Though India officially maintains its support for an independent Palestinian state, in the last decade it has been largely silent on Israel’s violations of UN resolutions and its genocide in Gaza.

On February 12, as part of the All-India General Strike, 600,000 workers downed tools and almost 100,000 participated in street actions in South India’s largest state, Karnataka, whose government, ruled by the main bourgeois opposition in the center, is rushing to implement anti-labor laws legislated by the BJP.

The introduction of four new labor codes and the repeal of the national rural employment guarantee program by the ultra-right-wing government is widely opposed, as it may further increase the economic misery of India’s majority working population.

After a five-year suspension due to united opposition by trade unions in the country, the Narendra Modi government suddenly announced the implementation of the unpopular labor codes last week.

After 50% tariffs and sanctions on Chabahar port in Iran, operated by its companies, India is set to lose the most with the steep hike in the work visa fee as it was the biggest beneficiary with over 70% such visas allotted to Indians.

The ultra-right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) governments in various provinces in India have used sedition charges against journalists for their critical reporting on policies and actions.

The nearly 1,200 days-long resistance to forced land-acquisition by India’s Karnataka state yielded victory on July 15, with the chief minister scrapping notices sent to farmers, recognizing their struggle as “historic”.

India’s change of stance on a ceasefire in Gaza shows moral depravity and brings embarrassment for millions of Indians who cherish the ethos of India’s independence struggle.

Students accused India’s ultra-right-wing government of supporting Israel’s genocide of Palestinians in Gaza, and demanded the release of Freedom Flotilla activists.

Vijay Prashad, Indian historian and director of Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research speaks about the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan and the need for de-escalation and peace.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi may still be popular after a decade in power but his government’s failures to address basic livelihood issues for the majority of the people may give an advantage to the opposition.

Workers and farmers are demanding relief from economic distress – and also a complete change in the economic policy of the Modi government.