South Asia Citizens Web

We read about the death of a prisoner and spread of Covid-19 in Taloja jail. We asked our advocate Ms Padma K to call the Taloja jail authorities to enquire the health condition of our father Varavara Rao. When the advocate called, the staff of the Taloja jail picked up the phone but did not respond. We are very worried and anxious about our father’s well-being. In these dire circumstances of extreme worry, anxiety and helplessness, we would like to request you to kindly look into the matter and initiate proceedings to - Release Varavara Rao granting temporary bail or parole, on the grounds of age, health and covid-19 spread

The film is a spontaneous response to the irony of “STAY HOME, STAY SAFE” for millions of women in India and around the world. The film is adding its voice to a conversation that is much needed in the public space. It reminds us that speaking up is only possible when women know that there is someone listening. This pandemic has taught us that our lives are deeply intertwined, and so we must respond to the realities beyond ours.

Unilateral suspension of Labour Laws by the Government in India - The leading national trade unions have written to the Director-General of the ILO in Geneva and send all relevant documentation. The ILO has acknowledged the letter from the Unions saying it will take this up with the Govt of India.

Let us not be coy in calling out the Premier for blurring the lines between the military and the civil/public service. This is not even artful, let alone logical. In one sense, Northerners would argue quite rightly that this is just a perpetuation of what their communities underwent in the years following the LTTE’s military defeat in 2009. The seeping of the military into all areas of civil administration in the post-war theatre was not a secret.

After watching the horrific and heart wrenching condition of workers on the streets of India in the wake of the long COVID-19 lock down, it is with great alarm, sadness and dismay for us to learn that the governments of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh have decided to dismantle their existing labour laws. At least ten other states including Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Odisha, Assam, Maharashtra and Uttarakhand have officially increased working hours from 9 to 12 a day.