Balagopal is well known Human rights activist. When i picked this book, i was thinking of the sharp wit of him on AFSPA act. However, the essays are more of political analyst.
Well, after reading this, my admiration for him came down a bit. Not because of his critique on Indian govt in dealing with Kashmir issue, but the points he chose to criticize. In one article, he chides the vajpayee govt for delaying the talks by 6 months, after that question was raised by pakistan ambassador. I found it silly.
Anyway, balagopal is balagopal, no matter how much he tried to be political analyst in this, his concern for humans, rights and his mark observation on locals in uncanny.