ARTICLES/OPINION

That single sentence -- lapidary in its perfection -- appears in the 'epilogue' of a judgment pronounced by the Delhi high court on January 12. The judgment (LPA No 501/2009) is 88 pages long but those five words sum up precisely why transparency is essential in the case of everyone that holds a public trust. .... read more

In God's Own Country, the angels seem to be propping up a farcical Government. In an RTI reply, the Kerala Government admitted that the annual speech that the Governor made this time at the beginning of the Budget session of the State Assembly under Article 176 of the Constitution was not approved formally by the State Cabinet, as is required by constitutional practice. Article 173(1) says that it is the Council of Ministers, with the Chief Minister at its head, that should "aid and advise" the Governor in his functions except in matters where he has a discretion under the Constitution, like appointing the Chief Minister. The Governor's speech to the Assembly, detailing the plans of the State Government, begins with the words "My Government", which means that the address has to be approved by the Council of Ministers. Thus, the Cabinet's approval of the text of the speech is absolutely necessary. .... read more

Those who deal with the Naxalite army must not forget a few essential ingredients. First, the State should not be confused that this army is fighting against poverty. They are inimical to the developmental activities. They are like terrorists armed with the most sophisticated weaponry and are capable of fighting with a regular army. Second, they constitute the third generation of Marxist guerrilla believing in the maxim "power comes from the barrel of the gun." They are fighting for power as is evident by the example of Nepal. Their entire inspiration comes from ideological teachings. They may talk the language of Human Rights just to camouflage the large scale killing of the innocent people. Now, at this stage, their fight is mainly with police administration. They want to demoralise the police force of the State altogether. .... read more

Nanaji' as Nana Deshmukh was known in political and social circles, which he dominated for almost six decades, is no more. Many who were inspired by him in politics and outside saw and knew him as a towering idealist; his admirers and friends experienced and rated him as a great political strategist. Joining the RSS at a young age and becoming its pracharak (whole-time volunteer), he was undoubtedly a great organiser. He had intimate friends in high places everywhere. He was equally at ease with both the noble Bhoodhan movement of Vinobha Bhave and the gutter politics of Delhi. He had friends even in the garrisons of his adversaries. When Jawaharlal Nehru had banned the RSS in 1948, Nanaji Deshmukh began organising the underground movement. .... read more