By Bhaskaran Raman* Tyagu (name changed), a vegetable vendor recalls of his brother’s death in 2021. The victim had a normal fever, but was forcibly taken away to the hospital saying that it was Covid. He had been coerced into taking the Covid-19 “vaccines” by that time. After 10 days in hospital, he died. There was no proper information during his hospital stay, and no one was allowed to visit, saying that visitors could also get Covid.

By A Representative  In the wake of a tragic incident where a Rottweiler mauled a four-month-old baby girl to death in Ahmedabad,  PETA India has renewed its appeal to the Gujarat government to ban aggressive foreign dog breeds. The animal rights group has written to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Chief Secretary Pankaj Joshi, urging the state to prohibit the breeding, sale, and keeping of dog breeds bred for fighting and aggression.

By A Representative  A serious allegation of human rights violation has emerged from the border village of Tarali under Swarupnagar Police Station in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district. Human rights organization Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM) has filed a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), alleging that personnel from the 143 Battalion of the Border Security Force (BSF) brutally assaulted a Dalit civilian, Mr. Ranjit Ballav, on the night of 15 April 2025.

By Syed Ali Mujtaba*   The global halal economy is experiencing unprecedented growth, with projections estimating its worth at $12 trillion by 2030. Over the past nine years, the industry has expanded at a remarkable pace, says Mohamed Jinna, founder and director of Halal India, a private limited company.  

By N.S. Venkataraman*  During an Earth Day event on 22nd April 2025, the Union Road Transport and Highways Minister highlighted that agriculture’s contribution to India’s GDP has declined to 14% over the years. This observation underscores the urgent need for a national dialogue on revitalizing the agricultural sector through eco-friendly and holistic methods to enhance its GDP contribution.  

- રાજુ સોલંકી  અમદાવાદના કાલુપુર રેલવે સ્ટેશનથી રીલીફ રોડ પર આગળ વધો. આશરે પાંચસો મીટર ચાલતાં ચાર રસ્તા આવે છે. ડાબી બાજુનો રસ્તો પાંચકૂવા થઈને ખાડીયાની તરફ જાય છે, જ્યારે જમણી બાજુ કાલુપુર દરવાજા તરફ જતા રસ્તામાં મસ્કતી માર્કેટ આવેલું છે.

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  The recent India-Pakistan ceasefire is not just a military or diplomatic development—it is a reminder of how deeply geopolitical interests, especially those of the Anglo-American power bloc, continue to shape South Asia. For decades, I have maintained that Pakistan was carved out as a vassal state, a strategic asset for the West. And true to form, the West always comes running when Islamabad calls.

By Vikas Meshram  According to a study by the National Institute of Hydrology, the accelerating pace of development in India is likely to intensify the water crisis, potentially leading to conflicts among states. Over the past 40–50 years, water usage has increased dramatically. For the past decade, per capita water demand has ranged from 100 to 120 liters daily and is expected to rise to 125 liters by 2025. The total demand has now exceeded 790 billion liters.

By Bharat Dogra  An unjust aspect of rural society in India that often goes unnoticed is the discrimination faced by widows. Although as far as the legal position is concerned they have completely equal social rights and in fact any discrimination against them would be illegal, yet the weight of tradition hangs heavy in many villages and what happens in actual practice goes more by tradition.

By A Representative  The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) has raised serious concerns over the Indian government’s deportation of 40 Rohingya refugees, alleging the process was illegal, inhumane, and violated both domestic and international laws. In a statement , the organization claims the refugees, registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) India, were detained in Delhi and abandoned in international waters near the Myanmar-Thailand border.

By Bharat Dogra    The domination of the US dollar as the international reserve currency has become an increasingly controversial issue. There are five key aspects of this controversy that deserve attention.  

By A Representative  Envision Energy, a global green technology company, in partnership with earthday.org , unveiled India’s first race car made entirely from electronic waste at an event held at The Radio Club, Mumbai. Named Recover-E, the vehicle is the second of its kind globally, following the original Recover-E car launched at the 2023 London e-Prix by Envision Racing and designer Liam Hopkin.

By A Representative  A recent article by noted academic Prof. Hemantkumar Shah is likely to spark fresh debate over Mahatma Gandhi’s controversial role during the Second Boer War (1899–1902) in South Africa. Writing in Gujarati, Shah explores how Gandhi—still years away from becoming the "Mahatma"—chose to support the British Empire over the Dutch-descended Boer republics, despite personally sympathizing with the Boers’ struggle for freedom.

