In this Issue
Bihar By-poll Pointers: Growing Rejection of Nitish Kumar’s Reign of Loot, Hunger and Lies
It is commonly believed that by-election results tend to go in favour of the incumbent ruling parties. But recent by-election results have come as a major jolt to the powers that be in Delhi and Bihar. The ruling Congress has lost both the Assembly seats for which by-polls were held in Delhi, while in Bihar the JD(U)-BJP combine could win only 5 of the 18 seats that were up for grabs. Earlier, the Congress also suffered heavily in Gujarat where the BJP managed to wrest as many as five seats from the Congress.
The reversal of the Lok Sabha election trends within just four months is indeed quite significant. With prices soaring sky-high and the spectre of drought and starvation looming large over vast stretches of rural India, the anger of the aam aadmi is assuming explosive proportions. The by-elections have reflected this anger quite emphatically.
Most surprising has been the outcome in Bihar. Four months ago, the JD(U)-BJP combine had swept the polls bagging 32 of the 40 seats in the state. Lalu Prasad’s RJD was reduced to a tally of only 4 while Paswan’s LJP failed to open its account. The decline of the RJD triggered a veritable spree of desertion, with prominent RJD leaders seeking political shelter under Nitish Kumar’s umbrella.
Among the 18 seats for which by-elections were held in Bihar, as many as 13 were held by the ruling JD(U)-BJP combine. This time round, a supremely confident Nitish Kumar had predicted a total sweep in favour of his coalition. But the JD(U) has succeeded in retaining only three of its ten seats while the BJP has bagged just two. The JD(U) losers include two prominent dalit leaders who had quit the RJD. While RJD turncoats lost, several JD(U) rebels contesting on RJD/LJP tickets or as independent candidate managed to win.
The results therefore mark a clear popular rejection of the Nitish Kumar government’s loud claims of having ushered in a reign of ‘development with justice’, and the anger of the electorate is resonating among millions of relief-starved rural poor in every corner of the state. Nitish Kumar’s fabled ‘social engineering’ among mahadalits, extreme backwards and pasmanda (backward) Muslims has clearly started showing multiple cracks under the pressure of massive pilferage of development funds and widespread loss of employment and livelihood in Bihar villages.
In an obvious attempt to put up a brave face, Nitish Kumar now attributes the reversals to sundry local factors. But most significantly, the BJP and sections of the JD(U) leadership are busy interpreting the results as a backlash by the predominantly upper caste landed gentry against the report of the Land Reforms Commission and the ‘threat’ of enactment of any legislation in favour of tenants and share-croppers. It should be noted that Lalu Prasad has also acknowledged the role of the disgruntled upper caste electorate. In other words, the election results are already being used as yet another excuse to dump the report of the Land Reforms Commission and thwart the crucial agenda of land reforms, with the complicity of all major non-Left parties in the state.
Another interesting fall-out of the election results is the renewed attempt of the RJD-LJP combine to woo the Congress and restore the erstwhile UPA combination in Bihar. Nitish too has acknowledged the Congress factor – the Congress had fielded candidates in all the 18 seats, winning two – as a spoiler for the JD(U)-BJP. As of now, the Congress seems willing to consider the idea of accommodating the RJD-LJP in a possible coalition in the ensuing Assembly elections in Jharkhand, while reiterating its plan to go it alone in Bihar.
Unlike the Lok Sabha elections, complete seat adjustment among the three major Left parties was not possible in these by-elections as the CPI(M) insisted on contesting even in areas with little or no organisational presence. While the CPI(ML) succeeded in retaining its votes in central Bihar and registering some increase in the northern part, the CPI and CPI(M) votes dropped quite significantly in their important constituencies in Banka and Begusarai districts. The message for the Left is clear: it must further pin down the Nitish Kumar government on each of its failed promises, especially on the questions of land reforms, rural employment, agricultural development and relief and justice for the poor and the deprived.
