Countercurrents.org

Israel Killing at Least One Palestinian Child a Week in West Bank: UNICEF by Quds News Network countercurrents.org/2026/05/israel… UNICEF says Israeli forces have killed at least one Palestinian child every week in the occupied West Bank since the start of 2025, amid intensified military operations and settler violence. The report documents killings, injuries, detentions, attacks on schools, displacement, and growing restrictions on access to education, healthcare, water, and shelter. Human rights groups and UN agencies warn that Palestinian children are facing both direct violence and the systematic destruction of the conditions necessary for survival and development. The article examines the scale of these violations and the broader policies shaping life in the occupied West Bank.

Hidden Fortunes, Hungry Millions: The Violence of Global Wealth Inequality by Vikas Parashram Meshram countercurrents.org/2026/05/hidden… Oxfam’s latest findings expose the scale of global wealth inequality and the systems that sustain it. While billions struggle with falling wages, hunger, debt, and shrinking public services, vast amounts of wealth remain hidden in tax havens by the world’s richest individuals. The article examines how unequal taxation, corporate concentration, and declining labour incomes are deepening the divide between rich and poor across the world, including in India. It also highlights the disproportionate burden carried by women and workers, and argues that inequality is not inevitable but the result of political and economic choices that can be changed through fair taxation and stronger public policies.

The Bell Rings, But Is India Learning? by Dr Soumya Sankar Ghosh countercurrents.org/2026/05/the-be… India has expanded school access on an unprecedented scale, but the deeper challenge now lies beyond enrolment. Drawing on recent NITI Aayog and ASER findings, this article examines how millions of children continue to fall behind as they move through the education system. Rising dropout rates at the secondary stage, weak foundational literacy, uneven digital access, and pressure to complete syllabi over ensuring understanding reveal a system struggling to convert attendance into meaningful learning. The article argues that India’s next education reform must prioritise continuity, foundational skills, teacher support, and genuine learning outcomes if schooling is to become a pathway to dignity and opportunity.

For the poor, frugality is not a choice; it is a compulsion by Dr Ranjan Solomon countercurrents.org/2026/05/for-th… For India’s poor, austerity did not begin with a Prime Minister’s speech. It has been a lifelong discipline enforced by empty wallets, shrinking wages, and impossible prices. Millions already skip gold purchases because survival leaves little room for jewellery shopping. Public transport, overcrowded homes, and cutting fuel use are not patriotic sacrifices but daily realities. Meanwhile, appeals for “economic patriotism” arrive wrapped in motorcades, luxury hotels, and globe-trotting diplomacy costing crores. Citizens are told to tighten belts they no longer possess. The sermon on frugality sounds especially moving when delivered from the comfort of state-funded extravagance and VIP privilege.

Delimitation in India: History, Politics, and the Road Ahead by Arun Kumar Oraon countercurrents.org/2026/05/delimi… As India approaches the end of a decades-long freeze on delimitation, debates over representation, federal balance, and political power are intensifying. This article traces the history of constituency redrawing from the 1950s to the present, examining why delimitation was suspended, how demographic changes have altered the balance between northern and southern states, and what future reapportionment could mean for Parliament. It also looks at the implications for women’s reservation and the possibility of expanding the Lok Sabha to avoid penalising states that succeeded in population control.

Theyyam: Gods in neglect and the missing route to hope by Alok Raj Kochuparampil countercurrents.org/2026/05/theyya… A journey through Theyyam performances in North Malabar becomes a reflection on labour, caste memory, community life and uneven development in Kerala. Moving beyond the visual spectacle of ritual, the article examines the social world that sustains Theyyam traditions and connects them to questions of public infrastructure, dignity, migration and opportunity. Through stories such as Pulimaranja Thondachan and Bhagavathy traditions, it explores how communities compensate for institutional neglect and how cultural vitality coexists with limited access to healthcare, education and employment. The piece situates Theyyam within a wider discussion on confidence, welfare and the conditions necessary for ordinary people to flourish.

AICU Condemns the Killing of Pastors in Kangpokpi, Calls for Justice, Disarmament and Peace in Manipur by All India Catholic Union countercurrents.org/2026/05/aicu-c… The All India Catholic Union has condemned the killing of pastors and their companion in Kangpokpi district, Manipur, describing it as an attack on peace efforts amid the continuing violence in the state. The statement calls for an immediate and impartial investigation, recovery of looted weapons, protection for humanitarian and religious workers, and dignified rehabilitation of displaced families. Referring to the prolonged conflict since May 2023, the AICU urged the Union and Manipur governments to restore constitutional governance and initiate a political dialogue involving Meitei, Kuki-Zo and Naga representatives to ensure peace, justice and security for all communities.

