C A A - Scope for expansion?

Much of Yazidi theology is non-Islamic. It's cosmogony has many points in common with ancient Iranian and ancient Mesopotamian religions.

Similarities between Yazidi and Yaresan traditions are well established. Some traditions are traced back to pre-Zorastrian Mithraic religion.

-Wikipedia 

more than mere elections

Has India lots of elections - and too little democracy?

Civil rights lawyer Sudha Bharadwaj who has been honored for her work by Harvard Law School is in jail, as an under trial. Charges are not yet framed.

Other academics and rights activists arrested in the Bhima Koregaon agitation are also in jail. Citizens' fundamental right to question the government, is now in serious danger.

There is chilling disconnect between governance and citizens' issues.

Small, new state of Jharkhand needs a 5 phase election schedule.
Because three fourths of it still remain under Maoist influence.
Governance models have failed to deliver genuine welfare.
Elected governments fail the test of trust.

Unseen is the reality that without a free, empowered citizenry, there can be no real democracy.

- Sagarika Ghose,  Times of India,    November 7, 2019.

Rajyotsava '19

Defence of liberty is the best rationale for a nation.

The American Declaration of Independence focuses on protecting citizens' rights. This simple objective has been enough to make US, the world's greatest nation - on most indicators of human flourishing.

India could end up like China or Saudi Arabia - where citizens are disposable meat. Allowed to live if they obey; killed if they asked questions. Millions of citizens flee China and Saudi Arabia, every year. Poisonous idea of Hindu kingdom must be called out, as being against free India.

Sanjeev Sabhlok,   Swarna Bharat Party,   Times Of India,   October 30, 2019

Contentious amendments

This government is clearly uncomfortable with the info, citizens are managing to extract.
Many questions have been asked of the politically powered elite, including
electoral funding,
non-performing assets,
info in electoral affidavits,
spectrum allotments
and defence deals.
Over 60 million applications are filed every year. Those in political power do not want to be transparent or accountable.

- Aruna Roy,    Times of India     July 29, 2019.

Clean political funding

Arrest of D K Shivakumar came after 4 days of questioning - on the charge of evasiveness.

Arrest on this account is what CBI took recourse to, in the case of former finance minister, P Chidambaram.

Shivakumar's plight elicited sympathy, even from ruling Hindu(i) Peoples' Party members of Karnataka. It is curious that agencies find suspicious activity only in case of opposition members. There is scope for larger debate on issues of political funding.

Insidious electoral bond scheme removed even a modicum of transparency in sourcing of political funds. Restrictions of foreign funding of political parties was loosened - when other  democracies ban such funding.

Indian democracy's regression on clean political funding, erodes credibility.

- Editorial,      Times of India      September 5, 2019 

Case for validation of mental health?

We know that demonetization was an unmitigated disaster.

Instead of ending black money, it corrupted state-owned banks, plunged informal economy into crisis, damaged corporate balance sheets in ways we are only now beginning to understand.

What happens next in Kashmir?
Like demonetization, wildly popular in the moment, but a failed and foolish move? 

- Sadanand Dhume,     Times of India      September 21, 2019. 

Wretched / vulgar / condemnable

Modi recalled his own electoral slogan that was reprised by candidate Trump "Ab ki baar Trump sarkar" and endorsed him for a second term.


Chidanand Raighatta - Why Trump came to Modi    Times of India, September 24, 2019.