The Desecration, the Irony, and the Ominous Call to silence

 

One must seriously doubt the very existence of an adult consciousness untouched by the sordid news: the pathetic, shocking display enacted within the hallowed, yet now seemingly fragile, confines of Supreme Court Courtroom Number One. It is not merely an "incident"; it is a searing indictment. The focus, predictably, falls upon Rajesh Kishore, a seventy-one-year-old supposed officer of the court, whose decades of professional existence culminated not in gravitas, but in a desperate, deeply vulgar gesture.

The precise trajectory of the vile missile is rendered meaningless by the utter depravity of the act itself. Whether the footwear—that base implement meant for common streets, now stained with this indignity—was merely attempted, or actually hurled to fall near the Chief Justice or an accompanying Justice, is a detail for historians of the grotesque.

What remains is the profound, sick realization: that the highest sanctuary of national justice has been reduced to an arena for a senile, theatrical outburst. The sound was not the gavel's decisive thud, but the pathetic slip of a shoe, and in that sound, the entire edifice of solemn judicial respect was profoundly cheapened. It provokes not just outrage, but a deep, weary disgust at the failure of decorum and the collapse of the professional spirit.

The Imperative of Cause and the Irony of Context

It is fundamentally true: nothing truly transpires in isolation. The spontaneous event is a historical myth. To a student of history, the essence of the discipline lies in recognizing the causal chain—the complex, often hidden, tapestry of actions and reactions. This perspective demands a relentless focus on the complex history preceding the event.

It is, perhaps, the most exquisitely ironic dimension of the "incident" that the septuagenarian lawyer acted precisely as he did. To suggest this spectacle was merely the product of a singular, isolated offense would be intellectual escapism; it would be to misunderstand the accumulation of historical pressures. We are asked to believe that the man's crude, hurled finality was the culminating effect of a long, distinguished litany of acts and statements seen and heard from the highest judicial echelons over the years. We are to accept that the shoe, in its brief arc, carried the weight of countless perceived systemic slights.

Yet, here is the piercing irony: in a nation teeming with communities and faiths, all of whom have presented the judiciary with ample opportunity to issue similar acts or statements, the resulting physical protest was triggered by this particular context. The very fact that such an extreme, physically demonstrative form of disapproval was saved for this specific line of commentary or action—while others endured their tribulations without resorting to similar, desperate outbursts—highlights a grotesque double standard. It compels one to reflect on the nature of judicial perceived impartiality: a quality so sacred that its mere appearance of failure, especially regarding specific demographics, can transform a seventy-one-year-old pillar of the bar into an agitated performance artist. The system, seemingly surprised, watches as a party, weary of perceived imbalances, throws a shoe instead of a legal brief.

The Funeral Pyre of Fact: When Emotion Consumes Truth.

We stand at the precipice of a terrifying cultural phenomenon—a process so insidious, so dramatically irreversible, it should chill us to the bone:

The alchemical transmutation of cold, verifiable fact into potent, self-serving fiction. We cannot, we must not, deny this contemporary sorcery. It begins, innocently enough, with an emotive issue—a flashpoint of genuine anger, fear, or tribal loyalty. The raw emotion, vast and untamed, immediately eclipses the hard edges of what truly occurred. This is the moment the facts become fluid. The transition is brutal and swift:

Phase I: The Erosion of Fact. The initial factual account is not debated; it is simply overwhelmed. Selective indignation, half-truths, and convenient omissions are amplified by the megaphone of collective feeling. The context is discarded, the nuances are ground into dust.

Phase II: The Forging of Fiction. The emotional narrative, now stripped of inconvenient reality, is polished, sensationalized, and weaponized. It takes on a life of its own, becoming more compelling, more satisfying, and infinitely more easily shared than the dull, complex truth ever could be. Fiction is born, dressed in the garments of righteous outrage.

Phase III: The Triumphant Myth. The generated fiction hardens into an impenetrable, unquestionable myth. It is repeated until it becomes an article of faith for a community, a dogma woven into their identity.

