Archive of South Asia Citizens Wire

  • Cowboy VC Goes Berserk on Delhi University Campus : Teachers Trying To Rein Him In

    by Mukul Mangalik, 6 July 2010

    The Delhi University (DU) Vice-Chancellor’s (VC) single-minded
    obsession with hurriedly forcing his pet project of the semester system
    into the bloodstream of the Delhi University, no matter how toxic the
    consequences, is of a piece with his seeming belief that he can’t be
    wrong. The assumption appears to be that power guarantees the wisdom
    and rightness of ideas and actions and can therefore be used to clean up in
    a rush, get things done and move on.

  • University Community for Democracy Challenges Eviction of Students

    by University Community for Democracy, 5 July 2010

    The current administration of Delhi University has attempted to reshape the University through a series of sinister agendas - be it the introduction of semester system, the European Studies Programme or the biometric identification system. All of them have shared one thing in common: the thwarting of democratic debate on proposals for change, and the routine violation of regulatory protocols. The latest episode has been the eviction of students (2,000 students according to reports) from a number of hostels in Delhi University in order to make them available for the Commonwealth Games.

  • Afghan peace process offers little hope for women

    by Wazhma Frogh, 5 July 2010

    Sacrificing women’s rights to secure peace will leave us back where we were 10 years ago.

  • Beneath the veneer of protecting public morality in Sri Lanka

    by Cat’s Eye, 4 July 2010

    Beneath the veneer of protecting public morality lies a stricter policing of a woman’s morality, a control over her body and her sexuality. Within such a context Cat’s Eye wonders at which point a private consensual act impinges on considerations of public morality. Who should ultimately decide on the demarcation between the boundaries of public and private morality? With this in mind the earnestness shown by the Police to protect public morality require a careful reexamination in terms of what it means for women in Sri Lanka.

  • Online Petition Against Witch Hunt of Activists by Jindal Corporation

    by Chhattisgarh Vishthapan Virodhi Manch, 3 July 2010

    We, the undersigned, are alarmed at the news that the management of M/s Jindal Power Limited (JPL) has lodged a complaint of extortion against environmental activist, Ramesh Agrawal. Mr. Agrawal is widely known and well-respected for his tireless campaigns for ensuring the protection of environmental rights of vulnerable communities in Chhattisgarh. This appears to be nothing more than malicious attempt to persecute Mr. Agrawal, silence him and intimidate other public-spirited citizens. We wish to register our dismay that the Chhattisgarh police have entertained this frivolous and vindictive complaint, on the basis of which Mr. Agrawal has been charged with serious, non-bailable offences.

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