Shuddhshar always strives to finding new ways to satiate the intellectual appetite of its readers. Towards that end, we have added an Op-Ed section—the latest addition to Shuddhashar’s repository of intellectual tools. We aim to build a constellation of columnists from diverse backgrounds who would, from their unique perspectives, produce commentaries on contemporary sociopolitical issues and events that demand rigorous scrutiny, constructive criticism, and sober reflections. We also encourage our readers, especially those who live under the yoke of a repressive state apparatus, to use this platform to speak truth to power by penning columns and engaging in lively discussions in the comments section.
Pakistan has plunged into unprecedented and deadly political chaos following the dramatic arrest of the former Prime Minister and Chief of the Pakistan Tehreek-E-Insaf (PTI) party. Imran Khan, for now, is free, but what future awaits him? Given Pakistan’s volatile situation, it is pertinent to offer some likely scenarios that might unfold in the coming …
Regardless of how we judge the variety of political actors in India and Pakistan, it should not pass under the radar that the governments in two of the most populous states in Asia are currently in differing ways trying to imprison and/or disqualify the most important opposition leaders ahead of the forthcoming elections in 2023 …
They have turned even policy failures such as the infamous demonetisation into political capital, while policy moves such as the aberration of Kashmir’s special status are popular way beyond the usual suspects of BJP supporters. Despite everything, BJP is still India’s largest political party, a juggernaut that will take the joint strength of all its …
Unpacking the Karnataka election: Key takeaways and the road ahead Read More »
As a nationalist doctrine and movement, Hindu nationalism — or Hindutva — grew in parallel with the portrayal and solidification of Hinduism as a single, coherent, organised religious system. The former informed the construction of the latter, and a selective interpretation of the latter undergirded the former.1 In contrast with Nehruvian secularism, which is grounded …
Contested Constitution? As we celebrate ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ marking the 75th year of Indian independence, serious questions regarding constitutional order and morality underline the observances. At one level, these questions have been provoked by debates on democracy backsliding and rising majoritarianism in India. Global publications like Economist Intelligence Unit and Varieties of Democracy …
Do we need to protect the constitution? Constitution and Democracy in India Read More »
Introduction by Latika Gupta and Chaise LaDousa: For Shuddhashar FreeVoice’s Education issue, published May 2022, Latika Gupta and Chaise LaDousa described their conversation in which they identified and discussed some of the issues that have been confronting educators in India since the onset of the pandemic. One of its consequences for teachers was a complete …
I want to tell a story about that old cliché of teachers: that reading opens the door to other worlds. I don’t like the saying, to tell the truth, but this story is mine. And it isn’t about other worlds, exactly. It’s about how reading Salman Rushdie’s books revealed the world itself, in its unimaginable …
The annual book fair, or the Ekushey Boi Mela, takes place every February in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and it was one of the biggest events of my life from 2004 to 2015. In a sense, for me, the annual culture and practice of publishing new books was kick-started by this book fair. Each year, the breathless …
I got into a minor Twitter spat with a prominent author the other day, and rather than continue to argue his point, he blocked me. I’d called him out on a particularly egregious tweet, pure unfounded innuendo and fear-mongering around the new Covid variant, casting all governments and corporations as evil and everything wrapped up …
Shuddhashar has entered its third decade this year. The journey has neither been smooth nor planned out in detail. The story began in December 1990 with a youthful passion for poetry and literature that soon grew into an aspiration to influence the broader culture and society. The hope was to bring about a change in …
Looking back over the three decades of Shuddhashar Read More »
Abortion Law in Africa is an important subject that deserves attention. When examined closely, there are significant disparities in how various African countries address the challenges of abortion. Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa are three countries that give a fantastic foundation for such an examination. This is partly owing to the fact that there is …
