· December, 2012

Stories about South Asia from December, 2012

Sri Lanka's Judiciary-Executive clash

  30 December 2012

Law and Other Things has updates on the proceedings that were initiated in the Sri Lankan Parliament to impeach the Chief Justice of Sri Lanka, Dr Shirani Bandaranayake.

Delhi Gang Rape Victim's Death Prompts Vigils Across India

  30 December 2012

The victim of the Delhi gang-rape on a bus incident died yesterday in a hospital in Singapore. Protests and vigils were held across India to mourn the death of the 23 year old girl. Lakshmi Sarah attended one vigil in Mumbai and writes about it.

Looking Back at 2012 in South Asia – Part II

  29 December 2012

Pakistan's dismal human rights record just gets worse, India's rising rape rates have sent the society into a flux, Bangladesh rejected Myanmar's Rohingya refugees, the regions relatively stable country - Maldives- saw a spiraling political crisis, and protests in post-war Sri Lanka against price hikes were met with police brutality. It has been a rough year in South Asia. And we have been covering the bad and the good all year at Global Voices. Here are some highlights from this years coverage.

Delhi’s Rape Case Stirs Movement for Justice in Nepal

  29 December 2012

The recent Delhi gang-rape case has not only evoked rage across India but also spread indignation to its neighboring countries like Nepal. Activists in Nepal have been protesting in front of the Prime Minister ’s residence at Baluwatar demanding justice for Sita Rai, who was raped in Kathmandu.

Looking Back at 2012 in South Asia – Part I

  28 December 2012

Armed with more smartphones than ever before, we see an increasing number of South Asians stepping across borders through social media. This year we saw the first India - Pakistan social media summit in Karachi. We also saw Indian and Bangladeshi hackers caught up in cyber wars. Here we look back at the rise of social media in 2012.

Bhutan: Steering Away From Democracy?

  27 December 2012

Bhutanomics comments: In form and structure Bhutan can be called a functioning democracy with elections, elected representatives and democratic institutions, but in terms of practice Bhutan is getting farther away from becoming a genuine democracy.

Balochistan Gets a Military Operation On Christmas Eve

  27 December 2012

The Pakistan army has launched a military operation in the Awaran district of Balochistan on Christmas Eve which resulted in many casualties. Apparently the operation was targeting the Tehsil Mashkai of separatist leader Dr. Allah Nazar’s home in Mahi village.

India Debates Capital Punishment for Rape

  26 December 2012

Shocked at the brutality of the recent gang-rape of a 23 year old woman in a Delhi bus, Indians are asking for stricter laws and harsher punishments for violence against women. There has been vigorous debates going on about capital punishment for rapists, started out by a member of Parliament, Sushma Swaraj.

Bangladesh: Mobile Health Service For Expecting and New Mothers

  26 December 2012

Both the Maternal and child mortality rates are high in Bangladesh. On the other hand the mobile penetration rate is close to 65% and many of the subscribers are female. Aponjon, a maternal health care service using mobile phone was launched recently targeting expecting and new mothers in Bangladesh to reduce maternal and newborn illnesses and deaths.

Art Quake in Kerala – The Kochi-Muziris Biennale

  22 December 2012

A three month long international exhibition of contemporary art is being held in Kochi, in the Indian state of Kerala. Keralites in Social Media are involved in discussions about the pros and cons including the controversy surrounding the allocation of state funds for the Kochi-Muziris Biennale.

Video Plea for Public Toilet Facilities in Jharkhand, India

  20 December 2012

Amit Topno, a ‘Video Volunteers’ community correspondent reports that the residents of Nichitpur village in the Indian State of Jharkhand do not have any working public toilet. The villagers plea to the local authorities via this video to ensure that proper toilets are installed.

Bauls – Worshiping The Great God In Man

  19 December 2012

Bauliana posts a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Bauls, a group of mystic minstrels from Bengal. Although current day Bauls are very small in numbers, their influence in the culture of Bengal is considerable.

Delhi Gang Rape Case Evokes Rage Across India

  18 December 2012

A recent gang-rape of a 23 year-old woman on a Delhi bus has stirred shock and outrage in India. This incident has raised a lot of questions regarding public safety in the Indian capital and criticized the approach of the society towards taboo subjects such as sex and rape.

International Crimes Tribunals Bangladesh: Justice In Perspective

  17 December 2012

E-Bangladesh reports on a discussion and presentation programme on the ongoing International Crimes Tribunal in Bangladesh which took place in London, UK recently. The event highlighted different aspects of the justice process and the historical background and a Q & A session aimed at dispelling confusions and providing clarifications.

About our South Asia coverage

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