By Rosamma Thomas*  Even as fisherfolk in Kerala are in protest mode, Prof A Biju Kumar of the Department of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, University of Kerala produced a succinct 21-page report detailing the possible impact of offshore sea sand mining on marine biodiversity and coastal livelihoods and demonstrating how independent academia might influence policy.

By Fr Cedric Prakash SJ*  February will always be a painful month for some particularly the Jafri family: on 28 February 2002, Ehsan Jafri, a former Member of Parliament and an authentic and much-loved citizen of secular India was murdered; on 1 February 2025, his wife Zakiaben was called to her eternal reward.

By Ram Puniyani  The economic plight of minorities, particularly Muslims, has been a deeply concerning issue for those who strive for equality and justice in society. If we examine the origins of the Muslim community in India, aside from the spread of Islam through Arab traders in the 7th century AD along the Malabar Coast, the majority of conversions occurred among victims of caste oppression, who were also economically deprived.

By A Representative  Karwan-e-Mohabbat hosted a solemn commemoration ceremony at the India Islamic Cultural Centre, marking five years since the tragic events of February 2020 in Delhi. The gathering included survivors and victim families, seeking justice and accountability for the violence.

By Bhabani Shankar Nayak  Hindutva politics has consolidated its base and risen to power by co-opting mass movements against neoliberal capitalism, presenting nationalist Gandhian socialism as an alternative. However, after assuming power, Hindutva-led governments under Vajpayee and Modi have relentlessly pursued neoliberal policies, betraying the public mandate against the post-1991 economic framework. Betrayal remains at the core of Hindutva politics—it manipulates the working class, pitting them against each other in the name of religion and nationalism to weaken mass movements against neoliberal capitalism. The populist politics and propaganda of Hindutva forces have successfully diverted mass attention from the crisis of neoliberal capitalism in India by establishing various mass organizations among the working people. As a result, even certain sections of the most marginalized communities have been drawn into Hindutva politics. However, the deepening economic crisis and the s...

By Harsh Thakor*  For fifty years, Gulab Kaur’s name was forgotten in her village, Bakshiwala. A black-and-white photo displayed at the Kisan Sabha’s 1973 conference sparked an exploration into the life of a woman the villagers had never known. This led to the rediscovery of an iconic figure—an underground member of the Ghadar Party during India’s freedom movement, whose contributions had been largely erased from history.

By Shiran Illanperuma  On 17 February 2025, Sri Lanka’s Anura Kumara Dissanayake delivered his maiden budget speech. Dissanayake, who is both president and finance minister, stated that the budget was based on principles of productive growth, active public engagement, and equitable distribution.

By Dr Mansee Bal Bhargava  I could see two deeply interlinked aspects between human and water in #MahaKumbh2025. Firstly, the HOPE that a ‘holy dip’ in the River Ganga (colloquially referred as dubki and spiritually as ‘Snan’) will cleanse oneself (especially the sins); and secondly, the TRUST that the water is pure to perform the cleansing alias living the hope. Well, I consider hope to be self-dependent while, trust is a multi-party dependent situation. The focus here is on the trust and I shall write later on hope.

By Harsh Thakor*  Everton Weekes, the short and stocky Barbadian batsman, evoked comparisons to Don Bradman. While Bradman's genius was often described as methodical, Weekes possessed a mercurial brilliance all his own. Cricket history boasts few trios as impactful as the Three Ws – Frank Worrell, Everton Weekes, and Clyde Walcott. These Barbadian batsmen dominated the game from the late 1940s to the late 50s, ushering in a new era for West Indies cricket. Their combined influence was undeniable, exemplified by their role in the West Indies' first Test victory at Lord's in 1950. Between them, they amassed 1,106 runs in that series, nearly half of the West Indies' total of 2,313. 

By A Representative  A new draft notification from the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC), meant to address conflict of interest in regulatory decision-making on genetically modified organisms (GMOs), has come under fire from activists, scientists, and concerned citizens. Critics argue that the proposed amendments fail to meaningfully address the Supreme Court's directive to prevent conflicts of interest in India's GMO regulatory system.

