Counterview

By Lathamala   Peaceful protest has always been central to India's democratic tradition. From the freedom struggle onwards, non-violent demonstrations, hunger strikes, writing, theatre and satire have been used to question injustice and hold governments accountable. Every government has, at different times, tried to control dissent, but the space for peaceful protest has narrowed considerably in recent years.

By Mohd. Ziyaullah Khan   The recent crackdown on students protesting under the banner of the Campaign for Judicial and Public Justice (CJP) has once again ignited a national debate on accountability, democratic rights, and the functioning of India's education system. Images of injured students, heavy police deployment, and confrontations near Parliament have sparked outrage among opposition parties, civil society groups, and thousands of citizens who believe that peaceful dissent should never be met with excessive force.

By Rumaan Mecci*   Friends, we have finally reached an epochal moment in history. The media has now become worthy of ruling this country. I suggest we do away with the courts, the police, Parliament, and educational institutions altogether. The media has got it all covered.

By Bharat Dogra  Lakshmi and Reeta are from Sagavara village in Udaipur district, Rajasthan. Three changes in their lives have brought unexpected yet highly welcome improvements for them and their households.

By Vikas Meshram*  Directed by Nithilan Swaminathan, the Tamil thriller 'Maharaja' became a resounding success upon release, powered by the compelling performances of Vijay Sethupathi, Anurag Kashyap, and the rest of the cast, and it continues to be talked about today both for the success it earned and for the storytelling craft behind it. Released in theatres on June 14, 2024, the film drew positive responses from critics and won over audiences, going on to consistently perform well at the box office and cross the hundred-crore mark worldwide.

By Bhabani Shankar Nayak*  American capitalism has long promised the pursuit of the so-called American Dream —a society built on individual freedom, free markets, consumer choice, and competition. According to this ideal, hard work, determination, and innovation would enable individuals to prosper in an open economic system where success depends on merit rather than privilege. Yet widening inequality, stagnant wages, growing poverty, and recurring economic crises have steadily eroded this promise, exposing the contradictions between the rhetoric and the reality of American capitalism.

By Harsh Thakor*   The cricketing world mourns the loss of Sir Garfield Sobers , who passed away at his home in Barbados at the age of 89, just eleven days short of his 90th birthday. His departure marks the end of an era, leaving a void that can never be filled. Sobers was not merely a cricketer; he was the embodiment of sporting excellence, a prophet who descended upon the cricket pitch and redefined the very essence of the game. To watch Sobers play was to witness art in its purest form, a masterpiece crafted with bat and ball that transcended the boundaries of sport and entered the realm of the supernatural.

By Mohd Ziyauallah Khan   The Comptroller and Auditor General of India 's (CAG) latest audit of Maharashtra 's finances has raised important questions about the fiscal management and implementation of the BJP-led state's flagship Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana . While the scheme has been projected as a landmark initiative to empower women through direct financial assistance, the audit presents a more complex picture—one that invites scrutiny of financial discipline , transparency , and the state's long-term development priorities .

By A Representative   On the 84th anniversary of the Quit India Movement, the Youth Socialist Initiative (YSI) staged a mass public rally at Jantar Mantar on July 19, issuing a sharp indictment of what they term the "merchants of education" and demanding a complete reversal of the privatization, commercialization, and globalization of India’s educational system.

By Bharat Dogra   On July 19, police dispersed a peaceful protest against the Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP) in Madhya Pradesh's Chhatarpur district. The movement's leader, Amit Bhatnagar, who had been on an indefinite fast for nearly two weeks, was taken to hospital. According to "The Tribune" (July 20), he announced soon after his admission that he would continue his fast.

By Fr. Cedric Prakash SJ  The proverb “Old is gold” has stood the test of time—and for good reason. It speaks of enduring value, accumulated wisdom, and the irreplaceable quality of things that have weathered the years. Whether we think of cherished traditions, vintage treasures, or timeless music, there is an authenticity in the old that the new often cannot replicate.

