All stories by Utkarsh Mishra
Thackeray review: Fanboys will love it
Rediff.com25 Jan 2019Bal Thackeray became a cult in his lifetime. Does Thackeray show this picture of him? Yes, it does, feels Utkarsh Mishra.
Accidental Prime Minister Review: Did Manmohan fight with Sonia?
Rediff.com11 Jan 2019'While it may not be an out-and-out hit job on the Gandhi family, the movie is all about one aspect: How Dr Singh struggled with the family and the party all through his prime ministership,' notes Utkarsh Mishra.
What India needs to do in Kashmir
Rediff.com21 Dec 2018'India needs to learn in Kashmir how to spread development.' 'Pakistan needs to learn in Balochistan how to spread development.' 'China needs to learn in Xinjiang and Tibet.' 'And if they can show tangible benefits, there will be less terrorism.' 'No one wakes up in the morning saying 'I want to kill myself', right?'
Why India and China won't go to war
Rediff.com21 Dec 2018'The reason why we don't have an escalation of war like in 1962 is because in 1962, we didn't have this connectivity.' 'Whereas today, we have lots of incentives to stay stable and connected to China even though we still have that political rivalry.'
'Ram temple was there, is there and will be there'
Rediff.com15 Nov 2018'I'm sure the central government must have been thinking over the technicalities, that how to pave the way for construction of the temple.'
'If BJP wants to commit suicide, who can stop it?'
Rediff.com9 Nov 2018'If Nitish Kumar is given more seats, then no one can stop the NDA from losing, even the BJP will be wiped out.'
'If there's one person who should quit, it is Jaitley'
Rediff.com5 Nov 2018'The finance minister has messed up the economy.'
Why one can't be an RSS pracharak and a disciple of Patel simultaneously
Rediff.com31 Oct 2018Utkarsh Mishra explains what Sardar Patel thought and said about the RSS.
'There would have been no India without Patel'
Rediff.com31 Oct 2018'Most Indians know very little about Patel which is a great shame.'
Bhagwat's Ram temple comments: 'Politically win-win'
Rediff.com25 Oct 2018'On the one hand it will appeal to pan-Hindu sentiment and on the other opposition to it could well strengthen support for the BJP among Hindu voters.'
Why #MeToo needs all our support
Rediff.com24 Oct 2018'#MeToo is not to be dismissed as a 'shoot and scoot' but seen as the uncovering of dark truths about seemingly sophisticated and powerful personalities, or at least as one providing catharsis to a survivor,' notes Utkarsh Mishra.
'We are not slaves of the BJP'
Rediff.com19 Oct 2018'The BJP should be really wary of Nitish Kumar, or he will also take the BJP down with him.'
'Naveen Patnaik is sowing confusion within BJP ranks'
Rediff.com12 Oct 2018'That's the beauty of Naveen.' 'His intermittent support to the NDA and Modi confuses BJP workers in Odisha.' 'It gives an impression that Naveen has a tacit understanding with the NDA and that the BJP will not really challenge him wholeheartedly.'
'No one in the RSS questions the Constitution anymore'
Rediff.com28 Sep 2018'There was a period when they questioned the flag and there were questions also against the Constitution.' 'That's long past.'
Aadhaar: Private companies need to delete info
Rediff.com27 Sep 2018'The striking down of the use of Aadhaar by private companies implicitly calls for the deletion or erasure of all personal data vested in the servers of the private service providers.'
Why Bhagwat made his comments on Muslims
Rediff.com26 Sep 2018'What was said about Muslims was the most important part of the three-day RSS 'seminar'.'
'Unlike 2014, RSS won't involve itself in 2019 elections'
Rediff.com24 Sep 2018'Only on two occasions has the RSS thrown itself completely on the side of the BJP.' 'In 1977 in the wake of the Emergency. And in 2014 with Modi.' 'Now, I've been told that this is not going to happen in 2019.'
Is Amit Shah anxious about 2019?
Rediff.com20 Sep 2018'The frequency of 'vikas' being used in speeches and slogans has reduced noticeably. Why is the 'BJP's Chanakya' so aggressive and combative?' asks Utkarsh Mishra.
'Why is the government giving so much importance to caste?'
Rediff.com10 Sep 2018'It was the Supreme Court's order (recommending changes in the SC/ST Act).' 'Isn't it wrong not to accept even the court's order?' 'Are you bigger than every institution?'
Vajpayee, warts and all
Rediff.com24 Aug 2018'The sorry image of a wailing leader visiting relief camps for riot victims was completely incoherent with what he did next, blaming the minority community for the disturbance.' Utkarsh Mishra pens a tribute from the heart.