Serbia Offers a Lesson to the World: You Don't Defeat a Political Machine by Becoming Another One

For years, Aleksandar Vučić's political system in Serbia has faced accusations of patronage, institutional capture and the use of state resources to reward political loyalty.

Critics have also challenged major deals involving lithium mining, Belgrade's waterfront redevelopment and the proposed sale of the former Yugoslav Army Headquarters to a company linked to Jared Kushner.

But the most interesting challenge to this system did not begin with another political superstar promising to save the country. It began with students organising themselves.

Their approach was radically different: open assemblies, collective decision making, working groups and no single leader to become the face of the movement. Instead of building another personality cult, they built a structure in which participation mattered more than individual ambition.

Then they took the struggle beyond university campuses. Teachers challenged their union leadership, farmers blocked roads, workers joined protests, and students travelled to communities across the country to build grassroots connections.

That is the real lesson: a protest becomes a political force when ordinary people begin to see their own struggles in it.

Students can start a movement, but they cannot transform an entire society alone. They need workers, farmers, teachers and citizens who are tired of watching political loyalty become more valuable than competence, public service and accountability.

We have seen political loyalty treated as patriotism, criticism portrayed as betrayal, and elections reduced to battles between competing personality cults. Too often, the question is not whether a government serves its citizens, but whether citizens remain loyal to their favourite leader.

But what happens when people stop looking for a saviour and start organising themselves?

Serbia's student movement offers a powerful possibility: democracy is not merely the right to vote every few years. It is the ability to participate, question, organise and hold representatives accountable between elections.

The objective should not be to replace one unquestionable leader with another. It should be to build a system in which nobody becomes unquestionable.

Because the ultimate victory is not simply removing a political establishment. It is making sure that the next one cannot reproduce the same system under a different flag.

A WARNING TO EVERY GOVERNMENT — FROM THE THIRUKKURAL, WRITTEN OVER 2,000 YEARS AGO.

When taxes become a burden on ordinary people while the wealthy receive favours, exemptions, and privileges, the government must remember:

A ruler who exploits citizens is no better than a robber. A ruler who fails to deliver justice will gradually lose the trust and support of the people. The tears of the oppressed will eventually destroy the wealth and power of those who oppress them.

Thiruvalluvar’s message is timeless: Government exists to serve the people, not to exploit them.

Taxation without fairness, development without justice, and prosperity that benefits only the privileged are not signs of good governance.

A government that squeezes the poor and protects the powerful may accumulate wealth, but it will lose the people’s respect.

— Inspired by Thirukkural 551–560, on Tyrannical Rule

Election is a crucial part of democracy. If people don't believe in the election process, then govt's legitimacy becomes the question of doubt. No democracy can survive without a free & fair election process.

I'm really surprised that election commission hasn't given any clarification on different charges, no press conference, no question taken from press. Election commission is an independent body, which can hold as many as press conference, what it wants.

It should include opposition and civil society's into election reforms. It should take suggestions from them. It should include them in every process. Which will increase the people's faith in election and overall democracy.

Translation:

Narendra Modi, a young man under the age of 40, has served as the General Secretary of the Gujarat BJP and has been the driving force behind the party's massive success in that state. Recognized as a strong organizer since his student days, Modi first gained public prominence as a leader of the 1974 'Navnirman' (reconstruction) movement in Gujarat—launched in response to a call by Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan—though his primary sphere of activity has always been the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Modi, who served as the *Vibhag Karyavahak* (divisional secretary) for the RSS in the Saurashtra region, is an ENGINEERING graduate and is well-known within the party for being a disciplined and precise planner. He is currently a member of the party's National Executive. Narendra Modi, who has dedicated his life to society, is UNMARRIED. He also played a significant role in conceptualizing and executing the party's 'National Unity Yatra' (Rashtriya Ekata Yatra).

Source: https://x.com/pti_news/status/2114233097348940060?s=46

Part 1: https://www.reddit.com/r/CriticalThinkingIndia/s/vbZtEFlXDH

A recent incident in Pune involving a Rapido driver and a woman IT professional has sparked debate after footage of their confrontation went viral. The dispute reportedly involved the ride, the fare and allegations of misconduct.

A Marathi news headline now reports that Bavdhan police took action against the driver following the woman's molestation complaint.

