The Taliban, a Sunni Islamist nationalist and pro-Pashtun movement, regained control of Afghanistan in August 2021. Since then, their rule has been marked by reduction of freedoms for Afghan women and girls. Education, employment, and public spaces – once accessible to many Afghan women – are now severely restricted. This has sparked international condemnation and raised serious concerns about the future of Afghan women under Taliban rule. The fate of women in Afghanistan remains uncertain as the United Nations prepares for a meeting with Taliban representatives. The upcoming UN meeting in Doha, Qatar, marks a turning point in the international…
Author: Kejal Rawal
India’s 16th Census Delayed Due to Pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted India’s detailed preparations for its 16th census, which was initially set to be conducted in 2021. This nationwide population count, conducted every ten years, serves as the backbone for allocating resources, formulating policies, and analyzing vital demographic shifts. Yet, due to the pandemic’s impact on logistics and public health, the census has been postponed indefinitely, casting doubt on when it will eventually take place. The Importance of Census: A Nation defined The most recent census, conducted in 2011, reported India’s population at an astonishing 1.21 billion. This information…
On June 25th, 1975, the nation entered a period of upheaval known as the National Emergency. This 21-month long episode, declared by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, remains a defining moment in Indian history. Today, as we mark the 49th anniversary of this event, we delve back in time to revisit the factors that led to the Emergency, its impact on the nation, and the enduring lessons it offers for safeguarding India’s democracy. The official justification for the Emergency stemmed from Article 352 of the Indian Constitution, which empowers the President to declare a state of emergency in the event of…
A Pivotal moment in Indian Politics – Lok Sabha to have elections for the post of Lok Sabha Speaker The upcoming election for the Speaker of the Lok Sabha in India has taken a dramatic turn as the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has decided to retain both the positions of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker, breaking away from the traditional norms where the opposition typically holds the Deputy Speaker’s post. This decision has resulted in unprecedented elections within the Lok Sabha for the Speaker’s position, signifying a major change in the nation’s political landscape. Scheduled for June 26,…
A disturbing case of child sexual abuse has come to light in Pune, Maharashtra. A 13-year-old girl has alleged she was raped and sexually assaulted by three members of her own family over a period of two years. Details of the Abuse The girl reportedly endured abuse at the hands of her father, uncle, and an elder cousin. She stated that the abuse began in July 2022 and continued until June 2024. The nature of the abuse included rape and other forms of sexual assault. As reported by the police, the survivor’s cousin brother supposedly assaulted her in July 2023 and undermined her with critical results if she…
On June 23rd, 1985, Air India Flight 182, nicknamed Kanishka, was on a seemingly ordinary route from Montreal to London, with a final stop in India. However, this flight became the target of a horrific terrorist attack, shattering the lives of everyone on board. The flight departed Toronto for Montreal, picking up additional passengers. With 329 people onboard, including crew, it took off for London. Everything appeared normal until contact with air traffic control in Ireland. A bomb, cleverly hidden in checked baggage and likely originating in Vancouver, detonated at a staggering altitude of 31,000 feet. The massive Boeing 747…
Amazon Convenience at a Human Cost? Warehouse Workers Allege Anti-Labor Practices Reports of Denied Breaks Spark NHRC Investigation. While Amazon has revolutionized online shopping, its fulfillment centers, the engine powering this convenience, have come under fire for allegedly fostering anti-labor practices. These practices raise concerns about worker well-being and push the boundaries of fair treatment. A recent report by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India exemplifies these concerns. The NHRC took Suo motu (on its own motion) cognizance of media reports alleging that a warehouse in Manesar, Haryana, restricted essential breaks for workers. Demanding work conditions The report…
India is set to transform its colonial-era criminal justice system with the implementation of three new laws on July 1, 2024. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) will replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and the Indian Evidence Act of 1872, respectively. This comprehensive reform has been met with both praise and criticism, reflecting the significant changes it brings. Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), marks a significant step in India’s legal system. Coming into effect on July 1, 2024, the BNS replaces…
From the printing press to social media, from one individual to another, from one group to another, the idea of encountering hate speech is hurtful but where do we draw the line? This article delves into the delicate balance between Free speech and hate speech. Free speech and its power Free speech allows us to exchange ideas, hold power structures accountable, and foster an intellectual marketplace. Yet, free speech isn’t absolute. The line gets blurry when it veers into hate speech, creating a complex situation between protecting expression and safeguarding individuals from harm. The Importance of Free Speech is that…
What seemed to be an isolated incident has escalated into a series of attacks, heightening security concerns in the Jammu and Kashmir region. The emergence of a “newly infiltrated group,” as reported by ADGP Jammu Anand Jain, suggests a deliberate attempt to destabilize the region. Escalation: beyond Reasi attack Following the horrific Reasi bus attack, the sense of security in Jammu and Kashmir was further shattered by incidents in Doda and Kathua districts. These incidents, though not as large-scale as the Reasi attack, underscored the attackers’ intent to spread fear across a wider region. In Doda district, terrorists targeted a…