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Dear Friend,
Today’s issue of Countercurrents brings together a range of struggles that may appear separate but are deeply connected: the destruction of civilian life in Gaza, the continuing danger posed by nuclear weapons, widening economic inequality, the erosion of democratic rights, and the growing influence of majoritarian politics.
Our Palestine coverage documents the devastating human consequences of the siege, from the collapse of transport and access to food and medicine to the rising number of pregnancy losses and the destruction of ordinary lives and dreams. We also mark Hiroshima and Nagasaki Day with reflections on the continuing threat posed by nuclear weapons, militarisation and new technologies of warfare.
Elsewhere, our contributors examine the concentration of wealth and its implications for democracy, tensions between Pan-Africanism and feminism, the revolutionary journey of Che Guevara, the political alienation of younger generations, and the continuing struggles over communal harmony and equal citizenship.
We also look at questions closer to everyday life—from environmental concerns surrounding AI data centres and E20 petrol to the declining public character of roads.
Together, these articles reflect our continuing commitment to independent journalism, critical thought and the voices of people resisting injustice.
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Binu Mathew
Editor
Countercurrents.org
HIROSHIMA- NAGASAKI
Urgency of Big Changes That Can Save the World from Weapons of Mass Destruction
by Bharat Dogra
Bharat Dogra examines the growing risks posed by nuclear weapons, artificial intelligence linked to military systems, space warfare and the continued proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. He argues that decades of arms-control efforts have not sufficiently reduced these dangers and that the ultimate goal must be the elimination of nuclear weapons and other WMDs. The article goes beyond immediate risk reduction to examine the structural and governance conditions that sustain militarisation and environmental destruction. Dogra advocates non-violent mobilisation and deeper systemic change to build a world based on justice, peace, environmental protection and the preservation of life.
Ninth of August 2026 Spells ‘Courage’!
by Fr Cedric Prakash
August 9 brings together several histories of courage and resistance. Fr Cedric Prakash reflects on the 1942 Quit India Movement, Edith Stein’s resistance to Nazism and her death at Auschwitz, and the continuing struggle of Indigenous peoples for land, dignity and justice. He also recalls Nagasaki Day, marking the 1945 atomic bombing that killed tens of thousands and left a lasting warning about the human cost of nuclear warfare. The article connects these histories with contemporary conflicts, displacement, political repression and the need for peace. It also marks National Youth Sunday, calling young people to courage, justice, solidarity and a more inclusive world.
PALESTINE
Gaza Miscarriages Surge Amid Harsh Conditions and Israeli Aid Restrictions: UN, Euro-Med Find
by Quds News Network
New UN and Euro-Med Monitor findings indicate a sharp rise in pregnancy losses in Gaza amid the collapse of healthcare services, severe food insecurity, displacement and deteriorating living conditions. Nearly 4,000 miscarriages were recorded between January and June 2026, more than three times the number reported in the previous six months. The UN estimates that miscarriage rates reached 208.5 per 1,000 live births, with the highest levels recorded in April. Pregnant women are also facing widespread anemia, inadequate nutrition, limited prenatal care and unsafe water. Medical professionals report increases in premature births, stillbirths and serious pregnancy complications as Gaza’s humanitarian crisis continues.
Israel’s siege cripples transport system in Gaza, cuts off food and medicine, pushing residents back toward famine
by Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor
Israel’s siege has severely weakened Gaza’s transport system, obstructing the movement of food, medicine, fuel and other essential supplies. According to Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, only around 300 of the roughly 1,200 trucks operating before the war remain functional. More than 150 trucks have been damaged or destroyed, while drivers have been killed, arrested and subjected to abuse. The destruction of warehouses, storage facilities and other logistics infrastructure has further disrupted distribution and caused vital supplies to spoil before reaching people in need. With most households dependent on humanitarian assistance, continued disruption to transportation risks worsening food insecurity and pushing Gaza closer to famine.
Shattered Dreams: The Bridal Dress Story
by Palestine Information Center
Aya Matran was preparing for her wedding in Gaza when an Israeli airstrike destroyed the home where she and her groom were to begin their married life. The attack came just five hours before the ceremony, after the family had been ordered to evacuate. Beneath the rubble were her wedding dress, gold jewelry, personal belongings, and years of preparation for a new beginning. Aya and her father now return to the destroyed home, hoping to recover whatever can be salvaged, including the dress she never had the chance to wear. Her story reflects the personal losses experienced by countless Palestinian families amid the continuing war.
