Politics

Scrap SIR, Restore Electoral Integrity: A national call to defend the right to vote

Public assembly demands the scrapping of SIR, accountability of the Election Commission and urgent safeguards against wrongful exclusion from electoral rolls

Vande Mataram: How the recent discussions in Parliament around the national song initiated by the ruling regime stem from motives that are questionable

Retired Judge of the Madras High Court, K Chandru writes: the enforced debate in Parliament by the RSS-driven National Democratic Alliance (NDA) seeks to create a controversy over Vande Mataram raising concerns over the intentions of the present government; ‘A non-issue is being much importance and publicity’ he says

Baba Adhav is no more; his Life and Work remain an inspiration for those working for Justice and Equality

Baba Adhav’s unique work was encompassed in an approach that saw dismantling of the shackles of caste, hierarchy and discrimination through meticulous and inspired organisation of the invisibilised unorganised workforce –hamals (head-loaders), rag-pickers and domestic workers—towards a combination of improved living conditions, working conditions and social conditions, a sense of dignity and pride in their work

Beware of Aadhaar: A warning on India’s biometric identity model on International Human Rights Day

On the eve of International Human Rights Day, 50 +, several organisations and individuals have launched a “Beware of Aadhaar” Campaign: The signatories have flagged the issue that Aadhaar is “not a model to emulate but it raises serious concerns about surveillance, exclusion and rights violations on the ground. This statement, “Beware of Aadhar” offers a concise critique of India’s digital ID experiment and why exporting it is dangerous

Mobile as Opium: A Nation Sedated By Screens

The Late Prof M. P. Manmathan (1915–1994) belonged to...

The Tamil Nadu Challenge: The Self-Respect Movement and Periyar E.V. Ramasami

Of late, in Tamil Nadu, the Communists and the Self Respecters (members of the DK) who have until now been viewing each other with disdain until two decades ago, have, through the re-discovery of Periyar by the former realised the value of a political reaffirmation of the fundamentals of the Self-Respect Movement. This is crucial in the state given the current context of the brutal march of ‘Hindutva Hegemons’.  Both movements now face a historical challenge, in theory and practice, to be able to convincingly – and through action - club the anti-caste struggle with the class struggle  

Baba Adhav the grassroots campaigner and leader of the socially oppressed passed away at 96

An intrepid and committed social reformer and organiser of the urban working class, labourers, domestic workers, waste-pickers, Baba Adhav of the “Ek Gaon Ek Panavtha” (One Village One Water Source/Well), who challenged the caste system, died in Pune on Monday December 8

It is religion-based politics that refuses to root out caste: Baba Adhav in conversation with Teesta Setalvad

In October 2014, Baba Adhav had this illuminating conversation with Teesta Setalvad, co-editor of Sabrangindia

Nearly 50 lakh names flagged for deletion in West Bengal, state government announces Rs. 2 Lakh relief for SIR-linked deaths, CM Mamta Banerjee launches...

The SIR flagged almost 50 lakh names in West Bengal as potentially removable from the voters’ list, triggering a wave of anxiety among the electors, 39 deaths the state links to “SIR panic,” the TMC government has announced compensation and block-level help camps from December 12 to assist affected residents

Bihar Elections: Trains for votes? The unanswered mystery of the ‘phantom’ specials from Haryana to Bihar

Explosive RTI documents reveal unannounced special trains running from Haryana to Bihar mere days before polling, serious allegations of state-sponsored voter smuggling, as the dust settles on the Bihar 2025 verdict, video evidence of ‘free tickets’ compounds the mystery, leaving questions over the violation of the Model Code of Conduct, the definition of "Corrupt Practice" under the RP Act, and the deafening silence of the Election Commission dangerously unanswered

Massive duplicate entries in Mumbai voter rolls trigger political uproar; opposition flags “fraudulent patterns” and pressures SEC for action

With more than 10.6% of Mumbai’s electorate appearing multiple times in the SEC’s draft rolls—some duplicated over a hundred times—the Opposition alleges targeted tampering in their strongholds, raises alarm over rising “elected unopposed” patterns, and demands urgent corrective action and extended scrutiny

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Scrap SIR, Restore Electoral Integrity: A national call to defend the right to vote

Public assembly demands the scrapping of SIR, accountability of the Election Commission and urgent safeguards against wrongful exclusion from electoral rolls

Why Majoritarianism today is the single most acute threat to democracy

Majoriatrianisnm that plagues India and many other democracies is the perversion of Dr. Ambedkar’s idea of democracy. While Dr. Ambedkar’s definition of democracy lays stress on effective and proportionate representation and safeguarding minority rights, majoritarianism is the dominance of a particular religious community, caste group, or racial group over the rest of the population.

From Nashik to Mumbai: Adivasi students’ protest meets police detentions

Weeks of agitation over tribal hostels and schools culminate in alleged detention of protesters ahead of planned Azad Maidan march

‘Free the Temple’, ‘Protect the Faith’, ‘Take Up Weapons’: How September’s festivals became stages for anti-Muslim hate

From contested places of worship to demographic fearmongering, a series of speeches used Hindu religious identity to construct Muslims as an existential threat and recast exclusion as religious defence

Karnataka: SIR Interrogated

A report, The SIR Investigation Report—A Narrative of Betrayal and Tears was released by the Anti-SIR Alliance and the Citizens’ Vote Protection Committee today; the report documents the (mal) implementation of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Karnataka

‘Solidarity Is Not a Crime’: Mumbai activists protest alleged police harassment over Palestine event

Indian People in Solidarity with Palestine members gather at Azad Maidan after police search activist Harshada’s home in connection with a kite-flying programme for Palestinian children

The West as Enigma: Why Muslims Must Understand the Occident on Its Own Terms

The ideas of Shariati, Mawdudi, Qutb, and Nadwi provide important critiques of Western materialism, imperialism, and secularism, but remain largely reactive in their approach.

September 26 ECI Press Note: Does it not render SIR redundant?

The author de-constructs the September 26 press note, point by point, and evolves a list of Ten Demands for a People’s Movement for Accountability & Transparency in India’s Electoral Process