National Law School of India University, Bangalore has shockingly punished 2 students (both women) for the simple act of naming a perpetrator of sexual harassment. Nearly 200 alumni have issued a statement condemning the university’s arbitrary action. Please read and share: (1/n)
The environment ministry has made an alarming change to the Forest Conservation Rules. It has rid itself of responsibility: its responsibility to ensure forest dwellers' rights are recognised before their forests are chopped down. Here's why you should care:
#Thread
Stills from the encampment: A library inside one of the tents. A student reads a Gazan cookbook. A golden necklace & a pair of leather shoes sit outside the lost and found tent, waiting for their owners. Strips of duct tape remind visitors to be mindful of why they were invited.
UPDATE: Women left homeless by the recent demolitions in Tughlakabad, New Delhi have been on hunger strike at the site demanding rehabilitation since 8th May. One of the protesting women, Reena Sharma, 40, has collapsed and her condition is serious.
In 2015 as a second year law student I interned at the Pune district court, where there were also no open bathrooms for women. It sucked. But that was the least shocking thing I experienced there. Once a senior sent me 8 kms away in the middle of a work day to buy a safety pin…
A small town in western Uttar Pradesh known for stainless steel pipes has a judicial system that can make any district in India envious. It has 13 women judges and around 200 women lawyers.
ATTENTION: if you’re a good lawyer, or know a good lawyer, consider signing up for this crowdsourced list of pro bono and low cost lawyers for women in need!
All you have to do is fill out a form with some basic details:
Hi! I’m a photojournalist currently
@columbiajourn
& have been covering protests for Palestine across NYC & Columbia since Oct ’23, including last night’s arrests. If any outlets are interested in commissioning a photo essay, hit me up!
My work is mostly on IG @/mukta__jo 1/2
Super important thread. I’ve been covering the
@Columbia
encampments as a photojournalist since the first day & received many requests to use my photos. But very few outlets have been willing to compensate me. My colleagues and I have been working really hard & deserve payment!
Hi! I'm a journalist at Columbia Journalism School, and I have been covering the encampments. My colleagues and I have been working non-stop delivering excellent coverage for days. I can speak to what's been happening, or share photo/film for interested outlets.
Dear all,
@thatissorad
and I are working on creating a crowdsourced database of pro bono and low-cost lawyers for women in need. We encourage you to share this form widely so the database becomes as extensive as possible. The form is accessible here: 1/n
Just four days after the Union MoEF notified stringent guidelines for sand mining, Uttarakhand issued its revised River Training Policy which facilitates mechanized riverbed mining, bypassing all environmental safeguards. I write for
@newslaundry
I have been fostering Momo (5 months old) since April. She was all set to be adopted but the adoption has fallen through. Currently in Pune but if someone in Mumbai willing to adopt, would be happy to drop her off this weekend. Please share to help her find a safe & loving home!
@TribalAffairsIn
The new Forest Conservation Rules are an example of institutional neglect of tribal rights.
@moefcc
's neglect will – in the tribal ministry's own words – lead to conflict, harassment, and injustice towards India's forest dwellers. Read our full story:
The tribal affairs ministry had been warning against such a move for years. The law is crystal clear; the Supreme Court, Forest Rights Act and
@tribalaffairsin
all say the same thing. But the government has gone ahead and made the change. It's a long story but I'll break it down.
ADOPTION ALERT: Rufus’s family has to move abroad and they’re not able to take him along. He is 1 year old, fully vaccinated and litter trained and would make a great addition to any family, especially as a second cat! Please share to help him find a loving home!
#MumbaiAdoption
The Supreme Court, the Forest Rights Act & tribal affairs ministry all say the same thing: Tribal rights must be recognised & consent taken BEFORE their forests are approved for private development. So why is the
@moefcc
saying no?
@nit_set
and I write:
@TribalAffairsIn
It hands the tribal communities a fait accompli. The money has already been collected -- before the communities even get to decide if they want to part with their forestlands or not. This is not free prior informed consent. This is consent under duress.
Earlier this year,
@prudhvirr
and I reported on Delhi’s sinister preparations for G20 that left thousands homeless, violating established law on evictions & demolitions. I'm thrilled to share that the story was chosen by
@gijn
as one of the best investigations from India in 2023.
@TribalAffairsIn
For those of you who want to follow this further, here's a timeline of developments on the issue of FRA settlement and forestdwellers' consent during the process of forest diversion.
@TribalAffairsIn
Basically, this is how it works. Under the 1980 FC Act and 2003 Rules, permission from the union govt is needed before forest land is used (i.e. chopped down) for non-forest purposes like mining. The MoEF grants this permission in 2 stages: in-principle consent & final approval.
