Countercurrents.org

42nd Anniversary of the 1984 Sikh Genocide: Dementia of the Indian State and Society by Shamsul Islam countercurrents.org/2026/10/… On the 42nd anniversary of the 1984 Sikh genocide, Shamsul Islam examines the continuing failure of the Indian State to bring those responsible to justice. The article traces the role of successive governments, the findings of inquiry commissions, and the limited convictions despite decades of investigations. It examines an 1984 document circulated by RSS ideologue Nana Deshmukh, the organisation’s response to the killings, and its later opposition to references to Manmohan Singh’s apology in school textbooks. The article also discusses Deshmukh’s Bharat Ratna award in 2019 and the continuing struggle for accountability for the victims and survivors.

Andhra Pradesh Local Polls: CPI(M) Condemns Attacks on Candidates, Accuses TDP Alliance of Violence by Chalapathi GVN countercurrents.org/2026/10/… The nomination process for Andhra Pradesh’s local body elections has been marked by allegations of violence, intimidation and obstruction by supporters of the ruling Telugu Desam Party-led alliance. The CPI(M) reports that opposition candidates were attacked, nomination papers were torn up, and candidates were prevented from filing their papers across several districts. Despite the Supreme Court’s intervention and the State Election Commission reopening nominations in four urban local bodies, the party says the violence has continued. The CPI(M) has demanded arrests, impartial investigations and accountability from election officials and police.

E.A.S. Sarma Calls for Scrapping IDBI Stake Sale to Fairfax, Demands Independent Enquiry by E A S Sarma countercurrents.org/2026/10/… Former Union government secretary E.A.S. Sarma has urged Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to suspend the proposed sale of 60.72% of IDBI Bank to Canadian firm Fairfax for Rs 52,878 crore and order an independent enquiry. He questions the valuation process, noting that bids fell below the original reserve price of Rs 94.42 per share before the benchmark was lowered. Sarma argues that IDBI’s rising profits, valuable land assets and improving share price warrant a reassessment. Citing investigative reports, he also raises concerns about transparency and a possible conflict of interest involving an LIC director.

In times of rupture, Gaia still holds us by Nikki Woods countercurrents.org/2026/10/… In “In Times of Rupture, Gaia Still Holds Us,” Nikki Woods reflects on ecological crisis, social injustice and the enduring value of care through the example of Miss Ivy, an 83-year-old woman who tends her garden after storms. Drawing on the devastation caused by Hurricane Isaias, Woods argues that ecological and social crises emerge from interconnected systems of extraction, racism and displacement. A Gaian response, she suggests, requires grieving, listening, resisting dehumanisation and rebuilding relationships with land and communities. Against the demand for instant public statements, she advocates patient, sustained work that nurtures resilience beyond the news cycle.

The Solution Staring Israel in the Face by Jeffrey D Sachs countercurrents.org/2026/10/… Jeffrey D. Sachs argues that Israel’s October 27 election results offer a clear path to ending Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. The opposition parties won 67 of the Knesset’s 120 seats, but forming a government depends on whether Jewish opposition leaders will cooperate with Arab parties. Sachs proposes a coalition led by Gadi Eisenkot, with Ra’am as a full partner and the Joint List supporting it from outside. Its priorities would include investigating the October 7 failures, addressing violence in Arab communities, restoring judicial independence, and moving toward a lasting peace. Sachs identifies racism as the principal obstacle to this political change.

The Terrain is Mountainous for a Reason by Smitha Janet Nilgiris countercurrents.org/2026/10/… In “The Terrain is Mountainous for a Reason,” Smitha Janet Nilgiris reflects on how life in the Nilgiri hills shapes people, their relationships with nature, and their responses to hardship. Drawing on childhood memories, she describes the daily challenges of cold weather, steep paths and long journeys aboard the mountain railway between Lovedale and Ooty. The century-old train becomes a link between personal memory, colonial history and changing landscapes. Through recollections of her mother’s resilience and the lives of hill dwellers, the article explores the human experiences that give heritage its meaning beyond buildings and monuments.

Human Wildlife Conflict: Mitigation, Adaptation and Coexistence—Strategies and Practice by Dr Murali Sivaramakrishnan countercurrents.org/2026/10/… Human-wildlife encounters are often framed as conflicts, but they also reflect changing land use, fragmented wildlife corridors and competition over shared resources. Reviewing "Human Wildlife Conflict—Science and Society", a 2026 publication of the Kerala Forest Research Institute, Murali Sivaramakrishnan argues for a shift from human-centred conservation towards coexistence. The book advocates combining scientific knowledge with indigenous practices, community aspirations and adaptive governance. It examines mitigation measures while emphasising social tolerance, community-led conservation and the intrinsic value of non-human life. Sustainable coexistence, the review argues, requires mutual care, reciprocity, fair institutions and a deeper understanding of shared landscapes.

