Counterview

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  The protests at Jantar Mantar have come to an end following the announcement that Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan would step down. Yet, many questions remain unanswered. At the time of writing, there has been no official communication from Rashtrapati Bhavan confirming the resignation or indicating whether it has been formally accepted. Government representatives and two spokespersons of the Citizens' Justice Platform (CJP), who participated in the negotiations, urged the protesting youth to return home, claiming that the government had accepted all their demands. Whether that is indeed the case remains to be seen.

By Mohd Ziyauallah Khan  India's Gen Z has never been content to simply watch democracy from the sidelines. From student movements to anti-corruption campaigns, young Indians have repeatedly stepped forward when they believed institutions had failed them. The recent protests over the NEET examination controversy are only the latest reminder that this generation is not merely demanding a seat at the table—it is insisting that the table itself be honest.

​ By Dr. Jayant Kumar*  ​Having witnessed the evolution of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) over several decades—from its early iterations to its latest amendments—I feel compelled to share a few reflections as Parliament re-examines the law during the ongoing Monsoon Session. These observations stem from years of deep engagement with India's voluntary sector and are offered in the spirit of constructive national debate.

By Nava Thakuria*  The flood situation in eastern Assam has shown slight improvement as incessant rainfall eased across most parts of the State, but the death toll has risen to 66 and hundreds of villages remain inundated.

By A Representative   Environmental research and advocacy organisation Toxics Link has commended the Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) for its decisive action against nine cosmetic products found to contain excessive levels of mercury and lead. The organisation is now urgently calling for this action to be replicated nationwide through a comprehensive ban on the sale of mercury-containing skin lightening products.

By Bharat Dogra   For decades, Western agribusiness and multinational seed corporations have attracted widespread criticism—not only in developing countries but also within their own societies—for promoting hazardous genetically modified (GM) crops , appropriating farmers' seed diversity, using patents to maximize control over seeds, and expanding their grip over land and agricultural resources in the Global South. Critics have argued that these corporations have prioritized profits over biodiversity, farmers' rights, public health, and environmental sustainability.