In Bangladesh, the Government Agenda is Taking an Alarming New Direction

Bharat Bhushan The political dynamics are moving into uncharted territory in Bangladesh as the agenda of the leaders of the student movement becomes clearer. It seems to be shifting towards an accommodation of Islamic ideology within the structure of the state. In a strategically significant move, the political guru of the students’ movement, Mahfuz Alam, a 26-year-old… Read More In Bangladesh, the Government Agenda is Taking an Alarming New Direction

Amarjit Chandan: Remembering Gehal Singh, who gave his life for communal harmony

First posted September 21, 2014 Gehal Singh: martyr to the supreme cause On the face of it this photograph of a withdrawn gentleman does not tell much except that it night have originated in an old family album. Roland Barthes said that we give captions ‘to sublimate, patheticise or rationalise the image’.  This photograph does demand… Read More Amarjit Chandan: Remembering Gehal Singh, who gave his life for communal harmony

Reaching out to Bangla Hindus, Muhammad Yunus visits temple, underlines equal rights

WITH THE Hindu minority in Bangladesh facing attacks in the last week, after Sheikh Hasina resigned as Prime Minister and fled to India on August 5, Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, who is heading the interim government, reached out on Tuesday with a visit to the Dhakeshwari Temple where he met community leaders and assured “justice” and “equal rights” for… Read More Reaching out to Bangla Hindus, Muhammad Yunus visits temple, underlines equal rights

Bangladesh: Students Stand Guard Outside Temples and Churches in Wake of Attacks

In Chittagong city, student movement’s leaders have taken it upon themselves to guard Hindu temples and churches. With reports of Hindus in Bangladesh being targeted by radical Islamist elements in the backdrop of unrest, some Muslim leaders and student groups are being seen guarding temples and churches across the country. In Chittagong city, student movement’s… Read More Bangladesh: Students Stand Guard Outside Temples and Churches in Wake of Attacks

Academic research on Rushdie’s literary work sabotaged by Deoband Ulema / Resist the Climate of Intimidation in Academics

First posted April 25, 2012 NB: Over the past four months, the Deoband Ulema has contributed to the climate of intolerance and religious bigotry in India. First by opposing Rushdie’s presence at the Jaipur Literature Festival, and now by sabotaging a perfectly legitimate subject for research. In the first instance they succeeded by riding on the… Read More Academic research on Rushdie’s literary work sabotaged by Deoband Ulema / Resist the Climate of Intimidation in Academics

NAPM condemns the horrific spree of mob lynchings across the country after the Lok Sabha election results

National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM)National Office: A/29, Haji Habib Bldg., Naigaon Cross Road, Dadar (E), Mumbai – 400014 Social Media: @napmindia | E-mail: napmindia[[at]gmail.com |Web: www.napm-india.org NAPM condemns the horrific spree of mob lynchings across the country after the Lok Sabha election results United Resistance needed against hateful communal politics, mob lynching of religious minorities… Read More NAPM condemns the horrific spree of mob lynchings across the country after the Lok Sabha election results

EXIT GOD, ENTER MADNESS: Nadeem Paracha on religious extremism in Pakistan (2012)

First posted July 06, 2012 As one distraught friend of mine once prayed: ‘May Allah save Islam from Pakistan.’ The self-claimed ‘bastion of Islam’ has gradually mutated into becoming a bastion of deluded messiahs and mindless, violent ranting machines to whom anything, from incoherent malangs to the reopening of Nato supply routes, are conspiracies against Islam. On… Read More EXIT GOD, ENTER MADNESS: Nadeem Paracha on religious extremism in Pakistan (2012)

The Brutalization of Israel Is Well Underway. If we do not act, collapse is only a matter of time

This is Haaretz’s lead editorial for June 7, 2024; as published in Hebrew and English newspapers in Israel Israeli right-wing activists attacking Palestinian freelance journalist Saif Kwasmi during a march commemorating Jerusalem Day, on Wednesday. Credit: Hazem Bader/AFP It is impossible to watch the photographic documentation of the ugly, violent demonstrators during Wednesday’s parade of… Read More The Brutalization of Israel Is Well Underway. If we do not act, collapse is only a matter of time