Category Archives: Debates

Debates, Democracy, Feminism, Government, Left watch, Politics, Public health

Early morning on Women’s Day in Thiruvananthapuram, 2025

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Photo: K B Jayachandran

Today is International Women’s Day.

ASHA workers on strike for the twenty eighth day, sleeping in front of the State Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram.

Happy Women’s Day from Kerala, the Land of Women’s Empowerment!!

On this day, true to the fighting spirit of the women workers who fought valiantly for their rights and who faced the tyrant’s bullets fearlessly, Kerala’s COVID-warriors, our ASHA workers, sleep on the rain-soaked pavement in front of the State Secretariat in the capital city of Kerala.

Happy Women’s Day, Pinarayi Vijayan and Veena George. You must getting ready for the day refreshed by sleep in your soft beds, in the mansions that we the citizens of Kerala have funded for the comfort of our rulers.

Happy Women’s Day, Com. Thomas Isaac. Yes, you wouldn’t have been so famous the world over, if not for ‘women’s empowerment’ and the whole local-level development jingbang! See how empowered they are now. I am sure you must be happy now.

Happy Women’s Day, all of you in the CPM who have fattened on the achievements of women development workers — T N Seema and others — and the CPM hanger-ons who have managed a ‘feminist look’. Those women have learned to resist power, what a shame! I can imagine you rolling your kohl-lined eyes, frown-lines creasing those big red bindis on your foreheads . Those who set out to empower Kerala’s poorest women are now truly EM-powered. What an interesting and convenient twist!

Happy Women’s Day to Kerala’s ‘development movement’, the Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishat! But I did not know that a people’s science movement went into mauna vratas, en masse. There can be no other explanations for their stunning silence, for all their concern about Kerala’s local-level development and public health.

Happy Women’s Day, feminist development experts who have all got nice shares of glory, along with other resources, from the Kerala government’s propaganda upholding its commitment to women’s empowerment … you who have not bothered to utter a single word despite seeing this rank injustice unfold … Private expressions of shock are useless, you know?

Centre watch, Culture, Debates, Democracy, Education, Government, Religion, Right watch

Goa: Who Fears The Truth?

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How Hindutva Supremacists are engaged in ‘rewriting history’.

‘There are times when madness reigns

And then it is the best who hang’

– Albrecht Haushoffer

[January 7, 1903 – April 23, 1945, German geographer, diplomat, author, who faced martyrdom for his resistance to Nazism]

Uday Bhembre, the 87-year-old widely respected Konkani writer, son of legendary freedom fighter Laxmikant Bhembre, who has been a Sahitya Akademi awardee, is a worried man these days.

He has discovered to his dismay that his courage to speak the truth and challenge a narrative being peddled by the ruling dispensation in Goa, .. regarding well established facts of Goa’s own history, would lead to protests, led by Right-wing formations and many among them trespassing his house at night and pressuring him to issue an public apology.

Not very many people outside Goa know how this great writer – he was even a MLA (1984-89) — had neglected his literary career to fight for rights of Konkani language and has been against attempts to merge Goa into Maharashtra, to preserve its culture.

Thanks to the existence of powerful voices of resistance and a vibrant civil society in Goa, a significant number of people have publicly condemned these attempts to intimidate Bhembre and demanded strict action against the perpetrators and exposed the collusion of the Right-wing formations with people in power. Many even went to meet the noted writer to express solidarity with him. ( Read the full article here :https://www.newsclick.in/goa-who-fears-truth)

Debates, Democracy, Feminism, Government, Left watch, Public health

To the CM of Kerala: In solidarity with ASHA workers: Panchali Ray

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The COVID-19 pandemic brought home that everything of value, beginning from the very regeneration of life, is entirely dependent upon human labour in all its diverse, productive and reproductive forms. Yet, this life-making regenerative labour is pegged at the lowest level when it comes to recognition, rights, entitlements, and status in the labour market. While this is a no-brainer when it comes to governments committed to capitalism that rely on women’s unpaid/partially paid labour to drive development schemes, one wonders how the government of Kerala, committed to a more egalitarian political economy, unleashes violence of such magnitude on grassroot women workers.

