ThePrint Opinion Mailer  | Saturday 18 June 2022 | In My Opinion By Rama Lakshmi, Opinion Editor |  | |
| From Jammu to Bihar, young men who wanted to be a part of the Army are on the streets decrying the Modi government’s latest job creation programme. But Lt Gen. HS Panag (retd) hailed Agnipath as one of the biggest reforms, calling it “an all-India, all-class and merit-driven recruitment scheme”. On the other hand, Manvendra Singh, chairman of Rajasthan’s Soldier Welfare Advisory Committee, said it will give Army 'four-year interns' and harm combat unit cohesion.
Vir Sanghvi talked about “naked hatred” on full display in Uttar Pradesh. The UP government seems proud of Muslims being beaten up in police custody and bulldozer punishment for protesters, he wrote. While professor Badri Narayan explained why the bulldozer, which many find menacing, is finding resonance in UP and its way into folklore and songs. It is no longer just an instrument for construction, it is at forefront of State administration now.
Even as the Gyanvapi issue comes back, and the debate about the excavations continues to rile both communities, historian Anirudh Kanisetti showed us how the South dealt with temple desecrations in medieval India. Look at the ruins of Vijayanagara.
Finally, is India being frail and helping Russia’s war by buying oil, as the US alleges? Data analyst and Congress member Praveen Chakravarty wrote, India must expose the West’s hypocrisy, but it may be a foolish pursuit to buy Russian oil just to spite it.
| | | | By making Agnipath an all-India, all-class and merit-driven recruitment scheme, the Modi govt has brought about a radical change. Read more... | | | | By Lt Gen H S Panag (retd) | | | | | | | In an imaginary letter, an Adjutant General describes why the Agnipath scheme is worrisome and was clearly drafted by civilians. Read more... | | | | | | | When religious issues such as Ayodhya were discussed in the past, there was at least a veneer of civility. Now, the naked hatred is on full display. Read more... | | | | | | | The UP government has reshaped the meaning of the bulldozer — it is a ruthless symbol of state administration now. Read more... | | | | | | | It is absurd to replace modern mosques with temples—as absurd as demanding Tamilians pay reparations to Karnataka because the Cholas destroyed Kalyana in 1047. Read more... | | | | | | | US has no moral rectitude to deliver ethical sermons. But regardless, India must take a holistic view in purchasing oil from Russia—it's not a rosy picture. Read more... | | | | | | | | | Read more of ThePrintOpinion here. You are receiving this because you are a reader of ThePrint and posted a comment or signed up to receive this newsletter. We appreciate your feedback. | | | | |
