The image of the judiciary as a reliable pillar of Indian democracy is crumbling, as verdict after verdict betrays the most basic notions of justice.

In this issue

09-09-202243 STORIES

New legal aid system needed to ensure justice for the poor

It should connect the poor with online courts, and allows plaintiffs the choice of attorney.

Kaleeswaram Raj

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“Don’t read anything into my art”: A. Ramachandran

His work has evolved from politically explicit sculptures and paintings to colossal canvases.

“No social justice in the appointment of judges to the higher judiciary”

Justice K. Chandru, former judge of the Madras HC, on the declining standards in the higher courts.

Ilangovan Rajasekaran

Trinamool Congress struggles to shake off corruption charges in Bengal

The ruling party in West Bengal faces one of its toughest periods in recent years.

Suhrid Sankar Chattopadhyay

Regime change in Bihar gives Opposition a new lease of life

But the question of who will lead any unified front will remain thorny in the coming months.

Venkitesh Ramakrishnan

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Could a 12th-century well in Kerala be the clue to a kingdom long lost?

Oral tradition says the big well in Malappuram existed in the kingdom of the Cochin royals.

BJP in election mode as it draws up strategy for Maharashtra

Having paralysed the Maha Vikas Aghadi, it is now going all out to put the State in its kitty.

Is the judiciary failing to put a check on excesses of the executive?

This might end up curtailing civil liberties and undermining democracy.

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Landslides in Kerala more frequent due to climate change, deforestation

Farmers, fisherfolk, labourers and other marginalised sections are the worst affected.

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‘Panchayat’ recreates village life in its language of languor

But it is also designed to keep all discomforts like caste or queerness at bay.

Prathyush Parasuraman

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Re-examining the contested legacy of Tipu Sultan

The DAG exhibition urges viewers to assess the Mysore ruler’s importance afresh.

Vikhar Ahmed Sayeed

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Attack on Salman Rushdie demonstrates the resilience of hate

Rushdie publicly defended himself and sought to make peace. But fanatics never see reason.

The Idlers

Translated by Jagriti Gupta from the Hindi translation of the Urdu original, Kaamchor.

Chirag Paswan: ‘Opposition unity is an illusion’

Interview with Chirag Paswan, president, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas).

What happens when judges listen to their inner voice?

A judge’s conscience is the last bulwark against the tyranny of the state.

Peter Ronald deSouza

Adivasi Academy in Tejgadh documents tribal culture of Gujarat

It offers a unique space for the study of tribal communities.

Where you get the best Chinese food outside China

A food odyssey by Indians homesick for Chinese food in Deutschland.

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(de)Coding Mumbai: Story of a growing city

A recent exhibition traces the history of town planning in Mumbai.

Anupama Katakam

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Science & Technology

The Science News Round-up

Medicine, nuclear energy, and magnetics.

R. Ramachandran

FLQ - The Frontline Quiz

Goddesses, pickets, and typography.

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Science & Technology

Hybrid magnet in China produces record-breaking steady field of 45.22 T

Scientists of the Steady High Magnetic Field Facility in Hefei built it.

R. Ramachandran

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Science & Technology

The NIF in California gets one step closer to nuclear fusion

Its August 2021 nuclear fusion reaction met the important milestone of ignition.

R. Ramachandran

Science & Technology

IIT Delhi comes up with non-invasive diagnostic tool for epilepsy

It will help neurosurgeons pinpoint where in the brain the seizure is located.

R. Ramachandran

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Science & Technology

NPCIL places its first order for fuel storage racks for Kudankulam

The racks will allow fuel assemblies to stored safely in close proximity to one another.

R. Ramachandran

Mumbai fixated on building expensive metros to ease commuting woes

The better alternative would be to invest in upgrading BEST and the suburban train system.

Centre eyes privatisation push through Electricity (Amendment) Bill

It further dents the federal structure and allows private players to use government networks.

T.K. Rajalakshmi

Judges & their bogus collegium

The decline of the judiciary started early in the history of independent India.

Tibetan diaries

Vignettes from a Tibetan settlement at Majnu ka Tilla in Delhi.

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BJP woos Pasmanda Muslims at the behest of Narendra Modi

The party is trying to attract this community, which forms 85 per cent of Indian Muslims.

Purnima S. Tripathi

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Fearless activist

Important phases of her life are in the sociopolitical context of undivided Andhra Pradesh.

Malini Subramaniam

Holocaust-era horrors

In these haunted pages, a teenager becomes a much-loved, albeit flawed, hero.

Karthik Keramalu

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Rich repast of India’s past

The daily lives of ancient Indians reaffirm that history is complex and fascinating.

Silent tragedy strikes Sri Lanka as hunger crisis looms

Millions of Sri Lankans are drastically cutting down on food intake.

R.K. Radhakrishnan

Taiwan visit of Nancy Pelosi heightens US-China tensions

The visit appears to signal an end to the “one China” policy of the US.

What does the judiciary in India need as reforms?

A simple, wide-ranging wish list of reforms for India’s judiciary.

In Erewhon’s court

A fictional account of a fictional judgment by a judge who for now only lives in the imagination.

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Editor’s Note

Hopes that the judiciary would protect the nation from a dystopian abyss are receding.

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ED raid on loan apps reveals strong Chinese presence in crypto crimes

Crypto exchanges were transferring overseas the money these apps extracted from borrowers.

C.P. Chandrasekhar

Bihar politics sees new twist as Nitish Kumar, Tejashwi Yadav join hands

Nitish Kumar decided to dump the BJP and make common cause with the RJD again.

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Science & Technology

First SSLV flight fails to put satellites in correct orbit

ISRO Chairman is confident of resolving the problem and being ready for the next launch.

R. Ramachandran

Slow wheels of justice

The delivery of justice has been delayed to tens of millions of Indian citizens for decades.

Ramesh Chakrapani

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Irula sensation Nanjamma shines light on tribal life with her music

The National Award winner’s songs continue to inspire millions in Kerala and beyond.

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Thoothukudi firing: Inquiry Commission report names top police officials for violations

The Justice Aruna Jagadeesan Commission report was submitted to M.K. Stalin on May 18.

Ilangovan Rajasekaran

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