Resistance Studies Initiative Speaker Series: Distinguished researchers and activists share critical reflections on resistance issues
Madhuresh Kumar is a Resistance Studies Fellow and activist-researcher, currently National Convener of National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM), India.
Abstract: India is fast changing. It's democratic and secular fabric is being torn apart by the ruling party in power. The existing caste and religious divide, social activists, human rights defenders, journalists, lawyers and students are facing targeted repression. New laws are being framed to criminalise dissent and use that to silence political critiques and dissenters. If these were a routine in the bordering and conflict areas like Jammu & Kashmir and North East India, these are now being carried out everywhere. Even as Covid cases surge ahead and Indians continues to suffer due to complete failure of the government amidst a crumbling health infrastructure, the situation has only been made worse further by the looming economic stagnation and ensuing humanitarian crisis. Madhuresh will talk about these changes in law, targeted repression of the activists and dissent, emerging challenges for the social movements and human rights defenders and lastly how has the resistance shaped amidst these difficult times.