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Today in Politics, Bulletin 346. 4/10/26 Ron Filipkowski Apr 10 ∙ … Trump has reportedly offered mass pardons before leaving office to everyone who worked for him in the WH. WSJ broke the story that Trump has repeatedly dangled this to staffers so they will conduct themselves with no concerns about being prosecuted in the future for illegal conduct. … Trump initially broached the subject by stating to staff: “I’ll pardon everyone who has come within 200 feet of the Oval.” They responded by laughing, but it’s not clear that Trump intends this as merely a joke. He isn’t exactly known for his sense of humor. … WSJ: “That radius appears to be expanding as the president repeats the line. Another person who met with Trump earlier this year said the president quipped about pardoning anyone who had come within 10 feet. In one conversation with advisers in the dining room next to the Oval Office last year, Trump said he would host a news conference and announce mass pardons before he left office.” … House Judiciary Committee ranking member Jamie Raskin made a formal request to the WH physician to conduct cognitive exam of Trump, citing truth social posts and Trump’s statements at Easter Egg Roll: “Experts have repeatedly warned that the President has been exhibiting signs consistent with dementia and cognitive decline. And, in recent days, the country has watched Trump’s public statements and outbursts turn increasingly incoherent, volatile, profane, deranged, and threatening.” … Politico: “Multiple people have abruptly resigned from Rep. Eric Swalwell’s gubernatorial campaign, throwing the durability of his operation into question after the CA Democrat repeatedly this week denied allegations of sexual misconduct. Members of senior leadership have departed the campaign, including Courtni Pugh, a strategic adviser who served as Swalwell’s top liaison to organized labor groups. … “The resignations came just before the SF Chronicle published a report Friday afternoon reporting that a former staffer claims Swalwell had sexual encounters with her while working for him, and that he sexually assaulted her twice when she was too drunk to consent.” … Swalwell’s campaign appeared to be gathering momentum with key endorsements, “but soon after, accusations of inappropriate behavior with female staffers began to surface on social media. Campaign operatives traded notes and messages: Was this just another spin of the rumor mill, or was a bomb about to drop, potentially upending the race weeks before ballots started landing in voters’ mailboxes?” … Statement from Swalwell attorney: “We learned from press outlets that there are multiple allegations made against the Congressman. We believe those allegations are baseless and continue to seek the truth. We also want to understand why these allegations would suddenly arise on the eve on an election against the frontrunner in what appears to be a coordinated effort to undermine his candidacy.” … Swalwell’s campaign chair, Rep. Jimmy Gomez, then announced he could no longer support him: “Today I learned shocking information about Eric Swalwell containing the ugliest and most serious accusations imaginable. The congressman should leave the race now so there can be a full accountability without doubt, distraction, or delay.” … Today is supposed to be Day 1 of peace negotiations between the US and Iran in Pakistan, but things are off to a rocky start as with all things Trump. JD Vance was sent as the lead negotiator along with Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and personnel from the State Dept and DOD. … As the US was waiting for the Iranian delegation to show up, Iran’s parliament speaker MB Ghalibaf issued this statement: “Two of the measures mutually agreed upon between the parties have yet to be implemented: a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of Iran’s blocked assets prior to the commencement of negotiations. These two matters must be fulfilled before negotiations begin.” … Trump responded with two Truth Social posts: “The Iranians don’t seem to realize they have no cards, other than a short term extortion of the World by using International Waterways. The only reason they are alive today is to negotiate!” … “The Iranians are better at handling the Fake News Media, and ‘Public Relations,’ than they are at fighting!” … Pope Leo XIV: “God does not bless any conflict. Anyone who is a disciple of Christ, the Prince of Peace, is never on the side of those who once wielded the sword and today drop bombs. Military action will not create space for freedom or times of peace, which comes only from the patient promotion of coexistence and dialogue among peoples.” … “Absurd and inhuman violence is spreading ferociously through the sacred places of the Christian East, profaned by the blasphemy of war and the brutality of business, with no regard for people’s lives, which are considered at most collateral damage of self-interest. But no gain can be worth the life of the weakest, children, or families. No cause can justify the shedding of innocent blood.” … The day before Melania’s press conference, Amanda Ungaro made this post addressed to Pam Bondi: “Are you already aware of the situation? Do you fully understand the extent of the information I possess regarding you and the individuals associated with you? I strongly advise you to consider the seriousness of these matters. Any actions taken against me or attempts to escalate this situation could have significant legal consequences. I expect this to be handled with the appropriate level of responsibility