Pushing the envelope on peace in Kashmir
The Prime Minister’s Jammu speech takes the logic of “cooperative mechanisms” one step further, envisaging the shared use of the disputed region’s land and water resources across the Line of … Continue reading
Blame the police, not the messenger
By failing to act decisively against the Hindu chauvinist organisations which are targeting Christian priests and missionaries in Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and elsewhere, the police are only increasing the likelihood of … Continue reading
Transitional justice in Southasia @ Kathmandu
The concept of transitional justice is familiar to people in South Africa, Chile and other countries but how relevant and useful is it for South Asia? This is a question … Continue reading
Armed Forces Act to be amended
After years of protest against one of India’s most Draconian laws, is there finally some light at the end of the tunnel? 2 DecemberThe Hindu Armed Forces Act to be … Continue reading
"The answer to the Iran nuclear issue is more democracy"
Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2003,Shirin Ebadi is a prominent lawyer and human rights activist within her country, Iran, as well as an advocate for human rights around … Continue reading
Coming to terms with India’s missing Muslims
The reality of exclusion and discrimination can no longer be denied. But the remedy requires political courage on the part of the Manmohan Singh Government and wisdom on the part … Continue reading
Does anybody care about Manipur?
The question of repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act needs to be debated publicly in the light of the Justice B.P. Jeevan Reddy Committee’s report. 10 October 2006The … Continue reading
Repeal Armed Forces Act: official panel
Secret report of Justice Jeevan Reddy Committee says the Act is a “symbol of oppression, instrument of high-handedness”. 8 October 2006The Hindu Repeal Armed Forces Act: official panelSiddharth Varadarajan New … Continue reading
Official panel wants stringent safeguards on Army use
`Scrapping AFSPA will help erase feeling of alienation, discrimination in North-East’8 October 2006The Hindu Official panel wants stringent safeguards on Army use`Scrapping AFSPA will help erase feeling of alienation, discrimination … Continue reading
The life and death of a mad Bhopali
Sunil Kumar, who was 13 at the time the Union Carbide plant in Bhopal unleashed its deadly payload of methyl isocyanate gas over the sleeping city, committed suicide recently. Indra … Continue reading
Caste matters in the Indian media
If television and newspaper coverage of the anti-reservation agitation was indulgent and one-sided, the lack of diversity in the newsroom is surely a major culprit. 3 June 2006The Hindu Caste … Continue reading
Terror of the ‘war against terror’
Is there room within this rapid “securitisation” of life for individual freedoms and civic concerns to assert themselves? 1 January 2006Sunday Magazine, The Hindu Terror of the ‘war against terror’ … Continue reading
The dodgy underbelly of India’s war on terror
In their search for quick results, the police have allowed the real conspirators behind the terrorist attack on Parliament to get away. 26 August 2005The Hindu The dodgy underbelly of … Continue reading
Anybody remember Manipur?
29 June 2005The Hindu Opinion Anybody remember Manipur? Siddharth Varadarajan With the first anniversary of Manorama Devi’s killing upon us, the Government must make public the report of the Justice … Continue reading
Siddharth Varadarajan 