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Jagdeep Chhokar: A relentless pursuer of electoral and democratic reforms passes away
Since his retirement from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad, he was co-founder of the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR); besides, he had also been associated with ‘Aajeevika’ Bureau for over a decade, working on internal migration related issues
Trolled for Duty: Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri locks X account amid right-wing abuse over India-Pakistan ceasefire
From grieving widows to uniformed officers and veteran journalists, a toxic online ecosystem—enabled by silence at the top—continues to vilify those who speak truth, show empathy, or simply do their jobs
South Asia must stay away from war: High risks and costs for all
South Asia may have only 3 per cent of...
After India’s ‘limited strikes’ on Pakistan, de-escalation, restraint, diplomacy needed to avoid war
In similar highly tense situations in the past, both sides have been able to avoid war and work their way back to near normal conditions, and this can happen again
Censorship: The Wire, India’s credible news and analysis portal blocked, widespread condemnation
The Wire, founded by Siddharth Varadarajan, MK Venu and Siddharth Bhatia a decade ago, was served blocking orders by the government of India on the morning of May 9; the censorship action has been widely condemned
Not Fragile, Not Silent: SC chooses principle over punishment in response to BJP MP Dubey’s outburst, reasserts role as Constitutional check
Court underscores its strength and accountability, refusing to be baited by scandalous rhetoric while sounding alarm over communal provocation
Following executive order from government, X asked to block 8000 accounts in India
Social media platform ‘X’ (former Twitter) informed on its Global Affairs account that, “we have begun that process, however, we disagree with the government’s demands, blocking entire accounts is not only unnecessary—it amounts to censorship of both existing and future content,” X acknowledged the decision wasn’t easy but “keeping the platform accessible in India is vital to Indians' ability to access information,” X also added it had received no evidence or justification for the sweeping block order, in a controversial move, even X’s own @GlobalAffairs account was temporarily withheld in India—though later restored
Pahalgam: Voices of peace and reason in times of war
This piece written before India’s air strikes on its neighbour, Pakistan on May 7 remains relevant today
Poonch Victims: Civilians as targets of shelling
Four minors fell victim to the shelling while a hymn singer, tabla player, shopkeeper and homemaker were also killed and a gurdwara was also struck and suffered damage to its wall; hasty irresponsible reportage included slurring of an innocent civilian killed as a ‘terrorist’; preliminary reportage has counted the victims in Poonch alone to be 15 though numbers are expected to rise further
‘Reforms’: Sachar Committee, the 2013 Amendments and the motive behind the proposed changes in the Waqf Regime
While, like instant triple talaq and Uniform Civil Code (UCC), more stringent regulations on Waqf properties have figured in the BJP’s electoral manifestos in 1998 and 2009; the specific amendments have the potential to be the means for property grab and control of what has historically and legally been established as minority land holdings
Madrasi Camp Demolition: CPI(M) Delhi Demands Halt to Evictions, Rehab Within 5 Km
Reminding BJP of its promise of “Jahan Jhuggi, Wahaan Makaan”, the CPI(M) said over 400 working-class families in the 60-year-old slum cluster were evicted despite valid documents.
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