A short film by Himali and Umang highlighting the impact of chemicals from the Union Carbide factory in Bhopal on new borns in the neighborhood.

A short film by Himali and Umand highlighting the impact of chemicals from the Union Carbide plant in Bhopal on new borns in the neighborhood.

Medha Patkar anguishes about the horse trading and denigration of democracy we see leading to the vote on the nuclear deal and argues that it is time to truly bring back democracy of representation.

Jamaat-e-Islami organized a convention for Bangladeshi freedom fighters - under the guise of a newly formed organization. The only problem was that the freedom fighters who came quickly saw through it. Rahnuma Ahmed writes.

We are shocked to learn of the gruesome murder of senior activist and campaigner for prohibition of liquor, Mr. A.D. Babu, one of the state convenors of NAPM in Karnataka.

Many legal experts in Bangladesh are opposed to the anti-terror ordinance fearing that it will be used vindictively and victimize innocent people. Ashutosh Sarkar writes in the Daily Star.

I received an email from Jayne Bigelsen of the New York City Bar Association announcing that Aitzaz Ahsan, a prominent leader of the Pakistani lawyers who have played a significant role in ensuring the life of democratic institutions in the recent past, was to speak at the NYCBA.

The Indian Government is denying basic human rights to the children of Bhopal, the survivors of the world’s worst industrial disaster and among the worst of corporate crimes.

Yogi Sikand reports from a meeting held in Islamabad - on Democracy in South Asia, especially highlighting the vibrancy of intellectual debate and critique within Pakistan.

The Presidential Address of Hazrat Allama Anwar Shah Kashmiri to the Annual Session of the Jamiat ul-Ulama-i Hind, Peshawar, 1927. Translated by Yoginder Sikand

A ten day fast has commenced to protest against draconian laws and demand release of Dr. Binayar Sen, Ajay TG and others. More than 60 organizations from more than 25 states of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, UK, USA, and other nations have endorsed the campaign. Some of these organizations are listed below:

The killing of activist Lalit Mehta in Jharkhand was a diabolical warning to those who question, write ARUNA ROY and NIKHIL DEY. (Indian Express, June 14, 2008)

The Pakistan-India Judicial Committee on Prisoners has called for immediate repatriation of sick and mentally disabled prisoners on humanitarian grounds.

Human Rights Organization Masum under attack for coordinating "People's Tribunal on Torture" - a report from Sanhati

The popular Indian tourist city Jaipur was hit with a series of bomb blasts on Tuesday resulting in over 80 people dead. Outside of the troubled regions of Jammu and Kashmir and the North-East, this is the tenth terror bombing in India targeting civilians since 2005. A note by Kashif-ul-Huda.

As Prof. Agrawal takes on his fast-unto-death to protest the destruction of River Ganga by badly thought out projects undertaken by the central and state governments, we present a vignette of the man and his mission.

Manas Ghosh writes in the Doinik Statesman, revisiting the massacre of 8 in Shuchpur by CPI(M) cadre and the continued intervention by the CPI(M) led government that has continued to subvert and slow down the process of justice, despite orders from the courts.

Family secrets can be state secrets. Our mothers and fathers need to tell us stories. We need to discover ways of talking about silenced histories. And about the silenced present. Rahnuma Ahmed writes.

Rape and abduction of women in the east go unnoticed. ........Just before Batti MC election over 20 women were raped by STF in Akkaraipattu. Below incident happened on day of the PC election.  Election monitoring bodies have not considered these as election related violence leave alone any other action by the civil society groups.  By JamilaNajimuddin

When I packed my sleeping bag that early morning before sunrise for this long journey, I placed a white (khatak) scarf at the alter of His Holiness and said I have decided, whatever happens, I will make my way through.

“We have broken the backbone of the inhabitants of Nandigram. There will be no further resistance there”: Lakshman Seth, CPI(M) member of parliament, to the Chief Minister of West Bengal  as reported in Doinik Satesman, Kolkata, of 27 April 2008

The lawyers begin their protest movement against emergency laws and the Supreme Court judgment on the issue of bail

A conference on release of political prisoners was organized in Delhi - families of political prisoners presented their stories and the plight of these prisoners, often held without legal processes was discussed.

A coalition of Indian organizations is calling citizens and groups to join in protest against The Land Acquisition (Amendment) Act, 2007 and The Resettlement and Rehabilitation Bill, 2007 which will affect the rights of those displaced by adhoc non-democratic government processes.

Manshi Asher and Kanchi Kohli provide the perspective of those who will be thrown out of their land and their livelihoods by the Giant POSCO project. First published by Infochange .

POSCO not driven by philanthropy but shrewd planning to compensate displaced farmers. Authors believe that an economic scam in the making

Futures trading in wheat, rice and pulses like tur and urad has been suspended by the Forward Markets Commission as it caused market manipulation, leading to a rise in prices. But, still, futures trading is
being carried out in a number of agricultural commodities. Note by Krishan Bir Chaudhary (published in Indian Express, Business Week and numerous Indian Vernacular Dailies)

Violence erupted afresh in Nandigram since Friday after CPM workers allegedly attacked villagers in Gokulnagar area and gangraped a 50-year-old woman. Three persons, including the woman, were shifted to the SSKM Hospital in Kolkata on Saturday.