WEALTH INEQUALITY
Concentration of Wealth, the Shrinking of Democracy, and Deepening Economic Inequality
by Vikas Parashram Meshram
Extreme wealth is expanding alongside persistent poverty, exposing deep flaws in the dominant model of economic development. The rise of billionaire fortunes, the growing concentration of corporate power, and widening inequality are increasingly linked to the erosion of democratic freedoms and political influence. Drawing on recent work by the United Nations, Oxfam and leading economists, this article examines why economic growth alone has failed to deliver equitable progress. It argues for a development framework centred on redistribution, social rights, public services, democratic participation and sustainability. As wealth becomes increasingly concentrated, reducing inequality is presented not only as an economic priority but also as a democratic necessity.
AFRICA
Between Feminism and Pan-Africanism
by Hilmelda Tenkeu
Hilmelda Tenkeu examines the tension between Pan-Africanism and feminism in the proposed "African Charter on Family, Sovereignty and Values". The charter advances positions on seed sovereignty, economic independence, natural resources, intra-African trade and resistance to external influence, while also seeking to restrict abortion and LGBTQ+ rights. Tenkeu argues that African sovereignty should not come at the expense of women’s reproductive autonomy or the rights of queer Africans. She traces the charter’s links to conservative international networks and earlier initiatives opposing abortion rights, while highlighting divisions among African governments over its provisions. The article calls for a broader understanding of sovereignty grounded in equal rights and bodily autonomy.
CHE GUEVARA
From “The Motorcycle Diaries” to the Foco: How Che Guevara Became a Revolutionary
by Pon Chandran
"The Motorcycle Diaries" traces the journey that helped shape Ernesto “Che” Guevara’s political consciousness, from a young medical student travelling across South America to a revolutionary committed to transforming society. Pon Chandran examines Guevara’s encounters with poverty, Indigenous communities, exploited workers and social exclusion, and the development of his Pan-Latin American outlook. The article then follows the emergence of foco theory and its application during the Cuban Revolution, before examining its failures in the Congo and Bolivia. It considers the strategic limitations of relying on small guerrilla groups to generate revolutionary movements and places Che’s legacy within the wider history of Latin American revolutionary politics.
SPORTS
Deconstructing the Anti-Argentina Propaganda in the FIFA World Cup
by Abu James
The controversy surrounding Argentina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup has extended far beyond football. Allegations of refereeing bias, political favouritism, racism and corruption spread rapidly across social media, often relying on selective footage, misleading images, incomplete statistics and claims stripped of context. This article examines the major incidents involving Argentina, compares them with similar decisions affecting other teams, and considers the political arguments surrounding the team and Lionel Messi. It also explores how existing political loyalties shaped perceptions of the tournament. The broader concern is not Argentina’s fortunes, but how easily misinformation can gain credibility when it confirms pre-existing assumptions.
Gertrude Ederle: The Swim That Redefined Women’s Sporting Possibilities
by Harsh Thakor
In 1926, Gertrude Ederle became the first woman and the sixth person to swim across the English Channel, completing the crossing in 14 hours and 31 minutes and breaking the existing record by two hours. Her achievement came at a time when women faced significant barriers in competitive and endurance sport. Ederle had already established herself as an elite swimmer, winning an Olympic gold medal and setting multiple world records. Her Channel crossing helped reshape perceptions of women’s capabilities in endurance swimming and inspired generations of female athletes. This article traces Ederle’s career, her historic swim, and the legacy carried forward by women marathon swimmers.
QUIT INDIA DAY
August 9: The Day of the People of India
by Dr Prem Singh
August 9, 1942, marked the beginning of the Quit India Movement, when ordinary people across India took the struggle for independence forward after the British arrested the Congress leadership. Drawing on Ram Manohar Lohia’s interpretation of August 9 as the “Day of the People of India,” Dr Prem Singh examines the movement’s mass character, its political conflicts, and the role of ordinary citizens in the freedom struggle. The article contrasts August 9 with the official celebration of August 15 and reflects on Lohia’s broader vision of democracy, people’s ownership of the state, secularism, and the continuing significance of the freedom movement.
RSS
The RSS at 101: Questions of Registration, Accountability and Power
by Dr Suresh Khairnar
The RSS has completed 101 years since its establishment in Nagpur in 1925. This article examines questions surrounding the organisation’s registration, financial transparency and accountability, drawing attention to its long history and relationship with political power. It discusses the legal framework governing societies in India, the RSS ban following Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination, the conditions associated with the lifting of that ban, and subsequent debates over the organisation’s activities and public role. The article also examines the RSS’s organisational networks, its presence in different sectors, and the continuing debate over whether an organisation described by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the world’s largest NGO should disclose its finances and activities.