By A Representative  Hundreds of informal workers from across India gathered at Jantar Mantar today to mark the culmination of the All India Shramik Samman Yatra, a month-long movement organized by the Working People’s Coalition (WPC). The Yatra, which started on January 24, traveled through various states, mobilizing workers and raising awareness about their demands.

By Raj Kumar Sinha*  Approximately 71.22 percent of India's electricity is generated from coal-based thermal power plants. The total installed capacity of 180 thermal power plants in the country is 212 gigawatts (1 gigawatt = 1000 megawatts), which is to be increased to 260 gigawatts by 2030. According to ground reporter Shishir Agarwal, 2,918,265 million tonnes of coal were used for electricity generation from April 2023 to 2024. During this period, 1,167,308 tonnes of fly ash and bottom ash were produced. Out of this, 578,388 million tonnes of ash have been utilized.

By Bhabani Shankar Nayak  Suicide is a moral indictment of contemporary capitalist society, which has failed to create dignified conditions viable for human life. The brutality of alienation, discrimination, exploitation, and inequality in various forms drives people to take their own lives. Women are alienated from their own bodies and labour under patriarchal capitalism, where they are controlled in every sphere of their lives. 

By Vikas Meshram  Climate change is considered one of the most serious global crises of our time. The increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters such as rising temperatures, unseasonal rainfall, wildfires, floods, droughts, and cyclones are evident. India is among the countries most affected by climate change. According to the Climate Risk Index published by Germanwatch, India was the seventh most affected country in the world in 2019. That year, climate-related disasters claimed the lives of 2,267 people and caused an economic loss of ₹5,01,659 crore.

By Bharat Dogra  The recent confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary, USA, has been widely welcomed by several campaigners who had been pleading for protecting children in particular and people in general from several high-risk exposures, including to several hazardous substances and technologies. As someone who has read several of these campaign articles and the research papers published in prestigious papers on which these were based, I can assert with confidence that a lot of solid evidence has been presented to support the assertions made or serious questions raised regarding hazardous products and technologies. Despite this, the campaigns got a lot of unjustified criticism, at least some of which emanated directly or indirectly from the promoters of hazardous products and technologies.

By A Representative  The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) has strongly condemned the actions of the U.S. government for subjecting Indian deportees to inhumane and degrading treatment by handcuffing and shackling them while transporting them back to India, violating international human rights standards. PUCL also criticized the Indian government for its failure to demand that the U.S. government cease the use of handcuffs and shackles and comply with international human rights norms, including the Convention Against Torture (CAT), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), and rulings by the Supreme Court of India.

By A Representative   A grave humanitarian and security crisis has emerged in Ranghat village, located in Bagdah Block, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, as residents face continuous threats from cross-border criminals and restrictions imposed by the Border Security Force (BSF). The Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM) has formally petitioned the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), seeking urgent intervention to address human rights violations, socio-economic isolation, and security vulnerabilities affecting nearly 3,000 residents.

By A Representative   The Campaign Against State Repression (CASR) has issued a strong condemnation of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for what it describes as the "intimidation and harassment" of political activists, particularly Vinay, in connection with the so-called 'Lucknow Conspiracy Case'. The organization has called for the quashing of FIR No. RC-01/2023/NIA/Lucknow, which it claims is being used to target activists across northern India.

By Raj Kumar Sinha*  Modern trade and business have now rapidly begun to engulf natural resources. Forests, which according to the definition given by the Supreme Court, only need to be recorded as such, are being handed over to private companies. The government of Madhya Pradesh, a state with abundant forests, has gradually started the process of handing over forests to private entities. Currently, the Madhya Pradesh government has again planned to hand over degraded forest land for afforestation under the Green Credit program to private investors, which will also include the right for investors to sell 50 percent of minor forest produce.

By A Representative   The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), Rajasthan, has strongly condemned the impending demolition drive in Vijayanagar, Beawar district, calling it a blatant attempt to sidestep legal procedures and communalize a sensitive issue. The organization has urged the Rajasthan Police and local administration to act in accordance with the law and Supreme Court guidelines.

