View Articles

In a recent report the People’s Commission on the Public Sector and Public Services has rightly drawn attention to the sheer un-constitutionality of the Modi government’s plan to privatise en masse the assets of the public sector. The constitution of the country is not just a set of procedures and rules for the governance of the polity. It expresses above all a certain social philosophy which is supposed to inform the behaviour of the various organs of the State and which constitutes the foundational beliefs around which the nation has come into being. This is particularly true of ex-colonial countries where the formation of the nation has been the outcome of an anti-colonial struggle that brought people together in a historically unprecedented show of unity; the social philosophy underlying the constitution of the newly formed nation-State provides the conceptual basis for this coming together.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s use of “precautionary” instead of “booster” for the third Covid-19 vaccination dose spells the man. ‘Precautionary’ unlike ‘booster’ carries a diffident tone. It personifies a kind of hesitation borne out of wariness; perhaps, even inadequacy. While ‘booster’ indicates a quantum jump—‘precautionary’ seeks out a hiding hole to duck into at the first sign of trouble.

If Swadeshi Jagran Manch, an affiliate of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), has its way, it may once again force the government to ban the use of Monsanto’s controversial ‘Roundup’ and other glyphosate-based herbicides by farmers soon. These chemicals are widely believed to pose significant risks to human health. Recently, Manch (SJM) demanded a complete ban on the use of glyphosate, saying it is carcinogenic and damaging to consumer health, ecology and interests of farmers, farm workers and their livelihoods. It submitted a memorandum, carrying signatures of over two lakh people, to Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Narendra Singh seeking a complete ban on the weedicide. It may be recalled that two years ago under similar circumstances, the Narendra Modi government pulled out of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade deal under intense pressure from the RSS affiliates, led by SJM and its co-convenor Ashwani Mahajan. SJM held a 10-day nationwide protest against India’s participation in the RCEP talks before the government announced its complete withdrawal. Finally, the government said it decided not to join the RCEP trade deal as it did not get any “credible assurance for India on market access and non-tariff barriers.” The BJP government is yet to react on the latest SJM demand seeking a blanket ban on Monsanto’s glyphosate-based herbicides.

The occasional incidents of religious intolerance are product of belief of their superior strength. Adolf Hitler had used it to perish finally. Similar was the fate of others earlier and later in various regimes and eras. The humans have indomitable courage and spirit to fight for their independence. Nazis or admirers of Hitler were taught in Germany. But the ardent supporters of the Hindutva do not see the wisdom of their ancestors and insist on suppressing the religious minorities. Disturbing prayer meetings of other is considered to a meaningful exercise to them.

The Prime Minister NaMo may not contest for a third term. Many observers see the possibility in changes he had in his personal behaviour in two years. He does not meticulously groom before stepping out as he attended to for early five years. He is no more even attending to his physical or his appearance’s needs to indicate he lost interest in power politics.

New Delhi: “All good things come to an end and today as I bid adieu to the game that has given me everything in life, I would like to thank everyone who made this 23-year-long journey beautiful and memorable. My heartfelt thank you, Grateful," with this tweet veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on Friday.

At the call of United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), bank employees and officers have participated in the nationwide strike on December 16 and 17, 2021 opposing and protesting against the government move to privatise public sector banks (PSBs) and to introduce the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021, enabling the government to reduce equity capital in the PSBs to less than 51 per cent and allow private hands to take over the banks.

On December 21, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar released the standard operating procedure (SOP) of using drones in agriculture. Less than a week ago, on December 16, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had addressed farmers and people associated with the food processing industry at the 3-day National Conclave on Natural Farming at Anand in Gujarat. And on November 29, Parliament passed the Farm Laws Repeal Bill, 2021, without any discussion. These three developments in less than a month signify that the farm sector is finally getting the attention it always deserved.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dilemma over labour reforms deepens after his own Economic Advisory Council (EAC) has said in its report that the four labour codes, which he himself had lauded on several occasions and the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment is readying itself to implement across the country soon, did not take a comprehensive view of all labour laws.

26th December 2021 marks the 96th foundation day of CPI. Throughout the history of India CPI has played a crucial role on different occasions in leading the people through unerring paths. The sacrifices of our comrades and the resistance of the party against imperial Britain, amidst the ban imposed by colonial law, cannot be encrusted by anyone. In this era where the government stands for the capitalists by the capitalists and of the capitalists it is indispensable for us to evoke the memories of historical movements and actions by CPI. In the search for a secular, people centric alternative to counter fascism we have enormous examples how CPI stood for the people and fought for their welfare. We have set examples of an excellent government and struggles for the rights and wellbeing of the people. Our fight against fascism and capitalism will never end.