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With the farm protests turning anarchic and violent on Republic Day, the debate has moved from the substance of the farm laws — which was the original point of discord between protesters and the government — to the nature of Indian democracy, the authority of the Indian State, and the possibilities and limits of the politics of protest. The dark episode — for which some farmers and the Delhi Police bear responsibility — has lessons for all sides and will have a far-reaching impact.

“In the context of Bihar, where both the corporate sector and civil society are weak, the ‘state’ remains the most important institution. Many a times, hegemony over the state machinery becomes more important than a majority in the legislative assembly. Even as a legislative majority is a necessary precondition for forming government, it may not be a sufficient condition to run the government smoothly. For instance, though Lalu-Rabri ruled for 15 years between 1990 and 2005, their control over the state machinery was generally marginal, sometimes even non-existent. Over and above, under the Tenth and Eleventh Finance Commission transfers (between 1995 to 2005), a significant period of Lalu-Rabri rule, Bihar received Rs 12, 000 crore less than the total quantum of projected transfers. This proved a major constraint in matters of governance”.

Comedian KunalKamra has refused to apologise to the Supreme Court for his alleged contempt of court, saying the suggestion that his tweets can shake the foundation of the most powerful court an overestimation of his abilities. He then went to add that public faith in the judiciary is founded on its own its own actions and not on any criticism or commentary. The profoundness of his statement is deeper than what all the jokes that he has cracked so far put together may have achieved.

The 2021 State Polls - Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala - may be viewed the first stage of a planned consolidation of ambitious BJP-Sangh Parivar's hold over most of the country toward launch of its One Nation - New India, possibly, by the 75th anniversary of Independence in August 2022.

Kakyani: Chennai City returned to winning ways in the Hero I-League after a 1-0 victory over Indian Arrows, in a game largely dominated by Satyasagara’s men, at the Kalyani Municipal Stadium on Friday. It was Elvedin Skrijelj’s 63rd-minute header that was the difference between the two sides.

Fatorda, Goa: Goa extended their unbeaten run, in the Hero Indian Super League, to seven games after a hard-fought 1-1 draw against East Bengal.

Kolkata: RoundGlass Punjab shared the points with Sudeva DelhiC after the two teams played out a goalless draw at the VYBK Stadium in Kolkata on Friday.

Bambolim, Goa: Mumbai City are on the verge of history in the Hero Indian Super League.A win or a draw in their upcoming match against NorthEast United at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim will see them break Goa's record for the longest unbeaten streak in the league's history, a record standing since 2015.

The Economic Survey 2020-21 has projected India’s GDP to contract by 7.7 per cent, a great fall from the projected 11.5 per cent growth over the revised estimated a year before. Though the survey tries to instill hope in the people by giving all sort of logic, all are in a defensive vein as against the last years’ economic survey that was built around India’s aspiration of becoming $5 trillion economy by 2025.

Leaders of 16 Opposition parties have boycotted the President’s address to Parliament on January 29. Do they think it would really have any impact on the Prime Minister Narendra Modi? Will they be able to change the thought of the President Ramnath Kovind towards the farmers? In his January 25 address to the nation he has already justified enactment of the three laws.