By Kirity Roy*  This account addresses an incident of negligence by the Border Security Force (BSF) on the Indo-Bangladesh border, which resulted in a robbery affecting a poor villager, Bablu Gazi, from Hakimpur village, under the jurisdiction of Swarupnagar Police Station in the North 24 Parganas district. 

Counterview Desk  The All India Feminist Alliance (ALIFA), in an open letter to Gauri Lankesh marking 7 years of her cowardly killing, has said that  in commemorating her death and in condemning the release on bail of the eight accused, a move meant to embolden criminals of the worst kind, there is  need to recast ‘the murder of Gauri Lankesh' as a hate crime against humanity.

By Our Representative  A headcount enumeration of homeless persons in Delhi conducted between 27 August 2024 to 31 August 2024, to understand the extent and magnitude of homelessness in the city, has revealed that around 300,000 people, including, families, women, children, and older persons are forced to live in the open without shelter even during the rainy season.

Counterview Desk  The civil rights group, Campaign for Judicial Accountability And Reforms, which consists of several prominent lawyers and activists* in statement on judicial propriety and independence, has taken strong exception to a private religious ceremony at the official residence of the Chief Justice of India, with the Prime Minister in attendance, has said that it has set an “unwarranted precedent.”

By Harsh Thakor* Marshal Georgy Zhukov is widely regarded as one of the most exceptional generals of the conflict, and this year marked the 50th anniversary of his passing on June 18. His remarkable tenacity, courage, and strategic acumen are unmatched in military annals. 

By Dr Palla Trinadha Rao  On September 6th, 24 Kilo Ravi, a tribal representative, submitted a formal appeal to the District Collector of Alluri Sitarama Raju (ASR) District, a newly established district carved from the erstwhile Visakhapatnam District. The appeal was made on behalf of particularly vulnerable tribal families residing in Suddagaruvu, a village within the Vanjaari Gram Panchayat of G. Madugula Mandal. 

By Bhabani Shankar Nayak  The Union Minister for Higher Education in India started a political debate by suggesting the renaming of Ravenshaw College and University in Cuttack, Odisha, due to the controversial role of its founder, Thomas Edward Ravenshaw, in the Odisha famine, which claimed millions of lives. Renaming universities and educational institutions is not a new phenomenon in the state. 

By Mujahid Nafees*  A troubling incident has emerged from Surat city, Gujarat, involving the alleged brutal assault of individuals by police officers. The official Twitter account of the Surat City Police reported that they detained those who reportedly disrupted the peace by throwing stones at an idol in the Variavi Bazar area. 

By Firoz Bakht Ahmed*  Amidst ongoing controversy regarding the Government of India's initiative to introduce legislation aimed at "regulating" Waqf properties through digitization, it remains evident that there is a troubling history of mismanagement and exploitation of Waqf lands. 

By Harsh Thakor*  The late 1960s represented a pivotal moment in independent India's history, sparking radical movements, particularly among tribal and peasant communities led by Marxist-Leninist factions. In response to state-sponsored brutality against these movements, regional civil rights organizations emerged. Among these was the Andhra Pradesh Civil Liberties Committee (APCLC), established in Guntur in 1974, which this year proudly celebrates its 50th anniversary. 

By Ram Puniyani*  The debate over a caste census emerged as a pivotal issue during the recent General Elections held in April-May 2024. The INDIA Alliance strongly advocated for the census, while the BJP remained staunchly opposed to the initiative. The opposition is unequivocal as caste continues to be a central theme in the consolidation of Hindu right-wing politics. 

By Atanu Roy*  There's a saying: "There is no such thing as a half-pregnancy." This adage seems particularly relevant when discussing the current regime of the Trinamool Congress (TMC). The party appears to be entrenched in widespread corruption that affects nearly every aspect of our lives. One must wonder, why would they exclude the health sector—a lucrative area where illicit money can flow freely, thanks to a network of corrupt leaders colluding with ambitious bureaucrats? 

By Vikas Meshram*  A recent study from Utrecht University in the Netherlands warns that climate change and socio-economic transformations will exacerbate water scarcity, disproportionately affecting populations in South Asian countries. Human beings require clean water for drinking, sanitation, food production, energy, and manufacturing. Across the globe, people and policymakers are grappling with the challenges of water scarcity. 

By Our Representative On September 3, 2024, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) executed a series of raids in Narayanpur district, Chhattisgarh, alleging a conspiracy to assault police units and seize weapons dating back to March 2023. 