Continue reading To the CM of Kerala: In solidarity with ASHA workers: Panchali Ray →
Debates, Democracy, Feminism, Government, Left watch, Public health

ICAN stands in solidarity with Kerala ASHA Health Workers Association (KAHWA)

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The Indian Community Activists Network (ICAN) extends it unwavering
support to the striking ASHA workers led by the Kerala ASHA Health
Workers Association (KAHWA).


ASHA workers, at the grassroots level, are the main workforce of the public health sector. However, the succeeding governments at the Centre and states have always refused to recognise their immense value to the poor and needy in the rural India. They serve village folk and carry the health messages to the doorsteps of every household.


Despite their great service they are the lowest paid employees who are
euphemistically known as volunteer-workers. Using this title, the
government has abandoned its responsibility to pay them a decent salary. We are dismayed to note that the situation is no better in a state like Kerala ruled by LDF which boasts of speaking for the poor.


Friends, your demand to raise your remuneration up to Rs. 21,000 is just in view of the minimum wage Rs. 18,000 of an unskilled industrial worker approved by the government. ICAN hopes that the LDF government sees merit in all five demands raised by you and act in a reasonable manner by accepting them. We are confident
of your success.


In solidarity
Arvind Murti

Debates, Democracy, Feminism, Government, Left watch, Public health

Medical Professionals in solidarity with the striking ASHA workers of Kerala

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28th Feb 2025

Kerala’s public health system, the pride of the state, stands on the labours of many groups of people who are neither paid well nor recognized enough. The ASHA workers form one such important group who reach out to Kerala’ those sections of the lower middle class and the poor sections who cannot afford expensive private care. They are our vital health support structure in the event of pandemics and natural disasters, too. In Kerala, in the past decade we have known at least in two moments of crisis – the floods of 2018 and the pandemic – how crucial this force is in containing disease and keeping up the morale of people even in the remotest locations. As Kerala’s public health system gears up for further challenges, the workloads of these workers will only increase; the current workloads they carry, of carrying out numerous health surveys is already huge indeed.

Continue reading Medical Professionals in solidarity with the striking ASHA workers of Kerala →
Debates, Feminism, Government, Left watch, Public health

Open Letter to the Kerala Chief Minister about the Ongoing ASHA workers’ strike: Cynthia Stephen

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Respected sir,

As a long-time advocate for the rights of women and their empowerment, we are used to comparing the situation of women in Kerala as a good model for women’s empowerment in all fields of life. The history of workers’ struggles and the fact that even women in the informal sector receive government benefits after retirement is a shining example to the rest of the world. 

Continue reading Open Letter to the Kerala Chief Minister about the Ongoing ASHA workers’ strike: Cynthia Stephen →
Debates, Feminism, Left watch, Politics, Public health

‘Anarchists’? ‘Tin-pan fund collectors’ Movement’? What is the Kerala Asha Health Workers’ Association?

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In the past few weeks, the CPM ministers, CITU leaders like Ilamaram Kareem and CPM cyber propagandists have been relentless in their attack against the SUCI, heaping on them insult after insult. The preferred insults have been ‘anarchists’ and ‘tin-pan fund collectors’. The SUCI is a small group of committed people who have however produced significant political impact. They have indeed been a thorn in the flesh of the local CPM for quite some time — from at least the anti-waste dumping struggle at the panchayat of Vilappilsala in 2012 to the K-Rail protests, the SUCI’s intrepid persistence was important in forcing the government to back off. These insults are not new either; we have been hearing them since back in 2012 or earlier. But the Kerala Asha Health Workers’ Association has been especially targeted for slander, as though they were just a tool of the SUCI.

Continue reading ‘Anarchists’? ‘Tin-pan fund collectors’ Movement’? What is the Kerala Asha Health Workers’ Association? →
Debates, Democracy, Feminism, Government, Law, Left watch, Public health

Find a solution to the strike by ASHA workers in Kerala: Statement by Writers and Socio-Cultural Activists

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We request the Kerala Government to take necessary actions to end the day/night strike of the Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers in front of the Kerala secretariat for the last 17 days by meeting their just demands. ASHA workers were the backbone of our valiant fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. However, their work is not acknowledged by our society or our government. The honorarium they receive is paltry compared to the important work they are
doing.