By Bharat Dogra  Probably the most ecologically sensitive area in India, also known for its great cultural and spiritual heritage, is the Uttarkashi-Gangotri area near the origin of the Ganga River in the Himalayas. This is also close to the Gaumukh glacier. It is of the highest importance to protect trees and other precious vegetation and herbs of this area. 

By Yanis Iqbal*  As news broke of openly gay imam and LGBTQ rights activist Muhsin Hendricks’ assassination , Muslim conservatives worldwide found themselves in a peculiar dilemma: how to celebrate the outcome while pretending they had absolutely nothing to do with it. “Of course, we don’t support violence,” said Sheikh Abu-No-Homo, stroking his magnificently dyed beard. “But, you know, when you spend your whole life normalizing the idea that being gay is a crime against God, sometimes, uh, people take that seriously. Oopsie-daisy.”

By A Representative  In a significant victory for environmental activists and local communities, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private lending arm of the World Bank, has decided not to invest in the proposed $40 million funding for waste-to-energy (WTE) incineration plants in Gujarat, India. The decision comes after strong opposition from civil society organizations, which highlighted concerns over pollution, health risks, and violations of sustainable waste management practices.

By Ram Puniyani*  “Hindu Society is the Nation’s Responsible Core—Sangh seeks to unite Hindu society, as it is the Hindu society… that carries the responsibility of the nation.” — Mohan Bhagwat, Indian Express, Mumbai Edition, Feb 17, 2025. These are the words of Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of the RSS, while addressing RSS workers in Bardhaman, West Bengal. He further stated that “Hindus are those who embody India’s characteristics and keep its diverse population united.”

By N.S. Venkataraman*  If there were a discussion on the art of living, many people would enthusiastically participate and listen to the views of experts. On the other hand, if there were a discussion on the art of dying, very few people would listen. The reality is that no one likes the word "death" and everyone tries to avoid thinking about it. When a close relative or friend passes away, mourners and loved ones feel sad. However, they believe their own end is not imminent. Nevertheless, in their subconscious minds, the fear of death persists.

By A Representative  The Constitutional Conduct Group (CCG), a collective of retired civil servants and diplomats, has issued an open letter to Justice B.R. Gavai of the Supreme Court of India, expressing deep concern over his recent remarks on homelessness.

By A Representative  The Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM), a prominent human rights organization, has urgently appealed to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to address the severe human rights violations and security crisis faced by the residents of Kashipur village in North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal. In a detailed letter to the NHRC Chairperson, MASUM highlighted the dire living conditions of the 42 families (comprising 164 individuals) trapped between border fencing and the international border with Bangladesh.

By Harasankar Adhikari  "Kavi" is one of the famous novels by Sri Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay, a leading Bengali novelist. Published in 1944, this renowned work reflects the socio-cultural and political dynamics of contemporary society. Bandyopadhyay’s writings critically examine themes of nationalism, patriotism, and human relationships, offering profound insights into the future of society, culture, and politics.  

By Harsh Thakor*  Dharmendra was one of Bollywood's most legendary figures, known for his generosity and integrity. Affectionately called ‘Papaji,’ he secured a permanent place among Bollywood greats, embodying the spirit of a marathon man. His journey into cinema is a compelling story—rising from a farmer’s background to breaking into the industry as the son of a village schoolteacher. His entry into Bollywood is the stuff of legend.

By Harsh Thakor*  Saleem Malik, born on April 16, 1963, was one of the most aesthetically pleasing and arguably one of the greatest Pakistani batsmen of the 1980s and 90s.  It's a tragedy that his brilliant career is often overshadowed by match-fixing allegations rather than the flair and finesse that defined his batting. Batting Style David Gower once described Malik's delicate stroke-making as "batting with velvet gloves."  He was a joy to watch at the crease, a combative player who could deliver scintillating displays of strokeplay, crafting batting classics. Malik effortlessly dispatched straight balls past cover-point, whipped deliveries through midwicket with street-smart craft, hit sixes over point, and guided the ball with equal virtuosity in the 'V.' Even his more adventurous strokes were executed with finesse and precision. A master of handling the swinging ball, Malik's batting was a blend of technique, talent, and tenacity.  He frequently rose ...

