Features on social justice, caste, minority issues, gender discrimination - Frontline

At a construction site in New Delhi on April 30, 2009. Syeda’s story busts several myths about women in general and Muslim women in particular. It opens our eyes to industrial growth and development, smart cities, labour laws, government policies, and welfare programmes.

The invisible she: How working-class women bear the weight of India’s economy

Neha Dixit’s The Many Lives of Syeda X is uniquely authentic and eye-opening in portraying womenfolk in big South Asian cities.

College students led a rally as part of the anti-Hindi agitations, in Coimbatore in February 1965.

How anti-Hindi protests of the 1960s created India’s most successful regional political movement

The agitation proved singular: it toppled a regime, rewrote India’s language policy, and established Dravidian party rule that continues even today.

Karthick Ram Manoharan

Rohini Godbole (1952-2024): The physicist who refused to choose between science and justice

She died as she lived—pursuing both particle physics and gender justice with equal passion at the Indian Institute of Science.

Nandita Jayaraj

Maharashtra: A State in flux

As the State’s Assembly elections approach, will it be able to confront pressing issues like urban decay, agrarian crisis, and political instability?

In 1933, Mahatma Gandhi renamed his newspaper Young India as Harijan, and asked for a message for the inaugural issue from Ambedkar.

Why Ambedkar rejected Gandhi’s idea of Dalit emancipation

He rebuffed Gandhi’s Harijan Sevak Sangh, viewing it as a paternalistic tool that reinforced caste Hindu dominance rather than empowering Dalits.

Anand Teltumbde

The invisible ink of Dalit literature

English-language works by Dalit authors have garnered acclaim, but systemic barriers continue to obscure their voices in India’s literary landscape.

Right now, I am rethinking the word ‘Dalit’ itself: Raees Mohammed

The Arunthathiyar activist and scholar questions the idea of Dalit unity and calls for a closer look at caste differences.

More stories from Social Justice

Dr B. R. Ambedkar (first from right in second row) with his professors and friends from the London School of Economics and Political Science, circa 1916-17.

How London taught Ambedkar to ‘educate, agitate, organise’

A new book explores B.R. Ambedkar’s little-known years in Britain, revealing his far-reaching influence on anti-discrimination movements.

Cynthia Stephen

Harsh Chouhan strongly feels that the NCST has a huge potential to serve as a platform to nurture leadership among tribal youth.

We must learn from tribal societies: Former NCST chief Harsh Chouhan

Erstwhile head of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes says tribal knowledge is key to tackling environmental and social crises.

The Supreme Court’s silence on what is a “creamy layer” and the viability of it within the SC/ST quota remains a bone of contention.

The creamy layer myth: Cash can’t wash away caste

The Supreme Court’s call for SC/ST subcategorisation aims for fairer quota distribution, but risks political meddling and impact on vulnerable castes.

K. Kalyani,Mukesh Kabir

DK leader K. Veeramani.

Periyar’s legacy remains strong even today: K. Veeramani

Dravidar Kazhagam leader says Self-Respect Movement remains vital in fighting caste, with both gains made and work still ahead in Tamil society.

Ilangovan Rajasekaran

The family of a deceased sewer worker at a protest called by Bezwada Wilson at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on September 25, 2018.

Subclassification of Scheduled Castes: Policymakers face the challenge of addressing inequality without fracturing unity

Supreme Court ruling aims to level the playing field within marginalised communities, but risks deepening existing fault lines.

Students at a school at Tirumalaigiri near Salem, Tamil Nadu, in March 2018. The Chandru Committee report recommends dropping caste appellations from the names of all educational institutions and says there is overwhelming support for the merger of all schools under one unified school education department management.

Justice Chandru report illustrates eradicating caste in classrooms remains a tall order

The report shows Tamil Nadu’s education system is infested with deep-rooted caste discrimination, challenging the State’s social justice credentials.

Ilangovan Rajasekaran

PM Modi with Delhi University Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh (centre) at a ceremony on June 29, 2023. Yogesh Singh is one of the 181 academicians who have signed the letter criticising Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on RSS’ influence on the VCs.

Vice chancellors ko gussa kyoon aata hai?

Rahul Gandhi’s candid remarks on RSS influence in academic appointments expose a troubling truth about India’s educational system.

Alok Shukla helped mobilise Adivasi communities across Chhattisgarh under the “Save Hasdeo Aranya Resistance Committee”. This has saved 4,45,000 acres of forests from no less than 21 proposed coal mines.

‘The Hasdeo movement is a model of resistance’: Alok Shukla

The activist, who won the Goldman Environmental Prize for his campaign against coal mines, talks about the struggle of grassroots activists.

Student activists stage a protest against the Hapur lynching incident at Parliament Street, in New Delhi in June 2018.

Hapur district court sets precedent with life term for mob lynching

Landmark ruling imposes life term on 10 accused in mob lynching case, recognising religious motive and calling for police accountability.

BJP supporters celebrate after Uttarakhand passed the uniform civil code, in Dehradun on February 7, 2024.

Uttarakhand Uniform Civil Code: Testing the waters?

While the government claims the UCC is a milestone for women’s rights, critics say it infringes upon personal freedoms, and targets minorities.

New idols sculpted by caste Hindus in Thenmudiyanur village after Dalits entered the village temple for worship.

Following Dalit entry into Tamil Nadu village temple, caste Hindus to construct separate place of worship

Move follows a series of disputes, closure, and reopening of the temple, highlighting persisting tensions around caste-based discrimination.

Ilangovan Rajasekaran

A life-size statue of Periyar placed at the entrance of a bookstall in the 47th edition of Chennai Book Fair organised by Booksellers and Publishers Association of South India.

Periyar wins yet more hearts and minds at the 2024 Chennai Book Fair

As the threats of communalism and casteism become more pronounced, Periyar is being revived by youngsters who hope for a better, fairer future.

Siddarth Muralidharan

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