Milking the "Holy Cow"

Campaigning in Uttar Pradesh during what has come to be known in the media as a "wave-less" and "issue-less" election, Prime Minister Mr.Vajpayee was however all too keen on putting a lid on one inconvenient issue. Defence-related issues should not figure as part of the election campaign, he chastised the Opposition. It is not that the main opposition parties there are questioning the continued deployment of the Army along the border. Rather, falling much short of that, they are merely drawing the voters' attention to a series of defence-related scandals under Vajpayee's dispensation, from Tehelka to coffingate. Needled by the Opposition while facing the electorate, Vajpayee now wants defence to be treated as a holy cow.

Well, if Vajpayee had really cared for the morale of the armed forces, he would not have trashed with impunity all norms of probity in public life by taking back the scam-tainted George Fernandes into his cabinet even before the enquiry into the Tehelka expose was completed. More so, he would not have returned the same defence portfolio to him in brazen defiance of public opinion and let him continue undisturbed even after indictment of his ministry by the CAG over coffin purchase.

Of course, it is quite natural that a democratic exercise - like an issue such as transparency in defence deals figuring as an election issue - would only be demoralizing to a fascist like Vajpayee, and his minions, who slanderously accuse the Opposition, in the same breath and from the same platform, of fighting elections with Pakistani money. Neither Vajpayee's exhortations nor the rhetoric his stormtroopers seem to be having any effect on the voters. So, what else Mr. Vajpayee is up to? Why does he desperately want to shield the 'holy cow' with an inscrutable armor? The answer is that the 'holy cow' also turns out to be the Kamadhenu for Saffron super-patriots, which they want to milk dry. This much is evident from the massive defence purchase plans unveiled by this government of late.

Being a seasoned campaigner as he is, Vajpayee might have learnt from UP that the war hysteria his government is whipping up cuts very little ice with the voters. Yet he keeps harping on the same theme if only to justify his government's buying spree in the international arms bazaar. In the past few weeks alone, his government has struck arms deals worth tens of billions of dollars. Consult Tehelka tapes if you want to calculate how much the cut would work out to. And wait for the budget to see the hefty outlay on defence at the cost of social sectors. Never mind the 'fiscal crisis.' When it comes to defence deals - with their lucrative cuts - there would be no dearth of funds, even if that means selling away a few more PSUs. Increased defence spending is also justified in the name of pump-priming to kick start a stagnating economy. Only it is not clear whose pumps they are priming with all the orders placed abroad.

Not so long ago, the External Affairs Minister Mr. Jaswant Singh dismissed reports of India tagging its armed forces, especially the Navy, behind the US forces for mercenary service, as "wonderful imagination". Now, the same proposal is before the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) for formal approval. If this is yet another proof of India's growing subservience to the US strategic designs, it is also a sure indication that India's strategic relations with many powers in the Asian region would be thrown into a turmoil. Vajpayee never cared to discuss this total and treacherous overhaul of the country's foreign policy even in the parliament let alone among the voters. But he wants a veil of secrecy over defence deals.

The Vajpayee and Co. has been amply rewarded by the Bush administration for its sellout. The sanctions have been eased, and immediately, George, the Django, dragged his 'coffin' there to fill it up with American arms and the associated booty. Worse still, the CEOs of 42 US multinational arms manufacturers, including from Raytheon, trooped in to meet Fernandes and the Indian defence minister heartily welcomed them all to set up shop in India and "chip in" with their contribution to India's militarisation, now that his government has privatized defence production. The General from Pakistan has also rushed there with his own shopping list. Describing South Asia as the "most dangerous place in the world and even a potential flashpoint for nuclear conflagration" has not prevented the US administration from dumping its arms here. Meanwhile, according to reports, defence contractors and commission agents, banished from the corridors of defence establishments for a short while in the wake of Bofors scam, are once again swarming around the saffron bigwigs, the Tehelka expose notwithstanding. Any doubt as to who are funding the saffron election campaign and the inevitable post-election horsetrading?