By Rezgar Akrawi   When Vladimir Lenin wrote about imperialism and considered it the highest stage of capitalism, he was tracking the moment capital shifted from the space of free competition into the world of monopoly, where banks merged with industry, the state turned into a direct instrument serving finance capital, and the world was redivided by force among the great monopolistic blocs. 

By Balram Banskota, Jeong-eun Hwang   On 4 March 2026, a US military vessel torpedoed and sunk the unarmed Iranian frigate IRIS Dena off the southern coast of Sri Lanka. The illegal strike killed over 80 and injured over 30 Iranian sailors, who were returning home after participating in the Indian Navy's flagship biennial multilateral naval drill, Exercise MILAN, and the International Fleet Review, in Visakhapatnam.

By Harleen Kaur  Four years ago, Colombo was the world’s cautionary tale. A sovereign default, fuel queues that stretched for kilometres, a presidential palace occupied by its own citizens. This week, the same city is hosting trade unionists, party cadre, scholars, and ministers from across Asia, from Nepal to the Philippines and from Iran to Indonesia. They have gathered under a banner that would have sounded utopian in 2022: Hands Off Asia.

By Rajiv Shah    A new study analyzing the attendance records of Members of Parliament during the Budget Session of 2026 has revealed significant disparities in the attendance patterns of MPs across both Houses of Parliament, highlighting that less than two-thirds of the members met a minimum attendance threshold of 75% of the sittings, raising crucial questions about legislative accountability and citizen representation.

By A Representative   The All-India Feminist Alliance (ALIFA) has joined the national campaign for the immediate and unconditional implementation of the Women's Reservation Act, 2023, calling on the government to introduce a constitutional amendment in the upcoming monsoon session of Parliament to delink the quota from the census and delimitation processes. 

By Bhabani Shankar Nayak*  Hunger strikes are moral strategies in politics, used to awaken the human consciousness of the governing classes. As a political strategy, it has been employed in various struggles against ruling elites to humanise power and democratise society for the greater common good. Mahatma Gandhi used the hunger strike to appeal to the political consciousness of the masses, urging them to join the anti-colonial struggle against British rule. He also wielded the threat of "fast unto death" as a strategy to appeal to the moral conscience of society to end communal conflict between Hindus and Muslims during the partition of India. The strategy worked; the Noakhali riots were halted by Gandhi's non-violent intervention.

By A Representative   A group of academics, former diplomats, retired civil servants, writers, and activists has issued two public representations expressing concern over the indefinite hunger strike led by education and environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk, urging the Union government to engage in dialogue with protesting students and address concerns over alleged irregularities in national examinations.

By Raj Kumar Sinha*  Since it was dedicated to the nation by the Prime Minister on 17 September 2017, the Sardar Sarovar Dam has remained synonymous with incomplete rehabilitation of the people displaced by the project. Now, it faces fresh controversy. 

By Bharat Dogra  In Sema, a remote village in Rajasthan's Rajsamand district, Bhagwati Lal and his wife Rekha share equal credit for creating a remarkable farm that has become an inspiration for villagers and visitors alike. Their achievement demonstrates how even a very small piece of land can provide a strong foundation for sustainable livelihoods while enhancing climate resilience and protecting the environment.

By Bhabani Shankar Nayak*  The rise of racism, xenophobia, anti-migrant mobilisation, and flag-waving nationalist movements proclaiming that "Britain is for the British, Europe for Europeans, and America for Americans" is no longer a fringe phenomenon confined to isolated communities. These reactionary movements increasingly influence mainstream political parties, encouraging an illiberal turn in electoral rhetoric, public policy, and governance across much of the Western world.

By Jag Jivan    A technical regulatory notice issued by India's Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIB&RC) in April 2026 has drawn sharp criticism from public health advocates and farmers' organizations, who warn that proposed relaxations in pesticide residue testing could compromise food safety and public health. The notice invites comments on recommendations from the Scientific Panel on Pesticide Residue (SPPR) under FSSAI , proposing the adoption of a " Crop Grouping " framework for setting Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs)—the legal ceiling on pesticide residues permitted on food crops.

