Politics

The Making of the Indian Rupee Symbol

Unlike other large economies, India took centuries to design a currency sign of its own. Was it worth the wait?

Election Ink, Democracy’s Great Equalizer

The anxieties of a nascent India gave birth to the semi-permanent dye. Today, it represents how far the country has come.

Phoolan Devi: Bandit Queen, Activist, Goddess

The Dalit leader instilled fear in men and fought for her beliefs. So why do many depict her as a victim?

Fatima Jinnah, More Than Her Brother’s Keeper

Many have tried to sanitize the legacy of the first Pakistani woman to run for president and challenge the country’s military.

The Tragedy of Benazir Bhutto

Even a woman of many firsts couldn’t escape the patriarchy and a husband who failed her.

Why the West is Obsessed with Borders

We take these boundaries as a fact of life. But does it have to be this way?

Pakistan’s Generals Have Lost Its People

The country’s military has engineered election results and controlled the economy for over 70 years. Its civilians have yet to benefit.

How Indian South Africans Fought Apartheid

Many history books have forgotten the activists who joined forces with the Black community in dismantling state-sponsored racism.

India’s Ram Mandir Inauguration Pulls in its Global Diaspora

For some, it’s a historic event. For others, it’s a symbol of growing Hindutva and a reminder of sectarian violence.

Eqbal Ahmad, the Anti-War Activist Ahead of His Time

The Pakistani academic went on trial for plotting to kidnap Kissinger. He ended up advising revolutionaries and presidents, and prophesying the future.

Why Bangladesh is an Autocracy, Despite a Booming Economy

The country has gotten away with unfair elections since 2008. Its turbulent political past might be to blame.

Is Nepal a Beacon of LGBTQ Rights?

The world celebrates the nation for South Asia’s “first same-sex marriage” and its progressive laws, but queer activists say the reality is far different.

How Henry Kissinger Betrayed Bangladesh

The former U.S. Secretary of State fled Nazi Germany as a child. Decades later, he would condone the Pakistani genocide of millions of Bengalis.

Bangladesh and Palestine: A History of Solidarity

For decades, the two have supported each other in displacement, war, and oppression.

Pakistan’s Expulsion of Afghans Threatens Centuries of Shared History

As the government accelerates deportations, Afghan refugees speak out on the loss of home, culture, and community.

Amid Calls for Peace, Many South Asians are “Utterly Heartbroken”

Millions have called for a cease-fire in Gaza. Yet, they are disappointed with governments that aren’t doing enough.

On Israel and Hamas, South Asian Students Fear Speaking Out

American universities are usually safe spaces to discuss ideas and believes. Students and professors say: not anymore.

Malala Yousafzai, Internet Queen

The Nobel laureate and education rights activist has long been online to fight for her cause. People are only now realizing she’s also funny, with many more stories to tell.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar and the Future of Sikh Canada

Canada is the second largest home to Sikhs in the world. But one man’s alleged extrajudicial killing could signal a new chapter in diplomacy with India.

How India Got Its Name

For a country that has renamed cities and states, the latest “Bharat” debate is about much more than nomenclature.

India Lands on the Moon, First to Reach Lunar South Pole

The achievement represents a new global pecking order.

Nehru and Jinnah’s Star-Crossed Bromance

History leads us to believe that Partition alone drove apart two friends who sought Indian independence. That’s not the whole story.

Affirmative Action is No More. Now What?

Many Asian Americans grapple with a U.S. Supreme Court ruling they do not support, yet used their plight to decide the case.

Modi’s U.S. State Visit Reveals America’s Growing Reliance on India

But was an official state event necessary?

Does Yale Discriminate Against Asian Americans?

Eleven Asian American students looked at their admissions files. They were surprised by what they found.

‘Who is Amritpal Singh?’ is the Wrong Question

This is not a story about the separatist leader, whom few support, but about the decades-long oppression of the people of Punjab.

Humza Yousaf, the Next Leader of Scotland, Makes History

The first Muslim, Pakistani-origin, and youngest Scottish first minister assumed his new role today. Less is known about whether he can deliver on his promises.

Why India is Half an Hour Off Global Time Zones

Colonial control, nation-building, and political rivalry dictated elements of subcontinental life — including time itself.

Catherine Duleep Singh, the Queer, Sikh, Nazi-Defiant Princess

The lesser-known story of a Punjabi heiress who fought for women’s rights and was an extraordinary Jewish ally.

