Syed Irfan Ashraf’s ‘The Dark Side of Journalism’ and Saad Mohseni and Jenna Krajeski’s ‘Radio Free Afghanistan’ show how local journalists became both victims and agents of geopolitical conflict and an exploitative global media – and looked to push back
This week at Himal
This week, as India’s state elections kick off, Imaad ul Hasan unpacks the choices voters face in Maharashtra, where it’s a stand-off between
An investigation into cardamom cultivation in Kerala exposes how India is failing abjectly to regulate pesticide overuse and contamination in its spice production and trade
Maharashtra’s politics has been pushed so far to the right that progressive voices are endorsing the Maha Vikas Aghadi – which includes Uddhav Thackeray’s faction of the Shiv Sena, with its history of Hindutva vigilantism
This week at Himal
Last month, Pakistan’s cabinet hastily passed a constitutional amendment implementing controversial judicial reforms. Salman Rafi Sheikh unpacks the implications of Pakistan’s 26th amendment, and
Environmental researcher Pankaj Sekhsaria says that large-scale disruptions to a geologically sensitive region like Great Nicobar puts ecology, infrastructure, indigenous people and migrants to the island at significant risk.
The 26th amendment to Pakistan’s constitution means that the government – which functions at the behest of the military – will be able to rein in any judges who dare assert their independence
This week at Himal
This week, Rajni Gamage and Harindra B Dassanayake write that the National People's Power, the victors of Sri Lanka's presidential election, prioritised
The NPP, which was the victor in Sri Lanka’s recent presidential election, prioritised women’s political inclusion and appointed Harini Amarasuriya as prime minister – but still needs to do much more to achieve lasting change
The Pakistani state has always tried to define itself as against ethnic identities, particularly the Pashtuns, and the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement is pushing back, says socio-political commentator Hurmat Ali Shah
This week at Himal
This week, Hurmat Ali Shah writes about the government ban imposed on the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement ahead of their three day jirga, a restorative justice mechanism
The Pashtun Qaumi Jirga marks a new phase of Pashtun nationalism, with a swathe of demands challenging the Pakistan state’s treatment of Pashtuns and growing support from mainstream political parties
