The play, perhaps set in a dystopian, satirical India, employs a fluid theatre troupe in Khalasi Tola to present a radicalized performance that critiques and “plays out” systemic corruption, authoritarianism, and social injustice. Drawing primarily on Brecht’s alienation effect and Boal’s Legislative Theatre, it thematically intertwines real-world issues—such as the DHFL scam, the 2002 Gujarat riots, Adani-Ambani cronyism, and pseudo-science—with activated characters that blur the lines between fact and fiction, engaging interactive spect-actors in the process.
Oligarchs, Jokes, and a Pinch of Democracy: An Agit-Prop
This agit-prop is a sharp, satirical theatrical performance set in a dystopian 2025 Mumbai comedy club, blending the traditions of Charlie Chaplin, Bertolt Brecht, and Dario Fo to mount a fierce critique of India’s current political and media landscape. Using the techniques of “total theatre” and “epic theatre,” the play breaks the fourth wall and demands audience engagement, creating a space where humour becomes rebellion. Anchored by Akash Banerjee’s scathing monologues and featuring an ensemble of comedians like Munawar Faruqui, Vir Das, and Kunal Kamra, alongside journalists such as Ravish Kumar and Dhruv Rathee, the performance employs alienation effects and direct address to spotlight the nexus of politics, propaganda, and profit. The stage becomes a visual battleground of symbols: a Modi impersonator lies in a hospital bed gripping a vial of sindoor, surrounded by forged degrees from “Entire Political Science” and “WhatsApp University”; demonetized ₹500 notes bear the mocking stamp “Black Money Not Found”; a Pegasus spyware phone labeled “Snoop Mode On” links to a rigged EVM; and a “Godi Media” mic is manipulated by puppets of corporate moguls. Even the audience is not spared—projected as part of the performance, they are handed placards reading “Truth is Anti-National” and “Laugh or Be Hacked,” implicating them in the spectacle. With dark comedy and biting wit, the agit-prop exposes the erosion of democracy, the complicity of the media, the surveillance state, and the stranglehold of oligarchic power, urging spectators to become participants in resistance rather than passive consumers of spectacle.
Godi Media and the Erosion of Indian Democracy: Crony-Sponsored Yellow Journalism?
This article examines the phenomenon of “Godi media” in India, characterized by media outlets aligning with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and its implications for press freedom and democratic integrity. Focusing on the controversial appointment of Sudhir Chaudhary to Doordarshan for a ₹15-18 crore annual package and his airing of a fake video in May 2025, the analysis explores how state-sponsored journalism, economic pressures, and misinformation undermine the press as the fourth pillar of democracy. Drawing on the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, fact-checking by Alt News, and social media discourse, it evaluates whether “Godi media” manufactures consent in a Goebbelsian manner and if India exhibits Orwellian traits. While democratic institutions and independent voices provide resilience, the article highlights the urgent need for reforms to restore media independence and protect public trust.
From Hungry “Thieves” (?) to Quora’s Ban: Victims Fight Crony Capitalism
The article critiques the systemic exploitation of small investors in India through the DHFL scam, alleging that Ajay Piramal acquired DHFL at a major undervaluation via a flawed IBC process that favoured corporate interests over the rights of vulnerable small investors. It accuses political and financial elite, including the BJP and RBI, of enabling this injustice. The piece especially brings to light the recent event of censorship of certain DHFL victims’ voices on Quora, where certain OBMA members were suspended for criticizing the RBI-appointed CoC-led resolution process. Framing the issue as a case of crony capitalism and “financial genocide” (finacide), it calls for justice and accountability.
Thanking SCBA and SCAORA for Skipping Justice Bela M. Trivedi’s Farewell: A Stand for Judicial Integrity
The article expresses gratitude to the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) for their decision to forgo the farewell ceremony for Justice Bela M. Trivedi on May 16, 2025, viewing it as a principled stance for judicial integrity. It critiques Justice Trivedi for her rulings perceived to favor the ruling BJP and the executive branch, with particular emphasis on her involvement in the DHFL case. While Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai conveyed disappointment over the lack of a formal farewell, the article lauds the boycott as a courageous protest against the increasing politicization (or rather, Saffronization) of the judiciary over the past few years and a vital defense of constitutional values aimed at maintaining the separation between the political executive and the “impartial” judiciary.