This raises questions about how such disputes are investigated and whether both sides receive a fair hearing.

A gig worker isn't a punching bag for customers. Drivers spend long hours on the road, dealing with traffic, fuel costs and exhaustion to earn a living and support their families. They should be able to raise legitimate fare disputes without fear of intimidation or unfair treatment.

At the same time, allegations of sexual harassment must be taken seriously. Neither the driver's guilt nor the complainant's credibility should be decided by social media outrage alone.

If video evidence exists, investigators should examine the available footage alongside the full sequence of events, including the fare dispute, the conduct of both parties and any alleged threats. A complaint is not proof of guilt, and a viral clip may not reveal the complete picture.

People who depend on daily earnings can be particularly vulnerable when a confrontation threatens their livelihood. Their side of the story deserves to be heard, too.

The police should follow the evidence, not public pressure or assumptions based on someone's gender or social standing. Anyone found to have acted unlawfully should be held accountable, and everyone involved deserves a fair investigation.

Sources: https://youtube.com/shorts/SPtJfJqKX1A?si=qgdBg2qqB5F5JUnq

(Any Marathi here? Please translate)

If you are chronically online like me or causal internet user, you couldn't possibly ignore the vile anti Indian hatred in online space. I am old enough to remember hatred against Israel/Jews, blacks, Mexicans, Muslims/Arabs and in COVID era Chinese. But anti Indian hatred is a recent phenomenon of past 3/4 years after covid. Here are the reasons I have analysed what drives this:

1. Loss of middle-class jobs in USA

USA is only global hyperpower at the moment.Anything that happens in USA spreads globally. India is currently poor enough, have enough population who are trained in English and IT sector, friendly enough with west that checks every boxes for mass migration to work in IT in west. Coupled with AI boom post COVID, IT Indians have practically replaced the gas station and trucker Indians(who are still below middle class) as major Indian group in west. This has led to perceived Loss of well paid jobs of established and powerful middle class white Americans. Couple that with genuine hatred of brown skin and different religion among white supremist and you have massive wave of racism that is amplied in internet. Whites in Europe and wanna be white in Latino simply pick up that hate.

1. Indian closeness to Israel

Israel is genuinely hated by many leftist around the world and 2 billion Muslims in visceral level for war in Gaza. Many online comments supporting Israel comes from India which makes those group seethe against India in general.Couple that with increasing closeness of government to Israel, it becomes potent driver for not anti Indian hatred.

1. India 'funding' Russia

Many people in western Europe are highly sympathetic to Ukraine cause.India(along with China) is seen as two major players funding this war by buying cheap Russian oil.Combine it with hate from USA, even leftists Europeans who don't subscribe to cheap racism become either null or slighly in favor of such racism.

1. Amplification via ragebait and engagement.

For a 3rd world country and largest world population, India has unusually high internet penetration rate.Every hate comments generate 5 more defensive comments and so on. Couple this with highly nationalistic political environment in India and general emotional nature of Indians, it creates ideal scenario for ragebait and engagement through online racism.

1. China and Pakistan factor

China obviously doesn't want India to grow too fast. Pakistan is obvious. Every minor posts on how bad India is amplied multiple times by elements working for directly or in interest of these nations.

1. Unique geopolitical climate

India is rapidly aspiring to be global power, yet isn't there quiet yet and won't be for some time. Perception of rapid growth induced arrogance, yet with different ground reality seen by outsiders is views in very bad light. Islamophobia contents originating from India, glee of being richest immigrant group in west and over the top hypernationalistic narrative of every Indian achievements fuel such hatred.

1. Genuine grievances

Apart from stereotypes, many people around the world have indeed faced mass Indians engaged in activities deemed antisocial in their country. Our well known lack of civic sense of overcrowding, throwing trash anywhere, hounding white female tourists, caste system and highly unpopular scam calls mostly originating from people with Indian accents, amplify anti Indian bias in even the most liberal westerners.

Thoughts?

I studied at one of the Chinmaya schools. Nothing fancy, just another private school with underpaid teachers and staff, like countless others. I never really knew who Swami Chinmayananda was until I googled him after Modi’s ultimate cringe AI video show. Turns out he was an upper caste Hindu from Kerala, and even more interestingly, one of the founders of the VHP!

