Spread of Pseudo-Science
In recent years, India has witnessed a troubling rise in the promotion of pseudoscience by celebrities, ministers, and organisations—an issue that poses a serious threat to the nation’s intellectual integrity and progress. From Bollywood stars endorsing unproven health practices to politicians making unscientific claims about ancient technologies, this growing trend undermines rational thought and critical engagement with real scientific issues.

Even more alarming is the influence of unverified practices in educational curricula and the tacit support from the government, which inadvertently legitimises these myths. The spread of pseudoscience, especially during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, has exacerbated public confusion and harm.

To secure India’s future, fostering scientific temper is essential. Public figures must be held accountable for policies prioritising evidence-based inquiry and critical thinking. Only then can India progress as a modern, rational, and scientifically advanced nation.
A Reader

4th Dalit Literature Festival
The 4th Dalit Literature Festival (DLF) concluded on a profound note on March 1, reaffirming its commitment to amplifying marginalised voices and fostering meaningful discourse on social justice. The event saw the participation of over a thousand individuals from various states.

The festival was organised by the Ambedkar wadi Lekhak Sangh (ALS) in collaboration with Aryabhatta College, University of Delhi, and Dalit Adivasi Shakti Adhikar Manch (DASAM), among other organisa-tions. The final day of the festival featured impactful discussions, literary tributes, and cultural performances that underscored the struggles, resilience, and contributions of Dalits, women, tribals, and LGBTQIA+ communities. The event was moderated by Prof Parmod Mehra, Prof Anuj Kushowaha, and Prof Seema Mathur.

The second day of the festival included a series of panel discussions that addressed critical social and cultural issues affecting Dalits, women, tribals, and LGBTQIA+ communities. The key topics included the significance of the Indian Constitution in relation to Dalit rights and empowerment, the exclusion and empowerment of women, with a particular focus on Dalit women, and the challenges faced by minority communities, including tribals and LGBTQIA+ groups.

The final day of the festival set a powerful tone with a stirring performance of the Bheem Geet (Ambedkar Anthem) by a musical ensemble, honouring the legacy of Dr B R Ambedkar and emphasising themes of resistance and empowerment. Jai Prakash Kardam highlighted the invaluable contributions of Dalit women in advancing Dr.Ambedkar’s ideals of equality and justice.

A panel discussion on media exclusion was marked by Sumit Chauhan, who emphasised the caste bias inherent in mainstream media, stating, “This is not just about caste; it is a race against systemic oppression.” He highlighted the growing influence of Dalit literature in shaping public discourse.

A parallel session, “Sewer Workers and Literature,” addressed the challenges faced by manual scavengers. Legal expert Vinod Sonkar advocated for policy enforcement, dignified employment, and the recognition of sanitation workers as integral to urban infrastructure.

The festival concluded with an awards ceremony, recognising exceptional contributions to Dalit literature, social justice, and advocacy. In their closing remarks, Dr SurajBadatiya and SanjeevDanda, founder of the Dalit Literature Festival, emphasised the necessity of inclusive literary platforms and broader representation in mainstream discourse.

The theme of this year’s festival, “World Peace is Possible Through Dalit Literature,” resonated throughout the two-day event, reinforcing the notion that Dalit literature has the potential to drive social change. In addition to panel discussions, the festival featured cultural performances and book stalls, providing attendees the opportunity to engage with literature, art, and music that address caste discrimination, gender inequality, and the rights of minority communities.
Mooknayak

Information Obesity
PM Narendra Modi in his Mann Ki Baat spoke about obesity but now people have one more reason to worry about–information Obesity, excess information.

In an age characterised by unprecedented access to information, many individuals find themselves grappling with a phenomenon often referred to as “information obesity.” This state arises from the overwhelming volume of data available through the internet, social media, and various digital platforms. But people are unable to digest so much data. While the digital age has democratised knowledge, it has simultaneously created an environment where the sheer volume of information can lead to confusion, anxiety, and decision paralysis.

Unlike traditional forms of learning, which often emphasise depth over breadth, the modern landscape encourages a superficial engagement with content. People amass vast quantities of information without the skills or time to process and synthesise it effectively. As a result, many individuals struggle to discern valuable insights from the noise, leading to a dilution of wisdom. Knowledge becomes fragmented, and critical thinking skills may stagnate.

