Meera Ashar । મીરાં
@meerashar.bsky.social
Associate Professor, Australian National University ll South Asia, History, Postcolonialism, Empire ll Mum to two boys: one canine & one human, knitter, storyteller ll
Reposted by Meera Ashar । મીરાં
Media coverage of Gaza has plummeted. So today on @thenation.com, we're doing something pretty special: we're only running pieces by people in and from Gaza.
We're calling it "A Day for Gaza." You can find links to all of the incredible pieces here. Please read! www.thenation.com/article/worl...
We're calling it "A Day for Gaza." You can find links to all of the incredible pieces here. Please read! www.thenation.com/article/worl...
A Day for Gaza
Today, The Nation is turning over its website exclusively to stories from Gaza and its people. This is why.
www.thenation.com
February 3, 2026 at 2:54 PM
Media coverage of Gaza has plummeted. So today on @thenation.com, we're doing something pretty special: we're only running pieces by people in and from Gaza.
We're calling it "A Day for Gaza." You can find links to all of the incredible pieces here. Please read! www.thenation.com/article/worl...
We're calling it "A Day for Gaza." You can find links to all of the incredible pieces here. Please read! www.thenation.com/article/worl...
I wonder what will happen now? It’s not like we’ve ever seen anything like this before— could go any which way…
#auspol #SocialCohesion #WritersFestival #NewcastleWritersFestival
#auspol #SocialCohesion #WritersFestival #NewcastleWritersFestival
The NSW government makes contact with the board of next month's Newcastle Writers Festival about the inclusion of Palestinian author Randa Abdel-Fattah, the ABC understands.
Questions about Randa Abdel-Fattah inclusion in NSW writers festival
The NSW government makes contact with the board of next month's Newcastle Writers Festival about the inclusion of Palestinian author Randa Abdel-Fattah, the ABC understands.
www.abc.net.au
February 5, 2026 at 9:21 AM
I wonder what will happen now? It’s not like we’ve ever seen anything like this before— could go any which way…
#auspol #SocialCohesion #WritersFestival #NewcastleWritersFestival
#auspol #SocialCohesion #WritersFestival #NewcastleWritersFestival
Anyone who has ever read a book will know that the book on his table has not been read or opened… and likely won’t be.
#auspol #BookAccessory
#auspol #BookAccessory
Andrew Hastie is sitting in question time with a copy of 'The Art of War' on his desk
live.thepoint.com.au/2026/02/the-...
📷 - @mikepbowers.bsky.social
live.thepoint.com.au/2026/02/the-...
📷 - @mikepbowers.bsky.social
February 4, 2026 at 8:28 AM
Anyone who has ever read a book will know that the book on his table has not been read or opened… and likely won’t be.
#auspol #BookAccessory
#auspol #BookAccessory
When a despotic, colonial power imposed bans on public protests in India, people started gathering in thousands to celebrate religious festivals in public.
Time for Lunar New Year celebrations? Or Chocolate Day if you prefer secular festivities…
#auspol #colonialism #protest #history
Time for Lunar New Year celebrations? Or Chocolate Day if you prefer secular festivities…
#auspol #colonialism #protest #history
NSW protest restrictions extended ahead of Israel president's visit
The NSW Police commissioner announces restrictions on protests will be extended, ahead of planned demonstrations against the upcoming Sydney visit of Israel's president.
www.abc.net.au
February 4, 2026 at 2:14 AM
When a despotic, colonial power imposed bans on public protests in India, people started gathering in thousands to celebrate religious festivals in public.
Time for Lunar New Year celebrations? Or Chocolate Day if you prefer secular festivities…
#auspol #colonialism #protest #history
Time for Lunar New Year celebrations? Or Chocolate Day if you prefer secular festivities…
#auspol #colonialism #protest #history
Further examples of social cohesion? Almost no mention of this distressing incident in the Australian media. And no special envoys.
#auspol #racism #AntiIndianHate #Gandhi #Melbourne
#auspol #racism #AntiIndianHate #Gandhi #Melbourne
Mahatma Gandhi statue cut into pieces, stolen in Melbourne’s Rowville, reviving memories of past extremist vandalism | The Australia Today
www.theaustraliatoday.com.au
February 3, 2026 at 3:06 PM
Further examples of social cohesion? Almost no mention of this distressing incident in the Australian media. And no special envoys.