Truth is not just there, it is made real and ratified by action, but although to realize it and bring about a more just order one needs power, the truth cannot be allowed to be ensnared by power in the process. This is the role of public intellectual: to point out truths that are not convenient from the point of view of one's politics. A speech by Walden Bello

Civil society groups have stepped forward to end the quagmire in Manipur, wrest the initiative for future policies from armed actors (belonging to the State and other groups) by increase democratic participation as well as creation of awareness of the situation across India. An invitation.

As the Olympics torch makes its way through South Asia, Tibetans plan to protest Chinese torture of Tibetans in their homeland.

Angered by government support for the POSCO steel plant, hundreds of protestors stormed police barricades in Orissa’s Dhinkia. An eye-witness account by MANSHI ASHER. First published in Tehelka.

A photographic exhibition and film season that focuses on one of South Asia’s most significant political events: the foundation of Bangladesh as an independent state.

While the UPA government in India declared an end to the Prevention of Terrorism Act(POTA), it has used draconian amendments of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (ULAPA) to crack down on dissent within civic society, arresting judges, social activitists and political dissenters.

In a major victory for the rights of people and human rights movements, Asian Development Bank has decided to pull out of its funding for the Phulbari mining effort being driven by UK based MNC namely GCM Resources.

Why did students write on blank answer- scripts "Save BESU from becoming a Nandigram"? Students complain that CPM cadre and goons are targetting students inside the campus to join the student wing of CPM, or else.

Report from the first two days of the National Water Conference in Varanasi presents a broad range of discussions by members of local communities near Varanasi and representatives from communities affected by water from across India.

Over 1500 people marched to the Mehdiganj bottling plant that is operating without environmental authorization and demanded it shut down.

The campaign to stop funding hate (CFSH) presents an analysis concluding that chapters of Hindu Student Council in the USA are connected to the Sangh even though many members of the chapters may not be cognizant of this connection.

Visiting those who have suffered the burtalities of Hindu communalism in Ram Lal ka Kadda, Karthik Ramanathan concludes that the hope for Indian democracy can only arise from the oppressed sections.

Human rights is the last resort of the hopeless. Its liberal advocates don’t see it that way. They find it heroic, the foundation of a new international order that will, when established universally, guarantee secure lives for everyone, everywhere – from Tibet to Timbuktu. But would the subaltern, the oppressed – the target of human rights – necessarily agree?

A huge open cast coal mining project by a quoted British firm, that would displace up to 130,000 people in Bangladesh, is at the centre of an international row. GCM, a fast growing Aim-listed company, is behind plans to a dig up to 572 million tonnes of coal in a project that will displace people from Phulbari, in north-west Bangladesh, divert a river from its course, and destroy a mangrove forest that is a world heritage site. From The Guardian.

The mammoth 'Anti-Terrorism Convention' organised at Deoband late last month, which brought together ulema from all over the country, has received wide media coverage. Yogi Sikand reports.

In a community meeting in California, Ayesha Siddiqa Agha, author of the Military Inc., talks about the impact of the role of the army in Pakistan, and the recent elections. This was published by PakistanLink.com

A peasants' conference was organized in Sindh to focus on the problems of bonded labour.

Tenzin Tsundue, a Tibetan in exile in India, along with a few other Tibetans plan a march to China from India, arriving during the Olympics to draw attention to the cause of Tibetans and the oppression in Tibet

interview with Radio Gwank Balochistan - Advocate Shaker Bibi Baloch - Chairman of Baloch Women Panel - has demanded to Pakistani Government and the whole world community, that coming election in Balochistanon should be held on the basis of " right of self-determination".... as to enable Balochs to decide their own future destiny.

Asian Center for Human Rights analyzes the land acquisition and rehabilitation laws and its impact on communities in India.

Maharashtra Legislative Assemble passes bill on people's participation through formation of Area Sabhas

The Cheetas and the Kathats (also known as Merats or Mehrats) are two related clans. Most of them follow a mix of both Hindu and Muslim customs and many identify themselves as both Hindu and Muslim at the same time. Yogi Sikand describes how these communities are reacting to presence of religious insularity.

All over the world, groups who are fighting for local water rights are championing an international instrument on the right to water. Due to over-development and climate change, fresh water is becoming increasingly scarce. In addition, in many communities across the globe, people cannot get access to whatever clean water does exist without paying private corporations. The global water crisis is evident. We need a global solution in form of a United Nation Covenant on water.

It was a medieval idea that pain had to be inflicted on the body for truth to pour out. The purpose of modern torture is different. To instil fear. To crush political dissent. To wreak havoc and destroy lives. Often performed out of sheer habit. To assert supremacy. To possess nations. To build empires anew, writes Rahnuma Ahmed, NewAge, February 18, 2008. www.newagebd.com

A national conference on Right to Water is planned in Mehdiganj in UP, India from March 28th-20th, 2008. The venue is the site of an ongoing protest against the activities of the local Coca Cola plant and its adverse impact on the local water table.

