SPEAKING TRUTH TO POWER

In a parliamentary democracy,
citizens always wish to hear the articulate voice of the Opposition that can
offer reasoned criticism of the government and alternative policy solutions
to the challenges faced by the country. In 2017, P. Chidambaram braved misinterpretation,
criticism and abuse to emerge as that voice.From the reckless adventure of
demonetization to the flawed GST to the Central government’s economic report
card that had to be marked ‘Failed’, Speaking Truth to Power is a collection
of the incisive essays published in 2017 as a weekly column in The Indian
Express. The essays highlight why there is a pervasive sense of
disappointment after forty-three months of the Narendra Modi government. They
are on a range of subjects that capture the reality of India more than the
country’s GDP—hunger, children, privacy, intolerance, etc. In a year when
Indian politics remained divisive and ugly, Chidambaram forcefully
articulates his views on the Budget, the deceptive calm in Jammu and Kashmir,
the implosion in the AIADMK, the intriguing verdict in the election to the
Gujarat legislature and many other contemporary issues.Following principles
of fidelity to truth and unbiased criticism based on sound logic, Chidambaram
is at his characteristic best here.