The Right To Breathe: Land, Ecology, and the Struggle for the Commons in Kenya by Wanjora Wangui countercurrents.org/2026/06/… Wanjora Wangui examines the links between land, ecology, and social justice in Kenya, arguing that environmental degradation is inseparable from histories of dispossession and contemporary forms of inequality. The article traces how forests, wetlands, rivers, and public spaces have become sites of struggle over ownership, development, and democracy. It also reflects on the importance of nature for collective wellbeing and critiques market-based climate solutions that reproduce unequal power relations. Defending the commons, the author argues, is essential to protecting communities, cultural memory, and the ecological foundations of life.

Land Alienation to Outside Agencies in A&N Islands Violates Aboriginal Protection Regulation by E A S Sarma countercurrents.org/2026/06/… Former Tribal Welfare Commissioner and former Union Secretary E.A.S. Sarma has urged the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes to intervene against the reported alienation of land in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to outside commercial agencies. Referring to an advertisement offering “luxury plots” near Collinpore in South Andaman, he argues that such transactions violate the intent of the A&N Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Regulation, 1956, which was enacted to safeguard the interests of socially and economically backward indigenous communities and restrict the acquisition of land by outsiders.

The Human Cost of India’s Informal Economy by Utkarsh Mishra countercurrents.org/2026/06/… This article by Utkarsh Mishra examines the human cost of India’s vast informal economy, which employs nearly 90% of the workforce. It traces the realities faced by brick kiln workers, construction labourers, and gig workers, highlighting debt bondage, child labour, unsafe conditions, and the absence of social protection. Drawing on research and workers’ testimonies, the article argues that exploitation is embedded in the organisation of work rather than being an accidental by-product of growth. It also highlights ongoing struggles by workers and the need for greater accountability and labour protections.

PM CARES: Examining Questions of Coercion, Accountability and Transparency by Mohd Ziyaullah Khan countercurrents.org/2026/06/… PM CARES was created during the COVID-19 crisis to mobilize resources for emergency relief and received substantial public support. This article examines the debates that followed over its legal status, transparency, auditing mechanisms, and accountability. It reviews the government’s position, criticisms raised by opposition leaders and civil society, and the Supreme Court’s ruling on the fund’s distinct identity. The discussion highlights broader questions concerning governance, public trust, and the balance between emergency responsiveness and institutional oversight, making PM CARES one of the most debated public initiatives of the pandemic period.

Factional Politics in Iran over Agreement with the United States to End the War by Akbar E Torbat countercurrents.org/2026/06/… Akbar E. Torbat examines divisions within Iran’s ruling establishment over a possible interim agreement with the United States to end the current war. The article explores tensions between radical and reformist factions, disputes over uranium enrichment and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, criticism of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and concerns raised by members of parliament. It also analyzes the role of key political figures and the broader implications of negotiations with Washington for Iran’s nuclear program, foreign policy, and internal balance of power.

Nehru and Modi: A Question of Legacy, Not Longevity by Sanjay Parate countercurrents.org/2026/06/… Sanjay Parate examines claims surrounding the comparative legacies of Jawaharlal Nehru and Narendra Modi, arguing that historical assessments should be based on contributions rather than the length of time spent in office. The article discusses Nehru’s role in shaping independent India, the constitutional context of his early years as Prime Minister, and contrasts his policies with those pursued during the Modi era. It also reflects on questions of democracy, secularism, economic development and the interpretation of history in contemporary political discourse.

Scientific Temper in the Age of Viral Misinformation by Anand Subramani countercurrents.org/2026/06/… Anand Subramani examines the importance of scientific temper in an age shaped by social media algorithms, artificial intelligence, and information overload. Reflecting on lessons from the pandemic, he argues that literacy alone is insufficient without critical thinking and a spirit of inquiry. The article explores how misinformation thrives in digital spaces and why evidence-based reasoning remains essential for democracy, technology, media, and civic life. Scientific temper, he suggests, is not confined to laboratories but represents an attitude of questioning, openness, and intellectual discipline that societies need more than ever.

