Democratic Research Scholars' Organisation

*DRSO pays respectful homage to eminent historian Prof. K N Panikkar*

The passing of Professor K. N. Panikkar on 9 March 2026 marks the end of a significant chapter in the intellectual and cultural life of India. One of the country’s foremost historians and public intellectuals, Prof. Panikkar dedicated his life to the defence of a rational, secular, and scientific understanding of history. His demise at the age of 89 in Thiruvananthapuram is a profound loss not only to the academic community but also to all those who value democratic and progressive thought in society.

Born in 1936 in Kerala, Panikkar emerged as a leading figure of the Indian historiography. Through decades of teaching, writing, and public engagement, he consistently argued that history must be studied through critical inquiry rather than myth or indoctrination. As a professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University and later a leading academic administrator, he helped shape generations of students and scholars who would carry forward the pursuit of historically grounded knowledge.

Panikkar’s scholarship focused on modern Indian history, colonial society, and the ideological forces that shaped cultural and political developments. Works such as 'Culture and Consciousness in Modern India', 'Culture, Ideology and Hegemony- Intellectuals and Social Consciousness in Colonial India', and 'Before the Night Falls- Forebodings of Fascism in India' and 'The Concerned Indian’s Guide to Communalism' remain important contributions to the understanding of India’s social transformation.

Among his many works, Panikkar’s study of the Malabar Rebellion of 1921 in 'Against Lord and State: Religion and Peasant Uprisings in Malabar' was particularly influential. Challenging interpretations that had long portrayed the uprising mainly as communal violence against Hindus, Panikkar demonstrated that it was fundamentally a peasant revolt against British colonial rule and the oppressive agrarian system dominated by local landlords. He showed how the rebellion emerged from longstanding agrarian tensions in Malabar, where exploitative revenue policies and landlordism had generated repeated resistance among peasants, predominantly Muslim, since the nineteenth century.

Beyond academia, he was an active participant in public debates concerning education, culture, and secularism. At a time when attempts were repeatedly made to reinterpret history along narrow communal lines, he stood firmly for the principles of scientific historiography and democratic values. His writings and speeches consistently warned that the distortion of history serves reactionary politics and weakens the collective consciousness of society. In this sense, Panikkar was not merely a historian of the past but also a vigilant defender of the intellectual integrity of the present.

His contributions were not limited to scholarly work alone. As the chairman of the Kerala Council for Historical Research and later as Vice-Chancellor of Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, he worked tirelessly to strengthen institutions of higher learning and historical research. He also participated in textbook review committees and educational initiatives aimed at ensuring that young students are introduced to history through critical and evidence-based approaches. Reflecting on his intellectual depth and public engagement, eminent historian Romila Thapar observed, “His knowledge of history, contemporary life, India today, and politics was very helpful to understand the contemporary situation”. Her assessment captures the breadth of Panikkar’s scholarship and the clarity with which he connected historical analysis to the realities of modern India.

Panikkar’s life demonstrates the responsibility of intellectuals in society. He believed that scholars cannot remain indifferent to social realities. For him, the study of history was inseparable from the struggle to uphold rationality, secularism, and democratic values. At a time when obscurantism and historical falsification attempt to influence public consciousness, his legacy reminds that the pursuit of truth in history is itself a democratic duty.

The Democratic Research Scholars’ Organization (DRSO) pays respectful homage to Professor K. N. Panikkar. His scholarship, courage, and commitment to scientific thought will continue to inspire researchers, students, and progressive intellectuals across the country. The best tribute to his memory is to continue the struggle for truthful history, critical scholarship, and a society guided by reason and humanist values. His legacy will endure wherever historians defend facts against distortion and wherever scholars dedicate themselves to the service of society through the fearless pursuit knowledge and intellectual integrity.

With greetings,
Akil Murali, President
Arghya Das, General Secretary
DRSO

Vidyasagar University Chapter organized a discussion on the HECI Bill 2025 at Vidyasagar University, on 5 March 26. The session was impactful and was actively participated by several research scholars and research aspirants. The discussion was greatly enriched by the insightful contributions of *Prof. Durga Sankar Rath* of the Library and Information Science department of the University and *Gouranga Khatua*, Jt. Convenor of DRSO West Bengal and the Office Secretary of DRSO National Council.
Taking inspiration from the successful program, DRSO VU chapter plans to take up more such meaningful dialogues, with the forthcoming event dedicated to a discussion on *LibGen, Sci-Hub, and the restrictions on the free flow of knowledge*.

