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

The best opinion pieces from across newspapers this Sunday, curated just for you.

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A Case of Breach of Promise

Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram, in his column in The Indian Express, argues that while there is a widely held belief that the Supreme Court had upheld the actions of the Modi government in abrogating Article 370, the fact is that the apex court had held to the contrary on the issue of abrogation.

He further states that the government had made two submissions to the court: that elections would be held in Jammu and Kashmir by September 2024; and second, that its statehood would be restored. While elections were indeed held in September last year, the second promise of the Central government is yet to be fulfilled.

"In my view, the Supreme Court must be focused on the legal issue. The ebb and flow of political and security issues ought not to deflect it from rendering justice according to law. The legal issue was crystallized before the Supreme Court. The Court refrained from deciding the issue based on a promise to the Court. The promise has not been fulfilled in 20 months. The choice is between mandating the fulfillment of the promise forthwith or rendering a judgement on the legal issue that is at large. I believe the Constitutional Court will render justice."

P Chidambaram

The ECI Must Know That Trust is the Currency of Democratic Institutions

"When the Leader of Opposition in the world’s largest democracy raises concerns about electoral integrity in Parliament, the response cannot be bureaucratic deflection and ultimatums," writes Anand Neelakantan in an article for The New Indian Express, reflecting on the "vote theft" allegations levelled by the Opposition against the Election Commission of India.

He states that CEC Gyanesh Kumar's recent press conference was a "masterclass in missing the point" and his "bizarre argument" that sharing voter data would compromise the privacy of mothers, daughters-in-law, and daughters reeked of "desperate deflection rather than serious engagement".

"The ECI claims to stand “like a rock” with Indian voters. But rocks can also be barriers—impenetrable, unyielding, and ultimately obstacles to the transparency that democracy demands. The people are watching, and history will judge whether our electoral guardians chose to be foundations of democracy or stumbling blocks in its path."

Anand Neelakantan

Decoding Trump's Tariff Tantrums

Rajeev Srinivasan, in an article for Deccan Herald, states that Donald Trump's moral posturing about India's purchases of Russian oil leading to the tragedy in Ukraine is "bizarre".

He argues that given the precarious geopolitical climate in which New Delhi finds itself, it must undertake one task urgently: gain leverage and a bargaining chip. "China has rare earths, OPEC has oil. India should use the 100,000 H1-B folks who are likely to be forced out from the US to gain leverage through first-class software products."

However, explaining the rationale behind Trump's targeting of India, he says:

"There are at least four different ways in which one could rationalise the Trump position: 1. A negotiating opening gambit to soften up India. 2. Frustration from the lack of leverage against Presidents Putin and Xi. 3. Part of a regime-change operation planned by the Deep State and 4. A desire to force manufacturing and investment to move back to the US. I hope it is a combination of 1 and 2, and that better sense will prevail before a mutually-beneficial Indo-US relationship is damaged beyond repair."

Rajeev Srinivasan

Chappell Then, Gambhir Now

"I start writing about the enigmatic Indian coach Gautam Gambhir and the image of Greg Chappell stalks me in the background," says Pradeep Magazine in an opinion piece for The Tribune.

According to Magazine, while Chappell, during his stint as Team India's coach, was able to diagnose the issues plaguing the team – namely the star culture that stymied the growth of newcomers – his methods to solve them lacked sensitivity and a proper understanding of the Indian psyche "that confuses servility as being respectful".

Speaking about Gambhir, on the other hand, he says:

"Unlike Greg, Gambhir is now in control of a new, young team that is still finding its feet and except for possibly Shubman Gill, none of them are anywhere near the stardom that Kohli or Rohit achieved. In his ESPN interview, Gambhir’s honest confessions revealed a man aware of his weaknesses and how to work around them. Will he be a guide and mentor to restless, insecure, talented youngsters, scanning them with an unbiased eye so that they could achieve their maximum potential? Or will he turn into another Greg Chappell and stifle the desires of any emerging star that could destabilise the team?"

Pradeep Magazine

Precious Threads

"India is home to the largest population of craft artisans in the world," says Rudra Chatterjee in an article for The Telegraph, "yet their labour is rarely transformed into storied brands that allow them to share in the cultural and the commercial value they create."

