Counterview

By Jag Jivan    India’s residential real estate market witnessed a continued slowdown in the first quarter of 2026, with housing sales across the top nine cities falling below the one lakh unit mark for the first time in over four years, according to data released by P.E. Analytics Ltd (PropEquity).

By Jag Jivan  A comprehensive new study by environmental research and advocacy organisation Toxics Link has painted a worrying picture of India's fading repair culture, warning that the trend towards replacement over repair is accelerating the country's already critical e-waste crisis.

By A Representative   A formal complaint has been lodged with the Election Commission of India over what rights activists describe as arbitrary and unconstitutional deletions of bona fide citizens from the electoral roll in Swarupnagar, North 24 Parganas. In a letter dated March 29, 2026, Kirity Roy, Secretary of Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM) and National Convenor of the Programme Against Custodial Torture & Impunity (PACTI), detailed cases where genuine Indian citizens were allegedly stripped of their voting rights without due process.

By A Representative   A large-scale environmental campaign titled “ One Million Trees for Pir Panjal ” was formally launched in Jammu & Kashmir, marking the beginning of an ambitious afforestation and ecological restoration drive across the Western Himalayas .

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  The United Nations General Assembly’s recent resolution, moved by Ghana, condemning the trans-Atlantic slave trade as the “gravest crime against humanity” has once again exposed the deep fault lines in global moral politics. While the resolution received wide support, the opposition by the United States, Israel, and Argentina—and the abstention of 52 countries, largely from Europe—raises uncomfortable questions about the sincerity of global commitments to justice, human rights, and historical accountability.

By Ravi Ranjan*  Alok Dhanwa's Hindi poems "Sleep" (Ninda) and "White Night" (Sapheda Rata) represent two poles of a single modern sensibility. Where "Sleep" yearns for weightless peace of the soul, "White Night" laments displacement, eroded memory, and collective mourning. Together, they form a profound meditation on modern civilization's burdens.

By Tseten Lhundup*  I was born in Bylakuppe, one of the largest Tibetan settlements in southern India. From childhood, I grew up in simple barracks, along muddy roads, and in fields with limited resources. Over the years, I have watched our democratic system slowly erode. Observing the recent budget session of the 17th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, these “democratic procedures” appear grand and orderly on the surface, yet in reality they amount to little more than empty formalities. The parliamentarians seem largely disconnected from the everyday struggles faced by ordinary exiled Tibetans like us.

By Jag Jivan  A recent opinion piece published in The Quint by Subhash Chandra Garg has raised questions over the circumstances surrounding the resignation of Atanu Chakraborty from HDFC Bank , with Garg stating that the exit “raises doubts about his own ‘ethics’.” Garg, currently Chief Policy Advisor at Subhanjali and former Secretary of the Department of Economic Affairs, Government of India, writes that the Reserve Bank of India ( RBI ) appears to find no substance in Chakraborty’s claims, noting, “It is clear the RBI sees no merit in Atanu Chakraborty’s wild and vague assertions.”

By Mohd. Ziyaullah Khan*  Every few months, Indian media headlines loudly proclaim that “Modi is the world’s most popular leader,” citing approval ratings from an American firm called Morning Consult. The moment such surveys are released, hordes of users—often linked to organised IT cells—begin echoing the same narrative, portraying the Indian Prime Minister as an indispensable global leader or “Vishwaguru.” Ironically, this is little more than a fallacious claim dressed up as celebration. 

By Gajanan Khergamker   The Supreme Court has redrawn a firm constitutional line, ruling that affirmative action cannot be used to mask religious preference without undermining secularism. Its March 2026 verdict reiterates a foundational principle: backwardness must be proven, not presumed through faith. Reservations, the Court reminds us, are a remedy for historic injustice—not a tool of religious entitlement.