Subhranshu Choudhury says that more than 4 farmers are committing suicide in Chattisgarh everyday.

Yogi Sikand writes about the community of Cheeta-Merat, in Rajasthan, that follows Hindu and Muslim traditions.

The people of Pakistan generally perceive the military to be the ruler of Pakistan. The perception is only partially true. Nonetheless, this perception damages the image of the armed forces. An article by Dr. Mubashir Hasan (Dawn, Jan 15).

The Maitreya project claims to by a multi-million dollar project to embody peace and raise awareness of peace. It is being built by displacing communities from over 200 villages.

'If you eats these dinners and don't cook 'em, if you wears these clothes and don't buy or iron them, then you might start thinking that the good fairy or some spirit did all that... Black folks don't have no time to be thinking like that... But when you don't have anything else to do, you can think like that. It's bad for your mind, though."

We celebrated the 59th Indian Republic Day with great patriotism and fervour. At moments, I am sure our eyes must have moistened with pride, while watching the parade and tableau showcasing our achievements. Even days later, the congratulatory mood is still on. An article by Pinky Pradhan.

While on a recent visit to Delhi, I chanced upon an Urdu book whose title, Tehrik-i-Islami Ko Darpesh Siyasi Challenge ('The Political Challenges Before  the  Islamic Movement'), immediately attracted my attention. Yogi Sikand presents a summary of this book.

Yogi Sikand explores the changing representation and voices of gender, caste, class and region within the Indian Mulsim community in the context of the Sachar report

Shahidul Alam describes the journey of a unique adventure in learning photography at Pathshala.

A joint statement by a large number of south asian groups working on human rights and justice have called to boycott a consultation initiated by the Asian Development Bank to mitigate advers impacts of its investments on people.

Separate madrasas for Muslim girls are a relatively recent phenomenon in India. Although the number of such madrasas is still small, there is a distinct trend towards setting up more such institutions, both
that provide only religious education, as well as those that combine both Islamic and modern subjects.An article by Yogi Sikand.

Black was the colour of pathos, and I was submerged in it. Women dressed in black sarees and salwar kameez were beating their chests to the chant of ‘Ya Hussain’. The chorus rose to a fevered pitch followed by a sudden silence. In that momentary silence was crystallized generations of mourning. The place – a Shia Muslim neighbourhood in Lucknow; the time – the tenth of Moharrum. If grief has different shades, on can see it during Moharrum.

Riazuddin Ahmed lost his parents and a sister in  the ghastly Nellie Massacre. But he has fought against all odds to revive the spirit to live. He has set up COMTI, a one man mission to compile biographies of Indian Muslim personalities whose contributions need to be remembered by the society. Nigar Ataulla writes.

A two part video from Phulbari titled "The Blood Soaked Banner of Bhulbari" describing the impact of the mines on people and the opposition  to the mines - now on You Tube.

Writers and artists gathered to protest West Bengal Government's treatment of Taslima Nasreen, despite a High Court Order that her novel was breaking no laws, in what reeks of communal appeasement and male chauvinism. More importantly, the state decided to prosecute the fundamental right to expression.

Community leaders from Uttar Pradesh write to the National Human Rights Commission to act against the recent violence against Christians in Orissa and are asking citizens and community groups from around India to join in.

Pressure has been mounting against the detention of Dr Binayak Sen in Chattisgarh with swelling number of people demanding unconditional and immediate release of Sen.

Shahidul Alam writes about the assasination of Benazir Bhutto and the political trajectory of Pakistan.

Tridip Suhrud writes about the changing landscape of Gujarati language, the increasing voice of machismo and the dying categories of compassion and love. This article was first published in Tehelka

The National Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy of 2007 notified on 31 October 2007 fails to address the key issues relating to the booming of conflicts: forcible acquisition of lands. An Asian Center for Human Rights Report.

The Phulbari coal mine, proposed by GCM Resources Plc, is set to cause major social and environmental upheavals in the region, displacing upwards of 50 000 residents. Despite strong local opposition, investors UBS, RAB Capital and Barclays continue to back GCM with significant shareholdings.

Continued awareness efforts and Right to Information Camps in Kanpur have helped increase citizen awareness of government roles and have helped increase accountability of government officials.

The ironies that separate those interested in development and the lives of the poor - Shahidul Alam writes.

Nasiruddin Haider Khan writes that perhaps in the minds of many Gujaratis who idolize Modi, Muslims do not have a place in Gujarat

Chengara speaks to India through the Chengara Pledge (given below), which thousands of people, in struggle for the last 120 days in Chengara Harrison Malayalam Estate, (also called as Laha Estate) seeking ownership of cultivable land to all 5,000 struggling families. Land struggle in Chengara, Pathnamtitta district, Kerala by landless Dalits and Adviasis (as well as scores of families from OBC communities, Muslims etc) from all parts of Kerala, started on 4 August 2007.

Reports coming from Orissa tell us of police and goons of the state government attacking a non-violent demostration against POSCO takeover with bombs and further intimidation of the demosntrators.

