The Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, imposed a nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus in the country from 25 March onwards. Prime Minister Modi proclaimed he was locking down the country in four hours’ time. Just like the demonetisation announcement, this was also made at eight in the evening. All domestic flights, trains, buses, and other forms of transport were suspended. The entire nation came to a grinding halt. This sudden announcement of lockdown without sufficient warning brought immeasurable hardship and suffering to the working population of India. read more

Labour “reforms” – India goes back in time

Given the COVID-19 situation, though not with the same enthusiasm, nevertheless the entire world celebrated workers May Day recently. Ironically, here in India in the same month of May, antithetical to the ideal of May Day the major states of India moved to destroy the hard-won gains of the working class. The states ruled by BJP have amended the labour laws heavily favouring the capitalist class. The other state governments in India are also planning to implement these draconian changes in labour laws. read more

The crisis of Indian Capitalism – Part 1

The buzz created by Modi’s announcement of 20 lakh crore^*/** package didn’t last long. Very next day after the theatricality of announcing meagre contents of the package in 5 tranches to make it appear bigger was done on 17th May, the stock market crashed by 1000 points. Many articles and commentators have thoroughly exposed the package which is nothing but a hodgepodge of many irrelevant announcements meant to deliver an aggregated amount of 20 lakh crore. ^*/** read more