INEQUALITY
The need to spatialise human rights in cities

Informal settlements, despite containing a majority of the people, are treated as aberrations. Forced to live outside legal sanction, the poor are condemned to a degraded quality of life.

#Cities #Urban Poor #Government
WITCH-HUNTING
Women targeted by superstition, crime

Odisha has the second highest number of reported cases of witch-hunting. Superstitious beliefs are made out to be the reason, but discrimination and revenge are often the real causes.

#Culture #Gender Violence #ODISHA
RESPONDING TO CRISES
Laws for response to crises need reforms

The experience of women street vendors during and after the lock-downs shows that responses to crises mut be bound better by the law and rules, and strike a balance between different vulnerabilities.

#Livelihoods #Urban Poor #Laws #Relief #Women
ARTICLE 15(2)
Deterring private discrimination

The Constitution recognises the threat of private discrimination, and prohibits it in its text. An interpretation that recognises the historical chronicle and context of exclusion is needed to uphold it.

#Caste #Justice System
INFORMAL WORKERS
Procedures, rules hinder access to social security

There are several government schemes to assist those who've lost their livelihoods from informal jobs, but many eligible workers find it difficult to register for benefits, despite court interventions.

#Labour Issues #Livelihoods #Poverty #KARNATAKA
EPR REGULATIONS
New regime, many pending expectations

Waste pickers and others in informal recycling supply chains have long sought better terms and conditions of work, and to be heard as equals in decisions about waste management.

#Livelihoods #Urban Poor #Waste
SLOW JUSTICE
Reforms key to speed up High Courts

High Courts in India face case-loads that keep growing, alongside their responsibilities to oversee lower courts. The much-needed reforms to fix this have themselves been pending for too long.

#Justice System
SOCIAL SECURITY
Will the SS Code ensure universal social security?

The government proposes to replace a number of laws protecting the social security of workers with a single Code. But could its vast scope itself make it vulnerable to the details in fine print?

#Labour Issues #Livelihoods
MUNICIPAL WASTE
Holding a municipality accountable

Hasmukh Dhumadiya describes the ordeal of residents of Bakshipunch Housing Society in Dwarka, Gujarat, and their efforts in overcoming it.

#Environment #Right To Info
NDA GOVERNMENT
Popularity vs Performance
NDA GOVERNMENT : Popularity vs Performance

Pradeep Baisakh analyses a recently released report by human rights activists and civil society organizations to see how the present government has performed in the three years it has been in power.

#Government #OP-ED
KASHMIRI WOMEN’S DAY OF RESISTANCE
The “disappeared” Kashmiris
KASHMIRI WOMEN’S DAY OF RESISTANCE : The “disappeared” Kashmiris

Pushpa Achanta writes about the challenges and aspirations of people in Kashmir on Kashmiri Women’s Day of Resistance which is observed today.

#National Security #JAMMU AND KASHMIR
KOLKATA PEOPLE’S FILM FESTIVAL
People's cinema with people's support
KOLKATA PEOPLE’S FILM FESTIVAL : People's cinema with people's support

Shoma A. Chatterji writes about a film festival that lacks the glitz and glamour of stars, television cameras and paparazzi chasing famous people to freeze them for the media.

#Adivasis #Media
MANUAL SCAVENGING
A gross violation of human rights
MANUAL SCAVENGING : A gross violation of human rights

Manhole is a scathing celluloid indictment on the state of manual sewer cleaners in India, writes Shoma A. Chatterji.

#Caste #Films
CINEMASCOPE
Saankal – strong content, weak movie

Even a badly made film becomes a learning experience for the viewers because it sheds light on issues not known widely otherwise, says Shoma Chatterji as she reviews the movie Saankal.

#Art #Reviews
HUMAN RIGHTS REPRESSION
Debaranjan Sarangi: Another artist incarcerated

Debaranjan Sarangi, a documentary film maker, writer and human rights activist was arrested recently in Kashipur, Odisha. Shoma Chatterji writes about Sarangi's arrest, his activism and his films which deal with Adivasis and their struggles.

#Films #Society Films and Books
HUMAN RIGHTS
Ishrat Jahan case: Is the political furore skirting the core issue?

The Ishrat Jahan case has again hit the headlines with former home minister P Chidambaram being accused of rewriting an affidavit to prove the 19-year-old’s innocence. Ramesh Menon presents a recap and investigates where things stand now.

#Government #GUJARAT
REDUCING ROAD FATALITIES
The Supreme Court just made it easier for you to save lives; here’s how!

You don’t have to fear police harassment if you report or help an injured accident victim. You don’t even have to reveal personal details unless you wish to testify. Here’s a summary of the “Good Samaritan” guidelines that the apex court has now made compulsory for states to follow.

#Laws #Society
UNORGANISED LABOUR
An endless wait for social security

The finance minister’s dream of extending social security cover to all unorganised workers in the country is a lofty one undoubtedly, but Kathyayini Chamaraj identifies the many gaps in the existing law that need to be addressed for that dream to be realised.

#Labour Issues #Livelihoods
BAUXITE IN BAPHLIMALI
In Odisha, more tribal voices against mining

The Kashipur movement against mining operations that threaten local livelihoods and ecosystems has seen merciless suppression and gross violation of human rights.

#Mining #Environment #ODISHA
MAHESHWAR HYDROPOWER PROJECT
Turning a full circle
MAHESHWAR HYDROPOWER PROJECT : Turning a full circle

The situation that Maheshwar Project is in, brings sharply into focus the issue of accountability of those responsible for the decisions that impact millions of people, involve thousands of crores of rupees and vast natural resources. Shripad Dharmadhikary hopes that Maheshwar would also offer a chance to demonstrate how those liable for the mess can be held accountable.

#Displacement #Energy #MADHYA PRADESH
IROM SHARMILA’S 15-YEAR HUNGER STRIKE
Where suicide is a crime, but not murder
IROM SHARMILA’S 15-YEAR HUNGER STRIKE : Where suicide is a crime, but not murder

For the last 15 years, India has been unable to deal with a fasting, frail poet! Anjuman Ara Begum writes  how Irom Sharmila has been waging a protest against the cruel Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, enforced in her home state of Manipur and other parts of northeast India.

#National Security #MANIPUR
REFUGEE TRAIN
How prepared are we to tackle a human crisis?

As the refugee crisis deepens in Syria, visuals of millions of people hoping to catch a train to a better life fill the media space. Shalini Bhutani reflects on the state of refugee policies in the South Asian region while remembering her own father’s experience weeks before the India-Pakistan partition.

#Law and Order #People
FOREST RIGHTS
Is “settling” forest rights in “campaign mode” a good idea?

The central government is pushing state governments to give forest rights to tribals by the end of this year. Kanchi Kohli cautions that the intent behind settling these rights claims under the Forest Rights Act in such haste is not what it appears to be.

#Adivasis #Forests #Environment

FROM THE ARCHIVES
in each topic ...
FOOD SECURITY LABOUR ISSUES CHILD LABOUR DISPLACEMENT DOWRY GENDER VIOLENCE CASTE ADIVASIS JUSTICE SYSTEM