The Srinagar Killings and the Hijack Hoax

The ghastly incident of suicide bombing outside the J & K Assembly has evoked countrywide condemnation. Such large-scale killing of innocent civilian non-combatant population including women and children is totally unconscionable and no sane person can support or condone an incident like this. The incident has been condemned by the international community including Pakistan and no organisation has come forth to own its responsibility.

The official response to this incident - articulated by both the Farooq Abdullah government as well as the Vajpayee government at the Centre - has followed the arrogant American pattern. Just as President Bush responded to the September 11 tragedy with an immediate call for global war, Farooq Abdullah's widely televised 'emotional' address to the Assembly was also equally explicit in calling for a full-scale war against Pakistan. Vajpayee too lost no time to send yet another letter to President Bush seeking American intervention and telling him that patience was in short supply. And then all norms of parliamentary democracy were shelved to allow Union Home Minister LK Advani to address the members of the J & K Assembly - albeit the special session was held not in the Assembly building - and the war call reverberated there as well.

Such war rhetoric could really prove dangerous in the charged situation that currently prevails in the region with war clouds gathering in the Afghan sky and Pakistan sitting atop a powder keg. If ever there were any illusion in any mind that America would resolve India's Kashmir problem, the aftermath of September 11 has exposed the futility of harbouring such an illusion. Yet Vajpayee remains obsessed with his fond dream of dislodging Pakistan from its newfound status as America's most crucial client in the region by wooing the US ever harder!

Till recently India was officially opposed to the internationalisation of the Kashmir problem. Today stung to the quick by the palpable failure of its US-centric foreign policy, the Vajpayee government is going out of its way to internationalise the Kashmir question. While condemning the killings in Srinagar, democratic national opinion must unequivocally reject this crass jingoistic manipulation of the horrific crime and the invitation being extended to the US to meddle in the mess and talibanise Kashmir.

That some forces are deliberately trying to whip up a war-frenzy in the country again became clear with the staging of the hijack drama. It will perhaps never be known as to where and how the rumour originated, but no one less than the union civil aviation minister corroborated and spread it and 'investigative journalists' began identifying 'the hijackers' while there were none!

The role of the Farooq Abdullah government has itself been a major source of problems in Kashmir. With his elitist politics and pompous style, Farooq has long managed to squander away whatever popular appeal once used to be enjoyed by the Abdullah family thanks to the historic role of Sheikh Abdullah. He only made maters worse by joining the NDA and getting his son inducted as a minister in the Vajpayee cabinet. And now if he believes he can sob his way to the hearts of the Kashmiri people - his address to the J & K Assembly was a curious combination of Vajpayee's style and Advani's substance - he cannot be more mistaken.

India's only hope to ever find a political solution to the Kashmir problem and contain the worsening situation on the ground lies in steering clear of the US-led war campaign. The present policy of wooing and appeasing Washington and the perverse attempt to attract American attention by provoking a war with Pakistan - even if it is only verbal at the moment - can only prove to be a recipe for all-round disaster.

Say 'NO' to War : CPI(ML) Strongly Condemns US Bombing of Afghan Cities

While strongly condemning the US bombing of Afghan capital and other densely populated cities like Kandahar and Jalalabad on the night of 7 October, CPI(ML) termed this barbaric act of US war-monsters as "continuity of the US politics of imperialist hegemony over the world, third world countries in particular". The Party also condemned Vajpayee govt. for its apologetic attitude towards he US and its attempts to create a pro-war atmosphere in India for tagging it with US war design and appealed to all peace-loving people to firmly say NO to war.

The CPI(ML) activists and supporters organised a protest demonstration at Parliament Street in New Delhi on 8 October, where they burnt the effigy of Bush. It was led by Com. S Bhattacharya, Kumudini Pati, Rajendra Pratholi and others.

In the industrial township of Dhanbad, where AICCTU is holding its national conference, a massive anti-war procession led by CPI(ML) Gen. Secy. Com. Dipankar Bhattacharya was taken out on 8 October, in which large number of workers and other people took part. Addressing the agitators Com. Dipankar said, "Bypassing the UNO whose session on terrorism is still inconclusive, Bush and Blair administrations have gone on unilateral war of aggression. This is nothing but an act of brutal terror and barbarity." Com. Dipankar warned Vajpayee govt. to desist from offering support and legitimacy to US aggression. Terming the US attack as "enduring terror and enduring hypocrisy", he called upon all peace-loving patriotic and democratic Indians to rise in vigorous protest against imperialist loot, terror and aggression.

In Patna, anti-war march started from State Party office and covering a 6 km route got converted into a mass meeting at AIR square. It was led by Party leaders Com. Ram Naresh Ram, Ram Jatan Sharma, Ramji Rai and Ranjit Abhigyan. Agitators burnt the effigy of US president Bush.

