Democracy Without Dissent
An ‘oppositionless’ Assembly raising questions addressed to the Speaker, with not a single opposition member in the House, is unexpected and hardly acceptable in a true democracy. Yet in Nagaland,…
As 2026 begins, the erosion of democratic norms isn’t abstract; it’s visible
As the calendar turns to 2026, the health of democratic norms worldwide and within India is attracting unprecedented scrutiny. Recent events, both internationally and at home, suggest that the core…
A Case for Term Limits
In a functioning democracy, governance must be driven by accountability, urgency and service to the people. A decade, for instance, is long enough for any government to introduce reforms, build…
A Democracy Without Debate?
Democracy cannot thrive on consensus alone; it thrives on contestation. For Nagaland, the challenge is twofold: to restore debate in the Assembly by strengthening the role of opposition, and to…
Democracy on Paper, Deception in Practice
In theory, democracy is the rule of the people. In practice, it is often the rule of whoever controls the machinery that counts and, crucially, decides who the “people” are.
NU conference highlights media’s role in Democracy
Prof Shashi Shekhar Singh of the Department of Political Science, University of Delhi, delivered a keynote address at the Two-day International Conference on “Media, Populism, and Democracy” held at Nagaland…
Democracy in Tinseltown | Gulal Salil
I love how every four years, American elections take the centerstage in world politics, one incompetent racist politician flings accusations at another racist politician, media debates on who’s lesser of…
Why Dissent Matters
Dissent is the cornerstone of a vibrant democracy. It ensures that diverse viewpoints are heard and promotes societal progress. The right to dissent is not just a privilege but a…
A marathon of democracy
From the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal to the freezing of Congress party accounts, India saw one of the most contentious elections in recent memory. Spanning seven phases amidst searing heat…
Demand Real Journalism
Real journalism is not a relic of a bygone era; it is the lifeblood of democracy. In today’s fast-paced world inundated with instant news, where headlines scream for fleeting clicks,…