Founding Editor: Daya Varma (1929-2015)
Editors: Vinod Mubayi (New York) and Raza Mir (New Jersey).
Editorial Board: Ram Puniyani and Irfan Engineer (Mumbai); Pervez Hoodbhoy (Islamabad); Dolores Chew (Montreal); Vamsi Vakulabharanam (Amherst); Ajay Bhardwaj (Vancouver).
Circulation/website: Feroz Mehdi (On behalf of Alternatives, Montreal).
PAKISTAN ELECTIONS 2008: DEMOCRACY AND STABILITY OR MORE OF THE SAME?
Kiran Omar
February 18, 2008 will go down as a remarkable day in the annals of Pakistan’s history. The peaceful general election has closed the door on that tumultuous chapter and opens a new one of stability, prosperity and economic growth. The Pakistani people have much to celebrate. A new level of political maturity and awareness seems to be taking root and growing in Pakistani public life.
COMMUNIST PARTY OF INDIA (MARXIST) AND LEFT INTELLECTUALS
Vinod Mubayi
In the last year and a half, the CPM has faced intense criticism from a number of its erstwhile supporters among the left intellectuals and commentators in India. The thrust of this criticism is that CPM has abandoned socialism and is practicing anti-democratic governance in the states where it leads the government. Are these criticisms justified and do they make sense when the communal fascist forces are again threatening the country?
THE HINDUTVA CHALLENGE AND US
Daya Varma
Rashtriya Swyamsewak Sangh (RSS), which spearheads the Hindutva offensive has continued to grow since its inception in 1926. Its empire comprises of the political party BJP), the goon squad Bajarang Dal, the religious protagonist and the trade union BMS) among others. BJP and its allies rule in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, Bihar and Punjab, threaten to form the next central government. Several factors have favored the growth of RSS. The onus of defeating the Hindutva challenge lies with CPI, CPM and Congress and therefore what relations they have with each other is crucial.
‘HINDU MAJORITY’ AND ‘MUSLIM MINORITY’: ARE THEY INDEED MEANINGFUL CATEGORIES?
Yoginder Sikand
Excerpt from a major article titled “Indian Muslim community discourses: continuities,changes and challenges” argues that the assumption that Hindus are the ‘majority community’ in India and that Hinduism is the ‘majority religion’ is actually fallacious.
DEMOCRACY, PAROCHIALISM AND PEACE
Asghar Ali Engineer
(From Secular Perspective Feb. 16-29, 2008)
Street violence provoked against north Indians in Maharashtra by Raj Thackeray and the inaction of the state government has indeed shamed all those who stand for democracy and peace. The chauvinist attack has forced many from UP and Bihar to leave. One can reduce effect of caste, communal and regional emotions by making the elections all-inclusive, like democracy should be.
COW’S URINE AS MEDICINE!: FAITH’S LEAP INTO BLIND ALLEYS
Ram Puniyani
The BJP ruled Uttarakhand Government’s decision to procure cow’s urine, refine it and sell it to Ayurvedic pharmacies is an affirmation of the central place of the cow in the political symbolism of RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh). Since Muslims, Christians, Adivasis, and some Dalits do not have any prohibitions against eating beef, this decision is expected to arouse Hindu sentiments against minorities.
FIFTIETH DEATH ANNIVERSARY OF MAULANA ABUL KALAM AZAD
Kaleem Kawaja
Maulana Azad, who died on February 22, 1958 ranks among the top builders of modern India. He dedicated his entire life to liberate India from British colonial rule, and to promote unity among the Hindus and Muslims and for these reasons received high praise from Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. Maulana Azad was proud to be a Muslim and an Indian.
MAKING REVOLUTION THE INDIAN MAOIST WAY
Daya Varma
Guerillas of the Communist Party of India (Maoists) attacked police stations in Orissa killing 16 including 2 women and a civilian. One police man was burnt alive and another castrated. A number of intellectuals and journalists have condemned this as well as the violent response by the government.
CYPRUS: A COMMUNIST COMES TO POWER THROUGH ELECTION OUTSIDE INDIA
Daya Varma
Demetris Christofias becomes the first communist leader to come to power through elections outside of India. Christofias promised to work for the unification of Cyprus, currently divided into Greek and Turkish enclaves and maintain a market economy.
NEW PUBLICATIONS: “COMMUNALISM: ILLUSTRATED PRIMER”
Ram Puniyani
This book deals with the phenomenon of sectarian violence and politics in a very lucid manner.