A Cosmic Coincidence? https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/mahatma-gandhi-birth-anniversary-rss-centenary-m-k-gandhi-10283435/lite/
RSS and Gandhi share a birthday. In that irony, there is a call to move beyond violence — and seeing the ‘other’ in a new light Rajni Bakshi October 2, 2025
In an ironic twist, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) will complete 100 years on Gandhi Jayanti. Even if the term “cosmic coincidence” appears misplaced here, this juxtaposition of birthdays calls for open-minded reflection, some “hatke” perspectives.
When the RSS was born, on Dussehra day in 1925, M K Gandhi was a major national leader. Over the next 28 years, while the RSS created a grassroots cadre to build the strength of Hindus, Gandhi applied his spiritual anchor as a Sanatani Hindu to address bitter socio-political conflicts through love and non-violence.
On January 30, 1948, Gandhi was murdered — for allegedly being anti-Hindu. The world mourned the passing of an inspirational colossus. By then, the RSS had grown roots; it was briefly banned for being one of the influences that led to Gandhi’s assassination. Almost eight decades later, on the face of it, the RSS is triumphant while Gandhi’s legacy is commonly seen as faded, tattered.
And yet, it is not quite “game over”. The concerns underlying Gandhi’s opposition to “Hindu” nationalism have become more urgent. Namely: What does it mean to be truly sabhya or civilised? In that context, what does it mean to be a Hindu or a Muslim, Christian or Sikh or Jew? Above all, how do each one of us relate to, or deal with, whoever we perceive to be the “other”? It would be presumptuous to assume that we can know what Gandhi would have done today. But the inspiration of the civilisational Gandhi does provide some cautionary road signs.
Lamentation in and of itself is unhelpful. The promotion of hatred needs to be creatively and constructively overcome. Hating the hater does not do that. Assigning responsibility for wrong-doing is vital. But this is different from either blame and shame or moral ambiguity. We need to stand firmly against the wrongdoing while fostering spaces for redemption of the wrong-doer.
Demonising the opponent is futile or even counter-productive. This undermines the possibility of tapping the forces of light within the wrong-doer — or at the very least trying to see where the wrong-doer is coming from. A politics that draws its energy from resentment inevitably feeds hatred and animosity.
These truths apply to every shade of ideology and political action. The physics of human behaviour does not operate differently whether you feel aligned to Gandhi or to his assassin. The RSS centenary year comes at a time when there is a pervasive feeling that reason and generosity in public discourse are a thing of the past. It is easy and lazy to put the blame for this situation entirely on the political and cultural movement that the RSS has nurtured, one that has been on a winning streak since the 1990s.
Most movements that have given primacy to their end goal rather than means, have tended to either actively use violence and hatred or make excuses for them. In this respect, the RSS is only part of a long, global historical trend.
What is new is the mass scale alienation and polarisation generated by digital platforms. This has spawned extremes of hate speech and hate crimes which now have a life of their own. It is unclear whether the formal structures of the RSS are unable or unwilling to check these forces. What is clear is that these energies are not a genie that could be put back in its bottle. These are political and psychological phenomena that can only be transformed and diffused through a mass renewal of samaj and its moral energy.
One obstacle to this is the acute polarisation over how the RSS is seen. For a large number of Indians, this organisation represents restoration of not just Hindu pride but Indian confidence. For an equally large number, it represents a politics of Hindu supremacy, with ill-treatment of Muslims and Christians becoming commonplace.
Both perceptions are factually correct and yet, the two opposing sides have something in common: The belief that conflict itself is unsolvable and thus permanent. For example, if you see Hindus as a beleaguered global minority under perpetual threat from Muslims and Christians, then it may be impossible to ever imagine a cessation of hostilities. If you treat all religion as regressive, then it is equally difficult to imagine a secular democratic society without a defeat of the religious amongst us.
Conflict is an inherent part of the human condition. But violence — that is, physical harm and indignity — is neither inevitable nor unavoidable.
