The proposed Jan Lokpal Bill has evoked strong reactions, a number of them emotionally charged. One is struck by the conflicting claims and counter-claims in the media. While it’s hard to determine the truth in such matters, a summary of some of the misgivings and the possible intentions, with an assessment of what possibly is the reality, follows: *The Lokpal is being dubbed as a Leviathan Fear: Being a much too powerful...

The detention of human rights activist Gautam Navlakha at the Srinagar International airport on Saturday has been criticised even as the Jammu and Kashmir government says his entry will pose a “danger” to peace and tranquillity. Mr. Navlakha, who has been visiting Kashmir regularly to highlight alleged human rights abuses, was to have attended a book release function on that day. He was served with an order by the Budgam district...

A fact-finding team comprising Rights activists and United Milli Forum (UMF) has demanded a judicial inquiry into the killing of MGNREGA whistle blower Niyamat Ansari and sought immediate compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the next of kin of the victim. Ansari was the sole bread-earner of his family comprising elderly mother, father, wife and three children, a divorced sister along with her daughter and an elder brother all dependent on...

Is gulping down litres of carbonated soft drinks harming your health? We will soon know. The Union health ministry on February 7 informed the Supreme Court that a definitive study is now being undertaken by the National Institute of Nutrition ( Hyderabad) "to assess the effects of consumption of carbonated water beverages and soft drinks on health of adolescents and young adults". The final report of the study is expected to...

India's first Chief Information Commissioner Wajahat Habibullah is the next chairperson of the National Commission for Minorities (NCM). Mr. Habibullah, who received his orders on Tuesday, will formally take charge on Thursday. Mr. Habibullah, a 1968-batch IAS officer, will be filling a post that has been lying vacant for the past five months. His predecessor, Mohammad Shafi Quereshi, retired on September 2, 2010. A member of the NCM, who described the chairperson as...