While the Prime Minister very honourably lost sleep over the case of Dr Mohammed Haneef, a Bangalore doctor, who was framed in Australia during the month of July 2007 as having been involved in the blast case at Glasgow Airport, we have not heard of him losing sleep over Dr Binayak Sen (an acclaimed doctor and general secretary of PUCL who is being framed and is under arrest since summer of 07).

With the caretaker government in Bangladesh making new rules for voter registration, there is fear among the paharis in the Chittagong Hill Tracts that they will be left without voting rights. A review from Bangla Word Press.

Medha Patkar sends an update on the situation in Nandigram following the November 14th killings.

As CPI(M) would have liked, a petition (perhaps initiated by Prof Vijay Prashad) has signatories such as Noam Chomsky, Howard Zinn, Walden Bello and Tariq Ali asking Bengal and India to not make an issue of the atrocities of the CPI(M) government in Bengal so that the left unity is not broken. Prof. Dipanjan Raichaudhuri and Kunal Chattopadhyay respond as also a broad community of other Indians identifying with the left.

The official death toll from a savage cyclone that wreaked havoc on southwest Bangladesh reached 1,723 Saturday — the deadliest storm to hit the country in a decade.

The Pakistani community in the USA has vocally opposed the emergency imposed by General Musharraf in Pakistan, deploring the suspension of fundamental rights, the arrest and detention of thousands of lawyers, human rights activists, judges, students and journalists.

Friends of Tibet organizes a workshop with ideas from 'Theatre of the Oppressed' in Dharamsala.

Citizen's groups have been apalled by Brinda Karat's call for more violence against political adversaries. Other groups have called for expression of support for people of Nandigram from civic society across India.

Farooq Tariq. general secretary of the Labour Party Pakistan has been in hiding since the emergency began. On the 14th day of his hiding, he attended a meeting when Ms Bhutto met with other leaders of civil society. A report from Farooq Tariq.

In an article that first appeared in counterpunch, B. R. Gowani writes a letter to Bhutto asking questions about her credentials to lead Pakistan to democracy.

Shri Jugal Kishore Raybir, the National President of Samajwadi Jan Parishad and a leader of autonomy movement in North Bengal passed away in teh morning of 6 November at Jalpaiguri. A bachelor and full time political activist, he was 61 and was suffering from Lukemia for the last three months.

Indian lawyers, advocates and judges are endorsing support for Pakistani lawyers in their fight against the power grab by General Musharraf.

The former Pakistani captain and now political leader, Imran Khan, goes on the offensive against General Musharraf's obvious attempt to hang on to power and urging Pakistanis to demand democracy for themselves.

Following imposition of emergency of Pakistan, members of various civic society groups and political opponents have been arrested. In many cases, no charges have been filed. Groups around the world have expressed solidarity with community groups opposing the emergency.

Academics, economists, politicians and activists jointly announced the formation of a people's tribunal against the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and the Asian Development Bank on Sunday.

On October 25^th, 2007, over 600 people marched and rallied against the Coca-Cola bottling plant in the village of Sinhachawar in Ballia district (Uttar Pradesh) in India yesterday, demanding that the plant be shut down permanently.

Another Coca Cola plant in Sinhachavar, in Ballia district of Uttar Pradesh has become the center for protests as the local government body has demanded that government revoke its license to the plant.

A group of college students,  Americans of Indian origin, visited Coke's India headquarters in Delhi and Mehdiganj where local communities say they are affected by Coke's activities. A report.

The four days of Durga Puja signify carnival time in West Bengal. On the main Saptami Puja day, Thursday the 18th of October, a few of us witnessed a tiny act of defiance by the small traders of Nonachandanpukur Bazaar, in Barrackpore, within the area loosely called Greater Calcutta.

There has been never any other better time in history of Pakistan for a greater Left unity than the present time. There is great urge among all the Left and progressive forces to unite on one platform.

Along with local organizations, Asha Ashram co-organized RTI Camps in Kanpur in UP and Tamulpur, Baksa, in Assam.

Revisiting the protests against Sonia Gandhi outside the UN, Sandip Dasverma writes: A question often bothers my mind: Are we are becoming a shallow and mean people? Or we are just allowing such people to represent us by default?

Various groups in Burma are asking neighbours - especially China, India and Thailand - to stop business as usual with the military regime in Burma.

Local groups across the world plan a candle light vigil in support of farmers in India and the agricultural crisis that is driving thousands to commit suicide.

With the 4th day of the People's Tribunal on World Bank coming to an end, officials of the World Bank decided to stay away saying that they were not accountable to this forum.

Responding to a request under RTI, the GoI Hydrology department has shown that water levels in 9 out of 13 stations in Varanasi district have fallen below drought conditions; yet, the Coca Cola plant continues to pump water out of the ground.

The Independent Peoples Tribunal on the World Bank Group in India got underway at New Delhi today at a packed auditorium at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).

Rights activists across the world today kicked off a five-day demonstration in support of the movement in Manipur for the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers Act) and hunger striker Irom Sharmila - The Telegraph reported.