How Kailasa, a Fake Hindu Nation, Conned Millions

Indian cult leader Nithyananda’s brainchild has scammed U.S. cities, several countries, and even the United Nations. But what of his countless abuse victims, who still await justice?

The Kaurs of 1984: The Unsung Heroes of India’s Anti-Sikh Genocide

When the government and police watched Delhi burn, Sikh women stepped in and saved hundreds of lives.

Saffron, the Hue of the Gods Enmeshed in Scandal

How the color that once conveyed divinity, piety, and national pride became weaponized.

How Indo-Fijians Found a Home in California

Centuries of colonial abuse and decades of discrimination fueled an exodus to a state where about 75% of Fijian Americans live today.

The Black Rulers of South Asia

Former slaves from Africa ascended to power during a time when the subcontinent had far greater social mobility and, perhaps, meritocracy.

Jemima Khan’s So-Called ‘Love Letter’ to Pakistan

While married to Imran Khan, the British socialite was reviled and beloved. With a new film about her time in her adopted country, where does she stand today?

Noor Inayat Khan, Unlikely War Hero

Officers believed she was physically and temperamentally unsuited to be a spy. Instead, the British Indian princess outlasted her peers and was a groundbreaking agent of resistance.

Opinion: The World Cup is Over. But What About the Migrant Workers?

The international soccer tournament was supposed to prioritize worker welfare. But over 6,750 South Asians have died since Qatar won its bid in 2010.

How Anti-Asian Bias Came to U.S. Colleges

Asian Americans overwhelmingly support affirmative action. Yet, the anti-Asian college admissions playbook is reminiscent of 1920s anti-Semitic policies.

The Devastating Colonial Legacy of Dams in Pakistan

Though at least ten dams have burst since this year’s deadly flooding, the country has long promoted them as the magical solution to its woes.

Rishi Sunak is U.K. Prime Minister. Now What?

Can the former chancellor of the exchequer get the U.K. through an unprecedented economic crisis? Experts say the answer is not so clear-cut.

Rishi Sunak is the Next U.K. Prime Minister, Making History

The former chancellor of the exchequer, 42, is the first person of color, first person of Indian origin, and first Hindu to take on the top role in the country.

What the Koh-i-noor Really Represents

As South Asians worldwide clamor for the diamond’s return, they risk losing something far more critical.

The Rise of South Asian Studies in U.S. Colleges

College students are increasingly tapping into their heritage not just at home but also at school. But access and resources aren’t always equal.

The Disappearing Sweets of Bengal

The region renowned for its sweet tooth endured multiple conflicts and divisions, losing many of its creative mishti-making traditions in the process.

The Fight to Teach Partition in the West

Despite significant South Asian populations, U.S., U.K., and Canadian schools rarely teach students about one of the largest and deadliest mass migrations in history.

How ‘Garm Hava’ Reframes the Partition Narrative

Instead of focusing on the traumatic events of Partition, the 1974 M.S. Sathyu film provides a searing look at what happened after.

How Much Did British Colonization Cost India?

One historian puts the figure at $45 trillion. Others say focusing on the size of the British Raj’s bill misses the bigger picture.

The Unsolved Mystery of Heart Disease in South Asians

High rates of heart issues have plagued South Asians — and confounded researchers — for years. A new bill hopes to change that.

Is Rishi Sunak the Next U.K. Prime Minister?

How the former chancellor, and other South Asian candidates, came to dominate the nearly all-white Conservative Party.

How the Rajapaksas Lost Sri Lanka

The family held positions in the island nation’s government for 15 years but are now ousted and on the run.

Pramila Jayapal: “You Are Absolutely Right to be Terrified”

The U.S. Congress member shares her experience with abortion and the path forward to securing abortion rights in a post-Roe United States.

The Truth About Sex-Selective Abortion and South Asian Americans

How a 2008 paper sparked a pervasive myth about Indian and Chinese Americans.

Indian American Congress Members Weigh in on the Nation’s Biggest Issues

We spoke with U.S. Representatives Ami Bera, Ro Khanna, and Raja Krishnamoorthi about Roe v. Wade, combating inflation, and how the “Samosa Caucus” got its name.

India’s Parallel Cinema Remains Unmatched

Govind Nihalani’s ‘Party’ was among a slate of films that used realism to challenge political power. Where are such movies now?

In Urvashi Vaid’s World, All Were Welcome

The Indian American LGBTQ activist fought for equality for all, and made queer South Asians feel seen, heard, and loved.