Adivasi Adhikar Sammelan in Sonebhadra
Just as loot and corruption in NREGA has become a rallying point for rural workers across the country, the Forest Rights Act has mobilized the tribals and forest dwellers against the moves of the various State Governments to evict them from their traditional lands. In this backdrop, an impressive Convention was held in Robertsgunj, district HQ of Sonebhadra, Uttar Pradesh on 15th September 2009. Main demands raised during the convention were- (1) Granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the traditionally forest dwelling castes like Kol, Mushar and Biyar, (2) Issuing ST status certificates to Gond and Kharwar castes who have been recognized as ST, (3) Ensuring the rights of tribals on forests and water-bodies, traditionally used by them, (4) Declaration of Sonebhadra and adjoining districts as drought affected (5) NREGA wages to be hiked to Rs.200/- per day with 200 days of ensured work in a year, (6) In view of the drought, waiver of all government and private loans of the farmers.
Thousands of rural poor and tribals from the districts of Sonebhadra, Mirzapur and Chandauli took out a procession in the town before converging in the Ramlila Ground for the Convention. Addressing the Convention, CPI(ML) General Secretary Com. Dipankar Bhattacharya said that the Forest Rights Act, instead of empowering the tribals was being used to dispossess them from the lands traditionally occupied by them for generations. Even in the absence of any Maoist activity in that region for some time now, the bogey of Naxalism was being raised by every government to crush the democratic rights of the poor and squander people’s money in the name of development. He said that the Indian state has become totally insensitive toward the genuine aspirations of the masses but the people were resisting moves of the corporate houses and the conniving state governments to steal their lands and livelihood. Singur and Nandigram represent this forward march of the masses. Com. Dipankar called upon the participants to build a powerful mass movement against the present order.
Halt Paramilitary Offensive in Chhattisgarh
(Statement issued by CPI(ML) Central Committee, 20 September 2009)
The paramilitary offensive launched in Bastar by CoBRA battalions along with State police is a matter of grave concern for all those who seek the return of peace in the region. The experience of counter-insurgency offensives in other parts of the country as well as that of the past few years in Chhattisgarh itself have clearly shown that paramilitary ‘cleansing operations’ never bring peace or end militancy. In effect, such operations have invariably spelt a war on the people, with mass scale violations of human rights, and have been quite ineffective in checking military actions by Maoists or insurgent groups.
The UPA Government, by sponsoring a militaristic offensive in Bastar and backing up the Chhattisgarh Government in the patronage of a private militia (the Salwa Judum), is not even heeding the recommendations of the Expert Committee appointed by the Planning Commission. In its report submitted in early 2008, this Committee had explicitly counselled against ineffective militaristic solutions, pointing instead to the need to address the “socio-economic malaise” caused by the State’s failure to ensure basic Constitutional entitlements to the poorest and most deprived of people.
In a highly irresponsible manner, the Home Ministry is accompanying its offensive with screaming ads displaying photographs claimed to be victims of ‘naxalites’ who, the ad claims are “nothing, but cold-blooded murderers.” Civilian killings by Maoists are indefensible. But killings of innocents by the State, in order to brand them as extremists in death, is surely a far more heinous offense. The Home Ministry is silent on the numerous ‘encounters’ in Bastar, where villagers have identified the victims as innocent adivasis rather than ‘dreaded naxalites’. The Ishrat Jehan case has emphasized that ‘encounters’ which are yet to proved genuine by a judicial enquiry are all too likely to be fake. Are fake encounters not cold-blooded murders? An estimated 2 lakh adivasi people of Bastar have been rendered homeless since the launch of the Salwa Judum offensive in 2005. There have been several charges of rape and loot against leaders of the Salwa Judum. What passes for the ‘counterinsurgency’ operation in Chhattisgarh is clearly nothing but a war on the people.
The only road to peace in Bastar, in this situation, can be for the State and central Governments to immediately put an end to the war on the people by private militia (Salwa Judum) and paramilitary; to ensure the return of the displaced adivasis to their villages; and guarantee of their rights to land, livelihood and life.
