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Calls for Uddhav Thackeray’s resignation haven't been many, but the Maharashtra Chief Minister like all heads of states has enemies. And former CM Narayan Rane is by all means one. Rane wants Uddhav Thackeray to quit the Singhasan of Maharashtra. Resign. Leave Mumbai and Maharashtra's fate to the future and whoever takes his place. Wears his crown of thorns. All this because Uddhav Thackeray was too fond of a police officer who didn't mind killing to make a killing.

Identity factor has always played a role in the politics of Assam — and this election is no different. In fact, with the Supreme Court’s order in 2013 to complete the pending updation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) — based on the historic Assam Accord signed in 1985 by the Centre led by Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi with Assamese organizations, including AASU (All Assam Students’ Union) — in the state, identity politics took the centre stage. State’s maiden BJP government led by Sarbananda Sonowal, a former member of AASU associated with the Assam agitation, which resulted in the signing of the Assam Accord, took steps to fasten the much-complicated process of the long-pending NRC updation. The Supreme Court-monitored NRC updation, which gave birth to many controversies not only across the state but also across the country, was finally completed in 2019 — although failing to satisfy most of the Assamese groups and political parties, including BJP and Congress.

With the cabinet approving amendments to the Insurance Act of 1938, to raise the cap on foreign direct investment (FDI) in insurance companies from 49 to 74 per cent, the process of implementing the next stage of reducing public control over Indian insurance has begun. Once legislated and implemented, the proposed increase in the FDI cap would permit foreign control over a majority of insurance companies operating in the country.

Congratulations for Yogi Adityanath for completing four years of his government! Our civilisation has taught us to congratulate anyone in his moment of happiness. However, we are not able to make our mind stable on this point on account of the blitz and glitz of the official celebrations that showed the vanity of a yogi. People who really love you, are shocked because, these show you in a very poor light, having such a pride that is against even the very first aphorism of the Patanjali Yogasutra – Chittavritti Nirodhah, ie restraining the nature of mind (from going astray).

End to the second term of the NaMo regime is still three years away. Various uncertain factors make the political predictions of possible political trends is not possible due to time gap between now and the due elections for the 18th Lok Sabha in the 74th years of Republic of India. However, it does not stand in way of speculating.

The Covid-19 pandemic induced lockdown in India turns one on March 24 this year. The images of distress and loss of our fellow citizens cannot and should not be forgotten. At the same time, the causes of such widespread distress should also not be overlooked.

As of today, there are only 81 female judges in the country’s High Courts against 1,078 male judges. In the Supreme Court, it is even less with the recent retirement of Justice Indu Malhotra. Now Justice Indira Banerjee is the only female judge against 29 male ones. The figures are starker when compared to the US where the percentage of female judges is from 27 to 34.

The historic 72-day Paris Commune began March 18 in 1871, when Paris arose to the thunder-burst of “Vive la Commune!”It came up with a radical social agenda like separation between church and state, women’s suffrage, abolition of interest on debts, and worker self-management. It happened as a sequel to the defeat of the French Empire of Napoleon III in the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871)- culmination of decades of tension between the French monarchist government and organized labour syndicates. Karl Marx called it the first experience of the "dictatorship of the proletariat" as envisioned by him.

Our country is at a critical juncture in its history. Our people and our leaders sacrificed a lot to get our country free from British and other colonial rule. But as our republic is maturing, another kind of subordination is threatening our country and the future of our coming generation. This is the subordination of our nation in front of corporate finance capital and communal fascism.

On the concluding day of the Bank strike on March 16, there was enthusiasm among not only the employees but millions all over the country. The participation was hundred percent, on both the days. About future course of action, they have told the government that if the privatisation bid is not rolled back, they would launch an agitation that would be as massive and long drawn as the one by the farmers.