Stories about India
Website blocking in India: One arrow for all
A report last updated in March 2024 by a digital rights organization observed that 55,607 websites were blocked between 2015 and 2023.
How data shapes political narratives amid the 2024 super-elections
"The age of data might seem like a modern concept, but the notion of using information for political advantage has a long history."
Minority journalists are under threat in South Asia
Journalists in South Asia face threats, censorship, legal obstacles, and physical and mental challenges. Minority journalists, however, encounter extra barriers and are especially vulnerable to increased risks and difficulties.
Riots against foreign students in Kyrgystan undermine its people-to-people ties with South Asia
The Kyrgyz government reacted strongly to the incident, condemning violence, apologizing to the students, and promising that such incidents would not happen again.
Southerly winds: How Nepalis are perceiving the ongoing Indian elections
Nepal has traditionally enjoyed a syncretic blend of Hindu and Buddhist traditions. However, if Modi's BJP wins in Indian elections, some fear that Nepal will slide back to Hindu nationalism.
Chai? Tea? How do Indians take their tea?
India is one of the largest producers of tea in the world, and we consume most of what we produce.
‘D voters’ remain a key issue in Assam during India's general elections
In Assam, some voters who lack proper documents to prove their Indian citizenship are labeled as 'D Voters', disenfranchised and barred from voting in the ongoing general elections.
South Asia sizzles: Record heatwave and extreme weather blamed on climate crisis
A scorching heatwave is ravaging South Asia, impacting the lives of hundreds of millions. Schools have been forced to close and the risk of health hazards has risen dramatically.
Democratizing elections: The Supreme Court of India’s landmark verdict on Electoral Bonds
By striking down the electoral bonds scheme as unconstitutional, the Supreme Court of India promoted principles of political equality, election transparency, and voter rights, despite fierce opposition from the BJP.
How are India’s new-age influencers shaping the electoral game?
Ahead of the Indian general elections, political parties are leveraging the power of the internet and social media to to maximise their outreach and engagement in the election process.
The slow but steady erosion of India’s civil society
While India has a rich, vibrant, and ideologically diverse political and civil society landscape, the state's systemic crackdown on dissenters and NGOs is becoming increasingly concerning.
How India’s amended citizenship law is creating a large pool of exclusion
Sporadic protests erupted nationwide after Indian government implemented the highly controversial Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019 just a few weeks before India's upcoming general election.
Overcoming the patriarchy in India's caste system: Minal's story
"I don't believe feminism should strive for matriarchy, which doesn't translate to equality, but for the equal acceptance of everyone as human beings, regardless of gender."
Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra: A springboard for the Indian National Congress's path back to power?
The India Unity and Justice March, led by the opposition Indian National Congress, is currently traversing various Indian states aiming to engage the common people ahead of the general elections.
Three Maldivian deputy ministers disciplined over social media comments about India's PM
The relationship between India and the Maldives further deteriorated after some Ministers criticized Indian PM Narendra Modi online. Amidst call to #BoycottMaldives, three Maldivian Deputy Ministers were suspended.
Looking forward to 2024: A year of crucial elections in South Asia
In 2023, pre-election implications were evident in certain South Asian nations as repressive laws stifled free expression and targeted critics. Opposition leaders faced arrests and judicial harassment, reflecting a concerning trend.
Khurram Parvez, wrongfully incarcerated, completes two years in prison in India
In Kashmir, the "policies of the Indian government have proceeded at an extraordinary speed, choking and diminishing any remnants of free space and expression."
Four change leaders combating gender-based violence in Africa and India
Intimate partner violence (IPV) and non-partner sexual violence(NPSV) are two of the most common forms of violence experienced by women.
Undertones: From India to Bharat, a decolonial rebrand or an erasure?
India is a wider term encompassing the country’s secular and multicultural nature, while Bharat comes from a Sanskrit term with ethnoreligious undertones.
Maldives’ new president formally requests India withdraw troops from its borders
On the first day of his office, pro-China President Mohamed Muizzu formally requested the Indian Government to withdraw its troops stationed in the Maldives, making headlines in both countries.
Widespread labour standards violations among Japanese businesses with so-called technical interns
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan found record-high labour standard breaches in worksites where “technical interns” work in 2022. Can future legislative reform effectively address this issue?
