South Asia Citizens Web

Report of a recent fact finding group which investigated the Pune IT youth’s lynching by a Hindutva group.

A journalist isn’t generally expected to comment on news items in which s/he personally figures as an actor. But I’m compelled to do so in respect of a leaked report prepared by the Intelligence Bureau, which received wide coverage, and which names me as part of a conspiracy by “foreign-funded” non-governmental organisations to “take down” Indian development projects, set the country’s economy back, and halt this society’s forward march.

“’The next government may adopt a muscular and hawkish approach to internal security...,’ said a senior official [of the Ministry of Home Affairs]” (Hindu, 20 May 2014, page 10). As bureaucrats tend to be overly cautious, the fact that this statement was made should tell us something.

At least 1000 workers of the 23 hot roller plants in Wazirpur Industrial area in Delhi have struck work since 6 June 2014. They are demanding only what has been laid down in the law. Their demands include enforcement of minimum wages, payment of overtime at double rate, provision of appointment letters, worker identity cards, salary slips, Employee’s State Insurance (ESI), Provident Fund, prescribed bonus amount, safety measures at workplace, provision of government holidays, and payment of salary in the first week of every month. The workers have formed a committee by the name of Garam Rolla Mazdoor Ekta Samiti which is representing them in putting forth their demands.

The reports that have appeared in the media about the Modi Government taking measures to ease out the heads of various institutions, including the Chairperson of the National Commission for Women, is an undemocratic act which thoroughly exposes the intention of the BJP to bring all structures within its political power.