South Asia

Courage, Caution and the Spirit of 1971

Most wars are not justified. However 50 years ago, as India prepared for war during the greater part of 1971, these preparations were well justified, and were in fact necessary to prevent a higher loss of human lives. Pakistan under Yahya Khan had chosen to suppress the democratic aspiarations of the people of its eastern wing in a most cruel[Read More...]

High Time for USA and UK to live up to their commitments

The recent meeting of Tamil National Alliance {TNA] with the United States “{US] State Departments second rank officials provides a welcome relief and hopes kindling opening and as a light at the end of the tunnels of accountability, justice and reconciliation for the Tamil people. US, as a sponsor of the all important UNHRC Resolution of 30/1 and other Resolutions [Read More...]

Crisis, which, whose?

Crises deluge this region considered a sub-continent in Asia. The questions are: (1) Which crises? (2) Whose crises are these? (3) At which stage are these crises? A question, also, encounters a part of the progressives: Are the endeavors for a revolutionary change going through a crisis? The first three questions – which and whose, and which stage – help[Read More...]

Sri Lanka: How Rights of Tamils Eroded

Tamil Nation existed until the British conquered Sri Lanka [then called Ceylon] and amalgamated the Sinhala Nation in the South with the Tamil Nation in the North and East in 1833. Before that Jaffna Kingdom was ruled by Tamil Kings. There are several historical records to prove this fact. The British in 1948 gave independence to Sri Lanka [Ceylon] without[Read More...]

Spiraling Prices, Shortages, Foreign Exchange Crisis In Sri Lanka: Opposition Leads Thousands To Protest

Tens of thousands of supporters of Sri Lanka’s main opposition party rallied in the capital Colombo to protest the nation’s economic woes. This is the first major campaign against Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s government since it swept to power last August. Defying heavy sporadic rains, tightened Covid-19 guidelines and court orders, supporters of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya — led[Read More...]

Violence against Hindus in Bangladesh and Muslims in India: a case of state failure in one and state inspired, in another?

Image of the recent destruction of Hindu Temple in Comilla, Bangladesh. Source: The Free Press Journal Image of destruction of Muslim properties during the 2020 anti-Muslim riot in Delhi, India. Source: Al Jazeera In India, the sectarian violence against the Muslims, a minority (213 million or 15.5% of the population), are a common occurrence since 1947, the year the sub-continent[Read More...]

Sri Lanka is a multi-ethnic nation – Not a Budhist Sinhala nation

North and East Tamils traditional & historical homeland In Sri Lanka for the last 72 years, the intent and goal of all Sri Lankan Governments and Buddhist Clergy [without exception] have been to secure the Island as a SINHALA BUDDHIST STATE. The current Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapakshe is latest and very active leader who is determined to achieve this[Read More...]

The killing of Fish Worker by Pakistan’s maritime security agency condemned

Condemn the firing on fishworkers by Pakistan’s maritime security agency that resulted in the death of Shridhar Ramesh Chamre –Put an end to the violence inflicted on fishworkers by armed forces On Saturday, the 6th November 2021, around 4 pm off the coast of Gujarat, Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) troops converged on two Indian fishing boats. The Pakistan government[Read More...]

Sri Lanka: One Country One Law-Consolidating and entrenching Buddhism

President Gotabaya’s latest Presidential  Task Force headed by a convicted, jailed and pardoned Gnanasara Thero who is the founder of Bodu Bala Sena {Peoples’ Power Force] is entrusted to “Make a study of the implementation of the concept of “One Country One Law” within Sri Lanka and prepare a draft Act for the said purpose, to study the drafted Acts[Read More...]

Negotiations for Transfer of Power and Partition 

     In the early days of World War II, activism was in a state of suspended animation on the political front in India. Nearly the whole of the Congress leadership was in jail and their followers were lying low. British forces had suffered reverses everywhere; they had been driven out of Europe and thrown out of their far Eastern[Read More...]