From 'Confrontation' to Consensus?

Is it once again business as usual between a fascist government and its bourgeois opposition? During the Gujarat debate in Lok Sabha, the BJP and the Congress had appeared locked in a confrontation course. Even though the debate could produce little light, it had unquestionably generated enough heat. But in Rajya Sabha, the discussion ended on a note of consensus.

Having won the vote in the Lok Sabha, the BJP had no problem in converting its adverse numerical situation in the Rajya Sabha into yet another 'generous' show of consensus, especially when the resolution stopped far short of recommending an outright dismissal of the Gujarat government. The Rajya Sabha resolution has merely asked the central government to issue proper directions to the Gujarat government under Article 355.

Just as Modi had countered Vajpayee's advice to practise Rajdharma by quipping that he had been doing precisely that, the BJP now tells us that everything the NDA government has done so far vis-a-vis Gujarat has been in accordance with Article 355. The deployment of the army, the allocation of Rs. 155 crore for relief and rehabilitation, the appointment of KPS Gill as Modi's security advisor are all bandied about as instances of Article 355 at work in Gujarat. While the BJP now predictably plays with the letter and spirit of Article 355, the Congress has clearly climbed down from its earlier demand of removal of Narendra Modi.

The Congress of course claims that it is merely a tactical retreat aimed at trapping the BJP into a tight spot! The appointment of Gill, for example, is a great victory for the Congress. Gill is of course known for the ruthlessness with which he had crushed human rights and set new records and standards of state terrorism and state-sponsored counter-insurgency in Punjab. The Congress may be right in hailing his appointment as the biggest corrective measure for Gujarat, but is there anything in this measure to warrant a welcome from the democratic forces of the country? The other act of consensus has been the choice of Shiv Sena MP and former remote-controlled chief minister of Maharashtra Manohar Joshi as the 13th Speaker of the Lok Sabha. Unlike other NDA allies, the Shiv Sena, it must be remembered, is the closest ideological ally of the BJP. What message can Joshi's becoming the custodian of the 'conscience' of the Lok Sabha signal for the future of parliamentary democracy in this country?

There are other more dangerous and less visible contours of this re-emerging consensus. As the government celebrates the fourth anniversary of the Pokhran explosions, Agra hosts a joint Indo-US military exercise. The venue of the failed Indo-Pak summit meeting has become the theatre of a dangerous military partnership after 39 years. The implication of the current exercise becomes obvious from the fact that the previous exercise was held in the wake of the 1962 war between India and China. We have also seen the Nepal Prime Minister plead for a larger and more direct intervention of the US in crushing the Maoist insurgency in Nepal. There were also reports of the Indian army playing large-scale war games along the Indo-Pak border. A Congress-BJP rapprochement over Gujarat could thus well be the prelude to a more dubious 'consensus' involving greater US intervention in the region and escalating military tension with Pakistan, a standoff if not a series of skirmishes.

Left and democratic forces must remain alive to the danger of a possible reconciliation between the two main parties of the ruling classes. They must challenge any bogus 'consensus' and reassert the primacy of popular mobilisation and people's movement around a consistent anti-fascist agenda of secularism and democracy, national unity and people's harmony.

CPI(ML)'s Campaign Against Communal Fascism And For People's Unity Evoked Massive Response

Intensifying the struggle against the disastrous saffron scheme of communal mobilisation, the CPI(ML) had called for a nationwide "Save India-Save Democracy" Campaign "Against Communal Fascism and for People's Unity" from May 4 to May 10. Conventions, marches, and demonstrations were held at several centres of the country during the Campaign. CPI(ML) General Secretary Com. Dipankar Bhattacharya took part in the Campaign in Bihar, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh and addressed a number of conventions held at different centres of these states. The campaign evoked massive response and large number of eminent personalities and intellectuals participated in these programmes.

