COVID Economy: A Deliberate Disaster
Had the US government addressed the pandemic in a scientific, efficient manner, as some countries demonstrated was possible, the huge number of deaths and the economic fallout could have been avoided.
Big Pharma and the Search for a Vaccine
Two-thirds of all spending on health research is publicly funded, but the profits are privatised. Also: “By Rejecting WTO Drug Patent Waivers Amid Pandemic, Richest Nations Put Big Pharma Profits Before Health of Billions”.
Carlos Barrientos: There is Rage on the Streets of Guatemala
What brought over 500,000 people to the streets in Guatemala on Saturday, and why are people not leaving the streets after the controversial budget was suspended?
When ‘Stop Adani’ Protests Reached the Sydney Cricket Ground
During the first one-day international match between the Indian men’s and Australian men’s cricket teams, protestors invaded the ground, demanding that the State Bank of India shouldn’t provide Adani group with a loan for its coal mine in Australia.
Constitution Day: Are ‘We The People’ Real?
If we believe in our Constitution’s epithet, “We, The People of India”, then, on Constitution Day, we should be taking affirmative steps to ensure that women, tribals and the poor who have been ignored all these years are now included in our national narrative.
Interview: Justice A.P. Shah Sees a Clear Decline in SC’s ability to Protect People’s Rights
“In several cases, the Court has refused to act in defence of citizens who have been victimised for their protest and dissent or for simply exercising their fundamental right of speech and expression.”
Capitalism and Inheritance
The acquisition of property through inheritance is contrary to the bourgeois justification for capitalist property, and so imposition of inheritance tax is perfectly justified. This is why most capitalist countries have high inheritance taxes.
Modi Government Is Filling its Coffers at the Cost of State-Owned Firms
The Centre is asking state-owned companies to buy back their shares, and dole out dividends to help the government raise funds to meet its deficit – policies which are hurting companies in the long run.
BJP-Ruled States Once Again Raise the Bogey of Love Jehad
This, despite several Supreme Court observations on a person’s right to choice as elucidated in the Constitution; also: HC Overturns ‘Conversion Only for Marriage’ Judgment Yogi had Cited to Justify ‘Love Jihad’ Law.
India: Inclusive or Communal? Dangers of Arvind Kejriwal’s ‘Homely Hinduism’
What was earlier seen by some as an antidote to the BJP’s polarising politics seems to have gone on to another plane.