History

Vande Mataram and the 2026 Amendment: From voluntary honour to penal coercion

While the slogan Vande Mataram galvanised millions during India’s struggle for liberation from the clutches of colonial rule, this essay demonstrates that the 2026 Amendment –that the BJP has orchestrated--does not represent historical continuity, but rather a contemporary majoritarian redefinition of a complex national symbol.

Rigorous historical analysis is needed to comprehend contemporary politics

The Citizenship Amendment Act is inherently discriminatory, and its supporters’ arguments lack historical and cultural depth.

Lockdown at JNU: After Ramayana, another webinar on the “Saraswati Civilisation”

Senior faculty of Centre for Historical Studies (CHS) write to VC, expressing grave concerns and misgivings about this webinar

EXCLUSIVE: Bakshi’s agenda is to re-designate Harappan civilisation as Sarasvati civilisation, make weak claims of a “Hindu holocaust”

The Maj Gen’s Bakshi’s characterisation of the last 600 to 800 years of subcontinent’s history revivescommunalised understanding, based on assertions rather than substance 

Court begins recording statements of Babri demolition accused

The Supreme Court has extended the deadline for completion of hearing in the case up to August 31

When will we learn our lessons from previous pandemics?

Some lessons from three epidemics of Modern India: 1896-97, 1918-20 & 2020

Nehru and the culture of ‘Scientific Temper’

Remembering India's first Prime Minister and a true visionary

Remembering Balbir Singh Sr

Was this Indian hockey idol denied his due allegedly for being a Sikh?

Remembering the uprising

The losing battle fought by Bahadur Shah Zafar's men and the barbarism of 'civilised' colonists  

Mosques turned into Temples, the other side of history

Every now and then a local community “leader with...

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Scrap SIR, Restore Electoral Integrity: A national call to defend the right to vote

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Why Majoritarianism today is the single most acute threat to democracy

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Weeks of agitation over tribal hostels and schools culminate in alleged detention of protesters ahead of planned Azad Maidan march

‘Free the Temple’, ‘Protect the Faith’, ‘Take Up Weapons’: How September’s festivals became stages for anti-Muslim hate

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A report, The SIR Investigation Report—A Narrative of Betrayal and Tears was released by the Anti-SIR Alliance and the Citizens’ Vote Protection Committee today; the report documents the (mal) implementation of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Karnataka

‘Solidarity Is Not a Crime’: Mumbai activists protest alleged police harassment over Palestine event

Indian People in Solidarity with Palestine members gather at Azad Maidan after police search activist Harshada’s home in connection with a kite-flying programme for Palestinian children

The West as Enigma: Why Muslims Must Understand the Occident on Its Own Terms

The ideas of Shariati, Mawdudi, Qutb, and Nadwi provide important critiques of Western materialism, imperialism, and secularism, but remain largely reactive in their approach.