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It seemed that Delhi came back to its normal hustle-bustle on last Sunday March 1, 2020 after the unfortunate last week of February which was soaked in blood due communal violence in North East Delhi. But evening of that Sunday had a different tale to tell. Some rumors were spread about communal clashes in two parts of Delhi. In whisk of a moment, the rumor snowballed and spread like fire all across Delhi. The rumour mongers were quick in action in Social Media. Within an hour, it appeared that multiple riots erupted out in every nook and corner of Delhi, albeit it was completely baseless.

The anti-CAA protests have entered a critical phase with the courts taking cognizance of them. Though it can end only with a court verdict, the judicial process is taking long. So far the protesters remain leaderless and without any organizational strength. The brutal police crackdowns on the protesters in Delhi and elsewhere have only helped the agitation to expand to other parts of the country. However, the demonstrations are going nowhere, while inviting violence in some places.

It started with the near collapse of the economy in 2008-09 when millions lost their homes and jobs and started questioning the status quo. Discussion about it picked up again with the Occupy Wall Street movement as young people realized the future they faced—low-wage jobs, endless student debt—was anything but bright. Then, it emerged more fully into the open with the insurgent campaign of Bernie Sanders in 2016. Now, as it looks like the independent senator might actually win the Democratic nomination, it’s a topic that everyone seems to be talking about: Socialism.

The Arvind Kejriwal government granting sanction to prosecute the former JNU Student Union’s president Kanhaiya Kumar in a sedition case is part of the well chalked out design by the BJP leadership to ruin the political and academic career of the budding youth leader.

Arvind Kejriwal’s political career has followed a meandering course. It began in the now nearly-forgotten days of Anna Hazare-led anti-corruption drive against the Congress-led UPA. Kejriwal, then a devoted chela of the Gandhi wannabe, was a self-confessed anarchist.

The alternative drugs industry is booming in India in keeping with the global trend as the pharmaceutical products such as drugs, vaccines, syrups and injectables are increasingly under global scanner for their side effects — ranging from bad to severe. While physicians rarely explain the side effects of prescribed medicines to patients. So-called prescription drugs are easily available over the counter at most medicine shops. Unfortunately, the government and industry bodies are yet to take full note of the growth of the country’s alternative drugs market, comprising Ayurvedic medicines and therapies, homeopathic drugs, Unani products among several others.

Several localities in the Southern outskirts of Delhi are of lower middle class and poor families. Few hundred thousand families have lived as neighbours without the religious differences souring their relations. Their lack of the economic ability is the cementing bondage for their relations. They all share same concerns even on the attempts to impose new criterion for conferring citizenship. The poor regardless of their religion see in it an attempt by the middle classes to deprive them of benefits of the welfare schemes to push them further down and make their survival impossible. Existence of poor, Dalit was always resented by the middle class as elements with their mouth open with insatiable demands for more. If they are denied citizenship they are no more responsibility of the party in power.

Comparisons between Nitish Kumar and Kanhaiya Kumar have already started in the political and social circles. It would certainly be an outrageous exercise, but the reasons for this are many. The massive turn out at February 27 rally of Kanhaiya has in fact played the crucial role. Before holding of this rally very view people and politician would take him as the challenger to Nitish Kumar. But the immense success of the rally, some experts even dare to compare it with the June 5 rally of JP, has changed their attitude.

The passing away of Lal Khan, whose real name was Dr Yasrab Tanvir Gondal, a physician (although he seldom had been in medical practice) at the age of 64 in Lahore after fighting against cancer for over a year, on 21 February will affect the Left movement and the battle for generating Leftist awareness in Pakistan. Although numerically the presence of Left in Pakistan is infinitesimally – not detectable through world’s most high-resolution spy satellites, political writings by Leftist opinion writers like Lal Khan created ripples among the Pak intelligentsia and helped consolidate growth of democratic consciousness.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Centre has failed to respond positively to Kerala’s request to drop a move, proposed in the Central Budget, to reduce the number of days for individuals to be considered as Indian residents for tax purposes to 120 or more from 182 or more at present.