Sunday View: The Best Weekend Opinion Reads, Curated Just for You

We sifted through the papers to find the best opinion reads, so you won't have to.

A curation of essential opinion pieces of the weekend from across newspapers, made just for you.  

Photo: Canva

Dhaka to Durham: Misery Fuels Angst, Morphs into Hate

In his column for The New Indian Express, political economy analyst Shankkar Aiyar contrasts the recent turmoil in Bangladesh and the UK, highlighting how both countries, despite their different backgrounds, are facing significant social unrest fueled by economic hardship. Bangladesh, once celebrated as a success story, is now plagued by corruption, inequality, and political instability, leading to violent protests and a tarnished reputation.

Meanwhile, the UK, an advanced economy, is experiencing its most significant law and order crisis in years, with violent protests driven by economic despair and amplified by social media. Aiyar underscores how global factors like inflation, unemployment, and the disruptive potential of technology are exacerbating misery and inequality, leading to widespread social unrest and political challenges in both nations.

Anger is parading out on the streets. Tragically, those powerless to change their circumstance are being pitted by political entities to wage war on equally powerless people. The first step to resolution is acceptance of mistakes. Studies show that Brexit, which was sold as the cure for lost opportunities, made it worse following the loss of trade, investment and growth. Yet tragically, nobody wants to call out Brexit.

Shankkar Aiyar, The New Indian Express

The Many Voices of the Quit India Movement

This Hindustan Times article by former diplomat TCA Raghavan remembers the Quit India Movement, which was launched on 8 August 1942. Raghavan highlights the movement's importance due to the spontaneous public mobilization, severe government crackdown, and the high level of violence that accompanied it. The article also explores the geopolitical context, including the impact of Japanese military successes on European imperialism, and the internal dynamics within the Indian National Congress during this period.

Raghavan talks about internal debates within the Congress, contrasting moderate and radical views on how to approach the struggle, and underscores the movement's role in shaping the path to India's eventual independence and Partition in 1947.

The larger geopolitics in which the agitation was embedded is important. Its launch is inseparable from the decisive setback European imperialism encountered at the hands of the Japanese military, with the collapse of the French in Indochina, the Dutch in what is now Indonesia, and the British in Malaya and Burma. To many, this heralded a major political change in India. Certainly, both panic and a sense of doom that Britain’s back was to the wall explain the ferocity of the colonial government’s repressive measures after August 1942.

TCA Raghavan, Hindustan Times

Targeted Assassinations: Can they be Legitimised?

In his column for Deccan Chronicle, Lok Sabha MP Manish Tewari discusses the complex legal and ethical issues surrounding the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the political chief of Hamas, which was described by the international media as a 'targeted killing.' Tewari examines the legality of such actions under international law, highlighting the lack of a universally accepted definition of targeted killings and the conflicting legal frameworks involved.

The article reviews historical precedents, the application of international humanitarian law, and the implications for state sovereignty and human rights. It also considers the evolving international jurisprudence on targeted killings and the challenges in balancing state security with the protection of fundamental human rights.

Extrajudicial executions violate the inalienable human right to life, as outlined in Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). International human rights law generally applies at all times, both in peacetime and during armed conflicts, to protect individuals from targeted killings. Under very exceptional circumstances even if domestically sanctioned by any legal framework of a sovereign government such as the use of drones for neutralising semi-state actors that played itself out repeatedly in Afghanistan for well over two decades any and every such targeted killing must adhere to strict criterion, ensuring it is necessary, proportionate, and executed through due process that is subjected to rigorous oversight even though the legality of any such action would have no basis in international law.

Manish Tewari, Deccan Chronicle

Heed Those WhatsApp Warnings on Fraudsters

In his weekly column for Hindustan Times, journalist Karan Thapar narrates the story of his sister Kiran, who narrowly avoided being scammed by imposters posing as engineers from Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL).

On 3 August 2024, three men came to her home, claiming they needed to replace a gas pipe due to it being outdated. Although Kiran took precautions by asking for their identity cards, photographing them, and contacting IGL for verification, the men managed to replace the pipe before she realized they were frauds. Fortunately, Kiran's actions, including keeping her staff present and contacting IGL, led to the discovery that the pipe was fake and improperly installed, which could have led to a gas leak.

As the three men began replacing the pipe, Kiran, irritated that IGL had not told her the connection needed updating or that their engineers would visit, began texting all the IGL numbers she has to ask why. She must have texted 10 or 15 — several, no doubt, out of use — and one which she thought belongs to a former CEO.

Karan Thapar, Hindustan Times

Lessons from Bangladesh

In her weekly column for The Indian Express, senior journalist Tavleen Singh reflects on the political upheaval in Bangladesh, focusing on Sheikh Hasina's fall from power and its implications for India's democracy. She critiques Hasina for disregarding democratic norms, drawing parallels to India's current political climate under Narendra Modi.

The piece argues that Modi's government has similarly suppressed dissent and labeled critics as traitors, mirroring authoritarian tendencies seen in other regimes. Singh warns against the erosion of democratic principles in India and highlights the need for India to uphold its democratic values amid growing autocratic practices.

