Counterview Desk  Government formation should be followed with action on Jharkhandi issues: Statement by Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan*: *** Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan extends advance congratulations to the INDIA alliance government being formed today under the leadership of Chief Minister Hemant Soren. In this election, the people of Jharkhand have rejected the communal, divisive, and anti-Jharkhand politics of the BJP. This victory is a result of struggle of the Jharkhandis. Now, the INDIA alliance government, formed with a full majority, should begin working on its promises and state’s burning issues of the state, in accordance with Jhakhandi expectations, without hesitation. On the day of government formation, Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan is reminding it of some important promises and issues on which action should begin within six months. The government should start with an initiative to strengthen Jharkhandi unity and secularism against the BJP and RSS's attempts to divide society in the...

By Vikas Meshram  In "How China Escaped the Poverty Trap", Yuen Yuen Ang provides a compelling analysis of China’s rapid economic transformation over recent decades. Rather than focusing on specific policies or economic theories, Ang emphasizes China’s unique approach to development. She argues that China’s success in escaping poverty and achieving significant economic growth was not simply a result of adopting Western-style economic reforms, but of implementing a distinctly Chinese strategy that allowed local innovation within the bounds of central control.

By Harsh Thakor*  Winston Churchill, one of history’s most ruthless leaders, played a monumental role in leading Britain during World War II. This year, November 30th marks the 150th anniversary of his birth. Churchill remains a highly impactful figure, shaping the modern world through his actions and policies. Despite his controversial legacy, his perceptive vision and statesmanship left a lasting imprint.

By Bhabani Shankar Nayak*  The United States of America (USA) is often considered as the "Mecca of Capitalism." Its powerful military-industrial complex, supported by a defence budget of $841.4 billion, makes it one of the world’s most formidable military powers. The U.S. also leads one of the most powerful imperialist alliances, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Thanks to American people and their ingenuity in shaping scientific and technological advancements, putting the U.S. in a leading position among the world's nations. However, despite its economic power and scientific and technological progress, the benefits of this growth do not fully reach the average Americans. Capitalist development in the U.S. has come with widespread poverty. Even after centuries of unchallenged capitalist dominance, the U.S. and its system have failed to provide many citizens with the basic necessities for a dignified life.

By Syed Ali Mujtaba*    Human Rights Watch, a global body, has analyzed 173 campaign speeches made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Lok Sabha election in 2024. In at least 110 speeches, Modi made Islamophobic remarks intended to undermine the political opposition, which he said only promoted Muslim rights, and to foster fear among the majority Hindu community through disinformation, it said.

By Sudhansu R Das  The message of UP Chief Minister,  Yogi Adityanath, “batenge to katenge” was endorsed by RSS.  If the Hindus don’t remain united they will perish is what they want to communicate to people.   In fact, disunity and lack of quality leadership among any community always leads to underdevelopment, deprivation, mass sufferings and economic loss to the general public and to the nation.  Each and every Indian community should remain united and contribute to build a strong nation where they can live with pride.  A peace loving dove can’t survive amid a world which is turning wild and ogre day by day.  India being the oldest civilization should reweave different communities with “one India feeling” to protect its economy, culture and the precious community capital.  

By Dae-Han Song*  The United States is colonizing and militarizing Earth’s orbit, recruiting allies such as South Korea’s Yoon Suk Yeol administration. More specifically, the U.S. Space Force is creating a “swarm” of satellites that, when combined with AI, seeks to attain a god’s eye view across all domains of war. This proliferated warfighter space architecture (PWSA) of small low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites would allow the United States—in its Department of Defense’s words —“to sense, make sense, and act at all levels and phases of war, across all domains, and with partners, to deliver information advantage at the speed of relevance.” These actions have started an international arms race to space. In 2020, China applied to the United Nations International Telecommunication Union to launch its own LEO satellites.

By Harsh Thakor*  On the 75th anniversary of the Indian Constitution, it is crucial to reflect on its historical trajectory and current challenges. The Constitution, formally adopted on November 26, 1949, emerged during India’s transition from a colony to a semi-colonial, semi-feudal state. This framework retained power structures favoring princely states, landlords, and comprador bourgeoisie. Historian Suniti Kumar Ghosh argued that the Indian Constitution, shaped within the framework of British colonialism, was largely a product of the British Cabinet Mission’s directives, with its Constituent Assembly not elected by universal adult suffrage but through restrictive provincial legislative assemblies. The Constitution, while presenting itself as a democratic framework, has consistently served the ruling classes. Its provisions for fundamental rights have often been undermined, and state machinery has repeatedly repressed dissent. Laws like MISA and NSA were used to crush workers’ a...

By Samir Shukla* I share it each year…. as I want the realisation to sink in, especially to the young generation that has no memory of the great “emergency” of 1976.  My Whatsapp account is not exactly getting bombarded with images of the preamble of our constitution to celebrate its birth anniversary today, but as I do have some informed friends celebrating the day, I am forced to ponder over a few words there-in that were (probably intentionally) not written in the revered book by our founding fathers, and yet very few Indians are acknowledging what they actually mean for the nation.

