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Question

Since the Congress is in self-sabotage mode, do you see this time as an opportunity for the more passionate politicians from the party to step out and carve out a well-formed opposition to the BJP?

Posted By: Ankita Jha  |  Posted On: 19 Nov 2020  |  City: London

Answer

 In theory, yes. But the reality is more difficult. The only person who was able to successfully split the Congress was Indira Gandhi, who did it twice. All other efforts have failed. 
 
Any change in the Congress has to come from within and sadly, I don’t see that happening. 

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Question

Greeting Mr Sanghvi, I really worry about the rampage a single party is causing across India. This is not a good sign. And historically it has always ended in a bad way. But we do not have options remaining. You have not spoken much on this. Your views?

Posted By: Tanmoy Roy  |  Posted On: 12 Nov 2020  |  City: Kolkata

Answer

 I would like it if we had a strong national opposition party. Unfortunately the daily collapse of the Congress makes this impossible. 
 
What it means is that unless the Modi government does very badly, leading to an anti-incumbent vote, it will find it easier to remain in power.

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Question

Hi, Mr Sanghvi. I have a confession to make: I'm a subscriber to the Hindustan Times but I look forward to your weekly Rude Food articles in Brunch more than any articles in the newspaper itself.

One thing I'd like to ask you about is whether India has a distinct 'cuisine' related to baking? Many Indian cities have some famous old bakeries that specialize in unique pavs, puffs, biscuits etc. that seem to be uniquely Indian and not imported from the West. I'd love to read more about this.

Posted By: Venkataraman Natarajan  |  Posted On: 08 Aug 2020  |  City: Mumbai

Answer

 Our baking tradition comes from Central Asia and the Middle East. All the evidence suggests that maida was introduced to India during the Islamic period. That is one reason why so many bakeries are still owned by Muslims. Most of the breads and biscuits that they make can usually be traced back to some middle eastern origin. 

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Question

Hi Vir,
Can you consider doing a Piece or two on Olives and Olive Oil.
During the lock down down the olive oil sales have gone up. Do you agree with me that this trend is now irreversible?

Posted By: MANISH KISHOR SHARMA  |  Posted On: 07 Aug 2020  |  City: DELHI

Answer

 There is an exhaustive article on olive oil in the archives on this site. Do look it up. Happy to answer any questions you may have after that. 

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Question

Glad to see the spurt in political articles recently! Please keep this going beyond the pandemic as well.

Posted By: Akshay  |  Posted On: 06 Aug 2020  |  City: Mumbai

Answer

 I will. Thank you so much.

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Question

Hello Vir sir,
I am pretty eager to know your view about the NDA in Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee time. Was the performance of that NDA government better than Mr. Modi's? And why do you think Mr. Vajpayee lost in 2004 despite everyone in the nation including the BJP being confident of his return looking at all the exit polls that time.

Posted By: Hitesh  |  Posted On: 25 Jul 2020  |  City: Mumbai

Answer

 The answer is too long to fit in here. But I have a book coming out next year that deals with some of those questions. 

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Question

Greetings, Mr. Vir Sanghvi,
as an observer of Indian Politics for 11 years now, one question has always been nagging me-
Had Mrs. Indira Gandhi survived through 1984 elctions, would she have got another term or would Mr. Chandra Shekhar have become Prime Minister much earlier than 1990?
Also how was the mood in the country after Operation Bluestar? Was it supported by common people?

Posted By: Wingong Lingou  |  Posted On: 05 Apr 2020  |  City: Cape Town   |   Comments:(1)

Answer

 I am not sure that Mrs Gandhi would have won in 1984. Judging by Assembly election results, the Congress was on a downward spiral.
 
The mood post Bluestar was nauseating and disgusting. All parties hailed the operation as a major military triumph even though, in military terms, it was a debacle. Only Chandra Shekhar spoke out against it and was shunned by his colleagues. 
Doordarshan featured people like General Brar night after night and portrayed him as the conqueror of the Golden Temple. (Read Mark Telly's Amritsar for a detailed account.)
 
Nobody showed any sensitivity to Sikh sentiments. Most moderate Sikhs were horrified by Bhindranwale. But the government response in the post Bluestar phase upset even the moderates. 
 
Most people date the beginning of Hindu politics to the Bahri Masjid. I date it to the Punjab conflict. 

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Question

Hi Vir, Your article on vegetarianism is quite intriguing & moral conclusion is bang on. The topic itself is very delicate and quite ancient. The curiosity
1. Why would using animal products (milk etc.) be equally bad for environment?
2. Any thoughts from religious & nutritious view point? Maybe there's unique protein element and effect on parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system?
3. It's only Godmen / Priests who promoted vegetarianism - no religious text said so...e.g goddess Kali-Thou

Posted By: Mohit  |  Posted On: 12 Feb 2020  |  City: Toronto

Answer

 I am sceptical of the religious justifications for vegetarianism. As you correctly point out, ancient India was mostly non-vegetarian.
 
The environmental argument is strong. The breeding of animals for food (especially cows) has been shown to have detrimental affects on the environment. My point is that whether you breed cows for steaks or for milk, it doesn't make that much difference to the environment. Hence, the case for veganism.

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Question

Congress and the BJP face off electorally only in Assam in 2021. And then we will have number of state elections as we build towards the 2024 general elections. How would access the progress congress party is making since their defeat in May 2019? They do have enough time to build a formidable organisation by the sense one gets they have even started the process. Your thoughts?

Posted By: MANISH KISHOR SHARMA  |  Posted On: 27 Jan 2020  |  City: DELHI

Answer

 It is possible that they have started the process though I have to say, in all honesty, that I believe that they have wasted these months. 

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Question

Hi Vir,
Having read your piece long back where you suggested that India should be the natural home for all Hindus (read persecuted), Do you maintain the same views?

Posted By: Piyush Badiyani  |  Posted On: 26 Dec 2019  |  City: Vadodara

Answer

 Yes, I stand by everything I wrote in that article. 

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