By Ram Puniyani*  The outcomes of the 2024 Parliamentary Elections proved disheartening for the BJP, as its Lok Sabha strength dwindled from 303 to 240 seats. Consequently, the NDA, which had maintained a dominant position for the past decade, now faces the prospect of its alliance partners having more influence. This shift may curtail the BJP’s assertive Hindu nationalist agenda. 

By Claire Bugos*  When Ozempic and Mounjaro were approved to treat diabetes, they also ushered in a wave of opportunity for obesity medicine. This new class of drugs, called glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) receptor agonists, has proven remarkably effective at promoting weight loss and other health outcomes. These drugs have become so hyped that some even claim it could bring about the end of the “obesity epidemic.”

By Harsh Thakor*  While Lu Xun is often celebrated as a pivotal figure in the establishment of literary reforms and the promotion of vernacular language in China, he was not the sole contributor to these movements. Lao She, whose 125th birth anniversary we marked last year, also played a crucial role. 

By Vedika S*  Over the last few days, India's National Investigation Agency (NIA), known to be tasked with suppressing revolutionary, democratic, and progressive forces, conducted a series of raids across Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi. Targets included human rights attorney Pankaj Tripathi, student leader Devendra Azad, and peasant union leader Sukhwinder Kaur. Lawyer and anti-displacement activist Ajay Kumar was arrested and taken to his home in Mohali, which was subsequently raided. He is now imprisoned in Lucknow as a suspect in the NIA's "Northern Regional Bureau (NRB) Revival case." 

By Our Representative  The civil rights network Campaign Against State Repression (CASR) has issued a strong denunciation of the "abduction" of labour rights activist Anirudh Rajan, who was taken by state authorities on September 5, 2024, while traveling to meet his family. This incident is part of a troubling trend, as the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and various state forces have increasingly targeted trade union and democratic rights activists over the past year. 

By Kirity Roy*  This is regarding an incident involving two families who have suffered from criminal trespass and illegal tree cutting by personnel of the Border Security Force (BSF) at Barnaberia village, located in the Gaighata block of North 24 Parganas. 

By Bhabani Shankar Nayak*  Capitalism as a global system continues to evolve, continuously reshaping itself, accommodating with the new environment, aligning itself with different forms of regressive, right wing, reactionary, religious and authoritarian powers to reinforce its rent-seeking nature in the form of "technofeudalism” where technology mediates the traditionally insidious structures, agencies, and processes of capitalist accumulation.  

Beverly Longid, Jiten Yumnam*    The civil rights network, International Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self-Determination and Liberation (IPMSDL), has voicesd its support for the residents of Siang District, Northeast India, as they resist the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation's (NHPC) efforts to monopolize the Siang River for its Upper Siang Hydroelectric Project, a massive undertaking proposed at 11,000 MW. 

By Vikas Meshram*  The Supreme Court has not only raised objections but also expressed concern over the practice of demolishing the homes of criminal suspects, accused, or convicts using bulldozers. It has indicated that necessary guidelines will be issued to all states in this regard. In such circumstances, the court's intervention is indeed welcome. A bench comprising Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice K.V. Viswanathan made these remarks while hearing petitions seeking a ban on the bulldozer actions being carried out by administrations in several states. The bench clarified that they would not offer protection to unauthorized constructions or encroachments, including religious structures built on roads. It also emphasized the need to ensure that no individual or officer takes undue advantage of any legal loophole.

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  In my ongoing quest to amplify rational discourse among Ambedkarites, I present a conversation with Ish Kumar Gangania, a prominent Ambedkarite author from Delhi. Gangania is a highly regarded author, thinker, and editor based in Delhi. Known for his candid and straightforward opinions, Gangania has extensively explored India's rationalist traditions, particularly those of Ajeevak and Lokayat. He has published over 25 works, including collections of poetry, short stories, and one novel, with his most recent being the autobiographical piece, "Main Aur Mera Gireban". 

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  In a conversation with me,  Ambedkarite author Sanjeev Khudshah explores the importance of classifying Scheduled Castes for reservation purposes.  Sanjeev Khudshah, born on February 12, 1973, in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, is regarded as one of India's prominent Dalit writers. His writings have appeared in major newspapers and magazines across the country. His notable works include "Safai Kamgar Samudaya," "Adhunik Bharat Mein Pichda Varg," and "Dalit Chetna Aur Kuch Zaroori Sawaal." 

By Vikas Meshram*  Climate change is having a profound impact on various natural resources, and groundwater is a significant one that is currently under threat. Rising temperatures, changes in precipitation patterns, and increasing pressure from human activities are deteriorating groundwater quality. This article delves into the effects of climate change on the potability of groundwater, the causes, and potential solutions.

