Protesters in UK cities voice concerns over alleged developments in Bastar region

By A Representative

Demonstrations were held across several cities in the United Kingdom on March 28, as groups and activists gathered to protest what they described as state actions in India under the reported “Operation Kagar.”

According to a press release issued by the Joint Committee to Stop Repression in India, protests took place in London, Manchester, Glasgow and Nottingham as part of an international day of action. The mobilisation was linked to calls by groups including the International Committee to Support the People’s War in India and the Forum Against Corporatisation and Militarisation, coinciding with what organisers termed “Anti-Imperialism Week.”

Organisers alleged that the operation involves increased security activity in parts of central and eastern India, particularly in the Bastar region, which they described as heavily militarised. The claims, including references to violence against Adivasi communities and Maoist-linked groups, could not be independently verified.

In Manchester, protesters gathered to highlight links between Tata Steel and the Henry Royce Institute at the University of Manchester. Demonstrators expressed concerns over corporate involvement in resource extraction and broader political issues.

In London, a protest took place outside the Science Museum, focusing on its reported association with Adani Green Energy. Participants distributed leaflets and called for the museum to end ties with the Adani Group. Some attendees also interacted with passersby and other demonstrations in the area.

In Glasgow, demonstrators protested outside offices associated with American International Group (AIG), citing its business links with the Adani Group. In Nottingham, a separate protest targeted the University of Nottingham over its partnerships with defence and technology companies.

The protests included speeches, chants and distribution of informational material. Organisers said the demonstrations aimed to raise awareness of what they view as the impact of corporate and state policies in India, as well as broader global political and economic links.

The press release also referenced allegations of incidents involving activists in Delhi earlier in March; however, no independent confirmation of these claims was immediately available.

There has been no official response from the Government of India regarding the specific allegations mentioned in the statement. The Indian government has previously maintained that its security operations in Maoist-affected regions are aimed at combating insurgency and ensuring law and order.

The demonstrations concluded without reports of major disruptions, according to the organisers.

Comments

When democracy becomes a performance: The Tibetan exile experience

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.

Study links sanctions to 500,000 deaths annually leading to rise in global backlash

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.

Beyond the island: Top mythologist reorients the geography of the Ramayana

By Jag Jivan In a compelling new analysis that challenges conventional geographical assumptions about the ancient epic, writer and mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik has traced the roots of the Ramayana to the forests and river systems of Central and Eastern India, rather than the peninsular south or the modern island nation of Sri Lanka.

Alarming decline in India's repair culture threatens circular economy goals: Study

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.

Captains extraordinaire: Ranking cricket’s most influential skippers

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.

Dr. Ram Bux Singh: Biogas pioneer’s legacy gains urgency amid energy crisis

By A Representative In an era defined by a global energy crisis and a desperate search for sustainable solutions, the visionary work of an Indian scientist from the mid-20th century is finding renewed, urgent relevance. Dr. Ram Bux Singh , a pioneering figure in biogas and renewable energy , is being posthumously honored by the Government of India, even as his decades-old innovations provide a blueprint for today’s challenges.

‘No merit’ in Chakraborty’s claims: Personal ethics talk sans details raises questions

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.”

A 366-metre gap, a million commuters affected: Kolkata metro delay hurts public interest

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.

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.

Search This Blog