On 21 September 2007, hundreds of people will assemble in New Delhi to put the World Bank on trial. In four days of parallel sessions in front of more than a dozen judges, people from all walks of life will air their grievances against one of the world's most powerful institutions.

Over a hundred people from across the country will present testimony at the Independent People's Tribunal on the World Bank in India this month. From 21-24 September intellectuals, grassroots activists, and those willing to come forward to speak about the impact of World Bank projects and policies on their communities will convene at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi.

Ram Krishnan, an NRI living in the USA writes about his learnings as he travels through India.

26 August 2007 will mark the first anniversary of the memorable mass  resistance waged collectively by all people, - young and old, men and women, Bangalees and aboriginals against the infamous Phulbari Coal Project characterized by fraudulence and rule-bashing designed to plunder natural resources under people's ownership, simultaneously causing devastation of human life and environment.

It has been a year of violence in Sri Lanka after the failed peace efforts. Here are some stories of people affected by the violence - not stories of the government or the factions of LTTE.

India continues to support the military junta in Burma with hopes of business contracts and resolution of border issues - none of these have materialized. An ACHR report.

It is now almost five months since Irom Sharmila returned to Imphal on 5th March 2007, to continue her hunger fast against the draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). The situation continues to be grim - both for Sharmila as well for all those suffering under the prolonged implication of AFSPA.

A bridge collapses in Minneapolis. A dam collapses in Rajasthan. How two democracies react gives us an insight to these democracies.

The National Alliance of People’s Movements, a network of over two hundred people’s movements in India working for social and economic justice, believes that the India-US nuclear deal has grave consequences for India’s national security and sovereignty, for India’s relations with its neighbours, for India’s economy, for the health of its people and for the state of its environment.

University of Illinois is the third university this summer -- following Smith College in the U.S. and the Banaras Hindu University in India -- to have terminated its beverage contract with Coca-Cola.

Noted Pakistani human rights activist Asma Jahangir Monday urged India and other democracies to support the lawyers' movement for the restoration of democracy in the neighbouring country.

Local communities are opposing a set of hydel projects planned in Sikkim that threatens homes, livelihoods and the local economies. Not surprisingly, though, the government continues without taking into account people's concerns. We are requesting readers to to ask the government to change its re-evaluate its processes.

Photographers from the Global South - from artists in Bhutan to a small studio in Bolivia and from Kathmandu to Dili - put together a photo-essay on the struggles of human rights and justice from their homes.

In the more than one year of its existence, the commission found 96 cases where PIO had illegally denied information. Despite pompous pronouncements of Rs 25,000 penalties against errant PIOs, not one errant PIO has been fined till date. A Hindustan Times article.

Seventeen farmers and activists from twenty four villages in Raigad District of Maharashtra have gone on indefinite fast since 19 July 2007. This is a symbolic non-violent struggle against the unabated land acquisition by the Reliance group for their 10,000-hectare-plus Maha-Mumbai SEZ (special economic zone).

A number of civil society groups are organizing an Indian Civil Society Summit in Bangalore on 25th and 26th of August to mark 60 years of independence. The event hopes to be an open forum for an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of our people and opportunities as we go forward.

Ayesha Siddiqa’s book “Military Incorporated: Inside Pakistan’s Military Economy” is not only a brave work that provides a first in depth look at the monopolization of sectors of Pakistani economy by the military but also presents us with much learning regarding scenarios in South Asia and the impact of eroding civic society participation.

Three citizens of New Delhi plan to present a Public Interest Litigation demanding that the government act to proactively increase transparency and engender a greater environment of participative democracy by changing nomenclature of public functioning.

Madhulika has written about an ongoing struggle where government and contractors on government projects were not paying laborers minimum wage. After months of struggle, now, the laborers have finally received minimum wages.

In a shocking finding, another Coca-Cola bottling plant in India has been found to be operating in complete violation of environmental laws and regulations in India. Communities around this plant have begun protests at this discovery.

Indefinite Hunger Strike demanding rehabilitation of those displaced by the Omkareshwar and Indira Sagar projects has entered the 5th day. The plight of displaced people worsens due to blatant flouting of Supreme Court orders. Displaced people argue that the price of thousands of lives is larger than the State's fiscal loss.

On Sunday June 3rd, 2007, Pakistani Americans and their friends will hold a rally for the democracy and justice in Pakistan. The rally is planned outside the White House.

As India celebrates the 150^th Anniversary of the 1^st War of Independence (1857), we refer to Aflatoon’s presentation of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s speech on 11^th July 1944 to the Azad Hind Fauj and his reference to this First War of Independence. It is especially poignant to listen to Netaji’s reference to Bahadur Shah Zafar.

Dr. Binayak Sen was produced today in the court of the Additional CJM at Raipur along with the co-accused, Mr. Pyush Guha. Dr. Sen was sent on judicial remand to Raipur Central Jail until 5^th June, 2007.

Two key organizations representing the fishermen community have condemned the appointment of a retired army officer as general manager of Fishermen Cooperative Society (FCS) and termed it illegal and in violation of bylaws of the society.

