WITH the Daesh (Islamic State) in retreat and the Syrian army and allied militias advancing all over Syria to recapture national territory, the Americans and their proxy forces have also started redoubling their efforts to foil Syrian reunification. The Syrian army, supported by the Russian air force is advancing towards Raqqa, the “capital” of the self proclaimed Islamic State. Mosul has been declared a liberated city in the second week of July by the Iraqi prime minister, Haider al Abadi. The city has been reduced to rubble with thousands killed and tens of thousands more made homeless.

TENS of thousands of people marched in Kolkata on July 12 strongly denouncing communal forces and hailing the state’s legacy of harmony.  The huge rally once again expressed the determination to thwart the attempts of communal polarisation in West Bengal.West Bengal has witnessed communal tension and polarisation, sporadic clashes in recent times. These incidents, a rarity for almost four decades, have haunted the atmosphere of the state. The most recent disturbances took place in some parts of North 24 Parganas, including Baduria, Basirhat.

INDIA’S livestock economy is among the biggest in the world. A ban on cow slaughter would either result in more and more unproductive animals being killed in most unscientific and cruel ways or would entail such a high cost for maintaining unproductive animals that cattle rearing would cease to be a profitable enterprise for farm households.

A CONVENTION on ‘the Soviet Revolution and Effects of Neoliberalisation’ was organised in Gaya in Bihar on July 9. CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Prakash Karat addressed the convention at the Hasrat Mohani Auditorium. He spoke on the background of the Russian revolution and its successes in the fields of education, food distribution, health care and eradication of unemployment. He explained how this socialist revolution heralded a new era in the history of mankind, by giving equal rights to women in society.

With the pressure exerted by the activities of the KVPS and Mahabharatha Hakkula Porata Committee, the district administration was forced to intervene and ensure that dalits are allowed participation in the conduct of Mahabharat festival. The district collector and superintendent of police had conducted many parlays with the upper caste people and the dalits that ultimately forced the upper castes to concede to the demands of the dalits.THIS is a saga of struggle for self respect by dalits, near the abode of the wealthiest Hindu God in the world.