The importance of partition in 1947 for the Hindus has been completely missed by the proponents of secular Indian nationalism and Hindu Rashtra alike. Indeed, I, for one, do not know of a single foreign scholar either who has grasped the true significance of the historic event. As a result, … Read More
The present turmoil in Kashmir and Indo-Pakistan relations over Kashmir can turn into a god-sent opportunity if it provokes, to begin with, some individuals on both sides of the ‘great divide’ to review the meaning and consequences of partition. Such a small beginning can, in my view, lead to great … Read More
Pakistan has administered a rude shock to India on Kashmir. It has served notice that it shall continue to support terrorism in the valley and agitate the issue at every international forum available to it. Our attention is, therefore, understandably focussed on the Pakistani aspect of the problem. But this … Read More
The explosion of terrorist activities in Kashmir poses a problem for the for the National Front government to which there is, in the fundamental sense, no early answer. The reappointment of Jagmohan as Governor of the state and the resignation of Farooq Abdullah as Chief Minister, though welcome in themselves, … Read More
It is as well that in his meeting with the Pakistan Prime Minister’s special emissary, VP Singh contented himself with the expression of India’s concern over Pakistan’s involvement in terrorist activities in Kashmir and Punjab. He should have done no more at this stage. Some correspondents have read a warning … Read More
The eighties, of course, began with Indira Gandhi’s return to office amidst the articulate intelligentsia’s continuing distrust of her and they have ended with the exit from office of her son, Rajiv Gandhi, amidst the same intelligentsia’s disillusionment with him. But the decade can also be differently framed. It can, … Read More
The central implication of recent events, as I see it, is so stunning that I am scared of stating it. But even at the risk of appearing to be out of my mind, I would say that 1989 could well mark the end of the period beginning with the French … Read More
VP Singh and his colleagues have thrown away a great opportunity that the Kashmiri terrorists and their Pakistani mentors presented them within days of the formation of the new Janata Dal government. A pro-Janata Dal wave would have swept the country if they had refused to bargain with the terrorists … Read More
Despite the defeat in the recent election to the Lok Sabha and the media rhetoric, the Congress remains the only national party and Rajiv Gandhi its leader. All political discussions and calculations should proceed on this basis. The party and the leader, as I shall argue, cannot be delinked. … Read More
Obviously sympathy and support for VP Singh right now outweighs concern for the country. But it is, on the whole, a muted affair; there is nothing like the euphoria we witnessed at the time of Rajiv Gandhi’s victory in January 1985; indeed, even his own supporters are rather subdued. I … Read More
