The film ‘Rani’ absolves the Ranasinghe Premadasa government of the murder of Richard de Zoysa, whose ghost still haunts Sri Lankan arts and society – and tarnishes the legacy of his mother, Manorani Saravanamuttu
The Malayalam literary giant’s merits and limitations in addressing Kerala’s traditional caste, gender and social hierarchies defined frontiers that other writers must now transcend
Reports from the United Nations and Human Rights Watch confirm the Awami League regime’s responsibility for the bloodshed of the Monsoon Revolution, but also warn the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government about persisting abusive practices
The Sri Lankan Tamil journalist Nimalarajan Mylvaganam, called “the voice of Jaffna” and known for his critical reporting on government-linked paramilitary groups, was shot dead in his home in 2000. His case remains unsolved.
Three new books unpack the violent roots of caste-based vegetarianism and India’s dairy industry as Dalits and Muslims continue to be targeted by cow-protection vigilantes
India wants to normalise ties with Afghanistan even with the Taliban in power, which threatens Pakistan’s security and fight against cross-border militancy
The history of LGBTIQA+ organising and activism in Sri Lanka contains many hard-won victories, but the target of undoing the colonial-era Sections 365 and 365A remains unrealised
The delays, denials and obfuscations in the investigation into the Sri Lankan editor’s murder reveals continued impunity around the killing of journalists in Sri Lanka
Three new books demonstrate how India’s position on Israel–Palestine is determined by a careful calibration of geopolitical ties and its own image and interests
Vanya Vaidehi Bhargav’s biography of Lajpat Rai helps trace the Indian freedom fighter’s ideas on nationalism and caste – which, when compared to Gandhi’s, point to the often counterintuitive caste politics of India’s Hindu and “secular” nationalisms
Labour migration to the tea gardens of colonial India fostered contact and convergence among diverse languages, prompting the rise of new linguas francas and the erosion of many mother tongues
Bangladesh’s relationship with Pakistan has become markedly more friendly since the fall of Sheikh Hasina, even as anti-India sentiment has reached an all-time high in the country