and professionalism moving forward.” … Then after Melania’s press conference, Ungaro posted this reply to Melania’s statement: “I will take legal action against you and your pedophile husband. I have known you for 20 years. You knew I was detained in ICE. You were present in my life - every year on my son’s birthday, even sending Secret Service and being the first to congratulate him, back in 2016. Something was clearly wrong, but I am not part of any evil mission involving children.” … “So what did you do, Melania? You tried to involve me, but you failed - because I have character. I will tear down your corrupt system, even if it’s the last thing I do in my life. I will go all the way - I am not afraid. Maybe you should be afraid of what I know… of who you are, and who your husband is.” … Journalist Wajahat Ali: “Most likely, and of course, all speculation right now, this is why Melania did her statement today. Amanda Ungaro was brought here as a 17-year-old model. She flew to NYC on Epstein’s private plane. Paolo Zampolli, the modeling agent who allegedly introduced Melania to Trump in 1998, fathered Ungaro’s child. They were engaged in an ugly custody battle. Zampolli leaned on ICE and his Trump connections to DEPORT Ungaro. Zampolli also allegedly represented Melania when she was a model.” … Melania’s movie agent Marc Beckman on Newsmax: “She cleared her record. She eradicated all the lies, all of the innuendos, and she showed everybody that she’s got a clean slate once and for all and that she’s gonna fight it. She also became the champion for these women, for the victims. There really isn’t someone out there as high profile as the First Lady that is out supporting the victims.” … Beckman: “She’s the most committed, hard-working individual I’ve ever met in my life.” … Meidas correspondent Scott MacFarlane on CNN: “There’s a sense here, at least among the survivors, that if you’re going to pawn this off on congress to have a hearing for the survivors, you are disclaiming any responsibility for putting out the records you still have yet to put out from the files.” … Two days before Hungary’s election, Trump made a post on Truth Social pledging to buy votes for Viktor Orban with US taxpayer dollars: “My Admin stands ready to use the full Economic Might of the US to strengthen Hungary's Economy, as we have done for our Great Allies in the past, if Viktor Orbán and the Hungarian People ever need it. We are excited to invest in the future Prosperity that will be generated by Orbán's continued Leadership!” … Reuters: “Viktor Orban, uniquely endorsed by both Trump and the Kremlin, could lose his 16-year iron grip on power on Sunday, opinion polls indicate, in an election many Hungarians believe will decide their country’s fate in Europe. Orban, the EU’s longest-serving PM, has led Hungary since 2010, entrenching his power by curbing independent media and democratic rights and building an ‘illiberal democracy’ that has earned him fans on Europe’s far right and in Trump’s MAGA movement.” … “However, 3 years of economic stagnation and soaring living costs, along with the enrichment of oligarchs close to the govt, have angered voters. Tisza party leader Peter Magyar has pledged to crack down on corruption, unlock billions of euros of frozen EU funds and tax the wealthiest, while reforming Hungary’s crumbling healthcare.” … Magyar at a huge rally: “Just a few days and we will see a change of regime. This is a very last chance to prevent our country being a Russian puppet state. Let’s not allow Fidesz to lead Hungary out of the EU.” What a week! Thank you for all the great questions for this week’s Ask the Editor. Ben and I just finished recording the show and it should be out tonight. The question that was asked by several of you was my theory on why Melania did the surprise Epstein statement. Reminder I’m off Saturdays so next Bulletin will recap the entire weekend on Sunday night. We are heading to Boston for the day for a behind the scenes tour of Fenway Park, then to Foxboro for the NE Patriots Hall of Fame. If you missed yesterday’s Bulletin, you can find it here. Meidas+ is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Upgrade to paid … Economist Heather Long: “Inflation soared in March to 3.3% - the highest annual rate since May 2024. The war in Iran is squeezing middle income and lower income households. Inflation in March alone rose 0.9%. That’s the biggest one-month jump since June 2022: Gas jumped +21% in March Fuel oil soared +31% in March Airfares +15% in March Food was flat for the month, but is likely to go up later in the spring/summer. … This is the single largest increase in a single month for gas prices since national data was first compiled in 1967. … Charlie Bilello, chief market analyst for Creative Planning, broke down the annual numbers using this report: Price changes over last year (March CPI report): Fuel Oil: +44.2% Gasoline: +18.9% Gas Utilities: +6.4% Electricity: +4.6% Transportation: +4.1% Food away from home: +3.8% Medical Care: +3.7% Overall CPI: +3.3% Shelter: +3.0% Food at home: +1.9% New Cars: +0.5% Used Cars: -3.2% … Pete Buttigieg had a contentious interview today with Trump-loving host Joe Kernan on CNBC. Kernan kept trying to pivot away from the bad economic numbers to talk about Biden: “The big thing that’s different now is that in many periods in American history, you have inflation and then the admin does things to reduce it. Right now, we have the admin actively making prices higher.” … Buttigieg: “Inflation has tripled from just one month ago, and it’s higher than when ... SUBSSCRIBE AND VIEW POST....

