PRECIOUS FREEDOMS
THE WEEK India|July 21, 2024
There is little comparison with China on civil liberties. But India could heed the lessons
SATARUPA BHATTACHARIYA
PRECIOUS FREEDOMS

On June 3, 1989, the Chinese government sent tanks, armoured vehicles, soldiers and armed police to clear Tiananmen Square, which is among the world's largest public spaces, and its periphery off protesters and bystanders. A large number of people were killed overnight and until next evening.

Thousands had gathered from across the country in the weeks leading up to the crackdown to demand political reforms, support the protests or witness what turned out to be one of the 20th century's most significant events. The Communist Party of China has since done a lot to keep any challenge to its rule, even notional, at bay.

China has witnessed a vigorous crushing of civil liberties over the past decade. India saw the freedoms of speech and faith come under strain during a similar period. While the two countries cannot be compared on this matrix, India could heed the lessons from China.

This year, the Hong Kong police detained an artist for drawing "8964"-a reference to the date of the Tiananmen Square crackdown in the air. Others were arrested for gestures such as turning on their phone torch, associated with a vigil that is no longer allowed. The commemoration is barred in China. Under a national security law following the pro-democracy protests in 2019-20, Hong Kong is being made to resemble the mainland. Thousands, mostly youth, were arrested after that. Tiananmen Mothers, an NGO of the families of students killed that summer in Beijing, are not allowed to grieve in public.

So far, the party has termed the Mao-era Cultural Revolution (1966-76) a turbulent phase. It has not acknowledged 1989 more than a “political incident”.

Maya Wang, interim China director at Human Rights Watch, a US-based global NGO, described the condition of civil liberties in today’s China as “dystopian”. “Things have gotten worse since Xi came to power in 2012,” she said. “The deepening repression is particularly significant in Xinjiang, Tibet and Hong Kong.”

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 21, 2024-Ausgabe von THE WEEK India.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 21, 2024-Ausgabe von THE WEEK India.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS THE WEEK INDIAAlle anzeigen
Constipation Can Put Your Heart At Risk
THE WEEK India

Constipation Can Put Your Heart At Risk

PEOPLE WITH CONSTIPATION have an increased risk of major cardiac events, including heart attack, stroke and heart failure, especially if they also have high blood pressure, finds an international study published in the American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology.

time-read
1 min  |
December 01, 2024
Too Much Sitting Can Accelerate Ageing
THE WEEK India

Too Much Sitting Can Accelerate Ageing

SITTING FOR EXTENDED PERIODS can harm the heart and accelerate ageing, even if you are young and get the minimum recommended amount of daily exercise, according to a US study published in the journal PLOS One.

time-read
1 min  |
December 01, 2024
Efficiency and innovation
THE WEEK India

Efficiency and innovation

As health care evolves, professionals must employ innovative methods to refine their skills

time-read
2 Minuten  |
December 01, 2024
Level up
THE WEEK India

Level up

Only 30 per cent of needy patients are able to undergo transplant in India; we need more dedicated transplant centres

time-read
2 Minuten  |
December 01, 2024
HOPE STEMS FROM A CELL
THE WEEK India

HOPE STEMS FROM A CELL

While stem cell therapies have shown success in treating blood disorders, orthopaedic ailments, autoimmune diseases and eye issues, there is hope that they can one day treat patients with heart disease, blindness, Parkinson's, HIV, diabetes and spinal cord injuries

time-read
10+ Minuten  |
December 01, 2024
Mind matters
THE WEEK India

Mind matters

Your mindset can limit or expand your physical ability

time-read
3 Minuten  |
December 01, 2024
Cutting edge
THE WEEK India

Cutting edge

Would you go under the knife if a robot was the one holding it? Or would you say, \"No way, I need a human touch\"? You might have to decide soon because a robot that can imitate skilled human surgeons is already here.

time-read
1 min  |
December 01, 2024
The smallest cut
THE WEEK India

The smallest cut

Minimally invasive surgeries have a bright future, with virtual reality and 3D procedures offering greater precision and AI on the horizon

time-read
4 Minuten  |
December 01, 2024
Signalling a revolution
THE WEEK India

Signalling a revolution

Canadian scientist and entrepreneur Sachdev Sidhu is focused on bringing cutting-edge antibody engineering to his country of origin

time-read
7 Minuten  |
December 01, 2024
Wellness on demand
THE WEEK India

Wellness on demand

Starting as a doctor-patient chat platform, Medibuddy has evolved to be India's largest on-demand, full-stack digital health care platform

time-read
4 Minuten  |
December 01, 2024