The Campaign was concluded in a massive 'Ayodhya Chalo' programme on May 10-11, the anniversary of 1857 revolt, called by Party led students, youth and cultural organisations- AISA, RYA and JSM- to reclaim the secular legacy of Faizabad-Ayodhya region. This programme was aimed to uphold the glorious legacy of unified Hindu-Muslim resistance by the martyrs of the Awadh region in India's first struggle for independence in 1857. It was to elaborate the secular history of anti-imperialist struggle and strengthen peace, amity and communal harmony in the country whose image has been tarnished by the Sangh Parivar with its politics of communal mobilisation in the name of Mandir for past several years. This unique programme had great importance in the wake of the Gujarat catastrophe wrought by the RSS and its affiliates. Understanding the dimensions of the programme and its impact, Mayawati-BJP govt. in UP at the behest of the Sangh Parivar directed the Faizabad administration to launch a crackdown on the programme with a view to foil it. The police went on a rampage, but failed to dampen the spirits of thousands of activists assembled there from all over the country. Notwithstanding the last minute withdrawal of permission by the administration, thousands took out a 'Sadbhavna March' on May 10 at Faizabad. There was a very good response from among the local population of Faizabad also. Residents in the city arranged for tens of drinking water points and other amenities for the marchers, but police launched a crackdown. Around 1000 people were arrested and sent to Mau and Sultanpur jails the same day. But this attempt couldn't weaken the spirits of the organisers as they decided to go ahead with the 'Ayodhya Convention' scheduled to be held the next day. Amidst heavy police encirclement, the convention, held at Faizabad Press Club, adopted several important resolutions. After the Convention police again went berserk and arrested six persons including Dr. Subhendu Ghosh, Head of the Deptt. of Biophysics, Delhi University, AISA leaders from JNU Radhika Menon and Inteshar, AIPWA leaders from U.P. Ajanta Lohit and Snehlata and Kaushal Kishore, State Executive member of RYA in Lucknow. They were sent to Faizabad jail. The police crackdown on students, youth women and cultural activists on May 10-11 was widely condemned and protested. (Details on page 2-3). In Delhi, a Citizens' March was organised on May 13. A resolution condemning the Faizabad police crackdown and communal barbarism was adopted at a public meeting held at Triveni Kala Sangam on same day. Delhi based Democratic Teachers' Front (DTF) also condemned the incident and demanded immediate release of all. World Council of Arya Samaj Condemned the 'unprovoked brutalities' and said that the BSP-BJP govt. of UP stands accused of fascist tendencies for the denial of democratic rights of Peaceful Assembly.

During the campaign protests were held in almost all the major states including UP, Bihar, West Bengal, Delhi and Rajasthan, Chattishgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa, Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala.

The CPI(ML) activists and sympathisers in Palakkad district of Kerala held a Seminar against rising menace of communalism on 10 May. It was presided over by Com. Velayndhan. Comrades Joy Peter, John K. Erumely,

Kanoal, O.P. Kunhrippolla and few others spoke on the occasion.

In Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, the campaign concluded successfully into a People's Unity Rally against communal fascism. The CPI(ML) state secretary Mahendra Singh Chaudhary addressing the meeting said that fascist intentions of the communal forces led by the Sangh Parivar will be thwarted by the people of the country. He reiterated Party's pledge to unite all secular, democratic and left forces against the rising danger of fascism. The district secretary of the Party Com. Phoolchand Dheva also spoke in the meeting which was presided over by peasant leader Pyarelal Jakhar. A resolution was adopted unanimously in support of the demands raised by the Party.

Delhi witnessed a number of mass meetings and demonstrations in various part of the metropolis. Demonstrations were held at Patparganj and Shahdara and mass meetings were organised at Narela and Sultanpuri.

Citizens' Statement Against the Crackdown on the Students, Youths and Cultural Activists at Faizabad, UP

Prominent citizens in the capital and outside released a statement condemning the police repression on the participants of 'Sadbhavna March' and 'Shaheed Mela' and demanded immediate release of all activists arrested unlawfully in Faizabad. The statement was signed by Prabhash Joshi, Rabi Ray, Muchkund Dubey, Swami Agnivesh, Surendra Mohan, Anand Patwardhan, Sumit Chakraborty, Prof. Kamal Mitra Chenoy, Prof. Uma Chakravarty, Prof. Manoranjan Mohanty, Prof. Neera Chandhoke, Manglesh Dabral, Prof. Anuradha Chenoy, Prof. Anand Chakravarty, Nandini Sundar, Sehjo Singh, Anwar Jamal, Ajay Bhardwaj, Javed Malik, Neeraj Malik, Chittaranjan Singh, Vijay Pratap, Rajendra Pratholi, Prof. Anand Kumar, Vinod Khurana, Tapas R Saha, Ranjana Saxena, Ranjeet Abhigyan, Vijay Singh, Tripta Wahi, Yogendra Yadav and V. Krishna Ananth. The statement terms the incident a blatant violation of democratic rights and says, "The students and youth converged to reclaim the secular history of Ayodhya on 10th and 11th of May had been prevented by the District Administration from taking out a Sadbhavna March and organizing a Shaheed Mela and Convention for an amicable solution of the Ayodhya issue."

