Akash Bhattacharya

On this day in 1936, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar published Annihilation of Caste - one of the most influential anti-caste texts ever written. The work was originally prepared as a speech for the annual conference of the Jat-Pat-Todak Mandal in Lahore, a Hindu social reform organisation. However, after reading the contents of the speech, the organisers objected to Ambedkar’s criticism of caste and Hindu scriptures and eventually refused to let him deliver it in its original form. Instead of altering his words, Ambedkar decided to publish the speech himself at his own expense. The first edition reportedly consisted of 1,500 copies and was sold for 8 annas. In the text, Ambedkar argued that social reform must come before political reform and that caste was fundamentally incompatible with liberty, equality, and human dignity. He criticised the religious foundations of caste and called for the complete destruction of the system rather than superficial reform. Nearly 90 years later, Annihilation of Caste continues to shape conversations around social justice, equality, democracy, and human rights across India and beyond. #ThisDayInHistory #DrBRAmbedkar #AnnihilationOfCaste #jaibhim

Congress took 10 days to decide on their Chief Minister in Kerala. So what ? Congress took 10 days to decide on their Chief Minister in Kerala. But is that really a political crisis, or have we simply become too used to instant, centralised decision making Democracy works through consultation and consensus. And genuine consensus takes time More importantly, the Congress in Kerala was not choosing between weak or placeholder candidates. It had three politically credible leaders to choose from. One, V.D. Satheesan. A hardcore grassroots leader with tremendous support among party workers and middle level leaders. Someone who also enjoys the confidence of alliance partners like the IUML. Two, K.C. Venugopal. An organisational man, nationally relevant, and close to the central leadership. Three, Ramesh Chennithala. A senior politician, seasoned administrator, and long standing party loyalist. Now honestly ask this question. Which other major political party in recent state elections had such a serious leadership bench to choose from after victory? The larger point is this. For years, Indian politics has increasingly moved towards centralised leadership models where decisions are taken quickly by a small group at the top and communicated downward. That may look efficient. But efficiency alone is not democracy. What happened in Kerala after the UDF victory was democracy in action. Freedom to choose, because party workers, supporters, and alliance leaders openly expressed support for their preferred Chief Ministerial candidate. There was visible lobbying, debate, pressure, and negotiation in the public domain. I see sections of the mainstream media criticising this. I genuinely wonder why. Isn’t this what internal democracy is supposed to look like? Or have we become so used to “high command culture” in political parties that any visible internal debate now appears abnormal? Of course, political parties eventually need clarity and decisiveness after receiving a mandate. But suppressing independent voices and choices in the name of discipline cannot become the definition of democracy. Political parties are not meant to function like corporate structures where everybody waits silently for instructions from the top. Internal debate may sometimes look messy. It may even look chaotic. But a system where nobody is allowed to disagree or openly support a leadership choice may look disciplined from the outside, while becoming deeply centralised from within

A very comprehensive analysis of the increasing heat in cities, esp Delhi - its causes, consequences & ‘false solutions’ by @Soumyadutta_del : kafila.online/2026/05/05/hea…

SIR is NRC through the back door. BJP government in West Bengal declares that people deleted from the voter list, including those whose appeals are pending before the tribunals, will not “for the time being” receive benefits. #goog_rewarded" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/no…

A 1°C rise in temp can reduce informal workers’ gross earnings by 13% and net income by 19%. Yet most climate action plans still fail to account for women street vendors, domestic workers, waste pickers, and construction laborers, writes Shilpi Bharadwaj. questionofcities.org/economies-of-e…

Garga Chatterjee, a faculty member of Indian Statistical Institute and leader of Bangla Pokkho has been arrested for his posts about EVM tampering. Demand immediate release of this well known campaigner for Bengali identity and electoral transparency. bengali.abplive.com/district/garga…

Ravi K. Bharmouri in this article writes about the Gram Panchayat election in Himachal Pradesh and how the reservation rooster for the Scheduled Tribe of Gaddi community is changing the dynamics of politics theambedkarianchronicle.in/caste-faultlin… The Ambedkarian Chronicle

Courtesy and decency in politics, given and reciprocated — a good start for Tamil Nadu’s new Chief Minister, Vijay. Irrespective of what happens in the State’s political theatre in future, this example of civil and dignified political behaviour by the two main protagonists — former Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and the present Chief Minister — must be appreciated, welcomed, and emulated across India.