The 2 were student facilitators appointed under
@NLSIUofficial
's SHARIC code, and had passed on info re this instance of sexual harassment AT THE REQUEST OF THE SURVIVOR. The survivor was not an NLS student so she was unable to share it herself. (2/n)
We are all very proud of the courageous and principled stance taken by these two students, and do not think their action amounts to “major misconduct” in any way. (5/n)
…even to collect my internship certificate, so there’s (thankfully?) no proof I ever worked at that shit hole. All in all, –37/10, would not recommend. If any women reading this are planning to work there, you can DM me, I’ll be more than happy to name names.
The Manipur government violated the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and misled the High Court, all to bulldoze thousands of crores worth of development projects on an ecologically fragile Loktak Lake. I write for
@TheWireScience
Farmers who gave up land for Noida Intnl Airport are entitled to over double the compensation they received. Forcibly evicted from their homes with the rehab site still incomplete, many live in makeshift tents.
@prudhvirr
and I write for
@Article14live
With Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal voting in their legislative assembly elections today, check out each govt’s track record on land governance - I’ve analysed
@landconflicts
from each of these states: (thread)
…so I could seal my buttoned shirt up to my neck. The next day I wore a kurta. While I was walking outside the court I was accosted by a lawyer, a complete stranger who yelled at me for not wearing a dupatta.
@TribalAffairsIn
In 2006, when the Forest Rights Act was passed (which establishes and protects tribal rights over traditional forestlands) the MoEF had to bring its procedure of giving away forests in line with the new law.
But the students have been barred from sharing the order of the disciplinary committee, so we are unable to even examine why the university did so. The proceedings are shrouded in secrecy & the principles of natural justice are not being followed. This is deeply unfair. (6/n)
Another day, I was sitting in the second row in court watching a hearing, sitting with my legs crossed (like a lady, one would think). The presiding judge (also a woman) shouted at me in open court to sit properly.
NLSIU, like all of society, has witnessed grave sexual violence before. Survivors of sexual & gender-based violence, most often women & gender minorities, find it hard to speak about their experiences or take action against perps. NLSIU needs to stop making it even harder. (7/n)
@TribalAffairsIn
Why must forest rights recognition be done before forest clearance? In the MoTA's own words: "to preclude the possible destruction of existing evidence in support of claims under FRA.” That means the new rules could lead to developers forging forest dwellers' consent.
@TribalAffairsIn
This move could bring industries into conflict with communities and threaten their investments. Or worse, lead to coercion of communities who oppose a project. For example, this is exactly what happened in Hasdeo Arand recently and in Gadchiroli in 2014 ()
@TribalAffairsIn
So in 2009, the MoEF issued an order laying down the process by which detailed evidence of 1. FRA settlement & 2. Gram Sabha consent would be collected. It would be submitted to the union govt before forest land was diverted. The tribal ministry also issued guidelines on this.
There were no ongoing proceedings under SHARIC, so confidentiality was not breached. It seems the students had even consulted a faculty member - the Sexual Harassment Policy Advisor - before sharing the info! She did not object & told them to do as they saw fit. (3/n)
But NLSIU took disciplinary action & found the 2 students guilty of “major misconduct”. It directed them to issue a public apology or pay a fine. The 2 decided not to apologise, because it would have a chilling effect on other survivors at NLSIU. Instead they paid the fine. (4/n)
Then - the cherry on top - I was harassed by another one of my seniors who would text me every day “do u know which marathi actress you look like?” “Girls who look beautiful shouldn’t make the kind of silly faces you’re making in your dp”. I blocked him and never went back…
Instead of silencing their voices, universities should be encouraging survivors to access redressal mechanisms & providing them with all the support they need. We hope NLSIU reconsiders and reverses its decision. The full statement is here: (n/n)
@TribalAffairsIn
The new FC Rules 2022 make it the *state's* burden to settle FRA rights only *after* the Union has given its FINAL approval and already collected money from developers in exchange for the forests which will be cut down.
@TribalAffairsIn
In 2013, the Supreme Court affirmed this. In Orissa Mining Corporation v MoEF & Ors (aka the Vedanta judgment) it upheld MoEF’s and MoTA’s guidelines to settle FRA rights before forest diversion. (Fun fact: the bench comprised Hon'ble Justices Alam, Radhakrishnan and...Gogoi!)
Earlier this year, Manipur’s government ordered the destruction of small indigenous-run homestays on Loktak lake, claiming they were responsible for environmental degradation. Did it undertake any scientific assessment before issuing the notification? None whatsoever.
#Thread
@TribalAffairsIn
In 2014, the MoEF amended the FC rules, entrusting the responsibility of completing the process of settlement of rights under the FRA & consent of the Gram Sabhas to the District Collector. Again, before the grant of in-principle (stage-I) approval.
