Rana Ayyub – Author, NDTV.com

Opinion: Yogi Adityanath, Star Campaigner, Didn’t Deliver – Fortunately

Rana Ayyub | Wednesday December 12, 2018

While the elections today may have paused the Adityanath juggernaut, party members believe that it is early to expect the BJP to speak the language of inclusion leading up to 2019. Some suggest that the BJP could take a more strident approach to hate politics in the hope of polarizing votes in the Hindi heartland.

Opinion: I Walked With Farmers Through Mumbai. What I Found.

Rana Ayyub | Monday March 12, 2018

Promises have been made in the past and it is very likely that now, like then they will not be fulfilled. It is also likely that compromises could be made by leaders, that the farmers could return to our indifferent city the next year to serve us another reminder of their pain.

Opinion: Bigotry And Islamophobia In Bhansali's <i>"Padmaavat"</i>

Opinion: Bigotry And Islamophobia In Bhansali's "Padmaavat"

Rana Ayyub | Tuesday February 06, 2018

Beneath the grandiosity and stunning frames of "Padmaavat" lies a disturbing attempt at selling dangerous stereotypes that might yield immediate favors for Bhansali but leaves a disturbing impression of a community on a generation that seeks great inspiration from popular cinema.

Opinion: Modi-Shah Will Not Lose Gujarat For Another Decade Is My Bet

Rana Ayyub | Wednesday December 06, 2017

If elections are about perception, then the BJP won Gujarat even before Rahul Gandhi launched his extensive campaign in the state. In the last few months, much has been made about his aggressive campaigning in the state. About the Patidars and Hardik Patel's electoral speeches. About GST and the impact it has on the traders in Surat and in the business community.

Opinion: With Its Leader's Taj Mahal Rant, BJP Tests Ground For 2019

Rana Ayyub | Tuesday October 17, 2017

Before you dismiss the statement on Taj Mahal as a publicity stunt by a divisive leader, beware, the government is testing waters. It is trying to understand, gauge and explore new grounds that can further and fuel its narrative.

Opinion: What Nitish Kumar Has Put At Risk With Re-Choosing The BJP

Rana Ayyub | Thursday July 27, 2017

Nitish Kumar could have done nothing better in his life than be a politician - he has maneuvered his career graph with great deftness and a flair for political calculation.

Opinion: Already, Signs That Fadnavis' Loan Waiver Will Backfire

Rana Ayyub | Saturday June 10, 2017

In the last two weeks, while we were busy professing nationalism over the India-Pak match and more, farmers in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra were fighting an unpopular battle, news of which was being reported by regional newspapers.

Opinion: I Am A Practicing Muslim. My Concerns Right Now For India Are...

Rana Ayyub | Sunday June 04, 2017

I write this today as a Muslim, a practicing Muslim who believes in the tenets of Islam, in Ramzan, in namaz, and I believe I can continue to be liberal and secular while being proud of my faith.

Opinion: Rahul Gandhi's Disappearing Act Jeopardizes His Party

Rana Ayyub | Tuesday March 14, 2017

I do not think Rahul is a well-meaning loser, I am sure he, like most humans, is gifted and has his own personal goals and aptitude. But if that is the case, why is Rahul Gandhi making an entire party feel claustrophobic with uninspiring leadership?

Opinion: How Amit Shah Won Uttar Pradesh For Modi

Rana Ayyub | Saturday March 11, 2017

Today, much against expectation and the media rhetoric around me, I would like to place the crown firmly on Amit Shah's head for leading the BJP to one of its most iconic victories in Uttar Pradesh, a mandate that even surpasses the one given to Kalyan Singh in 1991.

Opinion: Devendra Fadnavis And The Art Of Winning Mumbai

Rana Ayyub | Thursday February 23, 2017

Nagpur boy Devendra Fadnavis and his one-time political rival and union Minister Nitin Gadkari have managed to retain Maharashtra for the BJP.

Opinion: Modi<i>ji</i>, This Is Not The Language Of A <i>Vikas Purush</i>

Opinion: Modiji, This Is Not The Language Of A Vikas Purush

Rana Ayyub | Tuesday February 21, 2017

This is 2017 and as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's followers insist, we "liberals" remain stuck on his alleged role in 2002 and not his development agenda. One can agree that the allegations have grains of truth in it. But every time, we the liberals try to focus on the work done by the NDA government or hear Modi speak about the welfare of UP, he strikes an ominous b...

Opinion: Akhilesh Yadav, Rahul Gandhi's Claim Of Secularism Exposed

Rana Ayyub | Thursday February 16, 2017

There are many documents that highlight the plight of the women and displaced children of Muzaffarnagar, and it is highly unlikely that both Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav are not privy to them. So when both leaders who are looking at a possible assembly victory as their big ticket for 2019, look the other way while campaigning in Uttar Pradesh, how different are the...

Opinion: Thackeray's Exit Shows His Weakness And BJP's Strength

Rana Ayyub | Saturday January 28, 2017

It came as no surprise to anyone when last week the Modi-led NDA government awarded Sharad Pawar with the Padma Vibhushan. Within a day, the Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray announced that it would fight alone in the election for the very important Mumbai corporation or BMC.

Opinion: With 3 Muslim Characters, Shah Rukh Khan's Big, Brave Message

Rana Ayyub | Friday January 13, 2017

When those who can and are in power refuse to engage, allowing ignorants hold centre-stage in dialogues on sexism, religion, culture and social norms, when those in power are forcing the narrative to fall in the realm of stereotypes, this reassertion is a timely reminder of the normal.

OPINION