Marches were also taken out in Kolkata, Guwahati, Bhubaneshwar, Allahabad Gonda and Varanasi. In Lucknow, the effigy of Bush was burnt in a demonstration held on 9 October. In Bihar, marches were held in Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Arrah, Jahanabad, Siwan and Samastipur. Earlier, in Lucknow, a mass meeting against US war jingoism was organised at Kakori on 6 October. In North Dinajpur of W.B., a torchlight procession was organised on 20 September.

In Jalandhar of Punjab, six Marxist-Leninist organisations including CPI(ML) Liberation, New Democracy, AIPRF, Inquilabi Ekta Kendra, etc. organised a well-attended anti-imperialist war convention on 8 October at Deshbhakt Yadgar Hall. Com. BB Pandey addressed the convention. Later a joint anti-war march was taken out.

Earlier on 29 September, protest programmes against war were organised in different places of Assam. As the part of the programme, citizens of Guwahati brought out a procession from District Library which covered main areas of Panbazar and at the end of the procession a brief meeting was held addressed by eminent citizens like Dr. Amalendu Guha, Anil Rai Choudhuri, Preeti Baruah, Dr. Manirul Hussain, veteran artist Dilip Sarma, Biswajit Chakravorty, Nitya Borah, Adip Kr Phukan. A citizens' peace committee against war was also formed. SUCI and an ML faction also took part in the procession. In Sonitpur, CPI(ML) district committee brought out a procession against war and held street meetings. A procession was brought out in Tinsukia where effigies of George W Bush and Vajpayee were burnt.

In Kolkata, State Committee organised an agitational programme at Dumdum Airport on 8 October to protest landing of six Japanese military aircraft in the name of sending relief material to Afghanistan. Around 50 comrades gathered in a street corner near air port at 9 a.m., and around 10 a.m. they suddenly rushed to the International Terminus defying police cordon and started shouting anti-US war slogans, slogans against using our land in the war exercise. In this course, ten of our comrades were arrested by police. AIPWA observed anti-war day on 5 October and organised marches in Delhi and Patna.

Veteran Naxalbari Leader Com. Zail Singh Passes Away

Comrade Zail Singh, 80, an outstanding fighter of Naxalbari, passed away on 22 September at Burraganj in Naxalbari area. Com. Zail Singh played a significant role in reviving our work in this area in the second phase. His whole family was in the thick of the revolutionary movement. In 1976, his son Com. Patal Singh embraced martyrdom while breaking police encirclement. Another of his sons Com. Nemu Singh is working with the Party. Despite his failing health, he felt proud to inaugurate Darjeeling district Party office at Siliguri. While condoling the demise of Com. Zail Singh, we share the grief with his family.

Convention against Globalisation in Assam

"Convention against Globalisation and its impact in backward regions, particularly in the North East India" was held at Cotton College, Guwahati on 7 Oct., 2001 where S. P. Shukla, Convenor, People's Campaign against Globalisation was the Chief Guest. It was inaugurated by Dr. Hiren Gohain, editor of the North-East Times and conducted by veteran intellectual Dr. Amalendu Guha and Anil Rai Choudhury. Prof. Devaprashad Baruah, Ex-VC of Guwahati University and Prof. Tarak Goswami spoke also addressed the convention attended by more than 170 persons including writers, artists, filmmakers, poets, journalists, political activists and trade unionists. the Convention adopted proposals opposing the policy of globalisation and condemned the total surrender by the Vajpayee led NDA Govt. It decided to carry forward the campaign in different places of the state. While condemning terrorist attack in America the Convention condemned the war threats by the Bush Administration as well as Vajpayee's surrender. A convening committee was formed to carry forward the anti-globalisation campaign. Earlier, on behalf of the preparatory committee, speakers were felicitated by Loknath Goswami and welcome address was delivered by Naren Borah.

Dharna in Dispur

Assam State Committee of CPI(ML) held a dharna in front of Assam Assembly on October 1 against price rise and war threats by the Bush administration. More than 200 members from nearing districts took part in the programme. The party warned Vajpayee Govt. not to surrender before Bush administration in the name of curbing terrorism.

Padyatra in Karbi Anglong

In the hill district of Karbi Anglong, a fortnight long CPI(ML) Padyatra was flagged off on 1 October at Diphu with a view to press the demand for autonomous state. The padyatra will take the message of "no autonomous state, no rest" to every village of the district, during which several mass meetings will also be held. In course of the campaign, the conspiracy hatched by Congress and BJP against the autonomy movement of the hill people, as well as the treacherous role of Holiram clique is being exposed.

