Vajpayee's Ahmedabad Visit:
Adding Insult to Injury

It took Atal Bihari Vajpayee more than a month to reach Ahmedabad from Delhi. In the early days of March, when Ahmedabad was literally aflame, it was perhaps too hot for the skin of the Prime Minister. As March merged into April, the flames apparently diminished, but a simmering fire continued to spread to newer areas. How do we describe the belated Vajpayee visit in these circumstances? A case of better late than never? Die-hard admirers of Vajpayee will probably argue on those lines, but clearly Vajpayee's visit has not made any difference apart from producing some window-dressing effect on the one relief camp that he visited and one that he was expected to visit, but never managed to. Should we then say: too little, too late? Even that would be a massive understatement in the context of Gujarat. Vajpayee's visit has only added insult, an enormous amount of it, to the severe injuries that Gujarat, especially the Muslim community in the state, had already suffered and is still suffering.

Vajpayee's admirers are busy telling us how his poetic heart apparently bled, how he possibly wept in private and how poignant and painful was his remark that he would not be able to show his face to the world. But as Prime Minister of India, it did not occur to him that he should also be bothered about the kind of face he was showing to his fellow Indians. Or did he think that we Indians were really fond of having one Gujarat every few years and that we should be especially grateful to him and his party and his Sangh for providing us with a steady supply of our staple diet of communal massacres and ethnic cleansing of minority communities? And who does he show his face to in the world outside anyway? Apart from the Bushes and Blairs and Sharons and the foreign investors and speculators of dubious kinds? If anything, they would perhaps give him an approving pat on his back for all the blood that has been spilt in Gujarat.

Vajpayee publicly advised Modi to follow Rajdharma and Modi could be heard quipping that he had been doing precisely that. Vajpayee had no answer to that. And as though all that has been happening so far in Gujarat did not give us enough evidence of the kind of Rajdharma that Modi and his saffron ilk would like to practise, we now also know that the BJP in Gujarat has been busy contemplating a snap poll in the communally charged atmosphere of Gujarat. Make hay while the Sun shines, goes the adage. In the BJP's sordid saffron pursuit of power, the adage gets translated into "count your 'Hindu' votes while the air remains thick with communal venom". Is anybody yet to get the meaning of terms like Ram Rajya, Raj Dharma and Hindu Rashtra?

The best comment on Vajpayee's visit of course came from the RSS. Mr. MG Vaidya, senior RSS spokesperson told the press that the Sangh found nothing 'objectionable' in Vajpayee's remarks made during his trip to Ahmedabad. Nothing official about it, went the Pepsi ad. Nothing objectionable about it, says the RSS certificate. Vajpayee gives a clean chit to Modi and RSS gives a clean chit to Vajpayee! Could any other mask fit the ugly face as perfectly as this one does?

A few days ago, the National Human Rights Commission had strongly indicted the Modi government of Gujarat. Now the National Commission for Minorities has made its displeasure quite loud and clear. The Commission has called for doubling the quantum of compensation. It has called for changing the composition of the police by ensuring greater representation from minority communities. All these are sensible proposals and need to be done urgently. But what is most urgent is that the Modi government must go. It must be thrown out without any further life being lost and blood spilt on the streets and fields of Gujarat. Gujarat needs a break. India needs a break.

Attack on Medha and Journalists in Gujarat Condemned

Party strongly repudiated attack by BJP hooligans on Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar at Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad on 7 April and condemned the heinous attack on the journalists by Gujarat police led by a deputy commissioner. "Gujarat has already bled profusely and it is still bleeding, but the chief minister there doesn't like peace even in words, and sends his goons wherever he gets an inkling of peace efforts. This incident has further substantiated the popular demand for the removal of this enemy of peace from power, because peace and harmony can be restored once again in Gujarat only after Narendra Modi is sacked from his post." Taking a dig at the Prime Minister Vajpayee's antics during his well five-week belated Gujarat visit, the statement said, "Vajpyee ji is worried about showing his face abroad, he should care more how would he be able to face Indian people if he goes on backing and not sacking this derelict subedar".

Police Crackdown in Giridih, Maendra Singh Arrested; Protest Launched

On April 4, while the Giridih bandh called by CPI(ML) to protest arrest of Com. Rajkumar Yadav, Secretary of Party Giridih district committee was being observed peacefully, the police swung into a pre-planned action dictated by Babulal Marandi Govt., and following lathicharge and teargas shelling, opened fire to kill one Com. Laldhan Mahato at Ghaghri (Beko) village of Bagodar block. Com. Rajkumar had been arrested on April 2, when he, along with Com. Mahendra Singh, member of Central Committee and MLA of Jharkhand Assembly, was returning from a mass meeting held at Tisri (Giridih). On the bandh day the police arrested Com. Mahendra Singh, Jharkhand State Committee member Parmeshwar Mahato, and other state/district leaders along with hundreds of other activists in Giridih town. Following his arrest, Com. Mahendra Singh started a fast unto death demanding registration of a case under Sec 302 against the OC, Bagodar PS for the killing of Com. Laldhan, and annouced not to take bail.