By Sudhansu R Das  People of Odisha face long grueling summer months starting from mid February and extending up to October end. The long summer adversely affects the productivity of people, causes deaths and diseases; it has a negative impact on agriculture, tourism and on the unorganized sector. The social, economic and cultural life in the state gets disturbed due to grueling summer heat. 

By Vikas Meshram*  For the past 21 months, the northeastern state of Manipur has been suffering from ethnic violence. President’s Rule has now been imposed in the state, marking the eleventh time since 1951. This situation arose after Chief Minister N. Biren Singh submitted his resignation. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) failed to elect a new leader within the given time frame, and no assembly session was convened in the past six months.

By Bharat Dogra  India has many significant development and welfare programs some of which have won international appreciation for what they aspire to achieve. However the achievement of most of these programs has been much below their potential. There are two reasons for this. One of these relates to poor implementation and utilization of fund due to inefficiency and corruption. 

  By Rajiv Shah  An explanation regarding a major reason said to have led to the defeat of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi is said to be the alleged failure of its government, which ruled the state for three terms, to clean up the heavily polluted Yamuna. However, a  detailed article  by Bhim Singh Rawat, a Yamuna activist and member of the NGO South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers, and People (SANDRP), wonders, with the BJP now in power in Delhi, "can the people of Delhi now hope for a clean, flowing Yamuna?" Titled "Can the people of Delhi now hope for a clean, flowing Yamuna?", the article recalls how, during the Delhi Assembly election campaign, Yamuna river pollution became a major political issue. After winning the elections, the Prime Minister and senior BJP leaders blamed the AAP government’s defeat partly on the poor state of the Yamuna. They also promised to clean the river. Offering what he calls a "scientific perspective," Rawat explains that t...

By Bharat Dogra  Bundelkhand region in Central India, comprising 14 districts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, has often been in the news due to water scarcity but at the same time it should be emphasized that this region has important assets and strengths which if tapped properly can end this scarcity. However the solutions must be based on several specific features of the region and a lot can be learnt from traditional wisdom of conserving water and collecting water, particularly in tanks. A significant number of such tanks go back about a thousand years to the times of Chandela kings.

By Harsh Thakor*  The Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) has organized a large-scale protest at Jeond village in Bathinda district, Punjab, to oppose corporate control over agricultural lands. The rally, attended by various associations representing farmers, farm workers, and government employees, was addressed by BKU president Joginder Singh Ugrahan, who emphasized the grave threat posed by corporate monopolization of the state’s farmland.

By A Representative  The Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM) has filed a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) alleging severe human rights violations by the Border Security Force (BSF) against residents of Purba Panchberia village in North 24 Parganas district.  MASUM claims the BSF's actions have turned the village into a "modern-day serfdom," depriving residents of fundamental rights and freedoms.

By Harasankar Adhikari*  Rabindranath Tagore once remarked that “the modern Indian looks to the government for aid in everything.” This aid-based democratic politics has only intensified over time, even after 75 years of independence. Is this what we call “the conceit of the largest democracy”? Populism, as a political phenomenon, is paradoxical—it is both inherently authoritarian and inherently democratizing. It is democratizing in the sense that its attempts to create a singular people out of society’s endless heterogeneity never fully succeed. Yet, the very effort to construct such unity defines the political articulation of social identities.

By Saurav Sarkar  In another demonstration that the fight for LGBTQ rights in India goes far beyond marriage, a dispute in a Reliance Fresh supermarket in the posh South Kolkata neighbourhood of Jodhpur Park suddenly assumed a sinister character on 11 February. What started as an argument over a place in line became a mob assault outside the store. Members of Sappho for Equality who were initially involved or arrived to assist were verbally, physically, and sexually assaulted. Sappho is a Kolkata-based organisation for lesbians, bisexual women, and trans men that runs a nearby cafe.

