MKV’s 360 Degrees

The moral unravelling of the Ram Temple project within two years of its inauguration is probably the biggest challenge for the RSS in decades, as it is seen as weilding direct political power, visibly enhanced financial and resource heft with no accountability.

Former Chief Editor of The Telegraph R. Rajagopal says there may be thousands like him who are part of the 32 lakh voters still waiting to be adjudicated by the tribunals but now may be denied passport renewal. The media and opposition will have to resist otherwise future generations will not forgive us, he told The Wire’s Founding Editor M.K. Venu.

Ajay Shankar, former Secretary, Power says the Iran-US war and the emerging geopolitics makes it imperative for India to quickly move away from excessive dependence on imported fossil fuels and to quickly scale up its renewable energy sectors. Strategic R&D expenditure by the government is key in some important parts of the value addition chain.

Economist Rathin Roy asserts India's growth will concentrate among the rich and the government will pay for the welfare of the very poor, leaving the vast majority of the middle class in a state of income/consumption stagnation. This is the mediocre, low productivity model of India's economy.

It is perverse for RBI to convert a weakening rupee into a fiscal bonanza for the Centre. This is not sustainable as RBI's dividend transfer from a falling rupee is now 8% of the Centre's revenue.

Former finance secretary Subhash Chandra Garg says Modi government's panic response will push the economy into an even bigger crises. The currency management must be done carefully and decisively.