India
Surge in infections gives India third highest COVID-19 cases worldwide
By Wasantha Rupasinghe, 9 July 2020
The surge is a direct result of the Modi government’s homicidal “herd immunity” policy, which prioritizes the profit interests of big business over the lives of workers and their families.
India takes economic reprisals against China as border frictions continue
By Deepal Jayasekera and Keith Jones, 7 July 2020
Although several rounds of talks have been held, both New Delhi and Beijing continue to maintain an enhanced military presence along their disputed border.
Modi government prosecutes anti-CAA protest leaders on bogus terrorism charges
By Kranti Kumar and Shuvu Batta, 7 July 2020
Turning reality on its head, the Delhi police, acting on the orders of the BJP government, is trying to blame anti-CAA protest leaders for the anti-Muslim riots that convulsed northeast Delhi in late February.
Pandemic spirals out of control in South Africa, India, Brazil
By Bryan Dyne, 4 July 2020
The official tallies in each country of daily confirmed coronavirus cases have become exponential, indicating that whatever containment measures were implemented to halt the spread of the virus have essentially collapsed.
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
4 July 2020
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Hundreds of thousands of Indian coal miners launch three-day strike against privatisation
By Arun Kumar, 3 July 2020
Facing an economic crisis that has been greatly exacerbated by the pandemic and the ruling elite’s selfish class response, the Modi government is pushing through a “quantum jump” in pro-investor “reforms.”
Pandemic rages across South Asia as total cases near 1 million
By our correspondents, 1 July 2020
The governments of India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh are rushing to “reopen” their economies even as COVID-19 cases and deaths are growing exponentially.
India’s opposition parties back Modi’s bellicose stand in border conflict with China
By Wasantha Rupasinghe, 30 June 2020
The Congress Party and Stalinist CPI and CPM have extolled the military for “defending” India’s borders and pledged their support for the BJP government in confronting Beijing.
Pandemic surpasses 10 million COVID-19 cases and over 500,000 deaths globally
By Benjamin Mateus, 29 June 2020
COVID-19 cases in the United States have careened out of control, with health care systems in Texas, Florida and Arizona nearing collapse.
Indian and Pakistani health workers strike over coronavirus safety; Australia Paper maintenance workers locked out
Workers Struggles: Asia and Australia
27 June 2020
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India rapidly emerging as epicenter of COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
By Wasantha Rupasinghe, 25 June 2020
As a result of the Modi government’s abandonment of lockdown measures, the coronavirus is spreading like wildfire in both urban slums and rural areas.
India-China conflict threatens to undermine Russian foreign policy
By Clara Weiss, 23 June 2020
While the US has intervened aggressively on the side of India, Russia sees the clash as a challenge to its geo-strategy and is seeking to negotiate a resolution to the conflict.
World coronavirus cases rocket past 9 million as pandemic accelerates
By Bryan Dyne, 22 June 2020
Public health expert warns that infections will not come in waves, but as “one very, very difficult forest fire of cases.”
India and China rush troops, weaponry to disputed border region
By Keith Jones, 22 June 2020
India has placed on the “highest alert” the 300,000 troops it has arrayed along its 3,500-kilometer border with China.
US stokes India-China conflict, blames Chinese “aggression” for border clash
By Keith Jones, 20 June 2020
Senior US official David Stilwell provocatively told a press briefing that the Chinese army had “invaded” the “contested area” between India and China.
India and China remain on knife edge as war tensions continue
By Shuvu Batta and Keith Jones, 19 June 2020
While proclaiming they want to de-escalate, India and China are each demanding the other stand down and pouring additional troops and weapons into their border regions.
Sharp spike of coronavirus deaths in India
By Saman Gunadasa, 19 June 2020
Right-wing Prime Minister Narendra Modi has categorically ruled out a second lockdown even after India registered more than 2,000 deaths on Tuesday and over 13,000 new infections on both Wednesday and Thursday.
Dozens die in India-China border clash
By Keith Jones, 17 June 2020
It is the enmeshing of the India-China rivalry with the strategic confrontation between China and US imperialism that makes the border dispute so combustible and incendiary.
Indian cruise ship crew stage second protest in three days
By Tom Casey, 16 June 2020
Thousands of cruise ship workers—some of them infected with COVID-19—remained trapped on vessels around the world after the industry shut down last March in response to the pandemic
India: A massive explosion in Gujarat chemical plant kills 10 workers
By Arun Kumar, 13 June 2020
The tragic loss of life and terrible injuries are a direct result of government and company indifference towards mandatory work safety measures.
