By Harsh Thakor* The passing of Rose Kerketta on April 17, at the age of 84, marks an immense loss to the literary and tribal communities of India. Known as a bold protagonist in shaping the Jharkhand movement and a prolific writer on Adivasi rights, Rose was not merely a figure of activism—she embodied the spirit of resistance and cultural preservation.

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  In India, the term "Harijan" has been deemed derogatory and unparliamentary following decades of struggle by the Dalit community, particularly Ambedkarites. However, in Bangladesh, it remains widely used, especially to refer to communities engaged in sanitation work, commonly known as sweepers. While these are not the only Dalit communities in Bangladesh, the term "Harijan" is primarily associated with this group. Other Dalit communities include native Bangla-speaking groups and immigrant communities, such as the Rabidasis. The continued use of "Harijan" and its acceptance among sanitation workers reflect the nascent stage of the Dalit movement in Bangladesh, where Dalits face significant barriers as both a religious and cultural minority. In 2013, the Bangladeshi government formalized the term "Harijan" for communities engaged in sanitation work through a policy.

By Nava Thakuria*  Bangladesh's interim government recently requested an apology from Islamabad for the 1971 genocide by Pakistani forces during a foreign secretary-level meeting in Dhaka on April 17. This Foreign Office Consultation, the first in 15 years, also involved other issues raised by Bangladesh, while Pakistan emphasized continued dialogue. Although interim leader Professor Muhammad Yunus seeks to resolve issues with Pakistan, ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had strongly advocated for an unconditional apology until her resignation following student protests last July-August. 

By Md. Abu Saim*   U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration imposed a 37% tariff on Bangladeshi exports to the United States but granted a 90-day exemption as part of a temporary easing of trade restrictions for several countries. This provides Bangladesh with a critical window to reassess its trade policies and address its reliance on the U.S., which accounts for a significant portion of its export revenue. 

By A Representative  Mujahid Nafees, convener of the Minority Coordination Committee (Gujarat) and a petitioner in a Waqf-related case before the Supreme Court, has written to Attorney General of India R. Venkataramani seeking consent to initiate criminal contempt proceedings against BJP MP Nishikant Dubey for his recent remarks against the judiciary.   In his letter dated April 21, Nafees accused Dubey, the Lok Sabha MP from Godda (Jharkhand), of making "derogatory and scandalizing" statements against the Supreme Court, which allegedly undermine public confidence in the judiciary. The complaint cites Dubey’s interview with ANI on April 19, where he reportedly said, "In this country, only and only the Supreme Court is responsible for inciting religious wars" and accused the Court of "taking the country towards anarchy."  

Counterview Desk  On April 9, Gulfisha Fatima marked five years in prison under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). She was arrested for her involvement in protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). During her time in Tihar Jail, Gulfisha has written poetry that reflects themes of resistance, memory, and defiance. 

By Harsh Thakor*  Eight suspected members of the banned CPI (Maoist) group were killed in an encounter with security forces in the Lugu Hills area of Bokaro district, Jharkhand, on April 21, 2025. The operation was conducted by a joint team of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), including the 209 Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), and the Jharkhand Police.

By Dr Palla Trinadha Rao  The L.N.D. Peta Gram Panchayat (GP), situated in Polavaram Mandal of Eluru District, Andhra Pradesh, has emerged as the focal point of a complex legal and administrative discourse concerning its continued classification as a Scheduled Area. Originally part of the erstwhile West Godavari District, this Gram Panchayat has undergone significant structural and demographic shifts over the years, giving rise to questions about the applicability of Scheduled Area provisions in its current context. 

By Amandeep Kaur, Sumit Kumar, S.P. Singh*  The importance of rural non-farm sector notwithstanding, some issues concerning the sector are constantly under scrutiny, such as types of jobs, alternate opportunities, and changes in economic status after employment. The evolving nature of the rural sector also suggests that simply being employed in rural non-farm sector is insufficient for evaluating rural livelihoods; the quality and sustainability of employment are equally important. Those engaged in rural non-farm activities face various challenges including the seasonal and irregular nature of jobs, low wages, informal and insecure job opportunities, lack of health and unemployment insurance, and jobs without clear employer-employee relationship (Binswanger‐Mkhize, 2012; Jha, 2006; Lanjouw & Shariff, 2004; Start, 2001).