JANTAR MANTAR PROTEST
A Culture shock? Really, Mr Modi?
by Varanasi Subrahmanyam
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has described abusive remarks directed at him and his late mother as a “cultural shock,” while saying he has forgiven those responsible. This article examines that response against a broader record of communal violence, mob lynchings, sexual violence, attacks on minorities, harassment of women journalists, and political intimidation in India. It argues that concern for dignity and civility must extend beyond personal insult and apply consistently to victims of violence and discrimination, regardless of their religion, caste, gender or political position. The article places Modi’s statement within this wider context and questions the selective application of moral outrage.
How Did the Left and Centre-Left Lose Gen Z?
by K S Chalam
The article examines the growing distance between India’s traditional Left and the younger generation represented by Gen Z and Millennials. It traces the roots of youth mobilisation to changing economic conditions, technological transformation, unemployment, educational pressures and wider social inequalities. The author argues that established political categories and traditional forms of class analysis have struggled to understand these emerging groups and their aspirations. Focusing on recent youth protests, the article considers their relationship with the state, civil society and political parties, while drawing on the ideas of Gramsci and Althusser to examine hegemony, organic intellectuals and ideological state apparatuses. It calls for a renewed engagement with youth politics.
E20 PETROL
The Corporate Game of Selling Adulterated Petrol
by Sanjay Parate
India’s ethanol-blending policy is presented as a measure to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, but it has raised concerns over fuel costs, vehicle performance, food security, water use and corporate interests. E20 petrol is sold at the same price as conventional petrol despite lower mileage, while consumers have limited alternatives. The policy has also increased demand for maize and sugarcane, raising questions about its impact on agriculture and food availability. Government data show a sharp rise in ethanol procurement and blending since 2020–21. Sanjay Parate examines who benefits from the policy and argues for greater consumer choice, fair pricing and stronger safeguards.
WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT
Half the Population, Full Potential: Women-Led Development as India’s Growth Strategy
by Ashfia Khan and Eekanshi Khanna
Women’s participation in India’s economy remains well below its potential despite improvements in education, health and political representation. This article examines women-led development as an essential component of inclusive and sustainable economic growth. It highlights women’s labour force participation, the contribution of Self-Help Groups, the unequal burden of unpaid care work, women’s entrepreneurship and political representation. The authors argue that expanding women’s access to education, employment, finance, property, markets and decision-making can strengthen households, communities and the wider economy. A development strategy that enables women to participate fully as workers, entrepreneurs and leaders is essential to India’s long-term economic and social progress.
COMMUNAL HARMONY
Gurugram’s surrender to majoritarian politics
by Harsh Mander
Gurugram’s transformation into a major corporate and migrant-work hub has not brought equal dignity or security to all its residents. Harsh Mander examines how Muslim workers and residents have faced growing restrictions, hostility and exclusion, particularly over the right to offer Friday prayers. The article traces the shortage of mosques, the obstruction of prayers in open spaces, the role of Hindutva organisations, and the failure of the state administration to protect constitutional freedoms. It also documents efforts by Sikh gurdwaras and others to support communal harmony. The experience of Gurugram reveals how majoritarian politics can reshape everyday civic life and weaken equal citizenship.
DATA CENTRES
To tell the Parliament that AI/Data Centres do not require environment clearance is laughable
by E A S Sarma
Former Union Secretary E.A.S. Sarma writes to Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav challenging the government’s position that data centres do not, by themselves, require environmental clearance. He argues that hyperscale AI data centres have substantial electricity, water, land and environmental impacts, citing the proposed Google-Raiden-Adani complex near Visakhapatnam as a case requiring closer scrutiny. Sarma highlights concerns over forest land, water scarcity, ecological damage and public consultation, while pointing to growing international concern over the environmental footprint of large data centres. He calls for stronger environmental regulations, mandatory impact assessment and public consultation, and a moratorium on further data-centre development pending such safeguards.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
When Public Roads Are No Longer Public
by Ashish Singh
Public roads are essential to everyday life, connecting people to schools, hospitals, workplaces, markets and public institutions. Yet potholes, blocked drains, illegal parking, missing footpaths and persistent encroachments increasingly make these spaces unsafe and inaccessible. In Uttar Pradesh, the problem raises wider questions of road safety, equality, constitutional rights and administrative accountability. Courts have recognised access to roads and safe pedestrian movement as important dimensions of constitutional rights, while also stressing due process in removing encroachments. The article examines how fragmented responsibilities, selective enforcement and the normalisation of infrastructure failures undermine the public character of roads and the rights of those who depend on them.
