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IFJ slams attacks on journalists in subcontinent
NEW DELHI: The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has expressed grave concern over attacks on the freedom of the press in countries in the Indian subcontinent and the Saarc region.
The IFJ , supported by a coalition of international and Pakistan-based press freedom and journalists’ organizations , has demanded action from the government in response to the growing incidents of violence against journalists and the deteriorating press freedom situation.
This follows the visit to Pakistan by the mission for press freedom, led by the IFJ and its affiliate, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), from 21 February to 25 February. The IFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 115 countries.
At a roundtable conference on the “State of Press Freedom in Pakistan” held in Islamabad before its departure, the group , including IFJ president Christopher Warren, National Union of Journalists (NUJ) president Chris Morley, The Telegraph (India) editor Bharat Bhushan, Iqbal Khattak, bureau chief of The Daily Times and Pakistan’s representative to Reporters Sans Frontiers, Free Media Movement (Sri Lanka) convener Sunanda Deshapriya, and Pervez Shoukat, President of PFUJ, unanimously passed two resolutions.
One of the resolutions stated: “The right to press and broadcasting freedom, as well as freedom of expression, is fundamental in a civilised state. We believe these freedoms are under threat in Pakistan and action must be taken to ensure they are not lost.”
“The continuing killing, kidnapping and harassment of journalists in Pakistan is intolerable and must cease,” the group also noted.
In the second resolution, the participants condemned the non-implementation of the seventh Wage Board Award, which guarantees improved wages for journalists, and demanded the establishment of the eighth Wage Board Award.
At a press conference, the IFJ president said the media in Pakistan was facing a “crisis of safety” and called on the Pakistani government to provide greater security to journalists.
“Four journalists have lost their lives in the past 12 months, and we have also seen a deeply disturbing trend emerge where families of journalists have been brutally targeted,” said the president of the IFJ, the organization representing more than 500,000 journalists in over 115 countries.
“What makes this even worse is that the perpetrators of these horrific crimes have not been brought to justice, and the inaction of Pakistani authorities in these matters has allowed a culture of impunity to develop,” Warren said.
IFJ President Christopher Warren said the mission was also concerned about government policies that have promoted cross-media ownership, placed police in positions to regulate media and failed to properly implement independent public service broadcasting, all of which have potentially restrict the free media.
Meanwhile, the IFJ again called for greater protections for media workers in Nepal after reports of intimidation and violent attacks on journalists.
According to IFJ affiliate, the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ), two journalists were attacked by a group of students while they were reporting on an event at Butwal Multiple College on February 27. In an earlier and unrelated incident, two other mediapersons were reportedly stopped on February 24 by members of Tharu Kalyankari Sabha, an organization demanding a separate Tharu state.
“This sort of violent and aggressive behaviour interferes with the right of journalists to carry out their work in a safe and secure manner,” Warren said, adding “The IFJ supports the FNJ in condemning the attacks, and calls for a full investigation into both these incidents to ensure that journalists can travel and work freely without the threat of violent attacks.”
The IFJ has again slammed the Sri Lankan authorities for using controversial anti-terror legislation to silence critical voices, after a media executive was arrested on February 26.
According to local reports, the mediaperson became the second person affiliated with the publication to be detained under the new laws. Earlier another journalist was detained without charge by the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) since November 22, 2006.
“We once again stress our concerns that the Terrorism Prevention laws are being used to oppress the media and silence vital independent voices,” Warren said.
Journalists’ organizations from around the world wrote to the Sri Lankan government on January 31 as part of a campaign led by IFJ affiliate, the Free Media Movement, which called for the mediaperson’s release.
“The IFJ again calls on the Sri Lankan government to make a stand for human rights and press freedom by securing the immediate release of the two journalists”.
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Induction cooktop demand spikes 30× amid LPG supply concerns
Supply worries linked to West Asia tensions push households and restaurants to turn to electric cooking alternatives
MUMBAI: As geopolitical tensions in West Asia ripple through global energy supply chains, the familiar blue flame in Indian kitchens is facing an unexpected challenger: electricity.
What began as concerns over the availability of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has quickly evolved into a technology-driven shift in cooking habits. Households across India are increasingly turning to induction cooktops and other electric appliances, initially as a backup but now, for many, a necessity.
A sudden surge in demand
Recent data from quick-commerce and grocery platform BigBasket highlights the scale of the shift. According to Seshu Kumar Tirumala, the company’s chief buying and merchandising officer, demand for induction cooktops has risen dramatically.
“Induction cooktops have seen a significant surge in demand, recording a fivefold jump on 10 March and a thirtyfold spike on 11 March,” Tirumala said.
The increase stands out sharply when compared with broader kitchen appliance trends. Most appliance categories are growing within 10 per cent of their typical demand levels, while induction cooktops have witnessed explosive growth as households rush to secure an alternative cooking option.
Major e-commerce platforms including Amazon and Flipkart have reported rising searches and orders for induction stoves. Quick-commerce apps such as Blinkit and Zepto have also witnessed stock shortages in major metropolitan areas including Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.
What was once considered a convenient appliance for hostels, small kitchens or occasional use has suddenly become an essential addition in many homes.
A crisis thousands of miles away
The trigger for this shift lies far beyond India’s kitchens.
Escalating conflict in the Middle East has disrupted shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy corridors. Nearly 85 to 90 per cent of India’s LPG imports pass through this narrow waterway, making the country particularly vulnerable to supply disruptions.
The ripple effects have been swift.
India currently meets roughly 60 per cent of its LPG demand through imports, and tightening global supply has already begun to affect domestic availability and prices.
Earlier this month, the price of domestic LPG cylinders increased by Rs 60, while commercial cylinders rose by more than Rs 114.
To discourage panic buying and hoarding, the government has also extended the mandatory waiting period between domestic refill bookings from 21 days to 25 days.
Restaurants feel the pressure
The strain is not limited to households. Restaurants, hotels and roadside eateries are also grappling with supply constraints as commercial LPG availability tightens under restrictions imposed through the Essential Commodities Act.
In cities such as Bengaluru and Chennai, restaurant associations report that commercial LPG availability has dropped by as much as 75 per cent, forcing many establishments to rethink their kitchen operations.
Some restaurants have reduced menu offerings, while others are rapidly installing high-efficiency induction systems, creating hybrid kitchens where electricity now shares the workload with gas.
For smaller eateries and roadside dhabas, the shift is less about sustainability and more about survival.
A potential structural shift
The government has maintained that there is no nationwide LPG crisis and has directed refineries to increase production to stabilise supply.
Nevertheless, the developments of March 2026 may already be triggering a longer-term behavioural shift.
For decades, LPG has been the backbone of cooking in Indian households. However, recent disruptions have highlighted the risks of relying on a single fuel source.
Increasingly, households appear to be hedging against uncertainty by adopting electric cooking options to guard against price volatility and delivery delays.
If the current trend continues, the induction cooktop, once viewed as a niche appliance, could emerge as a quiet symbol of India’s evolving kitchen economy.
