South Asia Citizens Web

There is a common message emanating from the centers of power in Washington, D.C. and New Delhi: Whistle blowing, or truth telling as the act may be more accurately described, is not a welcome activity.

That a state govt in India goes out of its way to push for obscurantism is truly shocking.

This week, Brazil has witnessed mobilisations across 15 capital cities and hundreds of other cities. We are in agreement with the statements coming out of these protests, which affirm the importance of these mobilisations for Brazilian democracy, because we are conscious of the fact that the changes we need in this country will come through popular mobilisation.

Members of Kabir Kala Manch, charged in 2011 under India’s draconian counterterrorism laws, remain subject to prosecution for their alleged support of Maoist militants. One of them, eight months pregnant, was denied bail and must wait until June 27 for an appeals decision on her bail application. Indian courts have repeatedly ruled that ideological sympathy should not be interpreted as active membership in a banned organization.

Gujarat Police has obtained nearly 90,000 telephone call data records (CDRs) of people and entities in three months beginning January this year, raising eyebrows in central intelligence agencies about what is going on in Chief Minister Narendra Modi-ruled state to necessitate tapping.