The World Bank Miracle: How to Show Rising Poverty as Declining

OF late, there have been several academic papers and media write-ups on the World Bank’s 2025 claim of steeply declining extreme poverty in the world, especially in Asia. It would be wonderful if this was true, but it is not true. This claim is spurious, arising from a statistical legerdemain that the Bank and governments have practised for many decades, ignoring all criticism.

The Great Kolkata G.O.A.T Scam

AH, the legendary Messi Kolkata visit — truly a masterclass on how to take a multi-million-dollar opportunity and deliver absolutely nothing in return, all thanks to the impeccable management skills of the powers that be!

Let us all stand and applaud the sheer, unparalleled brilliance of the esteemed state government and their associated organising bodies. They didn't just host an event; they orchestrated a perfectly efficient display of VIP greed and administrative incompetence that will forever be etched in the annals of sporting farce.

Dismantling the Right to Work: The Reality of VB-G Ram G

AFTER forcefully pushing through the Labour Codes, the BJP led Central Government has now targeted the rural working class and introduced the Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (‘VB - G Ram G’) Bill, to snatch away Right to Work. This Bill is going to repeal the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005.

Erasing Rights, Pushing Hindutva

‘Bangla Bachao Yatra’ and the Quest for a Left Alternative

THE arrival of northern winter winds in West Bengal has heralded more than just a drop in temperature; it has marked the launch of a significant political movement: the "Bangla Bachao Yatra" (Save Bengal March). The March began on November 29, in Tufanganj, Cooch Behar, with a cultural homage to the pluralistic legacies of figures like Abbasuddin Ahmed and Panchanan Barma.

Brinda Karat writes to President for intervention in Md Akhlaq lynching case

BRINDA Karat, senior CPI(M) leader and former Rajya Sabha MP, has written to the Hon'ble President of India, On December 13, seeking her intervention in the case related to the mob lynching of Md. Akhlaq in September 2015. Below we publish excerpts of the letter.

Assam: Workers–Peasants Rally Calls for Defeating BJP

THUNDEROUS slogans reverberated as thousands of workers, peasants, agricultural labourers, tea garden workers and scheme workers assembled at Lachit Ghat in Guwahati, on the bank of the mighty Brahmaputra, on December 14. The rally was jointly organised by the Assam state units of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) and the Agricultural Workers Union.

Kochi to Host the First Indian Cultural Congress

THE first Indian Cultural Congress is to take place in Kochi on December 20-21-22, 2026. The larger idea behind it is that in a context where the forces of bigotry and authoritarianism have occupied positions of power and prominence, the cultural and artistic community needs to send out a message of hope and positivity, to assert values of secularism, peace, justice, and equality. The Indian Cultural Congress, by bringing together a large number of artists and cultural practitioners, will send out just such a message.

‘Scissor Cut’ Sparks Protest at Kerala Film Festival

IN a cowardly and desperate move, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) denied permission to screen several films, including classics such as Battleship Potemkin, triggering widespread protests at the 30th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK). The Sangh Parivar’s arrogant agenda to prevent cinema-goers from viewing political films has resulted in the cancellation of numerous scheduled screenings.

RSS-BJP walking down a new fascist path: Manik Sarkar

The RSS-BJP is walking down a new fascist path and there is a need to build a strong and united movement against this in the coming days, former Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar told a public meeting in the heart of Sonamura town on December 6.

The Week in Parliament

The Winter Session of Parliament commenced on December 1 and will continue until December 19. The Opposition MPs have decided to raise several matters, including concerns linked to the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, equality, income, the Red Fort blast, labour codes, Delhi pollution, foreign policy, etc. On the first day of the session, the Lok Sabha was adjourned twice due to heavy sloganeering by the Opposition over SIR and “vote chori” allegations.

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