Counterview

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.