Muslims left out of job guarantee in Gujarat

An Indian Express investigation uncovers that Muslims have been denied the job guaranteed under the Employment Guarantee Act in areas of Gujarat which were worst hit by communal riots.

Right to information

A lawyer has filed a right to information claim asking the CBI why he was black-listed.

Fanaa and free speech

The Gujarat cinemas have decided not to screen the latest Amir Khan starrer 'Fanaa' because of the star's criticism of the big-dam project in the state. This intolerance which is not even based on the content of the expression has been criticised as a false expression of Gujarati asmita.

Parliamentary Panel on Tribal Bill

The Parliamentary Committee on the controversial Tribal Bill has tabled its report. Jaya Mazoomdar examines the issue.

Sex workers oppose amendments

Sex workers have opposed the proposed amendments to the Immoral Trafficking in Persons (Prevention) Act.

Parliamentary Panel for review of Military Laws

A Parliamentary Committee has found the Army, Navy and Air Force Acts to be too harsh and violative of the fundamental rights of the citizens.

Nagaland bans the book

Nagaland has banned Da Vinci Code - the book.

Government to implement quotas

The government has decided to bring a legislation to implement quotas for other backward classes in higher education.

Religious censors

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry's attempt to obtain permission from the peeved religious group before screening the Da Vinci Code has drawn severe criticism.

Dalit priests in TN

Tamil Nadu has removed the barrier for non-brahmins to become priests in temples.

TV censors

Government is planning to create yet another censor body - this time to regulate the content on television.

Video-recording of witnesses

The government is contemplating amending the Criminal Procedure Code to provide for audio and video recording of witnesses.

Death Penalty in Assam Rifles Bill

Ridiculous sounding provisions of the Assam Rifles Bill passed by the Parliament contemplate capital punishment if soldiers fall asleep on duty!

The reservation debate

As the reservation debate rages on, Satish Deshpande and Yogendera Yadav find quotas unjust and instead propose an alternative affirmative action plan. Affirmative action instead of reservations have been supported by Achin Vanaik and Pratap Bhanu Mehta as well.

Right to Education Bill

The government has dropped the plan to oblige all private schools to reserve 25% seats for children from weaker sections, in the latest draft of the Right to Education Bill.

Rajasthan Governor rejects anti-conversion Bill

The Governor of Rajasthan has refused to sign into law a Bill to restrict conversions from one religion to another.

Social security for unorganised workers

The government is proposing a Bill to provide significant social security benefits for workers in the unorganised sector. It has been cautiously welcomed.

SC/ST Act not implemented

The Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act is hardly being implemented by the police, even in the face of continued violence against these groups.

Supreme Court refuses to touch muslim personal law

The Supreme Court yet again took the easy route of characterising it as a policy issue by refusing to judge a constitutional challenge to some muslim personal laws on the touchstone of fundamental rights.

NCW demands autonomy

The National Commission for Women has demanded more autonomy for itself by seeking curtailment of the government's power to sack its members.

Anti-beggary law challenged unsuccessfully

The Supreme Court has rejected a challenge to the anti-begarry laws.

Criminal Procedure Amendments

The government has proposed amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code to tackle the problem of hostile witnesses.