Stories about South Asia from August, 2017
India’s Latest Internet Shutdown Hits Haryana and Punjab
According to the New Delhi-based Software Freedom Law Centre, India has seen 106 internet shutdowns since 2012.
India’s Supreme Court Says Privacy Is a Fundamental Right. How Did This Happen?
A series of citizen petitions attempting to challenge the implementation of India's Aadhaar biometric ID system preceded the historic court decision.
An Indian Transgender Couple Receives Death Threats After Announcing Plans to Marry and Adopt
"We too have the same rights to live in this world, as you all are having...We aren't disturbing anyone else. In fact, we've to fight a lot to survive itself."
Rape Conviction of an Indian Cult Chief Leaves Millions of Followers in Limbo
As the chief headed to court in Panchkula with a convoy of 700 cars, thousands of followers gathered on the streets of Haryana and Punjab in support of their 'godman.'
Thousands of Rohingyas Fleeing Violence Are Stranded on the Bangladesh-Myanmar Border
"Desperate scenes at Bangladesh's border as Border Guard try to prevent entry to fleeing #Rohingya"
How to Save Languages from Dying, and What I Learned While Documenting My Own
Half of the world’s languages are dying, but we can help preserve the age-old cultural heritage contained in them by documenting the languages around us in digital form.
‘Privacy is a Fundamental Right': Advocates Hail India's Supreme Court Ruling
The ruling followed multiple citizen petitions that challenged the government's move to make Aadhaar -- India's national digital ID system -- mandatory for various social welfare benefits.
Deadly Floods in Bangladesh, India and Nepal Wreak Havoc
At least 6 million people were affected by the floods in Nepal's Terai region and more than 48,000 homes were submerged.
Indigenous Nepali Language With Only Two Fluent Speakers Sees Pages of Hope in Newly Launched Dictionary
Kusunda, a dying language of Nepal with only a few speakers, gets a new book containing the history and culture of the endangered tribe which will help save the language.
India Bans the Internet Archive and More Than 2,600 File-Sharing Websites to Protect Bollywood
The ban is the result of a court ruling, based on the petitions of two Bollywood producers, to stop file-sharing websites from distributing pirated copies of recently released movies.
She Dared to Say Pakistan’s Most Popular Politician Harassed Her. Then Came the Abuse.
"I wish someone would throw acid on Gulalai's face". The smear campaign against the female tribal politician has been especially fierce on Twitter.
Thousands of Families Face Forced Eviction From Their Homes Over Sardar Sarovar Dam in India
One activist movement launched a hunger strike to support the dam's victims, but police forcibly removed the leader from the protest site by police and shifted her to a hospital.
How an Indian Village in West Bengal Successfully Campaigned to Get Its Own Ambulance Service
Many risked their lives due to the lack of an affordable ambulance service in a village in West Bengal, but things turned around when Bikash Barman made a video.
Maitree Express: The Friendship Train Between India and Bangladesh
"The Kolkata-Khulna (Maitree Express) train has been relaunched 52 years after the Indo Pakistan War 1965. Cheers!"