IT may appear rather unusual to recall the inglorious sequence of events that began at midnight on June 25, 1975, with the declaration of the Internal Emergency.However, we are reminded of those immortal words of wisdom: ‘those who tend to forget the lessons of history are condemned to repeat them.’ These words compel us to revisit that dark chapter in the history of Indian democracy.The late 1960s had dealt a blow to the Congress party’s monopoly on power, with opposition parties securing victories in several states.

‘NOT blood: But Sindoor Flows Through My Veins’ – these exact words by Prime Minister Modi defined his signature style in launching the post-Sindoor campaign blitzkrieg. What else could he or his government have done in response to the grave challenges the country was faced with. Transparency and introspection have never been the forte for this government.The Modi government’s foreign policy strategy has relied heavily on projecting the prime minister as the central figure, in an apparent attempt to cultivate a personality cult than pursuing coherent diplomacy.

THE cheap political drama currently unfolding in Delhi over the latest decision to refer a Supreme Court judgment to the court itself – at the behest of President Droupadi Murmu – seeking clarification on an earlier order regarding the timeline for governors to either assent to or return bills passed by the state legislature, is nothing short of a theatre of the absurd.

PEOPLE on both sides of the border were relieved. The four-day-long military engagement between India and Pakistan came to a close on the late afternoon of May 10. Despite this, gunshots were heard late in the night. But later, the DGMOs of both countries confirmed that the ceasefire has held and war clouds have receded for now.However, these three weeks have unfolded a sequence of developments which is dramatic, unraveling a disastrous pattern in South Asia.

THE terrorist outrage in Pahalgam, which left 26 tourists dead, has united the whole country in condemnation and grief.  25 families spread across India and one family in Nepal saw a beloved family member being murdered in cold blood.  By choosing to kill people after ascertaining their religion, the terrorists hoped to create a communal divide and fuel communal tensions in the country.  But the opposite has happened.  There has been a spontaneous outpouring of anger and condemnation by all sections of society and people, irrespective of caste and creed, have spoken with one voice.  At the