This is to announce a new series of postings I will be doing, relating to aachaaram in Kerala. Aachaaram is loosely translated as ‘customary practices’ or ‘customary rituals’, but in 19th century Malayali society, it referred to a massive, inter-connected, all-pervading web of practices, rituals, and ideas which bolstered the domination of the upper-castes — … Continue reading Against Aachaaram: A Dossier from Malayalam – Announcement →
Dear Friends, As some of you might be aware, our friend and colleague, Dr. Saraswati Kerketta (Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography, Rabindra Bharati University), has recently been a victim of caste-based attack in the university. We write this statement to unequivocally condemn the attack.
Guest post by C.K. RAJU It was B. R. Ambedkar who first publicised the 22 Mahar names inscribed on the pillar commemorating the battle of Bhima-Koregaon. Ambedkar, a Mahar himself, had experienced great indignities, and everyone appreciates his quest for a symbol of dalit achievement. Much has been written since on Bhima-Koregaon, but one question … Continue reading Celebrating Dalit Achievements: C. K. Raju →
This is a guest post by New Socialist Initiative New Socialist Initiative stands in solidarity with the people of Assam, Tripura and the other North Eastern states in their heroic struggle against the communally motivated Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB).
[This is a GUEST POST by N P CHEKKUTTY] It is rarely that a journalist writes about himself or herself, because they are supposed to be detached observers of history-in-the-making. But this time I cannot help it because one of the things that happened in the Sabarimala-obsessed state of Kerala this week happens to … Continue reading Thejus – The Death of a Daily Newspaper →
Hours after the two women entered Sabarimala, the Hindu terrorists began their handiwork. Mad mobs, including women, began to roam the streets and attack by-passers, in their desperation to foment violence and provoke riots. In Karunagappally, Muslim establishments and shops were singled out for vandalism. The Sangh-backed Sabarimala Action Council called for a hartal today … Continue reading Hindutva Terror and Left Hegemony: After Women’s Entry into Sabarimala →
The institute’s recent order, now withdrawn, of separate entrance for non-vegetarians is just a part of the overall policing and push for vegetarianism after the Modi government’s ascent. Image Courtesy: Catch News Nagesh (name changed), a bright student at the Indian Institute of Technology- Madras, who hails from a very poor economic background, had … Continue reading IIT-Madras, a Modern Day Agraharam ? →
..बुलंदशहर की घटनाएं इस बात की ताईद करती हैं कि हिंदुत्व वर्चस्ववाद का यह नज़रिया जिसमें मानवीय जीवन के प्रति गहरी असम्वेदनशीलता और असम्पृक्तता टपकती है और जो एक चतुष्पाद को पूजनीय बनाती है, आज उरूज पर है।.. ( Photo Courtesy : indianculturalforum.in) कभी कभी एक अदद वक्तव्य किसी नेता की एकमात्र निशानी बन कर … Continue reading पवित्र गाय, त्याज्य लोग ! →
Guest post by SAJAN VENNIYOOR If you key in “remote island” on Google, most of the news stories it throws up are about an unfortunate and very dead young man named John Allen Chau. If you type in “remote Indian island”, Google will take you immediately to North Sentinel Island. We are all, by now, … Continue reading Remote Islands, Savage Tribes: Sajan Venniyoor →
Dear Comrade Last year, around this time, I wrote you an open letter about the plight of Hadiya Asokan who was being hunted down by the Hindutva groups for her choice of faith and partner while the CPM and its cyber force was either actively abetting the violence or watching passively. I wrote in joy, … Continue reading An Open Letter to Brinda Karat about Rehana Fathima: Why are we being hunted in Kerala? →
