Assertion

RINPAS or the place which wastes your time (Part 1)

Milind X Before the reader gets on with this essay, I have to say, that I have been admitted to the RINPAS (Ranchi Institute of Neuro-Psychiatry and Allied Sciences) wards a total of 4 times over the years. So the reader must assume they’re reading something by a somewhat “sane” person. Additionally, they should ignore …

Assertion

Lachit Borphukan was not Hindu – Stop Forced Conversions, and Stop Stealing our Culture

Monseng Borborua I am Ahom. I am a practitioner of Phuralung, the religion of my ancestors. I was stupid enough to be Hindu before, but I did my “ghar wapsi”, and I hope my Tai brothers would soon too, do a ghar wapsi, back into their original religion instead of following an imported religion.  In …

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A Room of One’s Own? A Muslim Woman’s Search for a Home in the City

Yasmin Soni Shakespeare famously asked, “What’s in a name?” Well, dear Bard, if you were house hunting in Ahmedabad, the answer would be: everything. My name isn’t just a name; it’s a full-blown identity marker, a flashing neon sign that makes landlords pause, brokers cough awkwardly, and listings suddenly become “unavailable.” “Only Hindu.” “Non-veg not …

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Economics of Waste Crisis in India: A Confluence of Population, Economics, Caste, and Global Exploitation

Sanket Waghmare India’s waste crisis is not just an environmental issue but a reflection of deeper systemic failures. With a population of over 1.4 billion, India generates approximately 62 million tons of municipal solid waste annually, projected to reach 165 million tons by 2030. Yet, only 75-80% of this waste is collected, and less than …

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Living the Same Dream, Fighting Different Battles: A Muslim UPSC Aspirant’s Struggle

Irshad Ali Naharwad  I am writing this on 17th April 2024 when the UPSC CSE final results were announced. The Indian administrative services is my childhood dream, it is the most prestigious job in India with last year’s selection ratio of 0.07%. I left my pre-medical preparation for it, switched from sciences to humanities, and …

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Who gets to be “cool”? The politics of counterculture aesthetics

Ruth Chawngthu  In 2013, the MET Gala adopted PUNK: Chaos to Couture as its theme of the year. The title itself suggests that punk is intrinsically chaotic when associated with its original immigrant and Black working-class identity in the U.K., yet becomes refined or “coutured” once it enters the largely white elite ecosystem. This metamorphosis …

Assertion

‘Atta Deepo Bhava’ – Guru Ravidas Jayanti Celebration in Delhi University

LC2 Students The venue that law students of Delhi University had selected for their event was occupied by the ‘Madari’ organizers. When asked what is ‘Madari’? A group from Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar explained in Hindi that ‘Madari’ means a person who makes the monkey dance”. They also added, “This is how the politicians …

Assertion

Who is responsible for the deteriorating condition of Dalits in India?

Kuldip Chand Dobhetta The day-by-day deteriorating conditions of Dalits living in India, who have been given the names Ati-Shudra, Untouchable, Ad-Dharmi, Moolnivasi, etc. have become a matter of concern. Dalits were identified as oppressed groups during British rule and have been classified as Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes in the Indian Constitution. According to the Manuvadi system, …

Features

Unpacking Dynamics of Reservation Policy: How Caste Shapes Campuses for EWS Students

Sham Lal Caste remains a deeply entrenched social hierarchy in India, significantly influencing access to social goods and services, including education. Historically, the caste system excluded Dalits and marginalized communities from educational opportunities due to cultural traditions, religious restrictions, and societal norms.  While the reservation policy was introduced to address disparities and promote the inclusion …