Identity politics
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Ahmadis persecuted in PakistanSacrificial animals – a political issue
In 1974, Ahmadi Muslims were declared a non-Muslim minority by the Pakistani parliament. Since then, it has become much harder for them to perform their religious duties
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General election in Modi's India"Muslims are the principal target"
With elections on 19 April, India looks set to re-elect Narendra Modi's BJP party, greenlighting an ongoing process of Hinduisation on the subcontinent. The persecution of Muslims and other minorities will intensify. Yet India has little to fear in the way of criticism from its Western allies, says political scientist Achin Vanaik
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2024 General election in IndiaA third term for Hindu nationalism?
As the world's largest democracy gets ready to vote in the upcoming general election, Narendra Modi and his BJP look set to win a third consecutive term in power. Critics warn, however, that if the BJP wins another election victory, it will continue reshaping the country into a Hindu state.
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Modi's Hinduisation of IndiaThe curse of identity politics
Unusual public criticism of India by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau following the murder of a Sikh separatist in Canada has once again focused international attention on the movement for a separate Sikh state. By Mohammad Luqman
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India's fake growth storyThe economy according to Modi
Indian authorities downplayed inconvenient macroeconomic facts so that they could celebrate seemingly flattering headline figures as hosts of the G20 summit. But in covering up the growing struggles faced by the vast majority of Indians, they are playing a cynical and dangerous game. By Ashoka Mody
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Is it India? Is it Bharat?Modi government pushes for Sanskrit name
It began with a dinner invitation. How it ends could affect more than a billion people. State-issued invites sent to guests of this week's G20 meeting referred to India's president, Droupadi Murmu, as "President of Bharat". Is the country of more than 1.4 billion now to be called by its ancient Sanskrit name?
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Benjamin Netanyahu's judicial reformsIsraeli government and the Supreme Court at loggerheads
Benjamin Netanyahu's government is set on curtailing the powers of the judiciary. But the judges will not give up without a fight. What happens next will determine just how endangered Israel's democratic system really is. By Joseph Croitoru
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Sweden Koran burningsPlaying to the radicals
As Sweden grapples with the diplomatic fallout of a series of Koran burnings, radicals on all sides are rubbing their hands and exploiting the moment. Birgit Svensson travelled from Baghdad to Stockholm to get the full picture
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People of Colour in the UKWhy anti-racism work is under threat
Although there are more people with an ethnic minority background among UK politicians, writers who do anti-racism work are being demonised. Journalist and author Afua Hirsh discusses the phenomenon with Manasi Gopalakrishnan
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Netflix series "Queen Cleopatra"Controversial patchwork history
The decision by Netflix' latest documentary series to portray Cleopatra as an Egyptian and thereby an African ruler is partly aimed at rehabilitating her as a historical figure. But good intentions don't always produce good results, as Shady Lewis Botros argues
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Death of teen NahelFrance: A chronicle of police violence
Riots have gripped France for days since the fatal police shooting of a teenager on 27 June. It's just the latest in a series of allegedly racist incidents that protesters say the state has failed to adequately address, writes Oliver Pieper
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The headscarf controversyEnd of Germany's culture war?
Berlin is the last federal state in Germany to approve the wearing of headscarves by teachers. The fact that the courts have had to demand this time and again does not however reflect well on German politics. By Daniel Bax