On the Occasion of International Human Rights Day, 2001:
People's Resistance Must Prevail over
POTO and POCA

This 10th of December while the whole world observed yet another International Human Rights Day, discussing ways and means to expand and deepen the meaning of human rights, in India the ruling NDA government was busy giving finishing touches to Operation POTO. Addressing the Punjab and Haryana Chambers of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), Advani once again thundered that the government was determined to enact POTO by any means. Incidentally, he also used this occasion to give a new twist to the meaning of swadeshi. He disclosed that swadeshi was not about opposing foreign multinationals, it was only about promoting Indian corporate houses to the level of MNCs! Draconian assaults on human rights and determined assurances for corporate capital are indeed two sides of the same coin.

While Advani was exposing the links between his POTO-packed doctrine of a 'hard or effective state' and the new economic gospel of LPG (liberalisation, privatisation, globalisation), Vajpayee was busy wooing the Suzukis and Mitsubishis in Japan. But he also did another job on the side, meeting Naga rebel leaders on Japanese soil. After subjecting Nagaland and the entire North-East to decades of brutal counter-insurgency operations 'legalised' under the infamous Armed Forces Special Powers Act, the search for a 'political solution' now compels our saffron rulers to hold talks with NSCN leaders in third countries. Will someone ask the POTO enthusiasts of BJP and NDA as to why this political realism cannot be extended to the contemporary 'spectre of terrorism'?

Advani's voice found a disgraceful echo in an area where one would least expect it. "Consensus or no consensus, POTO is here to stay", said Advani. "POTO or no POTO, I'll have my POCA", echoed the West Bengal Chief Minister, the latest corporate darling of CPI(M), the one and only Buddhadev Bhattacharya. POCA, incidentally, is the acronym for Bhattacharya's POTO-inspired brainwave: Prevention of Organised Crime Act. Bhattacharya had initially threatened to introduce it in the form of an ordinance called POCO, but he had to retreat in the face of widespread opposition, including debates among his own Left Front partners and within his own party. He had to drop the idea of an ordinance for a bill and that too not for the current session of the West Bengal Assembly. This 'retreat' probably compelled Bhattacharya to reassure his new-found corporate friends and rightwing admirers that he was prepared to go to any length to realise his POCA dream!

Meanwhile, the POTO-prompted ban on MCC and PWG has further exposed the inherent bias of POTO. First 23 organisations associated with the minority Muslim community and now two organisations linked to the ML movement, altogether 25 organisations have so far been banned under POTO while all outfits of the extended Sangh Parivar starting from the RSS to the Ranvir Sena, which are busy terrorising and killing people in real life, are left scotfree! Even before the formal imposition of this ban, the Rajnath Singh government in UP has been engaged in a systematic campaign to 'eliminate' Naxalites! And the brunt of this campaign is being borne in the state by our Party and the oppressed rural poor, labouring dalits and adivasis of eastern UP. The Mirzapur episode provides indication enough about the shape of things tio come.

But then, Mirzapur has also pointed to the potential of people's resistance against state repression. It has shown that even a lawless dispensation like Rajnath Singh's regime in UP can be pushed back by a determined people.

This country has certainly become more alive to the danger of state repression. It has witnessed how the repression campaign launched against communist revolutionaries in the late '60s and early '70s had culminated in the infamous midnight knock of Emergency. It has experienced the havoc of TADA. All this exposure and experience have created a stronger ground for the defence of democracy and expansion of human rights movement in the country. The country has gained its independence by challenging the black laws of the British colonial rulers. It has defied and defeated Indira Gandhi's autocratic rule and kept the democratic experiment going through all fascist threats. No POTO can suppress this determined spirit of our fighting people. No POCA can distort the glorious leftwing legacy of sacrifice and struggle for a genuine people's democracy.

Oppose This Assault on Democracy

In a statement issued on 6 December, Party Gen. Secy. said, "The ban declared on the PWG and MCC and all their 'formations and front organisations' under POTO is a patently undemocratic step". "At a time when POTO has generated countrywide controversy" and Parliament is in session... "Invoking it to ban more organisations is an insult to the basic conventions of parliamentary democracy."

He also said that "the loaded reference to all their formations and front organisation is mischievous and arbitrary and is liable to be used indiscriminately" to harass and persecute the struggling oppressed rural poor, all leftwing political activists, students and even cultural and human rights activists.

"While in no way subscribing to, or justifying or even condoning the anarchist activities of MCC and PWG, we appeal to all defenders of democracy and justice in this country to oppose this ban and mount pressure on the Vajpayee government to withdraw the ban and the draconian POTO", he said

Homage to Martyrs

On 29 November, Com. Manoj Ram (24) was killed by local feudal-criminal gang at Bhadwar village of Brahmapur block in Buxar (Bihar). Com. Manoj was a Party activist and son of martyr Com. Kesho. With the intent of perpetrating a massacre, the assassins showered bullets killing a 70-year old Pulis Yadav and a 15-year old girl. A protest meeting was held at Sonbarsa, participated in by around 1,000 people, who pledged to avenge the death of martyrs.