There is a long history of tenacious conflicts between groups — over centuries. But there is also evidence of how human beings have peacefully resolved conflicts. This evidence shows some repeat patterns which are worth highlighting. One, disagreement may persist but dislike and mistrust can fade into insignificance. Two, because you no longer fear the “other”, neither the fear nor the “other” look like monsters. Three, this creates mental space to identify and understand the concern behind the complaint/anger of the opponent.
P B Mehta writes: The loneliness of Ram and Gandhi
I am painfully aware that all of this seems unhelpful to the person who is being attacked by a mob. Yet, listening closely to human rights workers on the ground sometimes reveals a glimmer of light. There are accounts of physically weak individuals spontaneously jumping into the fray to defend a person who is being beaten because of their caste or religion. There are reports of how people who seem to approve of violence when part of a crowd, behave differently when they are alone and engaged in conversation with a sympathetic listener.
This October 2, there may be many who will celebrate one birthday while treating the other as worthy of condemnation. But such a simplistic divide is both unfortunate and misleading. The future depends upon all those who are willing to at least know, if not embrace, the “otherness” of their other. By the way — “cosmic coincidence” is a legitimate term in cosmology, referring to chance events and unlikely phenomena. For instance, the Sun is about 400 times larger than the moon and 400 times farther away. It is this ratio which allows for a solar eclipse — making the moon appear to perfectly cover the Sun.
Bakshi is an author and the founder of the Youtube channel ‘Ahimsa Conversations’
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03066150.2025.2537260 Accumulation in small-scale horticulture: entrepreneurial farming and the regional state in South India (Andhra Pradesh)
We have been encouraging people to make summaries or headline of important articles that they read, while forwarding links. We also encourage people to blog their summaries, so that these can be connected to other efforts, thinking etc.. Thanks Mani)
Shift from groundnut to horticulture : In Rayalaseema (esp. Anantapur), groundnut cultivation declined after the 1990s due to falling profitability. Farmers shifted toward high-value horticulture, particularly sweet orange, encouraged by state policy .
Role of the regional state: Since the early 2000s, successive Andhra Pradesh governments promoted horticulture as a solution to agrarian crisis through subsidies (micro-irrigation, sprayers), debt waivers, canal irrigation investments, and marketing reforms like rythu bazaars. The state actively created infrastructure for horticulture, rather than simply “rolling back” interventions .
Emergence of small-scale entrepreneurial farmers: Many small and OBC (Backward Caste) farmers took up sweet orange cultivation, cultivating entrepreneurial practices of self-governance, risk management, and market engagement. Farming became tied to ideas of talent and enterprise, reinforcing social status distinctions .
Patterns of accumulation and inequality: Horticulture allowed some small farmers to accumulate capital and avoid proletarianisation. However, gains were uneven: OBC farmers made modest upward mobility, Reddy caste farmers retained dominance, Scheduled Castes had negligible participation due to resource constraints, Reliance on groundwater made accumulation precarious .
Market structures: Instead of global corporate agribusiness, local and regional merchant networks dominated trade. Farmers often sold to “Sirivel Muslim” traders from Kurnool district, who extracted value through informal practices (e.g., taking 20% of fruit gratis). Farmers avoided APMC markets due to high costs and commissions .
Technological and labour change: Mechanisation, micro-irrigation, and input-intensive cultivation reduced demand for wage labour, especially women’s agricultural work. This contributed to declining female participation in farm labour .
Governance and neoliberalism: The study argues that horticulture in Andhra Pradesh reflects a neoliberal governmentality: the state promotes market-oriented farming and “self-help” discourse, while embedding new technologies and infrastructures that discipline farmers into entrepreneurial behaviour .