By Kumar Krishnan*  The most troubling image of a democracy is not always found inside Parliament. More often, it emerges outside it—on a street, at a protest site, or beside a hospital bed. That unfolded in New Delhi on Saturday. After 21 days on an indefinite hunger strike, social activist Sonam Wangchuk was moved by the Delhi Police from Jantar Mantar to Safdarjung Hospital following directions from the Delhi High Court and the advice of a panel of medical experts. The court underscored a fundamental constitutional principle: every citizen's life is precious. The police maintained that they were simply complying with the court's order. Protesters, however, viewed the move as an attempt to weaken the movement and registered their opposition.

By Fr. Cedric Prakash SJ*  It was the twenty-first day (since 28 June) of the hunger strike of noted environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk. On the morning of 18 July, the Delhi police forcibly, and against his will, admitted him to hospital, apparently due to his deteriorating health condition. Sonam, along with some other students, had been on a fast in support of the demands of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). For almost a month, led by Abhijeet Dipke, hundreds of youth had been protesting at Jantar Mantar. They were demanding the resignation of the Education Minister, after a key entrance exam for aspiring doctors, the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG), was cancelled in early May following a paper leak. They said he must take moral responsibility for the leak and resign immediately. The protesters were also demanding the resignation of the Prime Minister. They plan to march to Parliament on 20 July, but the Government has still not relented or agreed to dia...

By Vikas Meshram*  Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike has reached a dramatic and troubling turning point. After more than twenty days of fasting at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, the 59‑year‑old activist was removed from the protest site early Saturday morning and taken to Safdarjung Hospital. According to Delhi Police, the action was taken “in accordance with the orders of the High Court and on expert medical advice due to the deteriorating health condition of Sonam Wangchuk.” 

By Bharat Dogra   The Banas River flows for over 500 km through water-scarce Rajasthan, fulfilling important ecological functions and meeting the needs of countless people. The Bisalpur Project has further extended its importance by supplying drinking water to many more people, including those in Ajmer. In its upper reaches in southern Rajasthan, nestled in the Aravalli Hills, this seasonal river has sometimes been referred to as Van ki Aas (Hope of the Forests), a reminder of its vital ecological role. The river, a tributary of the Chambal River, is also closely associated with several mythological tales that reflect an enduring recognition of its significance and the need to keep it clean and protected.

By Raj Kumar Sinha*  The evolving conflict between the United States and Iran is increasingly reshaping the geopolitical landscape of West Asia. Beyond the battlefield, the region is witnessing significant diplomatic shifts that could redefine the balance of power for years to come. Before the outbreak of the current war, a key objective of the United States and Israel reportedly was to trigger an anti-regime uprising in Iran following the assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. However, this strategy appears to have failed. Instead of weakening the Iranian state, the crisis has, in several respects, strengthened national unity. 

By Bhabani Shankar Nayak*  Elon Musk is a wealthy person and an influential figure in global right-wing politics, known for spreading controversial rhetoric. As a supporter of U.S. President Trump, he led the federal initiative called the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which operated from January 20, 2025, until July 4, 2026. Under Musk's leadership, the department worked toward shutting down the U.S. Agency for International Development ( USAID ) and eliminating its $40 billion budget in the name of efficiency and austerity. Critics argue that while substantial funds are allocated for military spending, humanitarian aid is deprioritized under American capitalism .

By Ajay Chaudhary*  For centuries, the Indian Ocean has been more than a vast expanse of water—it has been the artery of global commerce. Today, it carries more than one-third of the world's bulk cargo and nearly two-thirds of global seaborne oil shipments, making South Asia's ports indispensable to international trade. For the region's littoral states, these maritime gateways have traditionally been viewed as engines of economic growth, regional connectivity, and national development.

By Mohd. Ziyaullah Khan*  The recent demolition order affecting a significant portion of the buildings at Mohammad Ali Jauhar University (MAJU), Rampur, has once again brought into focus a question that extends far beyond the boundaries of one institution. It raises a larger constitutional and moral dilemma: how should a democratic society enforce the rule of law without jeopardizing the educational future of thousands of students?

