Editorial

The Delhi High Court judgments ordering the release on bail of three of the anti-CAA student activists charged under UAPA is a long-awaited breath of oxygen. It offers some relief from the Delhi Police witch-hunt that since last year has been been choking off democracy’s life-breath: protests against unjust, discriminatory and fascist laws like the CAA, NRC and NPR have inspired courage and hope in the struggle for democracy.

As expected, the Prime Minister is being thanked by all his cabinet colleagues and NDA CMs for his belated announcement to provide free vaccine to the 18-44 age group. The general public opinion thanks the Supreme Court for its scathing indictment of the government's arbitrary and irrational vaccine policy which forced these policy amendments a week later.

As India collectively mourns the daily deaths of loved ones in the deadly Covid-19 second wave, the depth of people’s grief and shock is matched only by the utter callousness of the Government of India.

The West Bengal Assembly election mandate was a comprehensive rebuff to the BJP’s Islamophobic election campaign. Immediately after the results were out, however, W Bengal is witnessing disturbing instances of post-poll violence, affecting supporters of all parties. What is even more disturbing is the concerted attempt by BJP leaders to spread fake news and give a communal spin to both the verdict itself, as well as the violence.

As the month-long election schedule unfolds in West Bengal, it is marked by what appears to be a disturbing nexus between central armed forces, the Election Commission and the BJP.