BJP’s Equivocation: Condemning Islam, Subscribing Islam
This article critically examines the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) contradictory stance, highlighting its alleged role in fostering Islamophobia while simultaneously enabling elements linked to Taliban and other Islamic groupings. Through a synthesis of reports from credible sources, the piece exposes the BJP’s use of divisive rhetoric, to marginalize Muslims for political leverage and concurrently, it scrutinizes the party’s purported exploitation of terror narratives, suggesting a strategic ambivalence that undermines India’s social cohesion and security. The analysis argues that this duplicity not only erodes trust in governance but also risks destabilizing the nation’s pluralistic fabric, urging a reevaluation of the BJP’s policies to restore the melting pot of the Indian subcontinent.
Analyzing Diverging Judgements in BPSL and DHFL Cases: Victim Perspectives and the Fragility of the IBC
The article examines two Supreme Court rulings under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) that reveal troubling inconsistencies. In the BPSL case, JSW Steel’s ₹19,350 crore resolution plan—initially approved by the Committee of Creditors (CoC) and NCLT—was overturned by the Supreme Court in May 2025, citing procedural lapses such as delay, improper financial instruments, and non-compliance with Section 29A. The judgment criticized the CoC and Resolution Professional for dereliction of duty, raising concerns over investor trust. Conversely, in the DHFL case, where Piramal Capital’s resolution plan addressed ₹87,248 crore in claims, the Court upheld the plan in April 2025 despite allegations of illegality, irregularity, bias and the exclusion of retail investors or ex-promoters from decision-making. Praising the CoC’s conduct, the Court reaffirmed creditor rights but overlooked unequal stakeholder treatment. The article argues that these diverging judgments expose the fragility of the IBC, highlight unchecked CoC power, and underscore the urgent need for a more transparent, inclusive, and just insolvency framework.
Licensed Thieves & Shady Transactions: Sarcastic Posters Exposing the Systemic Rot in the DHFL “Scam”
This im/passioned collage of posters from many of the Indian citizens highlights the systemic corruption and financial abuse exemplified by the Dewan Housing Finance Corporation Limited (DHFL) scam, portraying it as a symptom of a broader BJP-headed autocratic regime’s collusion with crony capitalists like Ajay Piramal and others like Ambani and Adani. India’s low score of 38 on the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index underscores the pervasive corruption that enables such financial heists. The misuse of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) of 2016, coupled with the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) appointment of a complicit Committee of Creditors (CoC), facilitated the orchestrated plundering of DHFL depositors’ savings. Against this backdrop, sarcastic book covers and posters serve as powerful tools of resistance, exposing the roles of the RBI Governor and CoC members in alleged bribery, audit fraud, and data manipulation. These creative expressions are not only a critique of financial misconduct but also a broader condemnation of human rights violations, where systemic greed strips citizens of all senses of dignity and security. The narrative calls for justice through satire, urging accountability in a nation suffocated by regulatory apathy and political patronage.
Mr. Ajay Piramal: Grand Philanthropism or Profiteering Facade?
The article critically examines the philanthropic image of Ajay Piramal, chairman of the Piramal Group. While reflecting on his supposedly projected contributions through the Piramal Foundation in areas like healthcare, education, and clean water initiatives, the article raises concerns about alleged financial misconduct and environmental extortion issues associated with his business practices over the years that seem to posit a crony collusion. It questions whether his philanthropic endeavours serve as a genuine commitment to social welfare or as a means to obscure less ethical corporate activities. The piece encourages readers to scrutinize the alignment between Piramal’s professed values and his business operations, suggesting a need for greater genunity in viewing a philanthro-capitalist!
The Shadow of Quora: Why Once in a Blue Moon Academia Faces a Singular Blockade?
Once in a Blue Moon Academia (OBMA), a digital movement advocating for justice and transparency, thrives across platforms like WordPress, Google Sites, and YouTube, yet faces a unique blockade from Quora. This article explores Quora’s darker side—its inconsistent moderation, echo chambers, data breaches, and censorship—revealing how these flaws mirror OBMA’s broader fight against systemic oppression, including the Piramal Group’s influence in the #DHFL_Scam. From https://onceinabluemoon2021.in/ to its global digital presence, OBMA’s struggle underscores the tension between digital gatekeeping and the quest for free expression, urging readers to join the battle for a more open internet. #Seize_Cronies_Fairplay_for_DHFL_Victims #Restore_Freedom_of_Speech_and_Expression
Once in a Blue Moon Academia 