By A Representative   In a detailed letter addressed to Sri Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary (Power), Government of India, Shankar Sharma, a noted Power & Climate Policy Analyst, has raised critical concerns regarding the environmental and economic implications of Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs) in India. The letter, copied to key dignitaries including the Prime Minister, Union Ministers for Power, New & Renewable Energy, and Finance, as well as the Vice-Chairperson of NITI Aayog, references a recent High-Level Brainstorming Session on PSPs held in New Delhi, as reported by the Press Information Bureau (PIB).

By Bharat Dogra The slogan of MAGA (Make America Great Again) has played a very important role in the political discourse of the USA during the last decade or so. Although it has been closely associated with the election and other campaigns of Donald Trump, a very similar slogan was earlier used also by Ronald Reagan. 

By Dr Mansee Bal Bhargava*  Smart enough to build rockets. Dumb enough to destroy our planet.   --Prof Brian Cox The Op-Sindoor conflict, initiated following the Pahalgam massacre and followed by a ceasefire, has significant social, ecological, economic, and political implications. This analysis examines the costs borne by society and the environment, as well as the benefits accrued by specific sectors, to provide an objective overview of the conflict’s impact.

- एक प्रतिनिधि   जागृत आदिवासी दलित संगठन के बैनर तले बड़वानी (म.प्र.) में हजारों आदिवासियों ने “कागज़ –केवाईसी की मार बंद करो! राशन, रोजगार, शिक्षा पेंशन पर वार बंद करो!” के नारे के साथ रैली और आम सभा का आयोजन किया। आदिवासियों पर लंबे समय से हो रही कागजी कार्यवाही की समस्याओं को लेकर प्रधान मंत्री श्री नरेंद्र मोदी और मुख्यमंत्री श्री मोहन यादव के नाम ज्ञापन सौंपा गया। इसके अलावा जिले के विधायक श्री राजन मंडलोई और श्री बाला बच्चन को भी ज्ञापन दिया गया।  

By Dr Palla Trinadha Rao  India is home to over 104 million tribal people (2011 Census), constituting about 8.6% of the country’s population. Despite various constitutional safeguards and welfare programs, tribal communities continue to face persistent health inequities. Andhra Pradesh, with its significant tribal population living in Fifth Schedule and sub-plan areas, reflects these broader trends while also presenting unique regional challenges.

By Rosamma Thomas*  On April 9, 2025, The Hindu newspaper carried an editorial page article , ‘The gradual transformation of the Home Ministry’ by Abhishek M Chaudhari of the Harvard Kennedy School. “Ministries tend to excel in responding to crises….this approach only addresses immediate threats without securing long-term solutions,” the scholar pontificated, noting that the Union Home Ministry had “transformed itself, moving from crisis response to building a structured security architecture.” The website Fair Observer has a biographical sketch of this author, an electrical engineer who has now taken to public policy. He is described as having over a decade’s experience at the confluence of government, political party organization, think tanks and media. This is an author to watch out for, he might just offer glowing accounts in future too of ministries that have failed disastrously and caused needless suffering and death. We know now, because on April 22, 2025, just days after th...

By Shamsul Islam*  It demands serious academic inquiry: why has the mass-based, anti-two-nation movement led by Allah Bakhsh among Indian Muslims been buried in historical silence? The answer lies in the convenience it offered both British colonial rulers and communal nationalists—Hindu and Muslim alike. These forces, then and now, have seen India as a land inherently fractured by religion. Tragically, the secular Indian state—whose own National Anthem includes the word “Sind”—chose to forget this remarkable legacy of unity, secularism, and inclusive nationalism.

By Harsh Thakor*   The ceasefire announced by India and Pakistan, effective from 5 PM on May 10, brought an abrupt halt to the cross-border missile and drone exchanges that had escalated since May 7. Reports indicated that India targeted nine locations in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Punjab, citing the need to strike places allegedly used for training individuals responsible for the Pahalgam tourist attack. While both governments have faced accusations of ceasefire violations, they have publicly committed to honoring the agreement.  

By N.S. Venkataraman*  Since assuming office as President of the United States for a second term, Donald Trump has become a focal point for media houses worldwide.  Rarely does a day pass without him making a statement or comment on various issues—many of which surprise not only Americans but also governments and citizens across the globe.  

