It is not often that the legislature speaks in one voice. But on Tuesday, the Karnataka Assembly witnessed one such rare sight. Legislators from both the ruling and opposition benches came together — not to defend public interest, but to demand curbs on RTI activists. Their argument: the RTI Act is being misused by some activists to blackmail officials and elected representatives.

Should one not question the government if it fails to protect the nation’s borders? Is it unpatriotic to ask why foreign troops are occupying Indian land or attacking our soldiers? And more importantly, who decides what makes someone a “true Indian”?

A heart-breaking incident has come to light from Bengaluru, where a 14-year-old boy studying in 7th grade took his own life after writing a painful suicide note. The words he left behind were so raw, so piercing, they could break even the toughest of hearts. His parents, respected figures in society and artists by profession, are now left shattered, as are all of us. Despite such a background, how did this tragedy happen? Who should be held responsible? These questions hang heavy in the air, with no easy answers.

Throughout history, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has remained a poignant and contentious issue, drawing the attention of global leaders for decades. Stretching back to the mid-20th century, the conflict has been a crucible of geopolitical tension, human suffering, and international debate. World leaders, standing as prominent figures in the arena of global politics, have, over the years, articulated their views, concerns, and proposed solutions regarding the Palestinian cause.

Karnataka suddenly finds itself in the midst of a heated debate around the issue of wearing uniforms in educational institutions. The government speaks as if the biggest problem of the education system is some students not adhering to the uniform norms.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s teleprompter gaffe at the World Economic Forum where Modi seemingly struggled to deliver his speech after the teleprompter stopped working is being trolled on social media. These trolls contend that the Prime Minister cannot make a speech without looking at the teleprompter, which according to them is a weakness, and are using this incident to attack Modi. When the repeated blunders that Modi has made so far are before us, how right is it to project the teleprompter gaffe as a major problem and thereby the country’s failure? Adopting the Sangh Parivar’s strategy of repeating a lie till it becomes the truth would be akin to looking away from the real issues. Public discourse should be about presenting the real issues that the country is facing, not mocking at the Prime Minister’s colour, language, or his eloquence or lack of it.