business

​Instant injustice: on state high-handedness  

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Arbitrariness and brazen bias in law enforcement have undermined the rule of law in India for decades. Despite the spread of education and growing awareness of rights among the masses, high-handedness by the state often threatens the fundamental rights and dignity of citizens. Custodial torture and extrajudicial killings are reported with alarming frequency. Police and … Read more

Letters to The Editor — April 4, 2025

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Democracy is alive The marathon debate in the Lok Sabha, on the Waqf Bill, which went on late into the night and was passed with a comfortable majority after voting, shows that India is the largest democratic country with democratic norms as a part of its soul and body, whoever is in governance (Page 1, … Read more

Bangladesh events, a reflection of South Asia’s minorities

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‘India must recalibrate its connection with the populace of Bangladesh and its democratic entities’ | Photo Credit: REUTERS The political developments in Bangladesh, particularly violence against Hindus, since the deposition of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, have again raised apprehensions regarding the status of religious minorities in the country. In the broader perspective … Read more

​Data and federalism: on the NITI NCAER States Economic Forum portal  

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This week, NITI Aayog, in partnership with the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), launched the NITI NCAER States Economic Forum — a portal aggregating data and analysis on State finances. It presents State-wise reports covering macroeconomic indicators including tax and non-tax revenues, as well as human development statistics such as school dropout rates, … Read more

Column | Missing: India’s comic sense

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In 2021, I watched the comedian Varun Grover perform in New Delhi. As per usual, he had the audience in the palm of his hand. About 10 minutes in, Grover said (in Hindi), “Please understand the chronology. First, I tell the joke, then you laugh and finally, I go to jail.” The laughter was muted, … Read more

Gains, losses, and politics in Andhra Pradesh

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Ever since the Union government began discussing the delimitation exercise, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has made it clear that he supports the process, unlike his southern counterparts, led by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. Supporting the NDA government’s move, Mr. Naidu — who had earlier promoted family planning and spoken about … Read more

The reciprocal tariff dilemma – The Hindu

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U.S. President Donald Trump disembarks Air Force One in West Palm Beach, Florida on March 28, 2025. | Photo Credit: Reuters Under the ‘Fair and Reciprocal Plan,’ the Donald Trump administration is countering “non-reciprocal trading arrangements with trading partners by determining the equivalent of a reciprocal tariff with respect to each foreign trading partner”. The … Read more

​Timing and location: On Bangladesh Chief Adviser’s remarks and China visit  

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Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus’s remarks, made during his China visit to attend the Boao Forum for Asia conference, have sparked sharp responses in India, amid questions about their underlying intent. Speaking at a round table, Mr. Yunus highlighted the lack of connectivity and trade in the region, referring to the north-eastern Indian States — … Read more

Letters to The Editor — April 3, 2025

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Flouting directives That certain governments in north India have devised their own system of instant justice is shocking. It is obvious that it has never struck these overzealous governments that such acts are arbitrary and extra-judicial. Detailed norms have been issued by the courts on such demolitions. It remains to be seen whether such power-drunk … Read more