Governance

What is Section 144 and why is it being used against protesters across the nation?

December 21, 2019 Revathi Siva Kumar

Over the past one year, public assemblies and movement in cities have been restricted on multiple occasions by invoking Section 144 of the CrPC. Now that the same is being used to stall protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act, a look at what the law actually says.

Explained: Should you read the CAA in conjunction with the proposed NRC?

December 17, 2019 Aruna Natarajan

With the Citizenship Amendment Act passed and the looming possibility of a nationwide NRC, the country is on the boil. Is the CAA really discriminatory? What does it say about Indian Muslims? Is it linked with the NRC, and is it right to conflate the two? Know the facts and decide for yourself.

Delhi fire tragedy a grim reminder of the city’s 32000+ child labourers

December 12, 2019 Oommen C Kurian

Between 2011 and 2017, child workers under the age of 14 increased from a little over 2000 to 32,330 — 41% of them Dalit and 55% Muslim. Now with the recent fire at Anaj Mandi claiming several such young lives, will the Delhi government sit up and act on this mounting problem?

Why many migrant waste-pickers stayed back in Srinagar despite fears and uncertainty

December 11, 2019 Abid Bashir Wani

Hospitable, caring and offering opportunities for a decent living — that is how most of them see the city. Thus, despite the tension and reports of attacks on non-Kashmiris in the days following the abrogation of Article 370, they decided to stay put. And they have not regretted it.

“Home is the safest place”: Pune transwomen recount experiences in public spaces

December 9, 2019 Amla Pisharody

On Trans Remembrance Day, Pune’s transwomen gathered to remember those who lost their lives to transphobia, and shared tales of the stigma, bullying, harassment and fear that they face everyday.

Bhopal closes controversial abattoir, but no sight of alternative yet

December 5, 2019 Shuriah Niazi

As a result, both man and animal have been hit hard and the likelihood of illegal slaughter has also risen. Political wrangling, however, makes it appear improbable that the problem will be resolved soon.

Gurgaon Rapid Metro: A public project for private gain

December 3, 2019 Sri Krishna

Senior IAS officer Ashok Khemka’s scathing letter to the state government called attention to the irregularities in the Gurugram Rapid Metro project and how a select few real estate companies have profited from it. A look at the details

Despite digital life certificates, aged pensioners face harrowing experiences during submission

November 26, 2019 Aruna Natarajan

All pensioners must submit a life certificate by November 30th every year in order to continue receiving pension. While the process was digitised with the intent to minimise the physical presence of aged citizens, the experience has been far from seamless for many.

How to get a FASTag for your vehicle as it becomes mandatory from December 1st

November 21, 2019 Aruna Natarajan

FASTag, a prepaid rechargeable tag that will help digitise toll collection across highways, will be mandatory for all vehicles starting this December. Here is all you need to know about the new system and how it works.

The trail from a blocked sewer to the local wine shop

November 18, 2019 C S Sharada Prasad

The local bar is where they are often to be found, relieving the stress of their inhuman toil — India’s sewer workers, who do the unclean work that a ‘swachh’ India relies on. This World Toilet Day, we bring you some of their stories from Hyderabad.

Regularisation of Delhi colonies: While AAP, BJP fight for honours, residents keep fingers crossed

November 18, 2019 Santosh Joy

The Union Cabinet recently approved the state government’s proposal to give ownership rights to those living in 1,797 unauthorised colonies in the Delhi-NCT area. While usual political rhetoric by parties continues, what really lies ahead?

Srinagar: Where abnormalcy is the new normal

November 12, 2019 Revathi Siva Kumar

A 11-member fact-finding team recently visited Srinagar among other places in Kashmir, and saw a ghost town in place of the picturesque, vibrant city that once was. The clampdown on essential services, mobility, communication and trade has made life in this ‘paradise’ an ordeal.

Waste woes in Paradise: Srinagar’s struggle to clear garbage from streets during lockdown

November 7, 2019 Abid Bashir Wani

In the days following abrogation of Article 370, Srinagar became a stinking mess, as municipal staff were unable to report to work and mounds of garbage accumulated on streets. While proactive officers and safai karamcharis have managed to tide over the crisis in the face of odds, waste management in the city needs serious fixes for the long term.

“Just two hours of disturbance”: Ugly truths and uncomfortable questions post Chhat celebrations in Kolkata lake

November 5, 2019 Mou Chakraborty

The NGT has long banned all festivities and rituals in Rabindra Sarovar, a national lake in south Kolkata. Yet what transpired during Chhat Puja clearly points to the futility of such orders in the absence of political will and awareness among masses.

Can Kolkata’s ‘national lake’ save itself from Chhat Puja celebrations this year?

November 1, 2019 Mou Chakraborty

Despite an order from the National Green Tribunal, efforts to stop Chhat Puja celebrations in Rabindra Sarovar — a 192-acre biodiverse, green sanctuary in the heart of the city — have been futile in previous years. This year the municipal corporation is closing access to the lake area for the two days of the festival, but will it help?

Is Delhi ready for a green Diwali, with only anars and phuljaris?

October 26, 2019 Sri Krishna

The Supreme Court has mandated that only ‘green’ crackers as formulated by CSIR-NEERI and approved by PESO may be burst this Diwali, so that there is less air and noise pollution. But is Delhi, a city used to boisterous celebrations for a week before and after the festival, ready for a quieter, smoke-free Diwali?