Samaan Shekhar In July 2014, a delegation of some tribal communities came to Jhabua (a district in Madhya Pradesh) District Collector Office and handed over a representation to me. The representation mentioned that 9th August is celebrated collectively, at many places, on a large scale as ‘International Tribal Day’ by tribal communities in Jhabua District …
From Scarcity to Sufficiency: A Story of Transformation of Water Resources
Kiran Shrirang Shinde Hello! My name is Kiran Shinde. This story began during my fieldwork (rural practicum) in Chitori Khurd, a small village in the Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh. During that time, our team worked on collectivising, capacity development, and livelihood promotion among the Saharia Community (PVTG- Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups). In the village, …
Searching For Civility In Civil Lines
Payal Karwade “The effect of caste on the ethics of the Hindus is simply deplorable. Caste has killed public spirit. Caste has destroyed the sense of public charity. Caste has made public opinion impossible. A Hindu’s public is his caste. His responsibility is only to his caste.” (Ambedkar 1936). The article attempts to highlight genuine …
Call for Litigation Associate
Criminal Justice & Police Accountability Project The Criminal Justice & Police Accountability Project is a Bhopal-based research and litigation intervention working to build accountability against the unjust criminalisation of marginalised communities, and towards decarceration. CPAProject is hiring one full-time litigation associate. The position is based in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh (MP). The associate will contribute …
Relevance of Manyawar Kanshi Ram’s Politics in Contemporary India
Amit Kumar In post-independence India, there are many names that have made a deep imprint on Indian politics. Kanshi Ram Saheb is one of the tallest figures who not only changed the political vocabulary but became the voice of that groups which have been neglected historically for a long time. In a true sense, he …
My Name is Biryani and I am Not a Terrorist
Shafiullah Anis My favourite Biryani meme on social media says ‘I can’t make everyone happy, I am not Biryani!!” Biryani has always been associated with happiness and bliss in pop culture, but when Biryani gets associated with terrorism, I have all the reasons to get upset and invoke that cliché Bollywood tag-line in Biryani’s …
Revisiting Mahad Satyagraha in 21st century India
Amar Khade The Ministry of Social Justice, Government of India, declared “20 March” as “Social Empowerment Day” to commemorate Mahad Satyagraha by Dr B R Ambedkar, in the press release of 20 March 2003. Brief History of Mahad Satyagraha The Mahad Satyagraha was launched by Dr B R Ambedkar under his organization Bahishkrit Hitakarini …
From Victimhood to Power: Dalit Mahila Swabhiman Yatra at Hyderabad
Pradnya Jadhav Dalit women’s battle to survive with dignity and security is extremely challenging. Dalit Mahila Swabhiman Yatra has been initiated by All India Dalit Mahila Adhikar Manch (AIDMAM) as an attempt to bring to the notice the realities of Dalit women; it is a quest for justice. It is a broad set of …
The Dalit Diaspora in the US and the Struggle against Caste Discrimination: A Report
Harish S. Wankhede The International Commission for Dalit Rights (ICDR) has organized the “Global March against Caste Discrimination” in Washington DC on the 21st June 2014. In solidarity with the march, many community organizations, American Dalits and anti-caste social activists took independent initiatives and joined the march in New York, San Francisco and Los …