Mainstream Weekly

The Protest in Sijimali in Odisha: A Historic Moment in People's Struggle for Right to Homeland | Suranjita Ray

Suranjita Ray — 2026-06-12T13:51:37Z

Rich in bauxite reserves and biodiversity, and situated at the edge of the sanctuary's eco-sensitive zone, the Sijimali hills in Kalahandi and Rayagada districts in Odisha has been at the center of conflict between the developmental state and the people's right to forest land and livelihood. For the last several months, a large gathering of indigenous people on the lower reaches of the hills has been protesting against the bauxite mining project of Vedanta Limited, one of the largest mining (…)

- 2026

Odisha :: Sijimali Protest: Contesting Blurred Boundaries of a Porous State | Suranjita Ray

Suranjita Ray — 2026-04-22T08:54:06Z

Sijimali Hills in Odisha remain a major source of livelihood for the indigenous Adivasi and Dalit communities. Its biodiversity and sacred significance associated with Teej Raja, a living deity, have made it an integral part of their culture, rituals, and everyday living. Its rich bauxite deposits, an important resource for the production of aluminium, are of crucial interest for the industrial class. Ever since the site, which is located close to Vedanta

- 2026

Capitalisation of Religious Sentiments to Consolidate Electoral Gains | Suranjita Ray

Suranjita Ray — 2026-03-31T02:59:16Z

Political parties have always attempted strategies to consolidate the support of particular communities to remain in power in a democracy. Over the years we have seen that several political parties and their affiliated institutions have capitalised on the religious values, beliefs, traditions, and practices not only to win elections but also to gain legitimacy and exercise control. We see increasing allegations of religious conversions and cow slaughter resulting in troubling patterns of (…)

- 2026

BJP Consolidating Political Gains in Odisha | Suranjita Ray

Suranjita Ray — 2025-02-22T17:25:04Z

The BJP government of Mohan Charan Majhi in Odisha is making all possible attempts to consolidate its electoral victory in 2024 after almost a quarter of a century. In order to weaken the long-standing credentials of the Naveen Patnaik-led BJD government, which ruled the state for around two and a half decades and at present is a strong opposition, the Chief Minister has renamed several welfare schemes particularly named after Late Biju Patnaik.
Although the rights-based approach, as well (…)

- 2025

Free Speech: A Matter of Debate | Suranjita Ray

Suranjita Ray — 2025-01-18T20:29:44Z

The recent news headlines on the display of the book

- 2025

Celebrating Sovereignty of People | Suranjita Ray

Suranjita Ray — 2024-07-26T22:04:05Z

The election verdict for the 18th Lok Sabha saw celebrations across the country. The celebration was not confined to the victory of the political party or parties that would form the government. The mandate was also celebrated by many for electing a strong opposition alliance. As a strong opposition party privileges debates, discussions, agreements, disagreements, and dissent on issues of concern, it remains critical for the idea and practice of democracy. We see that the political parties (…)

- 2024

BJD needs to Introspect the Assembly Results | Suranjita Ray

Suranjita Ray — 2024-06-21T22:17:00Z

The 2024 election verdict is celebrated as a victory of democracy with the revival of a strong opposition. The message of the mandate is loud and clear. It reaffirms that pluralism, secularism, and multiculturalism are important in a democracy. But this celebration should not be short-lived. The opposition alliance will have to perform its role to meet the needs and aspirations of common people who have been bold and fearless in expressing their choice.
The BJD finds itself in the (…)

- 2024

Reinforcing the Campaign for Inclusive Development | Suranjita Ray

Suranjita Ray — 2024-03-23T02:11:46Z

India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth surged to 8.4 per cent for third quarter pushing the growth rate to 7.6 per cent for 2023-24. In the context of the forthcoming elections, the robust GDP growth rate and data of Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) for 2022-23 have become important declarations for the government to assure a ‘Viksit Bharat' (developed nation) by 2047. It is important to reiterate that though economic growth is a necessary and powerful instrument of (…)

- 2024

The Looming Shadow of the 1866 Famine in Orissa | Suranjita Ray

Suranjita Ray — 2023-04-29T09:44:58Z

A Haunting Tragedy Gender, Caste and Class in the 1866 Famine of Orissa by Bidyut Mohanty ascertains understanding famine as a process to comprehend who starved during the famine and why. The book engages the reader in understanding the Orissa Famine in 1866 that had its worst impact on the poor, in particular the agricultural labourers, weavers, salt workers and fisher folks, invariably belonging to the lower castes who were marginalised and deprived. The growing consciousness of the (…)

- 2023 / Book Review

Regenerating The Forest Ecosystem: Few Concerns | Suranjita Ray

Suranjita Ray — 2023-03-25T03:18:21Z

As India enters a 25-year-long journey towards its centenary, policy makers must have greater responsibilities not only to enhance economic growth but also to ensure an inclusive and sustainable development. One of the major concerns is to prioritise the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which aim to promote sustainable agriculture, conservation and regeneration of forests, combating desertification, reversing land degradation and biodiversity loss, and sustainable use of oceans, seas, (…)

- 2023