काउंटरव्यू

By Harsh Thakor  On January 31, 2024, history was made with the formation of the (New) Communist Party of Canada (the (N)CPC), the successful completion of its Founding Congress, and the public release of its Political Program. A most sporadic development in turning course of Communist movement locally, and worldwide. It also pits a challenge to dogmatism or mechanical approach and stagnation. taps the revolutionary creativity of the masses and is major re-orientation towards shaping revolutionary class struggles and  the massline.

ભાવાનુવાદ: બિપિન શ્રોફ શા  માટે હું ખ્રિસ્તી નથી? -બર્ટ્રાન્ડ રસેલ "મારા નમ્ર અભિપ્રાય મુજબ જીસસ ક્રાઇસ્ટના ચારિત્ર્યમાં શાણપણ (wisdom) અને સદ્ગુણની ક્ષમતા કરતાં માનવ ઇતિહાસમાં બીજા ઘણા મહાન લોકોમાં તે બંને ગુણો ઘણા વધારે હતા. હું ગૌતમબુધ્ધ અને સોક્રેટીસને જીસસ કરતાં આ બાબતોમાં ઘણી ઉચ્ચકક્ષાનું ચારિત્ર્ય ધરાવનાર વ્યક્તિઓ ગણું છું." – બર્ટ્રાન્ડ રસેલ.

By Harsh Thakor  Over two hundred were killed in recent weeks in Ethiopia’s Oromia and Amhara region. After peace-talks between the Oromo Liberation Army and the Ethiopian government did not materialise tensions are escalating in the Oromia region. Earlier, on November 22, least 25 civilians were massacred in a government aerial drone strike, in Chawaka districts of the Buno Bedelle zone. This incident took place only two days after a fierce battle arose between the OLA and governmental troops in the Sulula Fincha district of the Horro Guduru Wollega zone.

By Divya Saini  In a strategic move to mitigate the impact of landslides during storms, the Odisha government in collaboration with Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham is gearing up to establish a user-friendly Landslide Early Warning System (EWS) in Gajapati district. This initiative aims to provide advanced information, especially regarding landslides caused by disturbances in the natural stability of a slope.

By Harsh Thakor  Armed bandits called the “zero invasion movement” comprising of landowners, gunmen and police marched into   Bahia with support from the PM [Military Police]. On January 21st, indigenous Maria de Fátima Muniz, known as Nega Pataxó, shaman of the Pataxó Hã-Hã-Hãe people, was shot dead in the Caramuru Catarina Paraguassu Indigenous Land and chief Nailton Muniz was seriously injured by gunshots, as were others indigenous people during an attack by the notorious  paramilitary group.

By DN Rath  Center for Democratic Rights and Secularism (CPDRS) unequivocally condemns the dubious role of Uttarakhand Government and its administration in the incidents that happened in Haldwani of Nanital district of the state.

- राम पुनियानी*  हाल (22 जनवरी 2024) में अयोध्या के राममंदिर में प्राण-प्रतिष्ठा के अवसर पर अत्यंत भव्य समारोह आयोजित किया गया. इसके साथ ही देश के अन्य हिस्सों, विशेषकर उत्तर भारत, में धार्मिकता के सामूहिक प्रदर्शन हुए. इस अवसर पर हमने देखा कि राजनैतिक सत्ता और धार्मिक सत्ता दोनों मानों प्रधानमंत्री नरेन्द्र मोदी में केन्द्रित हो गईं. अयोध्या के बाद मोदी ने अबू धाबी में एक बड़े मंदिर (श्री स्वामीनारायण) का उद्घाटन किया. इस अवसर पर भी जमकर जश्न मनाया गया और इसका खूब प्रचार-प्रसार हुआ. और अभी कुछ दिन पहले मोदी ने उत्तर प्रदेश में कल्कि धाम मंदिर का शिलान्यास किया. मंदिरों से जुड़े इन उत्सवों की श्रृंखला से प्रभावित कई दक्षिणपंथी चिन्तक दावा कर रहे हैं कि मोदी पहले ऐसे राजनेता हैं जो किसी उत्तर-औपनिवेशिक समाज की संस्कृति का वि-उपनिवेशीकरण कर रहे हैं.  उपनिवेशवाद का दक्षिण एशिया पर क्या प्रभाव पड़ा? दक्षिण एशिया का समाज मूलतः सामंती था जहाँ जमींदार और राजा शासन करते थे और पुरोहित वर्ग उनके राज को उचित बताता था. ब्रिटेन दक्षिण एशिया के अधिकांश हिस्से, विशेषकर भारतीय उपमहाद्वीप, को अपना उपनिवेश

By Harsh Thakor  St Petersburg -- previously Leningrad -- has been commemorating the 80th anniversary of its complete liberation from the Nazis and the conclusion of one of the most brutal sieges in history. 80 years ago, a spectacular turn of events in Leningrad played major role in shaping the destiny or determining the path of the Great Patriotic War.

