In this Issue
Imperialist Agenda and Popular Resistance
The holding of the second G20 summit in less than four months comes as a measure of the importance the original G7 and its later incarnation G8 now attaches to the "emerging economies" of the third world. Being trade-surplus countries, the latter hold huge dollar reserves and can play a major role in tackling the international financial and economic crisis. The Global North is keen to manipulate that capacity to its own advantage, but itself remains a house divided. Not insignificantly, the November summit last year was held in Washington and this year's April gathering in London, but both failed to adopt the US-UK plan of coordinated global fiscal stimulus. Nor was the European bloc demand of international regulation of major financial institutions accepted, with the US in particular rejecting any international regulation of its banking system. At the end of the day the G20 meeting produced little more than run-of-the-mill platitudes on the need of concerted international action for recovery, and the like.
Playing to the gallery, the summit agreed to an additional “$1.1 trillion programme of support to restore credit, growth and jobs in the world economy." It is doubtful whether the promise will be kept in full; it will prove grossly inadequate even if it is. This is a trivial amount compared to the $12.8 trillion already spent, lent or committed in US alone to bail out the US banks, with no discernable effect so far. It may be noted that on an world scale the meltdown of international stock markets, the fall in commodity prices and the collapse in real estate values have already wiped out an estimated $50 trillion in wealth. World Bank President Robert Zoellick was right when he said, talking to the BBC on the sidelines of the summit, that the world was already in a great depression. As an indication of the likely extent of the impending cataclysm, he said that the downturn will lead to some 200,000 to 400,000 babies dying this year.
Even as the heads of state assembled in London proved clueless about ways to end the crisis, they were outperformed by agitating masses. 35,000 protesters gathered in a rally to "Put People First" on 28 March, bringing together more than 100 trade unions, aid agencies, religious groups and environmental organisations to call on world leaders to commit to real reforms. The protests culminated on 1 April -- the "Financial Fools' Day" -- with a rally called "Storm the Banks" focusing on the Bank of England. These were preceded and followed by marches in Berlin, Vienna, Paris and other European cities to demand action on poverty, job losses and climate change.
After waxing eloquent on peace, stability and international cooperation, the top war mongers among G20 flew over to the Franco-German border to hold the NATO Summit on the 60th anniversary of the military alliance. In a clear indication that militarism and war are very much on the agenda, the meeting welcomed two new members, Albania and Croatia, while France, which had walked out of NATO’s strategic military command in 1966, returned to the fold as a full member. Here too the imperialists and their allies met with more militant popular protests organised by about 600 international organizations from 43 countries. Demonstrators campaigning to have NATO disbanded following the end of the Cold War clashed violently with thousands of French and German troops and police forces.
Demonstrations were organised simultaneously in New York too. One was dubbed "The March on Wall Street: Bail Out The People Not The Banks". Many protesters criticized the capitalist system, which they said helped AIG and other companies "steal" money from "poor Americans." Banners saying "Capitalism is Dead" and "Go to the Hell, Capitalism" were quite conspicuous. Another was organised by the "United for Peace and Justice" on the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination. Reverends led the march holding a banner that read “Beyond War, A New Economy Is Possible,” followed by another large banner “End Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.” On this occasion several thousand people surrounded the NY Stock Exchange in what they called a “Peace Fair.”
Coming on top of an infinite series of strikes, factory-occupations, rallies etc by workers, students, youths, women and others in almost all countries, the latest international demand-and-protest marches are truly remarkable in terms of mobilisation of broader social forces and new slogans that clearly reflected higher levels of consciousness. We in India are also fighting the same battle -- according to our own conditions and in all possible forms including the current electoral struggle -- against the Indian agents of neoliberalism and imperialism. We must further intensify the movement, confident that the united might of world people will definitely emerge victorious.
Bring Our Stolen Money Back
With a whopping $1,456 billion (Rs 72,80,000 crore) deposited by our corrupt politicians and businessmen in Swiss banks, India tops the list of five countries whose names were released recently. The other countries in the list are: Russia ($470 billion), UK ($300 billion), Ukraine ($100 billion) and China ($96 billion). The Swiss banks made the revelation under the pressure of the US government; they have also offered to disclose the names of the depositors of any country provided the government of the country concerned asks for the same officially.
The people of India are eager to know the names of the depositors and to get the black money back to the country. While the UPA government is dragging its feet and trying to save face, Mr LK Advani and comrade Parkash Karat are hell bent on utilising this as an election issue. What were they doing so long, knowing the story full well, either as leader of the opposition or as the leader of the Left block that enjoyed a huge capacity to influence the conduct of the government?
Mr Advani has said he will ensure the money is brought back if the NDA is voted to power. The noble gesture coming from the "party with a difference" -- a party that boasts leaders and cadres like Bangaru Laxman and Neera Yadav -- will be read as an indication that the party does not actually expect to form the government and be called upon to fulfil the promise. But the people of India are serious. The movement for getting the money back and using it for a big stimulus package for the crisis-ridden Indian economy will gain strength and whichever coalition finally makes it to power will be compelled to take urgent and concrete steps in this regard.
