Nistula Hebbar

3 weeks ago | thehindu.com | Nistula Hebbar

Dynasty politics — the phenomenon where political power is passed along family lines — has been a defining feature of Indian democracy since independence. From the Nehru-Gandhi family to regional satraps across states, dynasties have deeply entrenched themselves in the political fabric of India. But what does this mean for democracy, meritocracy, and political accountability?

1 month ago | thehindu.com | Nistula Hebbar

The multi-party delegation being dispatched across the globe after Operation Sindoor has revived memories of a similar phase in Indian diplomatic history when a sustained cross-party campaign was carried out to project a “one India” approach to important issues like Kashmir and the communal situation. The context for the previous effort, which took place in the early 1990s, was the demolition of the Babri Masjid, a spike in violence in Kashmir, and anti-insurgency operations in Punjab.

1 month ago | thehindu.com | Nistula Hebbar

In this episode, we are going to talk about a war of a different nature altogether — the tariff war started by the United States, tariff negotiations, and what it means for world trade. Today, for the first time on this show, I’ll be doing an interview. We will be speaking to Dr. Ashwani Mahajan, the co-convener of the Swadeshi Jagaran Manch, the economic wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Dr. Mahajan has been an influential voice in shaping India’s economic and trade policies.

1 month ago | thehindu.com | Nistula Hebbar

Najma Heptulla has been a fixture of Indian politics for decades. She served as the deputy chairperson of the Rajya Sabha for 17 years, through years of Congress (her earlier party) majority, and the more unsettled coalition years. She presided over the House of Elders, through some rather stormy times, when uncertain numbers created the need for consensus, charm and tact. Her autobiography, In Pursuit of Democracy: Beyond Party Lines, is an anecdote-studded lookback at her public life.

1 month ago | thehindu.com | Nistula Hebbar

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan says that the BJP has always had a consistent approach towards social justice. Elaborating on the party’s historical and ideological approach to empowerment, particularly concerning Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Mr. Pradhan says the Modi government has never discriminated on the issue of welfare and the decision to undertake a caste census is part of this commitment.