Maliha Iqbal

Nov 21, 2024 | countercurrents.org | Vidyadhar Date |Maliha Iqbal |Bilal Dar |Subzar Ahmad

When  I experienced petty policing in  a library  recently,    it became clearer to me that the prestigious Asiatic library is  comparatively much more democratic, open. Most of Asiatic’s lectures are free, no prior registration needed. The big open space at the entrance belonging to the Central library is open to anyone, any citizen can walk in, browse through   newspapers in various languages kept on the stands, as also magazines. And there is  a  reading room in this section  open to all.

Nov 18, 2024 | countercurrents.org | Vidyadhar Date |Maliha Iqbal |Bilal Dar |Saru Gupta

Mahesh  Elkunchwar, playwright,   recalled at the Tata Literature festival in Mumbai last week   his experience of  being treated badly  and addressed in Hindi as  Saley  tum Marathi   (you bloody Marathi speaker)   by a Hindi writer  at a conference.  In conversation with   Anahita Uberoi, director, at the Tata lit festival, he suggested that  this was  probably because of the image created by the Shiv Sena.

Oct 18, 2024 | countercurrents.org | Vidyadhar Date |Maliha Iqbal |Bilal Dar |Subzar Ahmad

It is now 50 years since G.P. Deshpande wrote the pathbreaking play Udhwasta Dharmashala, a professor in JNU at the time,he took the cue from a report of the witch hunt launched by Senator McCarthy in the U.S. The red scare era has great relevance for the situation in India today as well since every thinking, critical person is denounced as urban Naxal and the same is happening under Trump in the U.S. The main role was brilliantly played by Dr Shreeram Lagoo, the top actor, and I clearly...

Aug 18, 2024 | countercurrents.org | Maliha Iqbal |Bilal Dar |Subzar Ahmad |T Navin

All stories revolve around a hero and villain with the two of them representing the binary of good and bad. However, recent films and works of fiction have blurred the line between the two. Consider President Snow from the Hunger Games series or Joker from Dark Knight trilogy.

Sep 12, 2023 | counterpunch.org | Maliha Iqbal

A Critical Review of “The Perks of Being a Wallflower”Maliha Iqbal and Yanis IqbalThe US is witnessing the rise of fascist education. Numerous far-right wing governors have implemented a series of conservative policies. These policies include, among other things, the banning of books, the prohibition of teachers from discussing critical race theory and topics related to sexual orientation.