modi Archives

The Politics of Love: How I Date a Modi Supporter as a Good Little Liberal

A few months into a new relationship, I discovered the man I am dating is a Modi supporter. And I’m the textbook definition of a liberal. How were we going to make this work?

Parita Patel July 26, 2016

DisArré

“Leave the Country” is Our Copyright: Bhakts tell US

A US judge faces a copyright lawsuit from Modi bhakts, who claim that making people leave the country for not supporting the incumbent is their intellectual property.

Weedward and July 24, 2016

POV

Dear Indians, Our WhatsApp Hysteria is Not Going to Resolve the India-Pakistan Tensions

Since India-Pakistan tensions have escalated every civilian has turned into a defence expert. WhatsApp and social media have turned war into a dinner-table conversation, where we now plan how to “finish Pakistan” and “kill Masood Azhar like the US killed Osama”.

Hardik Rajgor July 23, 2016

People

No Child’s Play: The Controversial Life of Eight-Year-Old Activist Licypriya Kangujam

Manipur’s Licypriya Kangujam caught the attention of mainstream media after she turned down Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s invitation to join the Women’s Day campaign. Now she and her father have been accused of exaggerating her achievements.

Arré Bench July 23, 2016

People

Part-time Businessman, Full-time Gaurakshak

Their eyes keep tabs on meat eaters and Muslims. Vigilante gaurakshaks are prepared to rape and kill to protect the cow.

seema guha July 20, 2016

Culture

The Last Jedi is 2017 in a Nutshell

Star Wars isn’t about aliens fighting each other with fluorescent tube lights and spaceships blowing each other up. There’s nuance behind all that CGI, and themes that ensure The Last Jedi is a fine example of art imitating life.

Damian D'souza July 16, 2016

Pop Culture

Trevor Noah and the Lazy Art of Mistimed Racial Stereotypes

Reducing India to outdated jokes about Bollywood dancing and funny accents is what American pop culture does best. Even as we see marginally better representations thanks to stars like Mindy Kaling, it’s still rare to see desis outside the context of “funny”. Trevor Noah is no different.

Kahini Iyer July 7, 2016

Vice

The Great Matka Slowdown

It’s holiday time for Kakaal, a matka operator from Mumbai. What choice does he have? The demonetisation drive has forced him to shut shop, at least for now.

Damian D'souza July 5, 2016

People

Atal Bihari Vajpayee: The Last of the Moderates

We’ll remember Atal Bihari Vajpayee as the leader with a great capacity for reflection. Unlike so many men in positions of power today, Vajpayee admitted to mistakes, fallibility, and even the odd misplaced idea at times. Forget being a moderate – in the times that we occupy, he now feels like a pacifist.

Manik Sharma June 27, 2016

Bollywood

Achche Din! Fanney Khan Gets a New Lyricist: The BJP

The Fanney Khan song “Mere Achhe Din Kab Aayenge” is now BJP-approved. The lyrics have been suitably changed to “Mere Achche Din Ab Aaye Re”. The party might as well use it as its 2019 slogan.

Kahini Iyer June 27, 2016