[Prefatory Note: The following post is a revised version of responses to questions addressed to by Javad Arabshirazi, a journalist in Iran, on the issues raised by recent Quran Desecration incidents in Scandinavia. The link to the earlier online publication of this interview is below:https://iqna.ir/en/news/3484743/int%E2%80%99l-law-not-strong-enough-to-… ] Q#1: As you know, over the past month, the […]
Statement by Constitutional Conduct Group We are a group of former civil servants of the All India and Central Services who have worked with the Central and State Governments in the course of our careers. Our group has no affiliation with any political party, and we, as its members, believe in impartiality, neutrality and commitment … Continue reading CCG Open Statement on the Sedition Provision in the Indian Penal Code →
Seizure of books before publication is a worst restriction than pre-censorship, which is not permitted under fundamental rights of our Constitution. But it happened recently in Telangana. Right to think, right to write, right to read and right to publish are significant components of freedom of speech and expression which cannot be deprived of without approved constitutional grounds. Prohibition of[Read More...]
I watched Vir Das’ performance with a sense of awe. His words were pure poetry, poignant and powerful. He had chosen each word carefully, with precision and perfection in every word, the essence of those words deeply disturbing yet patriotic. The video was equally communicative, and the loud applause followed by an eery silence at the end was extremely impactful,[Read More...]
BUJ and DUJ Condemn Arrest of Journalists in Tripura; Welcome Bail; Demand Withdrawal of all Cases and End to Intimidation of Journalists covering Tripura violence The Brihanmumbai Union of Journalists (BUJ) and the Delhi Union of Journalists (DUJ) have strongly condemned the arrest of Samriddhi Sakunia and Swarna Jha, two journalists from HW News Network, by Tripura police on Nov[Read More...]
The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, published on 25 February 2021 under the Information Technology Act, 2000 will have a chilling effect on the freedom of expression of ordinary individuals, social media writers and the journalists working in print and electronic media. The Government of India is trying to usurp the power of Parliament[Read More...]
Statement by writers and readers of Gujarati literature about threats issued against them in the journal Shabdsrushti Gujarat Sahitya Akademi whose autonomy was wrested by the Gujarat government, which then turned it into a government institution, publishes a journal named Shabdsrushti. The June 2021 issue of Shabdsrushti carries an anonymous piece of writing titled “No, This Is Not a Poem,[Read More...]
THE STATE LOOKS THE OTHER WAY ONLY WHEN RIGHT-WING FOOTSOLDIERS TARGET INNOCENT PEOPLE AND PROVOKE VIOLENCE. A foreigner, returning from a trip to the Third Reich, When asked who ruled there, answered: Fear… The Regime, Bertolt Brecht. Those occasions on which judicial verdicts bring cheer are getting rarer. As everyone who supports gender justice rejoices … Continue reading If Comment is Free, Why are Dissenters Being Locked Up? →
Whether Government of India is extending its censorship power to news and current affairs’? The notification by President Ramnath Kovind extends the power to pre-censor cinema content on the Internet platform. At the same time, does it surreptitiously attempt to censor news and current affairs also? The Constitution of India authorised[Read More...]
(MEE) – After weeks of complaints and allegations of voter irregularities, Turkey’s election board has canceled the results of Istanbul’s recent mayoral race, ordering a new vote to be held in the city next month. In a statement on Monday, the Turkish High Election Board (YSK) said that seven of its 11 members voted to cancel the […]
