Should Capital Punishment be Abolished?   The death -sentence for Mohammad Afzal Guru, who masterminded the attack on Parliament, has again brought into focus the controversy over the abolition of capital punishment. As is the case in many developed nations, capital punishment should be abolished in India too. The arguments are well known. No one, not even the state, has authority over any life. A criminal could realise his mistake and...

Reservation in the Private Sector Economic policy-making based on castes has become a necessity in India. It arises from the failure of the so-called modern governance since Independence. Modern governance based on authentic engagement should have engendered a modern nation wherein caste is not a facilitator of economic advancement. Authentic governance would have engendered a nation wherein caste is not a barrier to economic advancement. But sociologists, development economists and political...

Right to Information Essay No. 1 Article 19(1) (a) of the Constitution guarantees the fundamental rights to freedom of speech and expression. The pre-requisite for enjoying this right is knowledge and information. The absence of authentic information on matters of public interest only encourages wild rumors and speculations, avoidable allegations against individuals and institutions. Therefore, the Right to Information becomes a constitutional right, being an aspect of the right to freedom...

India and UNSC Seat New Delhi’s unyielding intent to join the United Nations’ Security Council s a permanent member was evident during recent visit of its upper layer politicians to various countries. Especially, while addressing the Indian Ocean island state’s national assembly PM Manmohan Singh appreciated the support extended by Port Louis for India’s candidature to the coveted big boys’ club. But what mattered was his conviction of India’s determination and...

Plight of Minorities in India   Episodes like the large scale disturbance directed against Christian communities in various parts of India at the hands of its ruling party supporters, gunning down of totally unarmed by an Upper Caste gang etc. and such incidents against Christians, Muslims and Dalits (previously called untouchables) are not very uncommon in India. These days Christian missionaries in India are being accused (by the fanatics and their...