Broader implications Horticulture stabilises smallholder livelihoods in dry regions but intensifies ecological stress (groundwater depletion) and social differentiation. The agrarian question of accumulation remains central in India—not just labour. Regional states, not only national policy, are crucial drivers of agrarian transformation .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJt-NpgTCr8 Preparation To Destroy Democracy?':Anurag Thakur's Rebuttal To Rahul Gandhi's Voter Deletion Claims
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bTaqwIzni6c @ms.medusssa BJP accepts #VoteChori ?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWwOiR9q2KA Is ECI Acting as a Constitutional Guardian or a Political Player? | Editorial with Sujit Nair Mr. Sujit Nair discusses the ‘vote chori’ row, in which the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha alleges that vote theft occurred in recent elections. The Election Commission of India has consistently denied these claims. Meanwhile, the BJP has also entered the fray, alleging the presence of ‘doubtful voters’ in at least six Lok Sabha constituencies.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/vWh6YIH3UiE | Is EC Treating BJP Differently Than Congress? | Rahul Gandhi | Anurag Thakur | Vote Chori
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/dhc-WB0pzWo Sr. Adv. Indira Jaisingh “majoritarian hindutva govt. wants its own people in judiciary”
https://www.timesofisrael.com/gaza-discord-has-netanyahu-scrambling-ahead-of-dc-meet-but-trump-offers-him-way-out/ The two leaders’ governments don’t see eye-to-eye on the idea of Israel annexing parts of the West Bank, either. Trump told reporters at the White House on Thursday, “I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank. I will not allow it. It’s not going to happen.”
Netanyahu’s allies in the settler movement and on the far-right are calling publicly for him to ignore Trump and move ahead with annexation, a fundamental priority for them... if Netanyahu fails to convince Trump to shift on key issues — the future role of the PA in Gaza, a pathway toward a Palestinian state, annexation, facilitating the emigration of Gazans out of the Strip — he will face coalition partners on his right flank who may decide that Netanyahu is not the man to deliver on their priorities. With the next elections in Israel scheduled for October 2026 at the latest, they may choose to demonstrate their displeasure by breaking apart Netanyahu’s coalition and triggering an early vote.
C919 Grounded: EU Blocks Certification, US Laughs — China Strikes Back! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhDNdhPGGSw Sep 28, 2025 Discover the story behind China’s ambitious C919 jet—designed with sleek aerodynamics and powered by world-class engines from General Electric and Safran. This video examines how the C919, built with globally certified components and advanced flight control systems, is positioned to challenge Western giants like the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737. Despite meeting international standards, the C919 faces regulatory roadblocks, revealing deeper power dynamics within global aviation. Learn how certification delays from major authorities like EASA and the FAA affect market competition, and how China’s push for independent certification may reshape the industry. Like and share if you’re fascinated by aviation technology, international trade, and global market shifts!
Justice Chandrachud's statements on Judge Loya case as understaood by Journalist Niranjan Takle reveals the truth!
Sohit Mishra Official https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2CsEMjhYHQ
After dismissing the Judge Loya case in the Supreme Court during an incomplete hearing, former CJI Justice Chandrachud is now openly lying on camera about the matter! While former CJI Chandrachud stated in an interview with Lallantop that there was no evidence in the Judge Loya case, senior journalist Niranjan Takle, who exposed the entire matter, detailed, with every evidence, how not only was the case heard incompletely, but Chandrachud, as a judge, ignored numerous questions whose answers remain unanswered to this day, and how preparations were already made to give a clean chit to Amit Shah in the Sohrabuddin case!
Judge Loya मामले में Justice Chandrachud के झूठ का पर्दाफाश! पत्रकार Niranjan Takle ने बताई सच्चाई!
Sohit Mishra Official https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2CsEMjhYHQ
जज लोया मामले को सुप्रीम कोर्ट में अधूरी सुनवाई में ही रफा दफा करने के बाद पूर्व CJI जस्टिस चंद्रचूड़ अब खुलकर कैमरे पर इस मामले पर झूठ बोल रहे हैं!
