Stories about South Asia
4 July 2019
Interview with former Pakistani president taken off air, journalists and activists decry censorship
A recorded interview of former president Asif Ali Zardari was taken off air shortly after its broadcast began on Geo News television in another incident of censorship in the country.
30 June 2019
In pictures: Nepal holds parade during international Pride Month
Participants demanded equal rights, including same-sex marriage, and were able to educate people about the diversity of the queer community, well beyond the term LGBTQ+.
29 June 2019
Detergent ad causes uproar among conservative audiences in Pakistan
The advert ends with Pakistan's women's cricket team captain Bisma Maroof saying “these are not statements but stains."
28 June 2019
Playing against patriarchy: Muslim girls in India own the ‘male Space’ by playing football
While many think that gender equality in sport is utopian, there has been a growing movement where people are coming forward to talk and fix the problem of patriarchy.
26 June 2019
Climber who captured viral image of Mount Everest traffic is on a quest to conquer the world's 14 highest peaks in record-breaking time
There are only 14 mountains that are higher than 8,000 meters and former British Gurkha soldier Nirmal Purja is on a record-breaking mission to climb all 14 peaks in just...
22 June 2019
Parents, students threaten to sue Bhutanese employment agency after ‘learn and earn’ debacle in Japan
Many students became sick from physical and mental stress. There were also reports of forced labor, and passport theft and illegal wage deductions by employers in Japan.
21 June 2019
Bangladeshi surfer girls are pushing back against conservative gender norms
Surfing has not only allowed them to retain a piece of their childhood but they now confidently dream of securing a bright future for themselves – dignified jobs, a good...
20 June 2019
I won't climb the Everest: a graphic travel journal
"From our eyes shine excitement and the (heavy) cultural baggage of the West around the legendary 'roof of the world'."
17 June 2019
Demolition of a 150-year-old building highlights government neglect of Bangladesh's heritage sites
"The building had such remarkable designs which were rare to find in other buildings in the old parts of Dhaka. So [it] needed to be saved."
14 June 2019
Bhutan takes first steps toward decriminalizing homosexuality
The bill will be discussed in the National Council, the upper house of the parliament, during the upcoming winter session starting in November. Bhutanese activists eagerly await the results.
7 June 2019
Reactions to the presidential pardon of Sri Lankan rightwing religious leader
"Given Gnanasara’s past record of hateful speech, the Presidential pardon amounted to disrespect to all those who had suffered religious freedom violations in Sri Lanka."
26 May 2019
‘Conservation or community rights’? Bangladesh bans fishing for 65 days
The two-month fishing ban aims to boost fish stocks but it could lead to hunger and displacement in coastal communities.
23 May 2019
India's Lok Sabha 2019: Results are in after a weeks-long election process
People have taken to Twitter to vent out their anticipation. Many have taken the exit polls results to be completely reflective of the actual results and have started congratulating Narendra Modi.
22 May 2019
Kami Rita Sherpa breaks record as he climbs Mount Everest for the 24th time
Defying all odds, the Nepali Sherpa guide climbed the world’s highest peak twice in a week this year – making 24 ascents to Mt. Everest.
17 May 2019
Anti-Muslim attacks stoke tensions and incite fear amongst mourning Sri Lankans
On 12 May Sunday, anti-muslim violence started over a Facebook post by a Muslim trader in coastal Chilaw town in Puttalam District, North Western Province of Sri Lanka.
16 May 2019
Facebook posts trigger more arrests in Bangladesh, worrying netizens
Two people were arrested on May 14 and 15, for comments they had posted on Facebook. The arrests have sparked indignation and concern on social media in Bangladesh.
13 May 2019
‘No votes until the road is built': why some Goan villagers are boycotting the Indian elections
Bad roads, lack of water and electricity supply pushed these Goans to boycott the ongoing Lok Sabha elections in Marlem village in the Indian state of Goa.
10 May 2019
In India, Rooh Afza lovers rejoice as the drink returns to shelves in time for Ramadan
After months without the beloved drink Rooh Afza, Muslims in India can now breathe a sigh of relief as it returns to shelves just in time for Ramadan.
5 May 2019
As Cyclone Fani hits India's eastern coast, preparedness saves thousands of lives
Many lives were saved from the devastations of the extremely severe Cyclone Fani because of a planned evacuation carried by the local administration with support from thousands of volunteers.
3 May 2019
The Sri Lanka Niqab ban and the politics of distraction
Ever since the identification of the all-male group of bombers behind the massacre as members of militant group ISIS, Muslim women have borne the brunt.
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