip the realm Into unequal smithereen, Who more than women know the ruse, Having many a tyranny seen.
  Then comes a day when perfidy Overshoots the mark; While men debate the pros and cons, Women light the spark.
  Injustice wrapped in due process And the correctness of law Crumble to their penetration In bewildered awe.
  The blaze of knowledge in their souls Then melts the subterfuge. Innocence that was compliant Unravels the spurious dodge.
  Armed with nothing (…)

• Reflections On Our Time

  28 February 2020, by Nikhil Chakravartty

  From N.C.’s Writings
  The concluding functions that brought the curtain down on the year-long celebrations of the golden jubilee of the ‘Quit India’ struggle of 1942, presented in sharp relief the slump in morale allround.
  With all the exposures of mega corruption in which the wielders of power have been entangled, and the unashamed buying of MPs so that the reins of the government do not slip out of one’s hand—all the homilies and harangues at the August 9 celebrations sounded so hollow (…)

• {India should be Wary of US ‘Pro-activism’ on Lanka’s Tamil Problem

  28 February 2020, by M K Bhadrakumar

  Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena (C) summoned US envoy Alaina Teplitz to convey “strong objections” on the travel restrictions on Army Commander and Acting Chief of Defence Staff, Colombo, February 16, 2020.
  What cannot be lost sight of is that the “public designation” of the Sri Lankan army Chief and Acting Chief of Defense Staff Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva for war crimes by the US State Department on February 14 actually happened the day after the UN Security Council (…)

• Decoding Vote: How BJP Lost Delhi

  28 February 2020

  by Ahmed Raza
  The overwhelming victory for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) with 62 seats out of 70 in Delhi Assembly polls did not surprise the nation as all exit polls had already pointed to the absolute majority mark. People proved their maturity by casting votes for continuing the AAP Government sidelining the national and emotional assurances promised by the BJP as good governance of the Delhi Government remained intact among the people. Though the BJP did not omit any opportunity to portray (…)

• AAP’s Massive Comeback beyond Liberal Triumphalism

  28 February 2020

  by Prannv Dhawan and Ishaan Bansal
  The Delhi State Assembly election results represent a comprehensive electoral setback for the ruling political establishment. This is the second clear electoral loss in a string of State Assembly defeats for the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) in close succession of their domination in the general elections. In addition to that, the results come as a much-needed relief because the hate-filled, divisive and communal rhetoric has failed to garner the political (…)