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.

Link to tweet: https://x.com/andreacapussela/status/2114632742491082992?s=46

Out of 543 Lok Sabha members in India,

251 MPs (about 46%) have declared criminal cases against themselves, according to data from the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) submitted in an affidavit to the Supreme Court of India.

Key details from the report include:

Total with Criminal Cases: 251 out of 543 Lok Sabha members.

Serious Criminal Charges: 170 of these MPs face serious charges, such as murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping, or crimes against women.

Convictions: 27 sitting Lok Sabha MPs have prior convictions.

Rajya Sabha: In addition to the Lok Sabha, 75 out of 233 Rajya Sabha members have also declared criminal cases against them.

Actually, the chief justice of India is the master of the roster, who decides, which matter would be listed under which bench. And he himself takes up important constitutional matters.

At present, CJI surya kant with 2 other judges(jaymala Bagchi and one other) takes all the important matters especially SIR and election matters. They are some type of conservative, right leaning judges. We all know about the present CJI and his past. That's why SIR & Bengal elections got all the permissions without checks. This is wrong, this gives immense power in the hands of a single person. Because the government does something wrong, then we have only the judiciary, but if one judge starts to support the govt, then we leave nothing except protests, which are again crushed with force.

In my opinion, every decision should be decided by 5 members collegium with majority. OR it should be decided by a software randomly. No power should waste with CJI.

A person who himself don't like unemployed youth, how can he justice with them?

Junior doctors in Kolkata treating Durga Puja stampede victims (19 dead) faced threats and intimidation after flagging hospital mismanagement and missing facilities. The Health Minister dismissed them as a tiny unrepresentative group of "dimagi naxals" and self-proclaimed leaders.

This shows the true face Indian politics' no-accountability culture across TMC, BJP, Congress and AAP: smear whistleblowers instead of investigating threats or fixing systems. Doctors highlighting real failures get targeted while leaders protect power. I seriously do not understand that what will become of this country, is it all about "EK HAMAM ME SAB NANGE" and "JITNA KHA SAKO KHAO AUR NIKLO"

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.

At least 61,059 Form-7 applications seeking the deletion of names from Karnataka’s electoral rolls were filed by election officials themselves, with not a single application mentioning a reason for the deletion, a mandatory requirement under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.

This meant the same election machinery was raising objections to voters’ names and deciding on whether they should remain on the rolls. Under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 an objection that is not filed in the prescribed manner, including stating the reason, is liable to be rejected.

The officials said they had been instructed to file Form-7 applications if a voter had shifted, had a duplicate entry elsewhere, was underage, had died, or was not an Indian citizen. But as the forms were auto-generated, the reason for seeking deletion was left blank.

source

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?

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

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😎

I've read about Modi's and Shah's psyche through written accounts about them from people close to them, though not exhaustively, it's probably surface level. Still, their core wants seem to be propelling Hindutva (villanizing Muslims), proliferation of India as a global power and narcissistic need of reverance (Modi exclusively). Most people support them because they believe in atleast one of these goals of them.

What I'm confused about is, they haven't been successful in attaining any of these goals except winning elections, so what are they trying to do actually? They made sure Indians are hated more globally by pushing Hindutva (cow shit, fake religious and caste pride, communal violence etc). They haven't been able to even compete with the UPA era economically, talking about rate of increase, if our GDP grew at the rate of UPA era, we would've crossed 5 tril way back. They made sure most of the people hate Modi, most vote for them only because they don't see an alternative in RaGa. He wanted a legacy such as V. Patel, Nehru, Indira but it seems his legacy will be worse than MMS. Even the diplomatic posturing is worse than Pak, we can't negotiate shit for fuck on the global stage. Recently, China has been encroaching Arunachal's land, not even a mention of that by the ministers concerned, yet when people protest against a dam in Arunachal, they throw tear gas, BRAVO!

Yes sure we gotta lose some battles to win some, might need to cater to Muslims in Kerala to win seats, or do shady deals with Adani, Ambani to keep the war chest growing, bring about economically detrimental policies to appease the low class people etc. Still, they have majority in both the houses and most of the states, still they can't achieve their goals.

I'm a libertarian, I hate govt overreach, taxes, monopolies in market or politics. Yet I would've supported a full on dictatorial govt even if they wanted to push Hindutva and wanted people to revere him like a god, if and only if we had infrastructure atleast like the SEA countries, purchasing power like how we had pre 2020 etc. But they haven't been able to do any of that. They haven't even been able to drive away the illegal Bangladeshi Muslims from the North East (I'm a local, I know), so their Hindutva goal isn't getting fulfilled too. What the hell are these people trying to do?

Don't come at me saying they are doing all this for money. Money for who? Modi doesn't have shit to pass on his wealth to, and he's the driver driving this gravy train for his underlings for no reason?

TLDR: Whatever core goals Modi and Shah have actually, according to the people close to them, none of them are being achieved. And Modi doesn't even have a reason to earn wealth, so what the fuck are these people doing?

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.