The Ominous Reckoning and the Call to Restraint

The gravity of the moment extends far beyond the vulgarity of a hurled shoe; it demands a solemn and ominous reckoning with the conduct of those who hold the highest offices. The fundamental proposition we must now consider is the primary responsibility for maintaining the dignity of the Supreme Seat. Those elevated to such august positions are granted immense authority, and with it, the commensurate burden of extreme discretion. Their actions and statements are not private musings; they are pronouncements that reverberate through the nation's fragile social architecture. To engage in rhetoric or judicial action perceived as explicitly partisan, especially toward the majority community, is to gamble with national equilibrium. A failure in this fundamental duty is a failure of statesmanship that invites catastrophic social friction.

The incident in Court Number One is merely the spark; the serious outcomes now loom large. We must recognize the immediate and profound danger: the usual suspects—elements perpetually seeking to exploit national fault lines—are already out in full force. Their singular objective is to weaponize this single, isolated act of desperation, converting it into a broader indictment against the majority community and the government of this country.

This is not a time for righteous indignation; it is a moment for absolute, disciplined vigilance.

Every nation-loving individual now bears the solemn duty to maintain an extremely strict watch over the insidious narratives that will be peddled over the coming days, weeks, and months. What is about to be consumed by the public—the distorted, inflamed rhetoric—will be profoundly difficult to digest.

To survive and defeat this manufactured challenge, the response must be an act of profound self-control:

Maintain your absolute equanimity.

Embrace silence.

Display tolerance of the highest order.

Even a single injudicious act or statement from the majority community will be immediately seized upon and used as the definitive fuel for the fire. We owe it to ourselves, and far more critically, we owe it to the permanence of this nation, to frustrate the nefarious, divisive designs of these elements through disciplined, studied restraint. The integrity of the Republic may very well depend on the collective decision to remain silent.

To every member of the majority community: Hear this appeal not as a suggestion, but as an absolute, strategic command issued in our own supreme interest.

For this critical moment, we must deliberately become mute spectators.

Your voice, your indignation, your immediate reaction—however justified—is precisely the catalyst the opposition craves. There is a deeply defeated, despondent lot out there, furiously searching the ground for a single, desperate peg: a handhold, a foothold, anything that will provide the leverage from which they can begin their arduous, unwarranted ascent back to the apex of power they were decisively evicted from, and to which they have been consistently denied re-entry ever since.

We cannot give them that peg!

Every unmeasured statement, every rash reaction, every public display of uncontrolled emotion serves as the single glimmer of hope they are dying to find. It fuels their manufactured narrative, justifies their attempts at division, and hands them the moral high ground they have utterly failed to earn through legitimate means.

Our immediate, controlled withdrawal from the drama is not weakness; it is supreme tactical strength.

Your absolute silence is a shield. Your disciplined equanimity is a wall.

Keep them at bay. Deny them the reaction, deny them the fuel, deny them the narrative. By embracing deliberate muteness, we ensure their desperate search for a foothold ends in nothing but the hard, barren earth. Let your silence be the final, crushing answer to their designs.

Decoding the Mahatma: Why London Graffiti Reveals the Unfinished Business of Gandhi's Legacy

 

The Defacement of a Mahatma: Why Gandhi Remains a Lightning Rod

Let us be unequivocal: The obligation of the post-Independence born is nothing less than a declaration of intellectual independence. We must subject M.K. Gandhi to the kind of scathing, total critical scrutiny that he himself would have demanded of his adversaries. This is the crucible of our national maturity, the fundamental, painful work of deconstruction we must complete. To hesitate is to remain crippled. Only through this fearless interrogation can we truly shatter the unquestioned dogma of the past and finally claim the right to reconstruct an authentic identity and future trajectory that is truly our own. Our emancipation is dependent upon his dismantling.

Decades after his death and India’s independence, the defacement of a Gandhi statue in London still explodes into a modern news cycle. Why the visceral reaction? Because Gandhi is not merely a historical figure; he is a live, contested symbol of global moral authority, anti-colonial resistance, and post-colonial identity.

His statue is an active political and cultural lightning rod. For some, the defacement is an attack on the moral foundation of modern India and the principles of non-violence. For others, it’s a necessary act of challenging an imperial-era icon whose complex legacy is tangled with issues of race, caste, and political control.

This tension is the perfect starting point for us, the post-Independence born generation, to "decode the personality and role" of the Mahatma. We must look beyond the iconic image and ask the hard questions.