By Vikas Meshram*  Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 election heralds historical changes and shifts. His election result points towards a "Red Shift," signifying the growing influence of the Republican Party. The defeat of the Democrats and Trump's re-election could have long-term implications on U.S. politics, as Trump’s ideology is rooted in a specific brand of nationalism and his "America First" policy. This approach entails a strict stance on foreign policy and immigration issues. With this victory, there is a likelihood of Trump and the Republican Party gaining substantial control over the legislative and executive branches. Consequently, several states, particularly swing states, may lean more toward the Republican Party. This evolving political direction could impact various U.S. policies, such as immigration policy, economic policy, and education and public policies.

By Kirity Roy*  The farmers of West Sahebganj, a West Bengal village situated within the Sahebganj Gram Panchayat in the Dinhata II Block, are facing grave challenges in cultivating their agricultural lands, particularly those located inside the barbed wire fencing along the Indo-Bangladesh border.

By NS Venkataraman*  It appears to be happening at regular intervals—one agency or another in the USA raises allegations against the Adani Group. Evidently, the Adani Group has become highly prominent in the global stock market and industrial arena due to its ability to identify project opportunities and execute them on strict schedules across various countries, successfully raising resources from investors worldwide. Some distant critics even speculate whether the Adani Group is overreaching or whether its ambitious investments and targets might lead to a bubble that could burst sooner or later.

By Neeraj Jain  The Economic Survey 2023–24 says that “Growth has been inclusive” and that “human development indicators have improved”. It cites data a Niti Aayog document released in early 2024 to claim that “24.82 crore people have escaped multidimensional poverty between 2013–14 and 2022–23.”[1]

By Vikas Meshram  In recent years, the Adani Group has emerged as a significant player on the global industrial stage. Under the leadership of Gautam Adani, the group has made remarkable strides in energy, infrastructure, port management, and various international projects. However, allegations of bribery leveled against the Adani Group by the U.S. Department of Justice have put the group, as well as India’s credibility, to a severe test.

By Bhabani Shankar Nayak  Asia’s wealthiest man, Gautam Adani, and his business conglomerate have been embroiled in numerous allegations of corporate scandals in recent times. From the Hindenburg Report to accusations of fraudulent business practices in the United States, these controversies point to a deeper nexus between business and politics. The allegations of fraudulent practices have expanded as rapidly as Adani's business empire. The meteoric rise in wealth of the so-called self-made billionaire is closely linked to the rise of Hindutva politics, starting with the consolidation of state power in Gujarat and extending to Delhi, where it came to control the union government.

By Joseph Bara*  Birsa Munda, a late nineteenth century Adivasi freedom fighter of Chhotanagpur, represents the Adivasi shade in the variegated freedom struggle of India. Highly adored today by the Indian nation, his stature as a national hero has grown phenomenally in the last few decades. He is unusually honoured by two memorials in the Parliament of India, and his birthday, 15 November, is observed by the Government of India as ‘Janajati Gaurav Diwas’.  The President and the Prime Minister of India spare time to visit his birth-place to pay him homage.

By Harsh Thakor*  "Storming the Gates of Heaven" by Amit Bhattacharya is a comprehensive study of the Indian Maoist movement. Bhattacharya examines the movement's evolution, drawing from numerous sources and showcasing his unwavering support for Charu Mazumdar's path and practice. The book, published in 2016, delves deeply into the movement's historical, social, and political dimensions.

By Bhabani Shankar Nayak  The political and moral foundation of liberalism as a movement originated as a critique of feudalism, religion, monarchy, and conservative traditions. Its primary aim was to ensure individual liberty, egalitarian democratic governance based on the consent of the people, and equality before the law. The struggles of working people and their revolutionary class struggles were instrumental in bringing these liberal and secular ideas to life. However, over time, ruling and non-ruling elites co-opted liberalism, aligning it with market democracy and transforming liberal society into a market-driven society. Such a transformation granted social legitimacy to capitalism, empowering its narrow and authoritarian market forces as well as reactionary social and political elements.

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  In October 1991, while sitting at Lokayat, Dr. Mulk Raj Anand’s residence in Delhi, I came across a compelling letter in The Hindustan Times. It spanned three columns, critiquing casteism in the media. The author was V.T. Rajashekar, editor of Dalit Voice. Intrigued, I noted his address and wrote to him. To my surprise, he responded with a few issues of Dalit Voice and a personal note. That marked the beginning of a lifelong connection with a man who profoundly shaped my intellectual journey.

By Bharat Dogra* In Bamauri village of Talbehat block (Lalitpur district of Uttar Pradesh) Maniram and his wife Shanti work in most difficult conditions to cultivate their small one hectare farm. The farm is located in such a remote place and so highly exposed to grazing by wild animals that few would persist with cultivating this land for long. 