By A Representative A young environmental activist leading the fight to save Delhi's Dwarka forest was allegedly assaulted in a hit-and-run incident, and local police have refused to file a First Information Report (FIR), according to a joint press release by the National Alliance for Climate and Ecological Justice (NACEJ) and the Delhi chapter of the National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM).

By Bharat Dogra  On February 13 in reply to a question raised in the Parliament (Lok Sabha) the government replied that there are 226 accident prone spots on highways in Himachal Pradesh and there are 200 such spots in Jammu and Kashmir. 

By Harsh Thakor*  February 18, 2025, marks the 55th anniversary of the death of Arikkad Varghese, who was killed in what is considered the first recorded encounter killing in Kerala. Varghese was an activist who played a significant role in the peasant struggles of Wayanad, advocating against feudal exploitation. His involvement in the Naxalite movement made him a target of state repression.

By Raj Kumar Sinha*  The central government is changing or trying to change laws related to forest conservation, wildlife protection, environmental protection, biodiversity, and mining. The changes being made to such laws are having a devastating impact on the lives of tribals and forest dwellers. Special provisions have been made in the Constitution to protect the rights of tribals and forest dwellers. The democratic governance system of forests established in the Forest Rights Act 2006 and the PESA Act 1996 is under serious threat due to the legal changes being made by the current government.

By Lathamala*   Dear Bapu, No one can kill you. You are the soul of this nation and the life breath of its people. The one who walked the talk. You are the hermit that walked the length and breadth of this country, in your loin cloth, armed with your stick, shaking the sloth off people.

By Ram Puniyani*  Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, citing new research on pre-modern history, stated that archaeologists have concluded that the Iron Age first began in Tamil Nadu. According to this research, iron smelting was introduced in Tamil Nadu 5,300 years ago, with precise dating indicating its first use in the region around 3345 BCE. Stalin emphasized the significance of this finding for understanding the historical timeline of the Indian subcontinent. He proudly declared, “I’m constantly saying that the history of India will be written from Tamil Nadu,” underscoring the potential of this research to reshape historical narratives. But how relevant is such a discovery to the present day?

By Harsh Thakor*  Dhurva Narayan, a prominent leader from Bihar and a Central Committee member of the former PCC, CPI (ML) as well as the newly merged CPI (ML)-MassLine, passed away on February 12, 2025. He was an influential figure in the Indian Communist revolutionary movement for over five decades, known for his role in opposing Hindutva politics and globalization. Narayan was committed to fostering unity within Communist ranks and advocating against opportunism and sectarianism.

By Gajanan Khergamker  As the sun rises over the Triveni Sangam, its golden rays glisten on the rippling waters where thousands of devotees, draped in saffron and white, take their sacred dips. The Maha Kumbh Mela is not just an event; it is a grand confluence of faith, tradition, and spirituality. Millions flock to Prayagraj with devotion in their hearts, hoping to cleanse their sins in the holy waters. But alongside the piety and grandeur of this ancient festival lurks an age-old reality—where faith becomes a business and trust, a commodity.

By Bharat Dogra  Vimla Bahuguna, who dedicated herself at a very young age to leading her life in accordance with Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings of serving people, breathed her last at her home in Dehradun on February 14. She was 92. She leaves behind her daughter Madhu Pathak and sons Rajeev and Pradeep. Her husband, the famous environmentalist Sunderlal Bahuguna, had died in 2021 at the age of 94.

Counterview Desk  Text of the open letter by Harsh Mander to Supreme Court Justice BR Gavai in response to the latter's description of homeless people as “parasites” seeking “freebies” in a hearing on 12 February: --- It is with respect but utmost dismay I feel compelled to respond to your remarks while hearing the civil writ petitions pertaining to provision of adequate shelter facilities to homeless persons, on 12 February 2025.   And since this concerns the lives (and possible deaths) of masses of our most destitute and dispossessed citizens in cities and towns across the country, I feel persuaded to place this letter in the public domain.