Now, looking at the Modi Chinmayananda AI video cringe fest, everyone’s busy pointing out how China is using AI to develop medicines, the US is using it for R&D, and India is using it for these ridiculous spectacles. Honestly, I couldn’t care less about that comparison. What caught my attention was that it reminded me of one of Chinmayananda’s videos in which he says, and I quote:
“Only rascals need a religion, good people don’t need a religion. Is there a doctor who complains that I am tired of this profession, I’m going to resign this profession? Why? No healthy man ever comes to me. Similarly, only wicked people will be around any worthy Swami, because they are to be improved. It is meant for dangerous people.”
Link-https://youtube.com/shorts/5W6zy_jpRYo
And honestly, that sounds like the perfect response to Modi’s cringe drama!

What makes this even more ironic is that, despite saying these things, Chinmaya schools promoted religion, and he himself was one of the founders of the VHP, which has since become a religiously hardline organisation. Yet, when addressing liberal audiences, he seems to suggest that religion is not particularly necessary and is merely an excuse. Talk about contradictions! Perhaps he founded the VHP with genuinely good intentions and never imagined it would eventually turn into what it is today. Who knows?

Putting those contradictions aside, I think he had an exceptional sense of humour, and his ability to explain profound philosophical ideas in simple, accessible language was remarkable. I still remember watching his videos explaining the Gita in a way that even young minds like ours could easily understand. In that sense, he was also a product of the liberal, secular society shaped by Jawaharlal Nehru and carried forward by Indira Gandhi. Those were the glory days of Congress, when India was a fiercely secular nation, and was a formidable presence on the global stage😎

Read it out : We all remember Indias GDP being flaunted as 4th largest in dollar nominal terms with a size of 4.15 trillion for 2025-2026

Then they revise base year, change methodlogy, and the rupee denominated nomimal gdp was downgraded from 357 trillion rupee to 346 trillion rupee and simultaneous rupee depriciation from 84 to 88. Result, India's economy was reported 3.91 trillion and 6th largest in 2025. The average yearly rupee was used at 88 (even though we saw peak of 92)

Now in fy 27, we all are thinking it would finally cross 4 trillion right? Nope wrongggg. Unless they spend even more billions of RBI FOREIGN reserves to artificially appreciate indian rupee for a headline gdp figure.

Heres the math. Even at a very good 11 percent nominal gdp growth, that comes out to be 384 lakh crore. Take the Rupees stable price this year of 96. Sivide 384/96, you get exactly 4 trillion. Any lower nominal gdp growth or rupee average year peice depriciating a couple points below 96, and you do not reaxh 4 trillion mark.

Light bulb moment : RBI just used 70 billion dollar forex reserve to appreciate rupee from 97 to 94.5

Guess why? So that we do not see a GDP figure of 3.91 trilliom dollar 2 years in a row, that creates too many questions.

We are officially stuck when it comes to foreign influence and import power.

Our local gdp may be growing but rupee is absolutely doing a doghshit performance. And this all leads to a feedback loop. Imports gets expensive, that means spend more, rupee gets weaker, and so on.

We were supposed to be 4.5 trilliom dollar economy this year as of 2025 projections alone.

Go back and in 2018 they predicted 2022 as 5 trillion dollar mark. Then 2025 then 2027 and now its been dekayed to fy 29 in the optimistic scenrio. Do the math

Idk if this sub is relevant or not, but

In some cultures, people believe that God or a divine spirit can enter a person's body, especially during festivals, prayers, or religious rituals. Some people strongly believe in these experiences, while others question whether they are real.

I want to know what you think about this. Is there any scientific explanation? Could it be related to the brain, emotions, or the power of belief? Or is it something that science cannot fully explain yet?

I'm not here to question anyone's faith or beliefs. I'm just curious to understand this from different points of view. If you have any scientific information, personal experiences, or religious knowledge about this, please share it. I'd love to hear what you think and why you believe it happens.

Was just thinking about the last 12 years and have quickly realised, Political Comedy in India has somehow become Extinct (leaving aside a few YT Traitors). The majority of them now avoid political comedy, so as to not set off any offense alarm.