Association for Democratic Reforms, in collaboration with numerous NGOs and civic society groups in UP undertook a massive effort for greater electoral awareness and transparency during these elections - a report.

Singur in India showed clearly that Communism provides no alternative to the violence of free market Capitalism. We must look elsewhere.

Feryal Gauher's speech at the fourth Punjab Development Forum, April 23-24, 2007 in Lahore questions the model of development in Pakistan and suggests a more human sensitive process of development.

"India has developed an installed capacity of 5,340 MW from wind power just over the last decade compared to 3580 MW from nuclear power developed over the last five decades." Dr Sandeep Pandey writes about the ironies of nuclear power after a visit to Koodankulam.

In Orissa and in Madhya Pradesh, state forces are being used to perpetrate violence against communities opposing government policies. Is this becoming a norm? Its time to call and ask the governments what they are thinking!

Two members of Friends of Tibet were arrested while attempted to storm the Chinese embassy to demand the release of Panchen Lama - one tried to self-immolate himself. They were then taken to Tihar where they went on a hunger strike for over 3 days. After being moved to Deen Dayal Upadhyay hospital, New Delhi, we now learn that they have been released.

Group presenting DVDs with a wide range of social issues.

Madhulika writes about a protest in rural Rajasthan against corruption by government agencies and contractors implementing the Prime Ministers Village Road Program and the National Right to Employment Guarantee Act where rural workers are not being paid minimum wages and numerous clauses are being flouted. A follow up to earlier events.

Workers, farmers, fisherfolk, women, representatives of tribal and dalit communities and displaced people came to Delhi in mid March to hold the "People's Parliament" and to present to the members of the Indian Parliament their concerns and grievances. They were beaten up by police while policy makers ignored them. Now they present their note vis-a-vis the direction that India should take.

Peasant and Workers gathered in Hyderabad to demand pro-people policies from their government

While the Indian and Pakistani governments talk about confidence building measures and increased people to people interactions, the relaity has not changed. Nine young cyclists from Maharashtra, having carried the message of peace through 2000 KM in India, on their way to Islamabad were denied visas by the Pakistani government.

Democracy is about the ability to expressing dissenting opinions. Yet, the government of the largest democracy, yet again, beats up non-violent dissenters seeking to present their opinions to the planning commission. Ask the government to respect democratic processes.

A growing community is opposing the government's plans to build another nuclear plant. With the government continuing with its plans, without acknowledging local concerns, things seem to be moving to a head.

"Nandigram did not surprise me. I was anguished and angry but not surprised. I had heard the story of Alipurduar from Jugal Kishore Raybir." This article by Yogendra Yadav first appeared in the Indian Express.

Nine cycling enthusiasts from various walks of life are bicycling from near Mumbai to Islamabad. A diary from their fourth week as they approach Delhi.

"We do not buy seeds from the market because we suspect they may be contaminated with genetically engineered or terminator seeds," says Pavamma, a Dalit woman in village Palarum, near the town of Zaheerabad, about 110 kms north-west of the high-tech city of Hyderabad. Women of Zaheerabad take on Monsanto and show the way to food security.

Nine cycling enthusiasts from various walks of life are bicycling from near Mumbai to Islamabad. A diary from their third week.

World Sindhi Institute in Washington DC is organizing a discussion forum on Lahore Resoution Day (March 23rd) to talk about oppression by the Pakistani State.

Friends of Tibet recently announced chapters in Pakistan and Nepal. While providing our readers with a short note on the organization, we also encourage our readers in Nepal and Pakistan to support the organization.

Nine cycling enthusiasts from various walks of life have joined hands to undertake a unique mission. They are going to cycle all the way from Panvel, near Mumbai to Islamabad, through Wagah, Lahore, and Rawalpindi  - spreading the message of peace between India and Pakistan on their way.

Madhulika writes about a protest in rural Rajasthan against corruption by government agencies and contractors implementing the Prime Ministers Village Road Program and the National Right to Employment Guarantee Act where rural workers are not being paid minimum wages and numerous clauses are being flouted.

Nasir Aziz, Therese Caouette and Ethan Casey travel to IslandWood (http://www.islandwood.org/) on Bainbridge Island near Seattle to interview Edith Mirante, human rights advocate and author of the travel books Burmese Looking Glass and Down the Rat Hole. The conversation ranges from the plight of Rohingya Muslim refugees from Burma in Bangladesh and as far afield as Karachi, to the political crisis in Bangladesh, to the role of Burma's huge army, which has ruled the country since 1962. For more Pakcast discussions, click here.
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While farmers continue to commit suicide owing to crop failure and debts, the government refuses to take an action against Dow even while it is discovered by the US Securities and Exchange Commission that the company made improper payments to regulatory officials in India, introducing numerous pesticides that fall outside Indian regulations.

In an article in Outlook India, Sandeep Pandey writes: The country's deeply-flawed development plans can be rejected by the poor

This is a story of change among tribal communities in Jharkhand - a story of economic empowerment, of government accountability and revival of a dying tradition. It is a story of revived cultural identity for tribal communities. It is a story not about change driven by money but by a motivation and commitment.