March Against Police Atrocities in UP

Responding to the call issued by CPI(ML), thousands of people from Chandauli, Sonebhadra, Gazhipur, Ambedkar Nagar and Ballia participated in "March to Mirzapur" on 5 December against police atrocities and for democracy. The administration was taken aback and for the time being, the repressive machinery was at the receiving end. This was a day of unity and assertion of dalits, adivasis and poor. Starting from Mirzapur railway station, the procession led by Party General Secretary Com. Dipankar Bhattacharya broke the prohibitory orders and passing through main streets of the city reached District Collectorate, where it took the shape of a dharna, and a public meeting was held. Addressing it Com. Dipankar said that the police attack on adivasis, dalits and workers of Mirzapur, Chandauli and Sonebhadra is the dress rehearsal of POTO. Demanding the withdrawal of this draconian measure, he said the CPI(ML) is fighting for democracy against fascist rule and all attempts to trample the poor's assertion will be given a fitting rebuff. Com. Akhilendra Pratap Singh, UP Party State Secretary said that innocent adivasis and dalit agrarian labourers are suffering under inhuman police repression, their property is being looted and homes destroyed, their youth are being thrashed in police stations and women are raped, and even CPI(ML) activists are being meted out third degree treatment. The Party's struggle will continue till the police and administrative officials responisble for all this are punished and moreover, the culprits of Bhawanipur massacre are hanged. Prominent among those addressing the meeting were Rameshwar Prasad, ex-MP, Chittaranjan Singh, president PUHR, Pyarelal Jaiswal, CPI(M) Distt. Secy., Basmati Kol, Block Pramukh Naugarh, Party state leaders Ambarish Rai, Sudhakar Yadav, Yashwant Singh, Ishwari Prasad, Dinkar Kapoor, Shubhra of AIPWA and Ajit Singh Yadav of AISA. It was presided over by Com. Ramgulli Chaturvedi and conducted by Md. Salim, RYA State President. Earlier, a dharna was staged by CPI(ML) Lucknow unit on the same issue on 3 December and dharna and demonstration were held at various other places including district headquarters of Kushinagar.

SC Verdict on BALCO is Anti-Poor

The Supreme Court verdict on BALCO sale has came up as a major threat to Indian working class movement. The clean chit given to central govt. in the sale of a profit-making PSU for a peanut exposes the real essence of "judicial activism". In recent past, the Supreme Court has been instrumental in dislocating industries and public transport system in the Capital, threatening the livelihood of more than 15 lakh workers and poor people. In Narmada Valley case, where the people have been displaced due to Sardar Sarovar Project without any resettlement, the Supreme Court not only issued decree against the poor tribals but also initiated proceedings against Medha Patkar and Arundhati Roy for "daring" to express dissent. Now through the BALCO verdict, the Supreme Court has given its tacit approval to sale of public assets for a song to dubious companies like Sterlite. The issue of transferring tribal lands to private companies, however, did not become a concern of Supreme Court.

The decision has come as a shock to the nation, because it has opened the gates for the NDA Govt. to embark on even murkier disinvestment deals, and with more gusto. Taking the cue, High Courts may put their weight on the govt. side, adjudicating the cases filed there against disinvestment of various PSUs. Thus the "neutrality" of bourgeois institutions has been further exposed. However, the working class is in a defiant mood. The massive 3 day successful strike by more than 7 lakh coal workers against the proposed privatisation is an indicator.

Autonomous Council Elections in Hill districts

In the recently held elections to local autonomous councils in Karbi Anglong and NC Hills districts of Assam, Congress bagged 13 seats (out of 26) in Karbi Anglong, ASDC(U) led by Holiram won 10 seats and ASDC(P) won only 2 seats. In NC Hills, Congress bagged 14 seats (out of 23), ASDC(U) got 4 seats and rest 5 seats went to the independents.

Kisan Convention in Kerala

All India Kisan Organisation attached to CPI(ML)-Red Flag organised a convention on at Kottayam in Kerala. Inaugurating the convention Com Rajaram Singh highlighted the need of united peasant resistance to the new agrarian policies charted out by NDA govt. that are threatening the very existence of Indian agriculture. Prominent among others present included Karnataka farmer leader Prof. N.D. Nanjundaswamy. Resolutions to intensify movement against WTO-dictated agrarian policies were passed in the convention. Com. PJ Baby, National Convenor of Kisan organisation, thanked the participants.