The imposition of NSA on Satyam Verma and Aakriti Chaudhary is a conspiracy to keep them in jail by All India People’s Front countercurrents.org/2026/05/the-im… The All India People’s Front has condemned the imposition of the National Security Act on journalist and activist Satyam Verma and research scholar Aakriti Chaudhary, calling it an attempt to keep them imprisoned despite weak evidence. The organization alleges illegal arrests, custodial violence, and suppression of the Noida workers’ movement, and has appealed to Governor Anandiben Patel for intervention. AIPF argues that labour unrest in Uttar Pradesh stems from delayed wage revisions and poor working conditions rather than the involvement of “outsiders.” It has also called on opposition parties and democratic groups to protest the ongoing repression in Noida and the NCR.

Tourism, Waste and the New Environmental Levies in Fragile Regions by Pema Choden Bhutia and Prashant Kumar countercurrents.org/2026/05/touris… India’s new waste management rules for hilly and island regions aim to address the environmental costs of mass tourism through user fees, stricter segregation, decentralised processing, and limits linked to carrying capacity. The article examines how unmanaged tourism waste threatens fragile ecosystems and local communities, while drawing lessons from Bhutan, Sikkim, Japan, and Goa. It argues that sustainable tourism requires stronger enforcement, local accountability, and behavioural change alongside economic incentives. The piece also highlights ongoing challenges including illegal dumping, weak monitoring, landfill dependence, and seasonal waste surges that continue to strain India’s tourism-dependent regions.

Trump, Iran and Shah Mat by Mir Adnan Aziz countercurrents.org/2026/05/trump-… Mir Adnan Aziz examines the shifting dynamics of US policy toward Iran through the contrasting metaphors of chess and golf. The article argues that earlier American geopolitical strategy relied on patience, positioning and long-term calculation, while the Trump era favored spectacle, escalation and dramatic gestures. It traces how confrontation with Iran, shaped in part by Israeli priorities, has strained alliances and exposed limits to US power. The piece portrays Iran as a resilient state shaped by historical endurance and strategic patience, while suggesting that impulsive actions by Washington may be accelerating changes in the global balance of power.

The New Culture of Fear at Aligarh Muslim University by Aquib Raza countercurrents.org/2026/05/the-ne… Aligarh Muslim University has long been associated with intellectual debate, democratic participation, and student engagement. This article examines growing concerns over disciplinary practices, repeated suspensions, and administrative centralization on campus. It discusses recent actions against students, debates around transparency and procedural fairness, and the broader impact of fear and uncertainty within university life. Situating these developments within wider trends in Indian higher education, the piece reflects on the balance between discipline and democratic culture in universities, and the importance of preserving spaces where students can question, participate, and engage freely within constitutional and institutional frameworks.

Beyond Consumerism: Rethinking Lifestyle, Climate, and Public Policy by Sandeep Pandey countercurrents.org/2026/05/beyond… Sandeep Pandey argues that measures such as reducing air travel, limiting private vehicle use, curbing excessive consumption, and encouraging public transport and online work should be seen not as temporary responses to economic pressures but as long-term ecological necessities. The article links consumerist lifestyles to climate change and calls for policy changes that prioritize sustainability over short-term economic growth. It also discusses restricting polluting industries, reducing wasteful consumption, and promoting equality in public services. Drawing lessons from the COVID period, the article advocates a shift toward simpler, less resource-intensive ways of living to address the climate crisis.

Campaign to Declare Next Decade as Save the Earth Decade by Bharat Dogra countercurrents.org/2026/05/campai… Bharat Dogra argues that the escalating climate crisis, environmental destruction, nuclear dangers, and emerging AI-driven weapons together pose a serious threat to the life-supporting conditions of Earth. The article calls for declaring 2027–2037 as a global “Save the Earth Decade” focused on peace, disarmament, ecological protection, and justice. Drawing on warnings issued by leading scientists and international bodies over several decades, the piece urges governments, social movements, educators, and citizens to place survival concerns above “business as usual.” It presents the campaign as a collective effort to safeguard the planet for future generations through sustained global cooperation and reform.

