The other day listening to a debate on the burning topic of Rahul versus Modi, I was aghast to hear a senior Muslim leader’s comment, “If I have to choose between development and deaths in elections, I will vote for the latter.” Read more

Female foeticide and infanticide, child abuse, child marriages, dowry menace, domestic violence, prostitution and mortgage of woman against loan and now the battered husbands fighting misuse of Dowry acts — suddenly people seem to have woken up to the social evils rampant in our society and its system. Thanks to cine star Aamir Khan. Read more

It was about two years back in Rae Bareli when I had met a group of enthusiastic women. Barring one, all were ‘angoota chaap’. They had formed a self-help group (SHG) and their dream was to take a road building contract. Read more

As I saw West Bengal chief minister Buddhadev Bhattacharya and Union railway minister Mamata Banerjee campaign on the congested roads of Kolkatta, amidst thronging crowds, I wondered when did I last see a senior politician from my own state Uttar Pradesh walking on the roads like this. Read more

Four years after she came to power, Chief Minister Mayawati decided to take stock of development works in the state. Read more

This dates back to the 80’s. Late Vir Bahadur Singh was the Chief Minister of the state. I remember my first meeting with him. Singh looked uncomfortable, avoided eye contact throughout the interview. Read more

Because he has yet to show his administrative mettle. Read more

I know the risk is huge as at stake are my decades old secular credentials.

But I think it’s worth taking the risk than taking a blinkered stand like others to prove I am not communal. Read more

I repeat here what you all must have heard or read umpteen times. Caste and caste alone sells in Indian politics. Or else why do political parties scramble for political space on Ambedkar Jayanti while keeping Gandhi Jayanti a low-key affair? Read more