Europe has twisted itself into knots. It has ended up weaponising its own barbaric past to shelter the barbaric present.

‘NAZI’ – Europe’s lasting contribution to political language – remains the prime ascription of evil in political critique. While the vast criminality implied means its usage is usually an excess, Europe’s range of behaviour since October 7 last year has placed it, plausibly, within touching distance of its wartime notoriety.

THE climate summit COP29 at Baku, Azerbaijan, once again demonstrated the dominance of global capitalism led by the US over the international negotiations process under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to regulate greenhouse gas (GHG), especially carbon dioxide, emissions and bring under control resultant climate changes. These are already posing large-scale threats to people and ecosystems and are now on the brink of possibly irreversible changes and even greater dangers ahead.

WHEN religion is mixed with politics in a country's mainstream political atmosphere, it poses a serious challenge to democratic environment, freedom of the press, and the security of minorities and human rights in general. This is as relevant to Bangladesh today as it is true for our country and our state. People's struggle against fundamentalism and authoritarianism is inseparable from their struggle for livelihood.

IN the aftermath of the massive Delhi Kooch/Delhi March by farmers of Greater NOIDA on December 2, 2024, the Uttar Pradesh government authorities had assured that the chief secretary would meet the farmers and address their concerns. On the basis of that assurance, the Joint Struggle Committee had decided to hold a peaceful dharna at the spot without disrupting traffic.

THE continuous attacks on Hindus and other minorities like Buddhists in Bangladesh are causing widespread concern. Consequent to the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government in the first week of August after a mass movement, it was expected that the end of her authoritarian rule would usher in a more democratic system in Bangladesh. However, in the chaos of the first few days, reports of attacks on some Hindu temples and houses of the minority community emerged across the country.