Palestine and 78 Years of Nakba by Dr Ranjan Solomon countercurrents.org/2026/05/palest… Seventy-eight years after the Nakba, the Palestinian struggle for dignity, justice, and self-determination remains unresolved. Dr. Ranjan Solomon reflects on the historical roots of displacement in 1948, the destruction of Palestinian villages, the expansion of occupation and settlements, and the devastating human cost of repeated wars, especially in Gaza since October 2023. The article examines how competing historical traumas continue to shape Israelis and Palestinians alike, while arguing that security without justice cannot bring lasting peace. It calls for coexistence grounded in equality, international law, freedom, and recognition of the humanity and rights of both peoples.

₹200 and a Lifetime of Labour: India’s Pension Crisis by Utkarsh Mishra countercurrents.org/2026/05/%e2%82… India’s pension system leaves millions of elderly informal workers surviving on as little as ₹200 a month after decades of labour. This article examines how existing schemes fail to provide meaningful security for agricultural labourers, domestic workers, street vendors, and others outside the formal economy. It contrasts India’s approach with social pension models in countries such as Brazil and South Africa, and argues that the crisis reflects political priorities rather than economic impossibility. As India’s ageing population grows, the article warns that inadequate pensions are deepening inequality, insecurity, and abandonment among the country’s poorest elderly citizens.

Where Silence Becomes a Security Threat by Ghassan Shahrour countercurrents.org/2026/05/where-… In “Where Silence Becomes a Security Threat,” Ghassan Shahrour examines how civilian suffering in conflict zones is sustained not only by violence but also by political and public silence. Drawing on humanitarian disarmament, international humanitarian law, and lived experiences from war-affected communities, the article argues that security must be measured by the protection of human dignity rather than military power alone. From Gaza to Sudan and Ukraine, it reflects on the consequences of weakened humanitarian norms and the urgent need for accountability, survivor-centered policy, and stronger civilian protection commitments in an increasingly unstable world.

Vijay’s Rise Signals a Shift Beyond Tamil Nadu’s Dravidian Duopoly by Arun Srivastava countercurrents.org/2026/05/vijays… Actor-turned-politician Vijay’s emergence in Tamil Nadu politics is presented as a challenge to both the long-standing DMK-AIADMK dominance and the BJP’s attempts to expand in the state. The article examines how shifting voter attitudes, especially among younger generations, have opened space for a “post-Dravidian” political narrative centred on social justice, secularism, and development. It also analyses the weakening appeal of traditional Dravidian politics, the BJP’s strategic interventions in Tamil Nadu, and the broader ideological transition unfolding in the state. Vijay’s rise is framed as part of a larger political realignment with implications beyond electoral change.

Merit Betrayed: The Human Cost of India’s Exam Failures by Yasser Kottalath countercurrents.org/2026/05/merit-… India’s recurring examination scandals have exposed deep flaws in the country’s competitive testing system. Reflecting on the NEET controversies of 2024 and 2026, Yasser Kottalath examines the emotional and social costs borne by students and families whose futures depend on a single exam. The article traces allegations of paper leaks, proxy candidates, irregular scoring patterns, and institutional failures that have weakened public trust in merit-based admissions. It argues that examination integrity is not merely an administrative issue but a matter of public accountability, with long-term consequences for students, especially those from financially and socially vulnerable backgrounds.

The Free Speech Recession and Cancel Culture by Raghav Kaushik countercurrents.org/2026/05/the-fr… Raghav Kaushik examines the growing erosion of free speech protections in the United States, tracing how restrictions on dissent predate the Trump era and extend across the political spectrum. The article explores the rise of cancel culture, the policing of academic expression, and the repression of pro-Palestinian activism through the lens of First Amendment principles. Drawing on examples from universities, civil rights history, and recent public debates, it argues that democratic movements lose credibility when they defend free speech selectively. The piece calls for a renewed commitment to protecting dissent, including speech and viewpoints that many find deeply objectionable.

Trump’s State Visit to Beijing and the New Cold War on Asia by Tings Chak countercurrents.org/2026/05/trumps… Trump’s state visit to Beijing comes amid intensifying US military and economic pressure across Asia and the Middle East. Tings Chak argues that behind the diplomatic spectacle lies a broader strategy of containment targeting China, Iran, and the Global South. The article examines US sanctions, military expansion, arms deals, and regional alliances, alongside China’s efforts to strengthen economic autonomy and South-South ties. From the Philippines to South Korea and Taiwan, the piece traces how the new Cold War is reshaping Asia’s political landscape while fueling growing opposition to foreign military bases and escalating militarization across the region.