Articles by Barkha Dutt
Acknowledge the brutality of the second wave
Passing the blame and writing a revisionist history of the summer — either by the Centre or states — is an affront to citizens who lived through the crisis and lost loved ones
Updated on Jul 23, 2021 03:52 PM IST
The reshuffle is meant to secure Brand Modi
The exits and expansion were motivated by the need to protect the PM’s image and send a signal to OBCs, crucial to the BJP’s electoral prospects in UP
Published on Jul 09, 2021 06:24 PM IST
After the storm, when Delhi and Kashmir meet
Both the Centre and Kashmiri mainstream politicians are chastened. Delhi knows it needs to work with the same elected politicians it derided. Kashmir’s leaders know that Article 370 isn’t coming back
Published on Jun 25, 2021 06:22 PM IST
Covid-19 and the invisibilisation of rural India
Even as cities open up, in India’s villages — from the north to the south — the Covid-19 pandemic continues to devastate the poor. And we don’t even know the scale of the tragedy
Published on Jun 11, 2021 04:46 PM IST
From the holy river, a story of human tragedy and State callousness
Indian citizens deserve more respect, in life and in death. The State’s refusal to acknowledge many graves, linked to Covid, is unacceptable
Updated on May 28, 2021 06:45 PM IST
From UP, a tale of the failure of the Indian state
Sending teachers to death on forced election duty, even as the second wave of the pandemic was engulfing the country, represents outright criminality
Updated on May 14, 2021 05:44 PM IST
Where personal tragedy meets systemic State failure
Like an oncologist who gets cancer or a dermatologist who battles skin disease, this week, I became the story I have reported for the past fifteen months
Published on Apr 30, 2021 04:00 PM IST
India’s health system has collapsed
As human tragedy unfolds, there is a shortage of everything — oxygen, drugs, beds, vaccines, even cremation space
Updated on Apr 17, 2021 06:44 AM IST
As Covid returns, India must not repeat the mistakes of 2020
Don’t return to lockdowns. Instead, approve more vaccines and ramp up vaccination — especially in the most affected states and cities
Updated on Apr 03, 2021 04:37 PM IST
What Bollywood could learn from Munawar Faruqui
In this patchy, roller-coaster of a fortnight for India’s fundamental freedoms, some individuals have stood up, while others have failed our citizens
Published on Mar 05, 2021 06:09 PM IST
For India’s women, a week of hope — and anguish
The Priya Ramani verdict has shut down the debate on the most banal and common question asked of women: Why didn’t you speak up earlier?
Published on Feb 19, 2021 06:33 PM IST
How not to respond to Greta, Meena, Rihanna
As India sought to stand against propaganda on farm protests, it appeared to be teaching the world a class on propaganda. And not very smartly at that
Updated on Feb 06, 2021 06:38 AM IST
When invasion of privacy comes back full circle
The sanctimony that a section of the media wears like a second skin comes undone so fast when the scrutiny is on them.
Published on Jan 22, 2021 10:39 PM IST
After anarchy in the US, reimagining the middle ground
Governments have to learn how to engage with those who did not vote for them. Citizens have to learn how to converse amidst ideological divisions
Updated on Jan 08, 2021 07:53 PM IST
How the TMC is fighting the BJP juggernaut in Bengal
The Trinamool Congress has made dramatic changes to its organisational power structure and launched two key mass outreach programmes
Updated on Dec 25, 2020 05:36 PM IST
Powerful citizens, missing Opposition
The two agitations which have made a mark in the past year have been led by citizens. The Opposition remains absent and redundant
Updated on Dec 11, 2020 07:47 PM IST
Why Ahmed Patel mattered in Indian politics
With his pragmatism, openness, rigorous work ethic, and absolute commitment to the Congress and Sonia Gandhi, he emerged as a pillar of the party
Updated on Nov 27, 2020 08:51 PM IST
From Bihar, a message for Indian politics, writes Barkha Dutt
The national Opposition does not exist, the Congress’s claim to this role is cosmetic, and only regional parties can be a bulwark against the BJP
Updated on Nov 13, 2020 08:51 PM IST
In Bihar, the eclipse of Brand Nitish Kumar, writes Barkha Dutt
Irrespective of the outcome in the assembly elections, the rage against the Bihar chief minister is palpable — and he only has himself to blame
Updated on Oct 30, 2020 07:33 PM IST
What’s common to TV news and the Opposition, writes Barkha Dutt
Both have failed to create a new template to take on the new normal. Both critique, but often don’t offer their own narrative. Imitation won’t work
Updated on Oct 17, 2020 06:35 AM IST
Hathras: Making a mockery of the idea of justice
The institutional response to sexual violence is critical. On this, the UP police have covered themselves in shame. At every turn, they robbed the family of its agency to make key decisions
Updated on Oct 03, 2020 05:57 AM IST
A wake-up call: There is a crisis in India’s schools
Covid has hit incomes. Parents are unable to pay fees. Schools, in turn, are blocking children from classes and exams. The government must step in
Updated on Sep 19, 2020 05:57 AM IST
Chronicling the tragic death of television news
Nothing has, as dramatically, underscored the death of journalism as the coverage of Sushant’s death. Those who are watching it are enablers
Published on Sep 04, 2020 08:02 PM IST
Don’t fear democratic and lawful politics in Jammu and Kashmir | Opinion
The BJP has successfully buried the 370 debate. Why, then, marginalise pro-India democrats?
Updated on Aug 22, 2020 09:53 PM IST
From Kashmir to Ayodhya, the BJP’s total domination of politics
The failure of the Opposition is on display yet again. It needs a new leader, a new language, a new story
Published on Aug 07, 2020 05:51 PM IST
Rahul Gandhi should either take charge or get out of the way, writes Barkha Dutt
The Congress faces a leadership crisis, an inter-generational tussle and lacks a political narrative
Updated on Jul 24, 2020 10:00 PM IST
This is not justice. India has faltered on the fundamentals of law, writes Barkha Dutt
There can’t be double standards on extrajudicial killings, depending on the case. It isn’t right
Updated on Jul 10, 2020 07:37 PM IST
On China, the Indian government needs to communicate better
To lose the information war is to let down brave soldiers. Emulate the positive lessons from Kargil
Updated on Jun 26, 2020 07:39 PM IST
The worst is yet to come in Delhi and Mumbai, writes Barkha Dutt
Requisition health care workers; create temporary facilities; have a clear chain of command; help patients
Updated on Jun 13, 2020 05:51 AM IST
The solicitor general is wrong on migrant workers, writes Barkha Dutt
The crisis has exposed deep inequities. Glossing over the tragedy is an abdication of professional and moral duty
Updated on May 29, 2020 07:38 PM IST