Rahul Pandita

Journalist and author MJ Akbar on why the two-nation theory is a spectacularly stupid idea that needs the enmity of ‘the other’ to exist

A woman remembers her best friend, a man dubbed a Maoist and killed by the Republic of India. He happened to be her journalist husband

The recent plainspeak of a separatist leader suggests that truth is not a lost cause in Kashmir. Begin with the Valley’s pattern of graves

The Indian Army stiffens its anti-Maoist operations. But at what cost?

In an exclusive interview with Open, Home Secretary GK Pillai makes it plain that much more startling information is yet to emerge from the Radia tapes. Answering questions on a range of issues, from the right to privacy and tackling of Maoists to human rights and police reforms, he makes a frank case for what needs to be done. Excerpts:

Maoists know the importance of the state. Could the same be said of the Centre?

Maoist supreme commander Ganapathi on the Naxal push into urban spaces, Rahul Gandhi's role in Vedanta’s Niyamgiri project and much more

During a recent trip to a Maoist base in Dandakaranya, Rahul Pandita had left a questionnaire for Maoist Supreme Commander Mupalla Laxman Rao alias Ganapathi, who had given him exclusive access last year for an interview (see ‘We Shall Certainly Defeat the Government’, 23 October 2009), his first ever. This time, Ganapathi has sent his replies in writing, covering a vast range of issues from Maoist leader Azad’s death and Rahul Gandhi’s role in Vedanta’s Niyamgiri project, to Maoist violence, their push into urban spaces, middle-class fears of their agenda, and chances of talks with the Centre. Excerpts:

Maoist supreme commander Mupalla Laxman Rao, alias Ganapathi, responds to Open's questionnaire. An unabridged version of his written responses

Doing one thing and saying another is the signature tune of the Thackeray family. Take a look at young Aditya Thackeray’s record