CPI(ML) HOME Vol.5, No.35 August 28-September 3, 2002

 

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CPI(ML) Central Committee Meeting In Session

(Here we reproduce the press-release issued by CC on 26 August 2002 at Vijaywada where its meeting is being held from 25-28 August. --Ed.)

The Central Committee expressed satisfaction at the Supreme Court decision to issue notice to all nationally recognised parties and state governments over the issue of Election Commission's Order on Gujarat. The Central Committee also hoped that the Supreme Court will also consult other organisations and concerned individuals.

The Central Committee strongly condemned Narendra Modi and other Sangh Parivar bigwigs for their outrageous and malicious remarks against the CEC Mr. JM Lyngdoh. The CC noted that these remarks are not an isolated phenomenon but part of the saffron scheme of systematic subversion of the institutions of parliamentary democracy.

Right since the outbreak of state-sponsored massacre of the minority community in Gujarat, we have been demanding ouster of Narendra Modi government for its active role in the anti-Muslim pogrom. Now it has become amply clear that the BJP government in Gujarat had been making systematic preparations arming the saffron outfits for perpetrating such a widespread and sustained carnage. Then, we had also opposed Modi's attempts to impose early elections in a riot-torn Gujarat with an intent to reap the communal harvest.

Now that the Election Commission has already indicted Modi government in its recent Order, we demand that president rule be immediately promulgated in Gujarat. We strongly denounce the NDA government for challenging the Election Commission's authority in election-related matters by way of seeking presidential reference to the Supreme Court.

The Party also demands that while promulgating president rule in Gujarat, the present governor Mr. Sunder Singh Bhandari, an RSS cadre who is also guilty of reproaching the Election Commission, should be withdrawn immediately and elections in Gujarat must be held under a new non-RSS governor.

Under the BJP-led NDA government, which has been the most pro-imperialist government in the post-independent India, financial scams and corruption in high places have reached new heights. First, small investors were robbed of their hard-earned savings through a series of share market scams, and then the most telling blow came through the UTI scandal. Then again, Tehelka made unprecedented revelations indicting the BJP top brass Mr. Bangaru Laxman and brought into open the institutionalised corruption that thrives through shady defence deals. And now the petrol pump scam and land allotment scam have revealed the kind of venality and nepotism, which have become hallmarks of the BJP leadership.

Taking note of the revelation indicting the BJP president Mr. Venkaiah Naidu in a land scam in Nellore district, following which Mr. Naidu was forced to surrender the 5-acre land to be redistributed among dalits, the Central Committee observed that only one year back the BJP had asked its president, a dalit from the same state, to step down for being caught red handed accepting bribe; but now the same party has chosen to defend its present president for reasons best known to them who has been caught in a land scam.

CPI(ML) had launched a nationwide campaign to oppose communal fascism and imperialist intervention on 26 June which culminated on 9 August, observing a massive 'Jail Bharo' movement throughout the country under the slogan "Saffron Fascists, Quit India". The Party has urged the people to intensify the mass movement to overthrow this communal and corrupt government from power.

"Autonomous State Demand Day" Observed in Karbi Anglong

The CPI(ML) in Karbi Anglong observed "Autonomous State Demand Day" throughout the Hill District on 15 August. It was observed in all the 11 blocks and subdivisional headquarters of Hamren and Bokajan, apart from the district headquarters at Diphu. In all around 5,000 people participated in these programmes.

Last year when the renegades had deserted the ASDC, there was an atmosphere of hopelessness prevailing in Karbi Anglong with the rumours that the autonomous movement has died down and there are no hopes of its revival. At that time Party took bold initiative and organised a Long March from 1-15 October and reasserted the autonomous state demand. Since then, Assam Legislative Assembly has been gheraoed twice and two Karbi Anglong bandhs were observed.

Along with the autonomous state demand, the Party also condemned the government for engaging in secret killings and demanded that state repression on the movement cadres must be stopped.

