Hoping for A Happy New Year

Deep in our heart we longed to wish a happy New Year to our readers. But alas! into this New Year our rulers have dragged our motherland to the brink of an unprecedented all-round crisis - a war, at worst a nuclear one, with Pakistan. Roads of dialogue are being systematically blocked. Tracks of "diplomacy" as well as people-to-people communication are being sealed. Delhi-Lahore bus service has stopped plying. Samjhauta Express is now out of tracks. Roads now lead to the border, messages now carry bullets, bombs and missiles. George Fernandes, having lost the last ounce of credibility and confidence of the nation, and surreptitiously sneaked into the defence ministry, is now trying to overbid his Sangh masters in espousing communal-militarist nationalism. Listen how brazenly he boasts: "We could take a (nuclear) strike, survive and then hit back. Pakistan would be finished." How can Vajpayee-Advani-George & Co. think in terms of finishing either Pakistan or India, when no sane mind even dreams of this eventuality? Such a hazardous track, which the Sangh-led government seems eager to follow, would not only lead to further militarise our economy and call for greater US interventions into our affairs, it will also result in an awful shattering of our already recession-gripped, miserable economy. Only people like George may be happy that such a volatile situation would fertilise the field for a new series of scams for selling the country.

One commentator has thus put it aptly: "The Americans are a bad influence. For years, they have hooked us on MNCs, hamburgers and Jay Leno. And now we're even aping them in war. Ever since those five militants botched their attempt to blow up Parliament, every Indian leader has been sounding like George, Dick and Colin put together." (H.T., 30-12-01) The imperialist bosses are already out to fish in the troubled waters. "My government and my administration are working actively to bring some calm in the region", said none else than the American President George W. Bush.

Of course the entire nation was shocked to see our Parliament attacked. But has the government come out with a complete set of facts regarding the real loopholes in our defence and security setup? Has the government lived up to its duty to enforce concrete measure so as to plug the numerous holes in the defence and home ministries, where the influential lots only excel in making money, be it through 'defence-deal-scams', 'Kargil-coffin scams' or 'smuggle the-secret-documents scam'. Leaving this task of cleaning the cupboard of skeletons, the Vajpayee-Advani-George & Co. has chosen the politically expedient path of desperately creating a war hysteria while talking of a 'diplomatic offensive', closing down the bilateral avenues with Pakistan while eagerly awaiting orders from America.

We firmly hold that the situation does not warrant a war with Pakistan. Nor can any of us -- the nation and the people of India or Pakistan -- afford it. It is patently false to say that war is in the interests of this country. Only the BJP, which has lost all the options of rejuvenating its position of strength, is badly in need of this ultimate weapon to cover up its all-round failure, especially to face the assembly elections in four states including the most crucial UP. But it will cost the nation dear.

Nevertheless, all the earlier attempts to suppress the real issues of the people and the nation by a hoax of fascist-nationalist frenzy have ultimately failed in the face of the wrath of the people. The BJP and its counterparts will have no different fate. So the New Year also has prospects of being a year of happy turnaround of struggles for digging the grave of communal fascism, of intensification of people's democratic movement, which is the ultimate answer to all shades of 'terrorism'. In the New Year, while vigorously wishing newer successes in the people's democratic movements, we reiterate our commitment to be in the van!

CPI(ML) Greets 14th AIFB Party Congress

On behalf of the Party CC, while wishing success to the 14th party congress to be held in Lucknow on 27-29 December, Com. Dipankar Bhattacharya wrote in the message that "deterioration of India-Pakistan relations and the unleashing of war hysteria on both sides of the border is only likely to embolden and strengthen terrorism rather than acting as a deterrent. We therefore hope your Congress would strongly articulate the voice of restraint and oppose the war cries and Sangh Parivar's attempts to whip up jingoistic hysteria in the country."

The message notes that "If the experience of TADA and its predecessors like MISA is anything to go by, black laws like POTO and the constant advocacy of a hard state and a more rigid constitution signal the arrival of an undeclared state of Emergency. ... A party which suffers from such a total crisis of credibility is trying to extend its stay in power by resorting to the politics of black laws and blackmailing. We hope your Congress will voice the collective determination of all defenders of democracy to frustrate the saffron design of unleashing a reign of state terror and repression in the country."

Further the message underlines that "The blind pro-Americanism of the BJP-led NDA government is daily weakening the foundations of our existence and identity as an independent nation" to the extent that we have to "suffer the indignity of being identified as a stooge of US imperialism and bracketed with the US-Israel axis. We hope your Congress will reflect the concern of all patriotic anti-imperialist Indians over India's growing subservience to the American design of global hegemony in a unipolar world and reiterate the popular resolve to defend and strengthen our national independence against the ruling classes' collaborationist connivance with and surrender to the dictates of US imperialism.

