Punjab

India holds first state elections since farmers’ protest movement

The five state assembly elections in the country were announced amid concerns over the Omicron variant of the Coronavirus. The ongoing elections – in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Manipur and Punjab – have caught the attention of the country. All eyes are on the outcome of the Uttar Pradesh elections because it is the largest state in size and is historically known as a state that can decisively turn the country’s political fate. read more

Dera Chief arrest & protest
Haryana

Modern Rasputins!

On 25th August 2017 afternoon, a special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in Panchkula, Haryana – delivered its verdict in a 2002 sexual assault case of two female disciples of Dera Sacha Sauda (DSS). The religious leader of the Dera – Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, was convicted of rape. The aftermath of the judgement triggered massive rioting across North India in which around 38 people were killed, 300 injured and 500 arrested. Obviously the tremors of this incident could be felt a lot earlier. But it was the utter shameful and callous administration of the Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar – that failed miserably to take sufficient precautionary measures to contain the rioting by the Dera followers and to safeguard the public. read more

Shahid Bhagat Singh
Maharashtra

Commemorating Bhagat Singh’s Birth Anniversary

On 28th September, the New Socialist Alternative, Pune Branch organised a program on the birth anniversary of the well known socialist freedom fighter – Shahid Bhagat Singh (1907-1931). About 60 people attended the event.

Bhagat Singh Birth Anniversary

Leading to the event, our members had distributed pamphlets and stuck posters in many colleges in Pune. The program was held at Samaj Vidnyan Academy, Pune. The program started with revolutionary songs that were sung by our members Rushikesh, Dhanashree, Sagar, Anita and Ketki. Comrade Omkar introduced everyone to the Nav Samaj Yuva Manch – NSYM (youth wing of the New Socialist Alternative – Pune) which was the driving force behind the programme. Omkar also introduced the speaker Comrade Datta Desai (a left activist and writer) and spoke about his contributions. read more

Maharashtra

Commemorating Bhagat Singh’s Death Anniversary

bhagat singh

PCMC{{1}} workers’ union and New Socialist Alternative (Pune) along with few other like minded organizations in Pune organized a rally to commemorate 82nd death anniversary of the legendary Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru on 23rd March. Though mass media and ‘official’ history texts ceaselessly endeavors to project them as ‘patriots’ or ‘nationalists’, truth is these revolutionaries fought against not only imperialist British power but also capitalists and casteist Indian elites by audaciously upholding the ideas of socialism to ensure ‘true’ independence. The very act of throwing bombs and leaflets in legislative assembly was undertaken to register their protest against Trade Dispute bill that attempted to trample the rights of workers. The purpose of the rally was to introduce workers to this glorious and unique chapter in the Indian independence struggle. read more

No Picture
Analysis

Five States Assembly Elections-2012

Lack of a real class alternative and pattern of volatility continues

The results of the recently concluded 5 state assembly elections plus the council elections in Maharashtra is more than a warning sign for the ruling Congress party. The electoral drubbing the Congress has received in almost all the states (except in the North Eastern state of Manipur) is significant in many ways. read more