जज लोया मामले में कोई सबूत नहीं होने की बात जहां पूर्व CJI चंद्रचूड़ ने लल्लनटॉप को दिए एक इंटरव्यू में कहा, तो वहीं इस पूरे मामले का पर्दाफाश करने वाले वरिष्ठ पत्रकार निरंजन टकले ने एक एक सबूत के साथ बताया कि कैसे ना केवल मामले की अधूरी सुनवाई की गई, ऐसे तमाम सवाल, जिसके जवाब आज तक किसी को नहीं मिल पाए हैं, उसपर चंद्रचूड़ ने बतौर जज ध्यान नहीं दिया और कैसे पूरी तैयारी के साथ अमित शाह को सोहराबुद्दीन मामले में क्लीन चिट देने की तैयारी पहले से की गई थी!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGLUDE0R2Pg ep 26, 2025
I, Niranjan Takle, spent over a year and a half doing investigative journalism, risking my own life several times to expose Judge Loya's murder in Caravan magazine. I subsequently wrote a book detailing that investigative work, with evidence, which has been read by millions. Following Justice Chandrachud's Lallantop interview, it's also important to expose his deceit and lies.
- Ex-IAS Kannan Gopinathan exposes ECI's Voter Portals Vulnerabilities, Demands Urgent Fix https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8NQBHvchlw Sep 27, 2025 The ECI's voter portals failed the Mozilla Observatory score was 15/100 (F). A big whooping F. Kannan Gopinathan demands immediate attention by the ECI
- The tweet is https://x.com/naukarshah/status/1970670963634082192 Dear @ECISVEEP , after the Aland mass-deletion attempt came up, I ran a security review of your VHA app and voters portal at voters eci gov in.
The Mozilla Observatory score was 15/100 (F). A big whooping F. The Content-Security-Policy header is invalid. CSP is effectively disabled.
There is no HSTS. Session cookies lack SameSite.
Your apps render the portal inside WebViews. That amplifies every server-side flaw and makes attacks practical. As sensitive as a service like voter enrolment and deletion, and this is how you guys half-ass it?
Using public money to make a mockery of voter services and not even doing a basic security review before going live? Fix accountability. If it is negligence or incompetence, fire whoever is responsible immediately. They are not competent to run this.
If it is deliberate, pursue criminal investigation to the fullest extent.
Take the enrolment and deletion services offline until a full independent security audit and remediation are complete.
Preserve and export all forensic artifacts now: CDN, load-balancer, DB audit and SMS gateway logs. Compute and publish SHA-256 hashes and issue a 65B certificate for the exports so CID can forensically examine them.
'Very Erection Of Babri Masjid Was A Fundamental Act Of Desecration':https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/very-erection-of-babri-masjid-was-a-fundamental-act-of-desecration-ex-cji-dy-chandrachud-contradicts-ayodhya-judgment-finding-305100 Ex-CJI DY Chandrachud Contradicts Ayodhya Judgment Finding Gursimran Kaur Bakshi 25 Sept 2025 the former CJI said: "There was adequate evidence from the archaeological excavation. Now, what the evidentiary value of an archaeological excavation is what a separate issue altogether. All that I want to say really is this, there is evidence in the form of an archaeological report."
SSen on Whatsapp
He followed a clear trajectory.
Before becoming the CJI was known for his bold liberal stands.
Had called the passing of the Aadhaar Act as a "moneybill" to bypass the RS a "travesty". (In retrospect, he had very well known that he was passing a minority judgement having little significance other than brushing up his image further.)
Then came the shocker: the Ayodhya judgement. Even there he interjected some positive elements. Asserted that the "findings" of ASI are far from any conclusive proof and for that matter there was no conclusive proof.
As the CJI Would mix grossly bad judgements with some good ones:
Teesta Setalvad and Rahul Gandhi. Very good optics. In the case of Mahua Moitra -- nothing of that sort.