Continue reading Find a solution to the strike by ASHA workers in Kerala: Statement by Writers and Socio-Cultural Activists →
Debates, Democracy, Feminism, Government, Left watch, Politics, Public health

This is NOT a law and order problem: The ASHA Workers’ Strike in Kerala– Althea

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Now that the ASHA workers’ strike in Thiruvananthapuram has entered its third week and public support for the workers is growing, the Kerala government, instead of trying to solve the issue, is resorting to an age-old tactic: of turning this into a law-and-order issue. Provoked by the sizeable support the workers have garnered from civil society, the police have issued notices to fourteen public intellectuals and activists who participated in the mahasangamam meeting two days back, which was a massive success despite all the threats. They have been ordered to appear at the police station within 48 hours, and accused of disturbing order and obstructing traffic.

Continue reading This is NOT a law and order problem: The ASHA Workers’ Strike in Kerala– Althea →
Debates, Democracy, Feminism, Government, Left watch, Public health

Open Letter to the Kerala CM : The Need for Grace and Empathy in the State’s Response to the ASHA Workers’ Strike: Rajesh Ramakrishnan

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Dear Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan

It is distressing to read the news of the way in which the ASHA workers’ strike in Kerala is being handled. To say that ASHA workers are being misled by anarchist organisations, as one of your senior leaders did, is to deny their own agency as they agitate for their just demands. It is wilful forgetting of the long history of trade unionism and social activism in the state, which contributed to the famed Kerala model of development.

Continue reading Open Letter to the Kerala CM : The Need for Grace and Empathy in the State’s Response to the ASHA Workers’ Strike: Rajesh Ramakrishnan →
Debates, Democracy, Government, Left watch, Public health

Strikedenigrating, Ilamaram Kareem Style: The ASHA Workers’ Strike in Kerala

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After branding the ongoing ASHA workers’ strike in Kerala, now in its third week, as ‘unnecessary’, the CPM, the leading constituent of the ruling LDF, is now proceeding to stage 2 of strike-denigrating, deploying its master-strike-denigrator — the ex-Minister and CITU leader Elamaram Kareem. This man is notorious for his anti-people stance in many earlier workers’ struggles, notably the epic struggle to end the terrible pollution of the Chaliyar river by Birla’s factory there. The full misogyny that defines the present-day CPM leadership in Kerala, as well as its reeking elitism, may be found in the ugly article that he wrote in the CPM’s organ, Deshabhimani a couple of days back. Despite the CPM’s claims about ‘women’s empowerment’, if one takes Kareem seriously, it now firmly believes that the public care work that the ASHAs do are only ‘service’ and that they are ‘not workers’.

Continue reading Strikedenigrating, Ilamaram Kareem Style: The ASHA Workers’ Strike in Kerala →
Debates, Democracy, Feminism, Government, Left watch, Public health

Letter to the Kerala CM from a Concerned Citizen about the ASHA Workers’ Strike: ARCHANA RAVI

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Dear Chief Minister,

In the democracy of our dreams, you, I and Asha workers are equal. But in this world, a (yet to be identified) person shouted at Asha workers from the first floor of the health minister’s official residence and they had to return without meeting the minister. A huge reason why the health department was praised by the world was the labour of these women. The minister’s demeanour towards them makes me wonder if she has forgotten this.

Continue reading Letter to the Kerala CM from a Concerned Citizen about the ASHA Workers’ Strike: ARCHANA RAVI →
Culture, Debates, Democracy, Religion, Right watch, Theory

‘पवित्र स्नान’ का दूसरा पहलू :  क्या महाकुंभ में सरकारी लापरवाही से लोग बेहद गंदे पानी में नहाते रहे?

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आस्था और गंदगी सहयात्री रहते आए हैं। आस्था के तमाम जाने-माने केन्द्रों पर या अपनी आस्था को सेलिब्रेट करने के नाम पर मनाए जाने वाले समारोहों में-प्रचंड ध्वनि प्रदूषण और रौशनी का प्रदूषण आदि के माध्यम से-इसकी मिसाल अक्सर देखने को मिलती है। प्लास्टर ऑफ पेरिस की मूर्तियों से भरे गंदे जलाशय-जिनकी मौजूदगी पानी के ऑक्सीजन की मात्रा पर विपरीत असर डालती है, पानी में ही फेंकी गयी सूखे फूलों की मालाएं आदि आदि से महानगर भी अछूते नहीं रहते हैं।

