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Telangana Police Lathi-Charges Protesting Students, Arrests Journalist
Telangana Police Lathi-Charges Protesting Students, Arrests Journalist

The Congress party-led Telangana government is facing backlash after police used force against protesting students at the University of Hyderabad and detained a journalist covering the demonstrations. The protests erupted over the state government’s decision to auction 400 acres of land in Kancha Gachibowli, which students and activists claim is vital for biodiversity and ecological balance.

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Orphaned Women – West Bengal’s Forgotten Refugees
The ‘Gujarat Model’ – The Rising Malnutrition Amid Economic ‘Growth’
Blood and Ballots: Political Violence in West Bengal

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Articles
Telangana Police Lathi-Charges Protesting Students, Arrests Journalist

The Congress party-led Telangana government is facing backlash after police used force against protesting students at the University of Hyderabad and detained a journalist covering the demonstrations. The protests erupted over the state government’s decision to auction 400 acres of land in Kancha Gachibowli, which students and activists claim is vital for biodiversity and ecological balance.

Discourse Over Assam Reporter’s Arrest Reveals Need for Media Literacy

Assam-based news reporter Dilwar Hussain Mozumder was released from judicial custody on March 29 after securing bail in the second case against him. However, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s response seems to reveal a lack of understanding regarding what constitutes journalism and who qualifies as a journalist.

Indian Govt. Censored Criticism of Union Ministers, Claims X

The central government issued 66 takedown notices to X (formerly Twitter) over the past year, with one-third targeting content critical of Union Ministers and government agencies, according to The Hindu, whose report is based on an analysis of court documents from a lawsuit filed by X challenging the government’s actions in the Karnataka High Court.

Court Affirms Right to Express Views, Even If Controversial

The Supreme Court has observed that protecting freedom of speech and expression, even when what is said is unpopular or disliked, is essential and must be respected in a healthy democracy. The observation came in a case involving Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi, who was accused of promoting enmity through a poem shared in a social media post.

How Easily Can the BJP Pass Bills in Parliament?

The Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) ability to pass bills in Parliament may not be as straightforward as you might think. With the dynamics of coalition politics, the composition of the two Houses of Parliament, and the nature of the legislation in question, the ease—or difficulty—of getting bills approved varies greatly.

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In Manipur, ‘Peace’ Must Not Be Sought at the Cost of Justice
In Manipur, ‘Peace’ Must Not Be Sought at the Cost of Justice

Manipur’s Governor appears to be calling for peace without addressing justice, accountability or institutional reforms, despite the previous state government being accused of supporting one side and enabling the systemic targeting of one community. The Governor’s current stance suggests an expectation for the people of Manipur to simply “move on,” as if the past can be set aside without justice or accountability.

Manipur’s ‘Territorial Integrity’ Is a Risky Narrative
Manipur’s ‘Territorial Integrity’ Is a Risky Narrative

In his resignation letter, former Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh urged the Central government to protect the state’s “territorial integrity.” And then days after President’s Rule was imposed, his BJP colleague Sambit Patra gave the same assurance. Both politicians seem to have ignored the risks of refusing to consider state reorganisation, which is not the same as separatism.

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The ‘Gujarat Model’ – The Rising Malnutrition Amid Economic ‘Growth’
The ‘Gujarat Model’ – The Rising Malnutrition Amid Economic ‘Growth’

Sheela, a tribal activist from Devgadh Mahila Sangathan, Anandi Foundation, has dedicated her life to fighting for the rights of Adivasi and Dalit communities in Gujarat’s Dahod district. Her work has revealed a grim reality that contrasts sharply with the glowing narratives of Gujarat’s economic success. She takes Newsreel Asia into the heart of this crisis, introducing us to Anita Naik, a mother in Lawaria Village. Anita, like many others, struggles to keep her children alive. One of her children tragically passed away, while her three-year-old son, Rajesh, was born blind and with severe physical deformities—a devastating consequence of the silent malnutrition crisis in the state.

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Blood and Ballots: Political Violence in West Bengal
Blood and Ballots: Political Violence in West Bengal

Ajaharuddin, a primary school teacher, witnessed his family's life take a devastating turn when his brother was allegedly attacked by workers affiliated with the Trinamool Congress (TMC) party, just a day before the 2023 Panchayat elections in West Bengal. The incident revealed the perilous state of democracy in their village.

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Displaced Dreams – West Bengal’s Unemployment Crisis
Displaced Dreams – West Bengal’s Unemployment Crisis

Amal, 27, is a migrant worker from West Bengal’s Purulia district who was forced to leave his village due to a lack of local job opportunities. The recent halt in funding for schemes like MGNREGA in this state has worsened his struggles, pushing him to migrate to different states in search of work. Leaving behind his wife and ailing mother, Amal’s story reflects the harsh realities faced by rural workers dealing with unemployment, migration and the collapse of social safety nets.