A study of water samples in the vicinity of the Coke plant in Mehndiganj conducted by People’s Science Institute, Dehradoon, and Hazard Center, Delhi, finds Coke responsible dangerous levels of toxic metals of Cadmium and Chromium in the groundwater.

In an earlier article we had described the deceitful ways of the government in hoodwinking people in Koodankulam about the proposed Nuclear plant. As more deceit unfolds, the people of the area have started a rights based people's campaign.

When World Bank loans earmarked for local labor and livelihoods are being siphoned off by corrupt bureaucrats and contractors, for example with the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, the people of Chittoragarh have decided that perhaps Gandhigiri may be the way to address their concerns.

During the weekend of January 13^th and 14^th, a film festival for peace in South Asia was held across 5 cities in India and Pakistan.

Members of the Environment Impact Assessment Task Force, charged with making changes to EIA by the Planning Commission resigned over the unwillingness by the task force to hold public hearings. These members have now presented a public document for discussion.

While many projects for 'development' are displacing communities, the attitude of callousness for people being affected transcends the bureaucracy. An example from Himachal on the abuse of communities and environments around project sites.

On 10^th January, activists including Medha Patkar, were arrested in the most undemocratic fashion and, were detained at the Salt Lake Stadium of Kolkata as they were about to leave the place where she was staying and proceed towards Singur.

The Pakcast crew of Nasir Aziz and Ethan Casey join Human rights advocate Therese Caouette, who has worked with refugees in Thailand and Pakistan, for a lively discussion of refugee issues, including their impact on host societies. Ambreen Ali contributes a podlumn on Domestic Violence in South Asian Communities. For more Pakcast discussions, click here.
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What is it like to be a modern-day Indian prince? Devinder Sharma and Bhaskar Goswami explain how the laws of the land are being redefined to bring in the reality of the royal tag for the rich and beautiful. This article was published on ZNet.

Addressing a press conference today leaders of four organizations of survivors of the December 1984 Union Carbide disaster in Bhopal strongly condemned Chairman Tata Group Ratan Tata's offer to clear the path for Dow-Union Carbide's investments in India by leading an effort to pay for and clean up Union Carbide's toxic waste in Bhopal.

The 2nd January 2007 marked the first anniversary of the Kalinganagar massacre in Orissa. Kalinganagar is one of the clearest examples of brutal abuse of power by the State agencies. After one year, justice, compensation and a sound policy on rehabilitation elude the displaced in Orissa as it does in The Displaced India. The  Asian Center for Human Rights remembers.

A report released by a committee of Singur-based organisations investigating the Singur unrest in West Bengal over a land deal between the government and Tata Motors has revealed that the government's claim of most of the land being waste was utterly false.

Coming to the run up to the elections - and the ensuing violence and chaos, a letter from Bangladesh demands better governance and public accountability of its politicians.

In the summer of 2005, some visionary Indians and Pakistanis decided to jointly march from New Delhi to Karachi, meeting with communities along the way and talking about peace. This is a short film on that march following it for a week through the plains of Punjab, India.

Police fired on protesters rallying against the setting up of the Karcham Wangtu hydro electric project in Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh. We are requesting your expression of solidarity with the Karcham Wangtu Sangharsh Samiti and the Himalayan Policy Campaign Committee, demanding justice from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh.

Members of the Indigeneous People's Center for Policy and Human Rights in the North East write about violations of public hearing and other democratic processes and state violence against peaceful opposition of the Tipaimukh Project on the Barak River.

Medha Patkar writes about Singur, about the half lies and cover-up of the Left government, about CPI(M) cadre intimidating villagers, all to help develop people of Bengal.

Police fired on protesters rallying against the setting up of the Karcham Wangtu hydro electric project in Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh. Same action, another location.

A report from the audit of NREGA work in Gosani block of Gajapati district in Orissa is presented. The workshop was conducted by AID Rural Technology Center, Orissa.

A fast track court of Judge Brijmohan Gupta has dropped all charges filed against Nandlal, Shivlal, Rajesh Gupta and Laxman Rathore – members of Lok Samiti and residents of Mehndiganj – that were filed by the government and Coke after the mass rally outside the Mehndiganj plant in 2004.

"Gandhigiri" brings together the country for the cause of farmers. Candlelight vigils being organised across the country.

The NREGA Act 2005 guarantees “legal right of a hundred days of wage employment in a financial year to adult members of a rural household who demand employment & are willing to do unskilled manual work”. This is a report from the 4th people's audit on NREGA organized in India. One key finding - only 7 women were employed!

The Indian Government has gone on offensive against Tibetan groups in India, fearful of Tibetan protests against Chinese repression in Tibet during  Chinese President Hu Jintao's India visit.

A candlelight vigil at Jantar Mantar to protest government policies that have resulted in the death of over 150,000 farmers in India has been largely ignored by the national media.

Privatising pensions is about expanding stock markets, liberalizing financial markets and changing the role of the state – and not about pensions. A. Ercelan and K. Ali with Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research present a critique of changing pension policies and support structures for the elderly in Pakistan.