On 27 February 2026, an important lecture session under the *Social Science Lecture Series* was organized by Democratic Research Scholars' Organisation (DRSO – West Bengal) at the Vivekananda Hall of Jadavpur University. The theme of the event was: “Ancient Indian History, Heritage and Tradition: Myth versus Reality.”

Dr. Kanad Sinha, Assistant Professor at Sanskrit College and University, was present as the keynote speaker. In his address, he critically examined various prevalent notions, mythological narratives, and nationalist interpretations surrounding the study of ancient Indian history. He demonstrated how the boundary between history and myth is often deliberately blurred, and why an integrated reading of archaeological evidence, inscriptions, ancient texts, and contemporary records is essential. He emphasized that history should not be reduced to an instrument of glorification, but rather analyzed through a critical and evidence-based approach.

Researcher Jahid Hasan from Aliah University highlighted the authentic heritage and achievements of ancient India. He stated that a common claim made by certain colonial historians was that Indians supposedly lacked a systematic sense of historical consciousness. However, in reality, Indian traditions possessed a distinctive method of conceptualizing the past- not merely as chronological data, but as an integral component of social and ethical consciousness.

Srimayee Maity, who holds a Master’s degree in History from Jadavpur University, pointed out in her speech that many exaggerated claims circulated in the name of ancient India- such as the existence of aircraft and plastic or cosmetic surgery. These claims are not substantiated by scientific evidence and are largely fictional or symbolic narratives. Recent archaeological and genetic research clearly underscores the importance of understanding history through evidence-based analysis. Therefore, history must be evaluated not through imagination, but on the basis of facts and reason.

Finally, the question and answer session, marked by the active participation of students and researchers, further enriched and enlivened the discussion. The entire event created an important space for reconsidering ancient Indian history, heritage, and tradition from a critical and evidence-based perspective rather than through myths and imagination.

The central message of the discussion was clear- history must be evaluated not as a tale of glory or wrapped in myth, but on the foundation of evidence, research, and scientific temper. Therefore, such initiatives should not remain confined to academic circles alone, but should be disseminated more widely within society. Strengthening evidence-based historical scholarship through curricula, mass media, and public discourse will help foster broader public awareness about authentic history.

Along with students and researchers from numerous colleges and universities in Kolkata, many faculty members were also present at the event. More than one hundred individuals attended the seminar. Dr. Arghya Das, General Secretary and Gouranga Khatua, Office Secretary of DRSO National Council were also present at the meeting.

will organize such seminars on various themes at regular intervals.

*Universal access to knowledge: Freedom of knowledge*
_A call to Indian academic community_

Dear friend,

You must be well aware of the ongoing issues related to Sci-Hub Libgen ban, the subsequent problems faced by the majority of students, scholars, and academicians, and the questions and debates that resurfaced in this context.

After an elaborate discussion among many of the concerned scholars and academicians, we came up with an "approach paper". We hereby place it before you for your critical appraisal, and for building up on ground deliberations and movement to the call, "Universal Access to Knowledge: Freedom of Knowledge".

Link of the paper: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tfw1ygG4k1D2Q0i6Rsakv3oCcFz1ekYx/

We earnestly look forward to your feedback, inputs, and initiatives.

With regards,
Akil Murali, Arghya Das,
On behalf of DRSO

A call, one of the few most important ones, from the quantum scientists across the globe.
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Quantum Scientists of World Unite Against Militarisation of Quantum Technology!

"Quantum Scientists for Disarmament: A Manifesto": https://arxiv.org/abs/2601.14282

If you are a quantum scientist (or quantum technologist) and would like to be part of the movement against militarisation of quantum science and technology, please sign the Manifesto, here: https://disarmquantum.com/

Is this project, which IIT Bombay is a part of, can be considered an ethically legitimate research?
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/maharashtra-govt-with-iit-bombay-building-ai-tool-to-identify-illegal-bangladeshis-101769212761109.html

What research should one do (or not do)? What is the meaning and extent of a researchers' freedom, and who/what decides it?

Maharashtra govt with IIT-Bombay building AI tool to ‘identify’ illegal Bangladeshis During the launch of the Mahayuti manifesto on January 11, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “We’ll free Mumbai from Bangladeshis.| India News

Remarkably vast and extremely important study of the effect of current use of AI on individual scientists, and science itself.
https://www.science.org/content/article/ai-has-supercharged-scientists-may-have-shrunk-science

Significant piece of history of scholar movement. Demonstration and protest day against arrest of fighting scholars in Delhi voicing for fellowship hike 7 years ago.

Many wishes and greetings to you all. In the new year let us strengthen our unity and fight for a better education-research system, and a for a better natural and social environment.

- DRSO