By Vikas Parasram Meshram  The economic disparity gap continues to widen with economic disparity.  A large portion of the population is dispossessed, while the poor continue to get poorer. They struggle to earn a minimum wage and access quality education and health care, suffering disinvestment from persistently low incomes. These widening gaps and growing inequalities have the greatest impact on women and children.  The Oxfam International report is known to have expressed concern that, on the one hand, the wealth of some people in the world is increasing at a rocket speed.  And the number of rich people is constantly increasing. As a result, the income of the common man is increasing very little, while the wealth of the rich class has increased manifold.  Not only in India but in many other countries of the world, the gap of economic inequality is continuously widening. Oxfam International in its annual report on economic inequality at the World Economic Forum meeting last month, sai

- हरसिंग जमरे, भिखला सोलंकी, रतन अलावे*  15 और 16 फरवरी को निमाड के बड़वानी, खरगोन और बुरहानपुर में जागृत आदिवासी दलित संगठन के नेतृत्व में आदिवासी महिला-पुरुषों ग्रामीण भारत बंद में रैली एवं विरोध प्रदर्शन किया । प्रधान मंत्री द्वारा 2014 में फसलों की लागत का डेढ़ गुना भाव देने का वादा किया गया था, 2016 में किसानों की आय दुगना करने का वादा किया गया था । आज, फसलों का दाम नहीं बढ़ रहा है, लेकिन खेती में खर्च बढ़ता जा रहा है! खाद, बीज और दवाइयों का दाम, तीन-चार गुना बढ़ चुका है! किसानों को लागत का डेढ़ गुना भाव देने के बजाए, खेती को कंपनियों के हवाले करने के लिए 3 काले कृषि कानून लाए गए । 3 काले कानून वापस लेते समय प्रधान मंत्री ने फिर वादा किया था कि फसलों की लागत का डेढ़ गुना भाव की कानूनी गारंटी के लिए कानून बनाएँगे, लेकिन वो भी झूठ निकला! आज जब देश के किसान दिल्ली में आपको अपना वादा याद दिलाने आए है, तब आप उनका रास्ता रोक रहें है, उनके साथ मारपीट कर उन पर आँसू गैस फेंक रहें हैं, उन पर छर्रों से फायरिंग कर रहें है! देश को खिलाने वाला किसान खुद भूखा रहे, क्या यही विकास है?

By Vijay Prashad  On February 9, 2024, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that his army would advance into Rafah, the last remaining city in Gaza not occupied by the Israelis. Most of the 2.3 million Palestinians who live in Gaza had fled to its southern border with Egypt after being told by the Israelis on October 13, 2023, that the north had to be abandoned and that the south would be a “safe zone.” As the Palestinians from the north, particularly from Gaza City, began their march south—often on foot—they were attacked by Israeli forces, who gave them no safe passage. The Israelis said that anything south of Wadi Gaza, which divides the narrow strip, would be safe, but then as the Palestinians moved into Deir-al-Balah, Khan Younis, and Rafah, they found the Israeli jets following them and the Israeli troops coming after them. Now, Netanyahu has said that his forces will enter Rafah to combat Hamas. On February 11, Netanyahu told NBC news that Israeli would provide “s

By Harsh Thakor*  With the numbers of the murdered in Gaza surpassing 28,000 people, Israel mercilessly conducted bombing to prepare for a genocidal attack on the displaced people in Rafah. Peoples of the world keep rose up like a spark turning into a prairie fire. 

By John P. Ruehl  Late 2023 marked a notable transformation in North Korea’s longstanding pursuit of peaceful reunification with South Korea after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un noted the failure of the policy in his end-of-year speech . This sentiment was reiterated during a January 15 meeting of North Korea’s Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA), where the country’s constitution was ordered to be rewritten to label South Korea as its “ principal adversary .”

By Prantik Deka*  The quintessential “Mor shukula ghora” is one of those enduring Assamese compositions that people of all ages continue to enjoy to this day. The peerless performer Jiten Deka, who endeared himself into the hearts of audiences through his soulful renditions, rose from a very humble background to become a major artiste of our times.

