The Indian Economic Model: A Story of Progress & Paradox
Jana Awez provides a critical analysis of India’s economic growth, revealing the harsh realities that exist beneath the surface of its impressive economic achievements. Despite economic gains, citizens grapple with debt, inflation, unemployment, and poor infrastructure. India’s dream of becoming an economic superpower clashes with existing social issues.
Modi’s Uniform Civil Code: A Threat to the Muslims of India
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has once again become a topic of discussion as he’s decided to bring up the long-debated Indian civil code before the national elections. The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will mean a set of common personal laws for all the country’s citizens regardless of their religion. Clearly, he wants to use this legislative appeal to sway a majority of the masses in his direction, but is that the predicted outcome? Ideological dissent is making headway in India, and this move by the BJP is threatening the longstanding Indian claim of being the world’s largest secular democracy.
BBC Documentary on Modi’s Role in the 2002 Gujrat Riots
On 17th January 2023, BBC released a documentary showing the role of Prime Minister Modi (then chief minister of Gujrat) in the 2002 anti-Muslim riots in Gujrat. The program reveals atrocities that led to the death of over 1000 people in western Gujrat.
Soon after the documentary was released, the Indian government invoked emergency laws to ban its broadcast throughout the country.
Hindutva: Turning Secular India into a Hindu State
Hindutva has created divisions in Indian society by forging a ‘Muslim threat’ to legitimize the BJP’s anti-Muslim acts. Nishat Shuja analyzes Modi’s aim of creating a Hindu Rashtra (state) through Hindu supremacist policies and Muslim marginalization.
The 2019 Citizenship (Amendment) Act, the revocation of Kashmir’s autonomous status, and the Kerala hijab ban are cases in point for the systemic discrimination against the Muslim minority. Undoubtedly, PM Modi and right-wing Hindu nationalism threaten India’s constitutional foundations by creating a Hindu Rashtra.
Non-local Voting in J&K: Eradicating Kashmiri Identity
After depriving Jammu and Kashmir of its autonomy by revoking articles 370 and 35A, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has now taken another definitive step towards suppressing the people of Kashmir. The BJP has announced a new electoral process that allows non-locals to register as voters in Indian administrated J&K, thereby impacting the region’s political system and voter turnout. Maryam Ibrahim notes that this decision has garnered immense criticism from the Indian opposition parties and Kashmiri politicians, and raised concerns among the Kashmiri locals. Today, they fear whether they’ll have any rights left.
Buffalo Nationalism: A Critique of Spiritual Fascism
In “Buffalo Nationalism: A Critique of Spiritual Fascism,” Kacha Ilaiah Shepherd argues that inequality is embedded in Hinduism due to its Brahminic philosophy. He criticizes India’s caste system and compares India’s oppression of its minorities and lower castes with the buffalo. While the cow is revered in Hindu philosophy, the buffalo on the other hand is demonized. Ilaiah, while criticizing India’s “divide and rule” policy, calls for the construction of a new form of nationalism that promotes equality and justice.
Rising Covid Cases in India: A Nation on Its Knees
The second wave of COVID-19 is causing India’s health sector to come apart at the seams – resulting in more than 3000 deaths every day. Prime Minister Modi’s government is being heavily criticized (locally and internationally) for the carelessness in controlling the virus. The author suggests the adoption of more liberal policies, and the abandonment of the Hindutva ideology – which may help in undoing the many wrongs.
Pakistan and India Will Go to War Again
The paper describes the major reasons why Pakistan and India will go to war again. It asserts that while Pakistan has reduced extremism in the country by vanquishing Islamist groups, India’s Hindutva agenda, spearheaded by the ruling BJP, will push both countries to another war.
The Demise of the Indian Media Under BJP Rule
India’s media today is characterized by prejudice & jingoism. The BJP is cited as the main culprit for this sordid state of the media. From the use of threats and violence to the use of bribery and fame, the BJP and its trolls have succeeded in making the media its veritable arm.