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The Wire
30 minutes ago
- Politics
- The Wire
Remembering Jim Masselos, a Historian With a Unique Sensibility
History An urban sociologist reminisces on her 40-year friendship with the Australian who contributed to understanding the urban cultures that organised early and mid-20th century Bombay/Mumbai. Jim Masselos (1940-2025) passed away in a Sydney hospital on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. I knew that the end was near; I had talked to him twice in April and realised that his energy was fading and he was taking longer to converse and yet it is difficult to believe that he is no more. In April, we talked about the terror attack in Pahalgam, the changing geopolitics in the world and US president Donald Trump's attack on academia. He was also sad about what was happening to South Asian scholarship in Australia and yet hopeful that the tide would soon turn as young people realise how important it is to do academic work and research on South Asia. I first met Jim in the early 1980s but knew of him before through a childhood friend Navaz Patuck : the Patuck family home in Pali Hill being an open house to so many passing foreigners who came to Bombay. I distinctly remember our first encounter at Samovar, the iconic restaurant at Jehangir Art Gallery. I was doing a doctorate on Ahmedabad's early history and its textile industry and wanted to discuss the parallel trends between the two cities of Bombay and Ahmedabad, both being framed by this industry. Our conversations soon drifted elsewhere because M.F. Hussain was sitting somewhere nearby (for long Samovar was Hussain's haunt). It allowed Jim to start talking about Bombay's culture and the contribution of the progressive movement in art to its history. Did this happen in Ahmedabad and if not, why not, he asked? Since then, we met almost every time he came to India and our paths criss-crossed either in Mumbai or Delhi and sometimes in Kolkata and Hyderabad. Our meetings increased because by then we had a mutual friend in Alice Thorner, another constant visitor and a lover of the city of Mumbai. Our conversations (sometimes with Alice) always drifted towards comprehending the history of the city, Bombay's cultural scene, its immersion in its version of modernity and its cosmopolitan ambience, together with vigilante politics and unplanned urban growth. What did these trends have to do with post-colonial nationalism, we wondered. High tide at Girgaon Chowpatty in Mumbai, Friday, June 27, 2025. Photo: PTI. Jim arrived in India as part of the Colombo Plan which gave scholarships to those who wanted to study in the newly independent countries of Asia – he was one of the first Australians who took this opportunity, travelled to Bombay and completed a doctorate at Bombay University on nationalist ideas in Bombay. He stayed at the Bombay University's hostel at B. Road, Churchgate and met up with many who were studying at that time in Bombay university. Most of these students became his friends and he kept in touch with them over the next four decades as they traversed their own careers as Bombay's and India's politicians, lawyers and intellectuals – part of the newly mobile group educating themselves under the Nehruvian project of the making of modern India. Over time, I met some of them because Jim had a great gift for keeping relationships and learning the current history of India through their eyes. During his early years in Bombay, Jim would walk around the city and discover its nooks and corners and the various neighbourhood settlements of distinct communities living in the city. As we know, this cultivated gaze impacted his historical work (which he later analysed as the intersections between space, identity and community) and allowed him to give us, the readers an insight into urban neighbourhood cultures. Also read: Remembering Jim Masselos, the Australian Scholar of Bombay's Social History In a recent assessment, Prashant Kidambi (2019) has suggested that Jim's distinctive contribution to Bombay's historiography can be understood at four levels. Not only did he document ways in which urban communities were historically reconstituted in the modern city but emphasised how they used their own tools of modernity to do so. Second, Jim highlighted significance of urban space in understanding the city and third, focused on how diverse forms of power have structured social relations in the city. And finally, he has also been concerned with how one form of power – nationalism – sought to acquire and exercise hegemony in the city, sometimes to its detriment. But Jim, through these travels across the city, also became a collector of old books and that of old and new art as it was being in fashioned in Bombay. He learnt not only to become an archivist but also an art historian and a curator of art exhibitions. In the course of his walks across south Mumbai, he started collecting old books sold on the pavements of Flora Fountain and over time accumulated publications not only of late 19th and early 20th century British and Indian authors but also official government reports on the history of the city and on India. When I visited him in Sydney for the first time in the mid-90s, I realised that he had collected colonial documents which included almost all the Royal Commission Reports published by the British. His home had become a make-shift archive and in case anyone wanted to navigate around the rooms in his house, one had to skip and jump over these piles of books lying on the floor and find a comfortable sofa/chair that was empty of such publications. That being difficult, we would end up sitting in his kitchen or conversing at a southeast Asian restaurant at the corner of the street. (Jim was trying to donate this collection of books to a library in Sydney. However, this seemed to be the wrong time – not only was South Asian history/studies not popular in Australia but with a lack of physical space and ongoing digitalisation, no library-administrator was interested in accepting these late 19th century and early 20th century primary sources on India). But most significantly, what was important was the art he collected as he visited the galleries sponsoring the progressive painters in the city and which he collated as he travelled around the country. He had Catholic tastes and his collection included Kutchi embroidery, pichwai, miniature paintings, a dancing Nataraj and the artwork of the Bombay progressive artist Tyeb Mehta, for example. This artwork was depicted prominently across all the available wall space in his home. Thus, in addition to being an archive, his home had become an art gallery! (Later he also collected some Australian Indigenous paintings and hung them up with the Indian paintings). 