Capitalism is supposed to bring in modernity, which includes a secular polity where ''babas'' and ''swamys'', qua ''babas'' and ''swamys'', have no role. Many have even defended neo-liberal reforms on the grounds that they hasten capitalist development and hence our march to modernity. The Left has always rejected this position. It has argued that in countries embarking late on capitalist development, the bourgeoisie allies itself with the feudal and semi-feudal...

Human Resource Development Ministry issues show-cause The Ministry of Human Resource Development, taking note of complaints and representations against the functioning of the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE), has decided to supersede the Council and issued a show cause notice seeking its response. The notice, issued under Section 30 (1) of the NCTE Act, 1993, expressed grave concern over the working the NCTE as well as the regional committees constituted by...

-The Economic Times   The Supreme Court has asked the Centre to furnish its stand on the provisions of the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers ) Act applicable to the disturbed areas of the country. The ruling came in view of the government's divergent views on the controversial issue of the immunity granted to Army and para-military personnels from criminal prosecutions in certain conditions like fake encounter cases in such areas....

This paper was presented at the Regional Workshop on War on Terror and Asian Democracy 17 May 2011, Kim Dae-Jung Convention Centre, South Korea organised by Solidarity for Democratization Movement in Asia (SDMA) Introduction In the discourse on terrorism and counter terrorism, September 11 stands as a watershed because of the attack on the World Trade Centre in 2001. Government of India (GoI) also took full advantage of the ‘War on Terror’...

Sections of vendors and “willing” farmers have alleged discrimination over the Singur bill, suggesting that they may move court if the state government does not address their concerns. Vendors demanded that they be compensated for the investment made at the Nano site. But the government, which has specifically said in the bill that “none of the vendors has obtained any deed of lease in terms of their respective letters of allotment”,...