Cover Stories

The Illusion of Choice A Symphony of Political Manipulation

Institutional neutrality—once considered sacred—now appears like a memory from long ago. Constitutional bodies designed as checks and balances have gradually transformed into entities that seem more i

Fr. Gaurav Nair Fr. Gaurav Nair
02 Dec 2024

Election Integrity Continues to be in Peril Maharashtra's 2024 Polls Unveil Deep Democratic Fault Lines

The 2024 Maharashtra elections have again exposed vulnerabilities in India's electoral process - improbable voter turnout surges, EVM opacity, and inadequate VVPAT audits. Institutional defensiveness,

Dr. John Singarayar Dr. John Singarayar
02 Dec 2024

Articles

Narendra Modi described the victory secured by the BJP and its allies in Maharashtra and substantial victories in the by polls in several States as one for “unity” and the spirit behind the slogan ‘ek

Prakash Louis Prakash Louis
02 Dec 2024

The BJP's landslide victory in Maharashtra and Congress' defeat in Haryana have plunged the INDIA alliance into crisis. The BJP's strategic rebound, supported by the RSS, is accentuated by the Congres

Jacob Peenikaparambil Jacob Peenikaparambil
02 Dec 2024

Muslim communities find themselves caught in an intricate web of systemic marginalisation, where institutions that once boasted of their pluralistic heritage now whisper of exclusion, and the courts—m

A. J. Philip A. J. Philip
02 Dec 2024

The Supreme Court upheld the inclusion of "socialist" and "secular" in India's Preamble as part of its basic structure, rejecting challenges citing historical omissions. The judgment emphasised evolvi

Joseph Maliakan Joseph Maliakan
02 Dec 2024

US prosecutors indicted Gautam and Sagar Adani for bribery in securing solar power contracts. The opposition has been accusing Modi of shielding Adani and crony capitalism. The allegations highlight I

G Ramachandram G Ramachandram
02 Dec 2024

"A word to kill...A Word to win," so goes a Tamil proverb. It simply means every word is a weapon. It all depends on who uses it and how it is employed.

Dr P. Raja Dr P. Raja
02 Dec 2024

COP29 in Baku exposed deep divisions between the Global North and South over climate finance. Developing nations demanded $1.3 trillion annually but received a mere $300 billion pledge, mostly loans,

Sacaria Joseph Sacaria Joseph
02 Dec 2024

Into a world oppressed and torn, of boundless hate and forces wild, Where men were hungry, lost, forlorn, God sent a child.

Ninette D'Souza Ninette D'Souza
02 Dec 2024

There's a new type of bribery in our nation: the legal, official bribe!

Robert Clements Robert Clements
02 Dec 2024

Open Letter to Infosys Founder

A. J. Philip A. J. Philip
25 Nov 2024

Transforming India into a developed nation by 2047 requires more than economic growth; it demands equitable policies addressing unemployment, inequality, education, and social harmony. Inclusive devel

Jacob Peenikaparambil Jacob Peenikaparambil
25 Nov 2024

Justice, while divine in essence, is imperfect due to flawed laws and their administration. The Chandrachud controversy highlights biases in judicial conduct. Truth, being absolute, must guide justice

Aloysius Aguiar Aloysius Aguiar
25 Nov 2024

The UPSWC's gender-based restrictions, aimed at women's safety, risk reinforcing stereotypes, isolating genders, and sabotaging the years of work done towards equality. Banning male professionals from

Jaswant Kaur Jaswant Kaur
25 Nov 2024

The Indian Constitution is a progressive, organic, and transformative charter encapsulating the nation's history, aspirations, and democratic values. It empowers citizens, mandates fundamental rights

Dr. Pauly Mathew Muricken Dr. Pauly Mathew Muricken
25 Nov 2024

VT Rajshekar, founder of Dalit Voice, tirelessly advocated for Dalits and marginalised communities. A staunch critic of Brahmanism and Zionism, he inspired justice movements. His legacy underscores th

Joseph Maliakan Joseph Maliakan
25 Nov 2024

The Goa jobs-for-cash scam exposes deep-rooted corruption in government recruitment, where political influence and monetary transactions override merit. Despite arrests, the absence of major political

Pachu Menon Pachu Menon
25 Nov 2024

The Pudhumai Penn Scheme in Tamil Nadu exemplifies transformative empowerment through education by significantly aiding marginalised women. Despite many challenges in rural outreach, its success is in

Dr John Singarayar Dr John Singarayar
25 Nov 2024

The Bharat Jodo Yatra significantly impacted BJP's 2024 electoral performance, possibly reducing its Maharashtra MP seats. Fadnavis blamed the Yatra's narrative for the decline.