We need to pivot from the devotional narrative—"De di hume aazadi bina khadag bin dhal" (He gave us freedom without a sword or shield)—to a rigorous examination of the mechanics of his influence.

What was the actual source of his immense influence?

Political Strategy Merged with Moral Capital: His power was in the fusion of spiritual-moral principles (Truth, Non-Violence, Austerity) with pragmatic political strategy. This created a unique form of moral capital that commanded authority over both the illiterate masses and the highly Westernized Congress elite. The Calculated Uniform: His adoption of simple khadi attire was not merely a statement of simplicity. It was a 

carefully chosen uniform that bridged the gap, making him a mirror for the poor villager while maintaining the aura of the Western-educated barrister.

   What made his methods so effective, yet also so controversial? Effectiveness: Satyagraha (Truth-Force) was brilliant. It shifted the struggle from a purely physical confrontation (where the British Empire was superior) to a moral battlefield, disarming the British by making their repression of non-violent protesters globally indefensible.

Controversy: We must analyze the tension within Satyagraha itself. When he used the "fast unto death"—its non-negotiable essence—it was often for managing internal dissent and keeping a restive Indian National Congress in line. Was his moral high ground also a potent tool of political control?

How did he bridge the enormous gap between the educated elite and the illiterate villagers?

The key was his multi-lingual publishing ecosystem. This was a stroke of genius, not because it targeted literacy, but because it created a centralized syllabus for a decentralized, non-literate revolution. Young India established the principled arguments for the elite; the vernacular Navajivan and Harijan provided authoritative content to be discussed orally in the village square, penetrating the social fabric through the existing oral tradition. 

What parts of his legacy—both positive and contentious—still cause friction today? We must move from Hagiography (the unblemished myth) to History (the complex reality).

Positive Resonance (The Global Icon): His principles of non-violence and civil disobedience continue to inspire global justice and anti-racist movements—from Martin Luther King Jr. to Nelson Mandela.

Contentious Friction (The Challenged Icon): The current friction stems from scrutiny over his South Africa-era views on race, his complex stance on caste, and the perception of a constructed persona (e.g., maintaining an impoverished appearance while allegedly residing in luxury or reserving an entire railway carriage). These critiques demand we look at Gandhi at eye level, not as a distant, untouchable icon.

The 1946 Congress presidential election is arguably the original sin—the moment dynasticism was injected into the body politic.

The Indictment: Of the fifteen Provincial Congress Committees, twelve unequivocally backed Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel for the presidency. Jawaharlal Nehru secured not a single vote.

The Overriding: This was no accident. It was the calculated application of M.K. Gandhi’s 'nepotism card.' Under immense pressure, the democratically victorious Sardar Patel was compelled to withdraw his name, clearing the path for the defeated Nehru. Gandhi effectively crowned the first head of government and laid the foundation for the Nehru Dynasty.

Patel’s Choice: Patel’s subsequent silence was a tragic necessity. He was acutely aware of the fate reserved for dissenters (like Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose). More importantly, he recognized the urgent challenge of integrating 547 princely states. He chose the monumental task of nation-building over the crown of office.

A historical record remains to be confronted: While millions perished in the largest human migration during the agony of Partition in 1947, there is no record of M.K. Gandhi undertaking a Satyagraha or a fast unto death to stop the carnage. We recall his famous pronouncement that "Partition of the nation can only happen over my dead body." The Partition happened. Gandhi lived. 

Our investigation must begin with skepticism toward the monolithic titles—"Bapu," "Mahatma," "Father of the Nation."

We will start the deconstruction at the intersection of political strategy and moral principle: The practical application of Satyagraha. By examining its deployment in his early Indian campaigns versus its later use as a tool of internal management (fasts unto death), we can gauge whether its power was derived primarily from profound spirituality or brilliant, pragmatic political psychology. This is the crucible where the "Sant" meets the political strategist.

We must ask: What were the true, often painful, costs of the freedom achieved by means that were perhaps less bina khadag bin dhal than the

America's dare called out by Bharat

 

It is a rueful and profound truth that success, whether individual or communal, carries within it the seed of its own danger. Envy is the initial, insidious tribute to achievement, quickly transmuting into corrosive jealousy, and ultimately metastasizing into open hostility—a tragedy indifferent to ethnicity or creed.

