Unscrupulous Politics in Kerala

THE gold smuggling case in Kerala is being used by the Congress-led UDF and the BJP to tarnish the image of the LDF government and a joint effort to destabiliSe the government headed by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.The Congress and the UDF have demanded the resignation of the chief minister and have launched a “struggle” to achieve the same. The BJP is also conducting protests with the same demand.

Deception on Poverty

THERE is much self-congratulatory back-slapping among governments, the World Bank officials and many economists about the “decline in poverty” that is supposed to have occurred between 1990 and the onset of the recent pandemic. This decline is claimed on the basis of an International Poverty Line (IPL) of $ 1.90 a day (at 2011 Purchasing Power Parity) worked out by the Bank, which basically defines poverty across the world as lack of access over one day to the bundle of goods that $1.90 would have bought in the US in 2011.How ridiculously low this figure is can be gauged from two facts.

Black-flag Demos against the Nefarious Plans to Deny BSNL of 4G Technology

THE employees and officers of BSNL, organised black-flag demonstrations throughout the country on July 16, 2020, protesting against the cancellation of BSNL’s tender to procure 4G equipments. Day-long black-badge wearing was also done by the employees and officers on that day.The All Unions and Associations of BSNL (AUAB), the umbrella organisation of all the major trade unions and officers’ associations, organised these programmes. Lockdown, prohibition under section 144 and other severe restrictions are imposed throughout the country, to contain the spread of Covid-19 pandemic.

BIHAR: Hold Free and Fair Elections: Actual and Not Virtual!

THE recent explosion of cases of coronavirus in Bihar is threatening the lives and livelihood of common people. The Bihar government has declared the lockdown for the entire month of July as the daily count of infected people is growing by leaps and bounds. Rich and elites, politicians and bureaucrats infected with the deadly virus are rushing to AIIMS at Patna as the other medical colleges and hospitals are ill equipped to treat the Covid-19 patients.

AIFAWH ‘Lalkar Diwas’: Anganwadi Workers Challenge Modi Govt

A CRUCIAL section of Covid-19 frontline workers – all women and ill-treated all through – has been fighting the dual dangers of the pandemic and the increased hunger and malnutrition due to the lockdown. Not even considered as “workers” by the government, Anganwadi workers and helpers, ASHA workers and Mid-day Meal workers have been risking their lives as they worked to alleviate the sufferings of the people during the pandemic as India’s ruling class is busy toppling governments, selling off the country’s assets and sovereignty.

Regressive Proposals Defeated; Struggle Far From Over

COMING from a nondescript village in rural Chhattisgarh, poverty and destitution forced Shakeel in his early twenties to migrate to Delhi. Though not having much of an education to claim, when in December 2016 the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (RPD Act) was passed, Shakeel was ecstatic. A person afflicted by polio early in life, he was subjected to ridicule and abuse because of his impaired mobility.

KERALA: Organisational Work in Times of Covid-19 Pandemic

THE Covid-19 pandemic has severely disrupted normal life around the world. It has posed several challenges to the activities of working-class movements in India too. The government formulated the Covid-19 protocol, outlining the restrictions that are to be followed by the people, to check the spread of the contagion. Physical distancing between individuals, use of face mask, frequent use of sanitiser and soap are major components of the protocol.The increasing number of reported cases reinforces the importance of the Covid-19 protocol.

TRIPURA: Left Parties Observe Protest Day

HUGE response of the people across the state was witnessed as the five Left parties observed protest day on July 7 in Tripura. CPI(M), CPI, CPI (ML-Liberation), RSP and Forward Bloc had given the call on six-point charter of demands.

TN: Caste-based Atrocities Continue Unabated in Tamil Nadu

THE COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant lockdown virtually brought life to a standstill but, sadly, there has been no halt in caste-based discrimination and atrocities in Tamil Nadu. Attacks against members of the Scheduled Caste (SC) and the Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities are, in fact, increasing day by day.

The Hindrance to a New Deal Today

WHAT had been only a suggestion by several prescient members of the capitalist establishment till now, has become official policy, at least in Britain where Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced that his government will undertake public investment to stimulate the economy, as FD Roosevelt had done under the New Deal in the 1930s in the US. In fact, Johnson specifically referred to Roosevelt’s New Deal, and expressed his intention of increasing taxes on the rich if necessary.

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