Peoples Telangana

On April 30th, India’s government, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), announced that the 2025-2026 national census will include caste enumeration, a first since 1931. For Other Backward Classes (OBCs), who have long demanded granular data to address socio-economic disparities, this is a hard-won milestone. Yet, the journey toward a comprehensive, transparent report remains fraught with risks—from political maneuvering to methodological flaws. OBCs must stay vigilant, scrutinizing every step, lest this opportunity slips into another missed chance. Here’s what’s at stake and what must be done in the meantime. A Fragile Victory The caste census promise, driven by coalition pressures and electoral calculus, marks progress in a decades-long struggle. Bihar’s 2023 survey, revealing OBCs and Extremely Backward Classes as 63% of its population, underscored the need for national data to refine affirmative action and welfare schemes. The BJP, historically wary of caste enumeration for fear...

Intelligence and Preparedness 1. What specific intelligence was available about a potential attack in Pahalgam, particularly given Ayyesha Siddiqa’s February 2025 warning about the Pakistan Army’s intent to restart militancy, and why was it not acted upon? ( Deccan Council flagged this—why was it ignored? ) 2. Why were security measures at tourist destinations like Pahalgam inadequate despite the successful 2024 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, which should have prioritized such hubs? (Pahalgam’s tourism significance demands robust protection.) 3. What gaps exist in coordination between central and local intelligence agencies, and what reforms are planned to address these to prevent future lapses? (The attack’s scale suggests systemic failures.) 4. Why were public warnings, such as the Deccan Council’s note on Pakistani Army intrusions in Poonch since early April 2025 to divert the Indian Army, not anticipated or countered? (Why were these tactics overlooked?) 5....

The Malegaon Bomb Blast Case: Assessing the Evidence Against Pragya Thakur and the Role of Lt. Col. Purohit On September 29, 2008, a bomb strapped to a motorcycle detonated near a mosque in Malegaon, Maharashtra, killing six people and injuring over 100 during Ramadan. The blast, initially attributed to Islamist groups, took a dramatic turn when investigations pointed to a Hindu extremist conspiracy led by members of Abhinav Bharat, a group allegedly aiming to establish a “Hindu Rashtra.” Among the seven accused are Pragya Singh Thakur, a former BJP MP, and Lt. Col. Prasad Shrikant Purohit, a serving Army officer at the time. As the special NIA court prepares to deliver its verdict on May 8, 2025, with the National Investigation Agency (NIA) demanding the death penalty for all accused, questions swirl about the strength of the evidence against Thakur and Purohit’s alleged role in procuring RDX for the attack. This article examines the case’s evidence, its complexities, and the potentia...

On May 8th, 2025, a special court in Mumbai will deliver its verdict in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case, a politically fraught trial that has gripped India for 17 years. The attack, which killed six and injured over 100 near a mosque in Maharashtra, has spotlighted Pragya Singh Thakur, a former MP from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Accused of orchestrating the blast, Ms. Thakur faces a death penalty demand from the National Investigation Agency (NIA). As the judgment nears, the case raises thorny questions about evidence, political influence, and India’s handling of Hindu extremism. A Blast and Its Aftermath The explosion on September 29th, 2008, tore through Malegaon’s Muslim-majority Bhadoo Chowk during Ramadan, triggered by a bomb strapped to an LML Freedom motorcycle. Initially blamed on Islamist groups, the investigation pivoted when the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) traced the bike to Ms. Thakur, a self-styled Hindu ascetic. Arrested in October 2008, she was...

On April 28, 2025, a Delhi court accepted the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) closure report in the long-running money laundering investigation tied to the 2010 Commonwealth Games (CWG), effectively dismantling one of the most prominent corruption allegations against the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. After 15 years of scrutiny, the absence of evidence for money laundering marks not only a legal vindication for the Congress party but also a moment to reassess the political weaponisation of corruption narratives in India’s fractious democracy. The Rise and Fall of the CWG Scandal The 2010 CWG, intended as a showcase of India’s global ambitions, became synonymous with mismanagement and alleged graft. Investigations targeted figures such as Suresh Kalmadi, then chairman of the CWG Organising Committee, over contracts for workforce services and project management. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), then in opposition, seized on these allegations, framing the UPA a...

The terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, which claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists, and injured dozens, has left the nation grappling with grief and demanding accountability. The attack, attributed to The Resistance Front, a proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba, has raised serious concerns about security lapses and the government’s response. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s actions following the attack—cutting short his Saudi Arabia visit, skipping key engagements, and prioritizing a public event in Bihar—have sparked intense debate. This article examines the critical questions surrounding Modi’s decisions, drawing on available information and public sentiment to seek clarity and transparency. Why Did PM Modi Hastily Return from Saudi Arabia? On April 22, 2025, PM Modi cut short his two-day state visit to Saudi Arabia, departing Jeddah that night and arriving in Delhi early on April 23, following the Pahalgam attack. Government sources report that he skipped an official din...

  The color blue, especially through indigo, has played a significant role in India’s history, culture, economy, and struggles for justice. From its sacred meaning in ancient times to its importance as a global trade product, and later as a symbol of resistance during the colonial period, blue has shaped India’s story and continues to hold meaning in the modern world. This article explores the journey of blue and indigo through ancient India, the height of its trade, the dramatic Indigo Revolt of 1859–1860, and its ongoing influence today. Blue in Ancient India: A Sacred Color of Divinity and the Universe In ancient India, blue was a color with deep spiritual and cultural meaning, rooted in religious texts, art, and ideas about the universe. It was closely tied to Hindu gods, especially Lord Krishna and Lord Rama, who are often shown with blue skin. This wasn’t just an artistic choice—blue represented their divine and limitless nature, reflecting the vastness of the sky and o...

Summary The April 22, 2025, terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, killing 26–28 civilians and injuring 17–20, underscores Pakistan’s role in fueling instability through proxies like The Resistance Front (TRF), linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). This brief evaluates four scenarios for Pakistan’s state—strong, weak, perpetually unstable, or non-existent—to determine which best serves India, the region, and the world. Analysis finds that keeping Pakistan on the verge of collapse aligns with India’s immediate security interests, leveraging its military and diplomatic strengths, but poses risks of terrorism blowback. A strong Pakistan benefits regional and global stability but requires unlikely Pakistani cooperation. India should maintain strategic pressure on Pakistan while fostering diplomatic and local measures to mitigate terror, balancing short-term security with long-term stability. Issue The Pahalgam attack, executed by four to six militants with Pakistani and local operative...