This week's headlines in The SouthAsian 

Details at : http://www.thesouthasian.org

Desparate Times for Musharraf?

Are these desperate times for Musharraf? What is behind the promulgation of the draconian new PEMRA ordinance attempting to gag the media? Will the crisis that began in Islamabad on March 9, and that reached a tragic crescendo in Karachi on May 12, find a resolution in London, where Imran Khan is bringing charges of terrorism against MQM chief Altaf Hussain? http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2007/desparate_times_for_musharraf_1.html

Tamils in Colombo Lodges Asked to Leave

Various civic society and human rights groups write to Sri Lankan 

President Rajapakse to stop government orders forcing all Tamils in Colombo lodges to leave Colombo, on the pretext that they
 had 'no valid reason' to stay. 

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2007/tamils_in_colombo_lodges_asked.html

Another Coke Plant, More Pollution Dumping

In a shocking finding, another Coca-Cola bottling plant in India has been found to be operating in complete violation of environmental laws and regulations in India. Communities around this plant have begun protests at this discovery.

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2007/another_coke_plant_more_pollut.html

Hunger Strike for Narmada Rehabilitation Continues

Indefinite Hunger Strike demanding rehabilitation of those displaced by the Omkareshwar and Indira Sagar projects has entered the 5th day. 

The plight of displaced people worsens due to blatant flouting of Supreme Court orders. Displaced people argue that the price of thousands of lives is larger than the State's fiscal loss.  

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2007/hunger_strike_for_narmada_reha_1.html

Pakistani Americans Rally for Peace and Justice in Pakistan

On Sunday June 3rd, 2007, Pakistani Americans and their friends will hold a rally for the democracy and justice in Pakistan. The rally is planned outside the White House. 

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2007/pakistani_americans_rally_for.html

Netaji's Speech on Bahadur Shah Zafar

As India celebrates the 150th Anniversary of the 1st War of Independence (1857), we refer to Aflatoon’s presentation of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s speech on 11th July 1944 to the Azad Hind Fauj and his reference to this First War of Independence. It is especially poignant to listen to Netaji’s reference to Bahadur Shah Zafar.  

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2007/netajis_speech_on_bahadur_shah_1.html

Sri Lanka Muslims: Caught in the Crossfire

The latest report for the International Crisis Group, examines the 

plight of Sri Lanka’s largely ignored Muslim community, who have been victims of massacres, ethnic cleansing and forced displacement over the past two decades, largely by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), and have been sidelined at successive peace talks. 

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2007/sri_lankas_muslims_caught_in_t.html

Agricultural Policies Impact on Indian Farmers

The US-India Agricultural Knowledge Initiative agreement on agriculture will cast a demonising spell over the country and is bound to cause large scale plunder of the agro-rural society and definitely tend to capitalize on our living, life pattern, culture and social norms.   

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2007/agricultural_policies_impact_o.html

Sanjay Sangvai is No More

Numerous admirers, colleagues and friends
 (Himanshu Upadhyay, his friends at NCPRI, AID, Aflatoon, among many others) have poured their heart out at the passing of Sanjai Sangvai. Here is one note from his friends at the Narmada Bachao Andolan. 

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2007/sanjay_sangvai_is_no_more.html

Kazi Nazrul Islam: The Banga Poet

Shahidul Alam presents the poets call for freedom in his blog - and the caricature of that poetry by the current Bangladeshi administration. 

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2007/kazi_nazrul_islam_the_banga_po.html

Chattisgarh Govt Arrests Rights Leader

Dr. Binayak Sen was produced today in the court of the Additional CJM at Raipur along with the co-accused, Mr. Pyush Guha. Dr. Sen was sent on judicial remand to Raipur Central Jail until 5th June, 2007. 

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2007/chattisgarh_govt_arrests_right.html

AI Report on Sri Lankan Conflict

The human rights situation in Sri Lanka deteriorated dramatically. 

Unlawful killings, recruitment of child soldiers, abductions, enforced disappearances and other human rights violations and war crimes increased. 

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2007/ai_report_on_sri_lankan_confli.html

LTTE Preparing for Major Attack

LTTE is making preparations for a large-scale attack on Sri Lankan military detachments, according to several informed sources in the Vanni.

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2007/ltte_preparing_for_major_attac.html

Pakistani Fisherfolk Urge Ban on Deep-Sea Fishing Trawlers

Members of civil society organizations, politicians and environmentalists have urged government to cancel licenses of the deep-sea fishing trawlers in order to save livelihood of hundreds of fishermen in Sindh and Balochistan.   

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2007/pakistani_fisherfolk_urge_ban.html

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I cannot hope to work towards equality and justice, towards non violence, till I stop dominating other opinions, other voices.