Hidden Casteism in West Bengal
After nearly three centuries, Dalit devotees have finally been allowed to enter into the Gideshwar Shiv Temple in a West Bengal village, marking a historic victory for all those who have been fighting against the caste system. On March 12, representatives of 130 Dalit families finally stepped into the Gideshwar Shiv Temple in Purba Bardhaman district’s Katwa subdivision, making history with each step. This historical breakthrough came after weeks of resistance, economic boycotts, and subsequent intervention by the local authorities.

Around 10 AM, five members from the Das community–including four women and one man–climbed the temple steps in Gidhgram’sDaspara region. Under the protection of police, they poured milk and water on the Shivling and offered their prayers to the deity without any resistance.

Generations of Dalit families walked past the Gideshwar Shiv Temple knowing that they couldn’t enter to pray to the deity they revered. For the Dalit community, this was more than just about worship; it was about their dignity, respect, and the right to exist in the same sacred spaces as everyone else. Now, after centuries of discrimination, in a long-overdue moment, the doors of the temple have finally opened to them.
A Reader

Letter Box for Students 
The innovative initiative taken by a school in Jalpaiguri, in West Bengal to install a letterbox for students to express their thoughts and feelings anonymously should be appreciated. This thoughtful programme not only provides a safe space for young minds to unburden themselves but also fosters a culture of openness and trust. By encouraging students to articulate their emotions, the school empowers them to navigate their challenges more effectively. Such initiatives can significantly enhance mental well-being, teaching children the value of expression.
T S Karthick, Chennai

Who is Raghu Midiyami?
The Campaign for Peace and Justice in Chhattisgarh (CPJC) strongly condemns the unlawful and politically motivated arrest of Raghu Midiyami, former President of MoolvasiBachaoManch (MBM), by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Raipur, on February 27, 2025. His detention under sweeping anti-terror laws represents yet another instance of the state’s increasing reliance on criminalisation to suppress Adivasi- led movements in Bastar. The circumstances of Midiyami’s arrest underscore the shrinking of democratic spaces and the systematic dismantling of indigenous political assertion in Chhattisgarh.

At just 24 years old, Raghu Midiyami has become a key voice against land dispossession, militarisation, and the violation of constitutional safeguards, including PESA and FRA. As the former President of MBM, he played a central role in mobilising his community against state-led displacement and repression, representing MBM in filing complaints, submitting representations, meeting government officials, and documenting state violence. Beyond Bastar, he represented MBM, and amplified Adivasi struggles on national platforms, exposing state-sponsored repression and constitutional violations. His arrest serves as a clear warning that even lawful and democratic resistance will not be tolerated.

The MBM was formed in response to the Silger firing of 2021, where security forces killed four unarmed Adivasis protesting the illegal and overnight construction of a paramilitary camp. It quickly became a critical platform for indigenous assertion, leading over 30 protests across South Bastar. More than just a movement, MBM was a vital democratic space where local communities publicly and collectively demanded accountability and asserted their rights. The movement opposed the militarisation of Adivasi lands, extrajudicial killings, and illegal land grabs. Instead of addressing these grievances, the state criminalised the movement, targeting its leaders with arrests, detentions, and harassment.
CPJC

They are Monsters
Two vulgar, power-hungry men have announced that they plan to throw out the people of Gaza from their homes and build a ‘world class’ Riviera. The idea that they can publicly say such things, the fact that they can kill people without any consequences, shows how men who call themselves leaders are indeed monsters.

And, what about the United Nations, that hallowed institution? Is it impotent, a mere paper tiger that has no teeth? Is it all bark and no bite? What about the other nations, the so called champions of democracy and human rights? How can they side with Ukraine while ignoring what is happening in Gaza?
A Reader

Water is Life
As people celebrate World Water Day 2025, it’s vital to reflect on the importance of protecting precious water resources. Water scarcity affects millions, yet people often take this life source for granted. What is urgently needed is to promote sustainable water management and conservation techniques. Together, people can ensure clean water for future generations. Water is life. 

Meanwhile, the United Nations has released a startling report ahead of World Water Day on April 22 saying glaciers around the world are disappearing faster than ever, as scientists struggle to find new habitats for creatures including Chile’s Patagonian Ice Dragon threatened by rising temperatures.

The dramatic ice loss, from the Arctic to the Alps, from South America to the Tibetan Plateau, is expected to accelerate as climate change, caused by the burning of fossil fuels, pushes global temperatures higher.
T S Karthick, Chennai

‘Wars are Manufactured…’
Apropos report by SIPRI, India is second-largest arms importer.

When countries are at war, only weapon sellers win. No country wins any wars; only private weapon manufacturing companies benefit from wars as they make huge profits. Only peace is the most powerful weapon in the world. All countries should strive to make the world peaceful. One is reminded of Arundhati Roy’s quote, “Once weapons were manufactured to fight wars, now wars are manufactured to sell weapons”
TS Karthik, Chennai

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Frontier
Vol 57, No. 42, Apr 13 - 19, 2025