Archive of South Asia Citizens Wire

  • Working For An India-Pakistan Breakthrough

    by Praful Bidwai, 16 October 2008

    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 (…)

  • India needs a discourse on citizenship that takes its communities out of the prevalent majority-minority mindset

    by Ajay K Mehra, 16 October 2008

    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. (…)

  • How Secular is India Today?

    by Asghar Ali Engineer, 16 October 2008

    (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 (…)

  • India: Verdict of the ’Jan Sunwai’ Jury

    by Jamia Teachers Solidarity Group, 16 October 2008

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

  • India’s Temple Sex Workers: The story of a devadasi

    by William Dalrymple, 16 October 2008

    The New Yorker, August 4, 2008
    Serving the Goddess: The dangerous life of a sacred sex worker
    The devadasi system is centuries old, and the women once enjoyed lives of great privilege.
    “Of course, there are times when there is pleasure,” Rani Bai said. “Who does not like to make love? A handsome young man, one who is gentle . . .”
    She paused for a moment, looking out over the lake, smiling to herself. Then her face clouded over. “But mostly it is horrible. The farmers here, they are (…)

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