#administrative indifference

[indizombie]

The dispensation at the panchayat level here (Palamau, Bihar) hardly matters. The circle officer is the real power on revenue and land matters and in this small world, his powers are immense. For poor adivasis trekking long distances to reach him, it is always an arduous and often a futile pilgrimage. Yet, nothing can happen without him.

P Sainath, 'Everybody Loves a Good Drought'

[indizombie]

Growing up in Kashmir, you do not see the most humane face of Indian democracy. Institutions do not function, violence and human rights violations are rampant, there are crippling restrictions on communication and movement. The social contract underlying democracy is the trade-off between freedom and security. However, even after giving up most of our freedoms, Kashmiris are not safe. So there is neither freedom nor security.

Shehla Rashid