Features

The Preamble of the Indian Constitution: A password for Social Transformation

Ashok Mane Introduction We are celebrating the 77th independence day. But the question remains whether we have been successful in ensuring independence to all or it is just an annual festival for few. I am writing my personal views about social change in India and how our Preamble is helpful to this process. In recent …

Atrocities

The Bloody Silence: When the Rape of a Dalit Woman Means Nothing …

 Vaibhav Kharat India’s recent history has been stained once again by two horrifying incidents of sexual violence—one in Bengal and the other in Bihar. Both crimes were monstrous, but the response to them exposes the rot at the core of Indian society, a society that remains shackled by caste even in its darkest moments. The …

Assertion

Thangalaan: A Cinematic Exploration of Social Struggle and Empowerment

Ibin Nayakam On August 15, I watched the Tamil movie Thangalaan, directed by Pa Ranjith, and for the first time in a long while, I felt a sense of relief in my ideological struggle against societal injustices. Beyond its social commentary, the film offers extravagant visuals and employs magical realism to communicate its story. This …

Atrocities

Rape, Reckoning, and Resistance: Confronting Caste Power and Silence in India

Somnath Pati The horrific incident of rape and murder of a resident doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital has sent shockwaves across the nation, intensifying public discourse around the topic of ‘rape.’ As commentators and observers—ranging from public intellectuals to common citizens—engage more deeply with this issue, some have even gone so far …

Assertion

Thangalaan: A Cinematic Revolution in Dalit History and Identity

Sivaramakrishnan S In the annals of Indian cinema, few films have dared to challenge the dominant narratives of caste and colonialism as boldly as Pa. Ranjith’s upcoming magnum opus, “Thangalaan.” Set against the backdrop of the Kolar Gold Fields (KGF), this film promises to be more than just a cinematic experience; it’s a potential watershed …

Policy

The Case of Subcategorisation and Creamy-layer Principle in SC/ST Reservation

Apoorva & Apeksha Singegol D The heat of reservation policy has just begun to bring the milk to a boil, yet the Supreme Court is already eager to extract the cream that hasn’t even formed yet. The bubbles on the surface of the boiling milk might hint at cream, but in reality, it’s just skimmed …

Policy

Supreme Court of India’s Verdict on SC/ST Classification: An Analytical Overview

Amir Hyder Khan In a pathbreaking judgement from the Supreme Court of India on 1 August 2024, the 7-judge constitutional bench led by Chief Justice of IndiaDr Justice D Y Chandrachud had stated that the sub-classification the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) was permissible. This judgment was welcomed by several political parties and …

Assertion

‘Before categorisation, policymakers need to understand the constitution and the scavenging communities’: Dr. Ratnesh Katulkar

~ This is the transcript of an interview of Dr. Ratnesh Katulkar by Suresh Ahirwar ~  The recent Supreme Court decision regarding the classification of reservations for Scheduled Castes and Tribes, along with the emphasis on adding a creamy layer to it has sparked both support and opposition. This issue primarily concerns the castes among …