South Asia Citizens Web

It is imperative that the situation should not be allowed to escalate into greater hostilities which it might not always be possible to contain. As the Supreme Commander, you must caution our own leaders about the very real dangers of the present standoff escalating into a war situation – and quickly going beyond a conventional engagement – given that both India and Pakistan are two nuclear armed countries.

The Peoples’ Alliance for Democracy and Secularism demands that (1) Criminal proceedings be instated against Bajrang Dal/VHP/ABVP leaders who led mobs against Kashmiri students and traders, (2) All students suspended and rusticated from educational institutions be taken back immediately, and (3) All Kashmiris living outside the valley be provided adequate security. We also call upon all democratic citizens and civil society organisations to reach out to any Kashmiri students and traders in their campuses and localities

PIPFPD is shocked and saddened by the loss of lives of 44 CRPF personnel in a militant attack in Lethapora, Pulwama, Jammu & Kashmir. The gruesome manner in which an explosives-laden vehicle, driven by a suicide bomber, rammed into a CRPF convoy and the scale of the operation is horrifying. Loss of precious lives is tragic and painful. While investigations are underway, it is alleged that Jaish-e-Muhammed (JeM) orchestrated this dastardly attack.

Pakistan’s government is failing to enforce laws that could protect millions of garment workers from serious labour rights abuses says a report of Human Rights Watch

This is a follow-up to our letter of 20 December 2017, where we tried to flag two priorities for the next Union Budget: an increase in social security pensions, and adequate provision for maternity benefits. Since both proposals were ignored, we are writing again, well in advance of the next Budget, with the same recommendations.