By Bharat Dogra   India has a rich legacy of freedom fighters who were also exceptional social reformers. Among these, one of the most remarkable figures—though still not widely known at the national level—is Govind Guru, also known as Govindgiri. He emerged as an inspirational leader for Bhil tribal communities and several other marginalized groups of central India. The colonial rulers quickly recognized his ability to mobilize the masses against both colonial authority and feudal oppression, responding with ruthless repression that culminated in one of the biggest massacres perpetrated in India by colonial forces in the 20th century.

By Shamsul Islam*   The Constituent Assembly (CA) of India passed the Constitution on November 26, 1949, after almost three years of deliberation. This was an extraordinary contribution to the history of modern liberal democracies. Not only was it the lengthiest constitution in the world—reflecting the vast diversity of the polity it was meant to govern—but it also set out egalitarian, democratic and non-sectarian ideals rarely attempted before in the non-Western world.

By Raj Kumar Sinha*  The Constitution holds an important place in creating a transparent system because it provides a fundamental framework that defines and limits the functions of the government. This ensures accountability and helps prevent the abuse of power . The Constitution clearly defines the powers and functions of the different organs of the government—the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary. It prevents the concentration and misuse of power, ensuring that all actions are carried out according to law.

By Renuka Kumari*   Madvi Hidma, a senior member of the banned CPI (Maoist) and former commander of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army’s Battalion 1, was reported killed in an encounter on 18 November 2025. CPI (Maoist) sources have described the incident as a “fake encounter,” while the government has maintained that it was the result of an intelligence-based operation. 

By A Representative   The Campaign Against State Repression ( CASR ), a coalition of student groups, civil liberties organisations and mass movements, issued a statement on Tuesday alleging unlawful detention, mistreatment and custodial violations involving 23 individuals who participated in a protest against air pollution at India Gate .

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  Film star Dharmendra lived a remarkably full life. Unapologetically himself, he was known as a man with a generous heart who cherished people and often spoke of love as a guiding principle. His career began in the black-and-white era, where some of his earliest and most memorable performances captured the imagination of audiences across India. He openly idolised Dilip Kumar , whom he regarded as family, and never missed an opportunity to express his admiration for the legendary actor.

  By Rajiv Shah    A few days ago, I met a veteran Gujarat-based economist, the author of several books offering a critical evaluation of the state’s economy, poverty, and gender discrimination . Also present was a retired Gujarat-cadre bureaucrat with an economics background, known for his popularity in the cities and districts where he served during his heyday.

By Shamsul Islam  Dr Vikas Bajpai , Assistant Professor at the Centre for Social Medicine and Community Health , Jawaharlal Nehru University , recently posted a message to the WhatsApp group of students of the Centre which he had received from an old friend of Virender Dahiya , a trade union activist with the Indian Federation of Trade Unions .

By A Representative   In a significant development, the Supreme Court’s Centre for Research and Planning (CRP) has released a comprehensive report examining 75 years of judicial discourse on caste , analysing Constitution Bench judgments from 1950 to 2025. The report, authored by Dr Anurag Bhaskar , Dr Farrah Ahmed , Bhimraj Muthu and Shubham Kumar , highlights how the court’s language has evolved—and at times faltered—in addressing caste , discrimination and affirmative action .