Editorial

Price Rise Adds to Economic Woes

THE Indian economy is in dire straits. The government has projected a growth rate of GDP of 5 per cent for 2019-20, a full 2 percentage points less than what was assumed in the budget presented in July 2019. The actual outcome may be worse, with the State Bank of India projecting a growth rate of 4.6 per cent. But the story of the Modi disaster on the economic front does not end here.

Grave Provocation against Iran

BY killing Iran’s top general, Qassem Soleimani, the US president Donald Trump has created a grave provocation which amounts to a declaration of war against Iran. Soleimani was the commander of the Quds force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. He was assassinated in a drone strike just when he was leaving Baghdad airport. Killed along with him was Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy commander of the Popular Mobilisation Forces, a Shia militia which is considered part of the Iraqi armed forces.

2020: Take the Struggle for Secular Democracy Forward

THE year 2019, which has ended, saw the imposition of a full-fledged Hindutva authoritarian regime in the country, a rapidly deteriorating economic situation and a continuing assault on the constitution and the democratic rights of citizens.  The end of the year witnessed a spontaneous and powerful protest movement in defence of the constitution and against the assaults on secular-democracy.

Authoritarianism Faces Rising Resistance

THE fortnight since the adoption of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill by parliament has been witness to one of the significant moments in recent political history in India. It has revealed two facets which are interrelated but opposite in nature.  The first facet is that the Modi government has emerged as a full-fledged authoritarian regime.  The second is that the widespread protests against the CAA and the NRC countrywide, have established the gathering resistance to the onslaughts on secular democracy and the constitution. 

Rising Opposition to CAA

THE latest assault on secularism and the constitution in the form of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) is meeting with strong opposition all over the country.  The entire Northeast, with Assam in the forefront, has erupted with mass protests.  Five young men were killed in police firing, curfew was imposed and internet shutdown.  But this has not prevented continuing protests by the people from all walks of life.

CAB: A Nefarious Design

THE Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 (CAB) has been passed by parliament despite strong opposition to it both within and outside parliament.  The CAB is a dangerous legislation which runs contrary to the basic principles of the constitution. The provisions of the bill undermine the secular concept of citizenship enshrined in the constitution.  Article 14 states that the State shall not deny to any person equality before the law or equal protection of the law within the territory of India.

CAB: A Nefarious Design

THE Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 (CAB) has been passed by parliament despite strong opposition to it both within and outside parliament.  The CAB is a dangerous legislation which runs contrary to the basic principles of the constitution. The provisions of the bill undermine the secular concept of citizenship enshrined in the constitution.  Article 14 states that the State shall not deny to any person equality before the law or equal protection of the law within the territory of India.

Tackling Crimes against Women

THE gang rape and murder of a 27-year old woman, a veterinary doctor, on the outskirts of Hyderabad has once again starkly highlighted the violence women are facing in their everyday lives.  The bestiality and cruelty of the crime has evoked outrage and protests all over the country.

That this is not an isolated event becomes clear when we see similar horrific crimes committed in the days preceding and after the Hyderabad incident. 

Electoral Bonds: Danger to Democracy

IF there was any further proof needed about the toxic nature of electoral bonds, it has been provided by the revelation that both the Reserve Bank of India and the Election Commission had strongly objected to the proposal. 

The Huffington Post has carried reports based on RTI queries that set out the objections raised by the RBI and the Election Commission and how the government summarily rejected their views and even lied about the Election Commission’s comments in Parliament.

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