CPI(ML) Denounces Vajpayee's Statement

The CPI(ML) strongly denounced the Prime minister statement that opposition parties desist from raising defence scandal issues in the present circumstances of Indo- Pak tension. The Party said, "instead of removing George Fernandes type saboteurs of national defence and security from the defence ministry and taking Parliament and people of the nation into confidence on crucial issues of national life, the Prime Minister is giving sermon to refrain from criticising government for its corruption and criminality." The Party reiterated its demand of removing the infamous defence minister. Party also expressed serious concern over the growing institutionalisation of Indo-US relation in the area of military and defence. The CPI(ML) also condemned the prime Minister for making irresponsible statements during his election campaign on Indo-Pak relations and said ," the mad elephant posture adopted by the prime Minister will further vitiate the relations between the two countries It will not yield any positive diplomatic-political results. Within our country such hawkish utterance will fan up communal frenzy."

CPI(ML) Opposes Disinvestment Decisions

The CPI(ML) opposed the government's decision to disinvest the VSNL and the IBP and the proposed plan of the government to repeat the same with more public sector undertakings. Thew Party criticised the government for intensifying its liberalisation and privatisation drive. which is destroying the livelihood of millions of people and playing havoc with the national economy. The Party also condemned the government for planning to dismantle the Administered Price Mechanism for the oil sector which is aimed at abolishing the subsidy on kerosene and LPG. Describing the government decision as "pro-corporate and anti-worker-anti-people"; the CPI(ML) called upon the working class as well as people in the four states going to the polls to resolutely reject these anti people decisions of the government by defeating the BJP.

The CPI(ML) has fielded 10 candidates for Uttaranchal assembly elections. Putting forth its agenda of defeating the BJP and intensifying the struggle for mafia-free Uttaranchal, the Party called upon the electorate to cast their vote to the fighting candidates of CPI(ML) who can only advance the struggle for the assertion of the poor in politics of the state. The Pary has released a 37-point manifesto.

After a three day election tour of Punjab, Party General Secretary Comrade Dipankar Bhattacharya made an election tour of Uttaranchal from February 6 to 10. Addressing the election meetings at Srinagar,Someshwar, Ramnagar, Nainital, Dhari and Pantnagar, he said, "the saffron forces have played enough havoc with the nation through subverting its economic, social and cultural lives. RSS and its political outfit BJP are the traitor to the mission of the struggle of Uttaranchal people". CPI(ML) General secretary said, " BJP has changed Uttaranchal into a 'Muktanchal' for the mafias". He said that the BJP was robbing the state of all its agricultural , forest and industrial resources. He called upon the toiling masses, youth and all others sensitive to the cause of devolopment of Uttaranchal to defeat the BJP and Congress. He said that the defeat of pro-capitalist and pro-mafia forces in Uttaranchal would send a new message throughout the country. Comrades Rajaram Singh, MLA, Bihar, Raja Bahuguna, incharge, Uttarkhand and the Party candidates also addressed the meetings.

Police-Rape and Brutality in Jharkhand
AIPWA Demands Stern Action

Jharkhand State Committee of AIPWA has sent a strongly worded memorandum to the National Commission for Women demanding immediate action against increasing police atrocities and terror in the newly formed state of Jharkhand. The memorandum narrates the details of police brutality against adivasi women of the state , which have been gathered by an investigation team of AIPWA led by its state president comrade Guni Oraon and secretary comrade Meena.

According to the memorandum , the incidents of police atrocities and inhuman torture of adivasi women in police custody have became a regular affair, beginning from gang rape by police in Khadgarha , Ranchi to Bokaro and Palamu. On January 15, CISF personals attacked an adivasi basti Lewatand in Bokaro steel city. The entire basti was looted and destroyed. Children and aged were brutally beaten up and several women in the age group of 14-60 were gang raped by the securitymen while the police stood silently watching the heinous orgy. Out of fear, even the doctors at the government hospitals refused to treat or even medically examine the seriously injured women. In another incident in Patan police station of Palamu district, 200 police men cracked down on Rajhra village in the name of fighting terrorism. One Sridevi Pandey was caught , stripped, dragged to the police station after brutally raping her, she was hung upside down and beaten so brutally inflicting multiple fracture in her legs She was denied medical treatment by all doctors.

Despite continued protests, no action has been taken against the perpetrators of these crimes. The AIPWA State Committee demanded that a team of NCW visits the areas of occurrence and recommend stern action against the culprits immediately.

