The facade of Indian democracy
Seventy-five years ago, India gained freedom and declared itself a secular state. The constitution of the world’s largest democracy provides for “freedom of conscience and the right of all individuals…
Indian secularism and Islamophobia
India pretends to the world that it is a socialist, secular and democratic republic. These great but equally elusive ideals were added to the preamble of the Constitution of India…
Constitutionalism in Islam
Islam enjoins upon its followers to integrate their spiritual and mundane life. It founded a political system which guaranteed freedoms and liberties. It controls the state authority by laying down…
Foreigners and other Indians
THE 1648 treaty of Westphalia created the modern template of nation-states out of collapsing empires and kingdoms in Europe. That prescription is still not fitting everyone’s need (or greed), giving…
Indian journalists say they intimidated, ostracised if they criticise Modi and the BJP
India has constitutional guarantees of freedom of speech and by some measures the biggest and most diverse media industry in the world. But journalists here say they are increasingly facing…
Follow the constitution
The issue of new provinces or doing away with the current provinces has bedevilled the nation from 1954, although no Pakistani constitution from 1956 to 1973 talks about creating new…
Repression and the Indian state
During the United Nations General Assembly’s address, Indian Prime Minister Modi created the impression that the largest democracy is following the principles of non-violence and pacifism, claiming that India is…
Indian media demonizing Kashmiri men
The music videos began appearing on social media within hours of the announcement by India's Hindu-led nationalist government that it was stripping statehood from the disputed region of Kashmir that…
A constitutional black hole
EVERY year, the people of Gilgit-Baltistan observe liberation day on Nov 1 to celebrate their emancipation from the repressive rule of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. Involving great…
Economic crisis and the constitution
Pakistan is faced with a greater economic crisis today. The gravity of the nation's financial miseries and chronic ailment is being regularly discussed in the electronic and print media. The…
