Citizens for Justice and Peace
A 2020 Report on how Indians took to the streets in protest In defence of Article 19, CJP brings you the panorama of protests that shaped this year
30-Dec-2020
Article 19 (1) (a) and (b) give all Indians the right of free expression and peaceful protest. Clearly, however, these fundamental freedoms are irksome to governments increasingly impatient with the people’s sovereign voice. This has however not stopped Indians, even in the midst of a crippling lockdown following the Covid-19 pandemic. Last year we saw…
The best of Indian courts in 2020 CJP takes a look at various court orders that positively shaped human rights’ jurisprudence
28-Dec-2020
As the year 2020 draws to a close, here is an annual round up of orders and judgements of India’s constitutional courts — High Courts and the Supreme Court of India. In a month by month look, CJP brings you a calendar of the year gone by: through judgements and orders that paved new paths…
The 10 worst laws of 2020 CJP brings to you 2020's laws that take no notice of human rights
26-Dec-2020
While the law, in any democratic republic is meant to protect individual and collective rights the year of the ongoing Covid-19 Pandemic was misused in India to pass a slew of laws, even through the emergency power of the Ordinance, by both the Union (Central) and state legislatures that showed an utter disregard for human…
They call us Jamatis, no longer buy milk from us: Van Gujjars Nomadic community faces discrimination and economic boycott
26-Dec-2020
Here Mohammed Meer Hamza interviews Baniyabeen, a Van Gujjar who hails from Gauhri Range Kunou, Chaurd Pauri, Garhwal, and is currently camping at Gari Shyampur, near Rishikesh, Dehradun. They discuss the long-lasting impact that the Covid-19 pandemic on the community, and how despite facing discrimination, Van Gujjar’s hold no resentment. All they want is the safety of their…
Bandna Parab: A festival that celebrates light and life A lesser known festival of lights, celebrated by indigenous communities to mark the changing season and give thanks to the land
05-Dec-2020
Around the same time most parts of the country celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights, there are many indigenous communities who celebrate many ancient festivals of their own. Most of these festivals are not yet recognised on the mainstream calendars, even though they are ancient, and are rooted in celebrating the elements, changing seasons, and…
Lockdown has reduced lives of bidi labourers to ashes! Drop in wages leading to extreme financial distress
01-Dec-2020
Ever since the Covid-19 global pandemic struck and led to the country-wide lockdown that began in March 2020, its negative impact on the Indian economy has been catastrophic. Cottage industries of rural India are the worst affected, families running them having been pushed to the brink of penury! Those involved with the cottage industry in West Bengal, especially bidi workers, are today amidst extreme…
How Purvanchal’s traditional weaving industry came undone CJP’s ongoing fact-finding mission examines the twin-blows dealt by Covid and administrative apathy
18-Nov-2020
Weaving is not just an industry in Uttar Pradesh’s Purvanchal region, it is the basis for a strong bond between people from two communities. Handcrafted textiles are the means through which craftsmen and women tell the story of their rich and vivid heritage. But now this bond appears to be weakening as the industry has been…
Covid-19 and Adivasi Empowerment: CJP’s unique contribution How have eight months of the Lockdown impacted India’s Forest Dwellers & Adivasis?
22-Oct-2020
During the nationwide Lockdown that was announced in wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, CJP found that hunger that had gripped urban India escaped our communities living in the forest as they continued their cultivation and had some measure of control over the resources and minor forest produce. We at CJP with our partners the All…
Covid-19 and the egregious condition of the working class Dealing with starvation and the struggle for survival
17-Oct-2020
The current unprecedented crisis of the Covid-19 epidemic is not only a medical emergency but also a crisis for economy and employment, where the worst hit are indubitably the vulnerable workers and laborers. The fortuitous are the ones that get the luxury to work from home, follow the norms of social distancing and are nonchalant…
NHRC’s advisories on Covid-19 How to help women, children, prisoners, persons with disability or mental illness
14-Oct-2020
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is a statutory body under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 that aims to protect and promote the cause of Human Rights in India. It looks into violations of human rights by any State actors, recommend measures for the effective implementation of Human rights, to encourage organisations within…