इस सम्बन्ध में ताज़ी मिसाल महाकुंभ के बहाने से उजागर हुई है, जब केन्द्रीय प्रदूषण नियंत्रण बोर्ड (CPCB)  की रिपोर्ट ने इस बात को उजागर किया कि किस तरह प्रयागराज के पानी में उन्हें उच्च स्तर पर मल के जीवाणु मिले हैं, जो किसी भी सूरत में नहाने योग्य नही है। इस सिलसिले में नेशनल ग्रीन टिब्यूनल ने उत्तर प्रदेश प्रदूषण नियंत्रण बोर्ड (UPPCB) के अधिकारियों को तलब भी किया है कि ‘प्रयागराज/इलाहाबाद में गंगा, यमुना के पानी की गुणवत्ता के उल्लंघन को लेकर-उन्होंने जो दिशानिर्दश जारी किए थे उस पर उन्होंने अमल नहीं किया है।

गौरतलब है कि राष्ट्रीय  ग्रीन टिब्यूनल (NGT) ने  उत्तर प्रदेश प्रदूषण नियंत्रण बोर्ड की इस बात के लिए भी आलोचना की है कि अपनी जो रिपोर्ट उन्होंने प्रस्तुत की है, उसके सैम्पल पुराने है और सभी 12 जनवरी के पहले के-अर्थात कुंभ मेला शुरू होने के पहले के है। ….

…निस्संदेह महाकुंभ के अवसर सीवेज युक्त पानी को लेकर उठे सवाल अब दबना मुश्किल है। सरकार जो भी प्रचार करे, अधिक से अधिक लोग अब इस बात का अनुभव करेंगे कि गंगा किनारे उन्होंने जो ‘पवित्र  स्नान’ किया उस वक्त वह पानी कत्तई शुद्ध नहीं था। यात्रियों का एक छोटा सा हिस्सा अब यह कहने का साहस भी जुटाएगा कि किस तरह सत्ताधारी समूह ने उनकी धार्मिक आस्था का दोहन किया है। [ Read the full article here :https://janchowk.com/beech-bahas/the-other-aspect-of-the-holy-bath/]

Debates, Feminism, Government, Left watch, Politics, Public health
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Artist: Archana Ravi, in solidarity with the striking ASHA workers of Kerala
Debates, Feminism, Government, Left watch, Public health

Care work is work: in solidarity with the striking ASHA workers in Kerala: Sustainable Kerala Menstruation Collective

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ASHA workers, the backbone of community healthcare, are neither privileged nor part of the ruling class. They receive honorariums, not wages, for their essential services. This constitutes a clear instance of labor exploitation and informalisation, a practice ironically reminiscent of the current government’s own historical roots in worker strikes dating back to the 1920s. Today, Dalit, Bahujan, and Adivasi women are leading the charge in this strike, demanding recognition as workers entitled to dignified working conditions and a basic living wage.

Continue reading Care work is work: in solidarity with the striking ASHA workers in Kerala: Sustainable Kerala Menstruation Collective →
Culture, Debates, Democracy, Ecology/Environment, Government, Identities

Should Faith be Used to Brush Away Filth?

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Did Hindutva supremacists make devotees bathe in polluted sewage water during the Mahakumbh?

Faith and filth have an uncanny existence together

The latest in series happens to be the report by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) underlining how they have found high faecal bacteria levels in Prayagraj river water, which fails bathing standards and the summoning of the Uttar Pradesh PCB (UPPCB) authorities by National Green Tribunal (NGT) over non-compliance of directives regarding ‘serious water quality violation in Ganga, Yamuna at Prayagraj’

The fact is that NGT has repeated itself when it said that high levels of faecal and total coliform were found at various locations at the Maha Kumbh, during a hearing on allegations that untreated sewage has been discharged into Rivers Ganga and Yamuna in Prayagraj. 

Will the UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s rejection of this report on the floor of the House and underlining that the water at the Sangam was fit for ‘drinking’ serve any purpose when NGT grills the UPPCB authorities over non-compliance of their directives issued earlier over the quality of water?

Any sane person would know the answer.