UK: Indian cruise ship crew members still awaiting repatriation
By Paul Bond, 12 June 2020
Around 650 Indian crew members of TUI/Marella cruise ships are still laid up in waters off Southampton on the south coast of England.
COVID-19 cases rise rapidly after South Asia’s governments abandon lockdowns
By our correspondents, 10 June 2020
India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh have all recorded dramatic increases in COVID-19 infections and deaths over the past week.
Trump confers with Modi over explosive India-China border dispute
By Shuvu Batta and Keith Jones, 8 June 2020
Intensifying the US strategic offensive against China, the Trump administration has publicly sided with India, and is goading New Delhi on in its border standoff with Beijing.
India and Australia sign military pact amid tense border conflict with China
By Mike Head, 8 June 2020
The Modi-Morrison “summit” occurred just two days after US President Trump reiterated his support for India’s confrontation with China.
India-wide protests by military armament and power industry workers; Australian airport workers demand JobKeeper pay
Workers Struggles: Asia and Australia
6 June 2020
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Indian government abandons lockdown measures as coronavirus infections soar
By Wasantha Rupasinghe, 2 June 2020
An epidemiologist who is advising the government on its plan to “reopen” the economy blithely acknowledged that it will result in a catastrophic loss of life, declaring that “India may see at least two million deaths.”
Explosion at Indian thermal power plant kills four workers
By Arun Kumar, 1 June 2020
The tragic deaths are a result of the management’s hasty moves to resume work, in line with the Modi government’s instructions to reopen the economy.
Coronavirus cases surpass six million globally
By Bryan Dyne, 30 May 2020
New epicenters in Eastern Europe, South America, the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent are rapidly causing massive public health crises.
After ignoring migrant workers’ plight, the Indian Supreme Court now acknowledges unfolding social tragedy
By Wasantha Rupasinghe, 30 May 2020
The court’s intervention reflects concerns fear by India’s legal authorities that mounting mass anger will erupt against the entire capitalist elite and its state.
Indian autoworkers strike for COVID-19 safety measures; Thousands of Bangladeshi garment workers demonstrate
Workers Struggles: Asia and Australia
30 May 2020
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Trump intrudes in China-India border standoff
By Keith Jones, 29 May 2020
US President Donald Trump intruded into the tense border standoff between China and India Wednesday with a spurious offer to mediate and even “arbitrate” “their now raging border dispute.”
Mumbai health care system overwhelmed as COVID-19 surges across India
By Wasantha Rupasinghe, 28 May 2020
”It’s a war zone,” said a doctor employed at one of the main hospitals in India’s second largest city.
Washington incites India in tense border dispute with China
By Keith Jones, 22 May 2020
Washington’s vocal support for New Delhi is in marked contrast with its stance during the 2017 Indo-China border dispute, and is part of a dramatic escalation of its anti-China offensive.
Cyclone Amphan kills over 90 and devastates wide areas of eastern India and Bangladesh
By Arun Kumar, 22 May 2020
Millions of people have been evacuated from cyclone-hit areas in South Asia, but their relocation into overcrowded temporary shelters place them in real danger of contracting COVID-19.
As Modi government eases lockdown, coronavirus cases surge in India
By Wasantha Rupasinghe, 19 May 2020
Municipal authorities in Mumbai, India’s second largest city, recently announced that due to a lack of hospital beds, they were placing COVID-19 patients on a waiting list for medical treatment.
Modi promotes “herd immunity,” vows “quantum jump” in pro-investor reforms
By Wasantha Rupasinghe and Keith Jones, 18 May 2020
As the Modi government expands its reckless back-to-work drive, India reported yesterday its biggest daily jump in COVID-19 cases to date.
Thousands of migrant workers demonstrate across India; Tamil Nadu cleaners demand COVID-19 protection
Workers Struggles: Asia and Australia
16 May 2020
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The brutal face of India’s ruling class
Sixteen migrant workers killed by goods train
By Wasantha Rupasinghe, 14 May 2020
The workers, aged between 20 and 35, were attempting to return to their home state of Madhya Pradesh, having previously worked at a steel plant in Maharashtra.
India’s calamitous COVID-19 lockdowns leave more than 120 million jobless
By Wasantha Rupasinghe and Keith Jones, 14 May 2020
Egged on by big business, the BJP government is now pushing for a return to work, and cynically citing the suffering its lockdown has inflicted on India’s working people to justify making them risk infection and death.
