RESIST

Art, Journalism & Law for Democracy

A series of fellowships exploring resistance, justice and democracy through creative and civic practice. Published in collaboration with Mathrubhumi News and TrueCopy Webzine.

RESIST — Women's Movements in Kerala

An artistic interpretation of five recent movements led by women in Kerala, visualised by digital artist Jazila Lulu, exploring feminist expression and resistance.

Pompilai Orumai
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Pompilai Orumai
Women's Plantation Workers Movement · Munnar, 2015

Kerala's Jasmine Revolution — thousands of women plantation workers led by Gomathi Augustine marched demanding fair wages, organised entirely by women with no trade union backing.

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Haritha
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Haritha
Muslim Students' Federation Women's Wing · Gender Justice

The women's wing of the Muslim Students' Federation challenged gender justice within political structures — exposing tokenism in women's political representation in Kerala.

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Penkoot
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Penkoot
Right to Sit Movement · Kozhikode · 2009–2018

Tailor-turned-activist P. Viji fought for the right of women in the workplace to sit and access toilets — leading to a landmark 2018 amendment of the Kerala Shop Act.

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Five Nuns
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Five Nuns
Solidarity & Resistance · Kerala · 2018

Five nuns stood in solidarity with a fellow nun who accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal of rape — Franco Mulakkal became the first Indian Catholic bishop to be arrested in a case of sexual abuse against a nun.

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Women in Cinema Collective
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Women in Cinema Collective
Gender Justice · Film Industry · Kerala · 2017

WCC was formed in 2017 in response to the abduction and molestation of a young actress — the first organisation of its kind in India for better working conditions for women in cinema.

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#Rise — Brave Women & Their Fight for Justice

Four stories of extraordinary women who stood up, spoke out, and changed Kerala — illustrated by artist Sanika.

Avalkk Oppam
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Avalkk Oppam
Justice · Courage · Malayalam Film Industry · 2017

After the 2017 incident, Bhavana showed immense courage by taking legal action against the accused — inspiring many women to speak out against violence and injustice.

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Anupama Child Missing Case
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Anupama Child Missing Case
Women's Rights · Consent · Illegal Adoption · Kerala · 2021

In 2021, Anupama S Chandran reported that her newborn baby was taken away without her consent — after months of struggle, she was finally reunited with her baby.

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Bindu Ammini
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Bindu Ammini
Gender Equality · Religious Rights · Sabarimala · 2019

After the Supreme Court allowed women of all ages to enter Sabarimala Temple, Bindu Ammini successfully entered the temple in 2019 — making history despite strong protests and threats.

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K. K. Rema
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K. K. Rema
Political Justice · Anti-Violence · Kerala · 2012–Present

K. K. Rema fought for justice after the murder of her husband T. P. Chandrasekharan in 2012 — later becoming an MLA and continuing her fight for truth, justice, and people's rights.

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Explainer Series — Governance Innovation Labs

Role of Citizens in Governance
How active civic participation strengthens democratic institutions.
What We Do — GI Labs
Our mission, approach, and the democratic challenges we tackle.
Benefits of Joining Us
Why researchers, advocates and changemakers join GI Labs.
Our Approach to Policy Innovation
Evidence-based solutions — from research to real-world impact.