By Bhabani Shankar Nayak  Liberals and their conservative Churchillian allies continue to celebrate bourgeois democracy and its electoral rituals as a great equaliser, claiming it ensures representation for all, regardless of background. However, the voices of the working class are routinely marginalised in electoral processes crafted to sustain bourgeois democracy—a system in which capital and markets are free, while labour is confined within the open-air prison of limited participation, reduced to casting a vote in elections where both the exploited and the exploiters appear as equals. This political equality does not translate into equal shareholders of democratic state and government as equal citizens.  This political equality does not translate into equal ownership of the democratic state or equal standing as citizens in terms of availability and accessibility to power and resources. 

- राज कुमार सिन्हा*  मध्यप्रदेश सरकार द्वारा नेशनल ग्रीन ट्रिब्यूनल (एनजीटी) को दिए गए हलफनामे में बताया है कि 5.46 लाख हेक्टेयर वन भूमि पर लोगों ने कब्जा कर रखा है। एनजीटी ने वन भूमि पर अतिक्रमण का स्वत: संज्ञान लेते हुए सभी राज्यों व केंद्र शासित प्रदेशों से ये जानकारी मांगी थी।वन विभाग के वार्षिक प्रशासकीय प्रतिवेदन 2020- 21 में बताया गया है कि 1980 से 1990 के बीच 1.19 लाख हेक्टेयर वन भूमि पर अतिक्रमण पर अतिक्रमण है। इसके बाद 1991- 2000, 2001- 2010 और 2011- 2020 बीच अतिक्रमण नहीं हुआ है।

By Dr. Mansee Bal Bhargava*  In the aftermath of a war and subsequent ceasefire in 2025, Operation Sindoor has emerged as a focal point of national discourse, not only for its military objectives but also for its symbolic framing. The operation, named after a traditional marker of Hindu marital identity, and the prominent roles of Colonel Sofiya Qureshi of the Indian Army and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh of the Indian Air Force in its media briefings, have been widely celebrated as a step toward gender inclusivity. 

By A Representative  A coalition of over 10 feminist organizations and approximately 1,000 individuals from India and Pakistan have issued a statement calling for immediate de-escalation, diplomatic engagement, and justice in response to the recent rise in hostilities between the two nations.  

By Sandeep Pandey*   Following the tragic terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives, the Indian government launched retaliatory strikes on nine terrorist bases located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK). These actions triggered a full-scale war between India and Pakistan, fueling hysteria and fear on both sides of the border. 

By A Representative  In response to the April 22 terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, which left 26 civilians dead, Indian security forces carried out air strikes on May 7 targeting nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), believed to be camps of militant groups Lashkar-e-Taiba, Hizbul Mujahideen, and Jaish-e-Mohammad. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated that the attacks killed at least 100 militants.

By Bhabani Shankar Nayak  The feudal foundations, British colonial legacies, American imperialist support aimed at containing China and India, and Chinese geopolitical ambitions continue to form the lifeblood of the Pakistani armed forces. The Pakistan Army not only controls the nation’s resources and dominates democratic politics but also undermines the conditions necessary for peace and prosperity. The people of Pakistan suffer under the unchecked power of the military and its politics of terror, which threaten both regional stability and global peace. The Pakistani army’s nuclear blackmail makes it a lethal force that keeps peace in chains for the sake of its own survival.

- राम पुनियानी  कश्मीर के बैसरन में 26 सैलानियों को बेरहमी से क़त्ल कर दिया गया और कई अन्य घायल हुए. इस त्रासदी को उसे शब्दों में बयां नहीं किया जा सकता. यह दावा किया गया है कि हत्यारे आतंकवादी पाकिस्तान की लश्कर-ए-तैयबा से जुड़े संगठन ‘द रेसिसटेंस फोर्स‘ के थे. इस संगठन ने इस कायरतापूर्ण हमले की जिम्मेदारी भी ली है. हमलावरों ने लोगों का धर्म पूछा और फिर बेरहमी से उन्हें अपनी गोलियों का निशाना बनाया. मरने वालों में सैयद आदिल शाह नामक व्यक्ति भी था जो पर्यटकों को घोड़ों पर बिठाकर सैर करवाता था.

By Vikas Meshram  Every nation has had great personalities who have given humanity new direction and played a leading role in its social, economic, educational, cultural, and political development. Among these towering figures stands Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. In many countries, marginalized, underprivileged, and socially excluded communities draw inspiration from his life and work. His birth anniversary is celebrated in nearly 150 countries. Recently, the Mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, officially declared April 14 as "Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Day," to be celebrated annually.