Strikes and workers’ protests mount against “back to work” campaign
By Shannon Jones, 9 May 2020
The incompetence and callous disregard for human life by the capitalist authorities in country after country is fueling an upsurge in the class struggle.
India: Toxic gas leak in Visakhapatnam kills 11 people and puts thousands in danger
By Pradeep Ramanayake, 9 May 2020
The deadly leak began as employees were about to resume work at the LG Polymers plant, following the Modi government’s easing of COVID-19 restrictions.
Workers in India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan strike to demand coronavirus-safe working conditions
Workers Struggles: Asia
9 May 2020
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Modi eases lockdown restrictions even as COVID-19 cases surge across India
By Wasantha Rupasinghe, 8 May 2020
India’s far-right BJP government is pressing to “reopen” the economy so that sweatshop exploitation of the working class can resume at full throttle, even as the number of COVID-19 cases surges.
Indian migrant workers in Chennai speak to WSWS about coronavirus pandemic
By Sasi Kumar and Moses Rajkumar, 8 May 2020
“We’ve received no help whatsoever from any political parties or the government. None of us living here have been given a coronavirus medical test or provided with face masks for safety.”
Millions in South Asia react with shock and horror at ruling elite’s incompetence over pandemic
By Wije Dias, 6 May 2020
The capitalist system failed from the pandemic’s outset to identify or treat hundreds of thousands of ordinary people.
Modi government punishes officials for urging increased taxation of rich to fight coronavirus
By Wasantha Rupasinghe, 4 May 2020
Even as India’s workers and toilers face the COVID-19 pandemic and mass hunger, the Modi government is opposed to imposing even one additional rupee of tax upon the capitalist elite.
Thousands of Assam tea workers demand lockdown wages in India; Protests continue in Bangladesh over wages, factory closures and safety
Workers Struggles: Asia and Australia
2 May 2020
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“The central and state governments, as well as the opposition parties, don’t really care for human lives”
Tamil Nadu auto workers denounce Indian government responses to COVID-19
By Sasi Kumar and Moses Rajkumar, 1 May 2020
Millions of workers, particularly those in the so-called informal sector, have been left without any income to purchase food and other basic items.
Coronavirus pandemic surges across South Asia, even as governments push for a return to work
By our correspondents, 29 April 2020
The response of South Asia’s governments to the pandemic underscores the contempt of the national bourgeoisie for the lives of hundreds of millions of working people and rural toilers.
India’s BJP and its Hindu-right allies scapegoat Muslims for spread of pandemic
By Wasantha Rupasinghe and Keith Jones, 25 April 2020
The manifest failure of the Modi government to protect the population from the ravages of the pandemic and its economic fallout have led the BJP to vilify and scapegoat Muslims.
India: Modi government moves to “reopen” economy as virus cases surge
By Wasantha Rupasinghe and Keith Jones, 22 April 2020
Modi and big business have cynically sought to justify their push for a premature return to work by pointing to the desperate plight of hundreds of millions of day labourers.
South Indian film directors discuss coronavirus impact on local movie industry
By Yuvan Darwin, 22 April 2020
The Modi government’s sudden three-week lockdown abruptly brought the film industry to a halt and rendered thousands of daily wage workers jobless overnight.
Millions of internal migrant workers suffering under India’s lockdown
By Rohantha De Silva, 20 April 2020
A police attack on a Mumbai protest has highlighted the fate of workers under the Modi government’s measures.
Modi extends India’s coronavirus lockdown till May 3
By Wasantha Rupasinghe and Keith Jones, 15 April 2020
Modi offered no plan to deal either with the health emergency or the socio-economic calamity triggered by the sudden, unplanned lockdown.
As COVID-19 pandemic surges across India, business presses for quick return to work
By Wasantha Rupasinghe and Keith Jones, 14 April 2020
Due to the criminal negligence of the Modi government and the Indian elite, the country’s workers and toilers face a combined health and socio-economic catastrophe.
Three years since Indian court ordered 13 framed-up Maruti Suzuki workers jailed for life
By Kranti Kumara, 13 April 2020
The World Socialist Web Site urges workers around the world to redouble their efforts to free these class war prisoners, whose only “crime” was to challenge a brutal work-regimen, cheap-labour and precarious contract jobs.
India: Punjab health workers and poor farmers protest over inadequate COVID-19 supplies; Queensland public health workers demand promised wage rise
Workers Struggles: Asia and Australia
11 April 2020
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250 Three Years Since framed-up Maruti Suzuki Workers jailed for life
10 April 2020
Letter from Indian-held Kashmir:
Emergency amidst Emergency—Modi government denies Internet access imperiling lives
By Muzamil Yaqoob and Nilanjana Bhattacharya, 7 April 2020
The Indian state has refused to comply with World Health Organization guidelines to lift the internet lockdown in Kashmir, denying doctors and the public access to critical information in a life-and-death situation.