Subhas Chandra Bose: A Legacy of Contradictions

The Bengali leader who fought for India’s independence admired both Nazi Germany and Soviet Communism. Some have tried to erase his story; others have co-opted him.

A Guide to Sri Lanka’s Economic Crisis — And What Comes Next

For the first time since its 1948 independence, Sri Lanka has defaulted on its debts as it plunges deeper into an economic and constitutional crisis.

Where is Bobby Jindal?

The once-rising star of the Republican party — the second Indian American to be elected to Congress — has receded from the public eye, leaving us to examine his mixed legacy.

What Makes The Kashmir Files Controversial

The blockbuster film has repurposed the true story of the horrific mass exodus of Kashmiri Pandits for political gain, fanning calls for violence.

India Walks Diplomatic Tightrope on Ukraine as it Brings Students Home

India has made international waves for taking a neutral stance on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, while it aims to evacuate over 15,000 citizens stranded in the country under attack.

Yogi Adityanath, the Militant Monk

In 2017 Uttar Pradesh swore him in as its Chief Minister. Now, there is no man more powerful, visible, and controversial in India’s most populous state.

South Asian Candidates Aim to Grow Congress’s “Samosa Caucus”

North Carolina’s Nida Allam and California’s Shrina Kurani are among a new generation of politicos aiming to make history in this year’s midterm elections.

Heading into 2022, Indians Seeking Visa Renewals are Still in Limbo

Though the State Department has reduced its backlog this year from a peak of 531,976 in July to 461,125 in November, for many, the progress hasn’t been fast enough.

For NYC Council Member-Elect Shekar Krishnan, Solving Systemic Inequality Starts from Within

The first Indian American to represent Jackson Heights and Elmhurst has long advocated for change. Now, he has a plan to fight for change from the inside.

Meet the Newly Elected South Asian American Lawmakers

Affordable housing, environmental protection, and racial equity top many of the to-do lists of the newly elected legislators, such as Shahana Hanif from New York City and Aftab Pureval from Ohio.

A Border Apart: Stories of Families Divided by Partition

The effects of Partition in 1947 still linger today. Families separated by the borders between India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh tell their stories of love, heartbreak, and finding connection.

Opinion: How the U.S. Failed Evacuation Efforts in Afghanistan

The U.S. administration congratulated themselves on their evacuation efforts in Afghanistan. A volunteer on the ground in Kabul writes about how botched these efforts really were.

Opinion: Aryan Khan is Paying the Price for Being Muslim in India

Though they couldn’t find any drugs on him, officials arrested Shah Rukh Khan’s son during a drug raid and denied him bail — a reminder that being Muslim in India means living at the government’s mercy.

Excerpt: "We're Speaking: The Life Lessons of Kamala Harris"

The forthcoming book chronicles the U.S. vice president’s ascent, with lessons about work, family, and overcoming adversity.

Dinesh D’Souza, the Conservatives’ “Boy from Bombay”

The right-wing pundit’s journey to over 1.8 million Twitter followers reflects how the Republican Party shifted so quickly from the party of John McCain to the party of Donald Trump.

East Indian Sugar: The Sweeter of Two Evils

The search for sugar that wasn’t produced by slave labor led the British to another faraway colony: India. But was Indian sugar ever free?

The Cultural Appropriation of Dalit Music

For Dalit artists, performances are tools of cultural resistance. But many have glamorized and sanitized this history.

How Gen Z is Fighting for Afghanistan’s Future

A generation of Afghans born after 9/11 have no memory of life under Taliban rule. They are now speaking up and pushing back.

“We Have All Failed the Afghan People”: A Conversation on Afghanistan

We spoke with political analyst Mariam Jalalzada and migration expert Shahla Naimi on what comes next for the nation and its people.

Thuggee: “The Cunningest Robbers in the World”

In the 1800s, the British claimed to have vanquished a secret cult of Kali-worshipping murderers in India. But did they ever exist?

Opinion: As Afghanistan Falls, What Happens to its Artists?

A musician remembers an Afghanistan brimming with creativity and energy. Now, he fears what might be extinguished.

Memories of Partition, from Our Readers

We asked The Juggernaut readers to share their family’s memories of Partition. These are their stories, in their words.

Our Stories on Afghanistan

As we work to center Afghan voices and commission pieces with their words, revisit our stories from our archives.

