“I FIRST heard of Safdar Hashmi around 1970, when I joined the National School of Drama in New Delhi. All I wanted was fame and popularity, and I couldn’t understand how an artist as accomplished as Safdar would not care for that. It took me a long time to realise that Safdar’s passion was social change. For him, his principles were more valuable than his life. I was deeply distressed when I heard of his killing.

THE fight against oppressive social structures needs a strong resolve and a united movement against the so-called laws of Manu or Manusmriti, a highly repressive text providing legitimacy to brahmanism and the caste system. B R Ambedkar burned the copies of the book almost a hundred years ago to give this particular message. This was the central point of ‘Manusmriti burning day’ organised by the Dalit Shoshan Mukti Manch (DSMM) Delhi state committee on December 25.Before burning the copies of the Manusmriti, the large gathering was addressed by Prof.

IN the Rajya Sabha, John Brittas spoke on the Appropriation No.4 and No.5 Bills. He said, “I am very glad that we are debating two bills, and not certain divisive issues like temples or mosques or even a movie or a movie star's costume. I am glad that we are deciding and discussing pertinent matters which are of concern to the people of this country. I am glad that the Supreme Court after an inordinate delay of six years has taken up pleas on demonetisation to adjudicate. And the government is now scurrying for cover and has taken the alibi that this is only a matter of academic interest.

ON December 27, 2022, the 78th Janashiksha Divas was observed throughout the state with great enthusiasm under the leadership of Tripura Rajya Upajati Gana Mukti Parishad (GMP, in short) and the CPI(M). Large number of tribal and non-tribal people participated in the observance programme at various places across the state. During this programme, Party flag was hoisted along with hoisting the GMP flag, followed by paying homage to the great leaders, who spearheaded the ‘people’s literacy movement’ in the state, in the 40s and 50s.

There is no connection between the Elgar Parishad at Pune and the violence that erupted at Bhima Koregaon on January 1, 2018. This was part of the deposition made by the then investigating senior police officer, Ganesh More, before the N J Patel Commission set up by the Maharashtra government.