THE first Indian Cultural Congress is to take place in Kochi on December 20-21-22, 2026. The larger idea behind it is that in a context where the forces of bigotry and authoritarianism have occupied positions of power and prominence, the cultural and artistic community needs to send out a message of hope and positivity, to assert values of secularism, peace, justice, and equality. The Indian Cultural Congress, by bringing together a large number of artists and cultural practitioners, will send out just such a message.

The RSS-BJP is walking down a new fascist path and there is a need to build a strong and united movement against this in the coming days, former Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar told a public meeting in the heart of Sonamura town on December 6.

When the state demands proof of a citizen's existence, the process becomes a bureaucratic hell of paperwork. The cost of this grand endeavour, meant to identify a few 'infiltrators', a fictional enemy, is not merely in crores of rupees — it is written on the coffins of the many who died. The stated objective was to catch infiltrators, but its result was the tragic death of ordinary citizens and election workers. Who is responsible for this? The one and only Election Commission of India.

THE 17th death anniversary of Comrade Harkishan Singh Surjeet was observed at his native village Bundala, Jalandhar. Paying tribute to Comrade Surjeet, M A Baby, General Secretary of CPI(M), remembered his relationship with him since his student life. He highlighted the contribution of Surjeet in building the workers’ and peasants’ movements in India. He also mentioned his role in the international communist movement, particularly after the demise of the Soviet Union in 1992.

TRIPURA State unit of All India Agricultural Workers Union (AIAWU) met in its 12^th state conference at Sonamura town, Sepahijala District on December 6-7, 2025. The conference called for escalation of mass contact, mobilising people on local issues and building up sustained united struggles with fraternal organisations to combat neo-fascism that the RSS-led BJP government has imposed throughout the country. A.