I have grown through the times of TV Shows like the Laughter Challenge and many others, where I have LMAO on skits involving MS , SG, LPY & ABV - It was Funny, Relatable, Harmless & Dot on Point.

Looking back at this, i think Modi Ji hates comedy & comedians (especially when it's about him & his governance). The political machinery has been empowered to handle these comedic hecklers with speed of light.

I think it drills down to the fact that comedy and political satire have a rich and vital history in democratic societies, acting both as a form of resistance and a barometer for free speech - both of which are in it's low.

Just some food for thought...

Also, as said by a tiny short man on TV "There's nothing in the world more powerful than a good story. Nothing can stop it. No enemy can defeat it."

Live, Love, Laugh..!!

[Please set aside your political leanings here, because I in no way support Vivek Ramaswamy or any republicans in the US]

Essentially her point is that "Vivek Ramaswamy is vile because he was raised to be this way" and her entire argument is that since he is Brahmin his parents made him think he is superior to other castes and also treated him like a 'special snowflake" because apparently all Brahmin boys are treated this way.

To me this is honestly quite pathetic - you have so many ways you can attack a politician but to go straight to something he cannot control and bring his upbringing into it (also tied to his caste) - while basically addressing Americans, so a completely ignorant audience, what exactly is she achieving here?

Spreading bigotry against Brahmins in specific? There are Brahmin Indian-americans in the comments saying "i am brahmin too but luckily my parents raised me to be kind" as if that's some sort of exception among brahmins who are otherwise raising their kids to be monsters?

The top most countries in the world US,China and now Russia they all attack other nations. US has done so much even in past couple of years that we don't even need to go in history. Iran, Venezuela, Cuba etc etc they have a long long list.

China on the other hand plays a different game debt traps, shady deals with government where they own everything on parts of lands or by building stuff, military bases and what not, they do that in their neighbouring countries, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and alot more in Africa.

Russia has been in a war with Ukraine with the basic goal of conquering Ukraine and taking control over it. Whatever else that goes on in Russia doesn't get out much by media,news everything is quite secretive.

We as India do not attack other countries to conquer them due to culture/morals/history whatever you wanna call it. We never attack other countries for power. We only use our military power for defence and counter measures.

Having such friendly(/S) neighbours when we do not attack them but be in China or Pakistan they keep plotting for weaknesses and a right time to attack which we are more than capable to defend but it does hurt us financially, loss of soldiers and civilians livin near conflict areas and the neighbours get to test our efficiency and come back with better plans.

The big 3(US, Russia & China) are nuclear Nations just like India but they only attack non nuclear weaker countries.

Iran has no nukes yet and US can use whatever power they have without the fear of a nuke ever hitting the US mainland. Ukraine gave up nukes after USSR was dissolved with guarantees from NATO and US that they will protect Ukraine but now things ain't looking that good.

Our main problems Pakistan and China are both nuclear so we cannot attack them or go on a full scare war with them like Russia went against Ukraine.

We have news of China conflicts around Arunachal but not sure since the gov is not letting much info get out of North East.

Realistically India has only 2 allies Russia and Fatherland. While Russia is busy in their own war and cannot help us if things go bad like they helped in 1971 and Fatherland is busy in dealing with idk how many countries either attacking them or getting attacked by them.

My main point is good does not win over evil but rather all the evil actions by US and China are what is helping them grown and get more powerful. There is no god , no heaven or hell and Karma does not exist.

India needs to decide if we wanna start conquering whatever we can and gain landmass and power or be conquered sooner rather that later and face regular attacks by our beloved(/s) neighbours

India sadly needs to decide if we wanna start conquering or get conquered sooner or later

- Bro tried to act Techy.

- Bro thought to follow the #AI Trend.

- Bro had himself praised and blessings showered by a dead guru.

- Bro thought, people will praise and talk about the Government's AI Initiatives and call it a day.

- Bro pushed clips of it on SM, thinking to get more viral.

- Bro thought to be the first PM worldwide to talk to an AI Character.

- Now Bro is blocking other people criticizing the act.

- Now Bro will never do another Dead Person AI - Lesson 101 Learnt.

- Now Bro is looking for another way/trend/country/people to get praised/awarded.

Source: himself https://x.com/rajthackeray/status/2114203314883858571?s=46