Counterview

By A Representative   The Adivasi Adhikar Rashtriya Manch (AARM) has issued a strong condemnation following the alleged custodial killing of 22-year-old Dilip Ahari, an Adivasi youth from Kalariya village in Dungarpur district, Rajasthan. Ahari was arrested on September 26th on theft charges and reportedly subjected to brutal torture at the Dowda Police Station. He was subsequently hospitalized in critical condition at the Dungarpur district hospital, later transferred to RNT Medical College, Udaipur, and was declared dead on September 30th.

By A Representative   A social organisation, HOWL (How Ought We Live), has raised concerns over the continued detention of journalist and activist Sourav Banerjee in Madhya Pradesh, alleging that his imprisonment and the demolition of community initiatives are part of an attempt to suppress tribal and marginalised voices.

By Ram Puniyani   Communal violence is a curse in Indian politics. It has been around for over a century. Most scholars of this phenomenon believe that it is usually orchestrated deliberately. After such violence, conditions for communal polarization arise. Scholars also argue that “the religious polarization resulting from riots benefits political parties that engage in identity-based politics, while harming the Congress.” 

By A Representative   The National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM) has strongly condemned the Bihar government’s decision to lease 1,050 acres of land in Pirpainti, Bhagalpur district, to Adani Power for a 2,400 MW coal-based thermal power project. 

By Palla Trinadha Rao  Secularism, enshrined as a basic feature of the Constitution of India (as affirmed in S.R. Bommai v. Union of India, (1994) 3 SCC 1), guarantees equal respect for all religions while ensuring that the State maintains a principled distance from religion. In the tribal regions of Andhra Pradesh, however, the interplay between constitutional values, religious practices, and indigenous traditions has given rise to unique challenges. While tribals are often referred to as Adivasi, Vanavasi, or Mulavasi, their constitutional identity is formally recognized as Scheduled Tribes under Article 342. Clause (25) of Article 366 defines Scheduled Tribes as “such tribes or tribal communities or parts of or groups within such tribes or tribal communities as are deemed under Article 342 to be Scheduled Tribes for the purposes of this Constitution.” This recognition is not merely symbolic—it affirms the constitutional obligation to safeguard their traditions, culture, and gove...

By Harsh Thakor*  The cricket world is mourning the loss of one of its most legendary figures, Dickie Bird, who has passed away at the age of 92. Bird was more than just an umpire; he was one of his generation's most beloved, accomplished, charismatic, and eccentric sporting characters. It's a rare feat for a cricket umpire to become one of the most popular figures in the country, but Bird’s widespread appeal extended far beyond the boundary ropes of the sport he devoted his life to. He will forever hold a permanent place among the greatest characters in Yorkshire’s history, as few others infused the game with as much life and elevated its spirit the way he did.

By Raj Kumar Sinha*  Limited consumption of nature was a central tenet of Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy. He believed that humans should take only what they need from nature, avoiding greed or over-consumption. Therefore, resources must be used sparingly, justly, and with the welfare of others in mind. Gandhi connected lifestyle to simplicity and self-restraint. He warned against unbridled industrialization and dependence on machines. He argued that the Western style of consumption-centric development was fatal for a country like India, as it harms both nature and society. Gandhi was a proponent of 'Swadeshi' (self-sufficiency/local goods) and 'Gram Swaraj' (village self-rule). This approach ensures that the sustainable use of local resources is safe for both the environment and society.

By A Representative   A group of concerned citizens led by public policy expert and climate change campaigner Dr. Narasimha Reddy Donthi has submitted extensive comments on the Draft Civil Drone (Promotion and Regulation) Bill, 2025, urging the Ministry of Civil Aviation to incorporate stronger provisions for safety, security, environmental protection, and accountability.

By A Representative   Marking one month since the United States imposed a steep 50% tariff on nearly half of India’s exports, trade unions, public intellectuals and industry representatives came together at a public discussion organised by the National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM) and the National Alliance for Justice, Accountability and Rights (NAJAR). The event, held on September 14 under the theme “Trump’s Tariffs and Indian Workers: Impact, Challenges and Way Ahead,” strongly criticised both the US government’s “hostile” action and what participants described as the Indian government’s “shameful inaction” in the face of the crisis.