News / Columns / Shashi Shekhar

Shashi Shekhar

Articles by Shashi Shekhar

Sajjan Kumar indictment and the rise of hate politics

Another court indictment of former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar brought back the memories of the 1984 riots.

Peacekeepers find the going tough when people holding high office, wittingly or unwittingly, lean towards hate-mongering (PTI)

Opinion

Published on Feb 16, 2025 08:18 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

Delhi debacle tells a tale of Kejriwal’s fall

The wide chasm between the AAP leader’s promises and his record in government cost the party the elections

Before making the attempt to come to power for fourth time in Delhi, Kejriwal should have put his rusty party apparatus and administration in order. (Photo by Vipin Kumar/ Hindustan Times) (Hindustan Times)

Opinion

Published on Feb 09, 2025 08:02 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

Republic and Constitution: Partners in nation-building

The Constitution that India adopted was so comprehensive and sensitive to the needs of its citizens that it has endured till today

How much Indians trust their Constitution was evident during the recent general election (PTI Photo/Shahbaz Khan) (PTI01_26_2025_000408A) (PTI)

Opinion

Published on Jan 26, 2025 08:44 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

Trump 2.0: Prospects of global disruption

Donald Trump begins his second term as POTUS amid global uncertainty, facing criticism for his policies and controversial actions impacting the world.

Even his trenchant critics agree that Trump’s over-the-top behaviour is meant to hog the limelight and secure a better deal for himself from his opponents (Getty Images via AFP)

Opinion

Updated on Jan 19, 2025 07:46 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

The bitter battle to gain power in Delhi

The outcome will have national implications. Hence, the big push on the ground by three national parties

New Delhi, India - Jan. 10, 2025: Delhi BJP activists being detained during a protest against AAP for allegedly making

Editorials

Updated on Jan 13, 2025 02:45 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

Three challenges world has to confront in 2025

Global leaders will need to address questions arising from wars, the climate crisis, and evolution of Artificial Intelligence

New Orleans, New York, and Las Vegas have once again made it amply clear that the veneer of US invincibility can be breached from within (REUTERS)

Opinion

Updated on Jan 05, 2025 08:22 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

A prime minister who let his actions speak

Manmohan Singh was a man of few words, and he uttered those precious few words very softly. Opponents used this to paint him as weak, but there are enough instances to the contrary

FILE PHOTO: India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh walks on stage for a photo opportunity as part of the 5th East Asia Summit in Hanoi, Vietnam, October 30, 2010. REUTERS/Christophe Archambault/Pool)/File Photo (REUTERS)

Opinion

Updated on Dec 29, 2024 09:21 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

Disrupting the House, betraying voters’ trust

Washout of the winter session is a reflection of the decline in standards in Parliament.

Whether it is Mahatma Gandhi or Babasaheb Ambedkar, any personality who can secure votes in the elections is condemned to be the target of raucous and emotionally charged debates in Parliament (Hindustan Times)

Opinion

Published on Dec 22, 2024 08:24 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

At a crossroads, Dhaka must remember lessons of history

It is up to Bangladesh to decide what kind of a future it wants. It can’t expect to grow by handing over the reins to fundamentalists

Bangladesh seems condemned to suffer from cyclic confusion. Events during the last few months have created doubts about the country’s future (AFP)

Opinion

Published on Dec 15, 2024 09:01 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

The spectre of its past now haunts Punjab

Rising Khalistan sentiment is rooted in a failure of the state’s political class in maintaining the balance between politics, religion and national integrity

Amritsar, India – December 5, 2024::: Former militant Narain Singh Chaura who made attempt to assassinate former Deputy CM and SAD leader Sukhbir Singh Badal at the entrance of Golden Temple on Wednesday, being produced by Punjab Police in local court. Amritsar, India. On Thursday, December 5, 2024. (Photo by Sameer Sehgal/Hindustan Times)

Opinion

Published on Dec 08, 2024 10:16 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

Banking on women's vote to beat anti-incumbency

Recent election trends suggest that Indian politicians now see women as a potential vote bank and tailor manifestoes to win their support

Women in our country approach issues differently from men. They vote for the party or the leader who looks after their families’ interests (Snehal Sontakke)

Opinion

Published on Dec 01, 2024 07:56 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

What state elections say about Indian democracy

The Maharashtra performance will add to the confidence of BJP and NDA and make INDIA bloc insecure about winning elections

These elections have made it clear that sympathy and legacy aren’t enough to ensure victory. You need to work on the ground (Nitin Lawate/ANI)

Opinion

Published on Nov 24, 2024 07:30 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

The baffling silence on climate and pollution

As far as our society is concerned, there are very few who have any serious concerns regarding pollution, the climate crisis, and conservation.