NITI Aayog and Federal Rights: Recasting Centre-State Relations in India by Pon Chandran countercurrents.org/2026/06/… NITI Aayog was introduced as a platform for cooperative and competitive federalism, replacing the Planning Commission in 2015. This article by Pon Chandran examines how the shift has altered Centre-State relations, particularly in matters of fiscal autonomy and policymaking. It explores differing perspectives across regions, highlighting concerns raised by Southern states over centralization and contrasting them with the more supportive approach of several Northern states. The article argues that the debate over NITI Aayog reflects larger questions about federalism, equity, and the balance between national priorities and the rights of states within the Indian Union.

Wake Up and Face the Heat! by Robert Hunziker countercurrents.org/2026/06/… Wake Up and Face the Heat by Robert Hunziker examines accelerating drought, record-breaking temperatures, rising fossil fuel financing, and the growing environmental footprint of AI data centers. The article highlights concerns over water use, ecosystem stress, and increasing public resistance to new data center projects. Drawing on recent scientific reports and news coverage, it argues that climate impacts are intensifying while governments, corporations, and financial institutions continue to support policies and investments that deepen dependence on fossil fuels, raising concerns about the trajectory of the global climate crisis.

A Baloch Nationalist’s Lament for Kashmir’s Uprising Under Pakistani Rule by Baloch Siddik Azad countercurrents.org/2026/06/… Baloch Siddik Azad reflects on the recent unrest in Pakistan-administered Kashmir through the lens of Baloch experience, drawing parallels between the two regions’ histories of militarization, political marginalization, and struggles over identity. The article argues that the grievances expressed in Kashmir resonate deeply with many Baloch who have faced similar challenges. It also examines the responses of Pakistan, India, and the international community, while presenting a perspective of solidarity rooted in shared experiences of conflict and dispossession.

Zehni Mareez: A Profile of General Asim Munir by Murtaza Shibli countercurrents.org/2026/06/… Murtaza Shibli argues that personal vendettas and military interference have pushed Pakistan into deep political, economic, and security crises. The article traces allegations surrounding the removal of Imran Khan, election controversies, worsening insurgencies, and crackdowns on dissent in Gilgit-Baltistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. It presents Munir as a leader driven by revenge and self-preservation, contending that his rule has weakened democratic institutions and intensified instability across the country.

How Israel Planned Gaza Genocide Decades Ago by Jonathan Cook countercurrents.org/2026/06/… This article by Jonathan Cook examines historical testimonies from Israeli soldiers and archival material to argue that patterns visible in the current destruction of Gaza have roots extending back decades. Drawing on recently highlighted accounts from the 1967 war and broader historical developments, the author contends that displacement, collective punishment and military practices directed at Palestinians reflect long-standing policies rather than isolated events. The article also discusses the role of Western governments and media narratives in shaping public understanding of the conflict. It places recent events in Gaza within a wider historical framework and debates over accountability and international law.

Bharathiraja: A Human Rights Visionary by S Mohan countercurrents.org/2026/06/… This article by S. Mohan examines the films of Bharathiraja through the lens of human rights and social justice. It argues that his cinema consistently addressed issues such as caste discrimination, gender inequality, freedom of choice, and human dignity while transforming the visual language of Tamil cinema. Drawing on films including Vedham Pudhithu, Karuthamma, Alaigal Oivathillai, and Anthimanthaarai, the article highlights Bharathiraja’s contribution to bringing marginalized experiences and rural realities to the screen. It presents his work as an important cultural intervention that linked cinema with questions of equality and justice.

Self-Censorship: A Rising Fear by Ch Ehtisham Ul Haq countercurrents.org/2026/06/… Ch Ehtisham Ul Haq examines the growing phenomenon of self-censorship in India and argues that legal delays, takedown actions, and expanding executive powers have created a climate of fear for critics, whistleblowers, and smaller content creators. The article discusses constitutional protections for free speech, recent controversies, provisions of the Telecommunications Act, 2023, and the IT Rules, 2021, while highlighting concerns raised by courts. It calls for stronger judicial oversight, clearer legislation, and adherence to due process to safeguard freedom of expression and preserve democratic discourse.