The message holds that "To bring about this Left resurgence we believe it is particularly important to give a fitting rebuff to the saffron threat in the Hindi belt. We believe it is important for the Left to develop its independent strength and assert its distinct and independent identity as the most committed defender of secularism, democracy and progress in this country. ... We believe it is necessary and possible for the broadest sections of the Left to expand their cooperation in this direction. For more than a decade we have been trying to achieve this with our vision of a Left Confederation on an all India level, a confederation which will transcend tactical differences among the Left in individual states to ensure unity in action on the basis of a common minimum programme. This in turn demands a healthy culture of mutual respect and recognition among all Left parties, big and small, on an equal footing.

The message ends with a hope that "our two parties can and will further strengthen mutual political cooperation in all possible areas to lay the foundations of a more broad-based and militant unity of the Left which will help the Left enhance its strength and raise its independent profile in national politics. We look forward to marching shoulder to shoulder with you comrades to realise the long cherished dream of all activists and well-wishers of the Left movement in the country."

A 3-member Party delegation led by Com. Akhilendra P Singh, PB member, including Com. RN Upadhyay and Lal Bahadur singh, attended the AIFB congress held in Lucknow. Addrssing the delegates, Com. Akhilendra emphasised the need of Left's independent assertion and pointed out that it was not the job of Left to get trapped into BJP's war gameplan. In the congress, RSP leader Abani Roy said that Left Front should not be formed to run government in some states but to expand the model of class struggle all over the country.

VM Memorial Day Observed

Bangalore: Party General Body meeting of Bangalore City was organized at Peenya on Dec.16. While Com. Poonacha presided, Govindarajan spoke on VM's contributions and Gopal delivered a speech on the tasks of the party in the present situation while J. Shankar, a veteran comrade, recollected his association with Vinod Mishra. He also narrated VMs dreams regarding Karnataka and our party.

Fast on Land Issue in UP

Demanding distribution of around 1,000 bigha of land lying in the Karanda development area of Gazhipur district in UP among 234 pattaholders and to ensure their possession, Com. Ishwari Prasad, Party state committee member and an elected member of Ghazipur District Panchayat, sat on indefinite fast before district collectorate on 19 December. The fast was broken after four days, when the district administration promised to initiate land disribution within a week and through a press statement made a public proclamation to that effect.

Rally for Communal Harmony

Our Party activists participated in the massive rally organized by a Forum for Communal Harmony on Dec.27 at Madikere, Kodagu district of Karnataka to protest against the designs of Sangh Parivar and police highhandedness and bias against minorities in the district. Leaflets of our party were well received by the rallyists.

On the pretext of miscreants' attack on Harishchandra temple at Palur, Kodagu taluk, BJP is creating communal tension in order to gain political mileage out of it. Party observed that the police administration is biased against minorities. CPI(ML) has decided to undertake a state level campaign against communal fascism and called upon left and democratic forces including communist parties, farmers organizations (KRRS) and dalit organizations (DSS) to come together in a united struggle against communal fascism and elitist, Bangalore centric, police raj of state Congress government.

Demonstration to Release Mukhiya in Siwan, Bihar

Police arrested Com. Naimuddin Ansari, a Party leader and mukhiya of Gambhirpur village in Nautan PS of Siwan district in Bihar, along with several other persons, on the false charges. As the news spread, thousands of people of the area came out and gheraoed Nautan PS. In various places in Mairwa area, street corner meetings were held and a lage mass meeting was held at Guthni block compound. At Nautan PS, police conducted lathicharge but the people resisted and ultimately the DSP had to apologise and release the arrested persons. The agitation was led by Amar Yadav, Satyadev Ram, Amarjit Kushwaha.

RYA District Conference

RYA district conference in Gwalior (M.P.) was held on 21 December, in which around 50 delegates participated. It was inaugurated by Com. Raja Ram. Com. Mithilesh Yadav, National President of RYA was the chief guest. Local Party leaders Vinod Rawat and Gurudatt Sharma also addressed it. On 22 December an "Emploment march" was brought out in Lashkar, Gwalior. It was announced that similar march will be brought out before Assembly in Bhopal in February.

