DURING the period of the Second World War, the number of industrial workers in India had increased by a little more than 50 per cent. After the end of the war (1945), workers expected that their condition would become better. On the contrary, their problems increased. The Communists, who were leading many of the unions and in the All India Trade Union Council (AITUC) stood in the forefront in taking up these issues and organising huge struggles.Two main problems confronted the working class after the end of the war – large-scale retrenchment of the war-time recruits and reduction of wages.

THE fight against the Covid-19 pandemic in India requires a big effort by the states as they have to bear the main expenditure and mobilise the human resources to combat the disease and its economic and social effects. The states have had to scale up health-care facilities, provide free foodgrains and essential supplies and give income support to working people and other sections of society as the lockdown enters its fourth week.But all the state governments are handicapped in this battle as they face severe shortage of funds.

EVEN as the people of India face terrible hardships, suffering and distress during the lockdown and yet continue to observe instructions given by governments, the central government and the ruling party continue to push a sectarian agenda. The highly irresponsible behavior of the Tablighi Jamaat became the pretext for the sangh warriors to unleash a vicious campaign against Muslims in general. This led to several direct attacks on Muslims, including some reprehensible attacks on street vendors even in the capital.

THE people were looking forward to the prime minister’s address to the nation on the last day of the three-week countrywide lockdown.  These three weeks have thrown up many experiences that need to be addressed urgently in order, both, to strengthen our fight against the Covid 19 pandemic and to protect the lives and survival of crores of our fellow citizens.  On none of these issues of vital importance did the prime minister have anything substantial to say.

CPI(M) Polit Bureau has issued the following statement on  April 6IN his address to BJP workers from the BJP office on its 40th foundation day, Prime Minister Modi gave an open call to BJP workers  to violate the lockdown. First, he asked each worker to contribute  generously to the fund he created and also collect contribution from  40 others. Secondly, at every booth level, BJP workers are to visit at  least 40 people who are working for essential services and health care to personally thank them.