South Asia Citizens Web

Dr. Ashok Mitra (1928-2018) is no more. Economist, politician, political & literary author, analyst, columnist, Dr. Mitra, was known to the world in many different contours, that truly reflected most of his life. For the members of the Pakistan India Peoples’ Forum for Peace & Democracy (PIPFPD) in both countries, we pride in that we got to see another face of this quintessential intellectual as an advocate of peace, justice, democracy and people to people relations - amidst hostility.

Marxism has also been significant in the Indian academy, but its influence is greater in history, economics, and political science than in sociology. Within sociology three scholars have had the most impact; all of them served as presidents of the Indian Sociological Society (or its predecessors).

Today, International Workers Day or “Mazdoor Diwas” was celebrated across Jharkhand by collectives of individuals and organisations, culminating a week long series of intensive activities. Thousands of workers gathered in over twenty five blocks across Jharkhand including Kisko (Lohardaga), Chattarpur (Palamu), Manika and Mahuadandh (Latehar), Raidih and Basia (Gumla), Topchanchi (Dhanbad) and Janiamore (Bokaro).

We remember the martyrs of May Day. We remember those amongst us, the 68, who lost their lives in workplace accidents across the country at NTPC-Unchahar, at Bawana and at Cochin Shipyard and the so many more who died on the country’s sewer lines, electricity lines, construction sites, factories, and fields and plantations, restaurants, hotels and every other possible workplace. These deaths have been the ‘profits’ of ‘ease of doing business’ and self-certification in the country under the BJP government.

People’s Tribunal on Attack on Educational Institutions was held at the Constitution Club of India, New Delhi, on April 11-13, 2018. The tribunal was organised by the People’s Commission on Shrinking Democratic Space in India (PCSDS).