Pegasus: How Israeli Software Spied on Indian Citizens

The revelation has led to widespread civilian outrage and paranoia. Opposition parties have accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of treason in what’s being touted as “India’s Watergate.”

How India Loved, Lost, and Returned to Coca-Cola

In India, a bottle of Coca-Cola is synonymous with celebration. But the country's love affair with the soda wasn't always smooth sailing — Coke was banned in India for nearly 20 years.

Edwina and Nehru: Love in the Shadow of Empire

The British Raj’s last vicereine and India’s first prime minister shared a profound connection that still captures imaginations today.

The Myth of Canadian Niceness

The country’s public image as a nation of polite people is cracking under the weight of discrimination and violence against immigrants, indigenous people, and minorities.

The Very Public Persona of Kamala Harris

The current U.S. vice president represents a lot of things to a lot of people. Yet, among the public expectations, she is struggling to find a singular political voice.

Why South Asians Feel Abandoned in the Anti-Asian Hate Conversation

The recent spike in hate crimes has brought up familiar feelings for South Asians. But not all feel like they’re part of the conversation.

How Princess Diana’s 1995 Interview Could Royally Damage the BBC

Twenty-six years after journalist Martin Bashir’s controversial interview with Lady Di, both the Crown and the BBC are once again under scrutiny.

How BAPS Built a Global Brand of Hinduism — and Brought Its Practices Stateside

The group, over a 100 years old, has recently come under scrutiny for casteist labor practices in New Jersey, but has long been known for temple building around the world.

“Redemption on the Cheap”: Will Anti-Asian Hate Crime Legislation Work?

As the House prepares to pass the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, experts fear that it might do little to curb violence against Asian Americans.

The Israel-Palestine Conflict and South Asian Diplomacy, Explained

South Asian countries historically saw the Israel-Palestine conflict as a symptom of British interference. More recently, they balance ties with Israel and supporting the Palestinian cause.

The Once and Future Tibet

As Tibetans in exile elect their latest political leader, will he be enough to unite a stateless, scattered community — especially after the 14th Dalai Lama is gone?

“The Great Escape”: Sri Lanka and the Maldives Bear the Brunt of COVID Vacations

India’s elite continued to vacation in the island nations amid a raging pandemic.

Reenvisioning How U.S. Textbooks Tell South Asian Stories

A new ethnic studies curriculum for California’s public schools was poised to become a national blueprint; instead, it is now a mere recommendation.

To Be a Non-COVID Patient in India Right Now

With the country’s overburdened healthcare system focused on fighting COVID, non-COVID patients assume lowest priority.

“Your Silence Will Be Remembered”

Why Indian celebrities are mum about the politics of India’s COVID-19 crisis.

Celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

This May, a roundup of 15 stories from our archives that celebrate Asian American life, love, culture, and history.

How India’s COVID Surge is Fueling the Vaccine Diplomacy Debate

Who gets to decide which country gets which vaccine?

Opinion: Ambedkar’s American Comeback

Despite America’s relatively newfound interest in Ambedkar’s work, it will take another decade for him to become a household name.

Biden is Embracing FDR’s Radicalism — With a Crucial Difference

As he channels the World War II-era president in setting his agenda during the first 100 days, Biden is relying on Kamala Harris as his partner.

How Twitter became India’s COVID E.R.

Jaded by the health care system, Indians are taking to social media, offering and requesting help to save lives. But this is no feel-good human story.

Beyond Indianapolis: The Enduring Trauma of Anti-Sikh Violence in America

“I have been spat at and asked to go back, just because of our clothing, just because of our skin color, just because of our articles of faith.”

Valarie Kaur: “Grieve with Us, Stand with Us, Reach Out to Us”

The civil rights lawyer, filmmaker, and Sikh American activist speaks out about the recent Indianapolis shooting, which killed four Sikh Americans.

How Recent Senate Hearings are Confirming our Fears of Sexism

In the taxonomy of American power, vocal women are castigated for taking up any space at all.

A Year into Lockdown, South Asian New Yorkers Share their Stories

Six South Asians — the Asian subgroup with the highest number of positive cases and hospitalizations — lay bare their pandemic experiences.

The Fight for Dalit Rights in Pakistan

Despite the country’s refusal to acknowledge caste, pockets of activists continue to challenge an entrenched system of discrimination.

Opinion: The Resurrection of Imran Khan

The cricket star came to power in a process that inspired the opposition to call him the “selected,” not elected, prime minister of Pakistan.

