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Jyoti Punwani

Jyoti Punwani writes on human rights issues. You can e-mail the author at jyoti.punwani@gmail.com

All stories by JYOTI PUNWANI

Bhima-Koregaon hearing: 'If we don't, who else will present our version?'

Bhima-Koregaon hearing: 'If we don't, who else will present our version?'

Rediff.com11 Sep 2018

'We told the victims this was the only opportunity for them to get their story recorded.' 'If they did not recount their version the other side would concoct their own theory about what happened at Bhima-Koregaon.'

Bhima-Koregaon hearing: A witness reveals ugly reality

Bhima-Koregaon hearing: A witness reveals ugly reality

Rediff.com8 Sep 2018

Tanaji Sable's story confirmed what the first witness had told the commission: That the Dalits who had gone to Bhima-Koregaon were stoned; that there were motorcyclists bearing saffron flags roaming around inspiring fear; that the police did nothing to protect the Dalits.

Bhima Koregaon hearing: 'I am here to ask for justice'

Bhima Koregaon hearing: 'I am here to ask for justice'

Rediff.com7 Sep 2018

'Those who attacked me, punish them.'

How some Muslims won't sacrifice goats to help Kerala

How some Muslims won't sacrifice goats to help Kerala

Rediff.com22 Aug 2018

'The Quran says that saving one life is like saving humanity. So by donating for Kerala, you are following what Allah told you.' 'This gesture would create goodwill for Muslims and would work as a counter to the hostility they face.' Jyoti Punwani reports how some Muslims won't sacrifice goats this Bakri Eid, instead donating the money towards relief efforts in Kerala.

'A new law against lynching would have limited impact'

'A new law against lynching would have limited impact'

Rediff.com25 Jul 2018

'What will work is not fear of the law, but of real and swift prosecution under the law.' 'That can now be a possibility thanks to the Supreme Court judgment.'

'Yeddyurappa's swearing-in is a farce'

'Yeddyurappa's swearing-in is a farce'

Rediff.com17 May 2018

'This minority government will be for only 15 days.' 'By that time, its motion of confidence will be defeated, and it will have to resign.' 'Therefore, the swearing-in is a waste of money, energy and time.'

Handing over the Red Fort to the Dalmias bothers me

Handing over the Red Fort to the Dalmias bothers me

Rediff.com8 May 2018

'How can the monument where the prime minister unfurls the flag on Independence Day, in a ceremony broadcast and telecast nationally, be maintained by a private entity?' asks Jyoti Punwani.

What Bharat Ki Baat told us about Modi

What Bharat Ki Baat told us about Modi

Rediff.com20 Apr 2018

'So you wonder, couldn't he have combined these two qualities: His love of his own voice, and his acting talents, to voice concern about the Kathua and Unnao rapes?' asks Jyoti Punwani. 'His supporters are siding with the accused in the first case, and are the accused in the second.'

Adityanath shows his real colours

Adityanath shows his real colours

Rediff.com7 Mar 2018

'In Yogi's Raj, Hindu festivals are State festivals.' 'He celebrates them, so does his police force, as he boasted in the assembly on Tuesday.' 'Eid, Christmas -- these can be observed, but expect nothing from the State to facilitate these celebrations,' says Jyoti Punwani.

IIT Indore: Students ordered to apologise for protest

IIT Indore: Students ordered to apologise for protest

Rediff.com12 Feb 2018

Tensions continue to rise at IIT Indore over apology letters and quality of food.

Mr PM, Mr Shah: What pakodewallahs face daily

Mr PM, Mr Shah: What pakodewallahs face daily

Rediff.com8 Feb 2018

'If Modiji likes his pakodas fresh from the pakodewala, why does his government keep making things difficult for us?'

Mr Javadekar: Will you listen to IITI students?

Mr Javadekar: Will you listen to IITI students?

Rediff.com2 Feb 2018

'This is a public institution, run on public money and our fees,' the students say. 'Yet, decisions that affect us crucially are being taken without consulting us.'

'This government doesn't want fearless and independent judges'

'This government doesn't want fearless and independent judges'

Rediff.com17 Jan 2018

'If ever there was a decisive moment in the history of the Supreme Court where it has been under attack by the Executive, and the judges have boldly stood up for independence of the Judiciary, that time was now.' 'These four judges did a brilliant thing, they set an example.' 'They showed that they were fulfilling their duty to the Constitution and to God.' 'Don't allow fear to dictate your actions was their message.'

The killings we don't want to talk about

The killings we don't want to talk about

Rediff.com15 Dec 2017

'When you start delving deeper into these disappearances, you have to face the question: Was it a policy at the State level?' 'It surely couldn't have been random officers acting on their own.' 'Was it planned? What does it mean if the State allows its police to become lawless and act with impunity?' 'Perhaps the NHRC, for the 21 years that it has been seized of the matter, avoided these questions.'

'I am living like an animal taking its last breaths'

'I am living like an animal taking its last breaths'

Rediff.com1 Nov 2017

In Nagpur Central Jail's 'Anda Cell' languishes a 90% disabled, ailing, professor, sentenced to life imprisonment for Maoist links.

The Taj is Everybody's

The Taj is Everybody's

Rediff.com23 Oct 2017

'It is obvious that the lakhs who come to see it do not see it through the prism of religion,' says Jyoti Punwani.

'We are in kalyug where rakshasas rule'

'We are in kalyug where rakshasas rule'

Rediff.com18 Oct 2017

'The forces of good are on the run.' 'But dark times also challenge people to fight.' 'I believe Indians will rise against these dark times.'

Controversy erupts over lecture in Mumbai

Controversy erupts over lecture in Mumbai

Rediff.com13 Oct 2017

Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh refuses to 'retreat in the face of threats'.

In quest of justice, Pehlu Khan's son won't be alone

In quest of justice, Pehlu Khan's son won't be alone

Rediff.com18 Sep 2017

'When Irshad Khan approaches the Supreme Court, he will undoubtedly have the best and most committed of lawyers to represent him.' His case will be reported on the front pages.' Neither the BJP government in Rajasthan nor at the Centre can stop this,' says Jyoti Punwani.

Lynchings from another time

Lynchings from another time

Rediff.com17 Jul 2017

'Mumbai's killings in January 1993 came at the tail end of two outbursts of vicious communal violence, whereas today, it's peacetime in a 'new India'.' 'At that time, the perpetrators warned onlookers to keep their mouths shut.' 'Today, the perpetrators take videos of their attacks, such is their confidence.' 'The mobs have succeeded in terrorising an entire community and indeed, all those dealing in the transport of cattle, whatever their religion,' says Jyoti Punwani.

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