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Families need Congress to get their priorities straight!

SIGN NOW

What in the world is happening right now??

We’re continuing doing the normal things—packing lunches, coordinating schedules, scheduling appointments, sitting through meetings—but being a mom in America feels surreal right now. 

In the last week alone, Trump has threatened to annihilate a “whole civilization”—which of course, would be a war crime. [1] He then said the quiet part out loud: Our health care and child care are his piggy bank for his reckless wars and ongoing cruelty and human rights abuses against immigrant families. He basically shrugged and told us, "We can’t take care of day care…. We’re fighting wars." [2] 

Tell Republican Leaders in Congress: Families need you to get your priorities straight! No cuts to health care and child care to pay for wars and human rights abuses!

It’s not just Trump’s words that are causing issues. Now, Trump’s putting pen to paper to turn these harmful funding ideas into reality. Last Friday, Trump released a budget proposal that abandons the programs moms and families have long prioritized to build good lives, to raise our children, and to contribute to our communities. At the same time, it increases funding for an out-of-control ICE and Border Patrol, even though they already have an estimated $150 billion left to spend from last year’s funding bill. [3] 

What’s more, Trump has requested $1.5 trillion in new defense spending, the largest annual military budget increase in more than 50 years. [4] [5] All of this money is ultimately coming out of the funds we could be using to cover health care, food, and child care for OUR children and families, paid for by OUR tax dollars. 

Again, what is happening right now? Add your name: Moms don't want Trump and Republican leaders in Congress using our funds (for health care and child care no less) for cruelty and violence!

None of this is okay. Trump’s budget plans to cut billions from Americans’ health care to supersize spending on the military at a time when health care premiums are skyrocketing and 15 million Americans already risk losing coverage completely. [6] The proposed budget also drains funding from critical child care programs to pay for continuing human and civil rights violations against immigrant families, when child care for an infant already costs more than in-state college tuition in more than half of states. [7] And Trump’s proposed budget does nothing to address the skyrocketing gas prices, the sticker shock at the grocery store, or the deeply overwhelming affordability crisis that families are experiencing today—in fact, it will only increase the costs for moms and families.

This is another total nightmare for families. Trump is already calling on Congress to kick off a process called ‘Reconciliation’ to get these budget disasters passed. The reconciliation process will give Republicans leaders in Congress a green light to unilaterally slash our health care, child care, and nutrition to fund out-of-control ICE chaos and an amped-up military budget. Remember the Big, Ugly Bill? This is essentially Round 2. We need your help to stop it in its tracks.

Tell Republican Leaders in Congress: Trump’s hateful budget doesn't reflect the values of America's families. Don’t take our health care and child care to fund reckless wars and human rights abuses of immigrant families!

It’s time to tell Trump and Republican leaders in Congress to get their budget priorities straight. ICE and Border Patrol still have an estimated $150 billion dollars left to spend on inhumane immigration enforcement. [8] Funneling even more cash into an agency that separates families, killed Renée Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, and commits human rights abuses isn’t just deeply cruel; it’s extremely unpopular. 60 percent of Americans say the administration has "gone too far,” and over half of Americans oppose more funding for ICE. [9]

Imagine if we invested in families instead. Instead of spending $1 billion on the daily cost of the war in Iran, the United States would be able to fully cover: 

• The daily costs of Medicaid for all 16 million people expected to lose it as a result of last year’s budget cuts, AND 
• Daily food stamps for all 41 million people. [10]

Moms want lower prices, health care, and child care—not to foot the bill for reckless wars or inhumane cruelty against immigrant families.  

Don’t forget to sign on!

Together, we are a powerful voice for children and families.