So, it is wrong to suggest that democracy has only been weakened in the past decade. What is true is that the process of crushing dissidence has gathered speed. And crushing it is seen as nationalistic, which is more worrying still. This would not be happening if India were truly democratic. So international democracy watchdogs have taken to calling India an elected autocracy and they have a point. Another lesson that India can learn from what just happened in Bangladesh is that no amount of economic transformation compensates for political autocracy. In the end, people resent leaders who cancel democratic freedoms.

Tavleen Singh, The Indian Express

Haathi & Saathi: What Animals can Teach us About Luv, Shuv, Shaadi

In her piece for The Times of India, actress Twinkle Khanna humorously reflects on human relationships and marriage, drawing parallels with the animal kingdom observed during a safari in Tanzania. Khanna describes witnessing elephants' mating rituals and other animals' social behaviors, using these observations to explore the dynamics of marriage and relationships.

Through comparisons with animals like hyenas, baboons, and hippos, 'Mrs Funnybones' highlights strategies for managing marital challenges, emphasizing communication, cooperation, and humor.

Amid a backdrop of icy grey acacia trees, four elephants stood in a trance. A female recognisable by the geometric planes of her head and three bull elephants. Perched on the bouncing seats of a khaki jeep, I had stumbled upon a primeval mating ritual. The elephants moved slowly. Approaches. Rejections. Swiping right and left with their trunks.

Twinkle Khanna, The Times of India

Kangana: New Weaponised Saffron Warrior

In his weekly column, for The New Indian Express, the newspaper's Editorial Director, Prabhu Chawla explores the political transformation of Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut, highlighting her alignment with the BJP and her role as a vocal supporter of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It portrays Kangana as a polarizing figure who uses her social media presence and public statements to attack opponents, both in Bollywood and in politics.

Despite being an outsider in both arenas, she has positioned herself as a significant political voice, often stirring controversy with her outspoken and often provocative remarks. Chawla contrasts her approach to politics with that of other actors-turned-politicians, suggesting that Kangana is crafting a unique and assertive identity in the political landscape, though cautioning that her reliance on rhetoric over substance may be risky in the long run.

Evidently, Kangana doesn’t want to waste her new avatar like her other filmi colleagues in parliament do. Hema Malini, Shabana Azmi and Jayalalithaa were conspicuous by their presence, and not for opinions on everything from potato to politics. She has defined her identity and the destination. However, she should be wary of becoming a hot potato in politics if rhetoric over substance is her plan of action.

Prabhu Chawla, The New Indian Express

No Need for a Joint Silver, Vinesh Feat Sans Parallel

In her piece for Deccan Chronicle, senior journalist Ranjona Banerji explores the theme of sportsmanship, focusing on the dual nature of winning and losing in sports and how these concepts extend beyond mere results. It uses the example of boxer Muhammad Ali to illustrate the idea of standing up for one's beliefs, even at great personal cost.

Banerji then shifts to the story of Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who, despite facing significant challenges and injustices in her sport and personal life, continued to fight for justice and excel in her field. Vinesh's struggle against sexual harassment and her subsequent disqualification from the Paris Olympics highlight the harsh realities of sports and the personal victories that go beyond official accolades.

Vinesh and the others lived on the pavements of Delhi for over a month, as they refused to budge from their demands. They were beaten up and arrested. The photograph of Vinesh being pinned down on the ground by the police registered itself on the Indian consciousness. The power of a vindictive state against a woman asking for justice for crimes against women. It was an image hard to forget.

Ranjona Banerji, Deccan Chronicle

Falling for the Foreign Fin: With the Inflow of Padma Ilish Imperilled, Bengal Might have 'Maach' to Worry About

In his column for The Economic Times, journalist and satirist Jug Suraiya humorously discusses the potential consequences of the sudden ouster of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, suggesting that foreign interference might be at play. He highlights how such political turmoil could disrupt the supply of hilsa fish, a cherished delicacy in Bengal, leading to significant local frustration. The piece draws a parallel to historical resource conflicts and playfully examines the cultural and culinary importance of hilsa in Bengal, concluding with a witty remark about how the region might react to any loss of its beloved fish.

What makes Sonar Bangla (Golden Bengal) sonar is that consummation devoutly to be dished called ilish maach (hilsa fish), the best variety of which comes from Bangladesh. If relations between the two countries become so strained as to result in an embargo of Bangladeshi hilsa to Bengal where it is deemed to be not just the staff of life —the hired help of humdrum existence, so to speak—but the paradisial adjunct to heaven, the veritable CEO so to say of blissful being.

Jug Suraiya, The Economic Times

Read More Opinion Pieces by the Quint Here:

The Myth of Bangladesh's Economic Miracle

Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee Firmly Believed His Path for Bengal Was the Right One

From Jantar Mantar to Paris, Vinesh Phogat is an Icon On and Off the Mat

Ismail Haniyeh Killing: 6 Reasons Why Iran is Unlikely to Escalate the Conflict

ST/SC Sub-classification: Why the Judgment Could Have Unintended Consequences