South Asia Citizens Web

cartoon in The Times of India, 24 May 2017

As a person of both Indian and Pakistani origin, Nida Kirmani always thought, ‘Why should I have to choose?’ Until last week, when Indian officials seized her Person of Indian Origin card, saying she cannot be both.

If you’re one of the somewhat-politically-conscious individuals who bother to gloss over lengthy op-eds (and not just the trending news of the day) you will have noticed the term “cultural diversity” thrown around quite a lot in recent times. You will have seen oft-repeated phrases about cultural pluralism and religious tolerance that either paint a wholly rosy picture of present day Bangladesh (almost always politicians) or decry the threats that our cultural fabric is under

(click on the map for an enlarged view)

The decision of Melanchon and many on the Left [including London-based Left media star Tariq Ali who argued for Brexit] calling for mass abstention in the final round of the French elections by equating Macron and Le Pen is inexcusable. We are reminded of the many Bernie Sanders’ voters who chose not to vote for Hilary Clinton and how the chouchou of the leftists Julian Assange used Wikileaks to damage Clinton. The imperative to oppose racism and hate should have been above opposition to neoliberal policies.