For past few months, Giridih district has been witnessing a veritable upsurge in favour of CPI(ML). After holding an unprecedentedly large rally at Rajdhanwar, the Party was able to multiply its strength in a big way in Jamua-Deori legislative assembly segment in February this year with the influx of almost total CPI membership and the "Social Transformation Rally" held by CPI(ML) at Jamua on 17 March was the largest rally organised by any political party in the area since last 20 years and so it got wide publicity in the media for three days. Another Party rally was held on 23 March at Deori, in which around 5,000 people participated. Deori being one of the most backward, adivasi dominated block, the rally was probably the largest ever rally held at Deori.

In Bagodar area, Party has launched an anti-liquor campaign. When some liquor sellers did not comply even after due warning, Party activists led by Bagodar Block Party Secretary and member of State Committee Com. Loknath Paswan encircled the shops at Dondlo village in the evening of 25 March. Around 100 JMM goons armed with lathis attacked our comrades and the police reaching there arrested Com. Loknath. Early next morning when people in hundreds encircled Bagodar PS, but he had been sent to Giridih jail in the night itself. On 27 March hundreds of Party activists conducted lathi-march against JMM goons at Dondlo.

In Birni block, around 7,000 people assembled in a rally at Jutha Aam village of Kharkhari panchayat on 26 March. The village has the residence of a feudal lord and BJP minister Ravindra Rai, so the feudal elements left no stone unturned to prevent people from participating the rally. But the determination of the people could not be dampened by all this. Around 40 per cent of the gathering were Muslims, including a good number of women.

On 6 March the Party observed a protest day throughout the state against this premeditated assault on democracy. Party General Secretary Com. Dipankar Bhattacharya condemned the brutal police attack on Party activists that resulted in a killing and arrest of Party leaders Com. Mahendra Singh, Parmeshwar Mahato and Loknath Paswan, and several others. He said that the Marandi Govt. is desperate to crush the widespread movement for democracy, human rights, development and cultural identity spearheaded by CPI(ML). He said that CPI(ML) has always been at the forefront of militant movements, be it against the killing of minorities at Doranda, the massacre of adivasis at Topakara, the police highhandedness at Lewatanr or the movement on the demand of withdrawal of the governor Prabhat Kumar.

It is this upsurge of movement that Marandi Govt fears most, and Giridih, the home district of the chief minister, is a strong centre of democratic movements. In order to make this district the laboratory of repression, brutalities and communal frenzy, the Govt. has put hundreds of innocent peasants behind the bars in the name of POTO. Com. Dipankar said that this is an attack not only on CPI(ML) but on the opposition and democracy. marandi Govt. has imposed an undeclared emergency over Jharkhand. He called upon all the progressive forces of Jharkhand to rise against this conspiracy.

Com. Dipankar reached Giridih on 8 April and met the comrades in jail. He also met the family members of martyr Com. Laldhan Mahato, who had succumbed to police bullets at Beko village. In the meantime, Com. Mahendra Singh had been taken to Ranchi and now he has been lodged in the Ranchi Central Jail. In Giridih, an indefinite dharna has started by the Party on 8 April. Addressing the dharna Party GS Com Dipankar said that in response to Marandi Govt.'s undeclared emergency the CPI(ML) will launch widespread mass movements. He warned the government that if Com. Mahendra Singh and others are not released within 72 hours, the Party will start mass actions. A Jharkhand level bandh may be called on April 12.

Prior to this, addressing a meeting at Dhanbad railway station Com. Dipankar said that the Party will not allow Marandi to turn Jharkhand into another fascist laboratory a la Gujarat.

In Jharkhand, opposition parties have condemned Com. Mahendra Singh's arrest. Stephen Marandi of JMM and Girinath Singh of RJD have termed the Govt. action as a malicious attack on the opposition and demanded immediate intervention of the governor for securing Mahendra Singh's unconditional release. Left parties including CPI and CPI(M)have termed the incident as an atack on the left. Renowned intellectuals and voluntary agencies including BP Kesri, Fater Ekka, Tridib Ghosh, Rose Kerketta, Father Stein, Faisal Anurag, CD Singh, Ishwari Prasad, Shashi Bhushan Pathak, AK Rashidi, Rashmi Katyayan, Sachidanand Mishra, Prof Adbul Qayyum Abdali, Sudhir Pal, etc. have condemned the arrest and demanded immediate release of CPI(ML) leaders. Bandhu Tirkey of Adivasi Janadhikar Manch and Prabhakar Tirkey of Jharkhand Vikas Dal have termed the incident as a fascist attack on pro-adivasi forces.