Ram Puniyani Ram Puniyani
25 Nov 2024

Even as we jump around, screaming over the US court indictment of Adani, baying for blood, or shouting, 'racial bias,' let's press pause and look at what the real issue is all about, then ask ourselve

Robert Clements Robert Clements
25 Nov 2024

The US election highlights deep divides, with Trump's victory reflecting the power of identity politics and racism. Despite improving conditions, voters chose Trump's nationalist, anti-immigrant agend

Mathew John Mathew John
18 Nov 2024

Shanti Avedna Sadan (SAS), New Delhi's pioneering palliative care centre for cancer patients, celebrated 30 years of dedicated service with a three-day series of impactful events. Spearheaded by Sr Ta

Rani Punnasseril Rani Punnasseril
18 Nov 2024

These are just two examples of the medical care available in India, and they show contrasting perspectives. All I can do about it is write an article or two. But this was not the case when a young onc

A. J. Philip A. J. Philip
18 Nov 2024

India faces severe hunger and poverty, with 129 million living on nothing. Despite economic growth, inequality is rampant, leaving millions without basic needs. The Church urges proactive support for

Cedric Prakash Cedric Prakash
18 Nov 2024

India faces dire challenges: 129 million live in extreme poverty, ranks 105th in the Global Hunger Index, and one farmer dies by suicide every hour. Despite rising unemployment, student suicides, and

M L Satyan M L Satyan
18 Nov 2024

Mahatma Gandhi warned against politics without principles, yet today's political landscape is marked by unethical tactics, especially in right-wing circles. Leaders like Trump and BJP figures exploit

Jacob Peenikaparambil Jacob Peenikaparambil
18 Nov 2024

St. Francis Xavier's legacy transcends borders through his profound faith and service. Ex-Goa RSS chief Subhash Velingkar's call for DNA testing of Xavier's relics is divisive and disrespectful.

Peter Fernandes Peter Fernandes
18 Nov 2024

"WhatsApp University" shapes popular perceptions with historical distortions aligned with Hindu nationalism. Despite the work of credible historians like Romila Thapar and Irfan Habib, communal narrat

Ram Puniyani Ram Puniyani
18 Nov 2024

The Supreme Court ruled that 'bulldozer justice,' demolishing the homes of accused persons without due process, is unconstitutional. It condemned such actions as lawless and emphasised accountability

Joseph Maliakan Joseph Maliakan
18 Nov 2024

India's linguistic diversity is both a challenge and a strength. The debate over making Hindi the national language highlights deep cultural and political divides, especially between northern and sout

Dr. John Singarayar Dr. John Singarayar
18 Nov 2024

A very stringent anti-conversion law that will ensure zero religious conversions in Maharashtra will be enacted once the Mahayuti comes to power… (Times of India, November 11)

Robert Clements Robert Clements
18 Nov 2024

Communal violence in India has surged, especially since 2014, with Hindu festivals increasingly weaponised against Muslims. Books like "H-Pop" and "Weaponization of Hindu Festivals" reveal how aggress

Ram Puniyani Ram Puniyani
11 Nov 2024

The Supreme Court's 7-2 ruling, led by CJI DY Chandrachud, limits state powers to seize private property under Article 39(b) for welfare distribution, diverging from earlier interpretations. This deci

Joseph Maliakan Joseph Maliakan
11 Nov 2024

Chief Justice DY Chandrachud's pondering over how his legacy would be viewed can be answered by his conduct. His remarks, especially in his judgment involving Justice Krishna Iyer's doctrine towards t

A. J. Philip A. J. Philip
11 Nov 2024

Creating an illusion of greatness is unsustainable, as history reveals the truth behind even the most revered figures. Whether it's famous personalities or nations, the facade eventually crumbles unde

Mathew John Mathew John
11 Nov 2024

Gustavo Gutiérrez, the Father of Liberation Theology, passed away at 96, leaving a profound impact on Catholic Social Teaching. His advocacy for a "preferential option for the poor" and emphasis on so

Fr K Alexander Fr K Alexander
11 Nov 2024

A Trump re-election suggests a more transactional, US-centric foreign policy, weakened alliances, potential concessions to aggressors like Russia, intensified US-China rivalry, economic strain from pr

Sacaria Joseph Sacaria Joseph
11 Nov 2024

Ten years after its launch, the government claims to have achieved significant progress with the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM). Reports, however, reveal discrepancies between government data and ground

Jaswant Kaur Jaswant Kaur
11 Nov 2024

The Supreme Court issued guidelines to enforce the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006, emphasising a "prevention, protection, and prosecution" model. Despite existing laws and schemes, child marri

Isaac Gomes Isaac Gomes
11 Nov 2024

India's anti-conversion laws target religious minorities, yet politicians use similar tactics of allurement and coercion during elections to convert voters into support bases. Welfare schemes often se

Lancy Lobo Lancy Lobo
11 Nov 2024

India's digital boom has spurred a surge in cybercrime, with significant financial losses in scams like trading, digital arrest, and romance frauds. Unfortunately, gaining technology is yet to be equa

Dr John Singarayar Dr John Singarayar
11 Nov 2024

A liar may feel that they have won. But in reality, a liar is a loser because you cannot build up love and trust on a foundation of lies. Once a person trusts you and learns that you have lied, that m

Adv. Jijo Thomas Placheril Adv. Jijo Thomas Placheril
11 Nov 2024

It's been just an hour since I returned from an incredibly lovely holiday, and in my imagination, a local politician standing for the state elections walks across as I get out of the car. "How was the

Robert Clements Robert Clements
11 Nov 2024