Chatterjee makes the case for kani weavers, for instance. A kani shawl can take over a year to make. Dozens of slender, eyeless bobbins called kanis build the motif, thread by thread. 

"And yet, despite their artistry and heritage, most kani weavers are struggling to eke out a living today," Chatterjee says, adding:

"Mahatma Gandhi placed artisans at the heart of India’s moral economy, elevating khadi as the fabric of freedom. Yet, as with farmers, symbolic celebration rarely translated into commercial empowerment. Artisans were cast as icons of politics and charity rather than as businesspeople, their modest earnings leaving no room to invest in innovation, brand identity, or market access."

Rudra Chatterjee

Singles Success is the Yardstick in Tennis

"The changes to the mixed doubles competition at the US Open has prompted plenty of debate, with some calling it a 'glorified exhibition' and an insult to a large number of players who make their living from that discipline," says Tushar Bhaduri in an article for Financial Express.

The US Open has introduced a radical new format for its mixed doubles competition, condensing it into a two-day event before the main tournament with a massive increase in prize money.

Bhaduri argues that every sport tries to optimise its viewership and revenue, and if it is lagging behind in those parameters, the administrators usually step in and the solution may often lie outside the box.

"If singles stalwarts put their minds and energies into doubles, even for a limited period, chances of their success are considerable. Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka combined to win the men’s doubles gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Rafael Nadal won the men’s doubles gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics with Marc Lopez. Serena and Venus Williams won three Olympic gold medals in women’s doubles while at one time, holding the four Grand Slam titles simultaneously. It’s difficult to imagine a doubles specialist enjoying such success in singles."

Tushar Bhaduri

As Growth Stumbles, Private Sector Needs To Do More

In an article for The New Indian Express, Gurbir Singh makes the case for the private sector to do its part in investing in future growth rather than merely sitting on its profits and waiting for the weather to turn.

His statements come in the backdrop of a slowing down of the economy. Singh says that reviews of the company results by business writers show that listed companies, for the April-June quarter, witnessed only single-digit growth in revenue; and that is the story for nine consecutive quarters.

"Unfortunately, the private sector has played the victim card long and it is time to call it out for evading its responsibilities," Singh asserts, adding:

"The government is hoping a reduced tax burden will enhance consumption and crank up the wheels of the economy. Once again it has fallen on the government to provide the elixir for growth. We don’t know if it will work, but the bigger question is what is the private sector doing to lend a hand?"

Gurbir Singh

Universe: Decoding Invisible Hunger and Fear

"Where there is life, there is hunger, and where there is hunger, there is fear," writes Devdutt Pattanaik in an article for The Tribune.

He states that nature is a complex manifestation of invisible hunger and fear. "Underlying the visible and measurable (sa-guna) parts of plants was something invisible and not measurable (nir-guna). Plants and roots reveal cravings; they want to eat. Bark and thorns reveal fear; they do not want to be eaten," Pattanaik says.

He further states that the same is true for the animal kingdom.

"Why does a tiger have claws and fangs? It is because it is hungry, and it needs to protect itself. Why does a deer or a buffalo have horns? To protect itself. Why do herbivorous animals form herds? Because as a group, they have a greater chance of survival from the predator. They keep the young in the centre of the herd. In response, the predators form packs, and collaborate during the hunt, which increases their chances of catching prey."

Devdutt Pattanaik

Quick Trials a Better Way to Tackle Corruption Than 30-Day Shortcut

In an opinion piece for The Times of India, Swaminathan S Anklesaria Aiyar speaks about the proposed bills seeking a Constitutional amendment deeming that any minister under arrest for more than 30 days will be ousted from office.

Aiyar argues that to appear impartial, the new bills cover even the prime minister, but realistically speaking, chances are that they will be used mostly against state-level ministers

"No chargesheet, no bail hearings, no trial, no verdict, no judicial process of any kind, and yet elected chief ministers can be thrown out. All in the supposed name of tackling corruption!" he says, adding:

"India’s reputation as a democracy — Sweden’s V-Dem institution classifies it as an ‘elected autocracy’ much to the ire of many Indians — will sag further if three proposed bills become law."

Swaminathan S Anklesaria Aiyar

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