@TribalAffairsIn
But in February 2015, an Office Memorandum issued by MoEFCC stated that the process of recognition and vesting of FRA rights was to be done by the District Collector *alongside* the granting of in-principle approval, without any interlinking between the processes.
@TribalAffairsIn
In response to the MoEF, the MoTA had said in December 2015, "it is essential that the Gram Sabha’s decision under the FRA, as well as its certificate that the forest rights recognition process is complete, be taken into account *prior* to Stage-II clearances"
In July this year, Manipur’s state government ordered the destruction of small, indigenous-run homestays on Loktak lake, all the while giving them the hope of regularisation: a promise that would be impossible to fulfil unless the govt amends the law. I write for
@AJEnglish
India's Manipur state has chosen multimillion-dollar projects over humble tourist attractions on Loktak freshwater lake, a biodiversity hotspot and home to Meitei community.
@mukta_jo
reports
@AJEnglish
The demolitions in Jahangirpuri yesterday were blatantly illegal, not to mention discriminatory, given that over 3/4 of Delhi's population lives in unplanned/unauthorised/unregularised settlements.
@Anmolg_law
@jeffjoseff
and I write for
@thewire_in
None of the applicable state laws – the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957 or Delhi Development Act, 1957 – allow NDMC to demolish buildings without giving an advance notice to the affected parties. | Anmol Gupta,
@mukta_jo
@jeffjoseff
@LandConflicts
.
@hridayeshjoshi
and I will be discussing Uttarakhand’s use of Disaster Management laws to facilitate sand mining on his YouTube channel tomorrow. Drop your questions below and we will answer as many as possible!
UPDATE: We’ve finally found an online home for this initiative! The form to contribute to the list, along with the growing database can be found here: .
Please share the link widely to ensure the database becomes as extensive and accessible as possible!
Dear all,
@thatissorad
and I are working on creating a crowdsourced database of pro bono and low-cost lawyers for women in need. We encourage you to share this form widely so the database becomes as extensive as possible. The form is accessible here: 1/n
I had the wonderful opportunity to speak to
@hridayeshjoshi
about Uttarakhand’s revised River Training Policy, which permits heavily mechanized sand mining under the pretext of disaster management. Watch below:
Watch उत्तराखंड: क्या आपदा प्रबंधन क़ानून की आड़ में नदियों में खनन को बढ़ावा दिया जा रहा है।
@LandConflicts
की
@mukta_jo
से बातचीत
YouTube - Eco N Energy Talk को सबस्क्राइब करें
Two months ago, the administration of NLSIU Bangalore punished two students for naming a perpetrator of sexual harassment.
@ayushi_aruna
, Spoorthi Cotha and I write about how they mishandled the case, and how all universities can learn from NLS’ mistakes.
My classmates in the investigative program at
@columbiajourn
and I are trying to counter the misinformation (and disinformation) surrounding the protests taking place on our campus. Keep an eye on
@CJS_FACTCHECK
!
In this interview, House Speaker Mike Johnson suggests that the Columbia administration advised Jewish students to stay home for their safety. This claim is FALSE. "The university administration has not issued any directives or specific instructions to Jewish students... (1/2)
Communication between the HP govt and MoEFCC suggests that the former is seeking to allow developers to mortgage forest land leased to them, which would be a violation of the Forest Conservation Act & Rules.
@nihargokhale
and I write for
@down2earthindia
Does grant of forest clearance to an agency lead to its name being entered in the land’s title records?
The environment ministry has asked India’s states, after repeated letters from Himachal Pradesh.
Research
@LandConflicts
. In
@down2earthindia
Exciting professional update: I’ll be joining the
@MississippiCIR
as an investigative reporting fellow this August. They have been tirelessly churning out deep-dive accountability reportage on the criminal justice system, and I can’t wait to learn from their brilliant team.
Does filing a complaint of sexual harassment bar a survivor from ever calling the perpetrator out? Is a survivor’s right to
#MeToo
hit by the confidentiality obligations under the POSH Act? Who do the confidentiality obligations apply to? 1/11
The central government recently proposed amendments to the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 - many of which seek to limit the applicability of the law and simplify procedures for non-forest use of forest land.
@nihargokhale
and I write for
@down2earthindia
Had the opportunity today to speak to the Quint about the impact of forced evictions, “anti-encroachment” drives & what the
@LandConflicts
database reveals about rehabilitation of displaced communities - do give it a listen
#Assam
govt has embarked on an anti-encroachment drive that has rendered hundreds of people from marginalised communities homeless. What does it say about the lack of social security for the landless? We speak to
@mukta_jo
,
@char_chapori
& Manish from CPR.