To witness this ancient virus of division deliberately injected into the modern body politic, as is the case with the MAGA movement in the United States, is deeply disquieting. When those with the ear of the administration's apex are perceived as the carriers, the infection spreads with terrifying velocity. The inevitable climax of such an epidemic is the blurring of all lines, where the contagion of anger and fear makes it impossible to discern any true difference between the fevered supporter and the panicked opposer. In such a climate, the very notion of a civil society is forfeit.

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From Slogan to Strategy: The MAGA Lineage

The question of the catchphrase's lineage is almost comically simple:

●      The Ancestor: The idea was first championed by Ronald Reagan in his 1980 campaign, often as "Let's Make America Great Again."

●      The Modern Coinage: The specific, concise phrase "Make America Great Again" was reportedly coined by Donald Trump himself in November 2012, and subsequently trademarked.

The lineage is less mystical oracle and more a successful piece of American political marketing mythology.

 

The Original Occupants: A Stark Economic Reality

A far more profound inquiry is the fate of the Native American tribes, the founding families of this land. Where are they today? How are they faring economically and socially in the grand American narrative?

The original Natives of America are still here, but their socioeconomic reality is grim:

●      They tragically still rank at or near the bottom of nearly every indicator.

●      They suffer from poverty rates that are nearly double the national average.

Yet, the fight is far from over. Native-owned enterprises are major economic forces, and individuals like T. David Petite—who invented "smart meter" technology—prove their intellectual contributions are vital and modern, even as they fight for mainstream recognition. While the country debates how to make itself "great again," the struggle for greatness has been a continuous, difficult, and innovative battle for the land's original people.

The Imperative of Civilizational Identity: From India to Bharat

The proposed, defensive counter-acronym of MIGA (Make Indians Go Away) serves as a grave reminder of the hostility successful communities invariably face, necessitating a serious consideration of how a civilization defines and defends itself.

The critical anomaly lies in the very name of the land. The term 'India' is a geographical and political convenience, a Western construct formalized in 1947. Our civilization, however, predates this nomenclature by millennia. The true, civilizational name of this land is Bharat.

To reclaim Bharat as the singular, foundational name is to achieve a necessary strategic advantage. It is a unifying act that grounds our widespread diaspora in an unbroken civilizational lineage, offering an anchor against the shifting winds of foreign resentment and providing a profound and secure sense of self. 

The Art of Confident Assimilation

The global diaspora of the people of Bharat thrives by deliberate integration: Education, hard work, assimilation, meaningful contribution, and respect for the laws of the land.

Assimilation into the host country is highly desirable, but it must be one of addition, not subtraction. While embracing the new environment, we must take care never to undermine our own identity, culture, and customs.

Our charge is to be the courteous, confident ambassadors of our civilizational home. This means having the courage to politely correct any misconstrued notion about our people, our society, or Bharat itself:

●      When a name or festival is mispronounced, gently correct it.

●      When a significance is oversimplified, politely explain its profound meaning.

A powerful and effective form of cultural diplomacy is to invite colleagues and associates to participate in our festivities. This unique act allows them to experience our civilization firsthand. Furthermore, our self-confidence must be a quiet, dignified assurance that never descends into self-flagellation. The goal is to ensure our presence and identity are recognized as a stable, formidable asset to the host country, creating a factor of respect and gravity rather than a reason for confrontation.

The Stark Reality of American Decline, Revisited

The truth is undeniable: the United States is an empire in an accelerating, self-inflicted decline. This catastrophic descent has been supercharged by the rise of MAGA, a movement whose followers have swallowed a politician's fabricated narrative whole, accepting it as the sole, sacred reality. This acceptance is not merely political; it is a profound national delusion.

Decades of American innovation are utterly insufficient to ensure national prosperity. Innovation on its own is a dead-end street. It must be brutally and efficiently converted into mass-produced products to generate the necessary revenue and create tangible wealth. The core reality, which the current state refuses to acknowledge, is that the U.S. has always relied on imported skilled labor to bridge the gap between invention and massive production. Without it, the engine stalls.