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  The 80th anniversary of Victory Day at Red Square in Moscow was more than just a military spectacle. It was a statement—an assertion that despite Western narratives of isolation and economic decline, Russia commands global respect. The presence of over 30 heads of state, including leaders from China, Egypt, Vietnam, Brazil, and various Latin American, African, and European nations, underscored the reality of a shifting world order. The era of unipolar dominance is waning, and Russia stands poised as a pillar of the emerging multipolar global structure.

By Harsh Thakor  In several regions of India, particularly in tribal-dominated areas such as Bastar, the state has deployed military and paramilitary forces in efforts to contain Maoist insurgency and facilitate infrastructure and resource-based development. This militarisation has led to concerns over human rights violations and displacement of indigenous communities. In response, local resistance has taken both non-violent and armed forms, with Maoist groups asserting they are defending tribal populations from state and corporate aggression. Civil rights activists and organisations have raised alarms over the arrests of individuals who have pursued constitutional methods of protest. The use of stringent laws such as the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) has drawn criticism for potentially suppressing dissent and criminalising civil society engagement in conflict zones. The state’s repeated calls for Maoists to lay down arms are presented as a step toward peace. However,...

By A Representative   As the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA78) of the World Health Organization (WHO) approaches in late May 2025, the SHE & Rights (Sexual Health with Equity & Rights) initiative, hosted by the Global Center for Health Diplomacy and Inclusion (CeHDI) and CNS, alongside partners IPPF, ARROW, APCAT Media, and WGNRR, held a critical media briefing. 

By N.S. Venkataraman*   When twenty-six innocent tourists were killed by terrorists at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir after being identified as followers of the Hindu religion, the entire nation felt deep pain.  

By Bharat Dogra  After days of rising tension and dangerous escalation, the people of India, Pakistan, and the broader South Asian region breathed a collective sigh of relief when both nations announced a complete ceasefire from 5:00 PM (IST) on Saturday, May 10.

By Vishwas Bhamburkar*  Ceasefire = Peace? When India and Pakistan announced their ceasefire, my phone lit up—as expected. The headlines screamed “peace,” but the undercurrents hummed a different tune—grittier, more calculated, and far from altruistic.

By Arundhati Dhuru, Saeeda Diep,  Sandeep Pandey  On 22 April, the attack on tourists in Pahalgam was carried out by the terrorist organisation The Resistance Front. In the early hours of 7 May, Indian security forces launched strikes on nine sites believed to be camps of Lashkar-e-Taiba, Hizbul Mujahideen, and Jaish-e-Mohammad. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh claimed that at least 100 terrorists were killed. These strikes have been followed by counter-offensives and attempted or foiled attacks from both sides. The number of civilians being killed is now adding to the 26 who lost their lives on 22 April. It remains to be seen when this chain reaction will end. By then, many more civilian lives will likely be lost on both sides.

By Bharat Dogra   The announcement of a ceasefire between India and Pakistan is a welcome and much-needed development. It offers a crucial pause in a region fraught with volatility, where even a minor escalation could spiral into catastrophic consequences. But while this temporary calm brings relief, it should also serve as a stark reminder of what remains at stake.

By A Representative  The Campaign Against State Repression (CASR) has strongly condemned the recent arrests of Kashmiri journalist Hilal Mir and independent journalist Rejaz M. Sheeba Sydeek, calling it a blatant violation of press freedom and democratic rights in India. Hilal Mir, a journalist associated with multiple Kashmir-based English newspapers and the Turkey-based TRT World, was detained over social media posts documenting the demolition of civilian homes in Kashmir. Authorities have alleged that his reporting spreads anti-state sentiments and secessionist ideology. Mir has faced repeated threats and harassment, including raids, as part of a broader crackdown on independent journalism in Jammu and Kashmir.

By Prem Singh  The rebellion of 1857 had spread over a vast area of the Indian subcontinent, but its main focus was the Hindi heartland. The effect of the rebellion on Hindi literature, therefore, is expected to be considerable. The first four novels in Hindi were written by authors residing in Delhi and the surrounding areas. Gauridutt, the author of Devrani Jethani Ki Kahani (1870), was from Meerut. Ishwari Prasad and Kalyan Rai, the authors of Vama Shikshak (1872), were also from Meerut. The author of Bhagyawati (1877), Sradha Ram Phillory, came from Punjab, and the author of Parikshaguru (1882), Lala Sriniwas Das, lived in Delhi. 

