Ramachandra Guha: Gandhi said RSS was ‘communal with a totalitarian outlook’ – and that’s still true

The members of the RSS who control the Union government have subjugated the press, allegedly tamed the judiciary and used bribery and coercion to undermine or overthrow state governments run by other parties. The new laws aimed at curbing NGOs are animated by the desire to reduce to insignificance all voluntary organisations that do not… Read More Ramachandra Guha: Gandhi said RSS was ‘communal with a totalitarian outlook’ – and that’s still true

URGENT APPEAL by Kisan Ekta Morcha

The protesting farmers at Delhi’s borders have started a new YouTube channel called called Kisan Ekta Morcha. Please subscribe, share and like. Kisan leaders want to challenge the agriculture minister’s claim that only 100,000 farmers are protesting. Please forward and share. Kisan Ekta Morcha Discussion on Indian Agriculture and the ongoing Kisan agitation Amit Bhaduri:… Read More URGENT APPEAL by Kisan Ekta Morcha

History from below: What shaped the thought of E P Thompson, the great historian of ordinary working people? By Priya Satia

In 1976, a momentous six-week visit to India during the Emergency under Nehru’s daughter Indira Gandhi pivotally fuelled the vehemence of his scathing essay ‘The Poverty of Theory’ (1978) and undid his usual embarrassment about his father. On arrival, EP was warmly welcomed in acknowledgment of his father’s friendship with the late prime minister Nehru. He put… Read More History from below: What shaped the thought of E P Thompson, the great historian of ordinary working people? By Priya Satia

Khaled Ahmed: Pakistan’s blasphemy law is used to target the Christian community with impunity

Before India’s “love jihad”, Pakistan found its way to getting rid of its Christians. Blasphemy was pinned on them with the confidence that no judge would let them off the hook, with pious crowds demanding death outside his court. Pakistan’s most humiliating moment is reached every time someone is accused of blasphemy and sentenced to… Read More Khaled Ahmed: Pakistan’s blasphemy law is used to target the Christian community with impunity

10 economists write to Tomar, cite reasons why Centre should repeal ‘flawed’ farm laws

Amid an unprecedented agitation against the Centre’s farm laws by farmers across the country and particularly around the nation’s capital, 10 economists of various universities have written to Union Minister for Agriculture Narendra Singh Tomar, demanding that the laws be repealed.  “We do believe that improvements and changes are required in the agricultural marketing system… Read More 10 economists write to Tomar, cite reasons why Centre should repeal ‘flawed’ farm laws

Without Decency and Without Dignity: German Newsweekly Der Spiegel Names Trump 'Loser of the Year'

Der Spiegel, roughly the German journalistic equivalent of TIME – which, coincidentally, just named President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris its vaunted “Person of the Year” – on Thursday published an article entitled “Der Verlierer des Jahres,” or “Loser of the Year” in English. While the piece lacks the shock value of some… Read More Without Decency and Without Dignity: German Newsweekly Der Spiegel Names Trump 'Loser of the Year'

Omar Abdel-Baqui: Michigan man imprisoned for nearly 4 decades exonerated after witness admits lying

“Calling it the justice system gives a false impression. Just using the term ‘justice’ gives you the sense that it is a just system,” Forbes said. Black people make up about 13% of the U.S. population but account for about half of all exonerations and 54% of homicide exonerations since 1989..   DETROIT – Walter Forbes was a full-time student… Read More Omar Abdel-Baqui: Michigan man imprisoned for nearly 4 decades exonerated after witness admits lying

Jairus Banaji on the Indian corporate strategy of subordinating farm households and family labor

NB: Continuing the discussion of issues raised by the ongoing kisan agitation, here are some observations made by Jairus Banaji on the nature of corporate domination and subjugation of peasant agriculture. They appeared on his Facebook page, the dates of which are appended. A long-standing dodge in mainstream commentary on economic policy as well as in political… Read More Jairus Banaji on the Indian corporate strategy of subordinating farm households and family labor