Why Everyone’s Talking About the Oxford Student Union Case

Rashmi Samant made history as the first Indian woman to be elected student body president, when controversial social media posts emerged.

How the Indian Media Became a Funhouse Mirror

Should the media reflect the will of the people? Or tell the truths you might not know? For Modi supporters, the answer is clear.

Nearly 50 Years After their Expulsion, Asian Ugandans Still Remember Home

Younger generations are grappling with not only the trauma of leaving their homes, but also their community’s colonial complicity.

Myanmar: A Brief History of Military Rule

After less than a decade of democracy, the military has once more taken control of the government.

Dissenting Cinema: Why India Censors Films

The Indian government has long been quick to censor content that poses a challenge to the reigning politics of the time.

Deep Dive: Inside the Indian Twittersphere

How the BJP exploited Twitter and created the world’s largest non-stop political campaign.

How the Indian Judiciary Lets Down Sexual Assault Victims

Two cases in the past year alone highlight how India’s approach to adjudicating sexual assault is outdated at best, dangerous at worst.

For NYC Taxi Drivers, Debt Relief is a Lifeline

After years of struggling with loans, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, New York City cab drivers are speaking up.

Why Everyone is Talking About Disha Ravi

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg tweeted out a toolkit to help mobilize allies of India’s protesting farmers. Here’s how it led to the arrest of a student in Bangalore.

Why Everyone is Talking About Nodeep Kaur

The Dalit labor rights activist, who protested alongside farmers, was arrested on January 12. Allegations of her torture and sexual assault at the hands of police have garnered international attention.

New Report Finds 49% of Indian Americans Approve of Modi

The research challenges commonly-held notions, such as whether Modi supporters are de facto Trump supporters.

Twitter and Indian Government in Standoff Over Farmers’ Protest Tweets

As the Indian government strives to clamp down on dissent, Twitter finds itself at the center of a thorny battle between civil liberties and local laws.

India’s Farmer Protests: An In-Depth Explainer

We give you the context for why India’s farmer protests are making headlines, and what the protesters are fighting for.

South Asian Americans Tap Into Their Community To Kickstart Their Political Careers

We crunched the numbers to look at how South Asian Americans donated to electoral races over the past few years. Here’s what we found.

When Rang De Basanti Taught Us to Be Angry

The radical film — which turns 15 today — roused a generation, sending political shockwaves throughout India for years to come.

India Prepares to Vaccinate the World, Starting with Itself

As India launches its ambitious vaccine program, scientists fear the government is prioritizing national pride above national safety.

Kamala Devi Harris Sworn in As Vice President

Unity and diversity were the clear messages behind today’s inauguration ceremony.

Meet the South Asian Members of the Biden-Harris Administration

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have selected at least 25 South Asian Americans to work with them.

Opinion: Kamala Harris is Not Your Aunty

Is referring to Vice President Harris as ‘aunty’ a term of kinship, or a potentially insidious erasure of her professional accomplishments?

Why Some Pakistanis Will Miss Trump

For many living in Pakistan, Trump’s administration will be remembered as a respite from drone strikes, and from the war in Afghanistan.

Martin Luther King Jr.’s Pilgrimage to India

History still sees the legacies of the civil rights activist and independence leader Mahatma Gandhi as deeply intertwined.

Kamala Harris Vogue Cover Sparks Controversy

Vogue’s decision to portray Vice President-elect Kamala Harris as “approachable,” rather than powerful, draws criticism and demands for more diversity.

The Indian Americans Who Rallied at Capitol Hill

The Indian and the Confederate flags were flying together during the recent storming of Capitol Hill.

How Brown Democrats Mobilized in Georgia

A record turnout of South Asian American voters helped swing the Georgia runoffs.

The Rise and Fall of India’s Congress Party

How the party of the left turned “secularism” into a dirty word.

The Indian Tech Trends of 2020

How the industry changed in 2020, and where it’s headed next.

A Year After CAA, India Doubles Down on Dissent

December 12, 2020, marked the one-year anniversary of the enactment of CAA. A global pandemic hasn’t stopped India from going after its own citizens.

We Spoke to Doctors Who Took the COVID-19 Vaccine — Here’s What They Said

Healthcare workers roll up their sleeves during the first phase of U.S. distribution.

Opinion: How Biden Flipped Pennsylvania

The campaign's Deputy Data Director in the swing state reflects on what a Biden win means for the next four years.