Kristin, Donna, Nate, Olivia, and the entire MomsRising and MamásConPoder team

References:
[1] Analysis: Is that legal? Trump threatens bridges, power plants and a ‘whole civilization’ | CNN Politics
[2] Trump says it's 'not possible' for the U.S. to pay for Medicaid, Medicare and day care: 'We’re fighting wars’ | NBC
[3] DHS still has $150 billion to spend on Trump’s deportation campaign | MS Now
[4] Trump’s Budget Request Cuts Programs That Help Ordinary Americans and Sinks That Money Toward War | Center for American Progress
[5] President’s Budget, 2027 | Office of Management and Budget 
[6] Estimated Budgetary Effects of Public Law 119-21, to Provide for Reconciliation Pursuant to Title II of H. Con. Res. 14, Relative to the Budget Enforcement Baseline for Consideration in the Senate | CBO
[7] Still Unaffordable: Child Care’s Rising Prices, Stretched Supply, and Staffing Shortages | The Century Foundation
[8] DHS still has $150 billion to spend on Trump’s deportation campaign | MS Now
[9] DHS was already given $191 billion. Voters say: not one dollar more. | Fwd.us
[10] $1 Billion a Day for War in Iran Could Help Every Family Who Needs Healthcare and Food Stamps | National Priorities Project

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CC Newsletter 11 April- Ceasefire on Edge: Distrust Shadows High-Stakes US–Iran Talks

                                 

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Dear Friend,

US Vice President J D Vance’s arrival in Islamabad signals a rare, high-level push to stabilise a fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran. Yet even before talks begin, deep mistrust threatens to unravel the process. Conflicting interpretations of a 10-point Iranian proposal and disputes over Israel’s ongoing offensive in Lebanon expose fault lines beneath the truce. As energy routes through the Strait of Hormuz remain disrupted, global stakes continue to rise. With both sides hardening positions, the question looms: can diplomacy prevail, or is this ceasefire already on the brink of collapse?

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WAR On Iran

The Intellectual Cleansing of Iran

by Satya Sagar

https://countercurrents.org/2026/04/the-intellectual-cleansing-of-iran/

What happens when war targets not just land or lives, but the very capacity to think? This powerful essay argues that recent attacks on Iran’s universities and schools signal a dangerous shift—from military confrontation to the deliberate destruction of knowledge systems. By framing education as a threat, power seeks to control who can innovate, imagine, and compete. Drawing parallels with past empires and ideological purges, the piece exposes a disturbing logic: when knowledge spreads beyond control, it becomes a target. A provocative reflection on power, fear, and the politics of intellect in a changing world.

Hormuz, Shipping Unions & Sailors

by Thomas Klikauer

https://countercurrents.org/2026/04/hormuz-shipping-unions-sailors/

While global media fixates on oil flows and geopolitics, thousands of seafarers trapped in the Strait of Hormuz face a far grimmer reality. Flags of convenience, exploitative labour hierarchies, and corporate profiteering leave sailors underpaid, unprotected, and now directly exposed to war. As military escalation disrupts shipping, crews are denied basic rights, forced to remain in conflict zones, and treated as expendable. Shipping unions warn of a humanitarian crisis unfolding at sea. This piece exposes how global trade depends on invisible workers whose lives are routinely risked—and why their safety, dignity, and rights demand urgent global attention.

Strait of Power – Why Hormuz Is Iran’s Ultimate Leverage

by Dr Ranjan Solomon

https://countercurrents.org/2026/04/strait-of-power-why-hormuz-is-irans-ultimate-leverage/

The Strait of Hormuz is not just a waterway—it is a pressure point at the heart of the global economy. Nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil flows through this narrow corridor, giving Iran a form of leverage that exceeds conventional military power. shows how disruption, not domination, defines this strategy. By sustaining uncertainty rather than triggering full-scale conflict, Iran can influence markets, shape geopolitical outcomes, and impose costs on rivals. In a deeply interconnected world, control over chokepoints like Hormuz reveals a new logic of power—where geography, not force, becomes the ultimate strategic weapon.

Pakistan’s Proxy Debate: Winning the World, Losing the Republic

by Junaid S Ahmad

https://countercurrents.org/2026/04/pakistans-proxy-debate-winning-the-world-losing-the-republic/

Pakistan’s global moment is being framed as strategic brilliance — a state inserting itself into high-stakes diplomacy and gaining relevance on the world stage. But beneath the spectacle lies a darker reality. As geopolitical success dominates headlines, repression deepens at home: dissent crushed, institutions weaponized, and political opposition systematically targeted. This sharp contrast raises an urgent question — is external influence masking internal decay? This piece cuts through the noise to expose how power is performed abroad while enforced through fear domestically. The real debate is not about strategy, but about the cost of silence within the republic.

