Ajinkya Sanjay Khandizod Urbanization and Slum Growth Urbanization has exploded in Indian metropolises over the last few decades. The urbanization degree worldwide is around 57%, whereas in India, it is 34%. According to the U.N. report on World Urbanization Prospects 2018, cities’ population will double by 2050. Between 2014-2018, the slum percentage increased from 23% …
Manusmriti in DU
Jatin Mathur Recently Delhi University received proposal from the Faculty of Law suggesting to include readings from Manusmriti with The Manubhasya of Medhatithi by Ganganath Jha and commentary of Manusmriti – Smritichandrika by T Kristnasawmi Iyer. The two suggested texts and the amendment have been rejected by the University. The revisions pertained to the courses, …
Caste Census In India
Pratyancha Khandare “Caste doesn’t matter anymore” is a common phrase in India’s elite urban spaces. Belonging to one of the most prestigious colleges in Bombay, when caste is discussed amongst my peers, I hear this phrase in a group of people where I am the only Dalit student, which speaks volumes about how caste still …
The End of Independent Ambedkarite Dalit Politics?
AIISCA Statement on the Defeat of Ambedkarite Dalit Parties in the 2024 General Elections Alongside economic injustice, unemployment, and the conventional Hindu-Muslim binary, the 2024 general elections were primarily fought around the ‘Social Justice’ narrative. The opposition alliance (INDIA alliance) led by Congress campaigned on the narrative that “if the BJP came to power with …
Dr. Ambedkar’s Life and Work in ‘The New York Times’ and ‘The Times’, London
Nikhil Bagade Jai Bhim! Namo Buddhay! Couple of years ago, when I came across the work of Syamsundar Vunnamati, I was quite inspired by his work of digging up cartoons and news articles about Dr. Ambedkar to present us the context of his struggle amidst the Brahminical media. It got me thinking how foreign news …
Unmasking the Myth of “Neutral” Tech
Pranav Jeevan P There is a popular myth that technology is neutral, but in reality, technology reinforces the hierarchical and exploitative power relations of the societies that create and use it. Throughout history, technological advancements have been deeply intertwined with acts of genocide, apartheid, and the exploitation of people. From the colonial era, where technological …
Is filmmaker Pa. Ranjith an anti-Periyarist?
Sree Govind Bharatvaraj In the recent past, the popular filmmaker Ranjith has been overtly criticized as an anti-Periyarist and a Hindutva supporter by Dravidian intellectuals and Periyarists. Starting from senior intellectuals like Suba Veerapandian to young Periyarists, this criticism is framed around Ranjith. But how far this argument is true is a serious one that …
Review of Dr. Savita Ambedkar’s ‘Babasaheb — My Life with Dr. Ambedkar’
Book Review: “Babasaheb My Life with Dr. Ambedkar” by Dr. Savita Ambedkar translated from the Marathi by Nadeem Khan Rajesh Chandra Kumar & Vinay Damodar Dr. Savita Ambedkar, formerly known as Dr. Sharada Kabir, was born into a middle-class Saraswat Brahmin family and met Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar while he was a patient suffering from a …
Leaving Delhi
Chanchal Kumar Leaving Delhi. Won’t start by saying it was bad. It was good, in that I survived. Delhi is like a festering wound that stops to plug. Every time I have to visit it, I hope it will be better than the last time. But no. Anyway, Delhi could be slightly better if: Water …