#auspol #racism #AntiIndianHate #Gandhi #Melbourne
#auspol #racism #AntiIndianHate #Gandhi #Melbourne
Reposted by Meera Ashar । મીરાં
Margot Robbie is wearing Mughal queen Nur Jahan's necklace. It was gifted by her husband King Jahangir (r. 1605-1627), Akbar's son. Cartier acquired it (harummmph). Cartier's president later gifted it to Liz Taylor..blah blah.
Colonial loot around your neck.
'The obliterated shall be remembered'.
Colonial loot around your neck.
'The obliterated shall be remembered'.
January 30, 2026 at 10:41 PM
Margot Robbie is wearing Mughal queen Nur Jahan's necklace. It was gifted by her husband King Jahangir (r. 1605-1627), Akbar's son. Cartier acquired it (harummmph). Cartier's president later gifted it to Liz Taylor..blah blah.
Colonial loot around your neck.
'The obliterated shall be remembered'.
Colonial loot around your neck.
'The obliterated shall be remembered'.
“We found my three little nieces in the street. They say ‘ceasefire’ and all. What did those children do? What did we do?” Samer al-Atbash, an uncle of the three children killed in Gaza City, told Reuters.
Children and police officers among at least 30 killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza
Deadly attacks launched day before border crossing due to open as part of ceasefire deal
www.theguardian.com
February 1, 2026 at 1:40 PM
“We found my three little nieces in the street. They say ‘ceasefire’ and all. What did those children do? What did we do?” Samer al-Atbash, an uncle of the three children killed in Gaza City, told Reuters.
Colin Rubenstein, executive director of the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council says he is heartened by the fact that Albanese is welcoming this visit and “bringing into line many of his colleagues who are a little bit more equivocal about it”
#auspol #BringingIntoLine
#auspol #BringingIntoLine
Legal challenge to Israeli president's visit - ABC listen
Some Jewish groups have welcomed plans for a visit from Israeli president Isaac Herzog next month, but a collection of Jewish and Muslim leaders say he should not be allowed in the country while he fa...
www.abc.net.au
January 30, 2026 at 12:48 PM
Colin Rubenstein, executive director of the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council says he is heartened by the fact that Albanese is welcoming this visit and “bringing into line many of his colleagues who are a little bit more equivocal about it”
#auspol #BringingIntoLine
#auspol #BringingIntoLine
Reposted by Meera Ashar । મીરાં
While the dictionary may suggest that terrorism is when anyone uses unlawful violence for political means, many understand that the application of the term becomes impacted by 'other factors'...
chaser.com.au/general-news...
chaser.com.au/general-news...
January 28, 2026 at 7:52 AM
While the dictionary may suggest that terrorism is when anyone uses unlawful violence for political means, many understand that the application of the term becomes impacted by 'other factors'...
chaser.com.au/general-news...
chaser.com.au/general-news...
January 28, 2026 at 4:11 AM
Reposted by Meera Ashar । મીરાં
Long shot.
My @smh @theage cartoon.
My @smh @theage cartoon.
January 26, 2026 at 9:57 PM
Long shot.
My @smh @theage cartoon.
My @smh @theage cartoon.
26 January is a significant day for both countries I call home: Australia & India. A day marking an invasion in Australia & the birth of a republic in India. Two different attitudes to colonialism. But sovereignty was never ceded by either.
#AlwayswasAlwayswillbe #InvasionDay #auspol #colonialism
#AlwayswasAlwayswillbe #InvasionDay #auspol #colonialism
January 26, 2026 at 2:44 AM
26 January is a significant day for both countries I call home: Australia & India. A day marking an invasion in Australia & the birth of a republic in India. Two different attitudes to colonialism. But sovereignty was never ceded by either.
#AlwayswasAlwayswillbe #InvasionDay #auspol #colonialism
#AlwayswasAlwayswillbe #InvasionDay #auspol #colonialism
Am seeing lots of posts about how right Orwell was. Just a quick reminder that he was born in Bihar, colonial India, & served in Myanmar, then part of British India.
1984 is as much thinly fictionalised reportage as prediction of a dystopian future.
#Orwell #NineteenEightyFour #colonialism #Empire
1984 is as much thinly fictionalised reportage as prediction of a dystopian future.
