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Not much is heard about what is happening in Jammu and Kashmir in these times of the pandemic. But even when the people there are seriously concerned about the spread of the coronavirus, the Hindutva rulers are busy designing what is now called the “union territory” of J&K. For the people of the Kashmir valley, there is no let up in the repression and suppression of rights they have been experiencing since August, 2019.

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced during his national television address that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had been asked to prepare an economic support plan to help people to tide over the crisis, it was obvious that any plan that addressed the core issue would not be forthcoming any time soon. She has not sprung any surprise.

Divorce, as defined in various Acts, is “the legal dissolution of the marital union between a man and a woman”.

14 crore working Indians have lost their jobs as of now as a result of the lockdown in the country due to COVID 19. The national lockdown is scheduled to end on May 3 but it may continue in the third phase in many parts of the country where the corona virus spread will continue, thereby adding to the number of job losses further.

It is 150th birth anniversary of Comrade V I Lenin, a man who changed the course of history. For the first time, the tsarist feudal imperialist powers were thrown out by united opposition in Russia. It was a step towards ending the class divide that came as solace to the working class and the entire people, invisible and bearing cross. It is these people who keep alive the society, economically, socially and also politically. They have a historic task of selling their labour power in less than their price and also unremunerated to keep capitalism alive with the surplus. But in hindsight are found moments when they rise to their height and demand their share, their pride of place.

A mail came to me in the morning today that Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) has achieved a historic victory of termination of Maheswar dam project on Narmada after a long struggle of 23 years. The news brought to my memory of my visit to the two villages Baghmara and Siulibari, adjacent to the Panchet dam site in Purulia district, some 3 or so decades back. I saw the destitute condition of the villagers, who had been displaced by Panchet Dam, of the dilapidated villages. About 10-15 years back Sm. Medha Patkar requested me if I could send her some information about the displaced persons due to DVC dams. Incidentally, I am a supporter of NBA and a member of National Alliance of Peoples Movement (NAPM).

Scientists and researchers all over the world have been striving hard to find a treatment for dreaded coronavirus disease, which has so far taken a heavy toll on life. Scientists now assure us that soon a breakthrough may be reached.

The fanatic Hindu minds have begun openly to oppose the NaMo regime. The trends became more louder after the pronounced disassociation of the Sangh establishment with the Modi government at Ranchi by the Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat in the holi festival rally on March 9, 2020. Yet the senior journalists were surprised to express their concerns over the vituperative campaign in the social media evidently by a group of young religious fanatics.

“Now we have a chance to show solidarity with Cuba and help the Cuban people in their fight against coronavirus at home and abroad.”

-- Len McCluskey, Unite general secretary

R, an unmarried woman, who returned to her hometown, due to lockdown, gets beaten daily at the hands of her abusive father. Another woman, S, a married woman, had to lock herself in a room to save herself from her abusive husband. Yet another woman, K, finds herself being raped daily by her husband who had left her 8 years ago, only to return during this lockdown.