As 2023 draws to a close, a reflection on the year’s significant events reveals a notable contrast: the resilience of ordinary citizens and a few national triumphs serve as a counterbalance to the tragedies and erosion of civil and political rights that have marked these months.

The scope and certain provisions in the Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023, raise critical concerns about the future of media freedom and the independence of digital journalism in India, according to analyses by independent media outlets.

There is new evidence of the ongoing use of Pegasus spyware against Indian journalists, says a report released on Dec. 28 by Amnesty International and The Washington Post. This comes about two months after Apple alerted iPhone users globally, including over 20 journalists and opposition politicians in India, about potential targeting by state-sponsored attackers.

India’s fiscal deficit is likely to exceed the 5.9% of gross domestic product (GDP) target, according to India Ratings and Research. Though by a small margin, the increase could have several implications for the Indian economy and its citizens.

The pervasive culture of perjury in Indian courts – termed by the Supreme Court as a “way of life” – has led to a significant erosion of truth, resulting in miscarriages of justice that devastate lives and diminish public trust in the legal system, according to a media report.

The President of India on Dec. 25 gave assent to three controversial criminal law bills, marking a pivotal moment in the nation’s legal history. Citizens can expect a significant shift in the balance between state power and individual rights in the country.

The recent civilian deaths in Kashmir, allegedly at the hands of the Indian Army following a rebel attack, require a critical evaluation against the backdrop of the “human security” approach. This framework, adopted to varying extents by many countries, can serve as a crucial reference point to gain a deeper understanding of the core issues behind the tension between national security and human rights.

Rajasthan has introduced robotic cleaners, a significant technological advancement aimed at replacing manual scavenging. While this represents a notable step forward, it may not scratch the surface of a deeper, more profound issue: the persistent lack of dignity imposed on Dalits, the community most affected by manual scavenging. After all, the problem of manual scavenging is not merely technical but deeply human.

The ousting of the Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harassment allegations, followed by the election of his close aide as the new president, is a narrative deeply intertwined with the challenges faced by athletes in a system where political power often overshadows gender justice and sporting merit.

The recent suspension of over 140 Members of Parliament in India marks a pivotal moment in the country’s political journey. This action, as noted by Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Contributing Editor at The Indian Express, signals a potential shift away from the established norms of parliamentary democracy. It’s a symptom of a broader transformation in India’s political landscape, raising significant concerns about the future of democracy and its institutions.

Eighty-seven Kuki-Zo victims of the ongoing ethnic violence were finally buried on Dec. 20 in Manipur’s Churachandpur district. This solemn ceremony, attended by thousands, included the burial of a one-month-old infant, marking over seven months since the conflict began on May 3.

In Gujarat, a significant number of children from migrant worker families, particularly those involved in sharecropping, are not attending school, according to a report by IndiaSpend, which says this trend is prevalent among over 65,000 sharecropping families in the state, with an estimated 50,000 children migrating annually with their parents and remaining out of school for extended periods.