Party Gears up for a Massive Resistance in Muzaffarpur; RJD and NDA Stand Exposed

The movement against mafiadom and police barbarity that flared up following the kidnap and murder of a child in Muzaffarpur is gathering further momentum. As the culmination of the week-long campaign by CPI(ML), a massive north Bihar rally is going to be held at Muzaffarpur on 9 October. During the campaign, hundreds of mass meetings were held at different places of north Bihar districts. Neck-deep in the game of competitive criminalisation, BJP-Samata and RJD leaders are shedding crocodile tears and trying to check the massive people's resistance that is building up against state-sponsored mafiadom. But discredited as they stand, they are unable to stall the political resistance being mounted by CPI(ML) because it was our Party which gave the successful call of 29 September Bihar Bandh against criminalisation and police barbarity. It is to be noted that after leading and addressing the large rally on 9 October, CPI(ML) General Secretary Com. Dipankar Bhattacharya will undertake a 100-km Padyatra from Khudiram Bose Memorial, Muzaffarpur to Shaheed Smarak, Patna (in front of the Assembly). The Padyatra will be flagged off by veteran Party leader and PB member Com. Ram Naresh Ram and joined in by many Party leaders.

5th All India Conference of AICCTU Inaugurated

The 5th all-India Conference of AICCTU started on 8 October at industrial city of Dhanbad. It was inaugurated by CPI(ML) General Secretary Com. Dipankar. Earlier a massive anti-war rally was brought out, which was led by Com. Dipankar and leaders of AICCTU including Com. Yogeshwar Gope, S Kumarsamy, Mina Pal, Srilata Swaminathan, Swapan Mukherjee and others. The report presented by Com. Swapan Mukherjee, Gen. Secy. in the delegate session takes note of downward trend in economy, negative growth in several sectors and malicious disinvestment drive undertaken by the NDA govt. It also notes the phenomena of decline in employment as well as casualisation and informalisation of labour force, sickness of industries and de-industrialisation. It examines the impact of globalisation, privatisation and liberalisation in details on food security, disinvestment, sickness, organised and unorganised sectors, second labour commission and attacks on workers' rights, and cautions the working class against NDA govt.'s plan to embroil the country in US war plans and RSS plan to instigate communal riots. It takes stock of workers' struggles against globalisation in India and abroad and finally puts forward challenges and tasks. The report says that the challenges faced by Indian working class can only be met by developing wide mass base and giving movemental thrust to the ongoing agitation against the NDA government, which has become symbol of national surrender and subjugation to the imperialist forces. Delegates will discuss this report till 10 October and then the Conference will adopt final resolutions and elect a new National Council.

Movement against Eviction Continues

Ignoring all protests, LF Govt. of West Bengal demolished the houses of residents of Tolly Nullah, but the people did not leave the land they had resided on and set up a community kitchen under the leadership of 'Forum against eviction'. The Govt. did not tolerate this and demolished the kitchen too. But this gave rise to widespread protests from various sections including journalists, and the Govt. had to retreat. It admitted its mistake for demolishing the kitchen but in a attempt to devide the ranks of the movement, the Govt. increased the shifting allowance from Rs 2000 to 2500 per family and announced some sort of concession for some 200 families for purchasing land in other place. However, this trick too failed. A delegation of the 'Forum' met Urban Development Minister and submitted a complete list for rehabilitation. Six central trade unions UTUC, AITUC, TUCC, UTUC(LS), IFTU and AICCTU organised a convention in their support, which was addressed by Sunil Sengupta of UTUC and others. The convention has decided that a delegation of all trade unions, led by Com. Sunil Sengupta would shortly meet the CM and other authorities with this demand.

Party's Kolkata district committee observed 'Condemnation Day' on 6 October, organised street corner meetings in different parts of the city. A procession will be organised on 13 October and AIPWA, along with other left organisations, will organise a convention on 15 October. In the meantime the 'Forum' has appealed to NHRC.

Workers Convention in Bangalore

As the culmination of the campaign towards 5th AICCTU conference, Bangalore unit organised a convention on Sep.30 at Peenya on "Save workers rights, save unorganised workers and save the nation". It was presided by Govindarajan and conducted by T.M.Poonacha. It was also addressed by other TU leaders including Anantha Subba Rao of AITUC, Simhadri of UTUC(LS) along with AICCTU leader Com. Kumarasamy. This is the first time these unions came to our stage in Karnataka. Diwakar of PUCL and the representatives of L&T Union, which is on strike and those of Car Mobiles Union, also spoke on the occasion. Srinivas delivered vote of thanks.

