Constitutional restraint and steadfast judicial protection of rights are central. In India, democratic character of power holders has often been weak and judiciary has been too quick to abdicate. (3/3).

It is about the character of power that changes the power holder-- hence, tough democratic inclination of power holders matters very much, but more importantly, (2/3).

One explanation is that Congress too has limited democratic pretence. Two, this tells us about bureaucratic indifference to freedoms. But three, (1/3).

Strange that parties which are at receiving end vis-a-vis BJP, adopt almost similar approach to exercise of power when in govt themselves. Craving to become big brother is perhaps part of being in power?.

A plain but stinging critique of India's foreign policy fiasco. .

RT @MaheshZagade07: आजचे दै लोकसत्ता;.अधिकारीच मंत्र्यांना खोटे सांगतात तेंव्हा…. -महेश झगडे. आर ओ कॅनमधून विकले जाणारे पाणी कायद्यांतर्गत….

Can there be a quick study checking how many under-40 have required documents for parents-- say in relatively developed and less developed states, among a genuine cross section? Will any media house undertake such a study? Will such study invite an FIR?.

But ECI is demanding exactly that proof, making everyone Doubtful citizen. Both--possible harassment of poor citizens under NRC and current ECI stand, are anti- people. So my query. .

A lower level official can put D before your name --making your citizenship Doubtful and then onus to prove you are a genuine citizen, is on you as a suspected citizen. That's NRC-- which is not yet formally implemented. .

Latest (1987 and 2003) citizenship rules require one parent to be born in India and no parent being an illegal immigrant.

Another amusing bit: people are telling me where one can get the birth certificate. I know it, thank you. The question is: is it so simple if a person is not 'PLU'-- an ordinary, less privileged citizen?.

As usual, this post is receiving much abuse. It was/is meant for serious discussion. Amusingly, while ECI is demanding certain documents, self proclaimed supporters of Govt come forward to criticize the post.

Sincerely curious to find out how many persons below 40 years of age would actually have birth certificates of their parents? Not just in Bihar, anywhere in India.

RT @TheLallantop: क्या महाराष्ट्र में हिंदी को वाकई थोपा जा रहा है या सियासी फायदे के लिए इस मुद्दे का इस्तेमाल हो रहा है? गैर मराठियों को….

Isn't the commonality betn authoritarian regimes n dem movements a worrying aspect? It indicates, as we in India witness, (mis)appropriation by authoritarians, slippery nature of words/slogans and limitations of ideological resources on the part of democratic movements. .

RT @SauravDassss: Wishing Umar and others all the very best. Five years in jail is a long and brutal stretch, enough to reshape a person’s….

लोकप्रतिनिधींच्या सरंजामी दादागिरीच्या कहाण्या कोणी लिहायला बसले तर मतदार म्हणून आपली लायकी काय ते कळेल. ही दादागिरी बहुपक्षीय असते आणि होतकरू इच्छुक सुध्दा आधी हेच कौशल्य शिकून घेतात.

लोकप्रतिनिधी स्टाफला मारपीट करतात, यात राग येण्यासारखे काय? वरपासून खालपर्यंत सत्तेच्या पाया पडण्याची संस्कृती स्वीकारल्यावर प्रतिनिधी स्वतःला मालक समजायला लागतात. तेही सरंजामी मालक. कधी चांदीच्या ताटात जेवतात,कधी नाराज झाले की हक्कभंग लावतात,रागावले की मारहाण करतात. जय लोकशाही !.

RT @reporters_co: Confirmed: Voters in West Bengal are the next up for the controversial revision of the electoral roll, ECI has told state….

RT @SohamShah07: What MNS-Shiv Sena protests don’t see: The Hindi in Hindutva. By @PalshikarSuhas.