THE Adivasi Adhikar Manch organised a state level convention at Dumka in Jharkhand on November 24, 2013 at Shahid Siddhu-Kanhu Nagar, while the stage was rechristened as the Birsa Munda Manch. The convention was filled with zeal to unify the tribals against the various fundamentalist and opportunist groups that are trying to drive a wedge between tribals on religious grounds, i.e. between the Christians and the followers of the Sarna cult.

WITH the November 2013 figure for inflation rising to a 14-month high for wholesale prices at 7.52 percent over last year, with food prices soaring to 19.93 percent and fuel and power by 11.08 percent, one need not be surprised at the disastrous defeat of the Congress in the recent elections in five states, with a fledgling party, the AAP, trouncing the Congress in Delhi and preventing the BJP from gaining a majority only reflects the anger of the people against the results of the policies favouring profiteers both by the Congress and the BJP.

IN a statement issued on December 11, AIDWA expressed deep disappointment at the Supreme Court judgment which upholds Section 377 of the IPC. It is shocking that inspite of the Union of India (along with the petitioners) arguing in favour of a reading down of S 377, the SC has upheld this draconian and discriminatory section that illegalised same sex relations and other forms of consensual sex. The section is also in contradiction with the recently amended rape and sexual laws.

THOUSANDS of youth and students thronged the streets of Mumbai on November 29, 2013 demanding employment and education opportunities. They were singing and drumming in protest. Slogans condemning the state and central governments filled the air. Protesters had gathered from Thane, Solapur, Pune, Beed, Aurangabad, Jalna, Nanded, Raigad, Mumbai and several other districts of Maharashtra, demanding government action against rapid commercialisation of education and acute unemployment in the state.

AMIDST continuous violence and refusal of the main opposition party BNP and allies to participate in the poll, Bangladesh is going for election to constitute its 10th parliament on January 5, 2014 next. Ruling Awami League leaders said without the participation of the main opposition party, elections to national parliament is not a happy thing. But there is no other alternative other than going for election as the tenure of the present parliament will end on January 24 next. To avoid a constitutional crisis, elections have to be held before the tenure of the present parliament expires.