Fownhope’s Heart of Oak Society traces its roots to the age of friendly societies, when communities provided their own safety net. Its anniversary celebrations reveal a tradition still very much alive, says MARK SEDDON
THIS year we have seen shocking rapes and murders of dalit women take place in Uttar Pradesh. Are violent crimes against women such as rape becoming more common in India?
In India, in 2019 on an average every day 88 women were raped, of whom 10 were dalit.
While the National Crimes Research Bureau report 2019 reports that there were 32,034 registered cases of rape — a 7 per cent increase over the previous year — it also reports that the conviction rates remain dismal, with just 27 convictions for every 100 cases.
Women’s fight against violence and legal erosion is central to building a democratic and just Iraq, says Dr SALMA SAADAWI
Modi has rolled out the carpet for the Taliban in New Delhi — and we shouldn’t be surprised. They have more in common than you might think, argues Bhabani Shankar Nayak
Following the resignation of Nepali Prime Minister KP Oli amid mass youth-driven protests, different narratives have circulated which simplify and misrepresent the complexities and reality on the ground in Nepal at the roots of this crisis, argue VIJAY PRASHAD and ATUL CHANDRA
Indian communist leader MA Baby considers the chilling escalation of violence against minorities and increasing impunity for their attackers under the Modi regime