The Next Wave of Brown Voters

The 2020 presidential elections give us new insights into the politics of Brown Gen Z voters.

All Punch, No Pay: The Story of Pakistan's Female Boxers

Once lauded internationally, Pakistan’s best female boxers are fighting to make ends meet.

Sex, War, and Saadat Hasan Manto

A writer who sought both justice and pleasure, Manto told the truth but didn’t preach it.

India’s ‘Love Jihad Law' Explained

A new law promises to protect women being tricked into conversion. We explain what this law does, and why it’s being passed now.

Remembering the Bhopal Gas Disaster

The son of a survivor reflects on one of the worst environmental disasters in history, and the American company that continues to evade justice 36 years later.

Farmers March to Delhi to Protest Deregulation

A new bill deregulating the agricultural industry has caused an uproar amongst farmers, who are protesting by the thousands in Delhi’s streets.

Glimpses of the Kalash People

One traveler reflects on the Kalash tribe, who have lived for centuries in isolation in the Hindu Kush mountains, and fights to preserve its culture in present-day Pakistan.

The Vigilante News Anchor Who Changed Indian TV

In a time of deteriorating press freedom, audiences and the BJP have found a champion in Arnab Goswami, who promises to deliver the justice that the media has failed to bring.

Did Climate Change Cause the Collapse of the Indus Civilization?

Environmental lessons from our Harappan ancestors — in illustrations.

Kamala Made History — Now Everyone’s Revisiting Hers

Harris's groundbreaking victory is causing the Brown community to confront the limitations of identity politics, as well as its rewards.

In an Election of Many Firsts, Kamala Harris Elected VP

Amid a pandemic, America propeled Biden and Harris to the top political offices in 2020, the highest voter turnout year yet.

We Talked 2020 Election Results with Brown Americans — Here’s What They Said

Taxes, “legal” immigration, and the death of democracy — voters and non-voters alike are speculating how the election will change things in 2021 and beyond.

Sri Preston Kulkarni’s Fight to Win Texas’s 22nd Congressional District

The Democratic House candidate seemed poised to win the traditionally red district, but lost by fewer than 30,000 votes. What happened?

Why Many Indian American Christians Support Trump

Among Indian Americans, a new survey reports that Christians are the religious community most supportive of Trump (45%). We dig into the stories behind the data.

The Death Penalty Won’t Curb Rape In Bangladesh — Here’s Why

Activists say it’s not just about the maximum punishment for rape — Bangladesh’s judicial system rarely metes out justice for rape survivors.

The Politics of Indian Punk

Some of the most compelling art and critical insight into the country's sociopolitical issues is coming from the fringes of India's music communities: its punks.

Opinion: Why More South Asian Americans Are Running for Office

More candidates are running — and winning — during this undeniable moment.

New Survey Breaks Down the Indian American Vote

The Indian American Attitudes Survey confirms that most support Biden, and provides surprising insights into the 22% who support Trump.

Opinion: Is Kangana Ranaut the Most Powerful Woman in Bollywood?

The actor has traded being crushed beneath Bollywood’s glass ceiling for a leading role in the witch hunts of the Hindu Right.

How Pakistan Dodged the Worst of COVID-19

This was an unexpected result in a country whose neighbors — India and Bangladesh — still have growing case numbers. But the country might not be out of danger just yet.

Pakistani Women Said #MeToo — Now They're Getting Sued

Women who take to the streets and the internet to protest in Pakistan are being targeted by the very internet harassment law — PECA — that promised to protect them.

Opinion: To Be Black and Indian Right Now

As the country struggles to understand the dual narrative of its Black-South Asian vice presidential candidate, Kamala Harris, one man reflects on his own identity.

Bindy Johal: A Criminal to Most, a Folk Hero to Many

The Vancouver-based Punjabi gangster shed light on the darker side of the Indo-Canadian dream.

What Detroit Tells Us About How America Divides its Black and Brown Communities

As protests for Black lives continue nationwide, South Asian organizers in the metro Detroit area are challenging anti-Blackness — and narratives about Detroit — in their communities.

The Indians of South Africa: A Voyage of Generations

The centuries-old South African Indian community is part of the largest Indian diaspora living in a single city.

How the Death of a Bollywood Actor Became a Political Proxy War

Sushant Singh Rajput's suicide fueled a four-month-long media circus, with internet mobs and politicians destroying lives and livelihoods in the name of “Justice for Sushant.”

