This week's headlines in The SouthAsian 

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

The Temple in Pari Nager

The reason why a Jain Temple in Tharparkar is in shambles is because the masses are becoming increasingly apathetic towards heritage, and also because of the scarce resources available with the government. Shahid Hussain writes in The News, a newspaper by the Jang group. 

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2007/post_47.html

The News About Naxals

While naxalites and naxalism has increasingly been in the news in

India, the Asian Center for Human Rights has put together a review of news articles on Naxals in the national Indian print media over the first half of the year. 

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

Sri Lanka’s Muslims: Out In the Cold

B. Muralidhar Reddy writes that successive governments have failed to factor in the aspirations of Muslims in the quest for resolution of the strife, which is seen as solely a problem between the Sinhalese and the Tamils.

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

Neighbours Must Support Democracy in Pakistan

Noted Pakistani human rights activist Asma Jahangir Monday urged India and other democracies to support the lawyers' movement for the restoration of democracy in the neighbouring country.  

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

Is Amartya Sen An Apologist for Bengal Govt?

Dipanjan Rai
 Chaudhuri critiques Prof Sen's interview to The Telegraph arguing that his trickle down theories have been proved unfeasible time and and again and his suggestions that people should leave farming and move to industries (like in the west) by pointing out that there are few jobs in the industrial sector. He finally wonders whether Prof Sen is finding ways to defend the CPI(M) in Bengal!

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2007/is_amartya_sen_an_apologist_fo_1.html

Lepchas in Sikkim Oppose Hydel Project

Local communities are opposing a set of hydel projects planned in Sikkim that threatens homes, livelihoods and the local economies. Not surprisingly, though, the government continues without taking into account people's concerns. We are requesting readers to to ask the government to change its re-evaluate its processes. 

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

Fake Killings: 13 Cops
 Chargesheeted

The CID (Crime) on 17th July filed a chargesheet in the metropolitan court against 13 police officials accused in the fake encounter of Sohrabuddin Shaikh and disappearance of his wife Kausar Bi.

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2007/fake_killings_13_cops_chargesh_1.html

The South Takes the Pictures

Photographers from the Global South - from artists in Bhutan to a small studio in Bolivia and from Kathmandu to Dili - put together a photo-essay on the struggles of human rights and justice from their homes. 

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2007/the_south_takes_the_pictures_1.html

RTI Unwelcome in Tamil Nadu

In the more than one year of its existence, the commission found 96 cases where PIO had illegally denied information. Despite pompous pronouncements of Rs 25,000 penalties against errant PIOs, not one errant PIO has
 been fined till date. A Hindustan Times article.

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2007/rti_unwelcome_in_tamil_nadu_1.html

Redeveloping Dharavi- But Which Way?

The government of Maharashtra plans to redevelop Dharavi, the so called largest slum of Asia, spread across more than 500 acres of land. Simpreet Singh analyzes the impact of these plans on the local economy worth Rs 4000 crores annually, on the local communities and asks who might gain.
 

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

Women Farmers Protest Reliance SEZ

Seventeen farmers and activists from twenty four villages in Raigad District of Maharashtra have gone on indefinite fast since 19 July 2007. This is a symbolic non-violent struggle against the unabated land acquisition by the Reliance group for their 10,000-hectare-plus Maha-Mumbai SEZ (special economic zone).   

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

India at 60: Searching for Swaraj

A number of civil society groups are organizing an Indian Civil Society Summit in Bangalore on 25th and 26th of August to mark 60 years of independence. The event hopes to be an open forum for an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of our people and opportunities as we go forward. 

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2007/india_at_60_searching_for_swar.html

Preventing More Lal Masjids

The storming of Islamabad's Lal Masjid mosqueis over. Prof Pervez Hoodbhoy asks why this came to pass and whether the government and the larger society has learnt it lesson or will more such incidences follow. 

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

Fast in Khandwa for Rehab
 Ends

The 37 day fast for rehabilitation of the displaced by the Indira Sagar and Omkareshwar projects ended with promises to continue to monitor the rehabilitation process.

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2007/fast_for_rehab_in_khandwa_ends.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.