November Revelation

The last few weeks have seen events unfold quite rapidly on several interconnected planes, often leaving a maze of confusion in their wake. But the events are also helping reiterate and reinforce the two conflicting agendas that propel the politics of our times: corporate ‘Hindu Rashtra’ versus a modern democratic people’s India.Full text

Self-criticism, PWG Style: Kill Now and Repent Later

The recently declared merger of the erstwhile PWG and MCCI has been embellished by a real gem, a document entitled “We Humbly Bow Our Heads…”. The document comprises statements of self-criticism made by the central committees of the two organisations regarding their pre-merger strained relations. The large number of people killed in internecine clashes between the two organisations have now been posthumously rehabilitated as martyrs worthy of being paid red salutes. Full text

Private Banks Opened Up to Foreign Control

Despite the Left crying itself hoarse over the CMP, the UPA government at the centre has been doggedly pursuing its reforms agenda. One of the most important areas where the reforms are targeted to take deeper roots is the financial sector. This is the preferred route for international finance capital, to dominate the economy. Full text

UPA Protects Corporates, Leaves People at the Mercy of Price Hike

The second increase in petroleum prices within 3 months is a result of crude prices going up beyond 50 dollars per barrel in the international market. There seems to be little likelihood of international prices coming down in coming months – except perhaps due to a drastic reduction in demand from China. Full text

Politics of Pollution in ‘Global’ Delhi

In the last fifteen years, since the policies of liberalization, privatisation and globalisation were institutionalised, the landscape of Delhi has morphed out of recognition. From mixed neighbourhoods to exclusive elite conclaves, from hundreds of informal markets to a score of glitzy shopping malls, from ‘brick and mortar’ industries to high tech information highways, the change has been rapid and palpable. While a few privileged ones welcome the changing face of the city, for the majority of the poor and working people, these changes affect their lives and livelihoods in ways as to make even bare survival a gruelling daily struggle for them. . . ... Full text

High Priests of Criminalization of Religion

Reacting to the death of Veerappan, the ‘forest brigand’ in the stage-managed ‘encounter’ of the Special Task Force of Tamil Nadu Police last month, Jayendra Saraswathi, the head of the Sankara Mutt in Kancheepuram described the event as the killing of Narakasura (demon-king), a veritable Diwali gift to the people of the state from the ever benevolent ...... . Full text

The Butchers Worse Than the Bandit

The longest and the costliest- ever hunt for a bandit in modern Indian history was for the elusive Veerappan. Two decades of manhunt has cost more than Rs.1000 crore to the state exchequer, according to an estimate. Veerappan is dead but the stories of atrocities of the Special Task Force (STF) are still alive. It appears that the skeletons in the STF . . . . . . Full text

AIDS As Imperialism!

December 1 is being celebrated throughout the world as World AIDS Day. This, everyone will agree is a Good Thing. HIV-AIDS is a terrible scourge and all must join hands in eradicating it. Delhi, Chennai, Goa and other cities in India are hosting Big Events that will be attended by President Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi and all the top glitterati, paparazzi, literati etc. ....Full text

UPA Makes a Mockery of Right to Work and Universal Employment Guarantee

Instead of fulfilling the long-standing popular demand for incorporation of the right to work as a fundamental right, or enactment of a comprehensive legislation for agricultural labourers, the Common Minimum Programme of the UPA government promised only a legislation to guarantee 100 days of assured employment for one individual in every family living below the poverty line. The process of dilution however did not stop there, rather it only started with the CMP. ....Full text

National Environment Policy 2004:
More Conversation, Less Conservation

First the good news: The Indian government is finally on its way to adopting a national environment policy. The bad news: the draft of the policy, recently made public for comments, stinks sky high and could well be an environmental hazard on its own! ....Full text

Struggles in Rural Bihar

(In the last issue, we had carried excerpts of the Bihar State Conference report on the agrarian struggles waged in the last three years. We continue and conclude this below. ) ...Full text