Indian medical staff speak to WSWS on COVID-19 pandemic
By Yuan Darwin and Nanda Kumar, 6 April 2020
Indian medical staff are struggling to fight COVID-19 under conditions of a run-down public health system and high-population densities without basic facilities.
Amid India’s calamitous lockdown, Modi seeks to censor coronavirus reports
By Wasantha Rupasinghe and Keith Jones, 4 April 2020
India’s Supreme Court has ordered media outlets to publicize “official” government-authored coronavirus reports, and threatened prosecution if they disseminate “fake news.”
Tea estate workers in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, as well as medical workers in India and Papua New Guinea strike over COVID-19 dangers
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
4 April 2020
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India: Maoist-led union alliance betrays Sanmina workers
By Yuan Darwin, 3 April 2020
The Sanmina workers walked out on strike on March 3 to demand a pay rise and reinstatement of victimised militant workers.
Modi government represses desperate migrant workers amid calamitous coronavirus lockdown
By Wasantha Rupasinghe and Keith Jones, 2 April 2020
People across India and around the world have been shocked and outraged by the pictures of poor migrant workers caught up in the Indian government's ill-conceived and socially reckless 21-day nationwide coronavirus lockdown.
19,000 ambulance workers strike in Northern India to demand protective gear
By Pradeep Ramanayake, 2 April 2020
The strike by Indian ambulance workers is part of the militant class response by the working class against the capitalist governments that have endangered the lives of workers amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
India’s calamitous lockdown punishes poor while undermining efforts to halt spread of coronavirus
By Wasantha Rupasinghe, 30 March 2020
The Modi government’s ill-prepared, three-week lockdown has resulted in chaos, including large disorganized movements of desperate poor people, thereby providing conditions conducive to the rapid spread of COVID-19.
Indian prime minister’s coronavirus lockdown threatens social disaster for millions
By Wasantha Rupasinghe, 26 March 2020
Modi has not outlined any comprehensive program to deal with enormous difficulties that millions of workers and rural poor will face.
Amid warnings of potential catastrophic loss of life from COVID-19
Modi places India’s 1.3 billion people under lockdown
By Keith Jones, 25 March 2020
Modi’s speech provided no details about basic questions, such as how the population would be able to procure food, and, in India’s villages, even water.
Medical expert warns India could be next coronavirus hotspot
By Wasantha Rupasinghe, 21 March 2020
The Indian ruling elite’s response to the unfolding disaster has been criminally negligent, with only 14,175 tests conducted in a country of 1.3 billion people.
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
21 March 2020
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Coronavirus pandemic threatens to overwhelm India’s dilapidated health system
By Wasantha Rupasinghe, 14 March 2020
Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party government are stubbornly refusing to mobilize state resources to stem the spread of the virus.
Tamil Nadu sanitary workers demand permanent jobs; Sri Lankan plantation workers strike; New Zealand bus drivers resume industrial action
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
14 March 2020
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Modi government shields instigators of Delhi anti-Muslim violence
By Wasantha Rupasinghe, 12 March 2020
The Delhi police, in line with their actions during last month's riot and the ruling BJP’s communalist policies, are targeting Muslims, the riot’s victims, rather than the true perpetrators.
India restricts drug exports due to coronavirus impacts, threatening global drug supply
By Kranti Kumara, 9 March 2020
As India is a major global supplier of generic drugs, there are widespread fears that the export restrictions will lead to pharmaceutical price-hikes and shortages in countries around the world.
Modi government leaves millions of Indians vulnerable to coronavirus
By Wasantha Rupasinghe, 9 March 2020
Given India’s high population density and dysfunctional public health system, its population is threatened by any rapid spread of the coronavirus.
Indian primary school teachers demonstrate; Sri Lankan police attack sacked public sector workers
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
29 February 2020
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India: Death toll in BJP-instigated violence in Delhi rises to 38
By Wasantha Rupasinghe, 28 February 2020
After three days during which Delhi was convulsed by horrific communal violence, authorities claimed yesterday that “order” had been restored to India’s national capital.
Trump hails Modi as his supporters engulf Delhi in communal violence
By Keith Jones, 26 February 2020
It is Trump’s “true friend,” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and his government that are politically responsible for the Hindu supremacist violence that has claimed at least 13 lives.