By A Representative  Amidst World Migratory Bird Day, May 10, 2025, a crucial conservation effort is underway in the wetlands of Villupuram district, Tamil Nadu, offering a beacon of hope for avian visitors. Social enterprise Grow-Trees.com is planting 10,000 trees in the region as part of its "Trees for Migratory Birds™" initiative, aiming to bolster the rapidly declining wetland habitats vital for these long-distance travelers.

By Shamsul Islam*  Large sections of Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs unitedly challenged the greatest imperialist power, Britain, during India’s First War of Independence, which began on May 10, 1857, a Sunday. On May 11, revolutionaries declared India free of the British East India Company’s rule and proclaimed Bahadur Shah Zafar as the Mughal Emperor. This extraordinary unity unnerved the British, who realized that their continued rule in India depended on dividing Hindus and Muslims, the two largest religious communities. Urgent steps were taken to foster enmity between them. After crushing the rebellion militarily, Lord Charles Wood, the then Secretary of State for India, confessed in London:  

By A Representative  Global human rights groups, indigenous activists, and civil society organizations have issued a joint international statement condemning the intensifying violence by Indian state forces against the Indigenous Adivasi communities of Bastar, Chhattisgarh. The statement, which was launched for global endorsement in November 2024 and updated monthly through April 2025, accuses the Indian government of severe human rights violations in the name of counterinsurgency operations.

By Bhabani Shankar Nayak*  At the stroke of midnight on August 14–15, 1947, British colonial rule came to an end, and India gained its long-awaited independence—albeit a fragmented one—with the creation of two nations: India and Pakistan. The partition of India, rooted in the two-nation theory and driven by reactionary religious forces, was enabled and brought to fruition by British colonial powers before their departure. The culturally diverse population of Hindus, Muslims, and other religious communities had coexisted in harmony for centuries.  

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  This op-ed delves into a complex and highly charged geopolitical issue. To craft a compelling and well-structured piece, it's essential to ensure clarity, logical flow, and a strong narrative voice. Here’s an  These are turbulent times, and rational discourse often struggles to find its place amidst war cries. Yet, certain realities must be acknowledged. Since its inception, Pakistan has grappled with a powerful deep state—one that has dictated its political trajectory, preventing the country from evolving into a true democracy. Today, this deep state manifests through the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the military, which wield unchecked power, unmaking and remaking governments at will.

By Harsh Thakor*     On May 8th in Barnala, Punjab, Lok Morcha Punjab and Inquilabi Kendra Punjab organized a gathering and protest opposing the use of the Pahalgam incident by the Modi government for political ends.  Protesters voiced opposition through slogans such as "Stop the war waged in the name of revenge" and "Stop using the Pahalgam incident for political motives."  

By Bharat Dogra  The killing of 26 tourists in Pahalgam has caused great distress to people all over India extending for a long time. Now imagine the distress being caused every day at world-level when on average over 1000 persons are killed every day in wars, civil wars and terror strikes.

By Ram Puniyani*  In the lead-up to the 2024 elections, Rahul Gandhi emerged as a vocal proponent of a caste census, a demand that found support among many opposition leaders. Congress-ruled states and even NDA-governed Bihar undertook the exercise, making caste enumeration a significant factor in the opposition's partial resurgence from political obscurity.

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  Born into the Dalit Ravidas community, locally known as Robidas or Rabidas (Charmakar), Shipon Kumar Rabidas has worked tirelessly since 2008 to protect the rights of Dalits and indigenous plains people in Bangladesh. Speaking with conviction, he addresses the discrimination faced by his community. Shipon overcame significant challenges growing up in rural Bangladesh, where caste prejudices persist. 

By Bharat Dogra  South Asia, with just 3% of the world’s land area but home to over 2 billion people, holds nearly 25% of the global population. This makes it one of the most densely populated regions on Earth. While the global average population density is about 60 people per square kilometre, South Asia’s is approximately 303—over five times higher.

By Gajanan Khergamker  The recent Indian military strikes on Pakistan, dubbed Operation Sindoor, have sparked a storm of international media coverage. Several prominent outlets have portrayed India as the aggressor in the escalating conflict, raising concerns over biased reporting. This commentary critiques coverage by foreign media outlets such as The New York Times , Reuters, BBC, and CNN, which have often been accused of framing India’s actions as escalatory while downplaying or omitting critical context regarding Pakistan’s role in fostering terrorism. By examining historical patterns and current geopolitical dynamics, this analysis highlights the recurring selective framing, omission of evidence, and a tendency to favor narratives aligned with Western geopolitical interests over factual nuance.