In this episode, we talk about ongoing court cases on marriage equality in India, decriminalisation of same-sex relationships in Sri Lanka, and recognition of foreign same-sex spouses in Nepal. We also talk about the fencing of the Durand Line between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

For “Around Southasia in 5 minutes”, we'll be talking about April marking 10 years since the collapse of Rana Plaza in Bangladesh, and 8 years since the 2015 earthquake in Nepal, as well as developments related to the acquittal of 69 Hindus who were accused of murder during the 2002 Gujarat riots in India. We'll also be talking about Bhutan's cryptocurrency holdings, voter data theft and manipulation in the lead up to Karnataka‘s state elections, revelations around a bribe impacting the X-Press Pearl disaster litigation in Sri Lanka, wrestlers' protests in India, and the last photos of Japanese photojournalist Kenji Nagai, who was killed in Myanmar.

For “Bookmarked”, we talk about Rima Das’ 2018 film, Bulbul can sing, a coming of age story set in Assam. We also tease our upcoming edition of Screen Southasia, ‘Is it too much to ask?’ directed by Leena Manimekalai, which will be screening from 5-8 May, with a Q and A on 8 May. Sign up to catch this and future screenings here: https://bit.ly/ScreenSouthasia

Episode notes:

The line Durand drew - Daniel Lak: https://www.himalmag.com/the-line-durand-drew/

Pashtuns will not be pawns in Pakistan’s dangerous game with the TTP and Taliban - Hurmat Ali Shah: https://www.himalmag.com/pashtuns-protest-pakistan-peshawar-mosque-bast-swat-waziristan-ttp-taliban/

Tehreek-i-Taliban is making its way back in Pakistan: https://www.himalmag.com/tehreek-i-taliban-peace-talks-pakistan/

How hate works - Rakesh Shukla: https://www.himalmag.com/how-hate-works-gujarat-riots-rakesh-shukla-2019/

The Nepal earthquake, one year later - Himal Southasian: https://www.himalmag.com/the-nepal-earthquake-one-year-later/

Scandalising the supply chain - Dina M Siddiqi: https://www.himalmag.com/scandalising-the-supply-chain-bangladesh-2022/

Yameen’s conviction, the Taliban ban on women’s education, Kite Tales and more - Southasiasphere (January 2023): https://www.himalmag.com/southasiasphere-yameen-conviction-taliban-womens-education-rohingya-crisis-2023/

Bulbul Can Sing - A film by Rima Das: https://www.netflix.com/title/81026003

Episode transcript: https://www.himalmag.com/marriage-equality-india-durand-line-gurajat-nepal-earthquake-wrestlers-protests/