Timeline to eradicate Maoists 'linked to' mineral resources extraction plan in Bastar: APRD

By A Representative

The Association for Protection of Democratic Rights (APDR) has issued a press statement raising concerns over alleged human rights violations in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, under the ongoing security operations labeled as "Operation Kagaar." The organization claims that since the new state government assumed office under Chief Minister Bishnu Deo Sai on December 13, 2023, there has been a significant increase in violence, resulting in the deaths of over 300 individuals.

The APDR alleges that a large portion of those killed are civilians misidentified as Maoists in encounter operations conducted by paramilitary forces such as the CRPF, CoBRA, and District Reserve Guards. The group has called for transparency, stating that the identities of those killed have not been verified and has demanded a halt to such operations.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has reportedly set a deadline of March 2026 for the complete eradication of Maoists. The APDR suggests that this timeline might be linked to resource extraction plans in Bastar, which is rich in mineral reserves. The statement accuses the government of prioritizing corporate interests over human rights, citing the establishment of nearly 200 paramilitary camps in the region.

The APDR argues that left-wing extremism is a socio-economic issue rooted in structural inequality and advocates for dialogue with Maoist groups as a solution. The organization has put forward the following demands:

1. Immediate cessation of "Operation Kagaar" and similar operations.

2. An end to the policy of targeting armed opposition groups through military action.

3. Withdrawal of the policy of elimination and initiation of dialogue with Maoists.

4. Halt to the establishment of new paramilitary camps and the disbanding of existing ones.

5. Repeal of bans on organizations like the "Moolwasi Bachao Manch.

6. Release of individuals detained under allegations of Maoist links.

7. Adherence to the Fifth Schedule for any projects in Adivasi regions, including obtaining consent from local Gram Sabhas.

8. Stopping the use of drone bombings and mortar attacks in Adivasi areas.

The APDR emphasizes that addressing the root causes of the conflict through socio-economic measures is crucial to resolving the ongoing unrest. The organization has urged the government to reconsider its approach and prioritize democratic and human rights principles.

Comments

Countrywide protest by gig workers puts spotlight on algorithmic exploitation

By A Representative A nationwide protest led largely by women gig and platform workers was held across several states on February 3, with the Gig & Platform Service Workers Union (GIPSWU) claiming the mobilisation as a success and a strong assertion of workers’ rights against what it described as widespread exploitation by digital platform companies. Demonstrations took place in Delhi, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Maharashtra and other states, covering major cities including New Delhi, Jaipur, Bengaluru and Mumbai, along with multiple districts across the country.

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

CFA flags ‘welfare retreat’ in Union Budget 2026–27, alleges corporate bias

By Jag Jivan The advocacy group Centre for Financial Accountability (CFA) has sharply criticised the Union Budget 2026–27 , calling it a “budget sans kartavya” that weakens public welfare while favouring private corporations, even as inequality, climate risks and social distress deepen across the country.

From water scarcity to sustainable livelihoods: The turnaround of Salaiya Maaf

By Bharat Dogra We were sitting at a central place in Salaiya Maaf village, located in Mahoba district of Uttar Pradesh, for a group discussion when an elderly woman said in an emotional voice, “It is so good that you people came. Land on which nothing grew can now produce good crops.”

When free trade meets unequal fields: The India–US agriculture question

By Vikas Meshram The proposed trade agreement between India and the United States has triggered intense debate across the country. This agreement is not merely an attempt to expand bilateral trade; it is directly linked to Indian agriculture, the rural economy, democratic processes, and global geopolitics. Free trade agreements (FTAs) may appear attractive on the surface, but the political economy and social consequences behind them are often unequal and controversial. Once again, a fundamental question has surfaced: who will benefit from this agreement, and who will pay its price?

Paper guarantees, real hardship: How budget 2026–27 abandons rural India

By Vikas Meshram In the history of Indian democracy, the Union government’s annual budget has always carried great significance. However, the 2026–27 budget raises several alarming concerns for rural India. In particular, the vague provisions of the VBG–Ram Ji scheme and major changes to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA) have put the future of rural workers at risk. A deeper reading of the budget reveals that these changes are not merely administrative but are closely tied to political and economic priorities that will have far-reaching consequences for millions of rural households.

Penpa Tsering’s leadership and record under scrutiny amidst Tibetan exile elections

By Tseten Lhundup* Within the Tibetan exile community, Penpa Tsering is often described as having risen through grassroots engagement. Born in 1967, he comes from an ordinary Tibetan family, pursued higher education at Delhi University in India, and went on to serve as Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile from 2008 to 2016. In 2021, he was elected Sikyong of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), becoming the second democratically elected political leader of the administration after Lobsang Sangay.

'Gandhi Talks': Cinema that dares to be quiet, where music, image and silence speak

By Vikas Meshram In today’s digital age, where reels and short videos dominate attention spans, watching a silent film for over two hours feels almost like an act of resistance. Directed by Kishor Pandurang Belekar, “Gandhi Talks” is a bold cinematic experiment that turns silence into language and wordlessness into a powerful storytelling device. The film is not mere entertainment; it is an experience that pushes the viewer inward, compelling reflection on life, values, and society.

Frugal funds, fading promises: Budget 2026 exposes shrinking space for minority welfare

By Syed Ali Mujtaba* The Ministry of Minority Affairs was established in 2006 during the tenure of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, following the findings of the Sachar Committee, which documented that Muslims were among the most educationally and economically disadvantaged communities in India. The ministry was conceived as a corrective institutional response to deep structural inequalities faced by religious minorities, particularly Muslims, through focused policy interventions.

Search This Blog