Seminar on Women's Issues

A seminar on "Violence against Women" was held by Champa -- the Amiya and BG Rao Foundation on 8 Dec. at Constitution Club. Speakers brought to the fore the adverse effect of war (as in Afghanistan) and repression by security forces (as in Kashmir) on women as well as their general oppression in rural and urban bustees due to social customs. Participants included Ms Saba Hussain and Ashima Kaul from Kashmir, Khushi Rukh Kabir from Bangladesh, Flavia Agnes from Mumbai, Kavita Srivastava from Rajasthan and Kumudini Pati, Gen. Secy of AIPWA. A play "Kamla" was staged by students of KM College and a film "Provoked Wife" by Gita Sahgal was screened. The seminar passed resolutions denouncing Afghan war and violence against women by security forces in South Asia .

Management Forced to Talk

In Trans Media Ltd., Pondicherry, a surgical instruments manufacturing company with 500 workmen, the AICCTU-affiliated union has been on struggle for last 3 months on the demand of reinstatement of dismissed and suspended workers. As the management was adamant in avoiding negotiations, the union called for an industrial bandh on 10 Dec. and organised a massive campaign, which drew enthusiastic response and large sections of workers. Sensing the workers' militant mood, Industrial Estate Owners Association and even the labour Minister intervened and the management was forced to start the process of negotiations.

6th December 2001
Anti-Communal Anti-Fascist Day Observed

This year, 6 December, the day Babri Masjid was demolished 9 years back, was observed by CPI(ML) and its mass organisations as "Anti-communal, anti-fascist day" all over India, by bringing out protest marches, holding dharnas and mass meetings.

On this day, Party General Secretary Com. Dipankar Bhattacharya led thousands of protestors joining 'Secular March' in Patna, which started from JP Chowk, Gandhi Maidan and went up to Railway Station chowk. Notable among others leading the march were Gandhian thinker Razi Ahmed, ex-VC Patna University M. Mohiuddin and Dr SNP Sinha, Ali Anwar of Pasmanda Muslim Mahaj, Fathers P. Mantra, Josh and KC Phillip of Civil Freedom Movement, leader of '74 movement Arshad Ajmal, Khursheed Alam of Inquilabi Muslim Conference, Com. Yogeshwar Gope of AICCTU, S. Kawaljit Singh of Bihar Sikh Representatives Board, Party leaders Ramjatan Sharma, KD Yadav, Saroj Chaube, Ramji Rai and Raja Ram, Khet Mazoor Sabha Gen. Secy. Rameshwar Prasad, lawyers Basant Chaudhary and Ratneshwar Prasad Singh,and leaders of Unity Initiative, PCC, AIPRF, Shoshit Samaj Dal, JSV, etc.

In his speech Com. Dipankar said that on the one hand, saffron attacks on Indian culture have continued since the demolition of Babri Masjid, all education and history is being communalised, and on the other, Indian Govt. is mortgaging the sovereignty of the country by way of concluding the Indo-American military pact. Quipping that it is Sangh Parivar that should have been prohibited, he forcefully asserted that Party's nationwide struggle against POTO in defence of democracy will continue till last, as will the struggle against communal fascism and imperialism. The meeting was presided over by Com. Kamlesh Sharma.

Party organised meetings in various areas of Jharkhand state to observe 'Secularism Day' and held protest marches. The main programme by State Committee was organised at Barkakana of Hazaribagh district. Adressing to the meeting there, State Secretary Com. Suvendu Sen and Party CC member and MLA Com. Mahendra Singh said that the Central Govt. is conspiring to crush toiling people's movements for better livelihood and democracy by imposing POTO. The true features of POTO are abundantly clear as no step has been taken against Ranvir Sena, VHP and Bajrang Dal. CPI(ML) leaders also condemned the arrest of left leaders who had been sitting on dharna on the same day. An effigy of Prime Minister Vajpayee was burnt. The procession was led by Javed Islam, Baijnath Mistry and Devki Nandan Bedia.

In Giridih, hundreds of people participated in a protest march under the leadership of Com. Vijay Kumar Singh, Ashok Paswan, Mustaqi, Mumtaz Ansari, Parmeshwar Mahato. Protest martches were also held at Garhwa, Daltonganj, Jaina More in Bokaro, etc.

In Lucknow of U.P., a 'Secular March' was brought out by CPI(ML) from Charbagh Station to Vidhan Sabha. It was led by State Standing Committee member Com. Lal Bahadur Singh. At Vidhan Sabha, a mass meeting was held jointly by Party and All India Muslim Forum, in which a pledge to build a modern, secular democratic India was reiterated. It was addressed by CPI(ML) leaders Ishwarchandra, Muslim Forum Gen. Secy. MK Sherwani, Ramesh Sengar of AICCTU, Shobha Singh of AIPWA, Rakesh Singh of AISA and IPTA State Secy Rakesh. Also, a secular march was brought out in Pilibhit and a dharna was staged in Varanasi.

