RIGHTWING social forces have once again revealed their influence in the wake of the declining social reform role of the neo-liberal state. Incidents of the last few weeks have shown up the underbelly of neo-liberal corporate capitalism and the challenge of governance associated with it. In the first instance was the vigilante action undertaken by a responsible minister of Delhi to show his accountability to the people. In the process he revealed not only his own social conservatism but also the conservatism of the ‘masses’ who can rule the country.

Nilotpal Basu

A WEIRD political discourse raged across the country focusing on the nature of Indian nationalism; and its natural attribute, secularism. As is now becoming so familiar with BJP’s and more significantly, Modi’s campaign style; the emphasis is clearly on constructing imagery to drive home a political message. And, currently there is an overdose of that defining feature.

Amol Saghar