'Dancing to the Flute - Music and Dance in Indian Art'. Jim had an exhibition of the art in his collection at the Art Gallery of New South Wales in the mid-90s. The catalogue was called Dancing to the Flute: Music and Dance in the Art of India. (In the last decade, he has donated some of these paintings to the NSW gallery, but these lie in the basement!) During this exhibition, he also organised a seminar on four decades of social science scholarship on India, giving us a lens on how he combined art and social sciences in one persona. It is then that I came to realise that Jim was also an enthusiastic art curator and his understanding of Indian art led him to collaborate with the journal Marg and the noted art historian B. N. Goswamy. In the late 2000s he brought groups of Australians to introduce them to India's art heritage and his understanding of it. For the conference in the mid-1990s, he pushed me to write an essay on M.N. Srinivas's contribution to Indian sociology. This was what started me on my project to study the disciplinary history of sociology in India, which still continues. During this Sydney visit, I also discovered that Jim was a brilliant photographer. I had noticed him taking photographs earlier, but when I saw the photographs on his computer, I realised that he had brought his unique historical sensibility to his photographs. Since then, Jim has brought out two volumes on photographs combining company photographs with his own current ones in a then and now text: Bombay Then and Now and Beato's Delhi (text written with Delhi historian Narayani Gupta). In the early 1990s, Alice brought to me a project to put together a conference on Bombay. The idea, she said, came from Jim who during a breakfast conversation at Delhi's India International Centre, asked how an urban historian should write about contemporary Bombay. This led to the organisation of a conference on Bombay in December 1992 and the publication of two volumes – Bombay: Mosaic of Modern Culture and Bombay: Metaphor of Modern India. Jim wrote a paper for the second volume. But even as we were preparing the two books for publication, we (Alice, Jim and I) knew that Bombay had changed fundamentally after the 1992-93 riots and that we needed to capture the recent changes. With Alice passing away, Jim and I put together a third volume titled Bombay and Mumbai: The City in Transition. Recently, when the published fourth volume reached him, Jim stated that he had not realised that his innocent question of what it means to write on contemporary Bombay as an urban historian would lead to four volumes on the city. Jim's contribution to scholarship was quiet but significant. Never to brag about himself, he was a soft and gentle scholar/person full of generosity for others. After Rachel Dwyer, Prashant Kidambi and Manjiri Kamat put together a Festschrift, a volume on his honour ('Bombay before Mumbai' in 2019) and Robert Aldrich organised a conference around his scholarship in Sydney in February 2020, I saw a satisfied expression on his face and in his body language, a sense of pride and fulfilment that his colleagues had honoured him and acknowledged his contributions. Characteristically, he gave a sheepish smile and silently accepted the accolades that they bestowed upon him. That was Jim. Urban sociologist Sujata Patel retired as Professor of Sociology from the University of Hyderabad in 2018. Patel and Masselos collaborated to edit a volume on Bombay, one of four volumes that Patel has co-edited on the city. The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
Sky News AU
30 minutes ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
New push to end controversial protections for NSW's Snowy Mountain brumbies
The future of NSW's Snowy Mountain brumbies may hang in the balance if a new bill is passed to repeal controversial protections for the invasive species. Independent Wagga Wagga MP Joe McGirr gave notice on Wednesday of his intention to introduce a Bill to repeal the Kosciuszko Wild Horse Heritage Act. The Act, introduced by former deputy premier John Barilaro, recognised the 'heritage' value of brumbies and mandated their population be reduced to 3000. While it will be years until a new target is set, Invasive Species CEO Jack Gough said even one horse in Kosciuszko would cause 'enormous amounts of damage'. 'The question is the scale of damage that we're prepared to accept,' Mr Gough said alongside Mr McGirr on Wednesday. 'Having 1/3 of the national park set up as an area that is essentially a horse paddock instead of a national park is not something that Australians want.' Mr Gough admitted it would be difficult to reduce the number of feral horses in Kosciuszko National Park to zero, but stressed the risk the brumbies posed. 'We know that the Australian landscape did not evolve with large, heavy, hard-hoofed animals that are cutting up that landscape,' he said. 'They are draining the peat moss and are causing enormous amount of damage to the homes of our native species.' In May, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service reported as few as 1500 brumbies may be left in the park following extensive aerial culling. While images released by the Park service showed recovery to the fragile alpine ecosystem, the method of reducing horse numbers has been controversial. Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst said there was 'no justification' for aerial shooting at Kosciuszko, and that the party would not be supporting Mr McGirr's bill. If it was passed, she expressed concern it would result in a 'push to kill any remaining animals that are there in the park'. 'The push to actually repeal this act, to open the doors to allow for that killing is mind boggling,' she said. Ms Hurst called on NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe to 'keep her word' about aerial shooting. Ms Sharpe told a budget estimates committee aerial shooting had 'ceased for now' in the horse retention area after the population reports were released. Further aerial shooting has taken place outside of the retention area from June 10 until June 30, targeting 'all feral animals'. In a statement, Ms Sharpe said the state government was close to reaching the legislated targeted of 3000 wild horses in Kosciuszko, two years ahead of deadline. 'We're now focused on population management,' she said. 'We will have a look at the Bill, as we do with all Bills.' Future of the Brumby Bill remains unclear If passed, the Mr McGirr's bill would create a transition period from January 1 until July 1, 2027, at which point the previous management plan would end. The Wild Horses Community Advisory Panel will also be dissolved, with the state government freed up to create a new management plan. On Wednesday, Mr Gough and Mr McGirr expressed their confidence that the Bill would be approved with support from Labor and Liberals. Mr Gough said the so-called Brumby Bill had 'no friends left' in either the upper or lower houses, including from the Liberals, Greens, and Labor. Ms Hurst was less certain, raising the possibility it may not be supported by Nationals Party or the Shooters, Fishers, and Farmers party. Australian Brumby Alliance President Nikki Alberts is part of a vocal minority in the community who stridently oppose the shooting of brumbies in the park. She also expressed fears that if the Heritage Act was repealed 'they'll go in and shoot them (the brumbies) all'. Ms Alberts said the Alliance had put forward a proposal for management of the brumby population, with a focus on rehoming. Currently, the NSW government employs a range of brumby management measures, including trapping and rehoming and early-days immunocontraceptives. Originally published as New push to end controversial protections for NSW's Snowy Mountain brumbies
Sydney Morning Herald
33 minutes ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Hazlewood rips through West Indies as Australia take 1-0 series lead
A fourth day looked likely before Lyon went bang-bang to hand Australia a comprehensive victory. 'When Joshy got the two [wickets] in a row I thought we were half a chance. The wicket was just playing a lot of tricks,' Cummins said. 'I thought we'd make decent inroads today but didn't think we'd get 10. 'Give Joshy a wicket with any little bit in it and he finds it. He just hits the right area, ball after ball, and presents good seam. He was fantastic. I thought he was great at Lord's last week without perhaps the returns he deserves, so it's a huge asset to have on our side.' Mitchell Starc took the first wicket of Kraigg Brathwaite but Hazlewood was the chief destroyer, removing John Campbell (23) and Brandon King in consecutive balls before his hat-trick ball went through to wicketkeeper Alex Carey. Hazlewood then snared Roston Chase (2) and Keacy Carty (20) to edge Australia closer to victory. At one point in his spell, Hazlewood took 4-4 from 16 balls. Resuming on 4-92 with an 82-run lead, Australian duo Travis Head (61) and Beau Webster (63) knuckled down for a commanding 102-run partnership to take the game away from the West Indies. The West Indies' terrible fielding in this Test was on display once again when Head was dropped on 21 by Greaves at second slip early in the day. It was the home side's seventh dropped catch in the slips across the match. Head and Webster's partnership was the first fifth-wicket century stand by an Australian pair in Tests since Mitch Marsh and Steve Smith put on 153 against Pakistan in Melbourne in 2023. Webster continues to prosper at Test level and now has a very tidy return of 305 runs at 43.57 from eight innings. Head, who was named man of the match, was out lbw to Shamar Joseph before Webster was unlucky to be caught down the leg side to the same bowler, leaving Australia at 6-208. Carey pushed the game along by crunching a 40-ball half century, which included two big sixes down the ground. There was a period in the middle session when Australia smashed 68 from 46 balls. Australia's wicketkeeper eventually perished for 65 as Joseph finished with figures of 5-87 for the innings to help bowl the tourists out for 310. 'I thought those three were brilliant,' Cummins said. 'They kept the scoreboard ticking over. That was the difference. Those guys took the game away from the West Indies.' Loading Joseph, who appeared to be carrying some kind of injury, pushed through the pain to pick up nine wickets for the match (9-133) in an impressive display after his heroics at the Gabba early last year. The West Indies' highest successful run chase in Bridgetown came in 1999 when Brian Lara made an unbeaten 153 to steer his side to a target of 308 against Australia with one wicket in hand. On this occasion, they never got close. A day after West Indies coach Daren Sammy slammed the performance of match officials, the side's captain Roston Chase also expressed his displeasure. 'There were so many questionable calls in the game and none of them went our way,' Chase said. 'We had some questionable calls and that really set us back in terms of creating a big lead on the total that Australia set. 'It's frustrating because as players, when we mess up, when we get out of line, we are penalised harshly. Sometimes we're even banned. You're talking about guys' careers.'
