Committed journalism: What for and for whom
Lalit Shastri After four decades of relentless dedication to journalism, guided by a deep commitment to the larger cause of society, I have made the difficult decision to cease writing editorial pieces. The ideals of truth and justice I once upheld seem increasingly irrelevant in a society fractured along narrow caste and religious lines, where the masses are ever-willing to be swayed in any direction by those who exploit division for power. Politicians have perfected the art of drawing strength from vote bank politics and divisive agendas, leaving society fractured and vulnerable. Matters are further entrenched by a reservation and quota regime woven into our Constitution with no end in sight—a system that perpetuates division rather than unity. Corruption has metastasized like a cancer, with politicians presiding over a pyramid of pliable bureaucrats whose spines have turned to rubber, bending in any direction to serve their political masters. The entire government machinery and sys