The Government is in the process of finalizing a new public health bill while repealing the 125 year old Epidemic Diseases Act of 1897. While few will question the need for replacing such an old and outdated law, there is also urgent need for carefully studying the various provisions of the new bill so that it is not coercive and[Read More...]
Social activists who devote their life selflessly to advancing the cause of justice and environment protection in peaceful and democratic ways are a source of great strength for any genuine democracy and any such country would take great pride in their achievements. Medha Patkar and her close colleagues in the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) are such activists whose achievements in[Read More...]
To Shri Bhupesh Baghel Chief Minister Chhattisgarh Dear Shri Baghel, I have come across a news report (https://indianexpress.com/article/india/forest-conservation-rules-disem…) on a Congress spokesperson alleging that the NDA government at the Centre had amended the rules framed under the Forest Conservation Act on June 28, 2022, that would effectively bypass the requirement under another Central legislation, the Forest Rights Act (FRA) which
The Muslim religious practice of Bakrid – being observed in July this year – is in commemoration of an event in past history that is shared by both Islam and Christianity. Members of both the communities assert their devotion to a preacher known as Abraham among Jews and Ibrahim among Muslims. Note the similarities in the phonetic pronunciations. According to [Read More...]
The Zameen Prapt Sangharsh committee staged an impressive blockade outside the office of the Block Development Officer at Sherpur town, in Sangrur.It was preceded by a rally staged from the fruit market to the bazaar. Around 1000 persons participated. Parmjeet Kaur Longowal , Darshan Singh Kheri, Darshan Singh Bajwa, Jasmeer Singh and Bikkar Singh Hathua .They .stated that in the[Read More...]
Faizan Mustafa, a Professor of law and vice-chancellor of National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR University of Law Hyderabad established by Legislative Assembly of Telangana) in a recent write-up (‘Muslims and Judiciary: We do not have Muslim or non-Muslim judges in India’, the Indian Express, July 8, 2022) disclosed that in 1997 he refused to undertake a project on[Read More...]
Ajaya Kumar Singh is one of the main strengths of the struggle for justice in Kandhamal. A well known human rights activist, Ajaya Kumar is a recipient of the Minority Rights Day Award from the National Commission for Minorities (NCM). Through this interview, Rashida Nazria is documenting some of his reflections. Rashida: I have heard that your grandparents were Adivasis[Read More...]
Both the central government and the government of my state run on increasing debt,and annual expenditure far outstrips the budget.In the case of the Centre deficit runs into lakhs of crores.The CM of the state announces every heavy loan with flourish breathing the intoxicating mantra of ‘Vikash’.And the struggling shopkeeper,[Read More...]
There is little doubt that the Indian democracy is facing multiple challenges today. On the eve of the 75th year of its independence, this might be a critical question for debates from different vantage points. There are several internal and external challenges that India has been grappling with for many decades. The most challenging task is how to sustain a[Read More...]
Some statements stay with you. One of them is a Tweet I read a few days ago, just after Uddhav Thackeray had resigned as Chief Minister of Maharastra. The tweet was by a Muslim who said something like this “ I am born and brought up a Muslim and have lived in Bandra. I have seen 91 and 93. I[Read More...]
