Parminder Singh Bhamba

GST: लूट का टैक्स, अब राहत का नाटक 2017 में मोदी सरकार ने पूरे देश में एक नया टैक्स सिस्टम लागू किया — जिसका नाम था GST यानी गुड्स एंड सर्विसेज टैक्स। इसे “एक देश, एक टैक्स” बताया गया, लेकिन आम जनता ने इसे “गब्बर सिंह टैक्स” कहना शुरू कर दिया। वजह साफ थी — रोजमर्रा की हर चीज़ पर इतना ज़्यादा टैक्स लग गया कि आम आदमी की जेब पर सीधा असर पड़ा। साबुन, शैम्पू, नमकीन, टीवी, सीमेंट, बीमा — सब कुछ महंगा हो गया। टैक्स स्लैब थे 5%, 12%, 18% और 28% तक। सीमेंट और इलेक्ट्रॉनिक्स जैसी चीज़ों पर 28% तक का टैक्स लगाया गया। व्यापारी कागज़ी झंझट में उलझे, ग्राहक महंगाई से जूझते रहे, और सरकार ने हर महीने लाखों करोड़ रुपये की वसूली की। हैरानी की बात ये है कि जब मोदी जी गुजरात के मुख्यमंत्री थे, तब उन्होंने GST का विरोध किया था। लेकिन प्रधानमंत्री बनने के बाद वही GST पूरे देश पर थोप दिया गया। आठ साल तक जनता से टैक्स के नाम पर पैसा वसूला गया, और सरकार ने ₹55 लाख करोड़ से ज़्यादा GST के रूप में जमा कर लिया। इस दौरान छोटे व्यापारियों को रिफंड नहीं मिला, मध्यम वर्ग महंगाई से परेशान रहा, और सरकार ने इसे “सुधार” ...

 When the Fourth Pillar Becomes the Lever: Media’s Role in Undermining Democratic Independence   By Parminder Singh Bhamba  India’s democracy was built on four foundational pillars: the Legislature, Executive, Judiciary, and Media. Each was intended to function autonomously, creating a system of checks and balances that safeguards the public interest. Yet today, this architecture is being reshaped—not through reform, but through influence. The media, once the vigilant watchdog of democracy, has transformed into a lever that tilts the remaining pillars toward the convenience of those in power. This shift is neither accidental nor benign; it is strategic, systemic, and deeply consequential. The Legislature , envisioned as a forum for debate and representation, now operates under increasing executive pressure. Parliamentary procedures are streamlined to fast-track bills with minimal scrutiny, opposition voices are routinely sidelined, and sessions often resemble ceremon...

In a stunning and deeply troubling development, the United States has announced a new $100,000 annual fee on H-1B visa petitions for foreign workers entering the country, effective September 21, 2025. This policy, signed into effect by President Donald Trump, has triggered panic across India’s professional class and exposed the glaring failures of India’s foreign policy. For decades, Indian talent has been the backbone of the H-1B program, contributing over 70% of its skilled workforce. From software engineers and doctors to researchers and educators, Indian professionals have powered American innovation and filled critical gaps in its economy. Now, they are being priced out, penalized, and pushed aside — not because of merit, but because of nationality. The implications are devastating. Middle-class aspirants who have spent years preparing for U.S. opportunities now face an insurmountable financial barrier. Families are being torn apart, with H-1B holders currently abroad scrambling t...

Sandeep Singh, also known as Sunny, was arrested for the killing of Sudhir Suri, a controversial leader of Shiv Sena (Taksali), on November 4, 2022. Many in the Sikh community believe Sandeep acted out of deep emotional and religious pain, as Sudhir Suri had repeatedly insulted Sikhism and spoken disrespectfully about Sikh Gurus. Videos of Suri’s offensive remarks had circulated online, causing widespread anger. For Sandeep, this was not just a crime—it was a reaction to what he saw as a direct attack on his faith. After his arrest, Sandeep was kept in Patiala Jail. On September 10, 2025, he reportedly attacked three retired police officers inside the jail—two of whom had been convicted for killing Sikh youths in fake encounters. This incident triggered what his family describes as brutal retaliation. From September 10 onward, Sandeep was allegedly beaten severely by jail officials. His brother and legal counsel claimed he was tortured physically and mentally, denied medical care, and ...

  सितंबर 2025 में भारत सरकार ने एक ऐसा निर्देश जारी किया जिसने सिख समुदाय को गहरे सदमे में डाल दिया। गुरु नानक देव जी के प्रकाश पर्व के अवसर पर पाकिस्तान जाने वाली जत्थाओं को अनुमति देने से इनकार कर दिया गया। “वर्तमान सुरक्षा चिंताओं” का हवाला देते हुए गृह मंत्रालय ने पंजाब, हरियाणा और दिल्ली को तीर्थ यात्रा के सभी आवेदन रोकने का आदेश दिया। यह निर्णय अचानक और अत्यंत पीड़ादायक था, जिसने पंजाब और वैश्विक सिख समुदाय में आक्रोश की लहर पैदा कर दी। सिखों के लिए यह केवल यात्रा की सुविधा का मामला नहीं है—यह एक आध्यात्मिक अवरोध है। ननकाना साहिब, जहाँ गुरु नानक देव जी का जन्म हुआ, और करतारपुर साहिब, जहाँ उन्होंने अपने अंतिम वर्ष बिताए, ये स्थल पर्यटन नहीं हैं। ये जीवंत विरासत हैं। इन तक पहुँच रोकना, एक पूरे समुदाय को उसकी जड़ों, उसके गुरु और उसके इतिहास से काट देना है। इस निर्णय को और भी चिंताजनक बनाता है वह स्पष्ट विरोधाभास जो सामने आता है। तीर्थ यात्रा पर प्रतिबंध के दो दिन बाद ही भारत ने दुबई में एशिया कप 2025 में पाकिस्तान के खिलाफ क्रिकेट मैच खेला। यह मैच सरकार की पूरी अनुमति से हुआ और ...

In the span of just over a year, two South Asian nations—Bangladesh and Nepal—have witnessed youth-led uprisings that toppled long-standing governments. The similarities between these movements are too precise to ignore, prompting analysts to ask: Is this a coordinated crisis? And is it being shaped by forces beyond the region? In Bangladesh, the spark came in July 2024 when students protested a 30% civil service quota reserved for descendants of 1971 war veterans. What began as a demand for fairness quickly escalated into a nationwide movement against nepotism and authoritarianism. The group Students Against Discrimination mobilized thousands, and the digital symbol of resistance—a red profile picture—spread like wildfire. Within weeks, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned, and Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was appointed interim leader. The military stepped in to stabilize the transition. Fast forward to Nepal, September 2025. A government ban on 26 social media platforms triggered o...

  “When rivers rise, we call it nature’s fury. But when governments sleep, dams burst, and warnings are ignored—we must call it what it truly is: a man-made disaster.   The 2025 floods in Punjab have been widely reported as the worst deluge in decades, with scenes of devastation beamed across the nation. Beneath the headlines of “nature’s fury” lies a more unsettling truth: this calamity was not an act of God or a mere climatic anomaly. It was the direct result of human errors, systemic neglect, administrative complacency, and political dysfunction. Dams and barrages were pushed beyond their limits, safety protocols were overlooked, maintenance schedules were deferred, and entire communities were left exposed by decisions made behind closed doors.   While heavy monsoon rains set the stage, the real damage was amplified by the sudden and uncoordinated release of massive volumes of water from key reservoirs.  The Bhakra Dam —regulated to a maximum of 1,680 fe...