New Straits Times
34 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Police seek head of Australian reality TV star's partner
SYDNEY: Australian police have appealed for help to find the head of a man allegedly murdered by his partner, a former star in reality television series 'Beauty and the Geek Australia'. Police said they charged Tamika Chesser with murder after 39-year-old Julian Story's dismembered remains were found at an apartment in South Australia last week. "It was a confronting scene for police and emergency services personnel as Julian's body had been dismembered," South Australia Police said in a yesterday. "Julian's head had been removed during the dismemberment and, despite extensive searches, has not yet been located." Police said his remains were discovered at the Port Lincoln home after they responded to reports of a fire, and they believe he was killed around midnight June 17. Detectives released CCTV images of Chesser, 34, to show what she was wearing around that time, and they asked people to help track her movements. "Recovering Julian's head to return it to his family so they can have a peaceful outcome, have a funeral, and lay him to rest, is a really important aspect for us," Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke told a news conference. Chesser appeared at Adelaide Magistrate's Court yesterday by video link, according to local media including public broadcaster ABC. The court lifted an order preventing her from being identified. She was due to return to court in December. The bereaved family of Story thanked police, emergency workers, family, friends and the community for their support. "We are navigating an unimaginable loss, and your care has brought comfort amid the chaos," the family said in a statement.
Perth Now
35 minutes ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
Greens candidate undergoes surgery after protest arrest
A Greens candidate who challenged Anthony Albanese at the May federal election is in hospital after being arrested at a protest, as police face brutality claims. Five people were arrested while protesting Israel's war in Gaza outside an Australian firm linked to the manufacturing of fighter jets used by the IDF. Hannah Thomas, 35, who was the Greens candidate for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's seat of Grayndler, was taken to hospital with facial injuries suffered in the process of her arrest. A photo of Ms Thomas in an ambulance shows her eye swollen shut and with blood on her face before she was taken for surgery. Video of the incident shows multiple police dragging one of the protesters as on-lookers repeatedly shouted "get off her" and "let go of her". Police said matters escalated after officers issued a move-on direction to a group of 60 protesters who had blocked pedestrian access to SEC Plating in Belmore in Sydney's southwest early Friday morning. They said Ms Thomas was arrested for not complying with that direction. NSW Greens MP Sue Higginson labelled the policing "excessive" and "unnecessary" and called for an investigation "to avoid further horrific instances of innocent people being seriously injured". She has written to Police Minister Yasmin Catley, the NSW police commissioner and the state's police watchdog demanding the investigation. "Having witnessed the grievous injuries caused by the police to Hannah Thomas, spoken to on ground witnesses who witnessed what occurred, and with the knowledge that Hannah has experienced serious injuries and hospitalisation, I am calling for a critical incident to be declared urgently," Ms Higginson wrote in her letter. A police statement said the medical advice they had received about the incident did not meet the threshold for a critical incident declaration. "Should further medical advice be received, the decision can be reviewed," it said. Protest organisers say another protester was grabbed by the neck and choked, while others were knocked to the ground. SEC Plating is reportedly providing plating services for various parts used in F-35 jets, of which the Israeli military has about 40. Zack Schofield, a 26-year-old Rising Tide organiser who was arrested, said he was "objecting to genocide and the complicity of Australia in this". "The excessive force used by police was brutal and will be put into question," he said. Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi said Ms Thomas had been a "tireless advocate" for the tens of thousands of people killed in Palestine. "Hannah has long been a fearless and strong advocate for the rights of all people to live without oppression and occupation ... I am in awe of her courage and conviction in supporting people who need help," she said. The five arrested protesters were granted bail to appear in Bankstown Local Court on July 15.
