Mainstream Weekly

AAP High Command Allows No Dissent

Madhu Bhaduri — 2014-02-10T16:23:20Z

The following piece, giving the reasons behind the resignation of retired diplomat Madhu Bhaduri from Aam Aadmi Party (of which she was a founder member), is being reproduced, with due acknowledgement, for the benefit of our readers.
I am a founder member of the Aam Aadmi Party. I had made a request to the party secretary several days in advance of the National Council meeting in Delhi on January 30, that I wished to move a resolution to tender an apology by AAP to the Ugandan and (…)

- 2014

Threat to River Ganga and the Life of its Saviour

Madhu Bhaduri — 2013-03-06T08:35:40Z

Since the last two months the attention of the country and the media has focused on the Mahakumbh Mela on the shores of the holy river Ganga. In the meantime the most sincere devotee of the river has silently gone on a hunger strike to draw attention to the betrayal by the state authorities in not keeping their promises and assurances, given from time to time, to keep the river alive and from death at the hands of greedy men in power.
Professor G.D. Agarwal has been fasting in Amarkantak (…)

- 2013

Daylight Murders

Madhu Bhaduri — 2011-06-09T08:08:00Z

The National Women's Commission objects to calling them ‘honour killings' and would prefer to call them “dishonour Killings”. The Commission has yet to do anything beyond expressing this preference even when these killings are common-place today. Young couples who dare to marry within their Gotra are murdered in broad daylight under instructions from the rich and powerful who call themselves Khap Panchayats. This has been happening in the villages of Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and west UP. (…)

- 2011

Floods and Rivers: Blinded by Arrogance of Technology or Vested Interest?

Madhu Bhaduri — 2010-10-19T11:03:49Z

The Yamuna, a filthy drain for most of the year in Delhi, comes alive during the monsoon season. This year the river has not only spread itself over a larger expanse, it has driven home a point which many observers and experts have been trying to make unsuccessfully especially before the learned judges: that our rivers cannot be compared with European rivers like the Thames, Seine and Danube, because they are replenished only with the seasonal monsoon rains. Rivers in India shrink and expand (…)

- 2010

Must the Gods Die?

Madhu Bhaduri — 2010-03-06T11:12:34Z

The gods are dying. Rivers that have traditionally been revered like gods in India, the sacred Ganga and Yamuna, are comatose. In the last few decades reckless diversion of river water and irresponsible use of rivers as channels for urban sewerage and untreated industrial effluents has dramatically transformed our rivers into dirty drains.
The Yamuna, now a dirty drain in Delhi, is hardly in the image of gods for Hindus. It is difficult even to imagine that emperor Shahjahan would (…)

- 2010