In Bihar, left organisations including CPI, CPI(M) and MCPI, and prominent individuals including Prof Ishwari Prasad, Ratneshwar Prasad, renowned Gandhian Dr. Razi Ahmed, 1974 movement leaders Bhavesh Chandra, Arshad Ajmal, Akhtar Hussain, Patna University teachers Bharati S Kumar, Prof Shashi Bhushan etc. have condemned the assault on CPI(ML) and arrest of Mahendra Singh in Giridih.

In Delhi, Forum for Democratic Initiative has sent a memorandum to the Governor of Jharkhand demanding his intervention to restrain the Govt. repression on democratic movement and foil the conspiracy to repeat Gujarat in Jharkhand.

Land Seizure in Bihar

Bihar Pradesh Khet Mazdoor Sangathan mobilised hundreds of landless peasants of four villages, namely Basantpur, Charihani, Ekderwa and Bargo, in Gaunaha PS of West Champaran district, and put up red flag on 350 acre land under possession of Bettiah Raj on 8 April. The struggle was led by Com. Nandji Ram, district leader of the organisation.

Bihar Minister Conrnered in Scam

A public interest litigation (PIL) on red card scandal amounting to Rs. 6,100 crore has been filed on 5 April against RJD minister Purnamasi Ram in Patna High Court. First an FIR was registered at the local court in West Champaran. Infuriated at this, the minister got Dayanand Dwivedi, a lawyer who filed the PIL, abducted, beaten by police and then put behind the bars in false cases. Party has organised gherao of Bagha block on 8 April demanding immediate release of Dayanand Dwivedi and immediate arrest of the scamster Purnamasi Ram.

AISA Protest in U.P.

AISA organised a demonstration in front of UP Assembly in Lucknow protesting US-sponsored Israeli terrorism against Palestine and burnt an effigy of George Bush. They demanded immediate withdrawal of Israel army.

Earlier on 26 March, CPI(ML) had burnt the effigy of POTO in front of the assembly. Similar programmes were organised at Jalaun, Kanpur and other places.

Protest March in Patna

CPI(ML) held a protest march on 8 April against arrest of CPI(ML) leader Mahendra Singh in Jharkhand and attack on NBA leader Medha Patkar by saffron goons as well as on journalists by Narendra Modi's police at Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad. The march started from State Party Hq and went up to Patna Railway Station square, where a meeting was held with Com. Kamlesh Sharma in chair. The marchers were led by CC member Com. KD Yadav, State leaders Prabhat Kumar, Manohar, RYA leader Mithilesh Yadav, AISA leader Suraj Kumar, AIPWA leader Anita, AIKSS leader Kumar Anil and Pramod Yadav of JSM.

Tea-workers' Dharna at Dispur in Assam

Asam State Chah Sramik Sangha (ASCSS) organized a militant demonstration before Assam Assembly on 6 April protesting against anti-Tea-workers steps of the government. Around 2000 workers from different districts of the state were participated. Some 400 workers from Sonitpur district could not reached Guwahati due to sudden cancellation of trains of the north bank. Shouting slogans the protesters started march from Ganeshguri Chari Ali and made an effective road block in front of Janata Bhavan, where after they marched to Dispur last gate and gathered there. A brief meeting was held there, addressed by Com. Brij Pradhan and Bibek Das, president and Secy. of ASCSS, Rubul Sarma, Secy. Assam State Committee of CPI(ML), ASCSS leaders Arun Chowra, Azad Patnayak, and Mira Tanti, Basant Kalita, Secy. CCTUA delivered their speech.

A memorandum has been sent to the Assam Chief Minister demanding 1. Immediate release of pending salaries of the workers and the employees under Assam Tea Corporation (ATC). 2. Publication of a white paper on ATC. 3. Same wage, same bonus and same policy to all gardens of the state. 4. the Govt. must fulfill its election commitments on tea workers. 5. Wage for Sunday must be given immediately 6. Govt. must declare its policy on ATC & tea workers in the current Assembly Session itself.

Nari Santha Protest

Jorhat branch of AIPWA lunch a protest against establishment of Cement Factory in a dense residential area of suburban Jorhat, Charingia. While the local people of the area has been protesting against this move of a private company, govt. and the Pollution Control authority stand in favor of the factory. A series of programmes were taken, including factory gharao on 27 Mar, protest procession on 28 Mar, demonstration before the factory on 29 Mar, effigy of local MLA & minister of industries were burnt on 30 Mar, road block on April 1, mass dharna before DC office on April 5 & a memorandum of 5000 mass signature has been sent to the Chief Minister on the same day.

