Great Catherine's Many Dimensions | The National Interest:
Catherine the Great was one of the most famous rulers of pre-Revolution Russia. She was at once an enlightener, a law giver and reformer of state institutions. But she was also a woman whose marriage could not be consummated. In desperation she used her power of seduction to help her consolidate her hold over her country. Her's was a classic case of the successful use of sexual politics. For us Indians there is deja vu here.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Exclusive: HC requests UPA to ensure Prez nod for Mayawati’s bill - India - DNA
Exclusive: HC requests UPA to ensure Prez nod for Mayawati’s bill - India - DNA:
It is a curious case and previously unheard of. The Allahabad High Court has requested the UPA to shed political considerations and expedite the Presidential assent of Anticipatory Bail Bill passed by Mayavati Govt. The Governor can refer a bill passed by State Assembly for Presidential consideration and assent. There is no time limit for the President to give his assent. Simply by sitting on the bill the Union Govt can kill a bill passed by the State Assemblies. This is clearly against the federal structure of our Constitution. The politicians, the judiciary, the media, the academia and the legal fraternity owe it to the nation to address the issue before it is too late.
It is a curious case and previously unheard of. The Allahabad High Court has requested the UPA to shed political considerations and expedite the Presidential assent of Anticipatory Bail Bill passed by Mayavati Govt. The Governor can refer a bill passed by State Assembly for Presidential consideration and assent. There is no time limit for the President to give his assent. Simply by sitting on the bill the Union Govt can kill a bill passed by the State Assemblies. This is clearly against the federal structure of our Constitution. The politicians, the judiciary, the media, the academia and the legal fraternity owe it to the nation to address the issue before it is too late.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Muslim behavior/terrorism correlated with population size « Heaven Awaits
Muslim behavior/terrorism correlated with population size « Heaven Awaits:
Is Muslim behaviour dependent on its share in the society/ country? An analysis with many may not agree.
Is Muslim behaviour dependent on its share in the society/ country? An analysis with many may not agree.
Bravely evaluate your leaders, starting with Nehru
Bravely evaluate your leaders, starting with Nehru: (1)
What has bravery to do with evaluation of our leaders?Like so many other things, such as, mixing religion with politics as in Khilafat Movement or caving in to blackmails by leaders like Jinnah, Gandhijee began the practice of nominating rulers which continues to this day.
What has bravery to do with evaluation of our leaders?Like so many other things, such as, mixing religion with politics as in Khilafat Movement or caving in to blackmails by leaders like Jinnah, Gandhijee began the practice of nominating rulers which continues to this day.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Four women judges hold promise of justice for 2002 - Indian Express
Four women judges hold promise of justice for 2002 - Indian Express:
Not sure if it is a sociological study of judicial behaviour in Gujrat or a sinister design to influence the course of justice!
Not sure if it is a sociological study of judicial behaviour in Gujrat or a sinister design to influence the course of justice!
SHEHJAR - Web Magazine for Kashmir :: A History of The Kashmiri Pandits Race
SHEHJAR - Web Magazine for Kashmir :: A History of The Kashmiri Pandits Race:
Not many people in the world have been forced to abandon their homeland in the name of democracy, secularism and short-sighted politics.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Homosexuality in India: A Literary History - NYTimes.com
Homosexuality in India: A Literary History - NYTimes.com:
We have a penchant for tracing every thing, from aeroplane to atomic weapons, to ancient India. Homosexuality was never a feature a Indian tradition. To assert this is not to pass judgment on the morality or otherwise of individual sexual preferences.
We have a penchant for tracing every thing, from aeroplane to atomic weapons, to ancient India. Homosexuality was never a feature a Indian tradition. To assert this is not to pass judgment on the morality or otherwise of individual sexual preferences.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
The American Conservative » Christian Jihad
The American Conservative » Christian Jihad:
The Bible vs The Koran. In the context of controversy about the Bhagvadgita, it is interesting to find out which one advocates violence and genocide.
The Bible vs The Koran. In the context of controversy about the Bhagvadgita, it is interesting to find out which one advocates violence and genocide.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
The Delicately Poised Chemistry of Diplomacy - NYTimes.com
The Delicately Poised Chemistry of Diplomacy - NYTimes.com:
Xi Jinping, the trainee ruler of PRC's USA visit has again brought the situation behind the bamboo-curtain to the fore. And the secular-libtards of India in order to protect Nehruvian values and the Dynasty want us to follow the country, which has followed us at least for the last three millenniums.
