Anti-CAA: Mallika Sarabhai joins students, faculty to protest dy CM's 'divisive' talk

By A Representative
Taking strong exception to deputy chief minister Nitin Patel’s statement against those protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC), well-known danseuse Mallika Sarabhai has joined tens of activists and students and faculty of Gujarat University, CEPT University, Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad, Gujarat Vidyapeeth and Nirma University to say that they are seeking “azadi” from the fascist and communal forces of the country.
Patel, speaking on the occasion of birth anniversary of Subhas Chandra Bose on January 23, had said that those seeking “azadi” should be allowed to leave the country if they wanted freedom. Claiming that “India is a free country and the biggest democracy of the world,” Patel had added, India was ruled by Muslims for 800 years, but “if these so-called secular, leftists continue to rule India then at some point they can come back to power in this country.”

Nitin Patel

The statement, which called the Modi government “undemocratic, non-secular, autocratic, authoritarian, grossly bigoted and utterly intolerant”, said, it is trying to “divide our country”, adding, “We are also seeking azadi from poverty, inequality, crime against women and LGBTQ+, cronyism, nepotism, capitalism, and various other sociopolitical ills.”
The statement continued, “We all are Indians and we have been democratically protesting at various places in Gujarat against CAA-NRC-National Population Register (NPR). We never differentiate between Gujaratis, Kashmiris, Bengalis, Malayalees, Marathis, Marwaris, Assamese, Biharis etc. We are one and will always be, therefore kindly refrain from dividing us and our struggle along cultural, linguistic, regional and religious lines.”
Pointing out that they draw their strength from the Constitution, and wondering whether he owes allegiance to the statute book, the statement (click here for signatories) told Patel: “We will be continuing our democratic and peaceful fight till we are successful in defeating the communal and divisive forces.”

Neville Cardus: The man who turned cricket writing into poetry

By Harsh Thakor* Neville Cardus was one of the most remarkable literary figures of the twentieth century. A prolific English writer and critic, he achieved distinction in two vastly different fields: cricket and classical music. Entirely self-taught, Cardus rose from humble beginnings to become both the cricket correspondent and chief music critic of The Manchester Guardian . His achievements in these contrasting disciplines earned him widespread acclaim and established him as one of the foremost critics of his generation. In February 2025, the cricketing and literary world marked the fiftieth anniversary of his death, which occurred in February 1975.

Ideological shifts and structural realities within India's left-wing insurgency

By Harsh Thakor* The Maoist insurgency in India is arguably at its weakest point since the formation of the Communist Party of India (Maoist) in 2004. Years of sustained counterinsurgency operations, leadership losses, shrinking territorial influence, declining recruitment, and growing technological advantages enjoyed by the state have significantly eroded the movement's operational capabilities.

The Dalit body on screen: Stereotypes, sacrifice, and subjugation in Hindi films

By Dr. Prem Singh* Despite centuries of reformist efforts, from Gandhi and Ambedkar to contemporary activists, the caste system remains deeply embedded in the Indian psyche. One of the primary reasons for this persistence is the religious sanction provided by Brahminical scriptures, which have shaped not only social structures but also cultural and artistic expressions.

Counterview

Search This Blog