#Orwell #NineteenEightyFour #colonialism #Empire
January 25, 2026 at 10:46 AM
Am seeing lots of posts about how right Orwell was. Just a quick reminder that he was born in Bihar, colonial India, & served in Myanmar, then part of British India.
1984 is as much thinly fictionalised reportage as prediction of a dystopian future.
#Orwell #NineteenEightyFour #colonialism #Empire
1984 is as much thinly fictionalised reportage as prediction of a dystopian future.
#Orwell #NineteenEightyFour #colonialism #Empire
“You know, they’ll say they (UK & AUS) sent some troops to Afghanistan or this or that – and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines.”
—From our shared-values bestest ‘military ally’
#auspol #RSL #ANZAC #ADF
—From our shared-values bestest ‘military ally’
#auspol #RSL #ANZAC #ADF
Angry RSL boss calls for official complaint over Trump 'insult'
The RSL president wants Canberra to lodge an official complaint over Donald Trump's "insult" towards Australian troops in Afghanistan.
www.thenewdaily.com.au
January 25, 2026 at 3:07 AM
The dancing women (Cyclopses as my kid calls them) offering some much needed relief from the awfulness & repression thick in the political air.
Keeping my knitting skills sharp for when the revolution comes!
#auspol #knitting #tricoteuse #revolution
Keeping my knitting skills sharp for when the revolution comes!
#auspol #knitting #tricoteuse #revolution
January 23, 2026 at 4:19 AM
The dancing women (Cyclopses as my kid calls them) offering some much needed relief from the awfulness & repression thick in the political air.
Keeping my knitting skills sharp for when the revolution comes!
#auspol #knitting #tricoteuse #revolution
Keeping my knitting skills sharp for when the revolution comes!
#auspol #knitting #tricoteuse #revolution
Also thinking of the Indian Emergency declared by Indira Gandhi and the dark days of suspension of civil liberties in a democracy.
Many ordinary citizens were jailed for not toeing the govt line. The Indian Express, a mainstream newspaper, protested with a blank front page…
#repression #auspol
Many ordinary citizens were jailed for not toeing the govt line. The Indian Express, a mainstream newspaper, protested with a blank front page…
#repression #auspol
For some reason, I’ve been thinking a lot of the oppressive 1919 Rowlatt Act (also called the ‘Black Act’) that sparked nationwide protests in India, leading to the horrific Jallianwala Baug, Amritsar massacre…
#RepressiveLaws #auspol #colonialism #India
#RepressiveLaws #auspol #colonialism #India
Criticism of Benjamin Netanyahu may be an offence under Australia’s new hate speech laws, Greens warn
Anthony Albanese and Tony Burke say the laws are needed to protect Australians – particularly the Jewish community
www.theguardian.com
January 21, 2026 at 10:35 AM
Also thinking of the Indian Emergency declared by Indira Gandhi and the dark days of suspension of civil liberties in a democracy.
Many ordinary citizens were jailed for not toeing the govt line. The Indian Express, a mainstream newspaper, protested with a blank front page…
#repression #auspol
Many ordinary citizens were jailed for not toeing the govt line. The Indian Express, a mainstream newspaper, protested with a blank front page…
#repression #auspol
For some reason, I’ve been thinking a lot of the oppressive 1919 Rowlatt Act (also called the ‘Black Act’) that sparked nationwide protests in India, leading to the horrific Jallianwala Baug, Amritsar massacre…
#RepressiveLaws #auspol #colonialism #India
#RepressiveLaws #auspol #colonialism #India
Criticism of Benjamin Netanyahu may be an offence under Australia’s new hate speech laws, Greens warn
Anthony Albanese and Tony Burke say the laws are needed to protect Australians – particularly the Jewish community
www.theguardian.com
January 21, 2026 at 8:22 AM
For some reason, I’ve been thinking a lot of the oppressive 1919 Rowlatt Act (also called the ‘Black Act’) that sparked nationwide protests in India, leading to the horrific Jallianwala Baug, Amritsar massacre…
#RepressiveLaws #auspol #colonialism #India
#RepressiveLaws #auspol #colonialism #India
I’m sure many, like me, are confused and concerned about the new hate speech laws. One of the clearest explainers here:
#auspol #hatespeech #metahate
#auspol #hatespeech #metahate
Albo Explains What HATE SPEECH Is! #satire #shorts #fyp #australia #politics #comedy #funny #reels
YouTube video by Rupert Degas | Characters & Impressions
youtube.com
January 21, 2026 at 3:52 AM
I’m sure many, like me, are confused and concerned about the new hate speech laws. One of the clearest explainers here:
#auspol #hatespeech #metahate
#auspol #hatespeech #metahate
Reposted by Meera Ashar । મીરાં
I’m calling the Peace Board The United Donations
January 19, 2026 at 5:39 AM
I’m calling the Peace Board The United Donations
Reposted by Meera Ashar । મીરાં
I found out today that one of the forces pushing Trump the hardest for this Greenland shit is… the owner of Estée Lauder.
