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Samiti and Sabha Unveiled: Vedic Roots of Democracy in Ancient Hindu Civilization
Ancient India’s Vedic tradition preserved two hallmark assemblies—Samiti and Sabha—that balanced public participation with expert counsel. The Rigveda and Atharvaveda reference these bodies, which anchored governance to dharma and prioritized consensus, accountability, and communal welfare. Over time, their logic resonated through gana-sangha republics cited in Buddhist sources and through administrative codifications visible in medieval South…
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Bengaluru cancels Munawar Faruqui show after HJS, Sri Ram Sena objections: a law-and-order analysis
Munawar Faruqui’s Bengaluru show, scheduled for 18 April 2026, was cancelled after objections by Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) and Sri Ram Sena and a formal complaint to the Bengaluru Police. This balanced analysis explains what is known, what remains unspecified, and how Indian constitutional principles frame such decisions. It outlines the law-and-order context, discusses the…
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BNP’s 2026 Landslide in Bangladesh: Democracy on Trial, Dharmic Minorities and Security
Bangladesh’s 2026 general election produced a BNP landslide, prompting urgent debate over electoral integrity, minority rights, and regional security. This analysis explains how first-past-the-post rules can compress representation for Dharmic communities—Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Sikhs—and why party nomination patterns matter when national swings are large. It details practical safeguards to prevent communal violence in the…
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“Once Iran Is Free”: Reza Pahlavi’s Vision for a Bold, Respectful New Chapter with India
Reza Pahlavi outlines a values-based pathway for India–Iran relations that places sovereignty, liberty, and mutual partnership at the center. He highlights deep civilisational links and India’s cultural heritage as foundations for renewed cooperation. Policy priorities include energy security, water resilience, and demographic challenges, areas where India’s technology and renewable energy leadership can make a decisive…
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ED raids and I-PAC in Bengal: data, democracy, and a high-stakes power contest
ED actions tied to I-PAC have sharpened debate in West Bengal about how data, democracy, and power intersect. This analysis explains I-PAC’s rise from strategist to system-level influencer, why ethical data practices matter, and how due process protects public trust. Readers gain clarity on the TMC–BJP contest, the role of the ED, and safeguards needed…
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Kerala Oath Row: ‘Jai Hind’ Apology Spurs Debate on Patriotism, Pluralism, and Unity
An LDF councillor in Thiruvananthapuram apologised after saying “Jai Hind” during an oath-taking ceremony, sparking debate about party culture and public expressions of patriotism in Kerala. The BJP criticised the CPI(M)-led LDF, framing the apology as evidence of ideological pressure. The phrase “Jai Hind,” widely seen as inclusive and non-partisan, highlights the tension between procedural…
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Unmasking Bihar’s Jungle Raj: Shahabuddin, Lalu, and the Price of Criminalized Politics
This analysis revisits Bihar’s “Jungle Raj” to examine how political criminalisation took root in the 1990s and why its lessons remain urgent today. Drawing on reporting by Sankarshan Thakur, a PUCL fact-finding bulletin, and intelligence accounts cited by Arun Shourie, it traces the rise of Mohammad Shahabuddin and the enabling environment that blurred lines between…
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How to Choose the Right MLA/MP: A Practical, Dharma-Centered Checklist for Indian Voters
Voters often feel every candidate looks the same; this guide offers a clear, dharma-centered method to choose an MLA or MP. It draws on shared values from Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism—truth, non-violence, compassion, and service—and translates them into democratic criteria. The checklist emphasizes integrity, proven public service, policy competence, inclusivity, accessibility, and financial ethics.…
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The Hindu Joint Family as the Training Ground for Samskara
In my latest blog post, I delve into the rich history of the Hindu joint family system and its profound influence on individual identity and societal values. I vividly recall the days when extended families, comprising numerous relatives living harmoniously under one roof, thrived under the guidance of a single family head. These families, despite…
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Pakistan – Withering State
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Surviving The Burnout: A Virtual Coup By The Pakistan Army Is Already In The Making
By Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd). From an existential angle, the situation in Pakistan is yet below the threshold, although the flow of events will remain unpredictable. Issues such as the fate of nuclear assets are not yet in reckoning because the Pakistan Army is still there. Signs of division in its ranks have…