Demo in NE Coalfields

As part of the all-India programme, a strong contingent of more than 200 activists of CMWU displaying placards and banners marched through the streets of Margaretta on 24 October. Processionists forced their entry into office premises of GM, North-Eastern Coal Fields, CIL and staged a demonstration for one hour. Their main demand was immediate payment of arrears and dues interim of 6th Pay Commission. The programme was led by AICCTU leaders Com. Subhjyoti Bardhan, Tinsukia District Secy., Shyamal Dey, Ramjit Harijan and M. Aparna and Com. Subhas Sen, Secy. of Assam State AICCTU.

Initiatives in Delhi

IPSS (security) Mazdoor Union affiliated to AICCTU held its annual conference on 29 September. It was attended by 250 employees. It elected a 15-member executive. Com Lal Bahadur and Ram Babu were elected as president and secretary respectively.

Delhi University (DU) AISA unit organised a march on 25 September centering various problems faced by the students and sent a delegation to meet the Vice Chancellor. On 28 September, the DU unit of AISA organised its conference. It elected a 26-member executive. Com. Srikant and Com. Ravi were elected as its president and secretary respectively.

Arundhati Roy on Algebra of US War

"Today, as some of us watch in horror, the Indian government is furiously gyrating its hips, begging the US to set up its base in India rather than Pakistan. Having had this ringside view of Pakistan's sordid fate, it isn't just odd, it's unthinkable, that India should want to do this. Any third world country with a fragile economy and a complex social base should know by now that to invite a superpower such as America in (whether it says it's staying or just passing through) would be like inviting a brick to drop through your windscreen. Operation Enduring Freedom is ostensibly being fought to uphold the American Way of Life. It'll probably end up undermining it completely. It will spawn more anger and more terror across the world. For ordinary people in America, it will mean lives lived in a climate of sickening uncertainty: will my child be safe in school? Will there be nerve gas in the subway? A bomb in the cinema hall? Will my love come home tonight? There have been warnings about the possibility of biological warfare smallpox, bubonic plague, anthrax the deadly payload of innocuous crop-duster aircraft. Being picked off a few at a time may end up being worse than being annihilated all at once by a nuclear bomb."

"The US government, and no doubt governments all over the world, will use the climate of war as an excuse to curtail civil liberties, deny free speech, lay off workers, harass ethnic and religious minorities, cut back on public spending and divert huge amounts of money to the defence industry. To what purpose? President Bush can no more rid the world of evil-doers' than he can stock it with saints. It's absurd for the US government to even toy with the notion that it can stamp out terrorism with more violence and oppression. Terrorism is the symptom, not the disease. Terrorism has no country. It's transnational, as global an enterprise as Coke or Pepsi or Nike. At the first sign of trouble, terrorists can pull up stakes and move their factories' from country to country in search of a better deal. Just like the multi-nationals."

(Guardian, London, 29-9-01)

Anti-War Voices Around the Globe

In USA, antiwar demonstrations took place in New York following the US bombing of Afghanistan. About 100 people demonstrated outside British Prime Minister Tony Blair's office, chanting "welfare not warfare!" and "we don't want this war." "We have had these wars in the past and they create more terrorism than they prevent," said 55-year-old Londoner Jamie Ritchie. World Council of Churches asked US to stop the War. In Italy, there was an anti-war demonstration.

Drums of peace sounded out as hundreds of people marched through downtown Ottawa to demand a constructive response to terrorism. They gathered on Parliament Hill while the NATO Assembly of Parliamentarians was meeting down the street at the Congress Centre. People said Canada and the US should seek protection by adopting international policies ensuring equality and good corporate citizenship. "We can't lock ourselves up in North America and protect ourselves with a fence." Richard Sanders, chief organiser of the Vigil For Peace, told the rally that NATO assembly is "writing a blank cheque" to the U.S. to wage its war against terrorism. But Sanders said the rally is a key step in forging an alliance of citizen groups including environmentalists, unions and churches to counter the rhetoric of war. Claiming civilians represent 90% of people killed in wars, Sanders concluded, "therefore, war is terrorism."

In Philippines, 19 people were killed in a clash between anti-war guerrillas and the army. Largescale protests went on in Pakistan with people pledging solidarity with Afghanistan. One placard read "War is terrorism, No War". Police fired, killing 3 persons. In Indonesia, huge demonstration took place before the UN mission as US embassy has been closed there. Iran asked US to stop war, saying that the US strikes on neighboring Afghanistan were " unacceptable". Baghdad called the joint military strike "treacherous aggression." Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in Baghdad called the attack "an act of aggression that runs contrary to international law." Moustafa Abdel Salam, a Cairo accountant, said "America is now fighting terrorism, when it is the one that has created terrorism from the beginning."