· June, 2012

Stories about South Asia from June, 2012

Pakistan: Who Killed Pashto Singer Ghazala Javed?

  28 June 2012

Ghazala Jawad, a charismatic Pashto singer was gunned down in the city of Peshwar. Mystery shrouds the identity of her real killers. Was this an honor killing by her ex-husband, who disapproved of her singing? Or was this an act by the Taliban, who she defied throughout her career?

Pakistan: Puns and Pokes at New Prime Minister

  23 June 2012

Social media has been abuzz with puns and pokes at Pakistan's new Prime Minister calling him 'Raja Rental' and the new 'Crime Minister'. He was previously in charge of the widely unpopular Water and Power Ministry which started long hours of forced power outages in Pakistan in 2008 and has also been accused of graft.

Nepal: Justice For Amar Bahadur Bam

  20 June 2012

Nepali worker Amar Bahadur Bam was wrongly accused and convicted for a crime in Dubai in 2003 and was tortured to give a false confession. He is currently on a death row and his family had no knowledge of him for years. Save Amar Bahadur is a Facebook campaign which...

Pakistan: Supreme Court Disqualifies Prime Minister

  20 June 2012

The Pakistani Supreme Court ruled that the Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani had been disqualified ever since April 26th, when it gave the final ruling on a contempt case imprisoning him for a few seconds. The popular sentiment was divided: some cheered and some termed it as a 'judicial coup'.

India: Activist Facing Arrest For Exposing Church Miracle

  15 June 2012

Sasi at Random Thoughts reports that Sanal Edamuruku, the President of the Indian Rationalist Association, is facing arrest for proclaiming that the “dripping cross” outside Vile Parle’s Velankanni church is not a miracle, but the result of a natural action. A petition is online to call for dropping the complaints...

Pakistan: RIP Ghazal Legend Mehdi Hassan

  15 June 2012

Mehdi Hassan Khan also famously known as the ‘King of Ghazal’ passed away on Wednesday, 13, June, 2012 after a protracted illness, in a local hospital in Karachi city of Pakistan. Netizens pay their tribute.

Bangladesh: Keep Border Open For Rohingya Refugees

  14 June 2012

After a recent sectarian violence between Rohingya and Rakhine in Western Myanmar, Bangladesh has restricted the influx of Rohingya refugees crossing borders. Bangladeshi netizens questions the decision of the government on humane grounds, though admitting as well that the country is incapable of hosting more refugees.

Sri Lanka: The Colombo Fun Ride

  13 June 2012

The Puppeteer participated in the “Colombo Cycle Fun Ride 25km”, a public cycling event organised by the Pedal Pushers cyclist group, and shares her experiences.

India: Aamir Khan's TV Show Stirs Up Social Issues

  11 June 2012

A new Indian TV talk show titled Satyamev Jayate (Truth Alone Prevails) hosted by Bollywood actor and filmmaker Aamir Khan is bringing up and debating taboo and sensational social issues which are engaging more and more Indians. Netizens react.

About our South Asia coverage

Rezwan
Rezwan is the South Asia editor. Email him story ideas or volunteer to write.