Rally against Illegal Detention of Political Activists in Kolkata

On 20 August, a huge rally of 5-6 thousand people marched on the streets of Kolkata. The rally was organised under the banner of "Committee for the Release of Prisoners", in which CPI(ML) is also a major constituent along with other ML groups and some prominent members of intelligentsia of the city. In one and a half year of its rule under the 'Reformed Left Front' led by Buddhadev Bhattacharya, West Bengal has witnessed illegal detention of hundreds of political activists in police custody or jail. Some of them are detained in the name of ISI agents, some as political terrorists. It started from Rajbanshi people in North Bengal who are agitating against economic deprivation and for autonomy. Altogether 250 such people are in jails, where they are being tortured. Some 80 young people are from Biplabi Krishak Samiti, having links with MCC, who have been detained for 'waging war against the state'. Now it is the turn of PWG activists. At least 200 such activists including one lecturer of Calcutta University have been subjected to third degree torture in police custody and then lodged in jails.

The rally organisers demanded immediate and unconditional release of the political prisoners and a probe on torture of the political activists. They demanded a stop on indiscriminate arrest of innocent people at the midnight without any arrest warrant. Kartik Pal, secretary of State Party Committee and other state and district leaders attended the rally.

Police Firing on the Peasants in Raiganj

In Raiganj of North Dinajpur district, the police fired 30 rounds on the peasants resisting forcible recapture of around 100 bigha of waste land by an absentee landlord in collusion with local police and CPM leaders. The landless peasants, including 80-90 women agricultural labourers, participated in the resistance with bows and arrows. Though the landlord ultimately failed in his bid, the police let loose the reign of state terror in the whole area which is 12 km away from Raiganj. On 22 August midnight, the police illegally arrested Ganesh Chhetry, a member of State Committee, along with some local comrades. The district Party organisation successfully organised a 12-hour bandh in Maharahat, a local rural market, on 23 August, held rallies in Raiganj town and in the locality. The district committee has decided that in case com. Chhetry and other comrades are not released immediately, the Party will organise Raiganj bandh and gherao the local police station for an indefinite period.

CPI(ML)'s Campaign in Tripura

Party state committee has planned to conduct three-phase movement on 9 points demand. In the first phase statewide propaganda campaign was launched. Main demands were: implementation of the act for agrarian labourers passed in 1986, land rights to be vested with the ADC and village councils to be elected soon so as to extend democracy to village level, state government to purchase all agrarian commodities including paddy on support price, primary education and primary health to be extended to all the areas, primacy be given to revision of BPL list as well as the task of enlisting BPL people, ensuring employment to the unemployed and fight against corruption at all levels.

On 26 August, around 150 persons staged demonstration for 6 hours at Chaumuhani in Udaipur PS. Along with 9-point demand, protest was also launched against economic irregularities in welfare works by Udaipur town municipality and resignation of the municipality chairman was demanded.

Flood Victims Agitation in Muzaffarpur

The flood affected people of Gaighat block in Muzaffarpur district in Bihar have gone on agitational path in protest against the criminal negligence being shown by the government and its administration. In response to the call given by the block committee of the CPI(ML), nearly a thousand people took out a militant procession in Gaighat on 12 August. It was led among others by Party district committee member Jitendra Yadav. The local MLA and the Circle Officer, who were present at the block office, attempted to escape unsuccessfully as angry protesters blocked their vehicles and forced them to stay and give an ear to the peoples' grievances. Under pressure both of them had to assure protesters of a guaranteed distribution of adequate reliefs and rehabilitation of the flood victims.

Dharna in Bhilai

On 18 August, a dharna was staged under the banner of "Satnami Development Committee" to protest the wrong depiction of Satnami community in government published textbooks for Class IX. Among the Satnami community there has been resentment for being slighted time and again. Earlier in 1985, a big movement was launched in protest to being depicted as leather worker in the gazetteer, but it has not been rectified till date. Agitators participating in the dharna demanded resignation of the education minister. Shambhu Singh, Durg district secretary of CPI(ML) and other leaders participated in the dharna and addressed the agitators. The government has promised to rectify the mistake.

