Citizens for Justice and Peace
Will the 125-year old Bolpur Poush Mela be held this year? Visva Bharati University first cancelled the fair, then retracted the cancellation
19-Dec-2020
CJP fellowship 2020 researcher Ripon Sheikh, tracks and documents the confusion, around the massive cultural celebration, and the anger that is simmering over its possible cancellation. Poush Mela is regarded as a living heritage of West Bengal, one that has put the culture and vivacity of Shantiniketan in Bolpur on the world map. It celebrates…
Stop VHP’s Ram Navami Yatras in Bengal CJP appeals for ban on the yatras during elections
12-Apr-2019
The VHP is organising 700 Ram Navami rallies in Bengal in the middle of the elections. Last year, these rallies had led to communal tensions across West Bengal. In light of this CJP appeals to the Election Commission to stop these political rallies. Related: VHP plans 700 Shobha Yatras during Elections: Shouldn’t EC ban…
VHP plans 700 Shobha Yatras during Elections: Shouldn’t EC ban them? Glaring violation of Election Model Code of Conduct
12-Apr-2019
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) plans to organise 700 shobha yatras to celebrate Ram Navami across South Bengal on April 14, just four days before the second phase of the general elections. Given that these yatras have a history of inflaming communal passions and leading to large scale violence, shouldn’t the Election Commission step in and put…
My Ancestors were Freedom Fighters, I will not let my Grief tear the Nation apart Son killed in Asansol riots, Imam Imdadul Rashidi appeals against violence and vengeance
11-Apr-2019
Asansol’s Imam Imdadul Rashidi’s young son was killed during the ram navami riots that swept through Asansol in 2018. At that moment of grief, the Imam not only appealed for peace but also ensured that there was no retaliation. He even refused to pursue police investigation into the death. This, like Gandhiji in Noakhali during…
Fear of violence not unfounded: SC on BJP’s Rath Yatra Apex court directs party to seek fresh approval from WB government
16-Jan-2019
In a major setback to the BJP, the Supreme Court of India has directed the party to seek fresh approval for a ‘rath yatra’ from the state government of West Bengal saying that the WB government’s concerns weren’t “unfounded”. The court, however asked the state government to allow BJP rallies and meetings in the state. BJP…
Primary education in WB needs reforms: Pratichi Institute Report Amartya Sen-backed institute sheds light on areas of improvement
26-Jul-2018
A recent report from the Pratichi Institute and shiksha alochana outlines the state of primary education in West Bengal, highlighting successes such as the reduced student-teacher ratio, as well as gaps that need to be filled, such as a shortfall in funds. The report, titled ‘Primary Education in West Bengal: The Scope for Change’, emphasises the need…
The Christian Community in India 2015
19-Nov-2015
by John Dayal It does not happen to “other people.” It happens to “us,” though this may not be apparent at first sight. This is the sort of saying that social-psychologists, cultural anthropologists and even environmental scientists have been stressing on a range of issues as diverse as the impact of climate change to that…