Articles by Karan Thapar
Palestine through the eyes of the Israeli State
If one wants to understand the wider relationship between Israelis and Palestinians, they should be aware of how Israel treats its Palestinian citizens

Published on Dec 02, 2023 10:39 PM IST
World Cup takeaway: Great team, bad losers
Our cricketers are great players but they have to learn to be good losers. The first is a matter of sporting prowess. The second is a quality of moral fibre

Published on Nov 25, 2023 10:50 PM IST
Elusive character of Indira Gandhi
After Indira Gandhi, we’ve had other strong rulers. We’ve had many impressively attired prime ministers. So why does Indira Gandhi remain special?

Published on Nov 18, 2023 10:39 PM IST
Questions Netanyahu’s Palestine policy provoke
Israel has said “obliterating” Hamas is its goal. But at what cost? Is there a level of death and destruction that will satisfy Israel’s quest for punishment?

Published on Nov 11, 2023 10:38 PM IST
Beat! beat! drums!—blow! bugles! blow!
They are voices that cannot be silenced and, therefore, our conscience will continue to speak.

Published on Nov 04, 2023 10:46 PM IST
Bishen, Tiger and Baig: A toast for three friends
“I’m all too aware that often the important thing about friends is the memories that linger with you.”

Published on Oct 28, 2023 10:54 PM IST
In West Asia, it’s my country right or left
The saddest most lamentable conclusion is that the ground is being laid for another tragic chapter in this unending story of Israel and Palestine.

Published on Oct 21, 2023 10:36 PM IST
Moral choices that confront politicians
Aakar Patel surprises with his novel, revealing a talent for storytelling and deep moral dimension.

Published on Oct 14, 2023 10:13 PM IST
In divided Manipur, disturbing questions
Manipur throws up disturbing questions from both sides, which is why an answer from just one perspective can only make the situation worse.

Published on Oct 07, 2023 10:00 PM IST
How the West viewed Trudeau’s allegations
How should we respond to such commentary about our country?

Published on Oct 01, 2023 12:12 AM IST
The cat that rules 10 Downing Street
Defeat will ensure prime ministers are turfed out of Downing Street. Only death – or old age — can remove the Mouser.

Published on Sep 27, 2023 01:11 AM IST
Ifs and buts about simultaneous polls
We need to reflect on three concerns in particular: The desirability of the concept, the implications of implementing it and the consequences that could follow

Published on Sep 16, 2023 10:06 PM IST
Reminiscences from a former diplomat
Aftab Seth's memoir, "A Diplomat's Garden," offers a glimpse into the life of an Indian diplomat, filled with action and excitement.

Published on Sep 11, 2023 02:54 PM IST
Save schools from the pitfalls of polarisation
Two harrowing incidents took place in Indian schools. The teachers must be taught a lesson. It’s the least we expect of our government.

Updated on Sep 02, 2023 09:08 PM IST
Ruminations on a maverick’s career
Mani Shankar Aiyar's autobiography is long-winded at first, but becomes a gripping narrative with valuable insights into Pakistan and India's foreign service

Published on Aug 26, 2023 10:21 PM IST
A delightful chronicle of our prime ministers
Neerja Chowdhury's book on six Indian prime ministers combines history and biography with anecdotes and in-depth research, leading to a delightful read

Published on Aug 19, 2023 10:25 PM IST
Quirks and oddities of past monarchs
Fascinating anecdotes of the foibles and scandals of Pakistan's erstwhile royals

Published on Aug 12, 2023 08:54 PM IST
Politicians can’t stomp on constitutional rights
Gujarat CM suggests making parental consent mandatory in love marriages, potentially breaching constitutional guarantees.

Published on Aug 05, 2023 11:07 PM IST
The intriguing twists of Ambedkar’s career
A book reveals lesser-known aspects of BR Ambedkar, including his role in the freedom struggle and his struggle to be part of the Constituent Assembly.

Published on Jul 29, 2023 08:54 PM IST
Troubling questions on a wrenching video
A horrific incident of rape and sexual assault in Manipur has raised questions about the official response, including the police's role and lack of action.

Published on Jul 22, 2023 11:59 PM IST
A reckoning with the brutality of caste
In "Caste Pride: Battles for Equality in Hindu India," Manoj Mitta explores how caste prejudices persist in India, even in the face of caste atrocities.

Published on Jul 16, 2023 01:21 PM IST
3 troubling questions about Manipur crisis
Beyond duty and constitutional requirements, there’s a moral demand for a head of government to articulate the nation’s concern.

Published on Jul 09, 2023 09:54 AM IST
Frost, Nehru, Modi and a book of poems
During his recent US trip, PM Narendra Modi was gifted Robert Frost’s book of poems by the Bidens. Frost was also Nehru’s favourite poet

Published on Jul 02, 2023 03:43 AM IST
Three lessons from an unforgettable teacher
Guru was the moniker by which Doon School boys knew Gurdial Singh. It was a very apt nickname. It’s also how he’ll be remembered after his death last month.

Published on Jun 24, 2023 08:24 PM IST
Tracing the long arc of tennis broadcasts
Football and cricket, unlike tennis, are not individual games. Thus, to understand and appreciate what one player does, you need to know where the others are.

Published on Jun 17, 2023 08:42 PM IST
How to hold India’s leaders accountable
PM Modi, for nine long years, has failed to hold a press conference and many people have concluded he’s evading accountability. Let's examine this

Published on Jun 10, 2023 10:37 PM IST
An unfamiliar portrait of Vajpayee
We all think we knew Atal Bihari Vajpayee, but did we know the man behind the image?

Published on Jun 04, 2023 10:47 AM IST
A memoir sketches a rare portrait of Indira
In his new book, Chinmaya Gharekhan reveals Indira Gandhi was superstitious, loved to amend the drafts of letters, and could spend hours discussing the menu

Published on May 27, 2023 08:31 PM IST
A few warnings for BJP and Opposition
“Our democracy is in crisis, our social fabric is torn, our economy is in peril and we are being dragged back to the dark ages.”

Updated on May 20, 2023 07:44 PM IST
Take some time off from the poll heat
This morning let me offer you something rather different. It’s a selection of gems culled from the internet and shared by friends.

Updated on May 06, 2023 07:41 PM IST