PM Modi’s Independence Day Speech: What Was Said and Unsaid

PRIME Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day Speech was full of the usual claims, promises and bombast. But here is the actual message behind what was said and what was left unsaid.‘SECULAR CIVIL CODE’Forcing a majoritarian set of customs and rituals on all communities is not ‘secular.’ The UCC is nothing but a tool for the RSS-BJP to invade people’s private lives to gain control over it, and to further their communal agenda.

Immediately Enact a Law for the Protection of Medical Personnel

CPI(M) Polit Bureau has issued the following statement on August 19THE unprecedented and spontaneous mobilisation of doctors, particularly junior doctors in angry protests against the barbaric rape and murder of a young doctor in Bengal’s R G Kar hospital reflects not only the solidarity for the young woman victim but also the experience of doctors against unsafe and insecure conditions of work. This has received widespread people’s support.

Tripura Panchayat Results: CPI(M) Salutes People's Zeal for Democracy

THE counting of votes for the Tripura panchayat election, held on August 12, quickly escalated into a chaotic and violent scene. The counting halls were transformed into battlegrounds, resulting in physical injuries to numerous opposition candidates, counting agents, and supporters.

Gaza Ceasefire Talks: Why Palestinians Question Recent US Proposal

The diplomatic efforts of US and Israel stand in sharp contradiction with Israel’s genocidal military operations on the ground, backed by the US.US secretary of state Antony Blinken stopped in Egypt on Tuesday, August 20, one day after visiting Tel Aviv as part of a tour in the West Asia region to continue intensive diplomatic efforts to achieve a Gaza ceasefire and prisoners-for captives swap deal.

Benjamin Netanyahu Does Not Respond to ‘Tough Talk’

Benjamin Netanyahu is back in command of Israeli politics. He and his coalition are now polling close to where they were before the war began. They don’t yet hold a majority, but they are positioned to prevent an alternative coalition in case of elections. Bibi’s partners, religious fundamentalist settlers such as Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, as well as ultra-orthodox parties and his Likud backbenchers, are firmly united behind his insistence to prolong the war.

CITU General Council: Reorient the Organisation for Intensifying Struggles

THE general council of CITU, which met in Kolkata from August 9-11, gave a clarion call to the working class of the country to prepare for immediate, strong, countrywide class action whenever the labour codes are notified. The general council meeting also urged the working class of India to actively participate in a month-long nationwide campaign in September on common issues and demands of contract and non-permanent workers.

Kerala: Dark Realities of Malayalam Film Industry

IN a startling revelation, the Justice K Hema Committee, constituted by the Kerala government to investigate the issues faced by women in the film industry, reported that the casting couch is prevalent in the Malayalam film industry. The report begins with the following lines: “The sky is full of mysteries; with the twinkling stars and the beautiful moon. But scientific investigation revealed that stars do not twinkle, nor does the moon look beautiful.

Revisiting Controversies on Employment Figures

IT is now evident from the latest NSSO report on unincorporated enterprise that the informal sector in India suffered a big jolt in employment and value added in the past six years. The RBI has recently come out with KLEMS database latest estimates of a rise of employment from 47.5 crore in 2017-18 to 64.33 crores in 2023-24 claiming a rise of employment in the tune of 16.83 crore in the past five years. This is also backed by the fact that 6.2 crores of net subscribers joined the EPFO payroll indicating a rise in formal employment in the past five years.

WB: Gruesome Murder of Young Doctor Sparks Outrage and Protests

THE body of a young female postgraduate trainee doctor was found semi-nude and bleeding in a seminar hall at Kolkata's RG Kar Hospital on August 9 around 11:30 am. The autopsy revealed she had been raped and murdered, with severe injuries across multiple body parts.

AIKS Demands Action against Dereliction of Duty On Tungabhadra Dam Crest Gate

THE All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), in a statement issued on August 16, has noteds with concern the gross dereliction of duty leading to the 19th gate chain link of the Tungabhadra Dam breaking and inundating of nearby regions. Absence of regular monitoring and continuous inspection of the crest gates led to the accident. AIKS demands stringent action against the negligent officials and accountability of the union government.

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