Tensions run high within the Christian community in Thachur village, and the government has adopted a hands-off approach for now. THE wrinkles on S. Royappan's face are a result of advancing age, but the ridges and furrows in them tell a story of humiliation of this Dalit Christian, as also others like him. Royappan, 82, was a bonded labourer, or padiyaal, in Thachur village in Tamil Nadu's Kancheepuram district, but...

A group of farmers staged a demonstration in Bharuch on Monday to protest against acquisition of their lands in Vagra taluka of Bharuch by the state government. "We want adequate compensation for lands acquired by the government. The state must also compensate us for our wells and trees that have taken away from us. We would be happy if our land is returned or land allotted to us in some...

Condition of six serious; they wanted government intervention to help stabilise the price of red gram In a bizarre turn of events, 12 agitating farmers in Karnataka attempted suicide in a tahsildar's office on Friday by consuming pesticide and reports said that the condition of six of them was serious. The farmers of Jewargi town, belonging to the Gulbarga District Raita Raitha Horata Samiti, had been on agitation for the past...

During protests against the WTO (World Trade Organization) meetings in Cancún, Mexico in September 2003, Lee Kyung Hae, a South Korean farmer and La Via Campesina member, martyred himself by plunging a knife into his heart while standing atop the barricades at Kilometer Zero. Around his neck was a sign that read, "WTO Kills Farmers." At that time, activists around the world were rallying under the umbrella of the global justice...

It's the land of freedom, of bright lights and burgers, where daring entrepreneurs arrive from across the planet in search of fame and fortune. The United States of America - the world's melting pot - has been a symbol of hope for centuries, but behind this vision of wealth and wonder is a tale often untold. Food security, lack of water rights and unemployment might sound like the type of problems...