Dheeraj Kalgutkar

Across the world, democracy is seeing a fast decline. Now one may deny, dismiss or raise unwarranted doubt over this at one’s own risk but it is an observable fact across the globe. "In Turkey and Egypt, Hungary and Poland, the Philippines and Venezuela, we are witnessing pseudo-democracies taking hold. Meanwhile, democracies that once inspired - South Africa, Brazil - are now marred by depressing stories of corruption. For the 12th consecutive year, Freedom House released its annual survey of democracy being pushed back: between 2000 and 2015, democracy broke down in 27 countries; 71 countries suffered 'net declines in civil and political liberties'", said former director of BBC news, James Harding in his Hugh Cudlipp lecture. Propaganda is fast becoming the chosen tool of politicians and what more, we are seeing that it is working, authoritarianism is on rise everywhere, people especially the young are losing their belief in institutions, citizens n...

Politicians may believe, people may believe but journalists should never take anyone on face value, not even army. Their only ally is truth and truth alone. We seem to have forgotten the basic principles of journalism all along and have comfortably turned ourselves into the extension of government in power. Would you believe if someone tomorrow came to you and claimed he slapped another guy? If this supposed event occurred inside closed doors, probably one will seek proof now that the guy you claim you’ve slapped is denying it. Second, if there is no proof, then you may pass the information as hearsay that he claims he “slapped” the other guy which is perfectly legitimate statement. But nowhere you are supposed to claim the authenticity of the “slap” by yourself if you are a neutral authority whose sole aim is to bring out the truth and call people’s bluff; that is if you are a journalist. If you are a politician, a friend of the party who “slapped” then that’s an altogether ...

“ Now the time has come when we have to tell the new generation to chant ' Bharat Mata Ki Jai' . It should be real, spontaneous and part of all-round development of the youth,” said RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat earlier this month. And as if there was some understanding between the two, Owaisi, the MP from Hyderabad and leader of MIM responded by saying “You can hold a knife to my throat but I will not say ' Bharat Mata Ki Jai' ...it is not written in the constitution.” Thus born another meaningless discussion on nationalism. Then came responses of others. Javed Akhtar in his farewell speech in Rajya Sabha took jibe at Owaisi calling him only a  mohalla  leader from Hyderabad and chanting ' Bharat Mata Ki Jai'  several times calling it his right to say so. Did anyone told Javed Saab that it wasn't? Nobody knows. Then jumped the Shiv Sena with its editorial in party mouthpiece Saamna saying, it is not a right but a duty which must be made mandatory; further, a...