It is a complete waste of time to try and convince the MAGA base of this essential economic fact. They are incapable of digesting it. This movement is nothing more than a desperate turf war, a self-serving attempt by the descendants of earlier immigrants to wall themselves off from the newcomers who are currently driving the economy and striving for prosperity.

Their fear is irrational; their stance is economically illiterate. The only path forward is to let the current economic and social forces play out. When the inevitable consequences of their isolationist ideology become undeniable, the MAGA delusion will dissolve into thin air, finally extinguished, never to be resurrected by a desperate political protagonist again.

 

" The H1B Fee Hike: A Paradox of Progress and a Path Forward”

 Some believe a new future can only be built by purging the past. Like a developer's ruthless ambition, this logic argues for razing decaying structures to erect a gleaming monument that mocks what came before. This "architect's reckoning" is a brutal act of creation, a violent rebirth that leaves only dust where history once stood.

Yet, this cold logic falters when applied to a nation's soul. An economy, an industry—these are not mere bricks and mortar to be demolished at a whim. They are the very sinews of a country, woven over generations. Each thread of this intricate tapestry is a scar, a triumph, and a quiet decay. No ruler can simply burn the loom and expect a new, glorious fabric to appear.

To "make a country great again" by dismantling what exists is a paradox—it's sawing off the branch while yearning for the fruit. A nation's greatness isn't a sudden, gleaming edifice; it's a slow-growing tree, its roots deep in the soil of its past. The call to tear it all down is not an act of creation, but a whisper of a void, demanding a sacrifice of its own foundation. The United States is currently a stage for a saga of self-inflicted wounds that threatens the very foundation of American industry. When figures like Howard Lutnick align with Donald Trump, it is a stark visual of the forces at play. It's as if a wrecking ball is being pulled to its limit by fervent supporters, their chants of "MAGA" echoing as it swings through the air. The inevitable crash is the sound of that wrecking ball striking the edifice of American industry.

The question isn't whether damage is being done, but how much more the structure can endure. How many more of these catastrophic impacts will it take before this centuries-old edifice comes crashing down? The resulting dust would not just signify a collapse but the complete destruction of American industrial might. The damage from policies like tariffs and increased H1B visa fees may be so profound that it could take generations to even begin the process of resurrection. This is the depth of the crisis we face, and we still have years left to see what else will unfold under the guise of "making America great again."

The recent increase in H1B visa fees may feel like a sudden and disappointing blow, but it's not a reason to panic. Instead, consider this an unexpected opportunity to re-evaluate your journey.

Reframe Your Value and Opportunity

Your core value is your expertise, which is a rare and valuable asset. When a company truly needs your specific skills, a logistical hurdle like a visa fee won't get in the way. A company willing to invest in your long-term presence is one that understands your worth.

Furthermore, the global nature of work means that if a company can't bring you to them, they may be open to you working remotely. This isn't a compromise; it's a testament to the future of work where talent, not location, dictates opportunity. You are no longer just an employee; you are a solution provider.

Embrace the Entrepreneurial Spirit

This moment offers a chance to shift your mindset from that of an employee to an entrepreneur. As a contractor, you are no longer constrained by a fixed salary. You have the freedom to set your own rates and cultivate a diverse portfolio of clients, giving you greater control over your career trajectory. You are no longer just selling your time; you are selling your expertise and the profound solutions you deliver.

Understand the Broader Demand for Your Skills

Look at the bigger picture. Trends like fewer native students pursuing STEM fields and the growing skills gap highlight a profound and expanding demand for your qualifications. This isn't a problem; it's a massive opportunity. Your skills are not only relevant but essential. The market for your expertise is expanding, and you are positioned to fill a critical void. This isn't about competing for a few jobs; it's about being a vital part of the solution to a global challenge.

Remember the Impermanence of Obstacles

Political administrations, like seasons, change. The policies of today are not the policies of tomorrow. Your skills and knowledge are a timeless asset that will carry you through every political and economic shift. Your focus should remain on your own professional and personal growth, knowing your talents will always be in demand, regardless of who holds office. This is not the end of the road, but a potential detour leading to a new and exciting destination.  

Fourth Pillar of a Democracy: People or Media?