In Delhi, Party activists brought out a procession from Mandi House to Jantar Mantar and held a meeting there. It was addressed, among others, by Swapan Mukherjee, Kumudini Pati, Rajendra Pratholi and Ranjit Abhigyan. At the end of the meeting, the effigy of Home Minister LK Advani was burnt. In Jaipur, a joint workers' meeting was organised where a pledge was taken to fight against anti-poor anti-working class communal agenda of the BJP-led government. The meeting was addressed, among others, by Party CC member Com. Srilata Swaminathan and State Party Secy. Mahendra Chaudhary.

Students' Strike in Spain

Around 25 lakh students in the schools and universities plunged into general strike all over Spain on Nov. 28. It was called by Marxists-led student union to oppose the reactionary education law of the rightist reactionary Aznar government. This was the fourth in the wave of strikes launched by the Spanish students since October 25.

In the beginning, about 10,000 students mainly from secondary schools initiated the struggle. This compelled the university students and trade unions to join the fight. This was the most significant student mobilisation since 1986, when the student's union led a massive movement of 3,000,000 students lasting for more than 4 months and ending in a historic victory.

In the second wave of struggle on Nov.7, streets in Spain witnessed more than 300,000 student demonstrators. Then in the third wave was on Nov. 14., the struggle further expanded and the number of participants increased to almost 5 lakh demonstrators -- all students. According to opinion polls, 80% of the Spanish people support the student's demands and reject the privatisation policies of the govt.

Following this the students' union called the Nov 28 struggle in which 200,000 students came onto the streets in the demonstrations. After this success, the students' union is preparing for a general strike as the fifth wave before Christmas, to bring the whole educational system in Spain to a stop in support of its demands.

Why Not Ban Ranvir Sena and Bajarang Dal?

"The BJP-led government seems determined to push one cynical agenda after another, celebrating the coercive face of the state apparatus... The manner in which POTO was brought forward without consulting the opposition or permitting a wider public debate only confirms its closed-mind approach.

"... There is a legitimate fear that minorities, dissenters and secular opponents of the government could be at the receiving end of the State's counter terrorism.

"The use of POTO against a family in Srinagar has proved the point. The use of POTO against the PWG and the MCC has further proved the need for abrogation of the new anti-terrorism ordinance. Even those who may not approve of the activities of these groups will notice that these movements have surfaced in places where implementation of land reforms has been sabotaged by the powerful landed sections. It would be sheer folly to club these groups with Taliban- type terrorist outfits like the Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Tayyba. The space for democratic discorse and civil activism is further threatened when no less a person than the Union law minister declares that terrorists operate through civil liberties organisations. The government needs to know where to draw the line. Will it also explain as to why the Ranvir Sena, the armed private army of upper castes in Bihar, or for that matter the Bajrang Dal, have not been banned?" (Excerpts from the editorial, Hindustan Times, 7-12-2001)

War is Business by Other Means: Defencegate-II

Money Made out of Kargil Coffins: In its special report on Kargil-era procurement, the CAG of India found gross irregularities in the purchase of coffins by the Army during the war-- 500 aluminium caskets to transport bodies were bought from a US firm Buitron and Baize in August 1999 @ $2,500 each, whereas five years earlier the Indian Army had bought them at $172 a piece from the same company. On enquiry the supplier says 75% of the cost was towards aeronautical grade aluminium (Rs 45.31 lakh per tonne), which is 10 times more than the rate being paid currently by Hindustan Aeronautical Ltd. for importing the highest grade aluminium! The supplier delivered 150 caskets in March 2000 against a 90% payment of $337,500, but the entire lot was subseqently rejected during inspection on grounds of being overweight and welded. These have been kept in stock as of June 2001.

Clothing, Ammunition and Arms Worth Rs. 1046 crore did not reach troops during Operation Vijay:

* Ammunition: Rs. 91.88 cr. spent on ammo whose shelf life had expired; Rs,342.37 cr. spent on importing ordnance made in India.

* Bullet-proof jackets: Rs.15.77 cr. of unjustified additional expenses on 40,000 pieces (against only 20,000 pieces required) at 80 per cent more than the lowest bid rate.

* Terminally guided munitions (Krasnool): Rs. 151 cr. paid to Russian firm for products later found to be sub-standard.

* Hand-held thermal imagers: Rs. 3.01 cr of extra expenditure after Kargil war was over; papers doctored to help French firm.

*Bofors Gun spares: Rs. 6.73 cr extra paid in higher rates.

Third anniversary of Comrade Vinod Mishra's demise falling on 18 December this year is to be observed in a decentralised way by all District and State Committees. Programmes can be taken by way of (i) holding internal cadre meetings to gear up the Party for the present challenges or holding Party class on some subject, or (ii) holding public programmes on anti-imperialist, anti-fascist theme.