Asia

Paths of violence

The Express Tribune: by Amina Jilani There have been lame excuses made on behalf of this government for the events of September 21 — the autumn equinox — as many as there have been condemnations. But regarded dispassionately, there can be no excuses for the killing of a country’s citizenry by its […]

Interest-free banking in India?

Source: CPI Financial In March this year Minister of State for Finance Namo Narain Meena told the Rajya Sabha (Council of States – the upper house of the Indian Parliament) that he had been informed by the central bank, the Reserve Bank of India, that ‘it is not legally feasible […]

The spilled milk of religious tolerance

Source: ET “The torching of the church is unfortunate and reprehensible, contrary to the teachings of Islam, which ordains respecting places of worship of all religions,” the president had said. PHOTO: REUTERS Trying to be ‘correct’ after the fact, President Asif Ali Zardari has issued a message condemning the ransacking […]

Iron ladies of Indian democracy

Source: Asiatimes. While India’s women leaders are equally ruthless in politics, they differ greatly in style. Chief minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee’s down-at-heel image is carefully crafted to appeal to the poor, while the glamour of Uttar Pradesh chief Mayawati presents her dalit caste with an aspirational figure. Rising […]

Anti-Islam film sparks protests in Kolkata

Source: TOI Anti-US protests outside American Centre in Kolkata See photo KOLKATA: Hundreds of Muslims today marched towards the American Centre here to protest against an anti-Islam video and to demand that the US authorities apologise for it. The protestors, belonging to Muslim organisations, including the All-Bengal Minorities Youth Federation, […]