"It is a shame that it has become illegal to organize programmes in memory of 1857 and remember the secular struggles of our freedom fighters even while VHP is being allowed to hold the twin city of Ayodhya and Faizabad to ransom on communal grounds and openly violate court orders." the statement asserets.

"The last minute withdrawal of permission for the Sadbhavana March, Shaheed Mela and Convention and subsequent crackdown on participants is a clear pointer to the fact that the BSP Chief Minister is acting at the behest of the communal forces spearheaded by the Sangh Parivar. This has serious implications for the democratic process in the state." it observes.

Citizens Protest March Against Police Crackdown in Faizabad

In Delhi on 13 of May, citizens from all walks of life converged at Jantar-Mantar to protest against politically motivated police crackdown on 'Sadbhavna March' and 'Shaheed Mela' at Faizabad. Noted socialist leader Surendra Mohan, Editor of Mainstream Sumit Chakravarty, noted historian Uma Chakravarty, PUCL Uttar Pradesh Vice-President Chittaranjan Singh, CPI leader Ali Javed, CPI(ML) Delhi State Secretary Rajendra Protholi, Central Secretariat member Ranjeet Abhigyan and a number of teachers from Delhi University and Jawaharlal Nehru University took part in the March. Later a five member delegation handed over a memorandum addressed to the Governor of UP through the Resident Commissioner, UP Bhavan in Delhi. The memorandum condemned the police repression and demanded the immediate and unconditional release of arrested activists and leaders. A mass meeting was also held where speakers strongly condemned the banning of Sadbhavna March, Shaheed Mela and Ayodhya Convention and subsequent massive police crackdown on its participants. They said that it would have been a glorious occasion for the people of Faizabad-Ayodhya to celebrate their unique secular history of anti-imperialist struggle and strengthen peace, amity and communal harmony. It would have also highlighted this lesser known secular legacy of Ayodhya-Faizabad-Awadh region, whose image has been tarnished by the communal mobilisation in the name of Mandir for past several years. Speakers expressed shock as the administraion in Faizabad chose to ban this peaceful democratic programme at the last moment without any proper reason being cited and arrest thousands of its participants. Such a crackdown amounts to assault on the citizens' and political-cultural groups' minimum democratic rights to political and civil freedom and can only strengthen the anti-democratic and particularly communal forces active in the country. They urged upon the U.P. govt. not to play second fiddle to the communal forces spearheaded by the Sangh Parivar. It was demanded that the students, youth and cultural activists from different parts of the country, still languishing in the jails of U.P., be immediately released and all charges withdrawn unconditionally. It is important that the citizens' democratic rights to undertake campaigns is restored and democratic process is strengthened.

Summary Of The Resolutions Adopted At The 'Ayodhya Convention' Held At Faizabad On 11 May.

1. The Convention condemned in strongest of terms the banning of 'Sadbhavna March' and 'Shaheed Mela'' organised on 10 May at Faizabad to uphold the legacy of united Hindu-Muslim resistance in the 1857 struggle for independence. The ban was politically motivated and implemented by the Mayawati govt. at the behest of RSS-BJP-VHP-Bajarang Dal. The Convention considered the ban on this peaceful and democratic programme as a major attack on our minimum democratic rights and freedom and vowed to fight it back.

2. The Convention appealed to every common citizen to stand up and be counted in the effort to separate religion from politics. The Convention expressed confidence than once such communal elements as VHP-Bajarang Dal and other outfits of the Sangh Parivar are pushed out of the Ayodhya tangle, India's civil society has enough strength to sort out the issue amicably. Whether it is a court verdict or an out-of-court solution, the Convention believe that it is only a conscious and active mass movement committed to the cause of secularism which can ensure a just solution. And in this effort it would be welcome if various citizens, including such religious leaders of both communities, jurists and historians who declare their firm commitment to the principles of separation of religion and politics, were to form a panel to explore solutions to the Ayodhya issue through mutual dialogue.

3. The Convention urged upon Chief Minister Mayawati not to play second fiddle to BJP and reinitiate the cases (earlier struck down on technical grounds) against L.K. Advani, M.M. Joshi, Uma Bharati and others accused of Babri Masjid demolition.

4. The Convention demanded sacking of Modi govt. responsible for the state-sponsored cleansing of monorities in Gujarat, trial of all the guilty leaders and police officials and resignation of Home Minister LK Advani. The Convention decided to join the Rashtriya Ekta Abhiyan conducted by the left and democratic forces in the country and appealed to every democratic and peace loving citizen to be a part of this struggle.

