Young Delhi environmental activist attacked, cops refuse to file FIR in forest protection case

By A Representative

A young environmental activist leading the fight to save Delhi's Dwarka forest was allegedly assaulted in a hit-and-run incident, and local police have refused to file a First Information Report (FIR), according to a joint press release by the National Alliance for Climate and Ecological Justice (NACEJ) and the Delhi chapter of the National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM).

Naveen Solanki, 23, a resident of Shahbad Mohammedpur village, Dwarka, has been at the forefront of efforts to protect the 120-acre forest behind the T3 Terminal of IGI Airport from encroaching development projects, including those by the Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA). On February 9, 2025, Solanki was allegedly deliberately run over by a tractor driven by an employee of Subhash Saini, a resident of the same village. The tractor's rear tire ran over Solanki's feet, causing severe injuries. Saini then allegedly physically and verbally assaulted Solanki.

The groups allege the tractor was being used to illegally dump construction and demolition waste in the forest, a practice that violates a Supreme Court stay order issued on September 17, 2024, prohibiting any construction, damage, or tree felling on the land. Despite the alleged hit-and-run and the ongoing illegal dumping, police have refused to register an FIR based on Solanki's complaint. Solanki has also reportedly received indirect threats to stop pursuing the matter.

"Subhash ordered his driver to run the tractor over Naveen… This could have cost his life," said Tannuja Chauhan from the 'Save Dwarka Forest' movement. "Despite the serious nature of the case, the local police refused to register an FIR."

NACEJ and NAPM have written to the Commissioner of Police and the Director General of the Railway Protection Force, demanding the registration of an FIR against Saini and the driver, an investigation into alleged police corruption, protection for Solanki and other campaigners, and enforcement of the Supreme Court's stay order.

"It is deeply disturbing that citizens trying to safeguard a forest… are being harassed, intimidated, and injured in this manner," stated Neelam Ahluwalia from People for Aravallis and NACEJ. Soumya Dutta, a senior environmental scientist and member of NAPM, added, "We have urged… action as per law [and] strict action against any Police or Railway officers found complicit."

The Dwarka Forest, a natural forest that grew on land acquired by the RLDA in the 2000s, has been under threat from development projects. In 2022, the RLDA was fined for illegally felling trees. Solanki and the 'Save Dwarka Movement' took the matter to the Supreme Court, which issued the stay order. Despite the order, illegal activities continue, prompting this latest incident and raising concerns about the safety of environmental activists.

Comments

Hyderabad protest demands end to Operation Kagar as senior Maoist leaders killed in encounter

By Harsh Thakor* A protest was held on June 17 at Indira Park in Hyderabad by the Shanti Charchala Committee, calling for an end to Operation Kagar and the start of peace talks with Maoist groups. The event brought together representatives from several political parties and civil society organizations. Among those who addressed the gathering were CPI (ML) New Democracy Central Committee member Vemulapalli Venkatramayya, along with leaders from the Congress, BRS, CPI, CPM, Telangana Janasamithi, MCPI, SUCI, CPI ML, RSP, and VCK. The programme also featured performances by cultural groups such as CLC, HRF, TVV, Arunodaya, Praja Kala Mandali, and Praja Natya Mandali. Public figures including actors Narayana Murthy and Tudundebba Upendar and academics like Professor Anver Khan and Professor Vinayaka Reddy participated as speakers.

Land under siege: A silent crisis, desertification is threatening India’s future

By Raj Kumar Sinha* Desertification is emerging as one of the gravest environmental challenges of our time. Marked annually on June 17, the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought reminds us that the fate of our planet’s land—and the billions who depend on it—is hanging in the balance.

Food security crisis persists in Gujarat despite NFSA: Survey reveals grim ground reality

By A Representative A new field-based survey conducted in January 2025 across Dahod, Panchmahals, Morbi, and Bhavnagar districts has revealed alarming levels of food insecurity among vulnerable communities in Gujarat, ten years after the implementation of the National Food Security Act (NFSA). Conducted by Anandi – Area Networking and Development Initiatives (ASAA) and community organisations working with mahila sangathans, the Gujarat Food Security Survey covered 1,261 households, purposively chosen to reflect the experiences of marginalised populations including Adivasis, OBCs, single women, the disabled, and the elderly. The findings suggest that despite the promises of NFSA and wide coverage under the Public Distribution System (PDS), food deprivation remains widespread and systemic failures continue to exclude the most vulnerable.

Victim to cricketing politics, Alvin Kalicharan was a most organized left handed batsman

By Harsh Thakor* On March 21st Alvin Kalicharan celebrates his 75th birthday. Sadly, his exploits have been forgotten or overlooked. Arguably no left handed batsman was technically sounder or more organized than this little man. Kalicharan was classed as a left-handed version of Rohan Kanhai. Possibly no left-handed batsmen to such a degree blend technical perfection with artistry and power.

Central London discussion to spotlight LGBTQ+ ex-Muslim rights and persecution

By A Representative On June 13, 2025, the Dissident Club in Central London will host a public discussion to mark the 18th anniversary of the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain (CEMB) and to commemorate World Refugee Day. The event, scheduled from 7:00 to 9:00 pm, will feature speakers Ali Malik, Maryam Namazie, and Taha Siddiqui, who are expected to address the intersecting challenges faced by LGBTQ+ ex-Muslims globally.

Citizens demand judicial probe into Ahmedabad plane crash, cite neglect of intern doctors, victims' families

By A Representative A wide coalition of concerned citizens, academics, medical professionals, social activists, and public intellectuals has submitted a petition to the Prime Minister of India demanding an urgent judicial inquiry into the recent tragic airplane crash in Ahmedabad that claimed over 240 lives. The petition, coordinated by the Movement for Secular Democracy (MSD), calls for a high-level judicial committee, headed by a retired High Court justice and comprising eminent citizens, to investigate the incident beyond the scope of the existing technical committee.

Better halves lead the way as organic farmers, entrepreneurs and social reformers

By Bharat Dogra Two major challenges continue to limit the full participation of rural women in development. First, their crucial roles, potential, and capabilities often remain underrecognized. Second, even when women are encouraged to take on broader responsibilities, the overarching development models may not align with their needs or perspectives and may even appear counterproductive. Under such conditions, it is unrealistic to expect women to engage as enthusiastic and creative participants.

Hope from the Amazon: Land rights, indigenous voices, and the winds of change in Latin America

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* After several days of travel and digital silence, I returned from a rare and deeply moving journey into the Amazon region of Colombia. It was not just another field trip, but an opportunity to witness the pulse of Latin America’s land rights movement, firsthand.

Irregularities in Modi-initiated NSDC raise questions about the future of Skill India

By Onkareshwar Pandey Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Skill India initiative was conceived as a bold national effort—to equip India’s vast young population with industry-ready skills and transform the country into the “skills capital of the world.” At the heart of this mission lies the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), a public-private partnership under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). But recent revelations of large-scale financial irregularities within NSDC threaten to undermine not just the institution, but the very promise of Skill India.

Search This Blog