May be in a bid to appear uncompromising or cover his own nervousness over the developments, Adityanath tried to question the veracity of this report – in an indirect way – by condemning people who spread misinformation against “Sanatan Dharma, Maa Ganga, and India” and warning them that they were attacking the “faith of those 56 crore people who had taken a bath there.”

( Read the full article here : https://www.newsclick.in/should-faith-be-used-brush-away-filth)

Centre watch, Debates, Politics, Religion, Right watch

Whether AAP’s Defeat Can Become a Wake Up Call for New Cheerleaders of Hindutva Lite Politics!

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Time for Ideological Politics Now !

“ Do Not Put Each Foot in a Different Boat.”
– Chinese Proverb

A defeat in elections should not be The End of politics for a political party.

There are examples how parties who were humbled in one election could bounce back with huge majority in next elections.

It is a different matter that with AAP ( Aam Aadmi Party) things seem to be unfolding in rather unpredictable ways, thanks to its rather unceremonious exit from the citadels of power in Delhi and defeat of all its top leaders in the recently held elections to the assembly.

Nobody would have imagined that its Supreme Leader would feel so insecure after the loss that he will summon all MLAs of his party – which is leading the government in neighbouring Punjab  – to the national capital the very next day for consultation or may be sweet talk.

No doubt it did give way to speculations about increasing disgruntlement within his party and its legislators and their being in search of greener pastures.It also rekindled debate about the personality centric functioning of the AAP or how a close confidante of Kejriwal was appointed on a key post under Bhagwant Mann – Chief Minister of Punjab – last year itself which was construed as clipping of his wings by the opposition. ( Read the full article here : https://countercurrents.org/2025/02/whether-aaps-defeat-can-become-a-wake-up-call-for-new-cheerleaders-of-hindutva-lite-politics/

Culture, Debates, Democracy, Government, Theory

Anti-Colonial Constitutionalism and the Defence of India’s Democracy

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Democracy Dialogues Series 37

Organised by New Socialist Initiative
Theme : Anti-Colonial Constitutionalism and the Defence of India’s Democracy

Speaker : Prof Sugata Bose

Gardiner Professor of Oceanic History and Affairs, Harvard University, ex Member of Parliament

Continue reading Anti-Colonial Constitutionalism and the Defence of India’s Democracy →
Culture, Debates, Democracy, Genders, Right watch

हिन्दुत्व के कल्पना-लोक में स्त्री और RSS के लिए उसके अतीत से कुछ सवाल

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[मध्ययुग में पश्चिमी जगत में आधुनिकता के आगमन ने धर्म के वर्चस्व को जो चुनौती दी थी, भारत में अंग्रेजों के आगमन के बाद पैदा हुई परिस्थितियों और राजनीतिक आजादी ने यहां धर्म के प्रभाव को और अधिक सीमित कर दिया। रूढ़िवादी, प्रतिक्रियावादी ताकतों ने समय-समय पर इस बदलाव को बाधित करने की कोशिश की। संविधान निर्माण से लेकर स्त्रियों को अधिकार-संपन्न करने के लिए ‘हिन्‍दू कोड बिल’ को सूत्रबद्ध एवं लागू किए जाने का हिन्दुत्ववादी ताकतों ने जिस तरह से विरोध किया, ऐसी ही बाधाओं का ही परिणाम रहा कि डॉ. आंबेडकर को नेहरू के मंत्रिमंडल से इस्तीफा देना पड़ा। यह आलेख संविधान-निर्माण के दौरान स्पष्ट तौर पर उजागर हुए राष्ट्रीय स्वयंसेवक संघ के स्त्री-विरोधी विचारों एवं सक्रियताओं की पड़ताल करता है]

वह 1936 का साल था, जब राष्ट्रीय स्वयंसेवक संघ (RSS) के विचारों एवं कार्यों से प्रभावित होकर नागपुर निवासी लक्ष्मीबाई केलकर (1905-1978) ने संघ के संस्थापक सदस्य डॉ. केशव बलिराम हेडगेवार से मुलाकात की और संघ से जुड़ने की इच्छा जाहिर की थी। सुश्री केलकर- जिन्हें बाद में लोग मौसीजी नाम से पुकारने लगे थे- को यह कतई उम्मीद नहीं रही होगी कि संघ सुप्रीमो इस प्रस्ताव को ठुकरा देंगे और उन्हें सिर्फ स्त्रियों का संगठन बनाने की सलाह देंगे। ‘’राष्ट्र सेविका समिति’’ की स्थापना की यही कहानी बताई जाती है, जिसे आरएसएस का पहला आनुषंगिक संगठन भी कहा जा सकता है।

