Shivam Vij

Stories by Shivam Vij

Why Kerala's Hanuman Sena must travel to Jakarta

Why Kerala's Hanuman Sena must travel to Jakarta

Rediff.com   4 Sep 2015

Our Hindutva fanatics are actually making Hindu society more like Islamists are changing Muslim societies, says Shivam Vij.

Why we are so keen on demonising Indrani

Why we are so keen on demonising Indrani

Rediff.com   2 Sep 2015

A lot of what we are hearing about Indrani is coming from our desire to demonise her and deny her humanity, says Shivam Vij.

Why is New Delhi afraid of the Hurriyat?

Why is New Delhi afraid of the Hurriyat?

Rediff.com   22 Aug 2015

'India should be more confident and let Pakistanis meet Hurriyat leaders. India's main concern is terrorism, and India should talk terrorism. If that means talking Kashmir, so be it. India can't answer terror with terror because we don't have terror factories. India can't answer terrorism with war because we both have nuclear weapons. That leaves talks as the only option,' says Shivam Vij.

Four Veerappan associates to be executed on Sunday?

Four Veerappan associates to be executed on Sunday?

Rediff.com   16 Feb 2013

As security around the Hindalaga Central Prison in Belgaum, Karnataka has been tightened, rumours are abuzz that the four associates of forest brigand Veerappan may be hanged on Sunday.

View: Why the Delhi rapists should not be hanged

View: Why the Delhi rapists should not be hanged

Rediff.com   14 Feb 2013

'I wonder how we can reduce violence in society by answering it with violence,' asks Shivam Vij. 'If instead we answer it with mercy, we will be a more humane society.'

When our government isn't ours anymore

When our government isn't ours anymore

Rediff.com   31 Dec 2012

In Delhi this December, we understood how many others from Kashmir to Koodankulam have long felt, says Shivam Vij

BJD MP moves private member's bill to amend Sec 66A

BJD MP moves private member's bill to amend Sec 66A

Rediff.com   29 Nov 2012

Lok Sabha MP Baijayant 'Jay' Panda has submitted a private member's bill in the Lok Sabha to reduce the controversial section 66A of the Information Technology (Amendment) Act, 2008 to merely an anti-spam provision.

View: Why I am saddened by Kasab's hanging

View: Why I am saddened by Kasab's hanging

Rediff.com   21 Nov 2012

'I thought we were a legitimate democracy anyway, why do we have to prove it by hanging a terrorist we captured alive,' asks Shivam Vij

Handling Pakistan: Dr Singh's only achievement

Handling Pakistan: Dr Singh's only achievement

Rediff.com   15 Nov 2012

Now if only Manmohan Singh showed such acumen in dealing with other crises his government is facing, says Shivam Vij.

Norway kids' case: Mom wins custody, cops don't help

Norway kids' case: Mom wins custody, cops don't help

Rediff.com   8 Nov 2012

The Child Welfare Committee, Burdwan, West Bengal, has passed interim orders restoring the custody of children, Abhigyan and Aishwarya, to their mother Sagarika Chakraborty. But the police are refusing to facilitate the handover.

Kapil Sibal's Law: Tweet and go to jail

Kapil Sibal's Law: Tweet and go to jail

Rediff.com   1 Nov 2012

'Kapil Sibal has passed a law that anyone posting anything "offensive" on Twitter can be jailed for three years. That's section 66A of the IT Act amended by United Progressive Alliance II in 2008. It's a cognisable offence so you have to be arrested and apply for bail. As though you had committed murder!' notes Shivam Vij.

Why do India, Pakistan treat their fishermen like fish?

Why do India, Pakistan treat their fishermen like fish?

Rediff.com   1 Oct 2012

When a security force finds the vessel of another country within its maritime borders -- with no "objectionable materials apart from a large cache of fish" -- why can't they simply ask the vessel to return, asks Shivam Vij

Aseem Trivedi and the guardians of good taste

Aseem Trivedi and the guardians of good taste

Rediff.com   13 Sep 2012

The problem with the debate on freedom of speech and expression in India is that we don't debate what is "reasonable restriction" and what is censorship. We examine every cartoon, painting, film and book through our ideological prism, says Shivam Vij

Anti-corruption cartoonist arrested on sedition charges

Anti-corruption cartoonist arrested on sedition charges

Rediff.com   9 Sep 2012

Speaking on the phone from Mumbai just before his arrest, Aseem Trivedi explained that the cartoons intended to display the insult to the nation that is being done by politicians, and do not seek to insult national symbols in any way

Anti-corruption cartoonist arrested on sedition charges

Anti-corruption cartoonist arrested on sedition charges

Rediff.com   9 Sep 2012

Speaking on the phone from Mumbai just before his arrest, Aseem Trivedi explained that the cartoons intended to display the insult to the nation that is being done by politicians, and do not seek to insult national symbols in any way

Kasab, Bajrangi and the case against the death penalty

Kasab, Bajrangi and the case against the death penalty

Rediff.com   5 Sep 2012

We should put Ajmal Kasab in jail until he dies a natural death, just like Babu Bajrangi. Rotting in jail knowing you are never going to be a free man again is worse than the finality of death. The punishment for crimes against humanity should be in this world and not the next, says Shivam Vij.

Kasab, Bajrangi and the case against the death penalty

Kasab, Bajrangi and the case against the death penalty

Rediff.com   5 Sep 2012

We should put Ajmal Kasab in jail until he dies a natural death, just like Babu Bajrangi. Rotting in jail knowing you are never going to be a free man again is worse than the finality of death. The punishment for crimes against humanity should be in this world and not the next, says Shivam Vij.

Don't pseudo-sentiments get hurt, not even pseudo-hurt?

Don't pseudo-sentiments get hurt, not even pseudo-hurt?

Rediff.com   3 Sep 2012

Right-wing politics all over the world seeks to victimise the weak and powerless by falsely claiming victimhood, says Shivam Vij

Why is the Indian media pro-internet censorship?

Why is the Indian media pro-internet censorship?

Rediff.com   28 Aug 2012

There's so much internet censorship in India now that it is surprising that instead of outrage you find the Indian media actually building the case for censorship, writes Shivam Vij

What really led to the Vimeo blocking?

What really led to the Vimeo blocking?

Rediff.com   5 Jul 2012

'Their action in asking for blocking of entire websites is a mis-representation of a judicial order to cause indiscriminate blocking of these web-services throughout the country.'