The declaration was signed and supported among others by Com. Dipankar Bhattacharya (General Secretary, CPI(ML), Prof. MK Sherwani (All India Muslim Forum), Md. Salim Khan Pirzada (Indian Muslim Political Conference), Krishnavatar Pandey (former Education Director, UP and PUHR), Chittaranjan Singh (PUCL), Balram Yadav (Senior Advocate, Allahabad High Court, Lucknow Bench), Onkar Nath Patel (noted journalist), and Dr. Sandip (NAPM).

Seminar on 'Emerging Contours of Communalism and National Unity'

A seminar on "Emerging Contours of Communalism and National Unity" was organised by Jan Sanskriti Manch in Patna on the 7 May. It was conducted by Ramji Rai, the editor of Samkalin Lokhyudh and presided over by Prof. O.P.Jaiswal from the History Department of Patna University and addressed by poet Arun Kamal and Dr. Imtiaz, a historian from Patna University. Com. Dipanker Bhattacharya, the General Secretary of C.P.I.(M.L.) was the chief speaker.

In his speech, Com. Bhattacharya termed the events of Gujarat as 'a conscious effort to erase the identity of a community'. That is why mosques and Dargahs were systematically raised to the ground and statues of 'Hullariya Hanuman' replaced them. He said that a sort of economic boycott of the Muslims is going on in Gujarat where every effort is being made to rob the minority community of its hard-earned wealth. In a nutshell, Gujarat is turning out to be a laboratory where the experiment for the creation of a Hindu Rastra is being carried out. The physical preparations for the events of Gujarat may have been six months old but the ideological preparations have been going on since 1938 when Golwalker in his book 'We and our nationhood defined', formulated his ideas about rights of minorities in this country.

Com. Bhattacharya questioned the nationalist credentials of our big bourgeoisie and asked why no Tata or Birla, who otherwise are quite vocal on the issues of globalisation, retrenchment, labour law reforms have uttered a single word against the Gujarat incidents. Some murmuring, however, was heard when Britain and Japan raised their voice about Gujarat. It is not without reason that we call them as compradors. They have never been in favour of our national unity. The Sangh Parivar does not even stand for genuine national unity, it only aspires for an uniformity where all citizens belong to one religion. They want a Hindi, Hindu and Hindustani brand of national unity. Such a huge and diverse nation is difficult for them to manage. No wonder, the RSS wants to do away with Kashmir as they feel that the agenda of partition is still incomplete and they would like to see it reach its culmination.

Commenting on the character of the state as exposed during the Gujarat riots, he said that the Indian state which brutally crushed the popular assertions of the poor masses during Telangana and Naxalbari, meekly surrendered before majority communalism. He added that many people expect to defeat communal fascism by a mere change of Govt. and pin their hopes on a Congress revival. Even if this happens, a strong BJP in opposition will gradually try and implement its agenda. The BJP is using the parliamentary system to strengthen fascism in the country. When a demand is made for the resignation of Modi, they threaten to go for elections and want to exploit the polarised situation in their favour. It would be a mockery of the parliamentary system if organisations and their leaders responsible for the carnage in Gujarat are not prohibited from contesting the elections.

Com. Bhattacharya said that like many others, he too has faith in the country's ability to tide over critical periods. He said that the sheer size, diversity, composite culture and a 200 year old heritage of anti-imperialist struggles can assist in fighting the menace of communal fascism. But he added that the resistance from within the system and our history would be insufficient in countering fascism unless a decisive people's resistance is built up. Only a revolutionary alternative can thwart the dangers posed by fascism. A mere change of government will leave the nation exposed to recurrence of Ayodhyas and Gujarats.

Speaking on the question of national identity, he said that after partition we too like Pakistan face a crisis of identity. If India does not have a vision of building a modern state, democracy and composite culture, the question of national identity will resurface again and again. Forces like RSS will place the alternative of a Hindu Rastra based on an anti-Pakistan framework. No wonder that nationalism in India has become synonymous with anti-Pakistanism. Many of those who denounce Ayodhya and Gujarat make a U-turn when the issue is Kargill. They try to outwit even the BJP with their anti-Pakistan tirade and eventually end up towing and even strengthening BJP's definition of nationalism. The need of the hour, however is to redefine nationalism in the context of alternative anti-imperialist agenda.

Regarding the foreign policy of our country, he said that the present govt.'s policy is tailored to suit the American interests in the region. Be it China bashing, anti-Islam attitude or acting as a regional bully, Advani's dreams match well with American prerogatives. Com. Bhattacharya concluded his talk with a clarion call to give a befitting reply to the descendents of Golwalker and Godse and to march forward to build an India of Bhagat Singh's dreams.