Rajdeep Sardesai

Pakistan is neither hell nor heaven, it’s simply schizophrenic towards India

Military rule, radical Islamisation among others have compromised Pakistan’s capacity to deal with its neighbour in a mature manner

Dil maange more, but do our netas and babus know what it takes to be champion?

While a lot of talent is visible beyond big cities, what hasn’t changed dramatically enough is the attitude of most corporates and officials to Olympic sport

Cracks in the Hindutva plan

Una-type incidents can undo BJP’s hard work to win the confidence of Dalits

This isn’t the first time upper caste Hindus have been caught beating up Dalits. Massacres have taken place in other states also. And yet, the fact that the incident takes place in the PM’s home state and the CM wakes up to the horror almost a week later makes it a potential political volcano

He did all the heavy lifting

Gentle reformer: Behind India’s economic revolution, there’s Manmohan Singh

Narendra Modi, more than any other contemporary politician, has been a direct beneficiary of the forces unleashed by Manmohan Singh in 1991. Without the benefit of “Manmohanomics”, there would be no “Modinomics”

Too early to write her off

Too early to write off Smriti Irani

The former HRD minister’s could have avoided a confrontationist approach. Her experience may be useful to her in the long run

No party is above board

Immoral politics is a contagion that has spread across the political class

When lust for power fails to differentiate between means and ends, then any form of public accountability is the first casualty.

Absolute power corrupts absolutely

The resignation of Maharashtra revenue minister Eknath Khadse over land grab charges is evidence that even when governments change, certain bad habits don’t

Helped along by the TINA factor

Leadership vacuum in opposition may help Modi’s re-election in 2019

Despite relative macro-economic stability, job-driven growth is still to take off and small and medium enterprises are still struggling. If, as Modi’s advisers claim, the wheel will begin to turn in 2017, then the prime minister’s chances of re-election are virtually guaranteed

Mamata and Jayalalithaa: A tale of two baronesses

Terror probe caught in a political riddle

Who will ever have faith in a criminal justice system if even terror cases are hostage to politics?

Nationalistic slogans won’t get food to drought-hit farmers’ table

Chanting ’Bharat mata ki jai’ won’t solve the deepening water crisis; only an honest appraisal of flawed water management can provide solutions

Congress has lost its way as Indian politics’ prime player

The state leaderships are in disarray, there has been no organisational restructuring and there is no roadmap in sight

Art of Living and politicians: When loyalty trumps propriety

Identifying with the activities of Sri Sri is a subtle attempt by the political class to cultivate a distinct Hindu vote bank in a relatively non-adversarial manner

Smriti Irani may need to consider a course correction

Smriti Irani maybe needs to consider a course correction: The HRD ministry should facilitate open dialogue, not become a space for “culture wars” or for settling scores with ideological ‘’enemies’’.

I am proud to be ‘anti-national’, says Rajdeep Sardesai

If support for Afzal Guru is to be seen as ‘sedition’, then at least half the erstwhile Cabinet in Jammu and Kashmir would be held guilty.

Delhi needs strong governance model based on clear chain of command

A year after his victory, Arvind Kejriwal must learn to manage conflict, while the Modi regime must give up its visceral hatred for the AAP leader

Image traps: Modi should alter style, Rahul substance

Mr Modi and Mr Gandhi are reaching out to young India in their own ways, but if one needs to alter his style, the other needs a change in substance.

PM Modi’s foreign policy a welcome sign of maturity

Pathankot makes attempts at peace with Pakistan difficult. But for once, the BJP and the Congress must be on the same side to fight terror.

A look at our netas’ 2016 resolutions: With no malice, but some fun

Since New Year resolutions are made to be broken, let’s be ready for another exciting, unpredictable year in Indian politics

Disruption agenda may send Winter Session towards deep freeze

By choosing to mix a judicial battle with a political slugfest in the Winter Session of Parliament, the Congress runs the risk of losing the perception war.

Polarisation on outraged social media the core of ‘intolerance’ debate

The polarisation of public opinion, especially on a permanently outraged social media, is the core of the ‘intolerance’ debate

Shiv Sena’s intolerance: Why Mumbaikars are silent

The Shiv Sena can get away with violence because it has successfully tapped into the insecurities of Maharashtrians in Mumbai.

Facing the hard questions: Fadnavis has set a healthy precedent

To have a chief minister respond to a column is a rare and commendable attempt at engaging in a civilised public dialogue, writes Rajdeep Sardesai

Meat ban to secularism: Rajdeep replies to Fadnavis’ letter

Senior journalist writes back after Maharashtra chief minister accuses him of pushing a Leftist, pseudo secularist agenda in his column on issues facing Maharashtra.

Meat ban to secularism: Rajdeep replies to Fadnavis' letter

Senior journalist Rajdeep Sardesai has replied to Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis’s open letter to him, in which he explained why his government had banned the sale of meat in the state and other issues.