Anniversary of Infamous Batla House ‘Encounter’
September 19 marked one year of the ‘encounter’ at Batla House – and also one year of the struggle for truth and justice sustained by teachers and students of the Jamia Millia Islamia. On the eve of the anniversary, September 18, students and teachers of various Universities in Delhi and civil rights’ activists participated in a torchlight procession called by the Jamia Teachers’ Solidarity Association (JTSA) and AISA. The spirited procession, as it passed through the lanes scarred by the ‘encounter’ and its aftermath, proved that the Government has been unable to silence the voices demanding judicial enquiry into the ‘encounter’.
WB: AISA Forcing Rollback of Illegal Hike in School Fees
On 15 September All India Students’ Association’s (AISA’s) Malda Dist. Committee leaders met the officials at the office of the Deputy Inspector (schools) at Malda Town demanding an immediate reduction in the high admission fees being charged by various schools of the district. In gross violation of West Bengal Government regulations which state that government schools in rural areas cannot charge fees higher than Rs.63, some schools have been charging exorbitant fees which in some cases are as high as Rs.1000. Since May, AISA has been agitating against the School Committees of Gazole, Manikchowk, Panchanandapur, Kaliachowk and Habibpur blocks. The magnitude of the movement forced the State Education Department to issue a circular asking all schools to refund fees in excess of Rs.63 by 15th July. But the circular had no effect. On 15th September, 300 students carrying placards and banners marched from Rathbari More to the office of the DI. A delegation went to meet the DI but in spite of there being a prior appointment the DI was not present. The delegation submitted a deputation containing signatures of students from various schools to the Assistant Inspector, following which a public meeting was held.
TN: Conference of Load Workers for Livelihood Rights
Tamil Nadu government implements PDS through TN Civil Supplies Corporation (TNCSC). It employs more than 19,000 load workers for all its loading and unloading work in the godowns and the ration shops. They are casual workers working for the corporation for more than 10 years. The government has categorically said that they are not government workers and that they are not entitled to rights and benefits which the other corporation employees enjoy. Permanent workers of Democratic General Workers Union (DGWU) affiliated to All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU) have organized these load workers and have raised their issues. Recently AICCTU has taken up the issue of including them as voters in the elections for TU recognition.
On September 20, Conference of Load Workers for Livelihood Rights was held in Salem in which more than 650 load workers from 14 districts participated. The Conference gave a call for a strike on October 5 and 6 if their demands are not met. Load workers will go on a strike on these days demanding regularization, regular pay scale and other benefits extended to the permanent workers of the Corporation, Rs.7000 minimum wages for those who are not regularized. On October 6 the permanent workers of the Corporation will go on a strike demanding filling up vacancies and PF and Gratuity as third benefit and pension should be at least Rs.6000.
Com.S.Kumarasami, All India President, AICCTU, addressed the gathering among others and called upon the workers not to wait for Karunanidhi’s kindness but to decide their future on their own. He called for the workers to make the October Strike a success and tell the DMK government that the people will not be hoodwinked by the shallow freebies and welfare measures announced by it.
Tiruchi: 9-Day Long Strike of Contract Labourers of Ordnance Factory
About 250 contract labourers of central government ordnance factory, Tiruchi (OFT) are organized under Defence Contract Labourers’ Union affiliated to AICCTU. AICCTU organized several struggles to protect their employment, for minimum wages and for their dignity in the last two years. They are mainly involved in sanitation work. To keep them in contract for ever OFT management is awarding contracts to different contractors once every 6 month. Two months back, management proposed to reduce the number of labourers involved in sweeping and cleaning. Our union served a strike notice to prevent management’s move. Conciliation proceedings were going on with the Assistant labour commissioner (central) and he advised in writing to OFT management not to reduce the number of workers when conciliation is pending. In spite of all this, OFT reduced 40 labourers from 1st September. Union resorted to strike the same day. On the 4th day contractors engaged few workmen from far away villages, taking them inside the factory at midnight. Also on 5th day management suspended Com. Ravindran, permanent employee of OFT and also National Council member of AICCTU on the charge of stopping new contract workers from doing their job. Struggle was taken to new pitch the next day.
