Recent events in Nandigram have led to varied reactions. One, which has become more marked recently, is the at­ tribution of commonalities of these events with the Gujarat pogrom of 2002.

We read with growing dismay the statement signed by Noam Chomsky, Howard Zinn and others advising those opposing the CPI(M)’s policies in West Bengal not to “split the Left” in the face of American imperialism.

Childbearing in adolescence, a common practice in south Asia, can adversely affect the health of both mother and child. This qualitative study was conducted in three sites in India and Bangladesh where low birth weight is prevalent to explore the ability of newly-weds to negotiate the timing of their first pregnancy. The pattern in each site generally reflected prevailing social views on contraception, childbearing and couple communication.

We, the undersigned call upon the UPA government not to be in a hurry to implement the Indo-US Bilateral Nuclear Cooperation Agreement. A majority in the Indian Parliament is opposed to this “deal”.

We, the undersigned, are dismayed at the continued detention of Binayak Sen, general secretary of the Chhattisgarh People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), since May 14. Binayak Sen is also national vice-president of PUCL, one of the oldest civil liberties organisations in India.