Call for Fascistic Violence

EVEN two weeks after the hate-mongering dharma sansad in Haridwar on December 17 to 19, where calls were given to attack Muslims and eliminate them by mass murder, there has not been a single arrest. The first FIR lodged had only one name, that too of a Muslim who converted to Hinduism. Subsequently, after another FIR was filed, four more names were added including that of Yati Narsinghanand, the organiser of the event.On January 1, the Uttarakhand police had announced a special investigation team (SIT) to investigate the matter and the police officer-in-charge, when asked if arr

A Good Augury for the New Year: 2021 was a year full of travails but ended with a triumph

THE year gone by 2021, was a year full of travails but ended with a triumph for the people.The second Covid wave fueled by the Delta variant ravaged the people between March and May. The country was unprepared for this onslaught since Modi and his government had proclaimed victory over the virus in January itself. As a result of this false optimism, tens of thousands died, many of them unrecorded. The terrible sight of patients gasping for lack of oxygen and bodies floating down the Ganga were beamed all over the world.

Karnataka Bill: Attack on Religious Minorities

THE Karnataka anti-conversion bill passed by the legislative assembly is a direct attack on the rights of religious minorities and religious freedom.

Charade in the Name of Democracy

THE “Summit for Democracy” convened by US president, Joe Biden, on December 9-10 was ostensibly meant to strengthen democracy worldwide and to fend off the efforts by “autocrats” to undermine democracy.

AFSPA: Scrap this Atrocious Law

THE killing of 14 civilians in Mon, Nagaland by a special force of the Assam Rifles has brought into sharp relief the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), a lawless law that enables the security forces to act with impunity, which has led to atrocity after atrocity on the civilian population in the North-East. Eight young men, who were coal miners, were travelling in a van when they were ambushed by a special force, who were purportedly targeting armed insurgents. The killing of six of the miners led to protests by the local people, which resulted in eight more deaths due to firing b

BJP’s Contempt for Parliament

THE first day of the winter session of parliament revealed a great deal of what the Modi government’s attitude to parliament is – outright contempt for parliament and its democratic functioning.Contrary to what prime minister Modi had declared, at the outset, that the government is willing to discuss any issue and reply to any question raised by the opposition, the ruling party refused to allow any discussion on the repeal of the three farm laws and attendant issues.Just as the government had ran through the three farm laws in September 2020 without any proper discussion and scrutiny by the

Tripura: Farce of a Rigged Election

THE farce enacted in the name of municipal elections in Tripura has led to the BJP “winning” 329 of the 334 seats in the 20 urban local bodies, including the Agartala municipal corporation. Of these, 112 seats were won unopposed by which seven local bodies were captured without a contest. For the 13 other urban bodies, including the Agartala corporation, elections were held on November 25. What was witnessed was large-scale booth capturing, attacks on polling agents of opposition candidates and prevention of voters wanting to cast their vote. As a result, all 51 seats in the Agartala cor

A Victory of Wider Consequences

THE capitulation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in announcing the repeal of the three farm laws, is a historic victory for the united farmers’ struggle led by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM). It is a victory which has far wider consequences than just the nullification of a set of pro-corporate farm measures. First and foremost, the successful defence of the farmers’ right to livelihood through peasant-based agriculture is a setback to the neo-liberal agenda, which has been assiduously pursued by the Modi government.Secondly, the success of the farmers’ struggle is a blow against authorit

Adivasis and Rightwing Identity Politics

NARENDRA Modi, while addressing an adivasi rally at Bhopal on the birth anniversary of the legendary tribal leader Birsa Munda on November 15, claimed that after independence, for decades, the adivasis were neglected. It was only his government that made adivasis partners in the country’s development and beneficiaries of various welfare schemes.The anniversary also saw the Modi government make a big pitch to project its pro-tribal image.

BJP National Executive: Sycophantic Display

THE national executive meeting of the Bharatiya Janata Party was held on November 7. As it was being held after a gap of two years, there was interest to know how the ruling party at the centre assessed the political developments and the work done during the Covid-affected period. But if there were any persons who expected an objective review of the government’s work in this period and the policies adopted, they would have been sorely disappointed. The address of the president, the political resolution and Modi’s valedictory speech – all taken together show not an iota of a self-critical

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Peoples Democracy

Editorial