Party team visits Swarupnagar of Bengal

A Party team led by com. Meena Pal and com Basab Ghosh visited Swarupnagar to have a first hand information from the Muslim masses and madarsa people about the continuous police raids and harassment to nab 'Muslim terrorist'. On Feb.6, they met the local residents and affected madarsa teachers who were arrested 'mistakenly'. A heavy contingent of police force entered the madarsa without any permission from the school authority and arrested three teachers. They were handcuffed and dragged out of the school. Ironically, these three Muslim teachers are members of CPI(M) led ABTA and even CPM sympathisiers. Though the chief minister has withdrawn his anti Muslim, anti madarsa statement after loud protests from all quarters, yet police raids and intimidation are going on in that area without any let up. Even the CPM's MLA remained salient spectator of the harassment. of the people of his constituency.

February 6 Bihar Bandh evoked massive response

The February 6 Bihar Bandh jointly called by AISA-RYA and several left and democratic student and youth organisations against Bhagalpur Police Firing and Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB)decision to cancel registration of matric examinees evoked massive response all over the state. The agitation forced the state government to revoke the decision of canceling metric examinee's registration. The govt. was also forced to roll back its decision of fee-hike in Bhgalpur University and to release the students arrested during agitation.

Police arrested more than thousand students and youth on the Bandh day in several places including Patna, Biharsharief and Motihari. Agitators blocked road transport at many places and disrupted train services. Campuses presented deserted look. Markets and business establishments were almost closed. Offices registered thin attendance. In protest against the police lathicharge on the day of Bandh, the student-youth organisations called for state wide 'effigies burning ' on Feb7, and 'March to Bhagalpur' on Feb 11. They refocussed their demand for the immediate suspension of both DM & SP of Bhagalpur as well as the VC of Bhagalpur University. Meanwhile, Bhojpur district administration in Bhihar was also forced to withdraw its order of vacating Harijan Chaatravas ( welfare hostel for dalit students) in Arrah responding to AISA activists' relay dharna on this issue.

Rally at Naugachhia in East Bihar

CPI(ML) organised an impressive rally of more than two thousand people at Naugachhia bazaar on Feb.9 against Bhagalpur Police Firing. Addressing the rally CPI(ML) state secretary Com. Ram Jatan Sharma called upon the masses to intensify their struggle against increasing attacks on their lives and livelihood as well as the democratic rights. He further called upon them to participate in March 14 'Save Democracy Rally' at Patna in large numbers. Party state standing committee member com. Prabhat Choudhary also addressed the meeting

CPI(ML) Campaign in Delhi

CPI(ML) Delhi State Committee has launched a fifteen days long 'Bhandaphor Abhiyan' (Exposer Campaign) from Feb.5 to Feb.20 against the anti people and anti working class policies of BJP led Central govt. and the Congress govt. at Delhi. The campaign is focussed on issues like Congress- BJP conspiratorial plan to defer and avoid the MCD elections; the all round privatisation drive in water, health , transport, education , electricity sectors, non implementation of central legislation relating to construction workers, non-rehabilitation of the residents evicted from slums and colonies and increasing police atrocities against the common people in Delhi. During this campaign massive dharnas and mass meetings are being organised in several areas of the national capital. So far two dharnas and mass meetings have been held in Shahdara on Feb 5 and in Laxmi nagar area on Feb 10. These meetings were addressed among others by Comrades Kumudini Pati, Ranjit Abhigyan, Sunita and Ram Abhilash. Party led Nagarik Sabha also held a demonstration before the residence of Mandawali MLA on Feb.10.

Before this campaign, area and district conferences were held in Narela, Mangaluri, Mandawali, Noida and Mahruli. Party also held the conference of DTC Sector. East Delhi district conference was held on Jan 22 and a nine member district committee was elected which in turn elected comrade Sunita as its secretary. North-West district conference was held on Jan 27. It elected five-member district committee and Amarnath Tiwari was elected as its secretary. The Party has also decided to hold its state conference on April 21-22, 2002.

Jute & Engineering Workers Protest inBengal

On 4th & 8th Feb. BCMF-AICCTU organised protest meetings in Mahadeo jute mill in Bally and Angus jute mill in Bhadreswar respectively. Thousands of workers assembled in the meetings and burnt the copies of the black agreement recently signed by official TUs. Com Amal Chatterjee, com Susil Ghosh, Batakrishna Das of the jute mills and com. Basudev Bose and Atanu Chakraborty addressed the meetings. The leaders asked the workers to participate in the 12 Feb. rally to submit the memorandum to the chief minister demanding fresh agreement.

