Vishnu Varma is Assistant Editor and reports from Kerala for the Hindustan Times. He has 10 years of experience writing for print and digital platforms and has worked at The New York Times, NDTV and The Indian Express in the past. He specialises in longform reportage at the intersections of politics, crime, social commentary and environment.
Articles by Vishnu Varma
Karats step down, CPI(M) gen secy elected in key jig
Senior leaders Prakash Karat and Brinda Karat stepped down from the Politburo of the Communist Party of India (Marxist)
Published on Apr 07, 2025 05:55 AM IST
CPI(M) resolution for ceasefire in Gaza adopted at key meet
The CPI(M) resolution stated that Israel has cut the supply of food, water and other aid to Gaza and intends to strangulate and push the region towards starvation
Published on Apr 05, 2025 06:00 AM IST
Vishnu Varma, Kochi
CPI(M) calls SFIO's findings against Vijayan’s daughter ‘political agenda’
On Friday, CPI(M)’s Kerala secretary, MV Govindan, said the government and the CM did not hand over special favours to any firm
Published on Apr 05, 2025 04:00 AM IST
Vishnu Varma, Kochi
As Kerala government opposes Bill, Christian bodies laud passage
The residents of Munambam have been demanding return of their ownership rights of land that was claimed by Kerala Waqf Board in 2022
Published on Apr 04, 2025 07:20 AM IST
Vishnu Varma, Kochi
SFIO names Vijayan’s daughter as accused in corruption case
The case involving Veena, director of a now-defunct IT firm, pertains to alleged irregularities in monetary transactions between the firm and CMRL
Published on Apr 04, 2025 04:00 AM IST
Vishnu Varma, Kochi
Kerala temple’s employee resigns after ‘caste discrimination’ claims
The man was appointed to perform “kazhagam” duties at the famed Koodalmanikyam temple in Thrissur district of Kerala and was subjected to alleged caste discrimination
Published on Apr 03, 2025 08:56 AM IST
Vishnu Varma, Kochi
Kerala government calls ASHA workers for talks today
The ASHA workers have been demanding a hike in their monthly honorarium from ₹7,000 to ₹21,000 and a one-time retirement benefit of ₹5 lakh.
Published on Apr 03, 2025 08:46 AM IST
Vishnu Varma, Kochi
Actor Mohanlal expresses regret amid row over ‘Empuraan’
The veteran actor’s statements comes a day after it was reported that the filmmakers voluntarily agreed to make 17 changes to the film, including muting several dialogues
Published on Mar 31, 2025 07:02 AM IST
Vishnu Varma, Kochi
Vijayan, Satheesan back ‘Empuraan’; state BJP chief says he won’t watch it
The film attracted controversy after several right-wing social media handles lambasted it over its alleged portrayal of right-wing politics and covert references and scenes to the 2002 Gujarat riots
Published on Mar 31, 2025 06:50 AM IST
Vishnu Varma, Kochi
Mohanlal announces changes in ‘Empuraan’, regrets ‘causing emotional distress’
The statement by the veteran Malayalam actor comes a day after it was reported that the film’s makers have voluntarily agreed to make several changes including muting some dialogue
Published on Mar 30, 2025 02:19 PM IST
Mohanlal's apology amid L2 row: 'I have learned that…'
In response to backlash, Mohanlal expressed regret for the emotional distress caused by L2: Empuraan's political themes. The film's team will revise it.
Updated on Mar 30, 2025 02:00 PM IST
Vijayan lays foundation of town for Wayanad landslide victims
The township, to be built in Elstone estate near Kalpetta town over 64.4 hectares, will comprise of 430 newly-built homes with 1000 sq ft in seven-cent plots each
Published on Mar 28, 2025 08:18 AM IST
Vishnu Varma, Kochi
Kerala CM lays foundation stone of township for Wayanad landslide victims
Pinarayi Vijayan also took a swipe at the Centre for its alleged reluctance in lending financial assistance for the rehabilitation of survivors.
Published on Mar 27, 2025 08:12 PM IST
Kerala chief secretary calls out colour, gender bias
Kerala's chief secretary Sarada Muraleedharan condemns discrimination based on color and gender, highlighting hurtful comparisons to her predecessor.
