Counterview

By Biljana Vankovska   The Palestinian question predates the United Nations, which is now celebrating its 80th anniversary. The roots of the Palestinian conflict lie in the deep wounds and scars inflicted across the Middle East by Western powers, and the greatest victim, of course, has been the Palestinian people. Looking back at the long history of UN resolutions—passed but never respected—feels almost pointless. From the first Nakba to the present day, Palestinians have been stuck in limbo, forced into vast concentration camps, and now subjected to open extermination under brutal conditions. And it continues, on and on.

By Raqif Makhdoomi*  The ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine has resulted in immense human suffering, including widespread displacement, loss of life, and long-term trauma. In recent months, several countries have moved to formally recognize Palestine as a sovereign state, framing this gesture as a step toward justice and peace. However, this development raises complex questions about historical accountability, the nature of justice, and the viability of the proposed two-state solution.

By Bharat Dogra   In recent weeks, the Himalayan region has witnessed a series of disasters—landslides, floods, and land subsidence—that have brought untold suffering to people, particularly in Uttarakhand. At the same time, reports from Ladakh highlight deep discontent among local communities despite claims of “unprecedented” development spending on roads, power, and infrastructure. These two situations may appear distinct, yet they are linked by a common thread: the way development is being pursued in an ecologically fragile region and the extent to which it respects—or disregards—the lives and livelihoods of local people.

By A Representative   The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) has strongly condemned the alleged throttling of the rights to speech, association, and assembly in Ladakh, following the detention of activist Sonam Wangchuk and others after violent protests in Leh on September 24, 2025.

By A Representative   The National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM) has issued a strong condemnation of the "heinous assault" on adivasi youth leader Rama Kankonkar on September 18 and the subsequent intimidation faced by another activist, Swapnesh Sherlekar, citing these incidents as alarming examples of lawlessness in Goa. NAPM is demanding a principled investigation to establish "command responsibility" for the attack and a fundamental review of what it terms Goa’s "unsustainable and unjust 'development' model" driven by land mafias and casino interests.

By Syed Ali Mujtaba*   A disturbing new pattern of communal violence has emerged in several north Indian cities: attacks on Muslims during the “I Love Muhammad” processions held to mark Milad-un-Nabi, the birthday of Prophet Muhammad. This adds to the grim catalogue of Modi-era violence against Muslims, alongside cow vigilantism, so-called “love jihad” campaigns, attacks for not chanting “Jai Shri Ram,” and assaults during religious festivals.

By Harsh Thakor*  The All India Kisan Mazdoor Sabha (AIKMKS) held its national conference in Sasaram, Bihar, recently drawing participation from around 500 delegates representing several states, including Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Karnataka, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Maharashtra. The three-day gathering included rallies, cultural performances, debates and the passing of resolutions, and concluded with the election of a 15-member national committee.