Post

More from @JaipurDialogues

The Jaipur Dialogues

@JaipurDialogues

Jan 17

Balasaheb Thackeray is widely known as the champion of Hindutva, but here's a lesser-known story: just months before embracing Hindutva, he was on the verge of becoming a communist: Bhau Torsekar

Full Story👇

In the early 1980s, Balasaheb was seeking answers to the political chaos around him. During this period, some prominent figures in the communist circle approached him. Bani Deshpande, the son-in-law of Comrade Dange, and Vavi Bhatt, a well-known communist publisher, began visiting him at Matoshree.

/1

For over a month and a half, Balasaheb, deeply interested in Marxist ideas, was being taught Das Kapital—Karl Marx's magnum opus. These discussions weren’t just theoretical; they were about understanding the socio-political fabric of India.

/2

Read 8 tweets

The Jaipur Dialogues

@JaipurDialogues

Jan 17

1/ Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan has been sentenced to 14 years in prison, and his wife Bushra Bibi to 7 years, in a mega corruption case. The couple has also been fined for their involvement in the Al-Qadir Trust land scandal.

2/ The case alleges that Khan and Bibi accepted land worth billions as a bribe from real estate tycoon Malik Riaz in exchange for laundering money during Khan’s tenure (2018–2022). The land was ostensibly for a spiritual educational institute under Al-Qadir Trust.

3/ The Al-Qadir Trust scandal has been a key legal battle for Khan, with claims that the couple used the Trust to mask corrupt dealings. However, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Khan’s party, denies the allegations, calling them politically motivated.

Read 7 tweets

The Jaipur Dialogues

@JaipurDialogues

Jan 14

1/ The Third Battle of Panipat (January 14, 1761): A Turning Point
The battle was fought between the Maratha Empire, which sought to extend its influence in northern India, and Ahmad Shah Abdali (Ahmad Shah Durrani), founder of the Durrani Empire. Abdali, an Afghan king, had invaded India multiple times, but this battle was his most decisive. Despite the Marathas’ tactical defeat, their extraordinary valor made it one of the most legendary conflicts in Indian history. It is remembered as one of the largest and bloodiest battles fought on Indian soil

2/ By the 1750s, the Marathas had established themselves as the most powerful empire in India. From the Deccan to the Gangetic Plains, their dominion extended far and wide, with the Peshwas operating as the empire’s de facto rulers. This expansion alarmed Abdali, who saw Maratha influence as a threat to his ambitions in Punjab and the Indian heartland. Abdali formed a coalition of Afghan tribes, Rohillas (Pathan soldiers from northern India), and Shuja-ud-Daula, the Nawab of Awadh, to resist the Marathas. The battle was as much about territorial dominance as it was about the control of India’s future.

3/ Under the leadership of Sadashivrao Bhau, a 100,000-strong Maratha army marched north in response to Abdali’s invasion. Sadashivrao was joined by key leaders like Vishwasrao, the Peshwa’s son, who symbolized the hope of the Maratha dynasty.

The Marathas did not just come to fight; they also brought families, clergy, and civilians, reflecting their intent to settle in the north permanently. This slowed their mobility and proved to be a logistical challenge.

Read 9 tweets

The Jaipur Dialogues

@JaipurDialogues

Jan 12

1/ Tensions flared at the Indo-Bangladesh border in West Bengal's Malda! As India’s BSF began fencing operations near Sukdebpur to combat illegal crossings, Bangladesh's BGB objected. What followed was a high-stakes showdown involving both border forces AND local villagers. Here's what happened…

Image YouTube ziaIAS

2/ The fencing, part of India’s effort to secure the 4,096.7 kilometers porous border it shares with Bangladesh. These efforts resulted in a face-off between BGB (Border Guard Bangladesh) at Malda, who claimed that the fencing was a violation agreement. Villagers from Bangladesh crossed over to protest alongside the BGB. The atmosphere was electric and volatile.

3/ On the Indian side, the BSF held its ground. Under the orders to complete the task without escalating the situation needed a unique solution. Hence, the local villagers rallied behind the BSF by chanting slogans like “Vande Mataram” and “Bharat Mata ki Jai.” They helped the BSF show strength in the face of Bangladeshi civilians trying to create tensions and the moment of standoff at the Border.

Read 8 tweets

The Jaipur Dialogues

@JaipurDialogues

Jan 6

1/
The Mahakumbh Mela finds its origins in the theological and cosmological framework of Hinduism. It is deeply connected to the event of Samudra Manthan (Churning of the Ocean), an allegorical narrative found in the Bhagavata Purana, Vishnu Purana, and Mahabharata. This event symbolizes the eternal struggle between the Devas and the Asuras to obtain Amrit, representing the quest for transcendence and self-realization.

2/

The four sacred locations—Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain—where drops of Amrit fell are interpreted as intersections of cosmic energy where the material and spiritual worlds converge. Each site corresponds to sacred rivers: the Ganga at Haridwar, the confluence (Triveni Sangam) of Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati at Prayagraj, the Godavari at Nashik, and the Shipra at Ujjain.

3/

The Mahakumbh’s roots are supported by scriptural injunctions, including references in the Rigveda and later elaborations in the Atharvaveda and Brahmanas. These texts emphasize the sanctity of rivers and the importance of ritual bathing (snana) as acts of purification and spiritual merit. The Shatapatha Brahmana describes water as the ultimate purifier and sustainer of life, making river confluences sacred for spiritual rejuvenation.

Read 7 tweets

The Jaipur Dialogues

@JaipurDialogues

Jan 2

The Debate of Dharma and Atheism – Jabali’s Persuasion of Rama

When Bhagwan Rama was exiled to the forest for 14 years, Ayodhya plunged into despair. Bharat, upon learning of the events, rushed back to persuade Rama to return and reclaim the throne. Despite heartfelt pleas from family and ministers, Rama remained firm in his vow.

Then came Jabali, a Nastika (atheist) philosopher in King Dasharatha’s court. His approach was unconventional—grounded in skepticism and materialism. This marked a pivotal debate in the Ramayana.

Long Thread:

Who Was Jabali?

Jabali, as described in Valmiki’s Ramayana (Ayodhya Kanda, Chapter 100), was a court scholar known for his rationalist perspective. He represented the Nastika tradition of Indian thought, rejecting rituals and the belief in an afterlife. His arguments contrasted sharply with the spiritual ethos of the time.

/1

Jabali’s Arguments

Jabali appealed to Rama's pragmatism, challenging the foundations of Dharma. He argued:

1. "Life is fleeting and uncertain. When the body dies, it turns to dust; there is no afterlife.

2. Rituals for the dead are meaningless constructs designed to bind people.

3. Why suffer in the forest for a promise to a king who is no longer alive? Your duty lies with the living."

/2

Read 13 tweets

Share this page!

Enter URL or ID to Unroll

The Jaipur Dialogues

Try unrolling a thread yourself!

More from @JaipurDialogues

The Jaipur Dialogues

The Jaipur Dialogues

The Jaipur Dialogues

The Jaipur Dialogues

The Jaipur Dialogues

The Jaipur Dialogues

Did Thread Reader help you today?

Don't want to be a Premium member but still want to support us?

Send Email!