PRAGOTI

Pragoti pays homage to Comrade.Sailesh Choudhury,the veteran freedom fighter and Communist revolutionary of West Bengal,who made his imprint with his decades long stint with progressive journalism.

Reproduced here is the a farewell note by B.Prasant from India News Netwrok of CPI(M).

Tamil Nadu “accepts in principle” a 3 per cent quota for a few sub-sects within the existing 18 per cent reservation for the Scheduled Castes,writes S. Viswanathan.

CPI(M) spearheaded the agitation of Arunthathiyar community,which is one among the most marginalized sections among the lower castes in Tamil Nadu.A significant section of Arunthathiyars still work as night soil removers and underground sewer cleaners,for whom the exclusive reservations would certainly be a respite,though the lingering upper class stigma against the "untouchables" in Tamil Nadu and the resultant social exclusion points out the need for more affirmative measures from the authorities.

Hundreds of people participated in the protest demonstration held by CPI(M) in front of Israeli embassy.

"The political message is, thus, clear. The people see very little difference between the policies pursued by the BJP and the Congress in redressing the issues of their livelihood. It is clear that if a political alternative based on sound alternative policies is forged, then people’s acceptance can be mustered at the hustings. Such an alternative, obviously, cannot be a cut and paste arrangement on the eve of elections. This has to emerge through popular struggles on policy alternatives for India’s future and a better livelihood for its people."

A People's Democracy editorial which analyzes the outcome of recently held assembly elections in  five states