Counterview Desk  Bandkam Shramik Sankalan Samiti comprising of three organizations -- Bandkam Mazdoor Sangathan, Majur Adhikar Manch and Bandhkam Mazdoor Vikas Sangh -- held a one day workshop titled, "Enhancing workers well-being: Impactful schemes and welfare board initiatives" in Ahmedabad on 21st November 2024.  A total of 52 participants attended the workshop, including government labour officers, project managers of the Gujarat Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, contractors, construction workers, trade union members and civil society organization leaders.   The workshop aimed at initiating a dialogue for the introduction of new welfare schemes for construction workers and further corrections in the existing welfare schemes. Recommendations based on the one-day workshop: *** 1. Pension scheme: Immediately start a pension plan for construction workers who have been registered in the welfare board since last three years. As per the BOCW Act, s...

By Susan Elizabeth Turek*  A decades-long study examining the risks of ultra-processed foods is corroborating what other studies have revealed: Processed meats and sugary drinks aren't doing our bodies any favors. What's happening? As detailed by the New York Times, around 73% of the food supply in the United States consists of ultra-processed foods, from soda and candy to yogurts and breakfast cereals. After monitoring more than 200,000 adults over roughly 30 years, adjusting for risk factors like family health history, sleep habits, and exercise, and combining their analysis with 19 other studies, researchers discovered a worrying connection to heart problems.

By Dut Singh*  On May 3, 2023, the Indian government announced its intention to grant the Meitei community "Scheduled Tribe" status. This designation provides access to certain government positions, university admissions, national welfare programs, and special rights. 

By Saurav Sarkar*  Bikram Singh is running out of time on his post-study work visa in Canada. Singh is one of about 70,000 migrants who were sold on the Canadian dream of eventually making the country their home but now face an uncertain future with their work permits set to expire by December 2024. They came from places like India, China, and the Philippines, and sold their land and belongings in their home countries, took out loans, or made other enormous commitments to get themselves to Canada.

Counterview Desk  Open letter by members of advocacy group Peoples’ Commission on Public Sector and Public Services (PCPSPS), endorsed by concerned citizens, to the President of India for upholding democratic integrity in the civil services: *** We believe that it is desirable to re-impose the recently revoked ban on the members of the senior civil service from being also formal members of the RSS. In support of our position we would like to bring to your notice the following: 1. The administration is led by the civil services personnel, to further the policies of the government of the day, provided these are consistent with the Constitution of the country, and have their basis in the law, and have the sanction by the legislature. In order to ensure these policies, programmes, measures, interpretations of the law (such as laying out the rules under various laws and provisions), forming and managing organisations for the pursuit of various goals including those of legitimate policy,...

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  It is an honor to speak at Jawahar Bhawan, a place dedicated to the iconic Jawaharlal Nehru, a man whose writings have left a profound impact on me. I would like to begin by quoting Nehru’s "Will":

By NS Venkataraman*  India is still reeling from the shock of the brutal rape and murder of a young lady doctor on duty in a Kolkata hospital by a drunkard at midnight. While police investigations are ongoing and protests have been staged by doctors across the country, two separate attacks on doctors in Chennai hospitals on consecutive days have raised concerns about the underlying issues contributing to such incidents.

By Harsh Thakor* On November 22, 2024, Sir Vivian Alexander Richards will mark 50 years since his Test debut against India in 1974. Richards, a batsman who epitomized ferocity, possessed an extraordinary eye, and treated a cricket ball like a football, dismantled the world’s best bowling attacks with unmatched aggression. With a swagger that exuded imperial dominance, Viv would stride onto the field with a grin that made his bat seem to smile.

By Meenakshi Ganguly*  On November 16, a mob in India’s Manipur state attempted to storm the home of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh and attacked properties of other ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders . The assailants were protesting the government’s failure to end ongoing ethnic violence in the state.

By Vikas  Meshram*  For the past 18 months, violence in Manipur has gripped the state, leaving it paralyzed. Ethnic tensions, social instability, and mutual distrust have disrupted life across the region. Ethnic violence erupted in Manipur on May 3, 2023, and since then, hundreds of people have lost their lives, while thousands have been displaced from their homes. The situation has worsened to such an extent that it threatens the very essence of life in the state.

Counterview Desk  Campaign Against State Repression statement condemning the banning of Moolwasi Bachao Manch: *** On 30th October 2024, the Home Ministry of Chhattisgarh has issued a circular which states that Moolwasi Bachao Manch is an unlawful, anti-development organisation and has been banned under the draconian Chhattisgarh Special Public Security Act (CSPSA), without citing any concrete reasons for the same.

Counterview Desk  Forum Against Corporatization And Militarization (FACAM)* statement condemning the ban imposed on the Moolwasi Bachao Manch: *** It has come to our attention that the Home Ministry of Chhattisgarh Government, via a circular dated 30 October 2024 has banned Moolwasi Bachao Manch, Bastar, stating it to be an unlawful and anti development organization. The ban has been initiated under section 3 of the draconian Chhattisgarh Special Public Security Act (CSPSA). This circular does not cite any concrete reasons for the same. Moolwasi Bachao Manch is a democratic mass organization of adivasi peasants in Bastar fighting against corporate loot and the subsequent militarization happening to serve the corporate loot. Moolwasi Bachao Manch was formed after a paramilitary camp was set up overnight on the intervening night of 13th May, 2021 and 4 adivasi people were killed by paramilitary personnel in the protest against the same on 17th May, 2021. Since then, Moolwasi Bachao M...