PRAGOTI

Iran’s social contradictions have once more erupted into conflict. It does not help for us to wave the flag of intervention, or even to throw our support between one or the other camp in this current situation. The best solidarity from afar is to be analytical, not emotional about what is occurring. Things are easier in the case of the Honduras, where the Generals are not only trained by the U. S. at Fort Benning but where it seems plain that the U. S. State Department might bank on this coup to send a message against Bolivarianism across Central and South America. Here we have a clear role, to demand an end to interference in Central America and an end to the School of the Americas. Writes Viijay Prashad.

''Despite the fact that 300 women protestors in Kabul faced with more than a 1000 counter protestors who throw stones at them and called them " dog" and spat at them, despite the fact that the Iranian women who demand change to the discriminatory laws in Iran are facing arrest and detention, despite the fact that their websites being filtered, papers being banned,  and their safety and security is fragile, the movements for rights and dignity, for equity and equality, keep moving forward and gaining more strength''.  -Elahe Amani writes for Pragoti

''Using the rhetoric of “justice,” “equality,” “rights and democracy,” and the “center of society” is hardly meaningful if such discourse is not supported by action. Western imperialists are using this language to invade and destroy the infrastructures of other nations, under the banner of “democracy and human rights.” Religious extremist transnationally, regardless of whether or not they are in positions of power in Iran, Afghanistan or the FLDS camps in United State, cannot talk of “upholding justice,” “security,” and the “well-being of women and girls” while violating the human rights of women and girls in polygamist, patriarchal power structures'', says Elahe Amani.

''Defending rights of women, sexual, ethnic, religious and other minorities are perhaps ‎indicators of democratization in society. Perhaps it was not frightening to defend ‎women’s rights before, but now failure to defend women’s rights will be condemned ‎widely by women in society, even if it is not always fruitful. Defending the rights of ‎minorities also is an experience of this sort'', observes Parvin Ardalan. ‎

Some perspectives from the Women's Movement in Iran (Courtesy: Iran Women Solidarity).

The push has come to shove. The political crisis that appeared imminent last fortnight could have been averted if the UPA government had refrained from pushing ahead with the Indo-US nuclear deal, an issue that was not part of the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) on the basis of which the Left parties extended outside support. Unfortunately, this was not to be. With the open declaration of a ‘go ahead’ by the Prime Minister, the Left had no other option but to enforce the decision taken nearly two years ago to withdraw support if the government goes ahead.