Questions about the security of India’s giant biometric database continue to be raised by privacy advocates, Mahima Kaul reports
CATEGORY: India
Twitter trolls in India: Sexist abuse as a tool to muzzle women
The social media experience which came across as a liberating tool for women, was often equated with a living room where one could voice opinions in public sphere. However, of late, a series of incidents have sounded a note of caution against the euphoria around social media, writes Niharika Pandit
Cheering for the Pakistan cricket team is dangerous in democratic India
Indo-Pak cricket matches are anything but “normal” as 67 college students found when they were charged with sedition for cheering for the Pakistani team. Saurav Datta reports
India’s media doesn’t dare violate the “Modi-fied” code of silence
Siddharth Varadarajan and Nandini Sundar stand out as examples of the consequences of seeking accountability and justice. Saurav Datta reports
As internet matures India faces a choice on governance
For many years, the Indian public in particular, had very little interest in who controlled the internet and decisions taken at a structural level that shaped its future. Mahima Kaul reports on how that’s changing.
Index Freedom of Expression Awards: Digital activism nominee Shubhranshu Choudhary
Journalist Shubhranshu Choudhary is the brain behind CGNet Swara a mobile-phone service that allows citizens to upload and listen to local reports in their local language.
“The Hindus” are anything but “law-abiding citizens”
The Hindu fundamentalists’ falsehood is malicious, not Wendy Doniger’s interpretation. Saurav Datta writes
Cricket cheering uncovers faultlines between Kashmir and India
Improbable as it may seem, but 67 Kashmiri university students were briefly charged with sedition for cheering for Pakistan, and celebrating its win over India, during an Asia Cup cricket match in early March. Mahima Kaul reports
India: Turning back the clock on freedom of expression
In India, the state and private petitioners have equally exploited India’s penal code to harass, censor or silence individuals. Ram Mashru reports
Penguin India’s pulping of controversial title roils authors
Indian authors and columnists have condemned Penguin India’s decision to pulp all remaining copies of American author Wendy Doniger’s controversial book. Mahima Kaul reports
India: Parliament TV blacks out during debate over controversial bill
For the first time in its history, the lower house of Indian parliament passed a law as important as creating a new state – by reorganising Andhra Pradesh into two states; Andhra Pradesh and Telangana – away from the media glare and the public eye. Mahima Kaul reports
India enters the sousveillance age
Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi’s erstwhile chief minister, gained popularity among ordinary citizens because of his tough anti-corruption stand. His antics and strategies to grab media attention didn’t disappoint either. Mahima Kaul reports