Sharing this here because they own SO MANY makeup brands and I bet a lot of you might like to join me in not repurchasing anything from this makeup brand family!
Sharing this here because they own SO MANY makeup brands and I bet a lot of you might like to join me in not repurchasing anything from this makeup brand family!
How a billionaire with interests in Greenland encouraged Trump to acquire the territory
US president’s friend Ronald Lauder – who first proposed Arctic expansion – is now making deals in the island
www.theguardian.com
January 19, 2026 at 3:49 AM
I found out today that one of the forces pushing Trump the hardest for this Greenland shit is… the owner of Estée Lauder.
Sharing this here because they own SO MANY makeup brands and I bet a lot of you might like to join me in not repurchasing anything from this makeup brand family!
Sharing this here because they own SO MANY makeup brands and I bet a lot of you might like to join me in not repurchasing anything from this makeup brand family!
When my son was in kindy, he got a prize for being kind & helpful. One of his classmates was v upset by this, at which my kiddo offered him his prize. The teacher stopped my kid saying his friend would earn his own prize when he did something good.
I think teachers should run the world.
#auspol
I think teachers should run the world.
#auspol
'Very generous of her': Wong praises Machado for gifting Nobel prize to Trump
The foreign minister made the comments after she was asked if the US was creating a world order in which "might was right".
www.sbs.com.au
January 16, 2026 at 11:20 AM
When my son was in kindy, he got a prize for being kind & helpful. One of his classmates was v upset by this, at which my kiddo offered him his prize. The teacher stopped my kid saying his friend would earn his own prize when he did something good.
I think teachers should run the world.
#auspol
I think teachers should run the world.
#auspol
Apropos suggestions by the lovely Mr. Minns re. Bondi bridge, I am making a list of egregious Aus place names & statues that remain triggering & humiliating reminders of violence against First Nations & colonized people.
Please drop any that you might know & want to share in the comments.
#auspol
Please drop any that you might know & want to share in the comments.
#auspol
January 16, 2026 at 10:53 AM
Apropos suggestions by the lovely Mr. Minns re. Bondi bridge, I am making a list of egregious Aus place names & statues that remain triggering & humiliating reminders of violence against First Nations & colonized people.
Please drop any that you might know & want to share in the comments.
#auspol
Please drop any that you might know & want to share in the comments.
#auspol
Yes. And simultaneously tear down statues of colonial despots who remain larger-than-life-sized “ghoulish reminders” of the violence, atrocities & humiliation that my people—and so many Australians—have had to suffer!
#auspol #colonialism #Minns
#auspol #colonialism #Minns
January 14, 2026 at 10:35 AM
Yes. And simultaneously tear down statues of colonial despots who remain larger-than-life-sized “ghoulish reminders” of the violence, atrocities & humiliation that my people—and so many Australians—have had to suffer!
#auspol #colonialism #Minns
#auspol #colonialism #Minns
"There's a civil war coming. We're going kill all the f***ing male Indians, were going to drown all the f***ing kids and sell all the women…"
Sounds about right— this kind of racism against Indians starts in schools and communities, and has been going on for a long time.
#auspol #racism
Sounds about right— this kind of racism against Indians starts in schools and communities, and has been going on for a long time.
#auspol #racism
Indian truckies fed up with racist tirades over their CB radios
Some Indian truck drivers have copped so much racist abuse they have stopped using their CB radios.
www.abc.net.au
January 14, 2026 at 12:04 AM