Against the downsizing in Joy Engineering Works in Kolkata a protest public meeting was held in Banshdroni on 10th Feb. Out of 942 workers and employees only 80 will have their jobs and the rest will be given forcible VRS. Com Mantu Ghosh general secretary of Joya Mazdoor Union and com.Basudev Bose spoke for united militant movement against this anti-worker policy of the management.

Workers' Protest in Bhilai

Workers belonging to Janwaadi Mazdoor Ekta Manch (Democratic Workers Unity Forum) affiliated to AICCTU, held a protest demonstration in Bhilai on January 28 against the anti-working class policies of Vajpayee government. Since Vajpayee scheduled his visit to Bhilai on the same day, police had refused permission for demonstration. Workers had defied prohibitory order, came out on the street through sector II roundabout and successfully held the demonstration. They condemned the govt. betrayal with the HSCL workers. They also protested the economic policies of Vajpayee govt. which pave the way only for scam s and scandals at the top. The protest was led by comrade Shiv Kumar , Gen. Secretary, Ekta Manch & comrade Shekhar Rao, president , CSW.

Raipur Agrarian Labourer Conference

An agrarian labourers' conference was held at Kharora, Raipur on January 25. Comrade Rameshwar Prasad, General secretary of Bihar Khet Mazdoor Sabha was the chief guest on the occasion. The conference was inaugurated by comrade Rajaram , CCM and party incharge of the state with around 200 delegates. The conference formed a Khet Mazdoor Sabha and elected comrade Bhagbali Dhrub as the president and comrade Keshri as the secretary. To focus the demands of the state's agrarian labourers the conference decided to hold dharna in front of Chhattisgarh Assembly on February 22.

RYA Held its First State Conference in Jharkhand

RYA has held its first Jharkhand state conference at shaheed Chandrashekhar hall, in Ranchi on January 22 and 23. The conference was preceded by an impressive youth rally led by RYA national president comrade Mithilesh Yadav. and Gen.secretary comrade Lal Bahadur Singh. Large number of delegates from Ranchi, Hazaribagh, Dhanbad, Bokaro, Gumla and Latehar participated in the conference. State council and state executive were formed which in turn elected comrade Parameshwar Mahato as state president and comrade Dileep Ram as secretary. The conference declared its agitational programmme of 'Jharkhand Assembly March' on March 18.

Anti-Liberalisation &Anti-POTO Convention in Madurai

RYA held an anti- liberalisation ad anti-POTO convention at Madurai, Tamilnadu on January 26.CPI(ML) State secretary Comrade Balasundaram addressed the convention. Several leaders of CPI, PUCLand Dalit Panther of India also addressed the convention, which was presided over by comrade Rajaguru. UTTARANCHAL ASSEMBLY ELECIONS 2002

Defeat BJP & Congress!
Intensify the Struggle for Mafia-free Uttaranchal!

The CPI(ML) has fielded 10 candidates for Uttaranchal assembly elections. Putting forth its agenda of defeating the BJP and intensifying the struggle for mafia-free Uttaranchal, the Party called upon the electorate to cast their vote to the fighting candidates of CPI(ML) who can only advance the struggle for the assertion of the poor in politics of the state. The Pary has released a 37-point manifesto.

After a three day election tour of Punjab, Party General Secretary Comrade Dipankar Bhattacharya made an election tour of Uttaranchal from February 6 to 10. Addressing the election meetings at Srinagar,Someshwar, Ramnagar, Nainital, Dhari and Pantnagar, he said, "the saffron forces have played enough havoc with the nation through subverting its economic, social and cultural lives. RSS and its political outfit BJP are the traitor to the mission of the struggle of Uttaranchal people". CPI(ML) General secretary said, " BJP has changed Uttaranchal into a 'Muktanchal' for the mafias". He said that the BJP was robbing the state of all its agricultural , forest and industrial resources. He called upon the toiling masses, youth and all others sensitive to the cause of devolopment of Uttaranchal to defeat the BJP and Congress. He said that the defeat of pro-capitalist and pro-mafia forces in Uttaranchal would send a new message throughout the country. Comrades Rajaram Singh, MLA, Bihar, Raja Bahuguna, incharge, Uttarkhand and the Party candidates also addressed the meetings. UP ASSEMBLY ELECTION 2002...

Growing Assertion of CPI(ML) in Eastern U.P.

