Monthly Archives: May 2007

Does He Run a News Channel?

May 31, 2007 – 12:00 pm

When someone writes

So, even while Rahul embarked on his own discovery of UP by landcruiser, and addressed over a hundred (large and small) meetings in the state, he was never pitched as a future chief minister of UP.

you would think he is funny without trying. But it isn’t just someone, it’s Rajdeep Sardesai, the serial [...]

By Sandeep | Posted in Commentary, Indian Politics, Media Watch, Weblogs | Comments (9)

Appeal to Sanity

May 30, 2007 – 5:48 pm

So Arun Shourie has published yet another new book. Arun Shourie’s books are really empirical appeals to sanity in a country choked by din.
Ashok Malik’s wonderful review of the book in the Pioneer, reproduced here in full.

By Sandeep | Posted in Books, Indian Politics, Society & Culture | Comments (3)

Dictating our Laws to us

May 28, 2007 – 10:15 pm

Christian “Science” Monitor is queasy because Himachal Pradesh realized the dangers of allowing unfettered conversions. Read and enjoy the pure spin.

To others, however, Himachal Pradesh’s anticonversion law and its “re-conversion” ceremonies give little cause for happiness. Rather, they are a troubling indication of a rising intolerance toward India’s tiny Christian minority. [..] But recently, these [...]

By Sandeep | Posted in Commentary, Indian Politics, Pseudo Secularism Hall of Shame, Society & Culture | Comments (5)

Another DDF

May 27, 2007 – 10:36 pm

After the DDF in Tamil Nadu, it’s the neighbour’s turn.

In an unprecedented move, reflecting both despair and desperation, the CPM Politburo, the party’s highest decision-making body, publicly reprimanded and suspended from its membership two of its most powerful leaders Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan and state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan.

With a blazing history [...]

By Sandeep | Posted in Commentary, Indian Politics, War on Communism | Comments (7)

Freedom of Expression

May 27, 2007 – 10:19 pm

From the Slimes:

Furore over sketches depicting Prophet Mohammed in the nude found in M S University campus on Wednesday night spilled over on the streets here on Friday afternoon.
Mob belonging to the Muslim community pelted stones on the police and media persons to vent ire against the sketches. Later in the night, fresh violence broke [...]

By Sandeep | Posted in Commentary, Indian Politics, Media Watch, Pseudo Secularism Hall of Shame, Society & Culture, Weblogs | Comments (13)

Autobiography of a Failed Film Critic in Two Parts

May 24, 2007 – 10:46 pm

I’m a flunked film critic and this is my story.
My dad’s list of favourite movies began with Nagin, Anarkali, Bees Saal Baad, Chaudvin ka Chand, Aah, Shri 420, Dilli ka Thug, Sahib Biwi aur Ghulam, Funtoosh, China Town, Aawara, Anari, CID, Jewel Thief, Gumnaam, Kashmir ki Kali, Love in Tokyo, An Evening in Paris, Janwar, [...]

By Sandeep | Posted in Films, General, Society & Culture, Weblogs | Comments (3)

…the Fascism Debate Continues Here

May 21, 2007 – 10:00 pm

My questions to Amit Varma’s fascism post stirred up quite a debate. Work kept me from responding to Amit’s responses.
While I cannot respond to every comment on that post, I’ll try to address as many as I can.
Starting with Amit.

By Sandeep | Posted in Commentary, Discussions, Indian Philosophy, Indian Politics, Media Watch, Pseudo Secularism Hall of Shame, Society & Culture, Weblogs | Comments (144)

They Make a Nice Pair

May 19, 2007 – 2:34 pm

A Martha Nussbaum (who?) writhes in agony at the dreaded Hindu Right. A highly notable line distinguished solely by its ability to induce R-O-T-F-laughter follows:
Although illegal for a time, the RSS eventually re-emerged and quietly went to work building a vast social network, consisting largely of groups for young boyscalled shakha, or “branches”which, through clever use of [...]

By Sandeep | Posted in Commentary, International Politics, Media Watch, Pseudo Secularism Hall of Shame, Society & Culture, War on Communism | Comments (25)

Short of Hindu Fascism

May 15, 2007 – 9:15 pm

Just when I uploaded that post defining an Indian Liberal do I read this rather puzzling piece on India Uncut.
Amit Varma pushes his political correctness to a new pitch. If this piece were written by an ultra-secularist, it would definitely be titled Hindu Fascism in Baroda or its other infinite equivalents.
It is easy to chuck words like [...]

By Sandeep | Posted in Commentary, Discussions, Indian Politics, Media Watch, Pseudo Secularism Hall of Shame, Society & Culture, Weblogs | Comments (75)

New Definitions

May 15, 2007 – 8:28 pm

Some unsolicited help to this uber Liberal:
Old list of synonyms:
liberal: broad-minded, open-minded, progressive, modern, and enlightened enough to criticize the evils of Hindu society.

Derived paraphrase from a single dictionary:
liberal: open to new behaviour, and opinions regarding aforementioned evils. Favourable to or respectful of individual rights and freedoms of the Minority. Regarding traditional Hindu beliefs [...]

By Sandeep | Posted in Commentary, Media Watch, Pseudo Secularism Hall of Shame, Society & Culture, War on Communism, Weblogs | Comments (3)
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