Viju Cherian tries to understand the ever-changing nature of politics and find a method to this madness. He keenly follows politics, international and national.
Articles by Viju Cherian
Kaala ban: A Rajinikanth film is not just an entertainer, but has political undertones as well
However, banning Kaala in Karnataka could help Rajinikanth the politician in Tamil Nadu
Updated on Jun 04, 2018 06:28 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Viju Cherian
Makkal Needhi Maiam: Kamal Haasan’s new release gets a grand opening, but will it maintain momentum?
Kamal Haasan at the mega launch of his party at Madurai failed to explain his vision for a better Tamil Nadu. Catchy tunes and punch dialogues are hardly enough to win the confidence of the electorate
Updated on Feb 22, 2018 04:49 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Viju Cherian
Aadhaar-like tags for cows: Does govt’s intent match ground realities?
In a country where universal healthcare is yet to be achieved, can the government be accused of getting its priorities wrong in earmarking precious revenue for tagging cows? Also, does India have the infrastructure to tag and monitor the health and well-being of its 40 million dairy cattle and about 299 million bovine population across India?
Updated on Feb 06, 2018 03:16 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Viju Cherian
Baasha or Baba: Which way will Rajinikanth’s political career turn?
There is a vacuum in Tamil Nadu politics that ‘Superstar’ Rajinikanth can capitalise on. But can his fan base really convert into a vote bank, or can this euphoria sustain till the polls?
Updated on Jan 19, 2018 04:01 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Viju Cherian
The ‘long hug’ controversy exposes Kerala’s struggle with its hypocrisy
Kerala is struggling to co-exist in the modernity it aspires to achieve without letting go of the petty prudishness it prides itself for. The controversy is also a manifestation of a fundamental flaw that runs across the full literate state — hypocrisy
Updated on Dec 20, 2017 06:42 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Viju Cherian
Poes Garden raid: The political landscape in Tamil Nadu is getting more murky
The raid at Poes Garden, when read with the raids last week targeting Sasikala, Narendra Modi’s meeting with Karunanidhi and other political developments, give a picture of political uncertainty in Tamil Nadu
Updated on Nov 18, 2017 10:22 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Viju Cherian
Kamal Haasan lacks the charisma to change Tamil Nadu politics
Kamal Haasan’s much-talked about entry into politics is a reflection of the vacuum in Tamil Nadu, especially after the demise of Jayalalithaa. The southern state has a tinsel town-politics connect, but neither Haasan nor Rajinikanth will make a difference in politics
Updated on Nov 08, 2017 03:15 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Viju Cherian
Mersal controversy: BJP is making political faux pas a habit in Tamil Nadu
The BJP has big ambitions for Tamil Nadu and rightly so. But it repeatedly misreading the cards: From Jallikattu, to Neduvasal to NEET, and now an unnecessary controversy on Vijay’s Mersal. The party must overhaul its approach to become a relevant force in the state
Updated on Oct 24, 2017 11:19 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Viju Cherian
Regional cinema matters: Beyond Bollywood looks at rich history of south Indian cinema
There’s an asymmetric attention given to Bollywood over regional language cinema though Hindi cinema is ‘bland’ and often lacks the riches seen in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada films.
Updated on Oct 12, 2017 08:31 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Viju Cherian
EPS-OPS merger is not the finale to AIADMK’s Game of Thrones
Palaniswami and Panneerselvam might have found a way to work together, but the tenuous bond that hold this AIADMK combine will soon show. Dinakaran has a sizeable following, which cannot be discounted. Also waiting on the sides is the DMK, which alleges BJP’s hand in these developments
Updated on Aug 22, 2017 06:37 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Viju Cherian
BJP vs CPM violence in Kerala: Left smells conspiracy to dislodge Pinarayi govt
In the current tension between the Pinarayi Vijayan government and the BJP government at the Centre the Left sees parallels to the situation in 1959 when the Centre dissolved the EMS government in Kerala
Updated on Aug 01, 2017 10:58 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Viju Cherian
Flying ban: Don’t use parliamentary privilege to cover for bad behaviour
What happened in Rajya Sabha was the convenient use of the ‘parliamentary privilege’ card to defend abominable conduct by some of its members. The sense of entitlement shown by some leaders is the reason why such extreme steps are considered. It’s time they behaved like ordinary citizens
Updated on Jul 24, 2017 05:53 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Viju Cherian
Karnataka flag: Hollow symbolism or bid to divert attention from govt failures?
Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah has showed why he is no pushover. He has played the regional card, much like the Shiv Sena/MNS’ ‘Marathi manoos’. With the state flag move, he has played the BJP and other regional parties in their own game
Updated on Jul 20, 2017 04:11 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Viju Cherian
Modi’s Sri Lanka visit reflects growing ties, but issues like China, TN fishermen remain
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day Sri Lanka visit is a sign of the growing bilateral ties but closely watched will be whether Modi discusses with Sirisena or Wickremesinghe the issue of Tamil Nadu fishermen and China’s role in the region
Updated on May 11, 2017 02:42 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Viju Cherian
TN farmers drop urine-drinking plan on Delhi cops’ advice, to send it back home
Although the agitators had vowed to drink urine and eat faeces over the weekend if their demands were not met, they reconsidered their stomach-churning strategy after the Delhi Police intervened.
