Counterview

By Bharat Dogra   Recent proposals, including constitutional amendments to provide 33% reservation for women in state and central legislatures, have sparked wide discussion. In this context, it is important to examine the experiences of women leaders in rural decentralization, where reservations have existed for decades. Many women elected to village councils (panchayats) have set inspiring examples of leadership, particularly those who rose from poor families and marginalized communities. Their achievements remain significant even today.

By Mohd Ziyaullah Khan*  Of late, elections in West Bengal have drawn widespread attention, largely due to the high-voltage campaigning led by the ruling party at the Centre. The Prime Minister has taken on the role of a key campaigner, underlining the significance the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) attaches to the state. For the party, victory is a priority, which explains not only frequent rallies by the Prime Minister and the Home Minister but also the active involvement of Chief Ministers from BJP-ruled states.

By A Representative   Human rights activist Kirity Roy has written to the Election Commission of India alleging large-scale and arbitrary deletion of voters’ names from the electoral rolls in Cooch Behar district of West Bengal, raising concerns over violations of constitutional and statutory safeguards.

By Vikas Meshram*  Whenever a bill comes before India’s Parliament, it is not merely a piece of legislation. It carries the weight of decades of history, the hopes of millions—especially women—and the tangled calculations of political parties. On April 16, the government tabled the Women’s Reservation Amendment Bill , the 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill 2026 , alongside the Delimitation Bill 2026 and the Union Territory Laws Amendment Bill 2026 in the Lok Sabha. Ultimately, the bill was defeated. It received 298 votes in favour and 230 against, falling short of the two-thirds majority required for a constitutional amendment.

By A Representative   In a significant legal proceeding on April 21, 2026, the Supreme Court of India addressed ongoing concerns regarding unethical medical research during a hearing of the Public Interest Litigation filed by Swasthya Adhikar Manch against the Union of India. Presided over by Justice Pamidighantam Sri Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe, the Court examined the persistent regulatory gaps in the country’s clinical trial framework despite reforms introduced over the last decade. 

By A Representative   The rights group Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM) has written to the Election Commission of India alleging grave constitutional violations in Gobindapur village under Swarupnagar Assembly Constituency , North 24 Parganas district, where names of bona fide Indian citizens have been arbitrarily deleted from the electoral roll. 

By Rosamma Thomas*  “There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.” Would someone please cite Shakespeare to Justice P.B. Varale and the nine-judge bench hearing the Sabarimala matter in the Supreme Court? On Tuesday, Justice Varale asked whether advances in technology, education, thinking, and exposure would leave a “believer” able to suspend rationality and follow age-old practices.

By A Representative   Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM) has written to the Election Commission of India alleging grave constitutional violations in the Dinhata Assembly Constituency, Cooch Behar district, where names of bona fide Indian citizens have been arbitrarily deleted from the electoral roll.  In a letter signed by MASUM Secretary Kirity Roy , the rights group claims that the deletions disproportionately affect erstwhile enclave dwellers who were granted Indian citizenship following the 2015 Land Boundary Agreement between India and Bangladesh. The letter argues that such actions undermine the constitutional guarantee of equality and the Commission’s principle that “No voter be left behind.”

By Sudhansu R. Das Hinduism , often described as Sanatan Dharma , has long been understood by its adherents not only as a religion but also as a civilisational framework shaping ethical conduct, social organisation, and philosophical inquiry. Thinkers such as Adi Shankaracharya characterised it as an enduring and universal order concerned with duty, righteousness, and the pursuit of both material well-being and spiritual growth.

By Mohd. Ziyaullah Khan*  Written language is one of humanity’s greatest achievements, setting us apart from all other living beings. In a country like India, home to diverse languages, cultures, and traditions, books play an even more powerful role. They are not just tools of communication but bridges across generations, regions, and ideologies.  When we read the works of Munshi Premchand or Rabindranath Tagore , we are not merely reading stories; we are engaging in a silent conversation with minds that lived decades, even centuries ago. That is the true power of books: they preserve thoughts, ideas, and emotions beyond time. Recognising this immense value, the world celebrates World Book Day , a day dedicated to honouring books, authors, and the joy of reading.