Sky enveloped with smog after Delhi's air quality turns

Opinion

Published on Nov 17, 2024 09:41 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

Need awareness to avoid online fraud

The harsh truth is that we need to take personal responsibility in developing awareness and remain alert against the threat of “digital arrests” and phishing.

Online frauds are growing by leaps and bounds. (Shutterstock)

Opinion

Published on Nov 10, 2024 11:04 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

Is the West conspiring against a rising India?

Dragging the Union home minister into murder cases reeks of the same old dirty tricks Western nations have played in the past

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, walks past India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi as they take part in a wreath-laying ceremony at Raj Ghat, Mahatma Gandhi's cremation site, during the G20 Summit in New Delhi.(AP)

Opinion

Published on Nov 03, 2024 08:21 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

The many shades of Indira Gandhi's political persona

Notwithstanding what people may say, Indira Gandhi’s contribution to India was significant.

You may be tempted to ask, was Indira Gandhi a hero or a villain?(HT Photo)

Opinion

Published on Oct 28, 2024 12:27 AM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

The State and society need to fight road rage crimes

What wrong did New Delhi’s Ankur and the toddler in Bengaluru do to deserve such a fate?

How many Ankurs and toddlers will suffer or pay with their lives before the government wakes up from its slumber?. (HT File)

Opinion

Published on Oct 21, 2024 12:04 AM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

How BJP won Haryana with grassroots politics

The gap between social reality and data was bridgeable, and the BJP was able to march into the corridors of power in Haryana for a record third time.

BJP workers burst crackers and dance as they celebrate the party's victory in Haryana assembly polls.(PTI)

Opinion

Published on Oct 14, 2024 12:33 AM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

In Vietnam’s resilience, a lesson for India’s economy

Vietnam is dealing with its own maladies. But India can, nonetheless, take inspiration from Vietnam’s giant leap forward.

Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh has a rich and varied coffee culture, with many areas coining their own delicacies including ‘cà phê trúng’, or egg coffee. Expect to see the city’s avenues dotted with upscale coffee shops and traditional spots where locals and tourists alike sit on stools that line the streets.(Unsplash)

Opinion

Published on Oct 06, 2024 11:53 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

Time to repose faith in ideals of the Mahatma

Brand Gandhi solidly represents India globally. This is why voices of sanity in Bangladesh invoked Gandhi when Hindus were being targeted in their country.

Opinion

Published on Sep 29, 2024 10:28 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

In the high voter turnout in J&K polls, a hope for peace

Hopes of peace and progress have taken root amid adversities. We will have to strengthen this hope.

J&K goes to polls in three phases starting September 18. (File)(HT_PRINT)

Opinion

Published on Sep 22, 2024 10:27 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

Countries must not put religion in the driver’s seat

Insecure minorities would not only dent Bangladesh's international image but the economic and social instability can create Pakistan-like systemic breakdown

Bangladeshi Hindu devotees release oil lamps to the Buriganga river as they observe Bipodtarini or Bipodnashini puja in Dhaka, Bangladesh, July 9, 2024. REUTERS/Mohammad Ponir Hossain TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY(REUTERS)

Opinion

Published on Sep 16, 2024 12:31 AM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

Hurdles in India’s efforts to drive world diplomacy

In this chaotic world, India’s role in brokering peace has thus become significant.

This handout photo taken and released by Singapore's Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) on September 5, 2024 shows Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong (R) and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) looking on as Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan (2nd R) and India's Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar hold documents during a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) ceremony at the Parliament House in Singapore. (Photo by Handout / Singapore's Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) / AFP) / (AFP)

Opinion

Published on Sep 08, 2024 11:37 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

The choice before the world: Development or expansionism

If we want the economic reforms effected over the last decade to sustain we must reform the UN.

United Nations(AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)

Opinion

Published on Sep 01, 2024 11:57 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

Social awakening is key to fighting heinous crimes

The Kolkata hospital incident makes it amply clear that heinous crimes such as rape and murder can’t be stopped by laws alone; social awakening is essential

Kolkata: Doctors raise slogans during a protest rally over the recent alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, in Kolkata, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024.(PTI)

Opinion

Published on Aug 25, 2024 11:19 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

Developing nations need to be helmsmen of their boats

Instability in the neighbourhood gives us a clear message — in a changing world, developing nations need to be the helmsmen of their boats.

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan gained power after an intense political struggle. His initial years went off well. However, a political power struggle kept intensifying and so did pressure from external powers. (Reuters)

Opinion

Published on Aug 18, 2024 11:38 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

This Independence Day, guard against radicalism

Radicalism is poison for the subcontinent. Independence Day reminds us of this fact every year.