State Cadre Convention in Uttarakhand

State level cadre convention was held in Uttarakhand on 22-23 Dec. at Nainital. The open session was attended by around 250 people from all over the state. It was addressed by Party General Secretary Com Dipankar Bhattacharya, Vijaya Dhyani of Uttarakhand Kranti Dal, Prabhat Dhyani of Uttarakhand Lok Vahini and Satya Prakah of CPI(M) also addressed the open session. The theme of the cadre sesion was to build a revolutionary-democratic opposition in Uttarakhand. Speakers held that the issues related to development, land and employment should constitute the main election plank. Com. Dipankar also addressed the cadre session in which students and youth had a good representation. Election strategy was discussed and it was decided to field a minimum of 13 candidates. This is the first time that after achieving statehood Uttarakhand is going to polls, and Party activists are full of enthusiasm. Com Dipankar pointed out that with this flow of youth if we can build up on our credit earned by remaining in the midst of Uttarakhand movement, the outcome would be better, as BJP has only earned discredit in the one year of its rule and there is discontent swelling up among the people against it. This discontent can be turned into attack on mafia and anti-development administration, which will be in continuity of the Uttarakhand movement.

Police Attack on Party Continues in UP

Only a couple of weeks after the incident of arrest and third degree treatment of Party leaders and activists in Mirzapur of UP, the police arrested 6 Party activists including the Sonebhadra district incharge Com. Ramgulli Chaturvedi from village Vaini in Punnuganj PS of Sonebhadra in the night of 23 Dec. These comrades include AISA cadres of Lucknow and Allahabad University who had taken part in a CPI(ML) padyatra. The raid was conducted by Mirzapur SP outside his district and the comrades were illegally kept in Raipur outpost for 18 hours. Party has strongly condemned the incident and demanded suspension of the guilty police officials.

Black Day Observed in Jharkand

CPI(ML) observed Black Day throughout Jharkhand on 28 December on the first anniversary of Doranda firing on Id Day in which 4 persons were killed and registered protest against state's offensive against minorities. Party demanded that cases imposed on innocent citizens should be lifted and compensation paid to the victims. Party cadres wore black badges and activists took out a march in Ranchi. Public meetings were held at Chainpur in Palamu and Barwadih in Latehar. Street corner meetings were held in Garhwa town and Sindri in Dhanbad. A seminar was held in Nirsa-Chirkunda area in which Vinod Mishra's article "Whither Indian Muslims" was read out. Local Muslim youth took initiative in organising it.

Bandh in Protest to Adivasi Leader's Murder

North Dinajur district committee of West Bengal observed a successful Itahar Bandh on 26 Dec. called to protest murder of a Party member and adivasi leader Bablu Hasda. Com. Bablu was murdered by a local tyrant in collaboration with the local police, which is clear from the fact that the OC, DSP SP and even a LF minister Srikumar Mukherji was informed in advance about the threat of murder. On the Bandh day Party activists demanded that not only the murderer must be arrested and tried, the OC of Itahar should be meted out an exemplary punishment.

Earlier in the same district, Agricultural Labour Union held deputaions at BDO office in Raiganj, Itahar, Kaliaganj, Hematabad and Karandighi on 21 Dec. on the demands of a law in the interest of agrarian labourers, identity cards, land ownership pattas etc.

Protest Gears Up in TN

AICCTU is preparing toward a road roko all over the state on the issues of workers of closed industries and other sectors. In Nellai and Coimbatore, conventions were held, addressed by S. Kumarsamy and AS Kumar. Cadre meetings were held in Salem, Kumarapalayam and Kovai. In Chennai, padyatras were held in seven centers and street corner meetings were held.

AISA Training Camp in Bihar

A state level training camp of AISA in Bihar was held in Darbhanga on 24-26 December. Party state secretary Com. Ramjatan Sharma, Ex-AISA Gen. Secy. Com. Dhiendra Jha and AISA national president Kavita Krishnan dealt on issues like "revolutionary ideological transformation of students", "Orientation of students' movement", "Saffronisation, privatisation and globalisation of education" and "national sovereignty and employment".

It was decided that since 2 January, a signature campaign will be launched throughout the state on the issues of deteriorating education system and restoration of students' union. On 11 January, dharnas will be held in all university administrative offices and on 30 January, students from all districts of the state will reach Patna to take part in march to Rajbhawan against saffronisation.

ITI Students Move against Railways in Danapur

At the initiative of AISA, a meeting of around 300 ITI students was convened at Digha to oppose the railway board's drive of reducing employment opportunities for ITI students. Under this, the board has cancelled the recognition of five ITI trades with immediate effect. A students struggle committee was formed in the meeting. After holding a successful ITI bandh on 28 December, the committee has decided to hold students' demonstration at the district collectorate on 2 January and gherao of railway divisional headquarters on 5 January.

AISA Protests Police Atrocity

On December 7, the Chennai police entered the Law College hostel and brutally beat up the students causing multiple fractures to several of them. This sparked of a wave of protests by students in Madras and other cities in Tamil Nadu against the police and the AIADMK government. The AISA activists in the Law College, who were part of the struggle committee and the Chennai AISA unit played a major role in organising the struggles and solidarity movements. The struggles are being continued demanding dismissal of the guilty police officers.