The Poorvanchal (eastern) region of Utter Pradesh is witnessing a growing assertion of the CPI(ML) during the assembly elections in the state. The Party has fielded 34 candidates, out of which 21 are from eastern region. The pitch of campaign is maximum in the Pooravanchal constituencies, particularly in the districts of Chandauli, Mirzapur, Sonebhadra, Ghazipur and Ballia. Different social sections of the masses, especially dalits, adivasis, most backward castes and minorities are rallying in favour of CPI(ML) candidates in the constituencies of Chakia, Mughalsarai, Chandauli, Rajgarh, Jamania, and Sikandarpur. Puranpur and Barkhera in Pilibhit are also showing the similar pattern of mobilisation.

The CPI(ML) is in the fray with the agenda of defeating the BJP, rejecting the SP, repudiating the BSP and of building a powerful left resistance against feudal-police-mafia raj. The Party is raising the issues of rights and livelihood and social assertion of the dalits, adivasis and other sections of toiling people. For the Party candidates, Party workers and the supporting masses, it is not merely an election time, it's a time to get their assertion more heightened.

On February 10, thousands of people, particularly Khet-Mazdoor, vendors, rickshaw pullers, shop-owners, workers and youth came out on the street in a cycle rally in Mughalsarai in support of CPI(ML) candidate Tilakdhari Bind. One can find same spirit and support for CPI(ML) throughout the Poorvanchal. This is the area where the Party has waged militant struggles against the BJP and the Samajwadi Party backed feudal-criminal forces. This is also the area where Bhavanipur massacre took place and the dalits, adivasis, MBCs and people from minority community came to know the real meaning of POTO - brutal state terrorism of the BJP rule.

Integrating the issues of the poor and working class masses of the constituencies with the political issues of the day, the CPI(ML) is calling upon the people to defeat the forces who side with feudal-mafia elements in social life and raise the slogan of eliminating Pakistan, terminating the Muslim population and becoming brutal in the name of POTO. The CPI(ML) is targeting the BJP. At the same time, it is also opposing the SP and BSP. The Party is exposing them and making the message loud and clear, that the same SP which boasts of being the largest opposition, how it is competing with BJP in instigating the war hysteria in the country. The Party is raising the issue of 'Samjwadi goons' covertly conniving with BJP at the time of Bhavanipur massacre. Regarding the BSP, tthe Party's approach is of denouncement and rejection. For the CPI(ML) support base, the BSP leadership has proved itself a traitor to the mission of dalit-upliftment because they (BSP) degenerated the slogan of 'Bahujan' to 'Sarvajan' and finally to 'Apradheejan'. Dalits in the areas of CPI(ML) influence describe, "pahle dalit samanton se darte the, ab un apradhiyon se tharrate hain jinhe baspa ne tiket diya hai."(earlier,dalits had fear of feudals, now, they are in fear and panick because of the criminals fielded by the BSP).

The CPI(ML) campaign is also critical of the opportunist politics of the CPI(M) and the CPI who have sided with S.P, and have mortgaged the independent assertion of the Red Flag. For records, CPI(M) has fielded its candidates in Rajgarh too against the CPI(ML) candidate and in Puranpur and Barkhera the CPI (M) supports the SP against the candidates of the Forward Block, its own partner in the left front.

In the Poorvanchal region of Uttar Pradesh, it is really a fight between the 'Jan Bal' (people's Power) and the 'BahuBal' & Dhan Bal' (Muscle & Money Power). The whole story of unfolding realities in Utter Pradesh will not be complete without knowing the behaviour of the police and administration which is acting at the behest of the ruling BJP in the state. Since the time of Bhavanipur massacre dalits, adivasis and minorities are being victimised by the officials. The police administration in Chandauli, Mirzapur,and Sonebhadra is harassing the CPI(ML) cadres and supporters and preventing them from holding election-meetings. At several places police men are preventing rural poor from hoisting Party flags on their own houses. Election is considered as a process of the democracy; but in the towns and villages of eastern UP, this very process does also need thorough democratisation. The CPI(ML) has sent a number of complaints to the Chief Election Commissioner and the Chief Electoral officer, UP regarding these gross misuse of authority. Reports say that some district magistrates have been asked by the Chief Electoral officer, UP, to send report on the issue, but the real question still remains whether these saffronised police-administrative officials will go unpunished... whether they will go unchecked in the remaining period of election campaign?

Obituary