THE rampant criminalisation of politics in Bengal during the decade-long Trinamool regime has vitiated both social and political life. The BJP's recent attempts to first communalise the atmosphere and then exploit the resulting turmoil have further degraded law and order. Alarming levels of crimes against women have been reported. Recurrent outbreaks of mob violence, whether mass-mediated or otherwise, are clear indications that the general public has little to no confidence in law enforcement agencies.

ON February 24, 2023, the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court issued a controversial judgment, quashing the appointment of trained non-brahmin priests at the Arulmigu Subramanya Swamy Temple in Srirangam taluk, Trichy. The ruling, delivered by Justice GR Swaminathan, has sparked outrage and protests among people from all walks of life.CPI(M) has pointed out that in the present day, the role of the priest is not limited to brahmins alone. Anyone who has received the necessary training, knowledge, and government certification can serve as a priest, regardless of their caste.

CITU strongly condemns the total indifference of the Modi government to the growing distress of the people. The Modi government is not allowing discussions on people’s burning issues in parliament. It has not allowed discussion in parliament on the Hindenburg report that exposed the stock manipulation of Adani group and the demand to constitute JPC to probe the issue. All the wings of the State including the ED, CBI, Income Tax department, police etc are used to intimidate voices of opposition to its policies. Parliamentary norms and principles are violated.

FOLLOWING the scrutiny of all applications and the deadline for the withdrawal of nominations on April 24, the picture of the contest is now clear. The battle lines have been drawn for the upcoming election, which is likely to have significant political implications not just for the state, but for the entire country. With only two weeks remaining until election day, the final electoral battle has begun with full vigour.In Puttur, located in the coastal Dakshina Kannada district, the main contest is between the BJP and Hindutva!

THE 132nd birth anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar was yet again celebrated by the Delhi unit of the Dalit Shoshan Mutki Manch (DSMM) on Parliament Street on April 14 with cultural and political programmes highlighting his ideas of equality and social justice.The cultural fest on the Parliament Street began with songs by Ratan Gambhir. The songs talked about the need for unity of the working class and dalits, warning them against the agenda of hatred and division pursued by the Hindutva forces.