Did German Workers Vote Nazi in 2026? by Thomas Klikauer countercurrents.org/2026/10/… Germany’s 2026 state elections reveal the growing strength of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), particularly in the eastern states of Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The party secured 44% in Saxony-Anhalt and 38.2% in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, while progressive parties retained stronger support in urban centres. Thomas Klikauer examines the social composition of the AfD’s electorate, highlighting the influence of racism, anti-immigrant propaganda, gender and education. His analysis challenges the assumption that industrial workers form the core of far-right support, finding that white-collar employees constitute a significant part of the AfD’s electorate. He also considers the role of trade unions and progressive politics in resisting fascism.

Arab Human Security Network Joins More Than 200 Organizations in Calling for Action to Prevent Nuclear Weapons Use Against Iran by Arab Human Security Network countercurrents.org/2026/10/… The Arab Human Security Network has joined more than 200 civil society organizations in calling on the US Congress to take urgent action to prevent the use of nuclear weapons against Iran. The joint declaration warns that escalating military tensions and public threats risk weakening the barriers against nuclear warfare. It highlights the potential consequences for civilian lives, public health, food and water security, and the environment. AHSN argues that protecting human security requires challenging the normalization of nuclear threats, upholding international law, preventing military escalation, and strengthening global efforts toward nuclear disarmament and the elimination of nuclear weapons.

Campus Elections Return to Odisha: Student Democracy, Political Mobilisation and the Changing Culture of Campus Politics by Tapan Kumar Sethi countercurrents.org/2026/10/… After an eight-year gap, student union elections returned to Odisha’s campuses on October 15, 2026. The elections revived student participation but also exposed concerns over campaign spending, food and gift distribution, allegations of cash inducements, political party influence and uneven voter turnout. Disputes over nominations and campus confrontations raised further questions about electoral fairness. The elections brought renewed attention to the role of student organisations and the need to address students’ concerns, including educational quality, employment, scholarships and campus infrastructure. Strengthening campus democracy requires transparent procedures, accountable representatives and opportunities for students to participate independently in institutional decision-making.

Two Octobers—1917 and 2026 by Bhabani Shankar Nayak countercurrents.org/2026/10/… In “Two Octobers—1917 and 2026,” Bhabani Shankar Nayak draws a contrast between the revolutionary promise of October 1917 and the war preparedness campaigns underway across Europe and the United States in October 2026. He argues that emergency guidance and warnings of a possible conflict with Russia divert attention from the failures of capitalism, deepen public anxiety and impose additional costs on households already facing a cost-of-living crisis. Recalling the October Revolution’s legacy of collective action, the article calls for mass protests, non-cooperation and opposition to war in defence of peace, democracy and working people.

Jalal al-Din Rumi: A Flame of Love in an Age of War and Hatred by Dr Salim Nazzal countercurrents.org/2026/10/… In an age marked by war, political collapse and human suffering, Jalal al-Din Rumi’s poetry and philosophy offered a different understanding of life, love and humanity. Dr Salim Nazzal reflects on Rumi’s spiritual relationship with Shams of Tabriz, his intellectual legacy and his enduring influence across cultural and religious boundaries. Drawing parallels with the Arab poet and philosopher Abu al-Ala al-Ma’arri, the article examines the search for truth beyond established beliefs and identities. It argues that understanding a civilization requires engagement with its literature, philosophy and human values, not merely its politics and religious divisions.

Basti Suraksha Manch Demands Land Rights, Not Multi-Storey Apartments for Slum Dwellers; Opposes Forced Evictions and Sahajog Plus in Odisha by Prakash Kumar Samantsinghar countercurrents.org/2026/10/… Basti Suraksha Manch, Odisha, has demanded legal protection of slum dwellers’ land rights and opposed forced evictions and compulsory multi-storey housing. In a 15-point memorandum submitted to the state’s Housing and Urban Development Minister on October 30, the organisation called for effective implementation of existing land rights legislation and opposed the Sahajog Plus scheme as a substitute for statutory protections. It raised concerns over proposed developments affecting Narayani Basti and settlements along the Daya West Canal. The memorandum demands transparent surveys, guaranteed rehabilitation, livelihood protection and basic civic amenities before any displacement takes place.