As Trump embraces Modi, communal violence convulses India’s capital
By Keith Jones, 25 February 2020
Modi is politically responsible and elements in his BJP directly culpable of instigating communal violence that has killed at least 10 people.
Trump to promote anti-China strategic alliance in visit to India
By Wasantha Rupasinghe, 24 February 2020
Reflecting the importance the US now places on India and the Indian Ocean in its strategy to counter China, the Pentagon recently renamed its Pacific Command the US Indo-Pacific Command.
Tamil Nadu public transport workers demonstrate; Sacked Sri Lankan government workers protest; Jetstar baggage handlers on strike in Australia
Workers Struggles: Asia and Australia
22 February 2020
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India: BJP loses Delhi election as voters reject communalism
By Rohantha De Silva, 15 February 2020
Delhi has been a focal point of the nationwide protests against the BJP’s anti-Muslim Citizenship Amendment Act.
India: Punjab government teachers protest against privatisation; Sacked Sri Lankan government workers demonstrate; New Caledonia miners strike against long hours
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
15 February 2020
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Seven workers burned to death in Indian factory fire
By Sakuna Jayawardana, 14 February 2020
The Nanda Denim workers are among the thousands who die or are maimed each year in the brutally exploitative global garment industry.
Sri Lankan prime minister’s India visit underscores deepening geostrategic rivalry
By K. Ratnayake, 14 February 2020
The US and India are making clear to the new Sri Lankan president that his government must not re-establish close relations with China.
“Shoot them down”—India’s government incites violence against opponents of its anti-Muslim citizenship law
By Wasantha Rupasinghe, 13 February 2020
The BJP government has been shaken by the mass opposition to the CAA, which it rushed through parliament and into law last December.
Indian budget inflicts more austerity amid job crisis, deepening economic slowdown
By Kranti Kumara, 12 February 2020
The budget was unveiled five months after the Modi government announced a slew of impromptu pro-big business measures, including a massive corporate tax cut and accelerated privatization drive.
India: 10,000 Karnataka midday-meal workers strike indefinitely; Tahiti workers strike against Macron’s pensions “reforms”
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
8 February 2020
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India: One million public sector bank workers strike for higher pay and against privatisation
By Arun Kumar, 6 February 2020
The two-day national walkout demonstrated public sector bank workers’ determination to fight the Modi government’s austerity, privatisation and job-cutting policies.
BJP to table Indian budget amid mounting economic crisis, popular anger
By Kranti Kumara, 1 February 2020
The rapid unravelling of India’s economy has shocked Indian big business and such representatives of global capital as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
India: Maoist union betrays 140-day Motherson auto parts workers’ strike
By Arun Kumar, 1 February 2020
Having isolated the strikers since August last year, the union has ordered the auto-parts workers to end their strike without winning any of their demands and abandoning 79 victimised colleagues.
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and New Zealand
1 February 2020
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Brazilian President Bolsonaro guest of honor at India’s Republic Day
By Tomas Castanheira, 30 January 2020
Modi advocated a “strategic partnership” based on “similar ideology and similar values.”
India's Supreme Court greenlights Modi government’s internet shutdown in Kashmir
By Wasantha Rupasinghe, 28 January 2020
While declaring internet access “constitutionally protected,” India’s highest court did not order the Modi government to end its nearly six-month long suspension of internet service in Kashmir.
Indian midday-meal workers strike for higher wages; Australian rail workers strike again
Workers Struggles: Asia and Australia
25 January 2020
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India: Mass protests against Modi’s anti-Muslim Citizenship Amendment Act continue
By Deepal Jayasekera, 24 January 2020
Rattled by the eruption of mass opposition, the BJP government has responded with state repression and fascistic rants, as exemplified by the boast of a senior BJP leader, “Our governments … shot these people like dogs.”
Mumbai hospital workers demand outstanding wages; South Korean car workers strike; Australian tram drivers vote to walk out
Workers Struggles: Asia and Australia
18 January 2020
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Indian workers in general strike call for unity
By our correspondents, 14 January 2020
Striking workers discussed with the WSWS the central political issues in the struggle against the Modi government and its program of austerity and communal reaction.
The Indian general strike and the global fight against communalism and war
By Keith Jones, 11 January 2020
Tens of millions of workers, youth and rural toilers participated in Wednesday’s all-India one-day general strike, transcending communal, caste and ethno-linguistic divides.
India: Haryana public transport workers strike against outsourcing; Pakistani journalists oppose salary and job cuts
Workers Struggles: Asia and Australia
11 January 2020
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