Why We Stay Silent

In the first two parts of this series, we mapped the gap between constitutional promise and operational reality. We traced how India inherited a colonial administrative machinery that functions as a “steel cage,” how accountability mechanisms have been structurally weakened, and how political parties absorb individual agency while projecting the illusion of participation. We looked at the July 2026 protests, where students demanding exam reform were met with force rather than negotiation.

The Illusion of Choice

Last week, we traced how India inherited a colonial administrative machinery and ancient civilizational conditioning that undermined the Constitution’s promise of popular sovereignty. The Police Act of 1861 remains in force. The “steel cage” of the civil services still functions toward ministers, not toward citizens. When protesters marched in July 2026, the state responded with force rather than negotiation.

The Sovereign Subject

India carries a civilizational inheritance spanning thousands of years—languages, philosophies, sciences, spiritual traditions, and systems of law that governed social conduct long before any modern constitution existed. Today, we are the world’s largest democracy. By sheer scale and diversity, that alone is remarkable.

Yet the question persists: is India truly a democracy? Not in the procedural sense (elections happen, votes are counted, governments form). But in the substantive sense: Do the people function as sovereign?

Why I Distrust Politicians

Democracy and politics are inseparable. One would be a fool to deny that. However, there are undrawn lines in politics that one should never cross. In my view, national interest is one.

Before anyone jumps the gun, let me clarify: I have no party affiliations. For the full picture on where I stand, refer to my political stance.

My take on Op Sindoor

I distinctly recall the night four months ago: I woke up for a drink of water in the wee hours of the 7th of May 2025. My aunt, who was awake, said, ‘We’ve hit them.’ As the statement landed on my groggy brain, I grunted. A moment later, clearing Aunt’s confusion, I made my appreciation more apparent.

On Petrol Prices

As soon as someone complains about the fuel prices, we see some coming out in support of the hike, calling it an economy booster. I am no exception; I saw those forwards as well, for as long as I was on WhatsApp over the last year. In this post, we look at the good and the bad of such fuel price hikes, look at whether the government does indeed control the prices, what its implications are, and what we can do about it.

Can Governments Control Prices

Elections are going on for five of our State Assemblies: Tamilnadu, Kerala, Assam, West Bengal and Puducherry (पुदुच्चेरि, not पुडुचेर्रि). I have not followed the elections in West Bengal, Assam or Puducherry, but have been watching the progress in Tamilnadu and Kerala. And this post is about Tamilnadu.

One of the claims that one of the contesting parties is making is about the price rise. They say that the prices have shot up, and that their party—if it comes to power—would work to regulate the prices. And I thought I would share my comments about it. I will keep it short.

Transparency on ventilator

I am wary of all politicians, no matter what party they belong to, what ideology they promote, or any other quality of a political party you can think of. Even if my dear grandmother were a politician, I would be wary of her; more so if she held power. Let us keep politics aside, because politics is politics—a game of whataboutery and other fallacies. Let us talk human life for once.

Can we be free of Chinese goods

Ever since Prime Minister Modi made his speech on the 12th of May 2020, Aatmanirbhar started trending. My Facebook newsfeed showed countless memes and what not, about boycotting Chinese products. Some even questioned my bravery to be able to say no to Made in China.

Janata Curfew

Some of us defeated the whole purpose of the Janata Curfew today. At five this evening, we hear the sounds of clapping and the shankh-dhvani and people clanging plates and all of that. We look out of one of our windows and see about ten people fist-bumping, high-fiving and shaking hands. The last part was disappointing.