Pakistani Government Swipes Left On Tinder

The national ban against key dating apps is yet another avenue for the government to morally police young Pakistanis.

Biden Tries to Woo Indian American Voters — Did Trump Get There First?

Democratic grassroots organizations are pushing for the Biden-Harris ticket, worried that Trump will capture Indian American voters on the fence.

How Kala Bagai Came Home

In the streets of U.S. cities, Brown history is often invisible. It took a group of historians and Berkeley activists to address an injustice committed over a hundred years ago.

Stick Figures and Subversion

Despite shrinking space for dissent, amateur comic artists are continuing India’s long tradition of political cartoons and commentary.

Pranab Mukherjee, The Improbable President

The greatest skill of the former President of India was his ability to guide power — even when it thwarted his ambitions to become prime minister.

'A Political Awakening': South Asians Play Growing Role in U.S. Elections

From ‘Hindus for Trump’ to the Kamala Harris effect, the fast-growing group could tilt the election in key states.

How Nikki Haley Rose Through Republican Ranks

The Punjabi American, who was South Carolina’s youngest governor, has the unparalleled ability to adapt to her party’s changing winds.

Anti-Blackness in the Indo-Caribbean Diaspora

Despite Afro- and Indo-Caribbeans living and working together for over a century, anti-Blackness is still persistent.

The Messy Race Categories of the U.S. Census

Until 2000, the decennial survey classified South Asians differently almost every decade.

Kamala Harris Leaves Young South Asians Divided

Though Harris is ranked as the most progressive senator in Congress today, Gen Z South Asians are less forgiving of her record as attorney general.

Why a Mexican Nightclub is Named After an Indian Freedom Fighter

Though many may not know international communist operative M.N. Roy today, he was a complicated model for transnational activism.

Kamala Devi Harris Makes History

Voters are already crossing both party and ideological lines to support the Biden-Harris ticket.

Will the U.S. Lose its Sheen for International Students?

As the Trump administration pushes policies that make it more difficult for international students to study in the U.S., Asian students are disproportionately affected.

Times Square’s Ram Mandir Billboards Spark Celebration, Protests

Critics pressured ad agencies to withdraw the billboards over concerns about Hindu nationalism; devotees still gathered to celebrate the temple.

The Last Gasp of Afghanistan’s Sikhs and Hindus

After decades of persecution, the once-thriving communities are now on the verge of disappearing.

Can China and India Coexist in Peace?

If India and China cannot manage their insecurities, they will only keep butting heads — and not just at their border.

Asian America Writes “Letters for Black Lives”

Working in over 40 languages, Asian Americans ask community elders to reconsider their commitments to Black people.

Why the H-1B System is Broken

Though the H-1B visa opens up opportunities for immigrants, outsourcing companies tend to monopolize the visa, pay low wages, and award it to non-specialists.

India and Nepal: A Tale of Two Maps

The India-Nepal border dispute isn’t new — but this time, it’s louder and hyped by competitive nationalism.

Opinion: Britain’s Forgotten Immigrants

The U.K. repeatedly forgets the legacy of South Asian immigrants on its frontlines — from the trenches to hospital wards.

India’s Battle for LGBTQ Rights is Far from Over

Two years after India’s Supreme Court revoked Section 377 — which criminalized homosexuality — violence, assaults, and discrimination are still the norm.

Why Test Scores Can Be a “Proxy for Privilege”

For many South Asian Americans — even those who excel at tests — test-based admissions are a flawed system.

“Let My Building Burn”

Restaurateur Ruhel Islam is one of several South Asian Americans demonstrating a new kind of allyship with Black Lives Matter — one that is more vocal, forceful, and humble.

Pramila Jayapal Goes Against the Grain

The first Indian American woman in the U.S. House is not afraid to fight for progressive policies.

The Jews of India

For 2,000 years, India has been home to a small but prominent Jewish community. So what makes India one of the safest places for Jews in the world?

“Everyone Can Do Something”

Entrepreneur Meena Harris talks about Black Lives Matter and her latest book: no one can do everything, but every person can play a role in effecting change.

What’s Really Killing Us?

Many South Asian Americans were facing poverty and other systemic issues long before the coronavirus hit. Now, the virus is making them much worse.

Opinion: How Do We Move Forward?

Reducing the suffering of others is a habit, not a momentary concern.

Opinion: Why I Protest

It was Black America that embraced South Asians, who often refuse to discuss race.

