Counterview

By Prem Singh*  A friend recently asked me for my views on the ongoing protest at Jantar Mantar. When I remained silent, he remarked that he had been waiting for my comment for several days. I gave him my usual response: "I have long since given up the task of saving the country." Smiling, he replied that he had heard this many times before and asked me to explain.

By Vikas Meshram*  Youth adolescence, that first bloom of one's prime, is an extraordinarily beautiful, alluring, delicate and fluid state of being. It is an age that meets a thousand new challenges and tests them for itself, an age as tender as it is resilient.

By Gajanan Khergamker  The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has once again demonstrated an extraordinary talent for mistaking administrative housekeeping for institutional achievement. At the very moment excavations at Gharapuri are yielding evidence that could fundamentally reshape our understanding of India's maritime past, the institution has chosen to celebrate the rollout of QR-enabled audio guides and GPS-supported navigation at its monuments. The contrast could not be starker. 

By A Representative   Human rights organisation Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM) has submitted a complaint to the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court alleging the illegal arrest, arbitrary detention, and denial of constitutional safeguards to a woman from North 24 Parganas who the organisation says is an Indian citizen.

By Bharat Dogra  As the world grapples with multiple crises—from climate change and environmental degradation to growing inequality and social conflict—the need for thoughtful grassroots initiatives has never been greater. Community-led efforts that promote justice, peace and environmental protection not only address local challenges but also offer valuable lessons for building sustainable livelihoods, strengthening climate resilience and fostering democratic participation.

By Bhabani Shankar Nayak*  The old nursery rhyme “Hickory, Dickory, Dock” has amused children for over three centuries. Its ancient Celtic origins may have helped shepherds count their flocks, but many believe it also mocks Richard Cromwell, the timid son of a mighty protector. Nicknamed “Tumbledown Dick” and “Hickory Dick,” Richard became a symbol of weak rule. Today, that allegory feels disturbingly current. Our leaders, across parties and institutions, often display the same cowardly cunning, hiding behind ideology while practicing authoritarianism in all but name.