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Orphaned Women – West Bengal’s Forgotten Refugees
Orphaned Women – West Bengal’s Forgotten Refugees

After India’s Partition in 1947, Abha arrived with her mother and four daughters—seeking safety, but facing years of uncertainty. Binu and Lilly Roy, who lost their father in childhood and have no memory of their homeland, and Geeta, who was just one year old when she came to India and lost her mother a few years later, all ended up in Cooper’s Camp in West Bengal’s Nadia district. They are among the countless refugees from East Bengal, now Bangladesh, who fled their homes during Partition.

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Dinner With a Tribal Woman: ‘My Sons Weren’t Maoists’
Dinner With a Tribal Woman: ‘My Sons Weren’t Maoists’

An elderly woman, Shanti Devi, who lost two of her sons in a shootout by security personnel, resides alone in a Maoist-affected region of Chhattisgarh. This episode of The Dinner Table explores her story.

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Rashmi, a Mother Who Fought Abuse
Rashmi, a Mother Who Fought Abuse

Rashmi D’Souza, a software professional in Bengaluru, Karnataka, never imagined her husband would become abusive. In the presence of her two daughters, he continued his abusive behavior until a "guardian angel" intervened. This person offered her sound advice, but ultimately, it was Rashmi's own courage that led her to accept and act upon it.

Videos
Orphaned Women – West Bengal’s Forgotten Refugees
Orphaned Women – West Bengal’s Forgotten Refugees

After India’s Partition in 1947, Abha arrived with her mother and four daughters—seeking safety, but facing years of uncertainty. Binu and Lilly Roy, who lost their father in childhood and have no memory of their homeland, and Geeta, who was just one year old when she came to India and lost her mother a few years later, all ended up in Cooper’s Camp in West Bengal’s Nadia district. They are among the countless refugees from East Bengal, now Bangladesh, who fled their homes during Partition.

Videos
Unequal Earnings in Salt Farming
Unequal Earnings in Salt Farming

Gujarat stands as India’s foremost salt-producing state, contributing 85% to the nation's total salt output. Within Gujarat, 31% of this production originates from the Agariya community living within the Little Rann of Kutch. Despite being the primary contributors to the salt industry, the Agariya people find themselves receiving the smallest share of profits. Furthermore, they grapple with the adverse effects of climate change, directly impacting their livelihoods. In this narrative, Bhopa and Gunand, two Agariya salt farmers, shed light on the disparity in earnings within the salt farming sector.

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UNEQUAL LIVES | Everyday Struggles of Dalits in Gujarat
UNEQUAL LIVES | Everyday Struggles of Dalits in Gujarat

Bhupat Bhai Sekhaliya, a diligent and hardworking rickshaw driver from Gujarat, belongs to the Dalit community. Despite his unwavering dedication, the respect he deserves eludes him, particularly from individuals of "upper" castes in his vicinity. Many daily activities, deemed "normal" for any resident, remain inaccessible to him. Defiance can lead to physical assault. However, Bhupat's story is not an isolated incident. In Gujarat, the spectre of violence against Dalits looms large, with an average of four cases reported daily. The past seven years have seen a staggering total of over 9,000 documented instances of such violence.

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BREATHLESS IN DELHI | The Human Cost of Air Pollution
BREATHLESS IN DELHI | The Human Cost of Air Pollution

If you are living in Delhi, you might lose 12 years of your life because of air pollution. Jyoti Lavakare Pande, an author and a journalist from Delhi, writes an open letter to highlight the intensity of pollution in Delhi. She reflects on her mother's vibrant and resilient life, filled with smiles and melodies. Her mother, Kamale Pande, a classical vocalist, was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, struggling for every breath in Delhi's pollution. She pens down her mother’s journey to raise awareness about the invisible killer looming in Delhi’s air.

Videos
‘Revisiting Childhood,’ with Screenwriter, Lyricist and Filmmaker Shashwat Dwivedi
‘Revisiting Childhood,’ with Screenwriter, Lyricist and Filmmaker Shashwat Dwivedi

This video is from the third episode of our online event series, “Newsreel Asia Conversations,” which gives you a chance to interact with filmmakers who explore social, economic and political themes in their works. It all came together from our team's interactions with these creative minds at the 2024 Dharamshala International Film Festival. In this episode, we featured screenwriter, lyricist and filmmaker Shashwat Dwivedi, and our conversation centred on “Revisiting Childhood,” based on his latest film “Bobby Beauty Parlour.”

‘Why Education Comes with a High Cost for Girls,’ with Filmmaker Tarun Jain
‘Why Education Comes with a High Cost for Girls,’ with Filmmaker Tarun Jain

This video is from the second episode of our online event series, “Newsreel Asia Conversations,” which gives you a chance to interact with filmmakers who explore social, economic and political themes in their works. In this episode, we featured filmmaker and director Tarun Jain, and our conversation centred on “Why Education Comes with a High Cost for Girls,” based on his film “Ballad of the Mountain.”

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