Party Class in Rajasthan

A Party study class at the state level was held at Jaipur in Rajasthan on 5-6 April. Topics of discussion included the "Party Programme" and "Policy Resolutions", including "Resolution on Tactics" and "Resolution on Agriculture". The class was conducted by Central Committee member incharge of Rajasthan, Com. Srilata Swaminathan, and Com. BB Pandey explained the Party documents. Later a review of the Party work in Rajasthan was also presented and some tasks were taken up.

Resolutions Taken at APISC, Sydney

The Asia Pacific International Solidarity Conference, held at Sydney in Australia from March 28 to April 1, 2002, adopted the following resolutions:

This conference:
1. Declares its support for the Call for Mobilisation that was issued after the last World Social Forum and urges all organisations at this conference to also support the Call in their own name.
2. Declares its support for the proposal that the 2004 World Social Forum be held in India.
3. Declares that it will support and help organise the holding of a regional gathering in Manila, the Philippines in one years time to discuss and help strengthen the process of coordination and convergence of the anti-globalisation and anti-war struggles in the Asia Pacific region and calls on all those who support building such greater coordination to join us in such a gathering.
4. Calls for an Asia Pacific region-wide Emergency Action to be held on April 19 in Solidarity with the people of Palestine and the Middle-East.

It is to be noted that in Sydney, Australia, some 5,000 activists marched, shouting "Free Palestine" and waving flags and placards, to the Israeli and US consulates.

Israeli Workers Protest Attack

Under the slogan "march against the war", thousands of Israeli Jewish workers, students, youth and intellectuals marched on April 3 in the occupied territories. The march was the initiative of the "Ta'ayush" movement (Jewish-Arab Partnership), together with Israeli Women's Groups and Physicians for Human Rights. The Israeli Defence Force (IDF) made repeated and vicious attacks on the protesters.

CPI(ML) Calls for Mobilisation in Solidarity with Palestinian People

While strongly condemning the US-backed Israeli attack on Palestinian Territory and encirclement of Yasser Arafat's office, CPI(ML) called upon the Govt. of India to protest this attack in unequivocal terms and work for mobilising international opinion to ask the US and Israel to hands off Palestine.

The Party has endorsed the call issued at Asia Pacific International Conference held at Sydney, Australia and urged upon the Indian people to join in large numbers the Emergency Action on 19 April in solidarity with Palestinian people and put pressure on Govt. of India to protest Israeli attack.

Worldwide Solidarity to Palestine

On April 5, 10,000 people marched to the Israeli Consulate in New York City to demand an end to Israel's US-financed war against the Palestinians. The rally at Times Square was called by ANSWER and endorsed by a wide spectrum of organizations, including Arab and Muslim groups, anti-globalization activists, students, and civil rights organizations. For a whole week, pro-Palestinian demonstrations have been going in Los Angeles, Boston, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Washington DC and many more. The ANSWER Coalition has now called a convergence at the White House of thousands on April 20.

In France more than 20,000 people marched in the French capital. Some protesters carried shredded American flags and shouted slogans against Israeli aggression. In Rome, about 20,000 protesters marched through downtown, ending up at a rally in Piazza del Popolo, where the crowd swelled to about 50,000 people. In Bern of Switzerland, protest drew about 9,000 people. At Edinburgh in Scotland, 1,000 people marched to show solidarity with the Palestinians. At Dublin, thousands of citizens today turned out in solidarity with the Palestinian people in one of the biggest political mobilisations seen in the capital for many years. 5,000 pro-Palestinian demonstrators staged rally against Israel in Goteborg, Sweden`s second-largest city. Between 30 and 40.000 demonstrated on April 7 in Brussels to show strong solidarity with Palestine and to support the resistance against Israel army. The largest grocery chain in Norway has announced that it is imposing a boycott on goods produced in Israel. Company officials of the Co-op chain also urged other firms in Scandinavian nations to follow suit. In Toronto, Canada, about 500 protesters gathered outside the Israeli Consulate demanding troops withdraw from Palestinian territory. Similar rallies were held in places like Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Windsor.

More than 3,000 workers marched in protest to Israeli Embassy in Istanbul. In Puerto Rico, for the first time a rally took place in support of Palestine on April 3. Organizations from the anti-colonial, Puerto Ricoan independence movement joined in solidarity with Palestine to demonstrate the commonality of the Palestinian and Puerto Rican struggles for liberation. In Chile, 2,000 people gathered to demand Israeli withdrawal from the Palestinian territories, as Latin American governments expressed concern over their citizens living in the Middle East.

In Egypt, pilots demanded stoppage of flights to Tel Aviv. In a massive demonstration in front of Cairo international airport they demanded the halting of the Zinoist massacres against the Palestinian people in the occupied territories. In a statement issued following an emergency meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Cairo-based Arab League (AL) headquarters, the Arabs called for implementing a declaration adopted by the Beirut Arab summit on stopping the establishment of all ties with Israel.