Domicile Policy in Jharkhand

Popular aspirations among Jharkhandi people for getting preference in securing jobs (Category 3 and 4) has been betrayed by the Marandi government as the position taken by the attorney of the Govt. of Jharkhand in Ranchi High Court during the hearing on domicile policy has made this amply clear. This shows that the "firm" position taken by the chief minister on this question was only aimed at securing some political mileage and overcoming the absolute isolation he was facing among the Jharkhandi masses. Since the day of formation of his government, however, the assertion of the tribal masses and their determined effort for the emancipation from the non-Jharkhandi mafia domination will not go in vain. Now no one should have any doubt that even the declaration of 73% reservation by the same govt. was actually an act of sabotage. Now the Indian parliament must find a solution to these problems emerged out of the specific historical background in Jharkhand polity.

Left ranks Join CPI(ML) in Giridih

In the first week of August, three branch committees of CPI led by an area committee secretary, who is also a member of district executive and president of coal workers union joined the Party. In the fourth week of July, all the district level leading comrades of Forward Bloc announced to join CPI(ML). They have influence in nearly ten villages of the area. In Birni area, the JMM president of Pesham panchayat and all the panchayat unit members have also joined the Party on 13 August.

Demonstration in Dhanbad

Hundreds of activists and supporters of CPI(ML), JMKS and AIPWA held a dharna and blocked the road in Dhanbad to protest the district administration's inaction in nabbing the criminals who raped three adivasi girls near Kako petrol pump on Rajganj-Katras road on 3 August. A delegation of CPI(ML)-JMKS-AIPWA also met the Dhanbad DC and the SP and handed over a memorandum demanding immediate arrest of rapists and security to the victims. This issue was also raised in the Jharkhand Assembly during zero hour by the Party legislature Mahendra Singh.

Dharna against Starvation Deaths in Azamgarh

CPI(ML)'s Ballia, Azamgarh and Mau units held a two day dharna at Azamgarh from August 23 to protest the starvation deaths of two children belonging to a poor agrarian labourer's family. This was in response to the Party's call to intensify the agitation against callousness of UP government in providing relief to the drought affected people. Earlier Party had staged a week long dharna in front of the State Assembly in Lucknow which concluded on August 22.

Protest Demonstration at Bijnor

A demonstration was held by CPI(ML) in front of Collectorate in Bijnor on August 10 against rampant corruption in government offices and many other issues like price-hike, unemployment, crop-failure, etc. and a memorandum was submitted to the District Magistrate after the demonstration.

AISA Panel For DUSU Elections

The All India Students Association has fielded a four member panel with Nitin Pamnani for President, Md. Kaifullah for Vice-President, Uma Gupta for Secretary and Rajiv Singh for Joint-Secretary in Delhi University Students Union Elections which is scheduled for September 6. The AISA has appealed to the student community to unite against the saffron onslaught on education and to struggle for the rights and dignity of women on campus. It is also raising the issues of fee hike and privatisation of education, criminalisation in campuses and bus passes for the students, etc. Recently AISA had launched a vigorously campaign against increasing incidents of attacks on women demanding formation of a 'women cell against sexual harassment' in the University as per the guidelines of the Supreme Court.

AISA Leaders Arrested in Kanpur

Eight AISA activists including AISA state President Rakesh Singh were arrested in Kanpur and sent to jail while they were leading a protest dharna at the premises of the District Magistrate on 23 August. The Dharna was in protest against the refusal to accept the nomination forms of AISA's presidential candidate by the electoral officer for the DBS College Students' Union elections and the highhandedness of an officer in the district administration.

A protest demonstration was organised by AISA at Allahabad to oppose these arrests and demand the release of arrested leaders and activists.