By Vijay Prashad   Last year, in July, the United States and Israel bombarded Iran’s nuclear energy and nuclear research facilities over twelve days. After a few days, the two belligerent powers—who had no United Nations authorisation for this war of aggression—opened the door for a ceasefire . At that time, believing that this might very well be the basis for a full negotiation, the Iranian government led by Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei agreed to the terms set out: an immediate end to the strikes and no escalation. The missile launchers went quiet, but the deal was very fragile. 

By A Representative   The global civil rights group based in Philippines, International Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self-Determination and Liberation (IPMSDL), has issued a strong condemnation of what it describes as the ongoing, illegal forced eviction of Garo Indigenous peoples from their ancestral lands in the Madhupur Sal Forest in Tangail District, Bangladesh.

By Harsh Thakor*   Larbi Ben M'Hidi was one of the six founding members of the National Liberation Front (FLN). He was arrested in February 1957 during the Battle of Algiers and executed by French paratroopers after being tortured in custody. His death was officially recorded as suicide, but later admissions confirmed it was an extrajudicial killing. In 2024, French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged France’s responsibility for his assassination.  

By Ravi Ranjan*  Satyapal Sehgal occupies a distinctive space in contemporary Hindi literature as a poet of spiritual ecology and profound existential inquiry. His significance lies in his ability to deconstruct the anthropocentric ego—the modern human's narrow arrogance—and replace it with a cosmic citizenship that reconnects us to our primordial roots. Unlike many who view nature as mere backdrop for human emotion, Sehgal treats the forest, stars, and atmosphere as living relatives, creating a green aesthetics that bridges scientific ecological data with spiritual necessity.

By Jag Jivan   In a candid and wide-ranging conversation, three generations of feminist activists from Maharashtra have taken stock of the women's movement in India, tracing its evolution from the labour struggles of the 1970s to the complex, identity-driven challenges of the present day. Hosted by Gagan Sethi and Minar Pimple , the discussion, featured on the podcast Unmute , brought together veteran activists to reflect on 50 years of mobilization, legal battles, internal debates, and the daunting political landscape that lies ahead.

By Neha Desai*  In the hills of Arunachal Pradesh, where education should be a beacon of hope for the state’s youth, Dera Natung Government College (DNGC) in Itanagar has been reduced to a gladiatorial arena. The All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU)—ostensibly a body meant to champion student welfare, rights, and academic excellence—has instead turned its 2026 general elections into a protracted saga of delays, disqualifications, and violence.  What was billed as a democratic exercise has devolved into a scramble for fame, influence, and the “fortune” that comes with union leadership in a politically charged state.

By Rosamma Thomas*  When a US Tomahawk missile struck a school in the city of Minab in Iran, killing 175 students and teachers, the United States initially claimed the attack had been carried out by Iran. It later acknowledged that a Tomahawk missile—one not possessed by Iran—had been used, calling the strike a “mistake”. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in a video address to the United Nations, described the attack as deliberate. 

By Atanu Roy*  Compromising the interests of ordinary people, the authorities concerned in West Bengal appear to be playing with the timeline of the Kolkata Metro’s Orange Line project , turning what should have been a transformative public transport corridor into a prolonged ordeal for commuters.

By Shamsul Islam*  There is no dearth of proofs in the documents of the RSS which conclusively establish the fact that RSS denounced movements led by revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh , Chandrashekar Azad and their associates. Not only that, but they also hated even the reformist and moderate movements conducted by leaders like Gandhiji against the British rulers.

By Sudhansu R Das  Urban centers are the harbingers of growth and prosperity. No country can prosper without healthy and vibrant cities. Business, professional innovation, sports, art, and culture all flourish within them. People are drawn to urban centers for advanced studies, quality jobs, comfortable lifestyles, better amenities, and superior healthcare. Yet, over recent decades, the quality of life in these hubs has deteriorated sharply due to overpopulation, environmental degradation, corruption, and poor governance. Hundreds of once-beautiful urban centers across the world are becoming unlivable.