By Rupa Mehra* In a recent display of solidarity, hundreds of protesters from the Kuki ethnic group gathered in Manipur to voice their outrage against longstanding racial violence and the government’s persistent silence on the issue. They urged the authorities to pass legislation aligned with Article 239A of the Indian Constitution, which pertains to Union Territories. 

By Harsh Thakor*  "Miss Pavlichenko’s well known to fame,  Russia’s your country, fighting is your game.  The whole world will always love you for all time to come,  Three hundred Nazis fell by your gun."  — from Woody Guthrie's “Miss Pavlichenko"

By Raqif Makhdoomi*  The people of Kashmir find themselves entrenched in a web of stereotypes and misconceptions. A common query I receive from outsiders is, “Are you a stone pelter?” My typical response is, “Do you vote for the BJP?” More often than not, I hear, “Being Hindu doesn’t mean I vote BJP.” Their reaction serves as my defense, a means to counter the prejudice they display.

By Shankar Sharma*  Whereas it is a great to know that the country has seen improvement in sustainable development goal (SDG) score, there are also haunting concerns on environmental front, and with regard to the gaps in our actions to minimise the escalating threats from climate change.

By Kirity Roy*  The West Bengal government has put forth a new anti-rape bill that aims to impose capital punishment on individuals convicted of rape in cases where the victim dies or is left in a vegetative state. The West Bengal Legislative Assembly passed this controversial bill, titled 'Aparajita Woman and Child (West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill, 2024,' with support from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the primary opposition party in the region. 

By Harsh Thakor*  On June 30, 2024, Tanvi Chavan Deore, a 33-year-old swimmer and mother of two from Nashik, Maharashtra, made headlines by becoming the first Indian mother to successfully swim across the English Channel. This grueling 42-kilometer stretch of water between the UK and France is widely regarded as one of the most challenging swimming feats in the world. 

By Bhabani Shankar Nayak  The Sumerian civilisation, one of the earliest known societies, had sophisticated systems of lending, borrowing, credit, and debt. These systems were based on mutual trust and social currency, allowing individuals to engage in economic transactions without the need for physical money or barter. Instead, social bonds and communal trust underpinned these interactions, facilitating trade and the distribution of resources. 

By Dr. Manoj Kumar Mishra* India's ambition to achieve great power status and expand its influence beyond South Asia has sparked extensive academic discourse and fervent debate, along with vigorous rhetoric from political leaders and scholars. Anticipated changes in India's domestic and foreign policy, which could arise from a coalition government at the center, are expected to be predominantly positive. 

By Sandeep Pandey*  The Socialist Party (India) recently organized a India Pakistan Peace and Friendship March during 9 to 14 August, 2024 from Mansa to Atari-Wagha border in Amritsar District. Since the Modi government has come to power it has become difficult to cross the border otherwise it would have been a march going inside Pakistan as one was organized in 2005 between Delhi and Multan.

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  In Uttarakhand, a growing movement seeks to safeguard the land, identity, and interests of the region's hill residents. Various groups are advocating for a special land law aimed at restricting land purchases by outsiders, insisting on the need for a domicile act that would reference the year 1950. This proposal aims to prevent the transfer of land to non-residents, a trend they claim is becoming increasingly common. 

Counterview Desk  In a letter to local, Gujarat, and Indian authorities, several concerned citizens* have said that there has been devastating flood and waterlogging situation in Vadodara region since Monday 26th August 2024 which was "avoidable", stating, this has happened because of "multiple follies, flaws and fallacies across all levels of governance."

By Our Representative  In a statement that highlights ongoing concerns about Indian democracy and the perceived disregard for education, the Federation of Central University Teachers Associations (FEDCUTA) has condemned the Delhi Police's decision to prevent teachers and students from marching from Mandi House to Jantar Mantar. The march was organized in protest against the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and its detrimental effects on education. 

By Fr Cedric Prakash SJ*  September 5 was a very special day for the world: it is the Feast Day of Mother Teresa, the Foundress of the Missionaries of Charity. She died on this day in 1997. The Catholic Church throughout the world venerate her as a Saint – and rightly so. For the many millions of those who were uncared for in this world, she was truly a mother and a Saint. Interestingly, in India, the day is also celebrated as ‘Teachers Day’ in honour of a former President of the country Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (5 September 1888 – 17 April 1975).  Dr Radhakrishnan was a scholar-statesman; he was a visionary and a great intellectual. Besides being a great educationist and philosopher, he also believed that education is the key to India’s inclusive development. Mother Teresa was a teacher par excellence and if there is just one lesson she taught the world, that is ‘compassion’! In a fitting tribute to Mother Teresa. the United Nations in 2013, declared every September 5 (her death a

By Bharat Dogra*  While the devastation of conflict and war zones often draws attention to the tragic loss of life, a less visible yet equally alarming crisis unfolds over time: the disruption of education. This turmoil poses a significant threat to the future prospects of children and their opportunities for growth. 