Indian universities are asking PhD students the wrong question about AI by Disha countercurrents.org/2026/06/… This article by Disha examines how Indian universities are responding to artificial intelligence in doctoral education. It argues that the current emphasis on detecting AI use overlooks a more fundamental question about the purpose of a PhD and the meaning of responsible scholarship. Highlighting inconsistencies between disciplines and concerns about the reliability of AI detection tools, the article calls for greater transparency, discipline-specific guidance and ethical engagement with emerging technologies. It contends that humanities and social science scholars should be equipped to use AI thoughtfully rather than being constrained by outdated assumptions about academic work and intellectual integrity.

“The Clod and the Pebble”: William Blake’s Dual Perspectives on Love by Zeenat Khan countercurrents.org/2026/06/… Zeenat Khan’s article explores William Blake’s poem “The Clod and the Pebble” and its contrasting visions of love. Drawing on Blake’s concept of innocence and experience, the essay examines how the poem presents selfless and self-seeking forms of love through the voices of a clod of clay and a pebble. It discusses the poem’s structure, symbolism, and philosophical dimensions while reflecting on questions of altruism, self-preservation, and emotional balance. The article highlights Blake’s refusal to impose a single conclusion, leaving readers to interpret the complexities and ambiguities of love for themselves.

Students Lead Island-Wide Protests Against Higher Education Changes in Andaman and Nicobar Islands by Mohammed Kamran countercurrents.org/2026/06/… Students across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have mounted sustained protests against changes in the affiliation and status of government colleges. Beginning at DBRAIT and later spreading to JNRM and other institutions, the movement has raised concerns over higher fees, delays in evaluations, the value of degrees, and the future of affordable public education. The protests have received support from civil society groups and prompted an island-wide bandh and negotiations with the administration. The article examines the origins of the movement, the students’ demands, and the broader debate over higher education in the islands.

Reflections on Power, Memory, and the Price Palestine Pays by Dr Salim Nazzal countercurrents.org/2026/06/… Dr. Salim Nazzal reflects on two contrasting stories that illuminate questions of power, memory, and resistance in Palestine. Moving from the voice of an elderly Palestinian confronting bombardment to comments attributed to an Israeli minister, the article examines the human consequences of war, displacement, and occupation. It also considers the historical role of Western powers and the continuing support many governments extend to Israeli policies. At its centre is the experience of ordinary people whose lives are shaped by decisions made far beyond their control and whose losses continue across generations.

Aristotle and the Search for Justice Beyond Equality by Ashish Singh countercurrents.org/2026/06/… Ashish Singh revisits Aristotle’s ideas on justice to examine contemporary debates over equality, fairness, reservations, welfare, and public policy in India. The article explains the distinction between distributive and corrective justice and argues that equal treatment does not always produce fair outcomes. It also highlights Aristotle’s emphasis on character, education, and civic responsibility as foundations of a just society. While acknowledging the limitations of Aristotle’s worldview, the article considers the continuing relevance of his insights for democratic societies seeking to balance rights, responsibilities, and the common good.

12 Years of Modi: Examining the Failures, Controversies, and Public Concerns by Mohd Ziyaullah Khan countercurrents.org/2026/06/… Twelve years after Narendra Modi assumed office, debates over his record remain deeply contested. In this article, Mohd Ziyaullah Khan examines concerns raised by critics regarding inflation, unemployment, educational disruptions, communal tensions, income inequality, agrarian distress, women’s safety, environmental challenges, and questions of governance and institutional accountability. While supporters highlight infrastructure, welfare schemes, and India’s international standing, the article focuses on issues that continue to affect millions of citizens. It argues that a balanced assessment of both achievements and shortcomings is essential to understanding the legacy of the Modi years and the challenges facing India ahead.