By Harsh Thakor*  Ranking the greatest cricket captains is a subjective exercise, often sparking passionate debate among fans. The following list is not merely a tally of wins and losses; it is an assessment of leadership’s deeper impact. My criteria fuse a captain’s playing record with their tactical skill, placing the highest consideration on their ability to reshape a team’s fortunes and inspire those around them. A captain who inherited a dominant empire is judged differently from one who resurrected a nation’s cricket from the doldrums. With that in mind, here is my perspective on the finest leaders the game has ever seen.

By Jag Jivan   An analysis of the official data on donations received by national parties from Gujarat during the Financial Year 2024-25 reveals a staggering concentration of funding, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accounting for nearly the entirety of the contributions. The data, compiled in a document titled "National Parties donations received from Gujarat during FY-2024-25," lists thousands of transactions, painting a detailed picture of the financial backing for political parties from one of India’s most industrially significant states.

By Palla Trinadha Rao   The Government of Telangana has recently projected its relocation initiatives in tiger reserves as a model of “transformative conservation,” combining ecological restoration with improved livelihoods for tribal communities. In the Amrabad Tiger Reserve, the State has announced a rehabilitation package covering hundreds of tribal families, offering compensation or resettlement with land and housing. At first glance, such initiatives appear to align conservation with development. However, a closer examination of both law and ground realities reveals a deeply troubling pattern—one where constitutional safeguards, statutory mandates, and community rights are being systematically sidelined in the name of conservation.

By Bharat Dogra  International opinion is increasingly turning against the expanding burden of sanctions imposed on a growing number of countries. These measures are contributing to humanitarian crises, intensifying domestic discord, and heightening international tensions, thereby increasing the risks of conflicts and wars. 

By Mohd. Ziyaullah Khan*  "Dhurandhar: The Revenge" does not wait to be remembered; it arrives almost on the heels of its predecessor, released on March 19, 2026, just months after the first film’s December 2025 debut. The speed of its arrival feels less like creative urgency and more like calculated timing—cinema responding not to storytelling rhythm but to the emotional climate of its audience. Director Aditya Dhar, along with actor Yami Gautam, appears acutely aware of this moment and how to harness it.

By A Representative   Human rights activist Lingaraj Azad was arrested by Odisha Police earlier this week, prompting concern among civil liberties groups and drawing attention once again to tensions over mining and land rights in the state’s Adivasi-dominated regions. Azad was detained on March 25 from Bhawanipatna in Kalahandi district along with fellow activist Suresh Sangram. Police have not yet publicly detailed the full grounds for the arrests, but the development has triggered criticism from sections of civil society, who allege a pattern of targeting grassroots organisers involved in anti-displacement movements.

By Shamsul Islam   V.I. Lenin in his seminal work State and Revolution (1917) unequivocally stated: "What is now happening to Marx's theory has, in the course of history, happened repeatedly to the theories of revolutionary thinkers and leaders of oppressed classes fighting for emancipation. During the lifetime of great revolutionaries, the oppressing classes constantly hounded them, received their theories with the most savage malice, the most furious hatred and the most unscrupulous campaigns of lies and slander. After their death, attempts are made to convert them into harmless icons, to canonize them, so to say, and to hallow their names to a certain extent for the 'consolation' of the oppressed classes and with the object of duping the latter, while at the same time robbing the revolutionary theory of its substance, blunting its revolutionary edge and vulgarizing it."

By Harsh Thakor*  On 23 March, the legacy of Shaheed Bhagat Singh was invoked in Kolkata and parts of Punjab through a series of gatherings marking his martyrdom anniversary, amid global political tensions and concerns over escalating conflicts in West Asia.

By A Representative   In a significant development, a coalition of lawyers, feminists, and social activists has formally appealed to the President of India, Smt. Draupadi Murmu, to withhold assent from the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026. The appeal, submitted by the All-India Feminist Alliance (ALIFA) and the National Alliance for Justice, Accountability and Rights (NAJAR), urges the President to exercise her powers under Article 111 of the Constitution to return the Bill to Parliament for reconsideration.

By Hidayat Parmar*  The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is a proposed legal framework that seeks to replace religion-based personal laws with a single, uniform civil legal system applicable to all citizens.