Imaan Mazari and the Cost of Defending Baloch Rights in Pakistan by Baloch Siddik Azad countercurrents.org/2026/10/… The imprisonment of human rights lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha for ten years has intensified concerns about judicial independence, military influence and the shrinking space for dissent in Pakistan. Mazari has represented Baloch students and supported families seeking answers about enforced disappearances. Her work connects the legal struggles of marginalised communities with broader questions of civil liberties and accountability. The case also highlights the challenges faced by activists such as Mahrang Baloch and Sami Deen Baloch. The article examines due process, anti-terrorism laws and the need for independent judicial review, while distinguishing established facts from unproven allegations of political interference.

Choosing the Difficult Path to Honor a Great Legacy: Prof. Jagmohan Singh’s Journey on the Path Shown by Bhagat Singh by Bharat Dogra countercurrents.org/2026/10/… Prof. Jagmohan Singh, nephew of Bhagat Singh, has devoted his life to preserving the revolutionary’s ideas and carrying forward the ideals of justice, equality, secularism and democratic rights. Guided by his mother, Bibi Amar Kaur, and veteran freedom fighters, he chose difficult paths in both academic and public life. His work includes documenting revolutionary history, defending human rights through the Association for Democratic Rights, challenging sectarian interpretations of the freedom struggle, and advancing rural education and sustainable agriculture. Bharat Dogra traces a life shaped by the conviction that a great legacy must be understood, defended and carried forward through sustained commitment.

A Conspiracy of Laughter by Robert Hunziker countercurrents.org/2026/10/… In "A Conspiracy of Laughter", Adam Szetela examines how Ivy League institutions have shaped American comedy, from "Saturday Night Live" to mainstream television. Robert Hunziker’s review explores the exclusivity of this cultural network and the contradiction between its claims of rebellion and its position within the establishment. The article connects the declining appeal of traditional comedy programmes with the rise of podcasts and comedians who reject conventional boundaries around political and social satire. The popularity of Joe Rogan, Shane Gillis and "South Park" reflects changing audience preferences and a wider backlash against liberal cultural institutions in the United States.

Dockworkers Global Strike to Halt Militarization of Ports by Phil Pasquini countercurrents.org/2026/10/… Dockworkers across 111 ports marked the October 30 International Day of Action with strikes and blockades against the militarization of European and Mediterranean ports. Under the banner “Ports for Peace – Jobs with Dignity,” workers and activists disrupted cargo operations, demanding an end to the transport of weapons to war zones and the use of commercial ports for military purposes. Organizers highlighted arms shipments to Israel amid the genocide in Gaza and the war against Iran. Protesters also raised concerns over wages, pensions, automation, rising living costs and public spending on armaments instead of essential services.

The Arbitrary Takedown of Paranjoy Guha Thakurta’s Website Is an Attack on Press Freedom by Countercurrents Collective countercurrents.org/2026/10/… Hostinger’s suspension of journalist Paranjoy Guha Thakurta’s website, paranjoy.in, on October 28 has raised serious concerns about press freedom and digital censorship. The shutdown followed a court order directing the removal and de-indexing of a specific article linked to a long-running defamation dispute involving Indiabulls founder Sameer Gehlaut. However, the entire hosting account, including associated subdomains and journalistic archives, was taken offline. Thakurta says Hostinger cited a “Fraud/Scam” complaint without prior notice or an opportunity to respond. The case highlights the need for transparency, proportionality and accountability in decisions affecting independent journalism.

Countercurrents at 25: A Treasure Trove to Preserve for Future Generations by Shakeel Mohammed P A countercurrents.org/2026/10/… As Countercurrents enters its Silver Jubilee year, Shakeel Mohammed P A reflects on its 25-year journey as a platform for independent thought, critical writing and social justice. Its archive of over 80,000 articles documents struggles, injustices, social movements and resistance across the world. Drawing on his experience as a reader and contributor, Shakeel highlights the publication’s commitment to freedom of expression, including the space it provides for writers whose views differ from those of its editor. He argues that preserving its intellectual depth while reaching younger generations is essential to sustaining Countercurrents for the future.

UN Warns of Ethnic Cleansing Concerns as Israel Confines Palestinians to Ever-Shrinking Areas of Gaza by Quds News Network countercurrents.org/2026/10/… The UN Human Rights Office has warned of growing concerns over ethnic cleansing in Gaza as Israeli forces expand their military deployment and confine Palestinians to shrinking, overcrowded areas. Repeated displacement, attacks on camps and the destruction of civilian infrastructure have left most of Gaza’s population unable to return home. More than 80% of buildings and structures have been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN Satellite Centre. Despite a fragile ceasefire, killings and restrictions on humanitarian aid continue. For millions enduring another winter in tents, displacement and insecurity remain a daily reality, with little prospect of returning home.