Rethinking Sustainable Livelihoods From the Ground Up by Grita Anindarini countercurrents.org/2026/10/… Indonesia’s dependence on coal has left communities such as Pulau Panggung vulnerable as mining operations contract and livelihoods come under threat. With 56.7% of the village’s residents employed in mining, returning to agriculture or developing nature-based tourism will require ecological restoration, skills training and locally tailored economic planning. Grita Anindarini argues that a just energy transition must begin with community participation, local assessments and policies that recognize each region’s strengths. Regional endowment funds, drawing on mining revenues, could finance alternative livelihoods and essential services. Delaying action risks leaving coal-dependent communities without the resources to build a sustainable future.

Peace Bond as a Silencing Tool: When the State Demands Silence in the Name of Peace by T Navin countercurrents.org/2026/10/… The use of peace bonds against anti-SIR protesters raises concerns about democratic rights, selective policing and the freedom to dissent. Police reportedly obtained bonds from three CJP leaders and sought to compel AISA president Neha Bora to sign one, potentially restricting their access to public spaces. The article examines how preventive measures can discourage peaceful demonstrations before any wrongdoing is established. It also highlights the need for impartial law enforcement against intimidation and violence. Maintaining public order must not become a means of silencing citizens protesting electoral disenfranchisement and demanding accountability.

Sober Generation, Ethical Consumption and the End of Capitalism by Bhabani Shankar Nayak countercurrents.org/2026/10/… Generation Z is challenging the culture of conspicuous consumption, with declining interest in alcohol, smoking, gambling and luxury goods. Young people are building social lives around fitness, coffee shops and outdoor activities, while becoming more conscious of health, finances, labour conditions and environmental sustainability. Bhabani Shankar Nayak argues that these shifts reflect a deeper rejection of a society in which commodities define human worth. He connects young people’s resistance to consumerism with their opposition to reactionary nationalism, imperialist wars and restrictions on democratic freedoms, seeing in their growing socialist tendencies the possibility of a more just and sustainable future.

A Crowd Is Not a Vote by Nihar Nalini Sarangi countercurrents.org/2026/10/… Uttar Pradesh’s 2027 election will test whether public anger over electoral rolls and unemployment can translate into votes. The INDIA bloc is mobilising against alleged vote theft, while 28.87 lakh candidates competed for just 32,679 constable posts. The article examines the electoral arithmetic behind these two forms of protest, the removal of 2.04 crore names from voter rolls, and the potential influence of Dalit voters. It also compares competing opinion polls and their past errors. The central finding is that demonstrations may mobilise supporters, but electoral outcomes depend on whether grievances persuade voters and change voting behaviour.

‘SIR Is Lawful,’ says the Supreme Court, But Who Protects the Voter’s Right? by Dr Madabhushi Sridhar Acharyulu countercurrents.org/2026/10/… The Supreme Court has upheld the legality of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) framework, but the duty to protect every eligible voter remains central to electoral democracy. In Andhra Pradesh, 44.89 lakh entries were flagged at the enumeration stage, citing deaths, migration, duplicate registrations and other reasons. Subsequent verification reportedly found many electors eligible to remain on the rolls. Dr Madabhushi Sridhar Acharyulu examines the distinction between lawful revision and wrongful exclusion, the responsibilities of Booth Level Officers, and the safeguards available to voters. With the final electoral roll scheduled for October 30, transparency and due process remain essential.

Latin America Is Once Again Swept by the Red Winds of Spring by P A Prem Babu countercurrents.org/2026/10/… In "Latin America Is Once Again Swept by the Red Winds of Spring", P A Prem Babu examines the resurgence of left-wing politics across the continent and its challenge to entrenched capitalist power. Brazil’s electoral victory of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is presented as a significant moment in the revival of the Pink Tide. The article traces the political trajectories of Venezuela, Bolivia, Chile, Nicaragua, Mexico and Colombia, highlighting struggles over inequality, public resources, democratic institutions and foreign intervention. It argues that Latin America’s experience continues to sustain the search for an alternative grounded in social justice, equality and popular sovereignty.

Dhinkia Gram Sabha and Sarpanch Demand Retraction of 2010 Forest Clearance Certificate, Citing FRA Violations in Land Diversion for JSW Project by Concerned Citizens countercurrents.org/2026/10/… Dhinkia Gram Sabha and Sarpanch have demanded the withdrawal of a 2010 forest clearance certificate that they allege violated the Forest Rights Act, 2006. The certificate was used to justify forest land diversion for the POSCO project, with the land subsequently transferred to JSW. Citing findings by government-appointed committees that questioned the validity of Gram Sabha proceedings and the recognition of forest rights, they have accused the district administration of failing to act on a July 2026 directive from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. They seek withdrawal of the certificate, recognition of community and individual forest rights, and restoration of rights affected by the project.

