THE recent years in India have witnessed a rapid capitalist transformation accompanied by a regressive feudal consciousness, emergence of identity politics and consolidation of caste panchayats in defence of status quo. The conflicts which arise due to these processes are most visible in the sphere of marriage practices and the basis on which social relationships are established.

AS the global financial crisis peaked in 2008, some countries, notably in Europe, introduced legislative changes that reduced the level of protection for workers. Against the backdrop of limited fiscal space and rising unemployment, these countries argued that such changes would help stimulate economic growth and job creation but a recent ILO study showed no link between less protection for workers and stronger growth.
DID IT WORK?

A NATIONAL Convention against centralisation, commercialisation and communalisation was held on July 28, in New Delhi. Five student organisations namely All India Democratic Students' Organisation, All  India Students Bloc, All India Students’ Federation, Progressive Democratic Students Union and Students’ Federation of India were part of the convention.

ON the 40th anniversary of emergency, the veteran BJP leader LK Advani remarked that though the political leadership of the country is mature, he was not confident that the country would not face an emergency like situation again. He further added that the forces who could crush democracy had become stronger. This comment has sparked off a debate on the nature of the current NDA-2 regime. In fact the events of the last few months have made it amply clear that this regime is unwilling to tolerate any criticism and is indeed hounding those who dare to oppose it.

EIGHT organisations of kisans, agricultural workers and rural artisans, at a joint meeting on 21ST July, decided to organise a “Campaign Fortnight” from 16TH to 31ST August throughout the country on the issues being faced by them. Joint meetings of cadres, mass meetings, seminars, torchlight processions and other programmes will be organised at block, taluk and district levels to draw the attention of public in general against the anti-people policies of the governments.