Trade union rejects charge of bringing Bangladeshi labourers to Odisha mines

By A Representative

The () has strongly refuted allegations that the organisation, or one of its senior leaders, supplied Bangladeshi labourers to mining sites in the of and . The charge, directed at , State Vice President of CITU’s Odisha committee and a prominent leader of mine workers, was termed “false, conspiratorial and politically motivated.”

In a statement issued on January 8, CITU said the complaint stemmed from a letter dated January 5 by the Deputy Director of Mines, Koira division, seeking information from mining leaseholders about the alleged engagement of Bangladeshi labourers purportedly connected to Ali. CITU claimed the inquiry formed part of a wider “witch-hunt,” driven by the ’s narrative of targeting so-called “” or .

The trade union alleged that Bengali-speaking migrant labourers from working in Odisha were being wrongly branded as Bangladeshis for political gain, accusing the state government of using security concerns to advance divisive, communal objectives. According to the organisation, this tactic was being selectively deployed to harass labour organisers and weaken workers’ rights movements.

CITU linked the allegations to recent labour actions, including a successful struggle by contract mine workers against terminations by an , where the union claimed credit for ensuring continued employment. The statement described the current controversy as retaliation for that victory, asserting that the “double engine” BJP administration was siding with corporate interests and using accusations to discredit trade union leadership.

Calling the claims baseless, CITU urged workers and the wider public to recognise what it described as a “blame game” and remain vigilant against attempts to polarise society and undermine labour rights. The statement was signed by General Secretary .

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