राष्ट्र सेविका समिति की जब स्थापना हुई, तब RSS का निर्माण हुए 11 साल का वक्फा गुजर चुका था। वह दौर औपनिवेशिक शासन के खिलाफ तथा सामाजिक उत्पीड़न से मुक्ति के लिए उठी हलचलों का था, जिसमें स्त्रियों ने बढ़-चढ़ कर हिस्सा लिया था। भारतीय राजनीतिक-सामाजिक जीवन में जबरदस्त सरगर्मियों के इस दौर में संघ संस्थापक महानुभावों में से किसी को भी यह खयाल तक नहीं आया था कि आबादी का आधा हिस्सा स्त्रियां उनके नक्शे से गायब हैं। वैसे, उन्हें इस बात का एहसास होता भी कैसे क्योंकि इन दोनों किस्म की हलचलों से उन्होंने दूरी बना कर रखी थी और अपने बेहद संकीर्ण व असमावेशी नजरिये के तहत संगठन बनाने में जुटे थे। धर्म आदि के आधार पर जिन्हें वह ‘अन्य’ समझते थे, उनको लेकर अपनी एकांगी सोच के प्रचार-प्रसार में सक्रिय थे। ( Read the full article here : :https://followupstories.com/politics/women-in-hindutva-ideological-realm-and-historical-blunder-of-rss/)

Centre watch, Culture, Debates, Democracy, Education, Government, Islamophobia, Politics, Right watch

WHO CAN HATE THE ‘OTHER’ MORE!

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CLASH OF TITANS ! REALLY ?

Aisha, a 7 year old girl living in Khajuri Khas Colony of Delhi, is yearning for a day when like her elder sister Asma, she would also be admitted to a nearby government school.(1)

This possibility is growing dimmer by the day, as the school has refused her admission and asked for Indian documents like Aadhar – which refugees do not possess.

Aisha is the younger daughter of Ahmad, a Rohingya refugee who has finally reached Delhi and has duly received his UNHCR card – which refers to the document issued by the UN refugee agency.

Thanks to the circular issued by Delhi government ( Dec 24) led by AAP asking schools to ensure strict guidelines during admissions perhaps Aisha will have to remain satisfied with the same private school which lacks facilities.With a drive underway to ensure that children of “illegal Bangladeshi immigrants” are not allowed enrolment, Aisha knows very well that her fate is sealed. (2)

It is difficult for her father to explain that while Asma got admission on the UNHCR card but why the rules have been suddenly changed ? ( Read the full article here : https://countercurrents.org/2025/02/clash-of-titans-really-who-can-hate-the-other-more/)

Culture, Debates, Democracy, Islamophobia, Politics, Religion

Road to Kumbh: Paved With Hindu Rashtra Intentions?

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The Mahakumbh has provided Hindu Supremacist forces an opportunity to further marginalise and invisibilise Muslims, and further push for a ‘Hindu Constitution’.

Whether Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will be able to recover his image after the tragedy at Mahakumbh, which officially killed more than 30 people and wounded many, many more, is a question being raised in hushed voices in the corridors of power in Delhi.

Obviously, questions are also being raised about the great hiatus between the massive propaganda undertaken around the Mahakumbh and the level of preparations for this ‘biggest congregation on earth’….

For Chief Minister Adityanath, who had ‘positioned himself as the ‘host of the biggest congregation on earth’, the path ahead looks challenging, with the tremendous ineptness of the administration led by him on full display. Much has been reported about conscious attempts made allegedly to downplay the tragedy and how it continued for the whole day. A UP minister, supposed to be close to the Chief Minister, even made a controversial statement that “such small events keep happening in large gatherings.” The statement caused so much uproar that he had to issue an apology. The mainstream media added another page of shame to its track record when it continued to publish government handouts, and did not even deem it necessary to report the tragedy. ( Read the full article here : https://www.newsclick.in/road-kumbh-paved-hindu-rashtra-intentions)