I write to rage, and rescue ourselves from collective amnesia, says Harsh Mander, speaking on India’s Covid experience
The Hindu
Harsh Mander is interviewed by Chittajit Mitra on his latest book, Burning Pyres, Mass Graves and a State That Failed Its People, where he talks about the covid pandemic and demands accountability from the state.
There are certain events in history which are meant to be remembered as lessons, but also as a warning to do better for the future. The Covid-19 pandemic is the latest of that kind of unforgettable and traumatising event. In his latest book, Burning Pyres, Mass Graves and a State That Failed Its People: India’s Covid Tragedy (Speaking Tiger) Harsh Mander aims to question the collective memory of the populace and demand accountability from the state.
Excerpts from an interview:
“We are judges and therefore, cannot act like Mughals of a bygone era ... the writ courts in the guise of doing justice cannot transcend the barriers of law,” the High Court of Karnataka observed while setting aside an order of a single judge, who in 2016 had extended the lease of a public premises allotted to a physically challenged person to 20 years contrary to 12-year period stipulated in the law.
The High Court of Karnataka on Monday declined to interfere, at present, in the investigation against a Bharatiya Janata Party worker, who is among the accused persons facing charges of circulating obscene clips, related to “morphed” images and videos clips related to Prajwal Revanna, former Hassan MP, in public domain through pen drives and other modes.
The 16th edition of Bhoomi Habba was held on June 8, at the Visthar campus. The festival drew a vibrant crowd who came together to celebrate eco-consciousness through a variety of engaging activities, creative workshops, panel discussions, interactive exhibits and performances, all centered around this year’s theme: “Save Water, Save Lives.”