AS DIVORCES by SMS in India increase, activists seem paralysed over political remedies in the run-up to next year’s election. Unilateral oral divorce – a provision of Muslim personal law – is being misused by judges (qazis) and scholars (ulemas)to appease men – while government looks on. Talaq allows men to sever the knot with the words ‘I divorce you’...

The Supreme Court of India’s order to the Government to end its Hajj travel subsidy for Muslims within ten years has far-reaching implications. What matters more? – the life hereafter, or food on the table today? Although India has spent years mulling over the idea of ending the subsidy which not even Pakistan provides, it...

Recalling the spirit of Mahatma Gandhi, 50,000 mostly lower-caste Indians marched over 120 kilometers to secure a comprehensive government agreement on land reform. A ten point document in lieu of a promised National Land Reform Act was signed by India’s Minister of Rural Development Jairam Ramesh and movement leader P.V. Rajagopal in the presence of...