Tag: Karnataka

While efforts have been afoot in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh by civil rights groups and people’s movements to ensure inclusion of the maximum number of eligible voters under the ongoing, expanded, SIR process. The author argues how these efforts may come to naught, given the structural issues involved: a compromised ECI, rushed timelines and the unlawful and rigid document-test for citizenship. In fact, robust efforts in Kerala, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu where similar efforts were made also came to naught.

Despite assurances by state governments, the ongoing SIR requirement can only be met by a Permanent Residence Certificate issued by a competent authority

A People’s Critique: Expectations and Disillusionments

The state has revoked the BJP-era order banning hijabs in classrooms, allowing students to wear limited religious symbols including hijab, turban and sacred thread in educational institutions

In an era where majoritarian politics is openly dismissive of Muslim concerns, the Congress still benefits from being seen as the lesser evil. But “lesser evil” is not a sustainable political identity. For a party that speaks the language of diversity and inclusion, Karnataka’s record on Muslim representation - particularly in Parliament - stands as an uncomfortable indictment.

Two accused, unnamed by the police attacked two Muslim teachers at Basavakalyan in Karnataka’s Bidar district leading to widespread protests by the community

The Karnataka Janaarogya Chaluvali (Karnataka People’s Health Movement/Struggle) has written a strong critique of the draft Karnataka Right to Health and Emergency Medical Services Bill 2025, questioning its rationale and orientation; the critique points how this draft has been mostly borrowed from the Rajasthan Right to Health Act (2022). Besides, says KJC, while some activists in Karnataka have been clamoring for a replication of the Rajasthan Right to Health Act, this demand has been made without investing too much thought into whether this is what Karnataka requires

An interesting formation of citizens groups and people’s organisations has directly accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) as being responsible for a systemic assault on the Indian democratic framework

Three arrested after 11 children fall ill from poisoned water; police uncover plot aimed at removing long-serving Muslim educator in Karnataka’s Hulikatti village

Marketed as a tool to fight disinformation, the Karnataka Misinformation and Fake News (Prohibition) Bill, 2025 hands sweeping powers to the executive, criminalises speech, and threatens to silence dissent, satire, and critique—under vague and ideological pretexts