Moreover, this relentless pursuit of data can foster a dangerous illusion of intelligence. Individuals may feel informed merely by having access to information, yet without the ability to apply and contextualise that information, wisdom remains elusive. Consequently, information obesity not only impedes personal growth but also undermines societal progress by fostering a culture of reactionary or ill-informed responses to complex issues.

To combat information obesity, it is essential to prioritize quality over quantity.
TS Karthik, Chennai

Stop World War 3
Despite the cruel genocide, Israel lost the Battle of Gaza. The victory achieved by the Palestinian Resistance will remain engraved in the history of humanity.

However, the War will continue, as shown by the Zionist policy of colonisation of the West Bank, and because of the Trump administration’s open support for Israel.

Trump and the White House seem to press ahead with the attempt to make peace with Russia. This is only possible because Russia resisted successfully to the imperialist pressure. Meanwhile, the European Union is continuing their war drive against Russia, embarking on an incredible hubris which is destined to implode.

The more and the longer they continue, the deeper will be the fall. This eventually can tear down the entire European Union opening up new possibilities for the struggle of the popular classes. Therefore, we pledge our full support for immediate peace with Russia and the full withdrawal of NATO from Eastern Europe while we need to continue fighting US imperialism.

It is an error to think that the new Stars and Stripes administration will want to adopt an isolationist policy. The White House rather wants globalisation to be under its domination, so it will try to block the way for the BRICS and strike at any Anti-Imperialist Resistance.

In a global context in which threats to humanity are destined to increase, it is an absolute priority for popular resistance, democratic and socialist forces to join forces to counter imperialism and build a great global movement for peace.

The Tangier Forum (2-4 May 2025), Morocco, organised by the International Initiative for Peace, aims to be another step towards this operational international unity to stop World War 3.
Anti-Imperialist Camp

Fascist, Proto-fascist, Semi-fascist or Neo-fascist
This abiding concern for the most precise label—“fascist”, “proto-fascist”, “semi-fascist” or “neo-fascist” appears to be a bit funny.

It, perhaps, emanates from a certain type of intellectual laziness and the fond belief that once the right label is determined, the right solution is very much available on the shelf, if only one cares to search. The holy texts do offer solutions to all problems, but for that people have to find the right label.

For them, Lenin’s advice: concrete analysis of the concrete problem.

Even Italian Fascism and German Nazism were not exactly the same. Mussolini was captured by his country people and treated like a despised criminal. Hitler committed suicide to avoid being captured by the Allies. He was perhaps still popular among the Germans. Anyway, both had to be defeated by external forces. They were, to be sure, not defeated by any “Popular Front”, or any whatever Front from within.

Right here in India, the authoritarian rule of Indira Gandhi was ousted electorally by a mishmash coalition of hard Right, Centre and Pink Left—backed by the bulk of the Reds. Not exactly a “Popular Front”. Nonetheless “democracy” was put back on the rails.

The issues of the moment need to be clearly identified. It is far more crucial than an endless chase for the right label.
Sukla Sen

Tibetans Protest
Dozens of Tibetan protesters clashed with police outside the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi on March 10 as Tibetans living in exile marked the 66th anniversary of their uprising against China that was crushed by China’s People’s Liberation Army.

Hundreds also marched in Dharamshala, the seat of the exiled Tibetan government and home of Dalai Lama, their 89-year-old spiritual leader. Separately, about a hundred Tibetan women gathered at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, an area designated for protests close to Parliament.

The protesters shouted anti-China slogans, carried Tibetan flags and played the national anthems of Tibet and India.

The Tibetan government-in-exile in India accuses China of denying the most fundamental human rights to people in Tibet and trying to expunge the Tibetan identity.

China claims Tibet has been part of its territory for centuries, but the Tibetans say the Himalayan region was virtually independent until China forcibly occupied it in 1950.

The Dalai Lama denies China’s claim that he is a separatist and says he only advocates substantial autonomy and protection of Tibet’s native Buddhist culture.
IC

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Frontier
Vol 57, No. 40, March 30 - Apr 5, 2025