Seminar on Women's Empowerment

A seminar on "Women's empowerment: Proclamations, Realities and New Avenues" was held at Rajendra Bhawan in New Delhi on 26 December to mark publication of a special issue of Aadhi Zameen Hindi organ of AIPWA which has completed ten years of its publication. The issue of Aadhi Zameen was released by noted Hindi writer Maitreyi Pushpa. AIPWA President Srilata Swamiadhan, General Secretary Kumudini Pati, National Secretary and Editor of Aadhi Zameen Saroj Chaube were in the presidium. Those who spoke at the occasion include Delhi University teachers Tripta Wahi and Savita Singh. Participants from Delhi, UP, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand, Punjab, Rajasthan and MP recounted their experiences of repression on women in the era of globalisation. Speakers include Bhasha Singh, Sunita, Shobha Singh, Prabha Dixit, Geeta Singh, Rekha Dhanik, Shashi Yadav, Jita Kaur, Jasvir Kaur, Manjulata and others.

AIPWA State Conference in Jharkhand

The first state conference of AIPWA in Jharkhand was held on 29-30 at Ranchi. A 1000-strong "Adhikar Rally" culminated in a militant mass meeting commemorating the legendary adivasi women fighter Singi Dai who was martyred after waging many heroic battles for her people against the invading Mughals. A seminar on the reconstitution of Jharkhand and women's assertion was held on 29 Dec. evening, in which many intellectuals took part. While exposing the non-performance and anti-people agenda of the Marandi govt. participants felt that without guaranteeing basic rights of adivasi women there could be no gunuine self-rule.

The state conference held on 30 Dec. in which about 210 delegates took part. The main resolutions passed by the conference included a strong opposition to all war jingoism and call for peace; 33% reservation for women in all positions in the forthcoming panchayat elections; demand for immediate formation of a women's commission in the state; end to police raj and repression of women; and to encourage Jharkhandis, positive values and culture and oppose communal fascism, dowry murders, witch-hunting etc.

The two-day programme was attended by AIPWA National President Com. Srilata Swaminatan and Gen. Secy. Com. Kumdini Pati. Com. Saroj Chaube was official observer. A 2-member state committee was elected with Com. Guni Oraon as president and Com. Mina as state secy. Cultural performances were presented by Prerana, the women's wing of Jharkhand Sanskriti Manch.

Vigil for Peace between India and Pakistan

CERAS and INSAF (International South Asia Forum) organised a vigil on December 26 at Phillips Square, Montreal at 12 noon raising the slogans "Peace not war!", "Friendship not hostility!" and "Terrorism is not an answer to even genuine grievances!". A leaflet that was distributed at the vigil says that "Indian Home Minister Advani and Prime Minister Vajpayee, both belonging to the Hindu fundamentalist Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), have resorted to unprecedented jingoism... A war between these two countries is bound to have serious adverse consequences on the lives, property and economy of the two poor countries of more than 1 billion people. It will further destabilize South Asia, curtail civil liberties and create hostile atmosphere against the minority community especially the nearly 150 millions Muslims in India." Urging the Govt. of India to exercise restraint in dealing with terrorism, the leaflet appeals to the people of Quebec and Canada "to join South Asians in demanding peace and urge the Canadian government to use its influence to persuade the two South Asian governments to seek a peaceful resolution to the present crisis. Terrorism cannot force the Indian Government to resolve the Kashmir problem. Only peaceful and non-violent struggle by the masses can ultimately lead to a permanent solution to the Kashmir problem."

Call for International Anti-War Protest

Act Now to Stop War and End Racism (ANSWER) has called to observe protest internationally against war from Jan. 15-21, 2002. (Jan. 15 is the birthday of the great civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. Jan. 16-17 will be the 11th anniversary of the start of the Gulf War). The protest is in the context of Bush administration's threat of expanding the war against Afghanistan to many other countries. Bush has ominously stated that "2002 will be a war year." At the top of their list of proposed targets is Iraq, a country that has suffered 11 years of blockade and bombing, taking the lives of more than one-and-a-half million Iraqis, half children under the age of five years. At the same time, the U.S. government is intensifying its war at home, attacking civil rights, civil liberties and immigrant rights. The war makers and big business are reaping additional billions in government subsidies, while there are no benefits for the millions of unemployed workers. Racial profiling has been legitimized by the government and racist attacks against Arab Americans, Muslims, South Asians and other communities of color are on the rise.

Through its activities throughout USA and the world, the ANSWER would raise the slogans "Stop the War! Stop Racial Profiling and Racist Attacks!", "No New War Against Iraq -- End the Sanctions Now!", "Defend Civil Liberties, Civil Rights and Immigrants Rights!" "Money for Jobs, Housing, Education and Healthcare, Not for War or Corporate Giveaways!"