ON December 18, 2024, the All India Road Transport Workers’ Federation (AIRTWF) submitted a memorandum to the Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Government of India, New Delhi to demand resolution of the issues of road transport sector and the workers.It is important to know that the transport sector is a critical lifeline for the economy. Contributing 4.1 per cent to the GDP, it is the second-largest employment generator after agriculture. A society without a functional transport system is almost unimaginable.

CPI(M) has issued the following statement on December 28THE health condition of senior farmers’ leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal who has been on hunger strike since November 26 is extremely critical. The protest is for the legitimate demand of the kisan movement for a legal backing to the MSP and waiver of loans. All the demands are related to the central government which by refusing to intervene is solely responsible for this situation.

IN a sharp critique of the proponents of Sanatan Dharma, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan stated that there is no distinction between Sanatan Dharma and Varnashram Dharma, also known as the Chaturvarna system. Speaking at the inauguration of the 92nd Sivagiri Pilgrimage on December 31, Pinarayi emphasized that the concept of Sanatan Dharma is not aligned with the teachings of Sri Narayana Guru, the stalwart of the reformist movement in Kerala. He noted that Sanatan Dharma is favoured by erstwhile monarchs and communal forces alike.

TERMING the decision of the Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor administration to abolish holidays on Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah's birthday and Martyrs’ Day on July 13 as an attempt to distort history, CPI(M) leader and Kulgam MLA, Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami criticised the move.In a statement issued on December 30, Tarigami said that Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah was a towering personality, and his contribution to the freedom struggle and empowerment of the people of J&K cannot be ignored.

THE Delhi Union of Journalists and the National Association of Journalists, in a statement issued on December 26, have welcomed the Supreme Court order upholding individual privacy and restraining the Enforcement Directorate from accessing and copying content from various electronic devices seized during raids. Both the media organisations have applauded this move to protect citizens' private, personal and professional communications.In this context, the DUJ and NAJ have condemned the Kerala Police's action against journalist Aniru Asokan of Madhyamam daily.