PALESTINE

Israel’s New Death Penalty Law for Palestinians constitutes a war crime

by Malkangiri Ravi Kumar

https://countercurrents.org/2026/04/israels-new-death-penalty-law-for-palestinians-constitutes-a-war-crime/

Israel’s new death penalty law marks a dangerous turning point, targeting Palestinians under a separate and unequal legal regime. Passed amid rising tensions, the law has drawn global condemnation, with UN officials warning its implementation in occupied territories could constitute a war crime . Critics highlight its discriminatory design, weakened due process, and accelerated execution timeline. As legal challenges mount, the law raises urgent questions about justice, occupation, and the erosion of equal human rights. This article examines why the measure is seen not just as harsh policy, but as a profound shift toward legalized inequality and repression.

INEQUALITY

Land Inequality Growing in the Shadow of Development

by Vikas Parashram Meshram

https://countercurrents.org/2026/04/land-inequality-growing-in-the-shadow-of-development/

Land inequality is deepening even as development claims progress. A new study reveals a stark reality: a small minority controls a vast share of rural land, while nearly half of families remain landless. Historical injustice, social hierarchy, and market pressures continue to push small farmers out, trapping millions in cycles of debt, migration, and insecurity. Growth without justice is widening the divide. This article exposes how unequal land ownership shapes poverty, power, and opportunity—and why meaningful reform is essential for dignity, equity, and a truly inclusive future.

CASTE

Reclaiming B. R. Ambedkar: Nation, Morality, and the Unfinished Struggle for Social Democracy

by Kshirod Nag

https://countercurrents.org/2026/04/reclaiming-b-r-ambedkar-nation-morality-and-the-unfinished-struggle-for-social-democracy/

What makes a nation truly democratic? This essay revisits Ambedkar’s powerful critique of caste, inequality, and hollow constitutionalism to argue that political democracy cannot survive without social democracy. From freedom as lived capability to morality rooted in human dignity, Ambedkar’s vision challenges both past and present. At a time of deepening social divisions and selective justice, his call for fraternity and constitutional morality remains urgent. This is not about remembering Ambedkar as a symbol, but confronting the radical transformation he demanded—and still demands today.

In India, the Problem Is Not Belief but the Believer

by Disha

https://countercurrents.org/2026/04/in-india-the-problem-is-not-belief-but-the-believer/

In India, belief is not judged by what it is, but by who holds it. From village rituals to urban wellness trends, the same faith is either respected or ridiculed depending on caste, class, and power. Disha’s powerful reflection reveals how superstition is not about ignorance, but about permission—who is allowed dignity in belief and who is denied it. When faith becomes a tool to marginalize, exclude, or even justify violence, the real issue is no longer belief itself, but the hierarchy that governs it. A sharp, unsettling look at how inequality shapes even the unseen.

HUMAN RIGHTS

Same Soil, Same Story: Two decades. Two corporations. Two governments. One outcome — Adivasi blood on Odisha’s ground

by Nihar Nalini Sarangi

https://countercurrents.org/2026/04/same-soil-same-story-two-decades-two-corporations-two-governments-one-outcome-adivasi-blood-on-odishas-ground/

Two decades apart, the pattern remains unchanged: corporations advance, governments comply, and Adivasi communities pay the price. From Kalinga Nagar to Sijimali, land is taken without consent, resistance is met with force, and justice is endlessly deferred. This powerful account traces how laws are bypassed, voices silenced, and sacred landscapes turned into extractive zones. Yet, amid repression, communities continue to resist with courage and dignity. Their demand is simple: respect the Constitution, honour their rights, and listen when they say no. How many times must the same story be written in blood before it is heard?

Quarries in Tirunelveli, Funerals in Kanniyakumari: Who Is Responsible?

by M Aswin Rome Pon Saravanan

https://countercurrents.org/2026/04/quarries-in-tirunelveli-funerals-in-kanniyakumari-who-is-responsible/

A young life lost in Kanniyakumari—another “accident,” or a system failure waiting to happen? This powerful piece traces the deadly chain linking unchecked quarrying in Tirunelveli, weak enforcement, and the relentless flow of overloaded mineral lorries to Vizhinjam Port, operated by Adani Group. When extraction continues, transport expands, and regulation fails, deaths become predictable. Who is truly responsible—the driver, or the system that enabled the risk? Until accountability is owned, these tragedies will repeat. This is not an accident. It is permission.

