India

Draft DPDP Rules, 2025, seeds of both surveillance and freedom

The recently published Draft DPDP, 2025 Rules (Digital Personal Data Protection Rules) contain some safeguards like consent on data possession, while the shadow of a dystopian future looms large, especially with broad exemptions granted to government agencies for processing data related to public services and subsidies that, in turn, create concerning possibilities for expanded state surveillance under the guise of public interest.

Kumar Shahani- The Tender Gesture

Receiving a query, as he so often was from...

Lest we ever forget: Maulana Azad whose death anniversary is today, February 22

On the 55th death anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, a doyen of India’s freedom struggle, India’s first Union Minister for Education and a man whose contribution the present far right regime wants to erase from all record, we must always remember the man who was President of the Indian National Congress twice. In memorium

‘X’ distances itself from the clampdown on freedom of expression by blocking accounts on the executive orders of the Union government

As ‘the social media giant states that they are complying with the orders of government, what are the legal consequences it would face if it does not?

Exceptional is the Word

On Fali S. Nariman (96), who passed away yesterday, February 21, 2024

Logical, Legal Compulsion for West Bengal, other states to un-sign MoUs with UIDAI: Expert to Mamata Banerjee

In a brief yet succinct communication, with references to detailed articles and backgrounders, Dr Gopalkrishna has, while welcoming chief minister (CM), West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee’s concerns on the “mass de-activation of Aadhaar cards in Burdwan and other districts of Bengal,” urged her to un-sign WB’s MoU with UIDAI

Mamata Banerjee attacks Union Govt, says Aadhaar cards being rejected en masse in Bengal

Also raising serious concern about thousands of Aadhaar cards being de-activated or “rejected” without following any procedure in [arts of Bengal, CM Banerjee criticised the Union Govt for flagging issues like CAA –selective citizenship—only before the elections.

Chandigarh Mayor Poll: Presiding Officer admits putting marks on 8 Ballots; ‘He Must Be Prosecuted’, Says Supreme Court

CJI DY Chandrachud said a Supreme Court bench will examine the ballots on Tuesday (February 20). The bench was hearing the matter today and expressed its concern about the horse-trading that was taking place This is "….interfering with the electoral democracy by a Returning Officer is the gravest possible thing," SC said.

Farmers Protest: Union proposes contractual MSP for 5 years for three pulse crops, maize, and cotton, no law on MSP; farmer union to decide

‘Delhi Chalo’ protest on stand-by for 2 days as unions decide over proposal tabled, leaders say will resume from February 21 if other issues are not resolved too; SKM to continue holding mass protests outside homes of BJP ministers in Punjab to build pressure

Assault on Privacy & Accountability: Post Office Bill, 2023 marked by colonial residue      

The Post Office Bill, 2023 was passed by the Rajya Sabha on December 04, 2023, and has attracted criticism over its violation of privacy. The Bill seeks to “replace” the colonial era Indian Post Office Act, 1898.

New “advisory on Aadhaar as date of birth proof soon

To add to the uncertainty behind the robustness and reliability of data collection, both Govt. and private agencies banking on Aadhaar to verify individuals’ credentials like date of birth or address are now to be told to rely on ‘risk-based assessment’ or seek other proof

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How communal unrest was stoked, misinformation & rumours ignited unrest in Nagpur

Nagpur, Maharashtra erupts in communal violence after Aurangzeb Tomb protest by VHP-Bajrang Dal which itself followed weeks of hate speeches, based on misinformation, around the issue: vehicles were torched, security forces attacked, and over 50 arrested amid heavy police deployment

Draft DPDP Rules, 2025, seeds of both surveillance and freedom

The recently published Draft DPDP, 2025 Rules (Digital Personal Data Protection Rules) contain some safeguards like consent on data possession, while the shadow of a dystopian future looms large, especially with broad exemptions granted to government agencies for processing data related to public services and subsidies that, in turn, create concerning possibilities for expanded state surveillance under the guise of public interest.

A socialist world is possible: 2025 Marx Oration

On the occasion of the 142nd death anniversary of Karl Marx, as has happened each year since March 17,1883 when Frederick Engels had delivered his historic speech at the graveside of his closest comrade and friend at the Highgate Cemetery in London, Ashok Dhawale, CPI (M) Polit Bureau and AIKS National President, along with others delivered a Marx Oration. We reproduce the text below

Telangana journalists granted bail after court strikes down ‘Organised Crime’ charge

Pulse News journalists arrested in pre-dawn police raid over alleged ‘derogatory’ remarks against CM Revanth Reddy; court rejects organised crime charge, raising concerns over Telangana government’s misuse of law to suppress dissent

Delhi High Court’s takedown order against Shyam Meera Singh’s video on Isha Foundation raises free speech concerns

The Delhi High Court’s ex-parte order directs the immediate removal of Shyam Meera Singh’s YouTube video, restrains its further dissemination, and bars the public from re-uploading it

India at the Crossroads: The delimitation exercise and its implications for democracy

With no census having been conducted since 2021 for no explicable reason, the follow-up constitutionally mandated exercise of delimitation will be without foundation; besides, since with each delimitation exercise, the balance of power shifts, a rigid population-based approach, without reforms in fiscal and political decentralisation, risks further centralising authority in the Union government—potentially undermining the very spirit of federalism.

Mughal Emperors Played Holi And Called It Eid-e-Gulabi

Amir Khusro And Other Muslim Poets Composed Beautiful Verses On Holi; Now It is Being Weaponised