Left's Joint Campaign against UPA and Nitish in Bihar
Bihar units of CPI(ML), CPI and CPI(M) have, in a joint declaration, appealed to the electors of Bihar for rejecting UPA and NDA for their pro-US policies of liberalisation. The appeal calls for strengthening the people's unity for building a new India and new Bihar and says that the Lok Sabha elections are being held at a time when country is facing crisis in agriculture and other sectors leading to starvation on an unprecedented scale. The number of peasants committing suicides is increasing day by day. Indian economy is severely affected by the world economic crisis and recession. The toiling and poor masses are forcibly made to carry this burden in order to save big capitalists. This is being seen in large scale retrenchments, increase in prices of essential items, and of course, in growing numbers of unemployed youth. While a handful of persons and companies have amassed property excessively, more than seventy percent population in country is forced to live on less than Rs. 20 a day. This is a country where 2.3 billion citizens suffers from malnutrition and more than half of female population is anaemic, 40 percent children weigh less than the average, potable water is out of reach for a large population and 39 percent are still illeterate. This is because the policies of both UPA and NDA are in favour of capitalists, feudals and neo-rich. India's foreign policy is being reframed according to the US strategic interests compromising with nation's sovereignty and independence. This deviation from the independent foreign policy has exposed country more towards terror attacks on the one hand and curbed the democratic rights of the people by framing black laws like UAPA on the other.
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The UPA govt. failed to fulfil its promise of enacting a Law to curb communalism, it could not even brought to justice even a single accused of Gujarat carnage. It gave a free hand to saffron brigade attacking Christians in Karnataka and Orissa, and kept a deliberate silence on Sachar Committee recommendations. The Congress led governments in centre and Maharashtra remained mute spectators of regional chauvinist attacks on migrant people.
The increasing trends of communalism, terrorism and regional chauvinism can only be countered by strengthening the struggles for people's unity, dignity and democracy today.
The apathy of governments towards people's livelihoods and welfare schemes is not a secret. Peoples resentment against non-implementation of NREGA, PDS, issues of land, flood and draught relief; and anti-peasant anti-worker policies have always met with batons and bullets. Governments' dis-inclination towards resolving various people's issues including education and employment and repression of various sections of people needs to be opposed. To achieve this objective it is necessary to send the voices of the people and people's struggles into the Parliament by defeating pro-feudal, pro-rich, pro-US UPA and NDA alliances.
CPI(ML) Condemns the Arrest of Party Candidate from Karakat
CPI(ML) candidate from Karakat, Bihar, was arrested on 23 March, immediately after filing his nominations. A CPI(ML) Central Committee member, All India Kisan Sangharsh Samiti Convenor, and former MLA, Comrade Rajaram Singh was addressing a mass meeting at Dehri-on-Sone on 23 March, the anniversary of the martyrdom of Bhagat Singh-Rajguru-Sukhdev, when police officials arrived and attempted to climb on to the dais to arrest him. Angry protests from the gathered people prevented them from doing so, though Comrade Rajaram Singh was then arrested after the meeting. The arrest was regarding his role in leading a road blockade during the Bihar Bandh of February 4. Among the major issues raised through the Bandh were those of procurement centres for small and medium farmers and the demands of the Bihar Employees who were then on a prolonged strike.
That elections are an unequal battleground is underlined again and again. A popular democratic leader of people's struggles on issues of the peasantry and Bihar's employees is arrested - strategically immediately after his nominations are filed - but Varun Gandhi and his ilk who spew communal venom go scot free! The so-called 'neutral' police machinery acts like a political tool: attempting to make a dramatic arrest by climbing on a public dais. Never have any of the notorious criminals who have been fielded by ruling class parties as candidates ever be arrested boldly by police as they openly go about their job of political intimidation and outright murder.
Shaheed Mela in Memory of Comrade Brajesh
A Shaheed Mela was organised on 15 march in Purnea to commemorate 23rd anniversary of the martyrdom of Comrade Brajesh Mohan Thakur who was killed by feudal forces in Kakarbigha village (now renamed Brajesh Gaon) 23 years ago. This brave leader of the masses was only 23 at the time of his martyrdom. He had organised poor peasants against barbaric feudal oppression in Dhamdaha area of Purnea. A very large participation of masses in the Mela was evidence enough to see the historic importance of the struggle Comrade Brajesh fought and the martyrdom he made. That people are now organising themselves against the feudal forces and the state with renewed vigour and determination.
Party General Secretary Comrade Dipankar Bhattacharya inaugurated the martyr's Memorial and hoisted the flag followed by a minute's silence to pay tribute. He said that Brajesh carried forward the legacy of Bhagat Singh who had said that independence can not be achieved without the emancipation of workers and peasants. Later Comrade Chandrashekhar also felled to the bullets of Shahabuddin in the soil of Bihar who hed gone there to strengthen the struggle for a new Bihar. Purnea's communist MLA Ajit Sarkar was also killed by feudal-mafia forces. He emphasised the need for a strong left alternative in the country.
The Pledge Meeting was presided over by Comrade Madhvi Sarkar and addressed by Rameshwar Paswan, Bindeswari Mandal, Bharti, Com. Brajesh's comrade-in-arms Naval Kishor and others. The proceedings were conducted by Purnea Party Secretary Pankaj Singh.
Cultural Programmes were presented on this occasion throughout the night. This was conducted by Anil Anshuman. The cultural teams of Jharkhand Jan Sanskritik Manch 'Prerna' and Santhali team 'Anjom' presented revolutionary songs in memory of the martyr. 'Kanvan' from Patna gave a good performance. Programmes by Pramod Yadav, Nirmohi ji, Deviram Besra and Soni Tiria were especially liked by the audience. Comrade Lalan Prasad thanked all the participants in the end.
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