Sathankulam custodial deaths verdict: Dilemma of a Human Rights Activist

by Pon Chandran

https://countercurrents.org/2026/04/sathankulam-custodial-deaths-verdict-dilemma-of-a-human-rights-activist/

The Sathankulam custodial deaths verdict marks a rare moment of accountability, with nine police personnel sentenced for a crime that shocked the nation. Yet, this judgment raises a troubling question for human rights defenders: can justice be upheld through the death penalty? While the ruling breaks the cycle of impunity surrounding custodial violence, it also reinforces a form of state violence long opposed by rights advocates. This article explores the moral and political dilemma at the heart of the verdict—how to demand accountability without abandoning the principle that justice must rise above retribution and the logic of punishment.

ENVIRONMENT

Serious Safety and Transparency Gaps Flagged in Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited Refinery Proposal in Nellore

by Scientists for People

https://countercurrents.org/2026/04/serious-safety-and-transparency-gaps-flagged-in-bharat-petroleum-corporation-limited-refinery-proposal-in-nellore/

Serious concerns are being raised over the proposed refinery and petrochemical complex by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited in Nellore. Scientists warn that key hazardous substances, including chlorine, hydrogen, and toxic intermediates, have been omitted from the project’s environmental assessment scope. These gaps could leave major accident risks unexamined and communities uninformed. The group calls for stronger scrutiny, full disclosure, and a fresh public hearing, stressing that environmental clearance must be based on complete risk assessment, not partial information. At stake are public safety, ecological protection, and accountability in large-scale industrial projects.

GRASSROOT ACTION

Ensuring Drinking Water through Community-led Ground Level Reservoir in the Daang Region of  Karauli District

by Uday Kumar Saw

https://countercurrents.org/2026/04/ensuring-drinking-water-through-community-led-ground-level-reservoir-in-the-daang-region-of-karauli-district/

In the remote Daang region of Karauli district, a powerful story of collective resolve unfolds as a marginalized community overcomes chronic water scarcity. For years, women bore the burden of walking long distances for every drop. Through persistence, unity, and community-led action, a Ground Level Reservoir now brings safe drinking water to the heart of the village. This transformation not only eases daily hardship but restores dignity, health, and opportunity. The journey highlights how grassroots leadership, especially by women, can turn despair into hope and secure a basic right long denied—access to clean water.

Remembering Struggle Rethinking Agriculture

by Ashish Singh

https://countercurrents.org/2026/04/remembering-struggle-rethinking-agriculture/

Memory meets urgency in a reflection on agriculture shaped by struggle, resilience, and change. Drawing from a memorial lecture in Raebareli, this piece connects the lived experiences of past generations with today’s farming crisis—marked by climate shifts, economic strain, and technological transitions. It highlights the need to move beyond production toward dignity, sustainability, and fair incomes for farmers. By bringing together science, grassroots knowledge, and rights-based perspectives, the article calls for a deeper rethinking of agriculture as a social system. Not solutions, but direction—rooted in memory, guided by collective effort, and shaped by the realities of rural life.

LIFE/PHILOSOPHY

Convergence and Unity in the Paths of Shahid Bhagat Singh and Mahatma Gandhi

by Bharat Dogra

https://countercurrents.org/2026/04/convergence-and-unity-in-the-paths-of-shahid-bhagat-singh-and-mahatma-gandhi/

Beyond the familiar contrast between nonviolence and revolution, this article re-examines the shared vision of Mahatma Gandhi and Bhagat Singh. It argues that both leaders ultimately sought a just, peaceful world rooted in equality, human dignity, and freedom from oppression. From interfaith harmony and social justice to resistance against imperialism, their priorities often converged more than they diverged. Even their methods, especially in prison struggles, showed surprising parallels. The piece calls for reclaiming their combined legacy—along with figures like Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan—as a guide for building a more just and united future.

INDIA

Ban on NCERT Textbook, Punishment of Educators by Supreme Court  …Academics seek intervention by the President

by Press Release

https://countercurrents.org/2026/04/ban-on-ncert-textbook-punishment-of-educators-by-supreme-court-academics-seek-intervention-by-the-president/

A storm is brewing in Indian education. A Supreme Court order banning a Class 8 NCERT textbook and effectively sidelining its contributors has sparked alarm across academic circles. Fifty-one scholars from leading institutions have now appealed to the President, warning of grave consequences for academic freedom, critical thinking, and democratic discourse. At stake is not just one textbook, but the right of educators to question institutions without fear. Is this judicial overreach or necessary correction? And what does it mean for the future of education in India?