CHARVAKA

Rationalism. Secularism. Freedom

Indian Constitution

  • Economic Condition of Religious Minorities: Quota or Affirmative Action

    RAM PUNIYANI

    Muslims in India continue to face economic deprivation, social exclusion and the consequences of communal violence. A new report proposes a religion-neutral approach to affirmative action, focusing on caste, occupation and socio-economic disadvantage. Can the recommendations overcome political resistance and help build a more equitable society rooted in constitutional values and social justice?

  • Re-Debating Secularism
    A Secularist Responds to Minister Rajnath Singh

    CHARVAKA DESK

    In this response to Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Ram Puniyani defends secularism against claims that it is an ill-fitting Western import. Examining constitutional history, sociological reality, and Hindu nationalism, Puniyani argues that preserving secular values remains vital for safeguarding Indian democracy, protecting minority rights, and maintaining pluralism against growing political distortions.

  • Three Murders and a Lynching

    RAM PUNIYANI

    Prompted by the assassinations of rationalists and the Dadri lynching, Ram Puniyani analyzes the wave of intellectuals returning state awards. Puniyani argues that this collective protest marks a qualitative shift in India’s social atmosphere, exposing how systematic hostility and political polarization threaten the foundational, pluralistic values of the Indian Constitution.