Remembering Safdar, Renewing Struggle for People’s Culture

On April 12, 2026, theatre practitioners, students and cultural activists across Delhi gathered to mark the 38th National Street Theatre Day, commemorating the legacy of Safdar Hashmi, activist, writer, poet and a pioneer of street theatre in India. Instituted in 1989 during the first Safdar Samaroh, the day has evolved into a powerful assertion of the role of culture in democratic life and public resistance.

‘Come Out of Your Self’

[This is Part I of a two-part series. Part II will be published in the next issue]

A couple of years ago, on Vijaya Dashami, the Sarsanghchalak (Chief) of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Mohan Bhagwat, mentioned a new phrase at the organisation's Headquarters in Nagpur — ‘Cultural Marxist’.

Crush Repression, Assert Workers’ Rights: CITU Calls Nationwide Action on April 16

The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) has unequivocally condemned the brutal repression unleashed by the BJP-led governments of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana on the militant and spontaneous struggles of workers across Noida, Greater Noida, Gurugram, and the entire National Capital Region (NCR). This is not merely an industrial dispute - it is a valiant expression of direct class confrontation, where the state machinery is openly acting to defend corporate interests by suppressing workers’ rights.

Kerala records 78.1% polling

Kerala has delivered a verdict that seems to ensure the LDF will secure a historic third consecutive term in power. Despite having the shortest campaign period in recent history, the political heat surpassed even the mid-summer blaze. This is evident from various surveys, assessments, and the reactions of those who visited the polling stations. Drawing from the experience of ten years of growth and development after moving past "darker times," the people asked a simple question: "Why should this government change?"

Language that defines humans

ON April 7, the US president opened his social media app and typed this about Iran and its 90 million people: "A whole civilisation will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don't want that to happen, but it probably will." A genocide threat, in plain English. Could that happen without human language? No. The language conveys an inhuman threat. Language is not the true problem in this situation. The language arises from the arrogance of power and the greed for oil. These dress up mass death in a casual social media post. Iran's own language was mature, subtle, and alive.

Maha: CPI(M) Holds Statewide Protests against Exploitation of Women by Fraudulent Godman

It recently came to light that a fraudulent godman from Nashik, named Ashok Kharat, sexually and financially exploited hundreds of women across the state. Several videos where he was actually seen doing so went viral. Gaining the trust of these women, who were distressed by their daily domestic issues, he subsequently subjected them to sexual abuse under the pretext of resolving their problems. He tortured them mentally and physically by threatening that if they ever tried to expose him, he would use his “divine powers” to kill their husbands and children.

AP: Cuba Solidarity Conference Organised in Vijayawada

Responding to the call of the CPI(M) to express solidarity with Cuba in its time of distress, a conference was organised at the MB Vignana Kendram in Vijayawada on April 6. Leaders present adopted a resolution seeking aid for Cuba, which is currently facing severe difficulties, and released a QR code to facilitate the collection of donations.

Neela Bhagwat -- A Tribute by Sahmat

Neela Bhagwat, a long-time associate of Sahmat, passed away on April 14 after a prolonged illness. She was a renowned exponent of the Gwalior Gharana, known not only for her deep connect with that tradition but also for her ability to innovate. Bhagwat closely engaged with the world around her, and this was reflected in her reinterpretation of many texts, especially thumri bandishes, when she presented them as expressive of the feminine voice.

Workers’ Rebellion Against Brutal Exploitation and Repression

The recent workers’ protests in the National Capital Region have taken place against the backdrop of the nationwide strike on February 12. The way this movement, which began in Manesar (Gurgaon) in April, has spread to Noida after the contract labor movement at the Panipat Refinery in Haryana in late February, and has spread throughout the NCR, is unprecedented. This workers’ revolt, born in a specific environment, has exposed severe exploitation, poor working conditions and extreme economic distress.

Apologies to All the People in Lebanon

As the United States farcically walks away from the negotiations with Iran in Pakistan, it was always a matter of concern whether Israel would abide by any such agreement. This was particularly the case with Lebanon and with the Palestinian territories, where Israel seemed absolutely hell bent on creating new ‘facts on the ground’, including evacuating more sections of Gaza, ethnically cleansing more towns in the West Bank, and eliminating almost one million people from the entire southern half of Lebanon.

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