I have a new essay on the privacy discourse in India up at the LEAP Blog. I am reproducing the essay below: Kings will be tyrants from policy when subjects are rebels from principle. - Edmund Burke, Reflections on the Revolution in France Edmund Burke wrote these lines in a scathing critique of the demise … Continue reading Privacy, Aadhaar, Data Protection: Statist Liberalism and the Danger to Liberty
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Problematic terms in the demonetisation debate
I have a new post up on Prof. Ajay Shah's blog discussing the Government's move on demonetisation, and the problems with the way the discourse on demonetization is being shaped, and the probable ripple effects of this move on society. Here is the link: http://bit.ly/2fwh3pf The post is reproduced below: The Government's move to demonetise Rs. … Continue reading Problematic terms in the demonetisation debate
Freedom of movement and residence in India
I have a chapter in an upcoming publication -- "The Oxford Handbook of the Indian Constitution" on the freedom of movement and residence in India.
The war on the war on higher education
Which government is worse for higher education in India? That has become an interesting point of debate on the Indian Express in the last few days.
Sharing post on how the Indian Constitution and PSUs conflict
I have a post on Prof. Ajay Shah's blog discussing how the constitution prevents PSUs from taking pure commercial decisions from their very inception: Click Here.
Introducing the Indian Public Administration Lexicon or “iPal”*
iPal is an attempt to make comprehensible certain words that sound familiar, but mean something entirely different when used in Indian governance and politics. 1. Aam Aadmi: Rich people who dress badly. 2. Public interest: a) Interest of Aam aadmi. b) source of power to override law, constitution, logic, reason, everything. 3. Subsidy: Screw you … Continue reading Introducing the Indian Public Administration Lexicon or “iPal”*
Not so NEET
This is a guest post by Jeet H. Shroff. Jeet has completed his Masters' in law from Harvard Law. The recent decision of the Supreme Court striking down, by a majority of 2:1, the common medical entrance examination conducted by the Medical Council of India (MCI) raises important questions on the now-obvious contradiction between the Court’s stated … Continue reading Not so NEET
Why have pre-legislative scrutiny for Acts of Parliament?
This post is part-comment, part-response to Nick Robinson's post on the Law and Other Things Blog (please do check the blog out!) regarding the NAC's proposal for having pre-legislative scrutiny of Bills to be passed by Parliament. The National Advisory Council came out with "Draft Recommendations on Pre Legislative Process" for both draft rules, and draft … Continue reading Why have pre-legislative scrutiny for Acts of Parliament?
New uses of UID/Aadhaar operationalised
According to a NY Times blog post today, 3 different uses of UID numbers, or Aadhaar were operationalised recently: "Those in the Aadhaar system will now be able to identify themselves by using an eye scanner, which checks the unique patterns in their irises, and providing their ID number. Those with mobile phones can also … Continue reading New uses of UID/Aadhaar operationalised
My article in Seminar Magazine on Parliamentary obstruction
Following is the article I wrote for Seminar Magazine (May 2013 issue) as a response to a piece on obstructions in Parliament: Communication AN article in the February 2013 issue of Seminar titled ‘The Real Price of Parliamentary Obstruction’ by Tarunabh Khaitan highlights the issue of recent obstructionism in Parliament and elaborates on its attendant consequences. The piece highlights … Continue reading My article in Seminar Magazine on Parliamentary obstruction
“Civil society” biases: Regionalism
India's civil society has by now patted itself on the back for the umpteenth time having shown the political classes its raw, real-grassroot-democratic power by having its version of the Lokpal Bill passed. Let it now look inward to examine its own internal corruption. News reports and trending blogs indicate how wide, and how deep … Continue reading “Civil society” biases: Regionalism
Borders, Elitism & False Development
Some interesting comments on the Maoist movement being made by Arundhati Roy (minute 10 onwards). I generally find her a little difficult to make sense of, but she was fairly lucid during this part of the conversation.
Smart caFE JPC vs PAC
Smart caFE JPC vs PACread more...
How much does a Bandh Cost
Noted economist Prof. Bibek Debroy has written on how to estimate how much Bandhs cost. This seems to be in response to figures given by industry associations on the cost of the recent Bandh organised by the BJP and left-parties. I am pasting the article below: Price of a bandh Bibek Debroy Posted online: Fri … Continue reading How much does a Bandh Cost
BJP’s “Audacity of Hope”: Gadkari’s Maharashtra manifesto
An article in the April issue of Caravan Magazine drew my attention to the writings of Nitin Gadkari, the newly elected President of the BJP. Caravan mentioned a short 90-page book titled "Politics for Development" which was written by Gadkari. This post summarises my impressions of his book. One of the first things that … Continue reading BJP’s “Audacity of Hope”: Gadkari’s Maharashtra manifesto
India v. China III: Current Flashpoints
In this post, I very briefly summarise the current flashpoints between India and China. I am also mentioning 10 points about the strategic interests of both countries in the Indian Ocean, as we tend to overlook that in most discussions on border disputes. Jammu and Kashmir - Since India was invaded by China in 1962, … Continue reading India v. China III: Current Flashpoints
Anirudh Burman 