Counterview Desk  Top human rights organisation, People’s Union of Civil Liberties (PUCL)*, has said that the Rajasthan government has committed contempt of the Supreme Court of India by grabbing the land of the Open Air Camp (Jail), Sanganer, despite restraining orders. 

By Vipin Tripathi  On September 2, 2024 at 9 PM, I returned from my visit to the slums of Badhra in the Charkhi Dadri district, Haryana, where I had the opportunity to meet the communities affected by the tragic incidents involving Sabir, a 26-year-old who was lynched on August 27, and his neighbor Asiruddin, 35, who sustained serious injuries in the attack. Details of this incident were reported  by media.

By Our Representative  The latest Business Inflation Expectations Survey (BIES) of the Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad (IIM-A) has suggested that while business inflation expectations have decreased significantly by 29 basis points, falling to 4.21% in July 2024 from 4.50% in June 2024, and the average inflation expectation among firms over the past 12 months stands at 4.44%, overall, "early indicators suggest a slowdown in the economy."

By Dr Amitav Banerjee, MD*  We observe Teacher's Day on 05 September every year. In my journey from being a student and later a teacher which of course involves being a life-long student, I have come across many teachers who have never entered the portals of a educational institution, in addition to those to whom we pay our respects on Teachers Day.

Counterview Desk  The Constitutional Conduct Group (CCG), consisting of former civil servants, in a statement, has demanded  the withdrawal of the recent Union Government order lifting the ban on government servants becoming members of or participating in activities of the RSS, stating, "Members of organisations with ideological affinities to the RSS have, in recent years, made speeches stoking hatred and sometimes even calling for genocide and ethnic cleansing."

Counterview Desk  Members of the National Council of Women Leaders (NCWL), a national platform claiming to give visibility and voices to women leaders from marginalized communities across India, have said that thy are “shocked by the controversial and shocking statements given by Kangana Ranaut, Lok Sabha MP in the recent interview with Lallantop channel.”

By Harsh Thakor*  In a move described as unconstitutional, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) raided the residence of Sukhwinder Kaur, a leading female farmer activist, in the Rampura Phul region of Punjab’s Bathinda district last week. Critics argue that the state is attempting to quash democratic opposition stemming from the ongoing farmers' agitation by targeting prominent figures in the movement, marking what some are calling a rise in proto-fascist tactics. 

Counterview Desk  People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), commenting on the West Bengal chief minister's call for death penalty for rapists has said that it is noting but "politics of revenge" and a "step backwards for human rights", Insisting on the need to ensure "fool proof investigation, competent prosecution and prevent acquittals" of those accused of the rape and murder at Kolkata’s state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. 

By Our Representative  Senior journalist Askari H Zaidi has taken over as  executive director of the Centre for Studies of Plural Societies (CSPS),  a non-profit social science research organization based in New Delhi. 

Counterview Desk  The civil rights network, Campaign Against State Repression (CASR), strongly condemning the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrest human rights activist and advocate Ajay Kumar in “false conspiracy case registerd in Lucknow”, has demanded the authorities should stop witch hunting the “democratic rights activist”.

Counterview Desk  The Independent Panel for Monitoring Indian Elections (IPMIE), consisting of a group of experts from various disciplines and multinational backgrounds, has released its final recommendations on the protecting election integrity in India, calling upon the Indian authorities to implement these with immediate effect. This was done in response to growing concerns about the integrity of India’s 2024 general election.

By Harsh Thakor* Made 40 years ago, of "Paar" is a seminal Hindi film from 1984 directed by Gautam Ghose and featuring Naseeruddin Shah and Shabana Azmi in lead roles. The film, based on Samaresh Basu's Bengali story "Paari," follows a Dalit couple forced to flee their village after a horrific massacre, chronicling their harrowing journey and quest for a place to call home.

By Bharat Dogra*  In the planning for dams as well as their management, sometimes a conflict develops between safety aspects and the maximization of irrigation and/or hydro-electricity benefits. Whenever such a conflict exists, as a general principle, the decision should also always be on the basis of according much higher importance to safety aspects. Safety should be considered the decisive factor in all such situations, on the basis of the non-negotiable principle that ultimately human life is most precious, much more precious than anything else.

By Sila Wati*    From a layman's point of view, without going into technical details, we have witnessed the disastrous nature of dam failures many times. Such incidents are hazardous not only to the lives and property of people in Sikkim but also to the entire ecosystem and biodiversity of North East India, which may take many years to recover.