Counterview

By Kumar Krishnan*  The decision to lease 1,050 acres of land in the Pirpainty region of Bhagalpur district to Adani Power for 33 years at a mere ₹1 per acre annual rent has become a major political issue in Bihar. Congress President Rajesh Ram, Bihar in-charge Krishna Allavaru, Legislature Party Leader Dr. Shakeel Ahmad Khan, and Legislative Council Leader Dr. Madan Mohan Jha have already marched from Sadakat Ashram to Rajendra Babu's samadhi in Patna over this issue. Pawan Khera and Kanhaiya Kumar are vocally opposing it. Additionally, allied parties of the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) are also protesting. The Congress party even held a march in Patna on this matter.

By A Representative   People for Animals (PFA), led by Ms. Ambika Shukla, has held the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) responsible for the recent dog-bite incidents at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, accusing it of violating Supreme Court directions regarding community dogs. The organisation’s on-ground fact-finding mission met stadium authorities and the two affected coaches to verify details surrounding the incidents, both of which occurred on October 3.

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  The public lynching of Hariom, a young man from the Valmiki community in Fatehpur, Uttar Pradesh, by a group of men in Unchahar, stands as another chilling reminder of the growing culture of hate and impunity in the state. What makes this tragedy more disturbing is the apparent normalization of such brutality and the silence of those in power who are expected to uphold justice. When mob violence becomes entertainment, filmed and shared with pride, the rot runs deeper than mere lawlessness—it speaks of a society losing its moral compass.

By Kantilal U. Parmar*  The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, its Rules of 1995, the Amendment Act of 2015, and the 2016 Rules were enacted with the purpose of preventing caste-based atrocities against Dalits and Adivasis, ensuring the safety of their lives and property, and providing for rehabilitation of victims. The Act, popularly known as the Atrocities Act, was passed by the Indian Parliament in 1989 and came into force across India on January 1, 1990. Its rules were notified on March 31, 1995.  Being a central law, no state government can amend it under any circumstances. Rule 7 clearly states that investigations into crimes under this Act cannot be carried out by officers below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP). Yet, in 1996, the Gujarat government, knowingly or otherwise, issued a circular allowing officers below the DySP rank to investigate such cases. 

By Syed Ali Mujtaba*  The implementation of the Waqf Amendment Act has moved to the UMEED portal — the Unified Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development system. This platform is being used for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process of Waqf property registration. Under this three-tier system, property details are entered by the maker (mutawalli or caretaker), reviewed by a checker (Waqf Board official), and finally verified by an approver (a designated government authority).

By A Representative   The Minority Coordination Committee (MCC), Gujarat, has written to the Director General of Police, Gandhinagar, demanding immediate registration of an FIR and suspension of police personnel accused of brutally assaulting a Muslim minor, Sikandar Kalawadiya, at the Gandhigram Police Station in Rajkot.

By A Representative   In a unique programme of solidarity with the Palestinian people, held about 20 kilometres from Ahmedabad at the Dalit Shakti Kendra (DSK)—an empowerment and technical training institute—Palestinian Ambassador Abdullah M. Abu Shawesh urged participants to use social media to express support for the Palestinian struggle for self-determination.

By N.S. Venkataraman*  Traditionally and culturally, Indians have held in high regard those who make personal sacrifices for the sake of social upliftment, national causes, and public good.

By Raj Kumar Sinha*  Every year on Sharad Purnima, the government organizes the grand Narmada Mahotsav at Bhedaghat. However, at the same time, about 136 MLD of sewage (wastewater from drains and sewers) from Jabalpur was directly entering the Narmada River. Currently, Jabalpur manages to treat approximately 58.7 MLD of sewage, while nearly 115 MLD still flows untreated into the Narmada. The Narmada River is the lifeline of central India, providing millions with drinking water, irrigation, and livelihoods. Yet deforestation along the tributaries of the Narmada has had a deep impact on the river, affecting its ecology, hydrology, and local communities. The Narmada has a total of 41 major and minor tributaries, 19 of which are over 54 kilometers long. These tributaries bring water from the Satpura, Vindhya, and Maikal ranges, keeping the Narmada flowing year-round. Many of these tributaries are now on the verge of drying or being converted into urban drains. Encroachment ...