Ayodhya to Gyanvapi: Factchecking Justice Chandrachud https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBytVYYZqOw
newslaundry From YT transcript.. as the folks at News Laundry rightly pointed out to me, for all the media appearances he's done, he's not really
been adequately questioned on the very consequential and controversial verdicts. Justice Chandraud first said he would only stick to what was said in the verdicts but then ended up at times citing justifications, inflammatory
justifications even that found no mention in the judgments and were a
marked departure from the facts. .. his
response to my question on why the
Aayodhya judgment went against the
Muslims despite the court accepting that
the Hindus were guilty of acts of
desecration. What about the fundamental
act of desecration, the very erection of
the mosque? We forget all that happened.
We forget that happened in history. Now
once we accept that that happened in
history and we had evidence in the form
of archaeological evidence, how can you
shut your eyes? I thought the the
judgment found that there was no
evidence that the underlying structure
was necessarily demolished to build the
mosque because there was a gap of
several centuries between the between
the underlying structure and the mosque
and there could have been any number of
reasons....
As many are asking, does this not go
against the central premise as claimed
by the authors of the Aayodha judgment
that their ruling was based on evidence,
not majoritarianism?
Not only that, as several commenters
have noted, Justice Chandraud completely
ignored my counter question that the
verdict which he co-rote clearly records
the absence of proof that the mosque was
built by demolishing or desecrating a
temple. In fact, it's worth mentioning
the precise quote from the verdict.
While the ASI report has found the
existence of ruins of a pre-existing
structure, the report does not provide
the reason for the destruction of the
pre-existing structure and whether the
earlier structure was demolished for the
purpose of the construction of the
mosque. No evidence is available to
explain what transpired in the course of
the intervening period of nearly four
centuries between the date of the
underlying structure and the
construction of the mosque. Revealing
moment number two came as I pushed him
on why the Supreme Court bench headed by
him allowed an investigation into the
Ganwapi mosque in Banaras despite the
law banning any change in the character
of religious structures. Here again,
Justice Chandraud chose to justify his
decision by straying away from the legal
record by taking the incorrect and
partisan view that it is undisputed that
prayers have always taken place inside
the mosque's basement. You have now 17
suits filed all over the country. Sambul
has erupted in violence. So that's the
first sort of concern that just by
simply saying you can investigate the
character the floodgates have been
opened.
Now undoubtedly through the ages
worship has taken place in the cellar
also of the Ganbapi mosque.
Yes, that is undisputed.
The Muslim side has always permitted
worship in the cellar of the mosque.
[Music]
Yes, we had to take the unusual step of
pausing the interview of a former Chief
Justice of India, no less, to carry a
fact check to point out that the
caretakers of the mosque have
consistently disputed the claim of
worship in the cellar, saying it's a
false narrative. They've argued this in
the public domain. They've argued this
in the courts including the Supreme
Court. Something Justice Chandrchud is
bound to be aware of and yet he kept
repeating it several times. The fact
that there's worship to Hindu idols in
the cellar is also undisputed. So what
would you like us to do? Selectively
shut your eyes to the fact that there is
Hindu worship which is going on in a
part of the structure and only go by the
structure of the mosque. Sorry. As these
words gain online traction, it has only
intensified or some might even say
settled the ongoing debate around the
legacy of Justice Chandra, upholder of
liberal constitutional values as he
himself often professes or as Prattabanu
Ma put it in one of his columns, a chief
justice of India, tailorade for the age
of Modi. Journalism at News Laundry is
powered by the public because when the
public pays, the public is served. Visit
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Arguably his grotesquely ugliest judgement was his pronouncement that it's kosher for the Parliament to assume the powers exclusively reserved for a state legislature to maintain the desired power balance and the federal element in the Indian Constitution if the Union Government manages to dismiss the state legislature.
Then he invited the largest litigant in his Court -- the Prime Minister of India -- to religious function at home to give him an extra edge in the coming Maharashtra.
As the Master of the Roster, he kept assigning the sensitive cases to handpicked nastiest available at that point of time.
Immediately after retirement he'd go ahead to set a new record by proclaiming that the Ayodhya judgement had sought for divine endorsement.
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