South Asia Citizens Web

In December 2011, the 42nd report of Standing Committee of Finance (SCoF) rejected the National Identification Authority of India Bill 2010. The collective view of the committee members was expressed clearly in the concluding paragraph of the report - ‘The UID scheme, particularly considering the contradictions and ambiguities within the Government on its implementation as well as implications, the Committee categorically convey their unacceptability of the National Identification Authority of India Bill, 2010 in its present form.’ How did the standing committee come to a conclusion that NIDAI bill is unacceptable ? This essay looks at the relationship between the idea of evidence and parliamentary processes in democracy.

We, the undersigned, express our grave concern that Pakistani human rights defenders are being threatened and intimidated for their stance in the ‘memogate’ case. We are also concerned at the danger this crisis poses to Pakistan’s democratic political process that had taken a step forward with the elections of 2008.

Pakistanis must reflect on why so many of us are disposed towards celebrating murder, lawlessness, and intolerance.

Sri Lanka as a nation has not ended its own political exile even after wining the separatist war. Unless Sri Lanka resolves its critical issue of ethnic inclusiveness, she will be in political exile. There will be a day, the masses of this country will drag her out of this and make us a proud nation where all ethnic communities will enjoy democracy and freedom.

Anna Hazare’s “movement against corruption” has monopolized political and media attention now for several months. There has been a tendency for people on the left, with the notably exception of most dalits, to assume its progressive character and feel that they must participate. But there has been a dearth of solid analysis.