Richard Lewontin, Dialectical Biologist & Activist Dies at 92

LAST week, Richard Lewontin, a dialectical biologist, Marxist and activist died at the age of 92, just three days after Mary Jane, his wife of more than 70 years had passed away. He was one of the founders of modern biology that brought together three different disciplines -- statistics, molecular biology and evolutionary biology -- together what today marks the discipline. In doing so, he also battled not only crude racism masquerading as science, but also what science really is.

J&K: CPI (M) delegation meets Delimitation Commission

A CPI (M) DELEGATION led by its secretary, Ghulam Nabi Malik on July 6, called on the visiting Delimitation Commission in Srinagar and presented its viewpoint on delimitation exercise in Jammu and Kashmir.The delegation reiterated CPI (M) stand that whatever happened on August 5, 2019, is unacceptable. Along with revocation of the special status of the erstwhile state that day, J&K Reorganisation Act-2019 was also passed under which a historic state was downsized and bifurcated.

Afghanistan: India in an Unenviable Position

THE situation on the ground in Afghanistan is changing fast. With the US troop withdrawal more or less complete, the last few weeks have seen the Taliban advancing all across the country. The Taliban have claimed that 85 per cent of the territory is now under their control.

Public Meeting against Central Vista Re-development Project

“INDIA needs hospitals and not the central vista, more houses for the poor and not a mansion for the PM,” these were the strong pronouncements that reverberated in a public meeting held on July 10, 2021, in Maharashtra Sadan at Delhi.The meeting was called by a group called ‘Central Vista Virodhi Bharat’ originating from Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Privatisation of Defence Production Sector: Nationwide Protest on July 23

THE joint platform of Central Trade Unions (CTU) and Sectoral Independent Federations and Associations, in its meeting held on July 8, reiterated its support to the defence production employees, protesting the central government's policies to privatise defence production sector and ordnance factories network.The CTUs noted with concern that, simultaneously, a substantial part of the defence-related production is being outsourced to the private sector, both indigenous and foreign, permitting 100 per cent FDI.

UP Population Control Bill: A Draconian Proposal

ON July 11, World Population Day, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Adityanath, released the UP Population Policy 2021-2022. This policy approach which has been further reflected in the draft legislation on population control stresses on coercive measures. In addition, the policy approach mentions the need to bring “balance between communities”. Although this issue of “balance” is not mentioned in the proposed bill, it betrays the communal approach of the government. The UP policy seeks to resurrect retrograde Malthusian frameworks which were challenged and buried decades ago.

Why a Union Cooperative Ministry?

THE creation of a separate ministry for cooperation at the centre with Amit Shah as the first cooperation minister of India raises a number of uneasy questions with respect to country’s federal structure and development of cooperatives. Cooperatives is a state subject as per Schedule 7 of the constitution. So far cooperatives have been under the regulatory control of registrar of cooperatives of different states. There are a few hundred multi state cooperatives (MSCs) in existence. But the numbers are too small to warrant a separate ministry at the centre.

Anganwadi Workers Observe Demands Day

THOUSANDS of anganwadi workers and helpers from 21 states came out on streets observing “All India Demands Day’ on July 12, at the call of the All India Federation of Anganwadi Workers and Helpers (AIFAWH). The AIFAWH observes Demands Day every year on July 10, but it being the second Saturday this year, therefore was observed on July 12.The workers demanded safety gear, insurance and risk allowance for Covid- 19 duty. They also demanded the government to stop exclusion of beneficiaries and harassment of the workers in the name of digitisation and through ‘Poshan Tracker’ mobile App.

Withdraw Draconian Ordinance Banning Strike by Defence Employees

ELAMARAM Kareem, Rajya Sabha member of the CPI(M) criticised the union government for issuing an ordinance banning the employees engaged in essential defence services from taking part in any agitation or strike. He said that the ordinance was passed in an attempt to thwart the indefinite strike by the employees of the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) on July 26.He wrote to Rajnath Singh, the union defense minister on July 3, seeking withdrawal of the ordinance, and said that there is widespread protest from all sections of the society against this ordinance.

TELANGANA: Left Parties Protest Fuel Price Hike

HUNDREDS of Left party workers took part in a dharna at Basheerbagh, Hyderabad, on June 19, protesting the steep rise in prices of petrol, diesel, gas and other essential goods. Amidst the rising Covid-19 cases in the state and the lockdown restrictions, the protestors came in hundreds indicating the mounting discontent against the government policy.Slogans were raised slamming the Modi government for mounting burdens on the common man. Dharnas were also organised in all district headquarters.

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