South Asia Citizens Web

Dawn, 16 October 2008
Dangers in the north
A SERIES of developments in the tribal areas and in Afghanistan over the past couple of weeks has greatly heightened ordinary Pakistani citizens’ anxieties about their future.
And their expectations of reassurances from the government of safety and security have remained unrealised.
The sequence started with the revival of the Frontier governor’s interest in enforcing a religious code in Malakand division for the third time in 14 years. (The (…)

It’s not often that run-of-the-mill politicians rise above petty self-interest, and even more rarely that they propose grand ideas and expansive visions. But when they do venture to think out of the box and offer worthy proposals, these must be heartily welcomed—no matter what their motives and however suspect their calculations.
It’s to this category that the pronouncements of Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari in his recent interview to the Wall Street Journal belong. Mr Zardari has (…)

The Statesman, 14 October 2008
In Defence of The Terrorist
Jamia Millia Islamia Has Taken The Lead
The decision of the Jamia Millia Islamia to provide legal aid to two of its students arrested recently on charges of terrorism from the adjoining Jamia Nagar following the 13 September serial blasts in Delhi and an inspiring peace march led by the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mushirul Hasan, on 25 September in the campus has predictably queered the debate on terrorism. (…)

(Secular Perspective October 16-31, 2008)
There is always a big gap between theory and practice, theology and history. Indian constitution, no doubt, is one of the best in the world. It is truly secular in spirit so much so it was secular even when word secular was not added to it until 1975 i.e. during emergency. If it were truly implemented India would be an ideal country to live in especially for minorities, both religious as well as linguistic.
However, as we all know there is big (…)

Academics and activists in New Delhi seek Judicial probe into the 19th September 2008 Police encounter by a sitting Supreme Court judge