Archive of South Asia Citizens Wire

  • No to impunity for crimes of non-State actors

    by Harsh Mander, 8 January 2009

    Hindustan Times December 30, 2008
    As the flames of war are being fanned in both India and Pakistan, fortunately there are sane voices of restraint against the futility of sacrificing precious young lives in both countries. Also, since military pressure on terrorists operating along the border with Afghanistan would ease as troops engage the Indian armed forces, nothing will be gained in the battle against international terror. There could be heavy civilian casualties, although there is no (…)

  • Decriminalize Homosexuality

    by Sankar Sen, 7 January 2009

    India’s home and health ministries should resolve their dispute over homosexuality and decriminalize it urgently.

  • The Ban on Pakistani Writers by Bombay’s Rightwing Has Dangerous Ramifications

    by Neel Mukherjee, 7 January 2009

    The Guardian (UK)
    As a response to the Mumbai terror attacks, this smacks of hysteria and has disturbing ramifications in the longer term
    If fresh evidence were needed that books and writers are one of the greatest threats to bigotry, especially during times that are malleable enough to be twisted to serve their agenda of hysteria and fear, Mumbai provides an eloquently senseless example. Hard on the heels of the terror attacks in the city and the resultant "ban" declared on Pakistani (…)

  • Joint Signature Campaign by Citizens of India and Pakistan Against Terrorism, War Posturing

    by sacw.net, 7 January 2009

    APPEAL
    Joint Signature Campaign by Citizens of India and Pakistan Against Terrorism, War Posturing and To Promote Cooperation and Peace From 9th January 2009 to 8th February 2009
    Seeking Signatures from People and Endorsements from Organisations (To be submitted to the Prime Minister of India and the President of Pakistan With Copies to important political functionaries and media houses of both countries.)
    Let People Express! Time Peace Loving People Decide the Agenda!! And the Course (…)

  • Ascent of Communalism in Malegaon

    by Mustafa Khan, 7 January 2009

    Malegaon was wonderfully free from communalism and its tension in the halcyon days after the Independence. Bigotry against the minority Muslim community appeared on the scene thanks to the growth of aggressive Hindutva. In later times this would became the defining characteristic of communalism in and around the city. The eighties was the turbulent decade of Indian social life. BJP was the new avatar of the communalist party Jan Sangh. While there was some degree of communalism (…)

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