Despite OFT being a prohibited area, 300 members of workers and their families sat on a day long dharna in front of the OFT gate. But it was withdrawn on the assurance of the Inspector of police for Union’s meeting with Dy.SP, Tahsildar and management. On the 8th day of the strike, Union leadership held a long discussion with Additional GM of OFT in the presence of Dy.SP and Thasildar inside the factory premises. During the discussion management agreed to take 30 workers in stages in this month and another 10 will be subsequently inducted. Union’s demand of giving employment to all 110 on rotational basis (loss in wages will be shared among all 110) was also agreed upon. But management dillydallied on the revocation of Com. Ravindra’s suspension by explaining their procedural difficulty in revoking and union walked out of the meeting on this issue.
On 9th day of strike, General body meeting decided to end the strike with the gains and resolved to continue all democratic forms of struggles like wearing demand cards, demonstrations etc. until Com. Ravindran’s suspension is revoked. Workers were firmly with AICCTU leadership throughout the strike period in spite of threats and intimidation by contractors and also they have not allowed local big shots and ruling party politicians to interfere. 10 women workers doing clerical job were also firmly with us in spite of pressure from all quarters. CITU’s Contract Labourer Union from another ordnance factory released posters in solidarity with our struggle. Contract workers have to prepare for a prolonged struggle in the days to come.
Flood Victims’ Struggle for Relief, Food Security and Employment
District-wide Blockade held in Darbhanga on 11 Sep.
A Fortnight-long Seize the Block Office campaign in Darbhanga
Earlier it was draught. The Govt. seemed reluctant to make preparations for the floods. As soon as the water catchment areas of Nepal were lashed with heavy rains many districts in Bihar, including Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Kishanganj and Katihar, became inundated by the perennial floods. Many embankments swept away like earlier years leaving many dead and damaging properties. Out of 18 blocks in Darbhanga 12 are now heavily affected by floods.
It seems the state govt. has not taken any lessons from the previous year’s devastating floods. The Chief Minister and Governor have already accomplished their ceremonial visits to the affected areas, but a concrete work-plan to give relief to the flood affected people is yet to take off and relief work has been left to spontaneity. First severe draught, then floods coupled with the steep price rise has created famine like situation in whole of Darbhanga district. Small and middle peasants and sharecroppers have become paupers with their everything drowned under the waters. The food supply department of Darbhanga, marred with loot and corruption over poor’s food and kerosene, remains aloof in spite of such a grim situation. One can not see a month’s ration even in the households of those dalits and poor who have been given the Antyodaya ration cards. On an average there is hardly 3-4 days’ ration in households of poor localities. And unpaid wages for NREGA work is still pending amounting to lakhs of rupees in almost every village and panchayat.
The Party’s ‘Food for all, Job for all’ campaign took off in Bihar on 1 September with ‘Seize the Block Office’ (Ghera Dalo – Dera Dalo) movement in all the blocks. Militant protests were organized at the 14 block offices on 5 September. A district level mobilization with the demand of relief distribution was held on 7 September where thousands of people came from villages. But the district and state administration remained idle, and it was decided to organize a half-day Chakka Jam from 7 am to 12 pm on 11 September. This resulted in clashes with the police at some places. At one place many protesters including women got injured in the police lathi-charge.
The administration still did not take any initiative causing increased resentment among flood victims. At Biraul sub-division the condition of Lal Bahadur Saha, who was sitting on a hunger strike in protest, began to deteriorate seriously. This resulted in outburst of people’s simmering anger in the form of spontaneous protests throughout the sub-division. Many officers and employees in sub-division office were forced to leave the campus by the protesting people. People declared to continue the seizure of office till proper relief distribution work is not started by the administration. Ultimately administration succumbed to peoples’ pressure and started the relief work. However, it has lodged criminal cases against the protestors under various false and harsh sections.
