![Voter is the Victor](https://cdn.magzter.com/Outlook/1718173315/articles/KunnNMdTb1718187595219/VOTER-IS-THE-VICTOR.jpg)
Doubts like whether we are inherently communal as a people, and all this talk of unity in diversity, anekta mein ekta, taught to us in civics classes in school are just a veneer we put on, just like the algebra and the periodic table we learnt and forgot as our skins thickened. Whether the idea of secularism drilled into us by the freedom fighters, our forefathers, and our Constitution is just an artificial construct which started to develop cracks after being forced to stand on a shaky foundation for over 70 years. Questions arose in the mind about whether the insistence that we are a peace-loving, democracy-cherishing people is only for podium speeches and seminar lectures, when in reality we long for an authoritarian regime bent upon making us all ‘One’. Whether deep down we feel press freedom and human rights violations be damned as long as direct benefit transfer and the stock market are chugging along nicely.
This story is from the June 21, 2024 edition of Outlook.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 21, 2024 edition of Outlook.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![Lost In The Rat Race](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/241/1747009/yQJj0cNnT1719485452859/crp_LOST-IN-THE-RAT-RACE.jpg)
Lost In The Rat Race
The NEET exam is mired in multiple controversies. Will this medical entrance exam fiasco discourage future aspirants?
![The Rise Of 'Ravan'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/241/1747009/S92CRzy5e1719483315657/crp_THE-RISE-OF-RAVAN.jpg)
The Rise Of 'Ravan'
Chandrashekhar Azad ‘Ravan’, ‘The son of Saharanpur’, is raring to bring a new brand of Dalit-Bahujan politics to Parliament
![Unquiet Flows The Tawi](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/241/1747009/D2SdMTF5z1719484932978/UNQUIET-FLOWS-THE-TAWI.jpg)
Unquiet Flows The Tawi
The recent attack on a bus carrying pilgrims in Reasi district spotlights Jammu’s increased vulnerability to militancy
![Rebel With a Cause](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/241/1747009/x69LoYols1719484847404/REBEL-WITH-A-CAUSE.jpg)
Rebel With a Cause
Congress rebel candidate Vishal Patil fights as an independent, defeats the BJP candidate and sitting MP by over one lakh votes and rejoins the Congress
![Winds of Change](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/241/1747009/aBlTGEZqX1719484611586/WINDS-OF-CHANGE.jpg)
Winds of Change
Ethnic questions and local dynamics make the Bharatiya Janata Party lose ground in the Northeast
![The Giant Killer](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/241/1747009/agaasAgQw1719484501016/THE-GIANT-KILLER.jpg)
The Giant Killer
The election campaign of Geniben Thakor, the lone Congress MP from Gujarat, was as impressive as her victory
![Chak De Change](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/241/1747009/ABUTp_Ue_1719484341951/CHAK-DE-CHANGE.jpg)
Chak De Change
There is a new churning in Punjab politics and the Bharatiya Janata Party is diving in with an eye on the 2027 assembly election
![Minority Mantra](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/241/1747009/n8KSjk5nQ1719484223459/MINORITY-MANTRA.jpg)
Minority Mantra
The elevation of George Kurian, long serving Party functionary, to the Union cabinet is part of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s ongoing “Christian project” in Kerala
![Art of the Possible](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/241/1747009/oi5xyy5HS1719484126421/ART-OF-THE-POSSIBLE.jpg)
Art of the Possible
Youngest Dalit MP Shambhavi Choudhary plans to focus on connectivity to schools, colleges and hospitals, women and jobs
![Red Revival](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/241/1747009/9mcw3ZvmQ1719483946473/RED-REVIVAL.jpg)
Red Revival
On his way to the hallowed chamber of Parliament, OBC leader Sudama Prasad defeated a BJP stalwart in Arrah and ensured CPI-ML’s entry into Parliament after more than three decades