Xi Jinping, the trainee ruler of PRC's USA visit has again brought the situation behind the bamboo-curtain to the fore. And the secular-libtards of India in order to protect Nehruvian values and the Dynasty want us to follow the country, which has followed us at least for the last three millenniums.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Literary Review - Nick Cohen's February Pulpit
Literary Review - Nick Cohen's February Pulpit:
" ... radical Islam is probably the greatest cause of self-censorship in the West today." And so it is in India.
" ... radical Islam is probably the greatest cause of self-censorship in the West today." And so it is in India.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Somnath on 2G: Can’t interfere with policy decisions
Somnath on 2G: Can’t interfere with policy decisions:
Politicians, lawyers and some journalists are worried about the Supreme Court's foray into policy matters. However, they conveniently forget that the Supreme Court steps in only when other organs of government fail to perform their duties conscientiously. As guardian of the Constitution the Supreme Court is obligated to protect the Constitution in letter and spirit. Left to themselves our politicians won't have any compunction in sacrificing the interest of the country for staying in power and personal aggrandizement. These people fail to realize that in India it is not parliamentary supremacy, but supremacy of the Constitution. As interpreter of the Constitution the Supreme Court is justified in examining the laws, acts of Parliament and omissions and commissions of the Govt. The Indian Constitution does not establish a totalitarian state, it establishes a limited government. In a limited government it is only the judiciary which arbitrates on the limits of all organs of the government. It goes without saying that there is a vested interest of many sections of society in the continuance of a corrupt system. Protests from those sections in cleansing the system is expected.
Politicians, lawyers and some journalists are worried about the Supreme Court's foray into policy matters. However, they conveniently forget that the Supreme Court steps in only when other organs of government fail to perform their duties conscientiously. As guardian of the Constitution the Supreme Court is obligated to protect the Constitution in letter and spirit. Left to themselves our politicians won't have any compunction in sacrificing the interest of the country for staying in power and personal aggrandizement. These people fail to realize that in India it is not parliamentary supremacy, but supremacy of the Constitution. As interpreter of the Constitution the Supreme Court is justified in examining the laws, acts of Parliament and omissions and commissions of the Govt. The Indian Constitution does not establish a totalitarian state, it establishes a limited government. In a limited government it is only the judiciary which arbitrates on the limits of all organs of the government. It goes without saying that there is a vested interest of many sections of society in the continuance of a corrupt system. Protests from those sections in cleansing the system is expected.
Srilal Shukla: Tribute from a Rereader
Srilal Shukla: Tribute from a Rereader: Mrinal Pande
"... a major reader, an active and creative reader is a rereader."-- Vladimir Nabokov: Strong Opinions
Saturday, February 4, 2012
For men of honour - Hindustan Times
For men of honour - Hindustan Times:
Awarding Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards are against the spirit of the Constitution of India. Every law abiding, patriotic citizen is a Bharat Ratna. The Janata Party govt headed by Morarji Desai did away with this anti-democratic and autocratic practice in 1977. Indira Gandhi, after her return to power in 1980, again resumed the practice. What are the criteria for conferring these awards? No body knows. These awards go against the spirit of an egalitarian society and are in consonance with a feudal society. On what basis Atal Behari Vajpyee is denied Bharat Ratna, but Rajiv Gandhi is conferred one?
Awarding Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards are against the spirit of the Constitution of India. Every law abiding, patriotic citizen is a Bharat Ratna. The Janata Party govt headed by Morarji Desai did away with this anti-democratic and autocratic practice in 1977. Indira Gandhi, after her return to power in 1980, again resumed the practice. What are the criteria for conferring these awards? No body knows. These awards go against the spirit of an egalitarian society and are in consonance with a feudal society. On what basis Atal Behari Vajpyee is denied Bharat Ratna, but Rajiv Gandhi is conferred one?
Friday, February 3, 2012
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Growing irrelevance of the Indian ayatollah
Growing irrelevance of the Indian ayatollah: Praveen Swami
When Govts encourage Ayatollahs freedom of expression becomes the natural casualty.
Let India unleash its soft power
Let India unleash its soft power
Prem Shankar Jha -- The wise look for opportunity in crises. India should act wise.
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