Similar blockades were also held at Bahadurpur and Sadar subdivisions for a full fortnight. Dozens of leaders sat there on hunger strike. The health conditions of Abhishek Kumar, Damodar Paswan and Sitaram became serious on 13th day of fasting. They were hospitalized. Many women hunger strikers in Sadar subdivision were also given medical aid. The movement spread in whole of the district and was gradually gaining militant momentum. The officials were hesitant to go to their offices and the treasury remained closed for so many days left the administrative machinery almost to a standstill.
The militancy and day-to-day increasing participation of the common masses ultimately forced the District Magistrate to call the Party for proper negotiations which led the DM to announce a relief package upto the village level. He then ordered to properly distribute PDS grains and Kerosene as well as to make pending payments of wages under the NREGA. Still the administration is evading the question of giving relief to every affected person.
It has been decided to continue the movement against Nitish Govt.’s callousness and betrayal of the promise of providing relief to 1 crore 23 lakh (12.3 million) people affected by the drought and the floods. The State Govt. is now backtracking from the promise in the name of lack of Central assistance. A joint meeting of Left parties was held which decided to hold a gherao of district headquarters on 22 September.
CPI(ML) Fights the Vedic Village Scam
A protest demonstration against the Vedic Village scam was organised in front of the Rajarhat police station on 11 September. Some of those who have lost their lands presented their experience before the public gathering. A memorandum was also submitted at the police station. Main demands included: CBI enquiry into the scam; immediate end of all land acquisitions; sacking of Urban Development Minister Goutam Dev and Land and Land Revenue Minister Rezzak Molla; unconditional release of seven persons arrested earlier for participating in agitations against land grab; arrest of ministers, panchayat office bearers, party leaders and others involved in the scam, and monetary compensation to the family of the person who died on the day of clashes on the football ground (23 August). The programme and the preparatory propaganda that was carried on in nearby areas prior to it evoked very enthusiastic popular response. The day before the protest meeting, organizers of the meeting went to the villages of Rajarhat to campaign, and met many people who narrated their experiences of eviction and forcible land acquisitions. Some of them attended the meeting in front of the Rajarhat Police Station the next day.
Communal Attempts to Oppose Namaz in North West Delhi Foiled
The Muslim community of Rajapur village in Sector-9, Rohini of Delhi has been offering namaz in a local public park for the past decade. Some communal elements have begun trying to disrupt and oppose this. When representatives of the local Organizing Committee for Id Namaz preparations met the local Councillor (who is from the BJP) in this regard, he told them to secure a ‘recommendation’ from the very people who are creating communal tension by opposing the namaz!
Local CPI(ML) activists and the Delhi State Committee of CPI(ML) intervened in the matter, and secured an assurance from the DCP that the minority community would not face harassment. However, the local thana continued to deny the possibility of holding namaz. One night, some anti-social elements entered the house of CPI(ML) activist Mohd. Fahim (who is also President of the Organising Committee for Id Namaz preparations in Rajapur village this year), assaulted him and attempted to forcibly abduct him from his home. The assailants fled in a hurry because of the timely arrival of neighbours at the spot. Local CPI(ML) activists then gheraoed the Prashant Vihar thana at night and demanded arrest of the assailants. Next morning, a delegation of the CPI(ML) led by the State Secretary Sanjay Sharma met the local SHO and demanded the arrest of the elements conspiring to fan up communal tensions. A memorandum was also sent to the Delhi CM on the issue. The CPI(ML) also announced a Peace March in the area demanding action against the communal elements and holding of namaz in the park. The March was withdrawn after the demands were met: elements who had attacked Mohd. Fahim were arrested and the police assured that namaz would be held. On the eve of Id, there was yet another attempt at communal mischief, with hose pipes placed in the park to flood it and make it unusable. Vigilant CPI(ML) activists promptly pressed the police to act, and the pipes were removed. On the day of Id, Namaz prayers were peacefully held in the park..
|