By Deepika Tandon, Shahana Bhattacharya *  The People's Union for Democratic Rights (PUDR) new  report "Reddening The Green: Costs, Contexts, And Consequences Of The War In Bastar (2024-2026)" presents an account of 27 months of Operation Kagaar — security operations conducted jointly by the central and state governments between January 2024 and March 2026 with the professed object of the complete elimination of "Naxalism" or "Left-Wing Extremism." While Kagaar was conducted across several states of central-eastern India, including Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra, this report focuses on seven districts of the Bastar division. 

By A Representative   Feminist activists, political leaders and representatives of marginalised communities on Wednesday demanded that the implementation of the Women's Reservation Act be delinked from the Census and delimitation process, asserting that 33 per cent reservation for women can be introduced at the current strength of Parliament.

By Bharat Dogra  Sanitation has long been a weak link in the development of peri-urban areas, and the small town of Khamnor in South Rajasthan reflected this reality until about five years ago. Garbage lay scattered across the town, often clogging water sources and creating an unhealthy environment.

By Harsh Thakor*  Ben Stokes, the most defining English cricketer of his era – a man who could turn the complexion of a game from the direst straits and transform despair into delirium with a single swing of his bat – announced his retirement from international cricket on June 28, 2026, during the ongoing third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge . The decision, shared with the England squad ahead of play that day, brought the curtain down on a glittering 15-year international career . His announcement marks an irreparable loss to the game of cricket, a moment that leaves the sport poorer for his absence.

By Ravi Ranjan*   Shrikant Verma’s "Kosala Lacks Ideas" is a deceptively brief poem that unfolds into a dense meditation on power, language, history and the moral foundations of political life. Although framed as a courtly celebration of a king’s victory, the poem steadily dismantles the very idea of victory, exposing how political authority manufactures legitimacy through language, spectacle and selective memory. 

  By Jag Jivan   A new book by economists Santosh Mehrotra and Jajati Parida argues that India is squandering its demographic dividend even as the country's labour market slides deeper into crisis. In "India Out of Work: Rethinking India's Growth Story," released via Bloomsbury , the authors write that non-farm job creation has stalled at a time when it is most needed, and that the formal sector, which offers security and fair wages, remains stagnant. This has pushed a growing share of the workforce into informal or unpaid work, which the authors say now accounts for just over 90 per cent of all employment.

By Venkatesh Nayak*  Last month, senior officials of the MInistry of External Affairs were quoted by the media as saying that the passport their colleagues issue every day is only a travel document. Apparently it does not constitute proof of Indian citizenship. This revelation has set the proverbial cat among the pigeons, when crores of people are being asked to prove that they are eligible to vote in the parliamentary and state assembly elections. Even though less than 10% of the citizens of India hold passports, those who have it do not own it, despite paying through their nose for it, as every passport is boldly marked: "This passport is the property of the Government of India". Section 17 of The Passports Act, 1967 states: " A passport or travel document issued under this Act shall in all times remain the property of the Central Government."

By Martin Macwan  Sonam Wangchuk's health is fragile. Everyone knows what could happen if his fast continues, and yet many are still waiting and watching. The allegation against the government is that it has neither the intention nor the time to talk to fasting protesters who are not risking their lives for personal gain. In fact, since the government is made by the people, to say that the people of India have no time or intention to talk to Sonam and those with him would not be an exaggeration—unless people conclude that they had no role at all in forming this government.

By Mohd Ziyauallah Khan  Public protests are the lifeblood of a democracy. They remind those in power that citizens are watching, questioning, and demanding accountability. In recent weeks, demonstrations against what critics have mockingly called the "Cockroach Janata Party" (CJP), along with expressions of support for environmentalist and activist Sonam Wangchuk, have attracted considerable public attention. Like many others, I feel sympathy for those taking to the streets and, at times, even a sense of guilt for not standing beside them.