Would you support legislation that makes housing discrimination a jailable offence? Also, would you endorse a call to fund a pan-india report on housing discrimination + a report on who is most affected by communal violence (to update the book साम्प्रदायिक देंगे और भारतीय पुलिस)?

PM Modi asked citizen to use public transport to significantly reduce petrol and diesel consumption. But to make this happen, here are the things his govt needs to do.. Public transport systems remain underfunded and under-prioritised. Budgetary allocations in the union and state budgets have largely focused on building flyovers, highways, widening of roads etc which mostly cater to the demands of private vehicles in cities while the public transportation system (infrastructure and operation) receives inadequate financial support. 1. Create centralised funding mechanism to fund public transport in cities. New funding sources can be created through fossil fuel and profit tax on car companies, windfall tax, surcharge on SUV purchases, climate damage tax from fossil fuels industries and special funding under upcoming 16th finance commission. 2. Invest in Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems, which are cheaper and can serve more people than metros. 3. Automobile industry needs to be taxed rather than subsidised. There are several central and state government level subsidies provided to the automobile industry to aid in manufacturing, better technologies, land subsidies etc. 5. Double the number of buses in major cities within three years to make the free public transport reliable and safe too. 6. Ensure fair wages, permanent contracts, and safe working conditions for transport workers. 7. Consider deploying adequately trained and sensitised marshals in buses for ensuring safety and ease of accessibility for all bus users, particularly women, children, elderly, and persons with disabilities. 8. Jobs of Public transport workers should be seen as green jobs. 9. Conduct regular public consultations to gather input on transport needs and policy effectiveness.

BANK BEATS - the fortnightly journal of the All India Bank Officers' Confederation - carries articles on key economic issues, written by employees, trade unionists & activists. Sharing the latest, which includes my article on the workers' protests. #page/4" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">heyzine.com/flip-book/2aab…

Mamata's exit. #MamataBanerjee

My heartfelt thanks to the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Thiru @RahulGandhi ji, for gracing my swearing-in ceremony with his presence. Your support and kind wishes are truly appreciated as we embark on this journey to serve the people.

Saying this again: The SIR was a political event in West Bengal. The disenfranchisement of voters (27 or 34 lakh) was its consequence. If you choose to study the impact of only the latter, you're missing the point. scroll.in/latest/1092732…

Tamil Nadu has chosen. A new generation. A new voice. A new imagination. My good wishes to Thiru Vijay - may he fulfil the hopes of the people of Tamil Nadu.

Congratulations to Thiru C. Joseph Vijay, leader of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, on assuming office as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Best wishes to you and your government in upholding the principles of secularism, people-centric economic development, federalism, and social justice, and in fulfilling the aspirations of the people of Tamil Nadu. @actorvijay @TVKVijayHQ

On the swearing-in of Thiru TVK Vijay as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, I extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to him, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam party and the entire progressive alliance. The formation of this government reaffirms the enduring strength of self-respect, social justice, empowerment and rational thought, are values that have long defined Tamil Nadu’s political and social consciousness. This is the legacy shaped by Periyar and Kamrajar. Millions of people across Tamil Nadu, especially the aspirational youth, have placed their trust in the TVK. I am confident that under his leadership, these ideals will continue to guide governance and inspire the nation. Wishing the new government great success in serving the people with compassion, inclusivity, and commitment. @tvkvijayhq

The SIR must be recognised for what it is, a tool through which the seeds of deep societal exclusion are being sown using routine bureaucratic practices. Beyond electoral math, this is its true danger. My oped in the Telegraph today

@Sandeep89041483 @TinyDhillon @LtGenDPPandey Good then, that is what we all wish. Still does not mean students should be suspended for discussing a controversial episode from the past, in a university many miles away from J&K. The matter could have been resolved differently.

@akash_del06 @TinyDhillon @LtGenDPPandey J&K has suffered enough because of woke agendas. We have moved past it post abrogation of art 370 now. Welcome to new J&K where we the youth of the place will decide what we focus on not leftists or Pakistanis and we focus on technology, research/ innovation not propaganda 😎

@Sandeep89041483 @TinyDhillon @LtGenDPPandey No lecturing involved brother. Merely stating my opinion. And why can't I? We may disagree with each other but that does not make either of us 'anti-national'. And the past I am referring to is not J&K's past alone, but India's past.

@akash_del06 Ohh.. so someone not from J&K will lecture us about the past we should talk about ? Are all leftists that dumb or are you a special case ? @TinyDhillon @LtGenDPPandey sir, kya karein aise anti nationals ka ?