By Enid Dsouza  Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH) India hosted a workshop on ‘Adapting to the Edge: Urban and Coastal Climate Resilience’ as part of the Climate Action Workshop Series in New Delhi. The workshop brought together experts, practitioners, government bodies, CSR leaders to initiate dialogues on fostering nature-based solutions for a climate-resilient future.

By NS Venkataraman*  During the last several centuries,  slowly and steadily, several spectacular achievements have been seen  in the science and technology front. Such advancements and discoveries have somewhat disproved or caused doubt  or diluted faith on several traditional beliefs,  ideas and postulates.  Several religions evolved over  the past centuries have been essentially centred on the concept of God,  with various versions being stated as to whatever God may be and  wherever God may be. The belief of people in such religious doctrines have been overwhelming till date and have stood the test of time. The concept of God has been virtually remaining unquestioned, though some murmurs have been heard from time to time doubting the existence of God.  The one reason why the concept of God has found emotional acceptance amongst people all over the world is due to lack of clarification on   what else could be the possibility   for the creation of the world,  humans,  creatures, and

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*   Bharat Ratna awards to late prime ministers PV Narsimha Rao, Chaudhury Charan Singh and MS  Swaminathan has been welcomed by all. I have always stood against the state award sponsorship, as it basically means that your work is 'liked' and 'appreciated' by the top leadership. 

By Salman Khursheed*  The INDIA  Alliance soldiers on despite some predictable as well as unpredictable developments that slow us down. But the magic moment will certainly come when all of us will suppress our individual predilections and territorial ambitions to create an invincible reformative force in contemporary politics. There is no choice but to take up cudgels for freedom and democracy, both in deep peril.  If we are remiss today there will be no tomorrow for redemption. 

By Samyukta Kisan Morcha, Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions, Independent/ Sectoral Federations, Associations SKM and Joint Platform of CTU’s extends solidarity to the ongoing farmers' and workers’ struggle in several countries of Europe including France, Germany, Poland, Romania, Greece, Italy, United Kingdom, Belgium, Brussels and Netherlands. Both the platforms support their demands to repeal cuts in subsidies and tax exemptions so far given to the farmers, above inflation pay increase and no cuts in pension of workers in the context of the growing recession and the lingering Russia - Ukraine war.

By Vikas Parasram Meshram  The announcement of Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award, is significant to MS Swaminathan, who was the father of the agricultural revolution. He radically changed the traditional thinking in his field of agriculture. Not only did he change the scope, but he gave a modern vision to enrich the thinking related to agriculture by providing improved seeds and agricultural implements. It was Swaminathan who initiated efforts for high productivity in his country. At a time when the country was facing drought, Swaminathan focused on research into improved varieties of rice and wheat.  He took the initiative to double the country's wheat production by combining high yielding wheat varieties, proper use of fertilizers and more effective agricultural techniques keeping in view the fertility of the land under cultivation. Such experiments were conducted not only on wheat but also on rice to increase production. He developed hybrid varieties by mixing Mexican see

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*   Vladimir Putin's interview by American journalist Tucker Carlson has exploded the internet. In just two hours, it is reported, it got over 2 million views and is perhaps the most debated issue on the X and other social media platforms. 

By Judith Crosbie *  Over 100 frontline and climate groups have written to the biggest banks, insurance companies and private equity backing liquefied methane gas (LNG), demanding they follow the dramatic change in US policy on the sector and end their financial support. The organizations, including Texas Campaign for the Environment, Sierra Club, Rainforest Action Network, Friends of the Earth, Stand.earth and BankTrack, cite financial risk and reputational damage through continued funding of LNG in letters to US, Japanese, Canadian and European banks, insurance companies and private equity. The companies include Citi, Bank of America, Royal Bank of Canada, Mizuho, Chubb, Liberty Mutual, and KKR.

By Indian American Muslim Council  Speaking at the International Religious Freedom Summit (IRF Summit) on Jan 30-31, prominent Indian journalist Arfa Khanum Sherwani stated that Hindu majoritarianism - also known as Hindutva, or Hindu supremacy - is “the greatest threat to secularism and religious freedom in India” since the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. 