 

Democracy, famously defined as "by the people, of the people, for the people," inherently places the people as its most critical element. Every democratic constitution explicitly delineates the powers and functions of its three branches of government: the Legislature, the Executive, and the Judiciary. Therefore, the four foundational pillars of any democracy are:

People: As the ultimate sovereign, the people form the bedrock of democracy. They exercise their power through participation, elections, and by holding their representatives accountable. Their informed consent and active engagement are paramount.

Legislature: This body is responsible for creating laws, representing the will of the people, and providing oversight of the executive branch. It is a constitutionally mandated institution with defined powers and procedures.

Executive: Tasked with implementing and enforcing laws, this branch typically includes the head of state or government and their administration. Its powers and limitations are clearly delineated within the constitutional framework.

Judiciary: This independent system interprets laws, administers justice, and ensures that the actions of the other two branches adhere to constitutional principles. It acts as a crucial check on governmental power and safeguards individual rights.

These four pillars are the structural bedrock upon which a stable and functional democracy stands. Each is designed to provide essential checks and balances on the others, preventing the concentration of power and safeguarding individual liberties.

 

The Media: was An Essential Watchdog, Not a Constitutional Pillar

The assertion that media is the "fourth pillar of democracy" is a pervasive misconception, often repeated without foundational support in constitutional frameworks worldwide. While the media's importance to a healthy democratic society is undeniable, its function differs fundamentally from the core, constitutionally enshrined pillars.

The media primarily acts as a conduit for information, delivering news, analysis, and diverse perspectives to the populace. Its vital functions include:

Scrutinizing government actions: By investigating policies, decisions, and potential misconduct, the media holds those in power accountable to the public.

Facilitating open discourse: It provides platforms for public debate, allowing various viewpoints to be heard and fostering informed discussion on critical issues.

Exposing corruption and abuses of power: An independent press is instrumental in uncovering wrongdoing, ensuring transparency, and prompting corrective action.

Providing citizens with information: From election coverage to policy analysis, the media equips the electorate with the knowledge needed to participate effectively in democratic processes.

However, the media has not always fulfilled these crucial tasks. We have witnessed instances where media figures have seemed to dictate political appointments from their studios and editorial rooms. The media has also, at times, acted as an opposition force while seemingly overlooking the misdeeds of the actual opposition.

This essential function, however, is distinct from the constitutional role of the foundational pillars. Labeling the media as the "fourth pillar" incorrectly elevates it to the same constitutional status as the legislature, executive, and judiciary. Unlike these three, the media is not a constitutionally mandated body with defined governmental powers and responsibilities within the state's structure. Its influence stems from its ability to inform and shape public opinion, not from an inherent governmental authority or a formal place in the system of checks and balances. The media's power lies precisely in its independence and its capacity to inform, challenge, and hold power accountable from outside the formal structures of the state, rather than being an intrinsic part of the state apparatus itself. Its value is in its critical distance, not its integration into the governmental framework.

The Evolving Landscape of Public Information. The influence of legacy media, which for too long occupied a dominant position without consistent objectivity, credibility, or honesty, has waned significantly. A stark example of this decline in India dates back to the Emergency of 1975. When Indira Gandhi "asked it to bend," the media, by many accounts, "crawled." This was in stark contrast to the people of the country, who largely "stood tall and firm" against the brutality unleashed during that period.

Today, the role of informing the public no longer solely rests with traditional outlets, largely due to the rise of social media. Social platforms facilitate direct interaction between citizens and their elected representatives, often bypassing the traditional media filter. For instance, proposed legislation is now frequently presented to the public for suggestions even before it's introduced in Parliament, fostering more direct engagement. This direct engagement also means the public isn't driven by the "TRP races" that often plague legacy media.

There's a strong argument that legacy media can be inherently susceptible to corruption. The power wielded by editors in deciding what is broadcast or suppressed creates opportunities for monetization. In this environment, it's often more lucrative to suppress certain news items than to broadcast them, further eroding public trust.

This is a prime example how media colludes with political personalities to fix interviews.

Let there be no doubt: the true Fourth Pillar of Democracy resides not with institutions, but with the people. Our vigilance is paramount, for to passively permit the media, or any other force, to lay claim to this title is to invite a daylight robbery of our collective sovereignty. This is not merely an abstract concept; it is our sacred duty and an urgent responsibility to actively safeguard this pillar from being seized, preventing an unparalleled heist of our democratic essence.