The New Politics of Surveillance: Protest, Dissent and India’s Shrinking Democratic Space by Dr Antony Palackal countercurrents.org/2026/10/… In "The New Politics of Surveillance: Protest, Dissent and India’s Shrinking Democratic Space", Dr Antony Palackal examines how surveillance, preventive detention, barricades and restrictions on public assembly are reshaping the conditions for political dissent in India. Focusing on protests against the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, he explores concerns over electoral exclusion, institutional accountability and democratic participation. Drawing on Michel Foucault’s concept of the Panopticon and Thomas Mathiesen’s Synopticon, the article considers how surveillance can discourage citizens from protesting, while digital technologies also enable them to document state actions. It argues that transparency, inclusion and the freedom to question authority remain essential to democracy.

The Distance Between Oslo and Bodø by Ashish Singh countercurrents.org/2026/10/… A decade ago, Ashish Singh travelled from Oslo to Bodø, a Norwegian city above the Arctic Circle, to attend a student union meeting. Looking back, he reflects on student politics, institutional responsibility and the belief that discussion and participation could bring meaningful change. His journey becomes a meditation on the distance between youthful conviction and the disappointments of experience. Observing Norway from the perspective of someone born in India, he considers the strengths and limitations of different societies, the changing political climate in Europe, and the challenge of sustaining idealism. Bodø remains a reminder of a time when ideas seemed capable of carrying us somewhere.

Nuclear Threats amid a Changing World Order by Dr Arun Mitra countercurrents.org/2026/10/… In "Nuclear Threats amid a Changing World Order", Dr Arun Mitra examines the growing risk of nuclear escalation amid the conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran. He discusses the disruption of global energy supplies, the limits of American military power, and the emergence of BRICS and China’s Belt and Road Initiative as signs of a changing global order. Mitra also questions India’s close alignment with Washington despite tensions over trade, Russian oil purchases and US claims about the India-Pakistan conflict. He calls for urgent UN diplomacy, international legal accountability and binding commitments against nuclear weapons use.

Have the ‘Cockroaches’ Fallen Short? by Nayeema Ahmad Mahjoor countercurrents.org/2026/10/… In "Have the ‘Cockroaches’ Fallen Short?", Nayeema Ahmad Mahjoor examines the youth-led protests in Delhi, the arrests of protest leaders, and the government’s response to demonstrations demanding the Election Commissioner’s resignation. The article traces attempts to discredit the movement, allegations of electoral fraud, and the opposition’s efforts to sustain its campaign. It highlights the participation of students, farmers, social activists, women and other sections of society, while examining tensions within the ruling coalition and the wider political implications of the protests. The movement’s independence from political parties and its future course remain central to the unfolding struggle.

Chapter 6: Hard Times by Dr Salim Nazzal countercurrents.org/2026/10/… In the sixth chapter of The Latest News of Abu Yusuf al-Tahhan, Palestinian writer Dr Salim Nazzal portrays a society struggling through famine, epidemics, insecurity and political turmoil under Sultan Kitbugha and the warring Mamluk rulers. As hardship deepens, poverty spreads and death becomes commonplace, people search for meaning amid uncertainty. Through village sayings, rumours and the shared practices of Muslim and Christian communities, Nazzal explores how people respond to suffering and how language can either reinforce resignation or encourage collective resolve. The chapter captures the anxieties of an age when truth and imagination increasingly become difficult to distinguish.

The dead we refuse to acknowledge by Dr Richard Hil countercurrents.org/2026/10/… In "The Dead We Refuse to Acknowledge", Dr Richard Hil examines how death tolls in violent conflicts become contested and politicised. Drawing on the Iraq War and the destruction of Fallujah, he explores the limitations of official casualty figures and the importance of accounting for excess deaths caused by deprivation. Focusing on Gaza, Hil argues that the reported death toll since October 2023 represents only a fraction of the likely total, including deaths caused by the collapse of food supplies, healthcare and essential services. He calls for honest reporting that recognises the scale of Palestinian suffering and demands accountability.

President Lula’s Great Democratic Victory Achieved despite Persistent US Efforts for his Defeat by Bharat Dogra countercurrents.org/2026/10/… Lula da Silva’s victory in Brazil’s presidential runoff comes amid allegations of persistent US efforts to weaken his leadership and restore the Bolsonaro family to power. Bharat Dogra examines the reported American support for Jair Bolsonaro’s political allies, punitive measures against Brazil, and the historical role attributed to US agencies in Lula’s imprisonment and the Workers’ Party’s electoral defeat in 2018. Drawing on a study published in "Latin American Perspectives", the article traces how anti-corruption campaigns allegedly became instruments of political intervention, while examining the consequences for Brazil’s democracy, economic equality and national sovereignty.

