ON December 6, SAHMAT organised an event remembering one of the leading lights of the Left Movement in India, Comrade Sitaram Yechury. Held at Jawahar Bhawan, Delhi, the event saw intellectuals, students, Party whole-timers, peasant leaders as well as artists, coming together to pay tribute to Yechury. The event was unique in that, instead of focusing only on the more well-known facets of his life and political career, several little known and fascinating aspects of his, otherwise colourful life, were brought to light.

ELECTRICITY workers across India are intensifying their fight against privatisation initiatives by the Modi government, which are dismantling profitable public utilities under the guise of reforms. The Electricity Employees’ Federation of India (EEFI), in a statement issued on December 7, has pledged its unwavering support to the protests, extending nationwide solidarity to workers resisting privatisation in Chandigarh and Uttar Pradesh.On December 6, 2024, Chandigarh electricity workers staged a massive day-long dharna in front of the Chandigarh Electricity Department headquarters.

The Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala has staged a major protest on December 5, against the union government’s neglect of Kerala in the wake of the Wayanad tragedy. The protest included a march to Raj Bhavan and demonstrations at union government offices across district centres. The state government has proposed a rehabilitation scheme for Wayanad, designed as a township, and sought central assistance for its implementation. However, the union government has refused to declare it a national disaster, undermining the need for immediate support.

WHEN religion is mixed with politics in a country's mainstream political atmosphere, it poses a serious challenge to democratic environment, freedom of the press, and the security of minorities and human rights in general. This is as relevant to Bangladesh today as it is true for our country and our state. People's struggle against fundamentalism and authoritarianism is inseparable from their struggle for livelihood.

THE 18th State Conference of the Himachal state committee of the CPI(M) was held in Shimla from November 28-30, 2024. The conference began with a protest rally that focused on critical issues, including rising inflation, unemployment, and the unfulfilled promises of the central and state governments.The main speakers at the rally included Polit Bureau members Tapan Sen, Vijayaraghavan, and Subhashini Ali, along with CPI(M) state committee members Rakesh Singha, Kushal Bhardwaj, and Vijender Mehra.