Shekhar Gupta

Modi 3.0, T&C apply

A changed reality for Modi govt in its 3rd innings is by no means rise of a new phenomenon. It's a return to old normal where even majorities had to routinely wrestle with storied million mutinies

Populism, not politics, missing in Budget

Read this Budget, therefore, as a declaration of victory a month before the Lok Sabha elections are announced

Mission Punjab, not Pannun

There is a need to focus back on Punjab. Working with credible political forces there, even adversaries, would serve the national interest better than fighting in the courtrooms of New York

Islam's struggle with nationalism

By reigniting West Asia just when we had begun to believe it had gone into deep sleep, Hamas has underlined the many contradictions within, and questions about, the Islamic world

No, we don't really care about Manipur

For most of us, the Manipur crisis is out of sight, out of mind. The story in a state so small and so far out is a 'Big Yawn' for many. I try to persuade you to wake up

Why the Sikhs are hurting

The causes of anger are broadly four: Existential threat, incarceration of Bandi Singhs, those accused of sacrilege not being caught, and a rhetorical one, what's wrong with a Sikh Rashtra?

Conglomerates, cronyism, brandless growth

It's good that cronyism is being debated robustly. But the much bigger failure of incredibly powerful, rich and successful conglomerates - Adani, Ambani, Tata- lies in India's fully brand-free growth

Finding Nellie's smoking gun

How a policeman's wireless message that could have saved 3,000 lives, but was ignored and covered up, was uncovered

RSS, power & pitfalls

The Sangh is the most powerful it's ever been in its history. At the same time, one could also argue that it has never been so weak. How do we resolve that contradiction?

How Roys walked the talk

As the Roys have shown, dignity in the newsroom and respect for facts are the best equity in today's news bazaar. It's with this satisfaction that they must walk away, leaving NDTV in new hands

Territory China is after

The issue isn't land. But the pity is that the larger political, strategic and geopolitical debate India needs, its broken democracy isn't ready for

Three polls, three parties, three outcomes

In the shadow of their triumphs, the limitations of the Modi magic outside Gujarat, and of Kejriwal beyond Delhi, have been exposed

Victory in the mirror: Has India really found its sweet spot?

India has much to be proud of and celebrate. But there is also much that is wrong, much that looks dangerous, and much that reminds us of the perils of declaring victory too soon

SC verdict on hijab: A lose-lose battle

India's hijab supporters will lose even if they win the Supreme Court battle. Because the real war is fought in politics

From Rajpath to Kartavya Path: Modi's predictable path

His emphasis on kartavya or duties throws the ball in the citizen's court and is central to his political proposition. This is something he has been writing and saying since he took power

Tiranga vs Tiranga

India's most audacious new party has joined the battle with Modi, freebies and nationalism. The latter is more visible. So they will match it, Tiranga for Tiranga, slogan for slogan, tweet for tweet

Taking on Modi's BJP

The future challenger to Narendra Modi would be somebody who can bring the Hindus and Muslims together again. The Hindus as Hindus, not broken caste groups

Sack of the Hindu caravan

Not just Congress but all 'secular' parties like SP, RJD and BSP, which are frustrated with current arrangement under the Modi-Shah BJP, need to answer one question: How did you lose your Hindu vote?

Agnipath, fire and misfire

Modi govt's biggest flaw has been its disinclination to accept limitations of electoral majorities. This ruined land acquisition and farm reform, and stalled labour codes

The great damager

Dictator Musharraf badly damaged Pakistan: Assassination of Benazir, 26/11 attacks in India and the US Navy SEALs raid that killed Osama in Abbottabad. But he believed he was a democrat