By Ram Puniyani*  RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat often performs rhetorical acrobatics to defend the idea of a Hindu Rashtra. At times, he says that everyone living in India is a Hindu because we share a common ancestry. Earlier RSS ideologues, however, were more explicit in asserting that Islam and Christianity are foreign religions.

By Osman Sher*  Historian Arnold Toynbee, in his book "Mankind and Mother Earth," observes: "In most periods of the history of the Indian subcontinent the Indians have felt more concern about religion than about politics and economics." A survey of history, beginning in the mid-sixth century BC, when recorded history emerged in the Indian subcontinent with the establishment of Bimbisara's rule in southern Bihar, confirms the truth of this observation. This phenomenon continued through the eras of the Mauryas, Kushanas, Guptas, Vardhanas, Muslim rulers, the British, and into the present day.

By A Representative   The National Alliance for Climate and Ecological Justice (NACEJ) has strongly condemned what it calls the violation of constitutional and human rights of communities affected by the Ken-Betwa Link Project, demanding the project's complete cancellation, reparations for losses already suffered, and the adoption of decentralized alternatives that do not require displacement. In a statement issued on July 16, 2026, the alliance expressed solidarity with the ongoing protest movement against displacement caused by the river interlinking scheme, condemning what it described as illegal arrests, evictions and demolitions carried out against affected residents.

By Bharat Dogra  Guddi joined a self-help group (SHG) in Udaipur in search of livelihood opportunities based on patchwork. Over time, she progressed well enough to start a unit of her own and emerge as an entrepreneur. Om Kunwar similarly established her own tailoring and garment-stitching unit. Nutan has done even better. She came looking for work, but today she provides employment to more than 30 women through her crochet-based enterprise.

  By Rajiv Shah   One and a half years ago, I wrote a blog wondering whether merely hiding the promise of a bribe in India — not actually paying it — is a crime in the US. Citing a CNN report on the Adani case in the US, I quoted it to say that the US justice department had sought to indict Gautam Adani, his nephew Sagar Adani and others for "promising" more than $250 million in bribes to Indian government officials to secure solar energy contracts.

By A Representative   The People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) has appealed to the protesters on hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, including activist Sonam Wangchuk and protesting students, to consider ending their fast while reaffirming its support for their demand that Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resign over alleged failures in the education system.

By A Representative   Mujahid Nafees, Convener of the Minority Coordination Committee (MCC), has submitted a representation to the Director General of Police (DGP), Gujarat, alleging that Surat police officers violated Supreme Court guidelines and a Gujarat DGP circular by allegedly assaulting accused persons in public during a police reconstruction exercise.

By A Representative   Human rights activist Kirity Roy, Secretary of Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM) and National Convenor of the Programme Against Custodial Torture & Impunity (PACTI), has submitted a detailed complaint to the Chief Minister of West Bengal seeking immediate intervention into the alleged assault of a 64-year-old farmer by a Border Security Force (BSF) officer and the subsequent refusal of police to register a First Information Report (FIR).

By A Representative   The Campaign Against State Repression (CASR), a coalition of civil rights, labour and student organisations, has condemned the issuance of a notice by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to labour rights activist Manjeet in connection with the Lucknow Conspiracy Case (FIR No. RC-01/2023/NIA/Lucknow).

By Bharat Dogra   Women water volunteers, known as Jal Sahelis, have played an increasingly important role in recent years in water conservation, protection of water sources, and improving access to water and sanitation in many villages of the Bundelkhand region. The response and contributions of Jal Sahelis—translated as "women friends of water"—have surpassed the expectations of most people in several villages. 

By Carmen Navas Reyes  When people think of economic sanctions, they often imagine a mechanism targeting a specific government, specific assets, or a list of names. But the U.S. sanctions regime operates differently and in a much broader way, relying on a phenomenon known as 'overcompliance': banks, companies, and platforms around the world sever ties or reject transactions with institutions and individuals from sanctioned countries far beyond what the law strictly requires, simply out of fear of losing their access to the international financial system in dollars, one of the weapons that strongly underpin U.S. imperialism.