Civil Society

Civic laws are flagrantly flouted in India when it comes to religious celebrations of all hues; what explains this?

Civic laws are no match for the thymotic urge — the urge for recognition — behind such celebrations, because it is the urge that powers Indian democracy and society.

'More of us will speak every day': Cultural community deplores FIR against 49 celebs who wrote to Modi condemning 'lynchings'

Over 180 members of the cultural community, including actor Naseeruddin Shah, cinematographer Anand Pradhan, historian Romila Thapar and activist Harsh Mander among others, condemned the FIR lodged against 49 celebrities for an open letter they wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Indian NGOs bridge chasm between middle class, poor and are crucial to the health of democracy

Some of the brightest Indian minds are attracted to this line of work

Communities in China and South Asia fight for greater say over river management, but will officials listen?

By forming cross border networks, civil society groups in China and South Asia hope to exert greater influence over government decisions, but will officials listen?

Enforcement Directorate raids Amnesty International's India office in Bengaluru over alleged FEMA violations

After coming to power in 2014, the Narendra Modi government had launched clampdown against NGOs, which the opposition had termed as an attempt to stifle the voices of civil society groups.

Peace talks between Nicaragua govt, civil society groups hindered after armed assailants kill eight people in Managua

Armed assailants in Nicaragua's capital set fire to a house and started a gunfire at a street barricade, leaving eight people dead and thus hindering the peace talks between the government and civil society groups

DCW chief Swati Maliwal must act, not fast: Delhi's depleting de-addiction centres put women at risk, fuel drug abuse

Swati Maliwal also wants a high-level committee comprising the Union home minister, Delhi’s chief minister, Delhi’s Lt Governor and police commissioner and head of the Delhi Commission for Women to be set up to discuss crimes against women and that these meetings be broadcast publicly.

Kerala Police under scanner after Dalit boy's autopsy report suggests suicide was abetted by custodial torture

The Kerala Police find itself in a tight spot but what makes it more precarious is that majority of the victims are young Dalits.

RTI Act: Govt proposes stopping proceedings if applicant dies; proposal comes under severe criticism

The NDA government has proposed a new set of rules for processing Right to Information (RTI) applications, complaints and appeals and has sought suggestions from the public by April 15.

SC order to audit 30 lakh NGOs is another way for State to target and delegitimise their purpose

The Supreme Court, on 11 January, passed an order directing the government to audit about 30 lakh non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and voluntary organisations that receive public funds, but have invariably failed to explain their spending.