RTI replies show that the “special judge” who took cognisance of the Bhima Koregaon chargesheet was NOT designated as a special judge under the NIA Act - and the State has not denied this!!
Chaudhry reading from the list of judges who were designated as Special Judges under the NIA Act.
Chaudhry- There were Special Judges, but the Pune Police preferred to go to Judge KD Vadne who pretended to be a special judge.
#BombayHighCourt
National Law School of India University, Bangalore has shockingly punished 2 students (both women) for the simple act of naming a perpetrator of sexual harassment. Nearly 200 alumni have issued a statement condemning the university’s arbitrary action. Please read and share: (1/n)
My parents have been fostering Copycat since September. She is 1 year old, the sweetest girl, fully vaccinated & litter trained. She is extremely well socialised and would make for a wonderful second pet too. Please share to help her find the loving home she deserves! (Pune/Mum)
My colleagues over the past two weeks have put out some truly incredible coverage and worked harder than we have all year. Student journalists do deserve to be celebrated. But with that being said, news outlets should be careful not to let the journalists become the story.
On the first day of the solidarity encampment before any of the arrests, I was arbitrarily denied entry into the lawn to photograph the protest. It made no difference that I was a student carrying my ID. When I asked for a reason, the public safety officer just said “No.”
Columbia Journalism School is committed to a free press. If you are a credentialed member of the media and have been denied access to campus, please send us a DM. We will facilitate access to campus.
We lost her yesterday morning. Her lung infection just wasn’t clearing up and she was struggling to fight it. But we were extremely lucky to find all the resources she needed to be able to make it that far. Just wanted to thank everyone who stepped forward so selflessly to help.
I’ll be speaking to
@reporters_co
tomorrow about the recent dilution of forest rights through the new Forest Conservation Rules. We’ll go live at 7pm, tune in on instagram!
Join us for a live chat on Instagram tomorrow 11th October, Tuesday at 7pm.
We will be discussing the latest changes in environmental law and how it affects tribal communities in India.
if you have such a big problem with prisoners living off “taxpayer money” you should actually be the most vocal advocate of under trials being released
You may consider Stan Swamy's death a fortunate or an unfortunate event. However what cannot be denied is the fact that he was a terror accused. Despite that, he had access to best medical help and facilities since May (all on taxpayers' money).
Reflected on what I witnessed during my last three weeks at Columbia - not just the protests, but what they were fighting for - through this photo essay for
@autostraddle
My colleagues at
@LandConflicts
and I break down why the Jahangirpuri demolitions yesterday were illegal, and what urban housing data really tells us about “illegal encroachments” in Delhi. Read:
I remember being told off by a JUDGE in open court for sitting with my legs crossed (like a lady…?) when I was an intern at the Pune district court. Ridiculous that a High Court had to clarify this, but small victories I suppose.
High Court of Karnataka says there are no regulations that prevent crossing legs in court.
Regardless, women lawyers get told off for this in courts across Karnataka, on grounds of 'respect', while male lawyers never get the same remark
Our respect does not reside in our legs!
Last year, a halal cart in NYC made international headlines when an Obama advisor was found harassing the cart workers with Islamophobic abuse. I interviewed one of the owners, Ahmed Mohsan, and had a chance to profile him:
@Roguelost
@anumayhem
@vasudha_ET
What a strange comment to make below a tweet that is quite literally condemning the judgment. What would the reaction have been??
This would not have happened had the government even tried to manage the pandemic rather than prematurely declaring victory over it, or if she had been able to get fully vaccinated in time. This was preventable and nobody deserves to die as the result of apathy and foolishness.
We are hiring! Land Conflict Watch is looking to hire a full-time Legal Research Fellow to join its multidisciplinary team for the month of September. Law graduates may apply by Friday, 27 August, 2021. For more details, visit
1. Indian lives are apparently so cheap that they don’t matter as long as more people are dying in other countries
2. Even going by this flawed graph, deaths are falling in the US while they rise steeply in India
3. Does this graph account for covid deaths in cases of comorbiditi
Despite the amazingly radical shift in the mainstream narrative surrounding Palestine, amongst fence sitters a lot of the hesitance to express solidarity seems to stem from the imagined legitimacy of the law and the state. In India we’ve seen this play out too many times already
Fun fact: Hamas is not recognized as a terrorist organization by the UN. Only it’s militia wing is. Israel on the other hand is officially recognized as an apartheid state by the UNHRW. So question we should ask all these journalists is, do you support apartheid states?
Last month I travelled to Uttarakhand’s capital Dehradun, where the city administration has been complying with a High Court’s order to remove encroachments from riverbed areas. So what’s the problem? Here’s where they’re going wrong:
#Thread