THE failed terror attack on the strategically located Indian Air Force base in Pathankot on January 2 was an obvious attempt to derail the dialogue process between India and Pakistan. Around the same time, there was an attempt to storm the Indian consulate in the Afghan city of Mazhar-i-Sharif. Prompt action by Afghan security forces foiled that attempt. Afghan security officials have said that the militants who tried to storm the consulate were well trained and highly motivated.

GUWAHATI, the capital city of poll-bound Assam, witnessed a massive and inspiring rally on February 21 on the call of CPI(M) Assam State Committee. The sprawling and picturesque bank of the mighty Brahmaputra River, where the rally was held, turned red and was crowded by about fifteen thousand people who came from different corners of the state. It was an inspiring spectacle of the fighting unity of the toiling and democratic people irrespective of language, religion and caste in a state which is otherwise plagued by activities of divisive and communal forces.

EVERY time a session of Parliament is about to begin, the ruling dispensation and the gangs protected by it come up with fabricated incidents and diversionary tactics to muzzle the debate on people’s genuine issues. The method behind this madness is coming to the fore day by day, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said speaking at a rally held in Kolhapur, Maharashtra on February 20, commemorating the first anniversary of Govind Pansare’s martyrdom.

ROHITH Vemula's mother, Radhika, was at a candlelight vigil at India Gate demanding justice for the 26-year-old at the same time that Smriti Irani was giving her response to the Lok Sabha debate on the young student's  death.Radhika Vemula was picked up and taken to a police station in the heart of the capital when Smriti Irani was telling parliament how condemnable it was that a "child was being used as a political tool".Watching Smriti Irani's performance, I recalled a grieving mother's words, the words of Radhika: "I want to meet Smriti Irani and ask her 'On what basis did you declare my

THE agitation which started for reservation for Jats went out of control and took such a violent shape that it caused a large scale destruction in the state. Major parts of the state witnessed a situation, continuously for four days, as if the administration and the government are nonexistent. All the areas became hostage to the trouble creators. The total loss of life and property cannot be assessed properly at this point of time.