Revisiting the Model Minority Myth, 20 Years Later

Two decades after the publication of ‘The Karma of Brown Folk,’ Vijay Prashad revisits his seminal book and advocates for concrete change today.

The South Asian Americans Claiming Political Capital

In 2020, over 30 South Asians are running for the U.S. House or Senate.

Pepper Spray, Flash Bangs, and an Open Door

Rahul Dubey opened up his Dupont Circle home as a refuge for protesters in Washington, D.C.

The South Asian Americans Left Behind

The U.S. CARES Act left many non-citizens ineligible for stimulus checks. The HEROES Act could change the conversation.

How Coronavirus May Help the World’s Final Battle Against Polio

In one of the globe’s last polio-endemic countries, Pakistanis are finally realizing the importance of vaccines — in the absence of one for COVID-19.

The South Asian Frontliners of New York

As COVID-19 sweeps the city, it’s not just healthcare workers who are stepping up to fill essential services.

Stranded Travelers Face Pricey Repatriation Flights

For Indian and U.S. nationals, getting on pandemic repatriation flights is an expensive, uncertain ordeal.

The Murky History of “South Asia”

How brown people around the world reclaimed a term created by CIA-funded orientalists.

Why Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Matters

May recognizes Asian American diversity but will political representation and corporate spending follow?

The Unexpected Rise of Rishi Sunak

U.K. citizens are finding comfort in the Chancellor’s well-informed nerdiness during an uncertain time.

What Trump’s Executive Order Actually Means for Jobs

President Donald Trump’s executive order claims to protect American jobs from immigrants — but it might be more about optics.

Coronavirus and “The World’s Pharmacy”

How Indian pharmaceutical companies are supplying the U.S. with hydroxychloroquine after Western pharma has been trying to undermine Indian pharma for years.

Seema Verma and the #DesiWallofShame

The U.S. coronavirus task force member is the latest Indian American to receive flak, for her work in the Trump administration dismantling federal healthcare systems.

Marginalized in a Pandemic

Communities on the margins in Pakistan face challenges as COVID-19 spreads and right-wing organizations continue to fan hatred against them.

How India’s Coronavirus Lockdown Failed Its Migrant Workers

The abrupt shutdown left India's 120 million migrant laborers in the lurch — states, civilians, and companies had to scramble to their defense.

Brown Memes on Corona Themes

In the age of coronavirus, memes are no longer just a time sink — they’re also a source of hope.

Azadi Records, India’s Most Provocative Record Label

The three-year-old music label is fighting for the truth — no matter the cost.

Amid World's Largest Lockdown, the Ramayan is Back

The popular television show used to bring India to a halt when it aired decades ago. Now, it’s making a comeback while Indians are housebound.

Masala y Maiz: Colonized Tastebuds Not Welcome

The Mexico City restaurant doesn’t just serve a mix of flavors from South Asia and Mexico — it’s also unapologetically political.

Indian Chill in the Age of Corona

On Monday, India told residents to “prepare, but do not panic.” Right now, however, it looks like Indians are doing neither.

When Parents Love Modi

What happens when the people who condone Hindutva are your family?

“Not Indian Enough”

Despite maintaining their Indian traditions for over a hundred years, Indo-Caribbeans still grapple with defending their identity.

The Jungle Prince and the Western Gaze

How Western media built and unraveled a myth.

The Delhi Riots in Photos: Fake News, Real Blood

Understanding the 2020 Delhi anti-Muslim pogrom in Modi's censored India, in photos.

Fake News, Real Blood

Understanding the Delhi anti-Muslim pogrom in Modi’s censored India.

Elizabeth Warren Holds a Mirror to Our Failing

Nobody *deserves* to be president. But Warren deserved better than she got.

Why India’s Supreme Court is the Last Recourse for Justice

Historically the greatest obstacle to rewriting the country’s constitution, the highest court today is being subverted by Modi’s government.

What is the Religion of Bollywood?

How the default lens of India’s most visible film industry others Muslims.

For South Asian Americans, Bloomberg Will Do

South Asian American voters want a candidate that can defeat Donald Trump in November — Bloomberg or otherwise.

My Family’s Anti-Blackness and Boris Johnson’s Cabinet

My Indian family fled from Uganda to the U.K. — that still doesn’t give them or other South Asian Brits the right to be racist.

Brownpandering is a Thing

Political campaigns have started wooing brown people, sometimes authentically, sometimes not.