By A Representative   Noted social activist and Magsaysay awardee Sandeep Pandey has strongly condemned the life imprisonment and lengthy prison sentences handed down by a special NIA court to senior Kashmiri leader Aasiya Andrabi and her two associates, describing the verdict as a politically motivated act that violates principles of justice and human rights.

By Nava Thakuria*   Even as Assam Police arrested seven individuals on suspicion of their involvement in the alleged murder of musical icon Zubeen Garg in Singapore on 19 September last year, a coroner’s court in the island nation has ruled the death an accidental drowning . The city-state’s mainstream newspaper  reported that the inquiry into the singer’s death—after he was found floating face down following a swim off Lazarus Island in 2025—concluded it was accidental.

By A Representative   In a unique and powerful appeal for peace, the newly launched platform Global Gandhi  has released a compelling message attributed to Mahatma Gandhi, generated through an artificial intelligence (AI) review of his archives to address the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

By Bharat Dogra  At the heart of India’s struggle against climate change lies a simple yet profound challenge: to create a model of farming that is not only climate-resilient but also readily embraced by small farmers. For such a model to spread widely, acceptance at the grassroots is essential. In the Bundelkhand region, one organization’s quiet, persistent efforts are showing how this can be done—not through grand gestures, but through a deep, collaborative engagement with the land and its people.

By Harsh Thakor*  ​This is my all-time left-handers Test XI. It could arguably give an all-time right-handers XI a strong run for its money, boasting the likes of Garry Sobers, Brian Lara, Wasim Akram, and Adam Gilchrist.

By A Representative   Hundreds of Safai Karmacharis from ten states, alongside family members of those who lost their lives in sewer and septic tank accidents, and human rights activists, gathered at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi today to demand an immediate end to the ongoing deaths of sanitation workers across the country. The protest, organised by Safai Karmachari Andolan (SKA), saw participants stage a dharna while calling out what they termed the government’s “silence and complicity” in the face of a continuing crisis.

By Vikas Meshram*  We proudly narrate the story of our nation’s progress. On every platform, we speak of the success of Chandrayaan , Digital India , and our rapidly growing economy. But behind this radiant picture lies a darkness—the world of sanitation workers who descend into sewers, risking their lives. This darkness is not confined to the drains alone; it runs deep within the conscience of our society.

By Ram Puniyani*  We regularly read about Asaram Bapu, a rape convict, and Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Insan, a convicted murderer and rapist, being granted parole. These two babas represent a leading brand of godmen , commanding vast properties, networks of ashrams , and legions of devotees willing to do anything for them. They are the most infamous members of a cohort of frauds who cloak themselves in holiness while engaging in depraved acts.

By Fr Cedric Prakash SJ  24 March was celebrated as the Feast of St. Oscar Romero, commemorating the day in 1980 when he was brutally gunned down while celebrating the Eucharist in his native El Salvador. A fiercely outspoken critic of his government, the military and the fascist elements of his country for their continued exploitation and exclusion of the poor, it was they who killed him. 

By Vikas Meshram*  On 18 March 2026, the tribal village of Sajjangarh in southern Rajasthan witnessed the grand and dignified inauguration of a new vegetable market (mandi). Established through the tireless joint efforts of the Krushi Avam Adivasi Swaraj Sangathan (Bhilkuaan) and Vaagdhara, under the active leadership of the Gram Panchayat of Sajjangarh, the market is being hailed as a cornerstone for local self-governance, self-reliance, and a sustainable rural economy. 

By Bhabani Shankar Nayak*  The insidious politics of crony capitalism is accelerating at an unprecedented pace, aided by the reckless expansion of artificial intelligence and other technologies designed not to liberate but to dominate, domesticate, and dehumanise societies. Alongside this, an illiberal politics of cowardice is emerging—serving as an accomplice to dehumanisation amid growing imperialist wars and conflicts across the world. Death in distant lands no longer stirs conscience. The push-button culture of digital screens has transformed social media into a disconnected, individualised, Hobbesian space, where the puritan pursuit of self-interest is elevated as the essence of human existence.  