Jammu: People wave the Indian national flags at Mubarak Mandi palace ahead of the Independence Day, in Jammu, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024. (PTI Photo) (PTI08_11_2024_000261A)(PTI)

Opinion

Published on Aug 12, 2024 12:27 AM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

In J&K, no stopping the caravan of democracy

General elections aside, people braved bullets to vote in panchayat and district elections. The caravan of democracy has started rolling in the state

Kashmir, India - May. 13, 2024: Voters queue up to cast their votes at a polling station during the fourth phase of voting in Lok Sabha elections in Pulwama district,on 13 May 2024.(Photo By Waseem Andrabi /Hindustan Times)--

Opinion

Published on Aug 04, 2024 11:50 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

Globetrotter who used his capital for local good

Sam may be gone, but he will be remembered by the thousands of families whose lives his efforts changed. Do people like Sam ever really die?

Opinion

Published on Jul 28, 2024 10:59 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

Crisis of over-confidence corrodes BJP’s discipline

Has the BJP’s talisman — its discipline — started to fray with the party failing to achieve the expected victory at the general election?

Pune, July 21 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders during the first session of Maharashtra BJP State Convention addressed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, at Balewadi in Pune on Sunday. (ANI Photo)(Amit Shah-X)

Opinion

Published on Jul 21, 2024 11:56 PM IST

ByShashi Shekhar

Copy

Whatsapp Twitter Facebook Linkedin

Shashi Shekhar

Another court indictment of former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar brought back the memories of the 1984 riots.

The wide chasm between the AAP leader’s promises and his record in government cost the party the elections

The Constitution that India adopted was so comprehensive and sensitive to the needs of its citizens that it has endured till today

Donald Trump begins his second term as POTUS amid global uncertainty, facing criticism for his policies and controversial actions impacting the world.

The outcome will have national implications. Hence, the big push on the ground by three national parties

Global leaders will need to address questions arising from wars, the climate crisis, and evolution of Artificial Intelligence

Manmohan Singh was a man of few words, and he uttered those precious few words very softly. Opponents used this to paint him as weak, but there are enough instances to the contrary

Washout of the winter session is a reflection of the decline in standards in Parliament.

It is up to Bangladesh to decide what kind of a future it wants. It can’t expect to grow by handing over the reins to fundamentalists

Rising Khalistan sentiment is rooted in a failure of the state’s political class in maintaining the balance between politics, religion and national integrity

Recent election trends suggest that Indian politicians now see women as a potential vote bank and tailor manifestoes to win their support

The Maharashtra performance will add to the confidence of BJP and NDA and make INDIA bloc insecure about winning elections

As far as our society is concerned, there are very few who have any serious concerns regarding pollution, the climate crisis, and conservation.

The harsh truth is that we need to take personal responsibility in developing awareness and remain alert against the threat of “digital arrests” and phishing.

Dragging the Union home minister into murder cases reeks of the same old dirty tricks Western nations have played in the past

Notwithstanding what people may say, Indira Gandhi’s contribution to India was significant.

What wrong did New Delhi’s Ankur and the toddler in Bengaluru do to deserve such a fate?

The gap between social reality and data was bridgeable, and the BJP was able to march into the corridors of power in Haryana for a record third time.

Vietnam is dealing with its own maladies. But India can, nonetheless, take inspiration from Vietnam’s giant leap forward.

Brand Gandhi solidly represents India globally. This is why voices of sanity in Bangladesh invoked Gandhi when Hindus were being targeted in their country.

Hopes of peace and progress have taken root amid adversities. We will have to strengthen this hope.

Insecure minorities would not only dent Bangladesh's international image but the economic and social instability can create Pakistan-like systemic breakdown

In this chaotic world, India’s role in brokering peace has thus become significant.

If we want the economic reforms effected over the last decade to sustain we must reform the UN.

The Kolkata hospital incident makes it amply clear that heinous crimes such as rape and murder can’t be stopped by laws alone; social awakening is essential

Instability in the neighbourhood gives us a clear message — in a changing world, developing nations need to be the helmsmen of their boats.

Radicalism is poison for the subcontinent. Independence Day reminds us of this fact every year.

General elections aside, people braved bullets to vote in panchayat and district elections. The caravan of democracy has started rolling in the state

Sam may be gone, but he will be remembered by the thousands of families whose lives his efforts changed. Do people like Sam ever really die?

Has the BJP’s talisman — its discipline — started to fray with the party failing to achieve the expected victory at the general election?

Join Hindustan Times

Create free account and unlock exciting features like