The Government of India is bent on maligning the struggle against the Koodankulam nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu because it cannot comprehend that ordinary citizens can understand issues and wage a spirited struggle to protect their lives and livelihoods. One of the leaders of the movement writes about their struggle and addresses the allegation that the protests are being funded by foreign organisations.

The People’s Union for Democratic Rights (PUDR) strongly condemns the ongoing repression by the state on the
peaceful protest against the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project in Tamil Nadu, particularly since 8 May 2012. It condemns the policy of using tactics of threat and intimidation to crush a democratic movement. (Letters)

Between June 2000 and August 2003 Punjab, the most prosperous of Pakistan's four provinces, experienced an unusually intense struggle for proprietary rights between the tenant farmers and state institutions over land that the former had tilled for over nine decades.

This paper focuses on the causes of ecosystem degradation. Historically, poor communities have been identified as among the key degrading agents. The thesis of this paper is that such communities do not voluntarily destroy the resource base which is the source of their livelihoods and provides them sustenance. Therefore, the damage that they visibly cause is induced by institutional failure.

Following three years of negotiations, members of the co-ordinating body for global food security efforts have agreed on a new set of voluntary guidelines aimed at bringing responsible governance to large-scale land acquisitions, which have become increasingly common as a result of the 2007-2008 food crisis. The Rome-based Committee on World Food Security (CFS) announced the new guidelines on 11 May.

The Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2011 views all social and economic forms of organisation in the country as a homogeneous whole, ignoring the differences within rural areas and in tribal societies. Especially in the latter, not only is the overall perception of resources like land distinct from non-tribal areas but even the role of women is much more dominant both inside and outside the home.

Rothamsted's genetically engineered wheat should be allowed to grow. (Editorial)

The abduction of committed bureaucrats by the Maoists will win them no favours or friends. (Editorial)

Despite being dotted with industries, Gujarat's rich coastline is plagued by voices of dissent. Coastal communities have of late realised that the fruits of industrialisation were either too sour, or not for them at all.

We condemn the attack by the Maoists on 21 April near Kerlapal village in Sukma district (in Chhattisgarh) in which they killed two security guards and abducted the Sukma district collector, Alex Paul Menon. At the time of this attack, Menon, accompanied by security guards, was in the process of conducting Gram Swaraj Abhiyaan across the district. (Letters)