Convention for Right to Employment in Ranchi

The RYA held a state-level convention in Ranchi on August 20 for enactment of the Right to Employment as a fundamental right. The Convention was addressed among others by Mahendra Singh, Ravi Bhushan, an eminent intellectual and Professor in Ranchi University, Faisal Anurag, journalist and activist and Mithilesh Yadav, National President of RYA. Bhubneshwar Kevat conducted the Convention. Speakers called upon the youth to fight for the Right to Employment through waging militant struggles against fascist-mafia forces. They emphasised the vanguard role of the youth in the struggle of social justice and social change. Apart from the central demand for enacting Right to Employment as fundamental right, the Convention passed several resolutions condemning the Gujarat genocide and the incident of Sati occurred in Madhya Pradesh. The RYA Convention demanded sacking of the killer Narendra Modi government of Gujarat.

Construction Workers' Union in Delhi

The All India General Kamgar Union in Delhi, also engaged in organising construction workers, one of the most unorganised in the unorganised sector, successfully fought for the compensation to the dependents of a deceased worker who succumbed to injuries inflicted on him when a wooden pillar fell over while he was working at the construction of a house. The police, in connivance with the house owner, tried to hush up the matter and cremate the body without paying compensation. The police threatened the fellow workers, who were asking for compensation to the family of the deceased, of dire consequences. But intervention by the Union forced the police to retreat and house owner to pay a sum of Rs. 35000 as relief. The Union also mobilised construction workers from other areas in a good number in support. A big rally of unorganised workers is already scheduled to be held in Delhi on September 3 to press upon the specific demands of this sector, particularly the enactment of a centralised legislation to safeguard the rights of the construction workers.

Stop Inciting Communal Violence! Call Off 'Gaurav Yatra'

The CPI(ML) has strongly denounced the saffron gameplan for inciting renewed communal frenzy in Gujarat in the name of so-called 'Gaurav Yatra'. The Party said in a statement that while the whole nation is condemning saffron forces for perpetrating genocide in Gujarat, they are basking in the presumed glory of the blood-bath.

Vajpayee's Statement on Anti-EC Campaign a Cover-up

Reacting on the Prime Minister Vajpayee's statement on the vicious campaign launched against the EC by Narendra Modi and his cohorts, the Party said, "Vajpayee's statement is a tired attempt to enhance the lowering profile of his government which is fast losing its credibility and morality". The Party said, "in Prime Minister is really serious about the current attacks on the constitutional-democratic institutions, he and his cabinet should dismiss the Narendra Modi government and impose President's rule in Gujarat".

Largest Relief Camp in Ahmedabad Shut Down

The Shah Alam Relief Camp, largest in Ahmedabad, which has been home to the genocide victims has been shut down by the police-administration in Gujarat. This has led to utter chaos. Many of the inmates are clueless about what to do or where to go. According to reports, the genocide victims living there have been forced to sign on a paper saying that they all wanted to go home. However, few of the victims have any place to go. Victims say, "all our hopes were pinned on this camp. We thought that till we found a place for ourselves in an area dominated by our community, we'll continue to stay here. Now we have no option but to leave. How can we ever go back to live in houses where our family members were killed!".

Advani Faces Protests in UK

"The Deputy Prime Minister, L. K. Advani, was greeted by angry demonstrators - protesting the recent events in Gujarat - when he visited the India House here on Wednesday."

"As Mr. Advani arrived at the India House, a small but determined group of cross community Asian civil rights activists waved placards and raised slogans condemning the "genocide" in Gujarat. "Bring the murderers of Gujarat to justice", No to elections in Gujarat", "Don't let the BJP profit from genocide" were some of the slogans that often drowned Mr. Advani's speech on the first floor of the India House ..."

"A spokesperson of the South Asia Solidarity Group and Awaaz which organised the protest said, "... Here in Britain, divisive ideas are being promoted by groups such as the Hindu Vishwa Parishad and the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh. We are also concerned that these groups are misusing their status as charities to fund communal activities in India and we want Mr. Advani to look into this."

(Excerpts from a report published in the Hindu, 23 August, 2002)

 

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