By Harsh Thakor*  The German philosopher Jürgen Habermas died on Saturday, March 14, at the age of ninety-six. Devoting more than seventy years to analysing democracy, capitalism, and the possibility of emancipatory politics, he was among the most influential intellectual figures of postwar Europe, and his writings will continue to be studied in universities and debated in political theory for years to come.

By A Representative   Civil rights groups across the country observed the martyrdom day of Bhagat Singh on March 23, as people from diverse backgrounds united to raise their voices against growing economic inequality. The mobilisations marked the launch of a nationwide campaign against inequality, running from March 23 to April 14 (Ambedkar Jayanti), under the banner of the “Tax The Top” campaign.

By A Representative   The Delhi government , in its Budget for 2026–27, has announced a set of measures aimed at improving the welfare of gig and platform workers , a rapidly growing but largely unregulated segment of the urban workforce. The proposals include facilitating access to restrooms, setting up a dedicated Gig Workers Welfare Board , and extending assurances on social security benefits .

By A Representative   A coalition of over 500 citizens, activists, researchers, and affected residents from across India has written to Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy , demanding a comprehensive review of the Musi Riverfront Development Project , the immediate withdrawal of land acquisition notifications, and the suspension of a planned groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for later this month. The open letter, dated March 24, 2026, and issued under the banner of the Musi Jan Andolan (MJA) — an independent people’s movement to safeguard River Musi and the communities living on its banks — represents one of the most coordinated challenges yet to the flagship urban renewal initiative of the Congress-led Telangana government.

By A Representative   On the occasion of World Forest Day and World Water Day , observed on March 21 and 22, environmental voices from the Western Ghats have issued a stark warning to the Union government, calling for an urgent paradigm shift in how India manages its interconnected natural resources. In a formal communication addressed to Union Minister for Jal Shakti , Sri C R Patil , and Union Minister for Forest, Environment and Climate Change , Sri Bhupendra Yadav , policy analyst Shankar Sharma has highlighted a growing disconnect between sectoral policies and the holistic reality of resource governance.

By Naile Manjarrés  On June 23, 2025—marked as the 2nd of Tir, 1404, on the Persian calendar—a ceasefire between Iran and Israel was announced. This "night of the decree" shifted the trajectory of global affairs; although the world may appear unchanged on the surface, we have yet to fully grasp its impact.

By Vikas Meshram*   Today, the reality is that the entire world stands atop a heap of gunpowder created by the proliferation of weapons. An intense global arms race is underway. The United States, which often prides itself on being a champion of democracy, is the world’s largest exporter of arms, followed by Russia. Countries such as France, China, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Spain, South Korea, and Israel are also among the leading arms exporters.

By Bharat Dogra  Dr. Ran Singh Parmar, a senior Gandhian activist who played a crucial role in organizing several long and difficult marches for peace and justice in India, passed away on March 13, 2026, at the age of 72. He died soon after addressing an important gathering of social activists in Tilda, near Raipur in Chhattisgarh. Known for his deep commitment to his work and colleagues, Ran Singh remained true to his responsibilities until the very end of his life.

By Rosamma Thomas*  The Women’s Studies Centre of CMS College, Kottayam , collaborated with the Kerala chapter of the Indian Christian Women’s Movement to host “ Breaking the Silence to End Violence ” on March 20, 2026. Filmmaker Achy Asha Joseph and Reverend Sister Ranit spoke at the event, sharing how they coped with attacks on their dignity.

By Prem Singh   Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia (23 March 1910 – 12 October 1967) identified two forms of segregation—caste and gender—as primarily responsible for the decline of social vitality and the erosion of the Indian people’s “ capacity for adventure and joy .” In his exploration of India’s cultural sociology , Lohia argued that these divisions are deeply embedded in the social structure. He even described Indians as “the saddest people on the earth” due to the prolonged persistence of these inequalities, insisting that the country’s true spirit can be unleashed only by dismantling them.