Against the Current: Journalism in the Age of Triviality by Dr Salim Nazzal countercurrents.org/2026/10/… As part of Countercurrents Silver Jubilee Symposium, Palestinian writer Dr Salim Nazzal writes about the role of independent journalism in defending truth and amplifying voices marginalised by mainstream media. He describes Countercurrents as a platform for social justice, human rights, peace, democracy and ecological transformation, sustained by contributors from diverse countries and backgrounds. Nazzal highlights its coverage of Palestine and its commitment to defending human dignity without distinction. He characterises this approach as “journalism of solidarity”, recognising the publication’s 25-year effort to maintain editorial independence and preserve a living archive of struggles, ideas and resistance.

The Meaning of Freedom in the Contemporary Context by Adv Dr Shalu Nigam countercurrents.org/2026/10/… In "The Meaning of Freedom in the Contemporary Context*", Adv Dr Shalu Nigam examines how freedom must extend beyond political independence and formal rights. Drawing on radical humanist philosophy, the article argues that economic inequality, discrimination, concentrated power and digital technologies can undermine individual autonomy. Freedom involves the ability to think independently, make meaningful choices, pursue happiness and develop one’s full potential. The article also examines the challenges posed by artificial intelligence, surveillance, data manipulation and algorithmic control. It presents individual sovereignty, social justice and participatory democracy as essential to a continuing process of individual and collective emancipation.

Periyar’s Radical Vision and the Unfinished Struggle Against Caste by Pon Chandran countercurrents.org/2026/10/… Periyar’s Self-Respect Movement challenged caste hierarchy, religious orthodoxy and patriarchy, reshaping Tamil Nadu’s political and social institutions. The Dravidian movement advanced affirmative action, women’s rights, linguistic autonomy and reforms in marriage. Yet caste discrimination and violence against Dalits persist, particularly when individuals cross caste boundaries through marriage. Cases involving Kannagi and Murugesan, Ilavarasan and Divya, and V. Sankar and Kausalya expose the continuing conflict between individual freedom and caste authority. Pon Chandran examines the gap between political empowerment and social emancipation, arguing that the movement’s commitment to equality remains incomplete while caste-based violence and patriarchal control continue.

Rahul Gandhi Must Move Beyond Attacking Saffron Ideology to Defeat the RSS-BJP Combine by Arun Srivastava countercurrents.org/2026/10/… Rahul Gandhi’s attacks on the RSS and BJP’s saffron ideology have not significantly weakened their core support base. Arun Srivastava argues that the opposition needs a more pragmatic political strategy that combines institutional challenges with grassroots mobilisation. He points to the role of welfare benefits, organisational networks and voter priorities in sustaining BJP support. The article calls for a stronger focus on reservations, social justice, systemic inequality and the aspirations of younger voters. It also examines the controversy surrounding electoral rolls, the demand for accountability from the Election Commission, and the challenge of translating public protests into electoral gains.

Israel Escalates Its Assault on Hebron: What Is Happening? by Quds News Network countercurrents.org/2026/10/… Israeli forces have escalated their assault on Hebron in the occupied West Bank, displacing Palestinian families, demolishing buildings, arresting residents and imposing sweeping movement restrictions. Around 1,200 Palestinians had been displaced by Saturday, according to a Palestinian official cited by Reuters. The operation has expanded to towns across the West Bank, disrupting access to healthcare, education and essential services. Benjamin Netanyahu has announced plans for an unprecedented offensive, while Defence Minister Israel Katz has explicitly compared the campaign to military operations in Gaza and Lebanon. Human rights groups warn of collective punishment and possible war crimes.

NAZA: It’s Not Just About Israel and Gaza. It’s About the Evil Lurking in Us All by Jonathan Cook countercurrents.org/2026/10/… Jonathan Cook examines "NAZA" , a documentary featuring 24 Israeli intelligence officers and soldiers describing their roles in the destruction of Gaza. Their accounts reveal how artificial intelligence systems enabled mass killing, how civilian deaths were treated as acceptable collateral damage, and how individuals justified their actions by claiming they were following orders. But Cook argues that the film’s significance extends beyond Israel and Gaza. It exposes the banality of evil, the enduring legacy of colonialism and the complicity of Western governments that supplied weapons, intelligence and diplomatic cover. The documentary confronts viewers with an unsettling question of collective responsibility.