Prime Minister’s Independence Day Speech: Talking & Walking in Opposite Directions

INDIA’S new prime minister Narendra Modi’s maiden speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the occasion of our Independence Day evoked appreciation from the traditional drumbeaters of the RSS/BJP and a widespread adulation from the growing tribe of `fresh converts’ – including some erstwhile pretentious secular liberals – who seem to be bending over backwards to earn brownie points in the race for some official patronage or appointments to share the spoils of office.

Continuing Assault on Scientific Temper

Akin to a seed cast on the Earth, a word planted in the heart will bear fruit someday. – From A Word Planted in The Heart, Devanur MahadevaTHE high economic growth seeking polity in India today is highly submissive and cooperative towards casteist, communal, obscurantist and occult traditions. This is reflected yet again in the recent incidents of malicious attacks on a science activist and an academic in Karnataka.

CTUs to Hold National Protest Convention

ALL central trade unions, including CITU, have decided to hold a national convention of workers in Delhi in the first week of September, in protest against the onslaught on the working class by the Narendra Modi government through its move to amend various fundamental labour laws.The central trade unions -- CITU, AITUC, INTUC, BMS and HMS -- at a meeting on August 7 vehemently opposed both the unilateral path taken by the central government, totally ignoring the central trade unions, and dangerous anti-labour contents of the amendments.The central trade unions (CTUs) said the amendments –

The Week in Parliament

ON August 6, minister of state for corporate affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman presented India’s stand at the WTO. Speaking on the clarification on the statement given by the minister, Sitaram Yechury pointed out that since 1994, CPI(M) has been consistently opposing the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade saying that this is detrimental to our country’s interest and now according to the minister’s statement it has proved to be correct. The clarification pertains to Para 8.

Ad-hocism in the Decisions to Modify Labour Laws

Beginning with Rajasthan, labour legislations are being modified and it seems to have the blessings of the new dispensation at the centre. The government of India too has announced its decision to amend important legislations and has called for public comments. But ad-hoc changes as planned do little for the working class, while ensuring that employers do not attract the ire of the law.

The Founders of the CPI(M) Chronicle of Nine Inspiring Lives

“AUR Bhi Gam Hain Zaamane Mein Mohabbat Ke Siwa” (There are other pains in the world than those of love), wrote Faiz Ahmed Faiz after reading the Communist Manifesto.N Rama Krishnan’s book The Founders of the CPI(M) depicts the lives of nine dedicated individuals who took to their heart those pains and sufferings and braved all adversities and tumults in their fight to build a party for the working class and the toiling masses.

LABOUR LAW AMENDMENTS: An Onslaught on Workers’ Rights & Livelihood

THE BJP led NDA government at the centre has initiated a hectic move to amend several important labour laws in favour of the employers, soon after coming to power. Several state governments have also initiated such measures.

DYFI Rajasthan Holds State Conference

THE 13th State Conference of the Rajasthan state DYFI was held at Gharshana, Sri Ganga Nagar from August 3-5, 2014. The conference was attended by 110 delegates representing 77,146 members in the state.
On August 3, a huge rally marking the beginning of the conference passed through various thoroughfares of the city and reached the venue of the public conference. M B Rajesh, president of DYFI and MP, inaugurated the public meeting. Amra Ram, MLA and other DYFI leaders spoke at the public meeting.

AIDWA Condemns BJP's Blatant Lies in Meerut Case

THE All India Democratic Womens Association in a statement issued on August 9, 2014 has strongly condemned the blatant lies and half-truths being spread by the BJP and Sangh Parivar about the case registered by a young woman in Meerut alleging gang-rape and conversion. They are exploiting her distress to create communal conflict and hatred. An AIDWA delegation comprising of Subhashini Ali (vice-president) Reeja Jayaprasad and Akhila Singh (CEC members) visited the young woman on August 8 and also met the family members who were with her at the hospital.

Food Insecurity and Trade Hallucination

THE financial press, across the globe, continues to castigate India for the collapse of the recent WTO negotiations in Geneva. Given the huge misinformation campaign, much of which has been echoed by the capitalist press in India, it is necessary to nail the lies, canards and half-truths that are being peddled every day.

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