Defend Education: Scrap LOCF Now

ON August 20, 2025, the University Grants Commission (UGC) released the draft Learning Outcomes-based Curriculum Framework (LOCF) for anthropology, chemistry, commerce, economics, geography, home science, mathematics, physical education, and political science. In its public notice, the UGC stated that this draft was shaped in line with the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The BJP and organisations affiliated with the RSS were the only ones to welcome NEP 2020.

The Domestic Sphere in a New India

UNDER the present regime, when a myriad socio-economic and political challenges confront the people of India, developments in the "domestic sphere" are often put on the back burner in agendas of resistance. This allows those who are in power to hijack the concept of "nari shakti" and make claims of "women-led development" even as they keep intact an entirely regressive approach to women in the "domestic sphere".

Scientists Worldwide Demand International Intervention in Gaza

THE international petition on Gaza, published on September 4, and signed by more than 4,500 scientists, is unprecedented for many reasons. The signatories include some of the world’s most respected scientists and mathematicians, including fourteen Nobel laureates, five Fields Medallists, and twenty Breakthrough Prize winners. The petition states: “We are deeply distressed by the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. We find it unbearable that an artificial shortage of food appears to be leading to a famine like situation.

The Real Conspiracy behind the ‘Conspiracy’ of Delhi Riots

ON September 2, 2025, the Delhi High Court denied bail to former JNU student and activist Umar Khalid and eight others in a case related to the communal riots that took place in Delhi on February 23-26, 2020. This case is generally known as the ‘larger conspiracy case’ because it is concerned with an alleged conspiracy hatched by several activists to create a communal conflagration in the capital. These activists were involved in the widespread protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) brought in by the Modi government in 2019.

Riddles of Mr Bhagwat

IN a breathtaking display of doublespeak, RSS supremo Mohan Bhagwat devoted three days (August 26-28, 2025) to painting his organisation with a nationalist, liberal, inclusive and serene outlook that only wants India to lead the whole humanity into an era of peace and prosperity. The occasion was a lecture organised in New Delhi to mark the completion of 100 years of RSS next month.

In Search of a Multipolar World

THE Modi government has left no stone unturned in praising Trump – from "Namaste Trump" to "Howdy Modi." Not long ago, far-right Hindu groups celebrated Trump’s birthday and even performed rituals for his victory. But despite all the theatrics, Trump has imposed a 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods – the highest in Asia. This export duty, applied as "punishment" for buying cheap oil from Russia, will severely impact leather, textiles, IT, and agriculture sectors, risking millions of jobs. Yet, the so-called "56-inch chest" remains silent.

Collapsing Himalayas: Victims of Climate and Systemic Failure

THE Himalayas are in a state of emergency. Recent tragedies include: terrible floods in Punjab; sudden, massive downpours that destroyed areas in Kishtwar (Jammu & Kashmir) and wiped out the villages of Thunag, Dharampur, and Jhanjhali in Himachal Pradesh. The village of Dharali in Uttarakhand was also swept away by powerful, fast-moving mud-slush. These events, once considered freak acts of nature, are now terrifyingly routine.

Time India Stopped Being America’s Subordinate Ally

ONE should ironically thank Donald Trump for compelling the Modi government to undertake a long overdue course correction in India’s foreign policy. For nearly three decades – beginning with the Vajpayee government, to the Manmohan Singh government and then with accelerating speed during the Modi government – India was set on a course of becoming a subordinate ally of the United States.

Climate Disaster Relief Fund: Need of the Hour

INDIA experienced extreme weather events on 322 out of the 366 days in 2024, surpassing the 318 days in 2023 and 314 days in 2022. Nearly 88 per cent of the previous year saw extreme weather in one or more parts of the country, up from 87 per cent in 2023 and 86 per cent in 2022. These extreme weather events have resulted in severe human and economic losses, with 3,472 fatalities in 2024, up from 3,287 in 2023 and 3,026 in 2022 – an increase of 15 per cent in three years.

Savarkar – Myth and Reality

ON Independence Day this year, a social media post by the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas caused outrage and revulsion across the country. Under the title ‘Happy Independence Day’ it depicted four faces – V D Savarkar, Mahatma Gandhi, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and Shaheed Bhagat Singh. At the bottom was the slogan – ‘Freedom was their gift/Shaping the future is our mission’. The outrage was understandable.

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