Times of India published an article by Sandeep Pandey on what he sees as hopeful changes on the coming together of people and the evolving reality that another world is possible.

Support Sharmila Irom, Repeal Armed Forces Special Powers Act, Restore Right to Life

The Coalition of Tamils and Muslims for Peace and Coexistence describes the state of civilians in Muttur, and while pointing out that the state as well as the rebel forces have failed the people, request the world to listen to their stories.

Somnath’s article on the question of development (in the context of another landgrab in Singur) that remains undebated in the media was published in The Statesman

Maryam, a Pakistani student at Boston University, talks to us about a youth event in Lahore earlier this year and her experiences in helping organize the event. This audio interview is part of an evolving effort of Radio South Asia.

The Ministry of Rural Development has introduced a draft rehab policy (NRP) 2006 on their website for comments while providing seven days for comments on such a critical policy and that too by only making it accessible on the website. This is incompetence at best, gross negligence and manipulation at its worst.

In a rare case, the Information Commission has slapped the wrists of the Tamil Nadu Public Authority Department for failing to provide information about Public Information Officers.

Despite widespread protest, a fraudulent public hearing organized by the Orissa State Pollution Control Board took place at Tikri on Tuesday, Oct 17, which addressed the expansion of the illegal mining and refinery project owned by Utkal Alumina International Limited (UAIL), a joint venture of Hindalco (Aditya Birla group) and Alcan (Canadian aluminium giant), in the 5th Schedule areas of Baphlimali and Doragurha in Rayagada district, Orissa.

iFaqeer writes on Benazir Bhutto's visit to the Bay Area, on Imran Khan's politics and political processes and on other Pakistani idols.

“I am a pagan. Like Nehru was. I think it has to do with the roots. All is one and Islam finally achieved the unity of God. It is irrelevant to discuss His existence, form and shape. It doesn’t actually matter. We now need to achieve the unity of humankind. A just, egalitarian and peace loving human society.”

Communities in Koodankulam, the site of a proposed nuclear power plant, are confused over source of water for the power plant, especially given the drought like conditions in the last year. A farce of a public hearing organized by the government has not helped.

An estimated 20,000 small farmers and other food producers in Singur (West Bengal, India) will be evicted on September 27, 2006 by the Left Front West Bengal government. In the name of "development", their 1,253 fertile lands will be given to Tata Motors, a giant Indian company. We urge you to support the struggle of Singur people to keep their land. Please sign on to the petition letter online: http://www.foodsov.org/html/takeaction05.htm

The SouthAsian spoke with Hasil Bizenjo, a leader of the Balochistan Nationalist Movement, on the situation in Balochistan, the events leading to the murder of Nawab Bugti by the Pakistani government and the lack of international solidarity.

Irom Sharmila, a Manipuri woman fasting in Delhi has brought focus on to the heniousness and the implications of this Act that has allowed soliders perpetrate excesses under the guise of protection of  national interests.

Arvind Kejriwal, 2006 Magsasay Awardee for "activating the right to information movement at the grassroots" speaks about various aspects of clean governance via Right to Information.

A fiasco was arranged by the authorities in the name of a public hearing - a necessary component of setting up a new plant - for the proposed nuclear plants in Koodankulam, leading to the question whether the government is truly honest and sincere about the needs of the people.

Atul Deulgaonkar writes about his trip to Pakistan for the South Asian Conference On Sanitation and describes a serious thrust for peace and humanity within Pakistan

Anna Hazare now has undertaken a march through rural Maharashtra from 14^th September 2006 to 9^th November 2006 to present to people the context of the Right to Information Act and how it can empower our citizens. His message is presented for our readers.

The march for Rights to Water has discovered more examples of effluent dumping by the Colas in Hathras and in Mathura.

50000 farmers challenge Maharashtra Government, and corporations against proposed establishment of a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) near Mumbai even as Pune trade unions oppose this plan.

Hyderabad district has been facing havoc of rain since last one & half month but on 7 September, with heavy rains, there have been flood like situations. It has been the heaviest rain in the history of Hyderabad.

The second visa-free and peaceful South Asia convention held in Lahore – widely covered in the Pakistani Press – was a forum for much discussion by various members of Indian and Pakistani citizen groups.

As the Right to Water March goes through its third week, there has been huge support in the heartland of Northern India. The march has already passed through 7 communities in the neighborhood of bottling plants and these communities - schools and colleges, village sabhas, small town meetings - have expressed solidarity through signature campaigns and return invitations to the marchers. Under pressure from these communities, CPCB has agreed to investigate pollution dumping by Coke at its Mehdiganj plant.

Citizen groups protest the violence against Muslims in the ongoing civil strife in Sri Lanka. And yet, the international peace monitors and media have largely ignored this aspect of the violence in Sri Lanka - not that other aspects of violence are being resolved either.

The SouthAsian spoke with Ashoka Fellow Lenin Raghuvanshi about the problem and he speaks at length about the effect of WTO and the collapse of the weaving and handloom industry, the feudal system of contracting labor, of their efforts to build a democratic capitalist model and of preventing communalization. You can listen to the interview here.