Updated on Mar 27, 2025 06:36 AM IST
Vishnu Varma, Kochi
Kerala assembly passes private universities bill
The bill would allow private individuals and entities to formally apply to set up educational campuses in the state
Published on Mar 26, 2025 07:44 AM IST
Vishnu Varma, Kochi
Kerala Assembly passes Private Universities Bill
The Bill would allow private individuals and entities to formally apply to set up educational campuses in the state
Published on Mar 25, 2025 10:29 PM IST
Rajeev Chandrasekhar set to be next Kerala BJP chief
The name of Chandrasekhar was proposed on Sunday by the party’s state in charge Prakash Javadekar and co-in-charge Aparajita Sarangi
Published on Mar 24, 2025 03:51 AM IST
Vishnu Varma, Kochi
Hair strand helped solve Mysuru quack’s murder case: Police
The victim, Shaba Sherif, was abducted from Mysuru on August 1, 2019 and he was killed on October 20, 2020 at a house in Nilambur.
Published on Mar 21, 2025 09:02 AM IST
Vishnu Varma, Kochi
ASHA workers go on hunger strike in Kerala from March 20 for hike in wages
The ASHAs have been demanding a hike in their monthly honorarium from the current ₹7,000 to ₹21,000 and a lumpsum retirement benefit of ₹5 lakh
Published on Mar 20, 2025 04:20 PM IST
Vishnu Varma, Kochi
Kerala CM: 1,343 FIRs registered in ₹281 crore CSR case
The scam has been undertaken through Socio-Economic and Environmental Development Society and the NGO Confederation, the CM said
Published on Mar 18, 2025 09:38 AM IST
Vishnu Varma, Kochi
India’s ragging menace: Horror stories from across campuses
HT takes a look at five prominent ragging cases across the country over the last 2 years, some of which resulted in the deaths of junior students
Updated on Mar 14, 2025 01:20 AM IST
Kerala CM, guv meet Sitharaman in Delhi, discuss multiple issues
The meeting came a day after the governor’s rare interaction with the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs from the state in Delhi
Published on Mar 13, 2025 08:30 AM IST
Kerala CM meets FM Sitharaman in presence of Governor in Delhi
The meeting came just a day after Governor Rajendra Arlekar’s interaction with the Kerala MPs in Delhi where he exhorted them to bury political differences and work for the interests of the state
Published on Mar 12, 2025 09:13 PM IST
Township in Wayanad to be unveiled on March 27
This came in response to an adjournment notice moved by Congress MLA T Siddique seeking to discuss the rehabilitation works in connection with the landslides that hit Meppadi in Wayanad.
Published on Mar 12, 2025 08:44 AM IST
Vishnu Varma, Kochi
With CBI arraigning parents, where does justice for the Walayar girls stand?
Eight years on, while justice has still eluded the two Dalit minor girls, their parents have now been accused in the sexual assault case and eventual deaths.
Published on Mar 10, 2025 06:44 AM IST
Vishnu Varma, Walayar
CPI(M) meet set to discuss elections, ‘new Kerala’ plan
The party’s delegate conference will be inaugurated on Thursday by national coordinator Prakash Karat
Published on Mar 06, 2025 07:32 AM IST
Vishnu Varma, Kochi
Vijayan accuses Cong of ‘aiding’ BJP’s rise
Vijayan’s critique of the Congress in an article published in a local newspaper on Wednesday came a day before the CPI(M)’s Kerala state conference begins in Kollam.
Published on Mar 06, 2025 07:28 AM IST
By splitting the secular votes, Congress helped BJP win: Kerala CM Vijayan
In an article published in local media, Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that if the Congress does not work to include and accommodate other parties that can defeat the BJP
Published on Mar 05, 2025 07:32 PM IST
Investors will not face red tapes: Vijayan at summit
Over 3,000 delegates participated in the summit organised by the state government in its bid to attract investments and business proposals from several sectors
Published on Feb 22, 2025 07:50 AM IST
Decomposed bodies of 3 of Jharkhand family found in Kerala Customs flat
The bureaucrat, his mother and younger sister were found dead at his official home in Kochi, with the deaths suspected to have occurred at least 4-5 days ago.
Updated on Feb 22, 2025 10:13 AM IST