Conceptual clarity

Sudarshan Shetty employs inanimate objects to signify the essential unity in contradictions, saying opposites aren’t mutually exclusive Sudarshan Shetty may not be conspicuous in a group of people. Donning a white shirt, he silently emits calm energy that permeates even a crowded room. One of India’s top global contemporary artists, he is no glib talker […]

Cost of truth?

An FIR was filed against journalist Pavan Kumar for his story on roti-salt mid-day meals in UP’s Mirzapur A case of children being served salt and chapati as part of their mid-day meal emerged in Uttar Pradesh’s Mirzapur a few days ago, leaving the state’s Yogi government red-faced. However, in a dramatic twist, an FIR […]

Upper caste bhakts vs Dalits Why some temples die, others thrive

The Ravidas temple in Tughlaqabad was demolished on court orders as it was situated in a forest area. But four other religious structures built in Delhi’s green areas are flourishing With the Supreme Court ordering the demolition of the 500-year-old Sant Ravidas temple in Tughlaqabad, chaos struck Delhi with thousands of Dalits, including members of […]

Pomp and show-off

Big fat Punjabi weddings are now de rigeur in the wedding season – even if the family is not Punjabi. The ostentation quotient is high and the pressures are backbreaking What’s a Punjabi wedding if it’s not filled with grandiosity, some pomp, and a whole lot of ostentation? Well, that’s the general notion and truth […]

Triple talaq continues but law gives women a fighting chance

Patriot meets two Muslim women who are the first few taking their husbands to court for pronouncing triple talaq despite the new law in place Asma Sahiba was 23 when she married Tauseef on March 5, 2017. There was no ceremony, only family present for the signatures on paper declaring the union. She didn’t leave […]

The measure of a man

Though nothing can bring back the splendour of the friendship, we will grieve not. We will find strength in what he gave us: himself While many will laud Arun Jaitley’s political career and address his public persona, the true measure of a man is how he gave of himself to others. It is an intangible, […]

When complainant becomes ‘accused’

Priya Ramani took the witness stand for the first time in the case against MJ Akbar of sexual misconduct and harassment Section 313 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 “envisages power of the trial court to examine the accused to explain evidence adduced against him/her,” and explicitly points out that it (the section) is meant […]

They dream of survival + savings

Construction workers who were asked to leave Kashmir have joined the streams of migrants from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar who come to Delhi for seasonal work – sometimes to be disappointed, sometimes to be exploited Streams of migrant labourers arrive at Anand Vihar train station in the early hours of the morning, all with one […]