FOLLOWING the blast at a prayer meeting hall in Kalamassery, Kochi on October 29, there was an abrupt surge in hate campaign against the Muslim community. Social media handles associated with the Sangh Parivar extensively propagated the idea that the blast was orchestrated by Muslim organisations, suggesting increased surveillance of all members of that community.

AT the call of Left parties – CPI, CPI(M), and CPI(ML), hundreds of people gathered at Freedom Park in Bangalore to protest against the Israel’s bombing on Gaza killing thousands of Palestinians including women and children.Bangalore police had refused permission for the protest. But people gathered defying the police ban and proceeded to hold the demonstration. Police arrested the demonstrators and took them to City Armed Reserve (South) at Adugodi.

THE entire political spectrum of Kerala came together to convey their best wishes to the Communist stalwart V S Achuthanandan on his 100th birthday, which fell on October 20. V S Achuthanandan, a symbol of communist struggles and a shining star in the revolution's sky, received greetings from numerous prominent figures in the socio-political arena, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, and chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

ASHA workers, who essentially act as backbone of health structure in rural areas of the region, are compelled to work on paltry emoluments. The government has totally neglected them. They have been fighting for better remuneration over the last many years but to no avail, thus compelling them to resort to strikes and dharnas. Recently the workers were on protest in every district of Jammu and Kashmir.The senior officers of the health department including NHM officials met the delegations of respective ASHA workers unions.

THE Left and democratic parties held a rally in Lucknow on October 11, with the slogan ‘Save Constitution, Save Democracy’ and ‘Defeat BJP, Victory to INDIA Alliance.’ The core issues addressed during the rally included rising prices, unemployment, increasing atrocities against women, minorities, and dalits, the prevalence of bulldozer raj, and communalism.