Dalits in Himachal's Sirmauri district, forming 30% of population, are "worst off"

By A Representative
The National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM)-sponsored Samvidhan Samman Yatra, on reaching Nahaan, Sirmaur district, Himachal Pradesh, learned from members of Dalit Vikas Sangathan and Dalit Soshan Mukti Manch that caste and patriarchy are deeply embedded in Sirmauri society, with evils like child trafficking, bonded labour, caste violence and lack of political to tackle these issues rampant in the area.
Yatra participants, who began their journey on October 2 (Gandhi Jayanti) at Dandi and will end on December 10 (human rights day) in Delhi, were also told that at the root of the district’s woes lies economic reasons. They were told, 30% of the district population belongs to the Scheduled Caste and most of them are below poverty line with no access to land. The problem of "shamlaat" land being in the control of the powerful upper castes was also discussed.
Earlier, more than 20 organizations, movements and civil society groups of Himachal Pradesh came together to organise a state level convention, Constitutional Rights, and Resources: Struggles and Challenges in Himachal Pradesh, in Shimla, to welcome the yatra on December 4. Attended by more than 150 representatives, the convention was addressed by NAPM leaders and grassroots representatives.
Slogans like "Lok Sabha Na Vidhan Sabha Sabse Upar Gram Sabha" echoed in the Kalibari hall in Shimla, carrying the message of decentralized decision making and the need to strengthen the Gram Sabhas to ensure accountability in our political system.

Shrinking settlements, fading schools: The Tibetan exile crisis in India

By Tseten Lhundup* Since the 14th Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959, the Tibetan exile community in Dharamsala has established the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) as the guardian of Tibetan culture and identity. Once admired for its democratic governance , educational system , and religious vitality , the exile community now faces an alarming demographic and institutional decline.

To Sonam Wangchuk: 'Will undertake 70 hour solidarity fast in Gujarat'

By Martin Macwan * Dear Colleague Sonam Wangchuk, I have never met you personally. I wrote a short article at the time of your arrest. Your work correctly introduces you. There is truth in your words. You have embarked on a fast, following the footsteps of Gandhiji. Your intention is to make people think. Your demand is reasonable; I believe that the resignation of a single education minister will not improve the state of education in India. However, the question you have raised is extremely important for the future generation of the marginalized. Education is the key to power, development, and progress, which empowers a citizen.

Gujarat police SOP sparks questions over communal profiling

By Shabnam Hashmi* The Gujarat government must be held accountable for what appears to be a deeply disturbing instance of state-sponsored communal profiling. Ahmedabad resident Sahal Qureshi recently shared with me an official document , which I translated with the help of AI before forwarding it to several media organisations and political leaders.

Counterview

Search This Blog