By Bharat Dogra  If asked to compare a community of forest produce gathering people about 7000 years ago with a most modernized group of people in New York City today, most people would say that of course, the later situation reflects much greater development and progress of humanity in terms of easily accessing so many comforts and luxuries, not just needs. However if we start exploring questions like which life-patterns reflect greater environment protection and sustainability, more justice and equality, more peace, contentment and harmony with other people as well as other forms of life, then in all likelihood the thousands of years old community would reflect a more ‘advanced’ state. The past five to six hundred years are often regarded as the years of greatest progress. Yet cruelty, plunder, injustice, massacres and genocides (sometimes to the extent of nearly 90 per cent of the people of vast regions being killed) have also been seen in some of their worst forms durin

By International League of Peoples Struggle   On February 1st, we mark three years of continuing violent military rule in Myanmar and commend the ever-growing resistance of the Burmese peoples against the fascist and tyrannical onslaught brought about by the Tatmadaw dictatorship.

By Indian American Muslim Council The Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) has vehemently condemned the shocking and brazen demolition of Masjid Akhonji, a 600-year-old mosque in Delhi's Mehrauli. The demolition was carried out by officials from the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), an autonomous body controlled by the Central Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This reprehensible act, which took place without any prior notice, not only obliterated a revered place of worship but also displayed a blatant disregard for the rich cultural and religious history embedded in Masjid Akhonji.

- मुजाहिद नफ़ीस*  भारत सरकार द्वारा संसद में वर्ष 2024-25 का बजट वित्त मंत्री निर्मला सीतारमण जी ने पेश किया| इस वर्ष का बजट 4030356.69 करोड़ है जो कि पिछले साल की तुलना में लगभग 0.955% की बढ़ोतरी हुई है| वहीं अल्पसंख्यक कार्य मंत्रालय का बजट मात्र 3183.24 करोड़ है जो कि कुल बजट का 0.0007 लगभग है| वर्ष 2021-22 में अल्पसंख्यक कार्य मंत्रालय का बजट 4810.77 करोड़ रूपये था, 2022-23 के लिए 5020.50 करोड़ रूपये प्रस्तावित किया था| पिछले साल 2023-24 में 3097.60 करोड़ था| केंद्र सरकार ने महत्वपूर्ण योजनाओं के बजट में कमी की गयी है जोकि निम्न हैं: प्री मेट्रिक छात्र वृत्ति स्कीम में 106.9 करोड़ की कमी,  पोस्ट मेट्रिक स्कीम में 80.38 करोड़ की बढ़ोतरी,  मेरिट कम मीन्स स्कीम में 10.2  करोड़ की कमी,  मौलाना आज़ाद फ़ेलोशिप स्कीम में 50.92 करोड़ की कमी,  कोचिंग स्कीम में 20 करोड़ की कमी,  इन्टरेस्ट सब्सिडि में 5.70 करोड़ की कमी,  UPSC की तयारी स्कीम में शून्य 00 प्रावधान, क़ौमी वक़्फ़ बोर्ड तरक्कीयाती स्कीम के बजट में 1 करोड़ की कमी,  स्किल डेव्लपमेंट इनिशिएटिव योजना में शून्य प्रावधान,  नई मंज़िल योजना में शून्य प्रावधान

By Dr. David Leffler  In the midst of the devastating toll of the Israel/Gaza war, NPR journalist Carrie Kahn recently posed a poignant question to Israeli military officer Major Doron Spielman, reflecting the collective yearning for an alternative to escalating cycles of violence. Spielman's response, “If anyone has a better idea, I think we would love to hear it,” echoes the sentiments of many who have grown weary of the human cost of conflicts. Extensive peer-reviewed research and field-tests indicate that Invincible Defense Technology (IDT) is a transformative approach that can prevent and swiftly end conflicts.

By Krishna Bandyopadhyay, Rangta Munshi*  On Monday, the 29th of January 2024, at 6:45 p.m. in the evening, a peaceful assembly of citizens of India, at the Kolkata International Book Fair held at Karunamoyee, Salt Lake, was brutally attacked by police officers from Bidhan Nagar North P.S. acting at the behest of the Publishers and Booksellers Guild, and with the complicit involvement of superior police officers. Senior citizens were beaten to the ground, their glasses were destroyed.

Representation by Kirity Roy, Secretary, Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM) to the District Magistrate, North 24 Paraganas, West Bengal --- This is to bring to your notice the distressing state of health and family welfare as well as general infrastructure development in Gobra Village under Gobindapur Gram Panchayat, Swarupnagar Block, North 24 Paraganas District, West Bengal, situated on the Indo-Bangladesh border.

By Harasankar Adhikari  Subhas Chandra Bose, a great hero, a charismatic leader, a ‘patriot of patriots’ of mother India, and also a great socio-political thinker, developed a deeply religious and spiritual frame of mind. He was deeply in love with Hindu scriptures from his early childhood. His religious and spiritual tendencies were modified and strengthened by the teachings of Ramkrishna Paramahansa and Vivekananda.