South Asia Citizens Web

If you are a politically aware citizen of the world, there are so many issues for you to be concerned about, from IS to Palestine, Kobani to Hong Kong, Obama to Putin. Yet, there is one more that I would like to point out, an issue much closer to home. Perhaps you were apprehensive once, yet have forgotten all about it.

INCREASINGLY of late, Prof Romila Thapar is required to assume the nearly impossible role of Emperor Akbar, who, according to the official plaque at his tomb near Agra, had “created a nation out of a mob”. To her credit (and sorrow), the ageless historian stands firm among a handful of public intellectuals left in India who have refused to be pulverised by the rise of right-wing Hindutva mobs.

The country is burdened with some of the highest cancer rates in the region following the 12 years of US nuclear tests. Yet it is admirable that the Marshall Islanders in fact seek no compensation for themselves, but rather are determined to end the nuclear weapons threat for all humanity.

We are astounded to learn that the Supreme Court has rejected the review petition of Surinder Koli today, finding no error that could have persuaded them to review the earlier order of the court. In fact, the case was riddled with errors. It is a case that rests on confession alone, with little evidence pointing to Koli’s guilt. Indeed, the 164 CrPc statement which has become the basis of Koli’s conviction is clearly tutored and obtained under torture. It is a clear violation of established jurisprudence of evidentiary rules, which disallow the admission of confessions extracted through torture as evidence.

This is full audio of the Third Nikhil Chakravartty Memorial lecture delivered by Professor Romila Thapar on the 26th October 2014 at the India International Centre in New Delhi. The lecture was organised by The Book Review Literary Trust. [This audio recording was made in public interest by sacw.net and may be used freely for non commercial use]