Updated on Apr 30, 2017 08:59 AM IST
Hindustan Times, New Delhi | A Mariyam Alavi and Viju Cherian
Merger talks a temporary balm as AIADMK struggles to stay afloat
Much of the turmoil within the AIADMK is because of the lack of vision by its leaders. Even if the party survives the current crisis, it will not be the same old party, but a pale shadow of its former self. The Mannargudi mafia is likely to be booted out by OPS and Edappadi Palaniswami, but they will not be able to galvanise a disillusioned party cadre. A dent in the AIADMK’s stature is likely to benefit the BJP
Updated on Apr 29, 2017 07:29 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Viju Cherian
Syria happy with India’s ‘balanced’ stand on crisis: Riad Abbas, Syrian ambassador to India
Washington has accused the Bashar al-Assad government of carrying out the attacks. The Syrian government, and its allies Russia and Iran, have demanded that an independent investigation into the matter.
Updated on Apr 14, 2017 07:12 AM IST
Hindustan Times, New Delhi | Viju Cherian
Opening toilets in restaurants for public use is a welcome move
This move by the South Delhi Municipal Corporation , without doubt, is a shot in the arm for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Swachh Bharat initiative
Updated on Mar 15, 2017 03:10 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Viju Cherian
Sasikala convicted: Panneerselvam’s troubles are far from over
The conviction of Sasikala has opened the floodgates of political ambition not only in the ruling AIADMK, but also among Opposition parties
Updated on Feb 14, 2017 01:17 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Viju Cherian
SWOT analysis: Panneerselvam has the strength to defeat Sasikala, but his weaknesses are many
It is not sure how this will end, but one thing is clear — OPS will emerge as the victor. He will have the last laugh no matter which way the wind blows. The best case scenario for him is to become CM and leader the AIADMK, the worst is to break the party, stop Sasikala and in the process become a political heavyweight in Tamil Nadu
Updated on Feb 14, 2017 07:13 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Viju Cherian
How Panneerselvam found his political spine in revolt against Sasikala
Over the past 24 hours, Tamil Nadu’s caretaker chief minister O Panneerselvam has shattered the image of a docile, compliant man whose unflinching loyalty to his late predecessor and benefactor J Jayalalithaa made many suspect his political acumen.
Updated on Feb 14, 2017 07:13 AM IST
Hindustan Times, New Delhi | Viju Cherian
What makes Sasikala so powerful and indispensable for the AIADMK
Rumoured to hold the party’s purse strings, the most recognisable face among leaders and good ties with regional groups and parties — all these factors work in Sasikala’s favour. However, Sasikala will have to earn her political legitimacy if she has to quell any form of dissent and doubt regarding her stature
Updated on Feb 14, 2017 07:14 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Viju Cherian
The repeated neglect of Tamil identity is the rallying point for Jallikattu protests
The sentiments behind the protests in Tamil Nadu have moved beyond just the ban on Jallikattu, and have now become the manifestation of the many wrongs — perceived and real — meted out to the Tamil people by Delhi. To call the protests politically motivated or as an animal rights issue would be to water it down
Updated on Jan 19, 2017 06:01 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Viju Cherian
Kamal Haasan to GV Prakash: Why Tamil actors support Jallikattu
Over the years, the event—which was primarily organised around the local temple—became violent with numerous instances of animals being abused. This led to the Supreme Court banning Jallikattu in May 2014.
Updated on Jan 13, 2017 06:41 PM IST
Hindustan Times, New Delhi | Viju Cherian
In Tamil Nadu, the stars align in favour of MK Stalin
The appointment of MK Stalin as the working president of the DMK was expected. However, it gains significance because of the timing: The state has lost a powerful leader and Stalin could emerge as the political stalwart if he makes the right moves
Updated on Jan 05, 2017 07:07 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Viju Cherian
Gonchas in Kargil: The State must not dictate sartorial choices
The district administration of Kargil wants all district officials to attend office in traditional attire on Mondays and Saturdays. Since when has it become the prerogative of the State to decide — and in some cases dictate — the sartorial choices of the people?
Updated on Jan 04, 2017 03:52 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Viju Cherian
Is the Left in Kerala losing space to Right-wing groups?
The arrest of Kamal C Chavara is the latest example of how Right-wing and nationalist groups are carving a space for themselves in Kerala while the Left is becoming an overarching hollow shell over the state. It is a sign that the Left in India are losing the last of its major strongholds, and that of the BJP is increasing its presence in the southern state
Published on Dec 20, 2016 11:59 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Viju Cherian
The political opportunity for Rajinikanth has come and gone
Rajinikanth is still loved and adored by his fans and, without doubt, is a popular entertainer. But it is highly unlikely that he could encash that popularity in politics.
Updated on Dec 12, 2016 06:15 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Viju Cherian
Jaipur art show vandalised: There must be a message against moral policing
One of the main reasons why such groups, which see such high-handedness as the easiest way to gain fame, feel encouraged is because of police inaction or the lack of a strong message from the government’s side. Quick and stern action should be taken against these self-styled culture guardians
Updated on Dec 09, 2016 08:35 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Viju Cherian
J Jayalalithaa: A political icon like none
The crowds at Apollo hospital, at Poes Garden, at Rajaji Hall and at Marina Beach said it all — J Jayalalithaa was a people’s leader. She knew the pulse of the people, fine-tuned her schemes for the welfare of the people of Tamil Nadu and cultivated her profile as a leader who lived and died by the Tamil slogan: “Udal Mannukku Uyir Thamizhukku” (loosely translated it means: Body for the land, soul for the Tamil cause/people).
Updated on Dec 08, 2016 01:02 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Viju Cherian, Chennai