By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  It has been a great privilege to have interviewed Dr K Veeramani several times and to have listened to his impassioned lectures on social justice and humanism . As he turned 93 on December 2, I congratulated him for persistently following the path shown by Thanthai Periyar . Without his deep-rooted involvement in the movement started by the legendary Periyar, we would not have witnessed anything credible. 

By Vikas Meshram   The COVID-19 pandemic collapsed systems across the world, but its deepest wounds were carved into the lives of India’s migrant workers . Governance halted, transportation stopped, employment vanished—yet life did not stop. Thousands set out on foot, driven by fear of an uncertain tomorrow, the hope of reuniting with their families, and the gnawing pain of hunger. Many stories were born on these long roads—some highlighted, many forgotten. But the story of two friends from Uttar Pradesh’s Basti district became a mirror reflecting humanity, friendship, and harsh social realities back to the world.

By Bharat Dogra  Delwara, a peri-urban village (qasba) about 30 km from Udaipur in Rajasthan, has drawn attention for a wide range of development achievements—water conservation, women’s livelihood initiatives, and heritage protection among them. While each of these is impressive, perhaps even more inspiring is the path taken and the social processes initiated to strengthen unity and cooperation based on non-discrimination. These created conditions in which all residents, including the weakest sections, could contribute in creative and meaningful ways, helping realize the often hidden potential of ordinary people.

By A Representative   An online petition seeking a legal ban on polygamy has been floated by Javed Anand, co-editor of Sabrang and National Convener of Indian Muslims for Secular Democracy (IMSD), inviting endorsements from citizens, organisations and activists. The petition, titled “Indian Muslims & Secular Progressive Citizens Demand a Legal Ban on Polygamy,” urges the Central and State governments, Parliament and political parties to abolish polygamy through statutory reform, backed by extensive data from the 2025 national study conducted by the Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA).

By N.S. Venkataraman*  While the world, particularly in the last few decades, has achieved spectacular growth in scientific advancement, technological practices, and management techniques, it still appears that the basic mindset of some sections of society remains unchanged at an unacceptable level. Although there is no dearth of men with progressive views about women — who fully recognize that men are in no way superior to women when viewed holistically — there are still some who continue to believe in the so-called superiority of men.

By Harsh Thakor*   Nazariya magazine, which identifies with Marxism–Leninism–Maoism, has continued publication despite facing significant legal and administrative pressure. The magazine and several individuals associated with it have reported being subjected to investigation and questioning by law enforcement agencies. According to available reports, nine activists linked to the publication were detained by authorities in July, reportedly without formal warrants. The magazine states that some of its members were compelled to go underground, resulting in organisational difficulties and delays in publication.

By Bharat Dogra   Bheru Singh, an 80-year-old farmer from Bagruda village in Udaipur district, Rajasthan, and his wife Tulsi Bai, 78, continue to work daily on their small farm and care for their animals. Despite remaining active in old age, their work demands significant physical effort, often beyond their capacity, particularly as their nutritional levels are frequently inadequate.

By A Representative   The National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM) and members of the All-India Workers Forum have submitted preliminary comments to the Karnataka Labour Department on the Draft Karnataka Domestic Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill, 2025, urging the government to strengthen rights-based provisions and ensure wider public consultation. The submission was made on November 15 in response to the state’s call for public comments on the draft law.

By A Representative    The latest PropEquity report on housing activity in India’s top 15 tier-2 cities reveals a deeper shift underway in the country’s real estate landscape. While overall housing sales volumes declined 4% year-on-year in the July–September quarter of 2025, the total sales value rose 4%, signalling a decisive movement toward premium and high-value homes rather than the mass-market affordable housing that traditionally drives demand in these regions. This trend reflects a growing divide between elite housing buyers and the middle-class population, whose purchasing power is increasingly strained.