Tag: democratic protest

The Belfast riots, Palestine Action protests. What is terrorism now – and why the hypocrisy?

George Monbiot “If you are targeting people on the basis of the colour of their skin,” the Northern Ireland secretary, Hilary Benn, asked last week, “how else can you describe them? That is racist thuggery.” It is. But there is another way of describing the actions of the rioters burning people out of their homes in… Read More The Belfast riots, Palestine Action protests. What is terrorism now – and why the hypocrisy?

Dilip

Who will be held accountable for exam paper leaks? Records show most get away / Impunity for exam leaks undermines trust

Number of exam leaks from 2002 to 2025 with candidate count above 1 lakh in each: 45 Number of cases that led to convictions: 2 Shyamlal Yadav, Jay Mazoomdaar For the 22 lakh medical college candidates forced to put their dreams on hold until the NEET UG retest on June 21, for the 4 lakh CBSE students… Read More Who will be held accountable for exam paper leaks? Records show most get away / Impunity for exam leaks undermines trust

Dilip

Political parties must find common cause with youth, worker protests

NB: There have already been six student suicide cases like this one, in Nagpur. Lakhs of young Indians have seen their labours go to waste. It’s not just corruption and cynicism that affects our ruling establishment, but criminal irresponsibility. What a shame and tragedy. My heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased students. Students… Read More Political parties must find common cause with youth, worker protests

Dilip

Tienanmen mothers commemorate the 37th Anniversary of the 1989 June Fourth Massacre

For thirty-seven years, we, the Tiananmen Mothers, have never forgotten the pain of losing our loved ones. Because we have persisted in speaking the truth, we have long suffered unjust treatment, and our family lives have been deeply affected. Yet we continue, peacefully and rationally, in our pursuit of justice. A Statement from the Tiananmen… Read More Tienanmen mothers commemorate the 37th Anniversary of the 1989 June Fourth Massacre

Dilip

How social media turned Indian film star Vijay into a political force / Podcast: Making sense of TVK’s victory: Why and how did Vijay win?

Anbarasan Ethirajan When pictures of Madhar Badhurudeen, campaigning in the recent assembly elections in India’s southern Tamil Nadu state, emerged on social media, few thought he would stand a chance. Badhurudeen belongs to the political party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), headed by film star-turned-politician Chandrasekhar Joseph Vijay, popularly called Thalapathy (Commander) Vijay. He contested from the… Read More How social media turned Indian film star Vijay into a political force / Podcast: Making sense of TVK’s victory: Why and how did Vijay win?

Dilip

Linguistic cruelty and beyond

How unemployment, addiction, and frustration are turning youth into society’s unwanted category. by Ashraf Zainabi Every modern society has two lists. The first list contains creatures it wants to protect, dogs, butterflies, pandas, dolphins, snow leopards, motivational speakers, billionaires pretending to be simple, and occasionally trees, but mostly on environment day. The second list contains creatures… Read More Linguistic cruelty and beyond

Dilip

Exam Mess: Can IAF, PM Rebuild Trust ? / First NEET, now CUET: The growing crisis of trust in India’s entrance tests

Bharat Bhushan In the wake of the NEET-UG question paper leak, the state’s response has been astounding. The Union HRD Minister has said that the help of the Indian Air Force (IAF) will be sought for the secure transportation of examination question papers ahead of the re-exam on June 21. And the Supreme Court has… Read More Exam Mess: Can IAF, PM Rebuild Trust ? / First NEET, now CUET: The growing crisis of trust in India’s entrance tests

Dilip

HRIC Statement Calling for the Protection of Human Rights Defender Dong Guangping

HUMAN RIGHTS IN CHINA May 27, 2026 Human Rights in China (HRIC) urgently calls on the South Korean government and the international community to protect Chinese human rights defender Dong Guangping, who arrived in South Korea on the night of May 25 after crossing the Yellow Sea in an inflatable boat to seek political asylum. He… Read More HRIC Statement Calling for the Protection of Human Rights Defender Dong Guangping

Dilip

Book review: Souls in the Kalyug

Beyond remittances: A rare insight into the everyday lives of migrant workers Social anthropologist Shankar Ramaswami’s ‘Souls in the Kalyug’ is a rich, multi-layered text that provides a window into workers’ lives in India, including some hopeful strands within the destructive churnings of global capitalism.  Sapan BookshelfSouls in the Kalyug: The Politics and Cosmologies of Migrant… Read More Book review: Souls in the Kalyug

Dilip