Vajpayee's Goa 'Musings': Beware of this New Year Message!

From the 'idyllic setting' of the Taj Exotica resort of Goa, Atal Bihari Vajpayee has once again acquainted us with some of his 'wandering thoughts' about his philosophy of Hindutva. With quotations from Vivekananda, Aurobindo and even Rabindranath Tagore, a vacationing Vajpayee has laboured hard to argue the old RSS case which defines Hindutva as India's eternal way of life and equates it with Indianness.

Just two weeks ago it was the same Atal Bihari Vajpayee who had accused Muslims in India of not being adequate in their condemnation of Godhra. Are we now to accept his sermon that "Hindutva is liberal, liberating and brooks no ill will, hatred or violence among different communities on any ground" as a change of heart triggered by the idyllic setting of the Taj Exotica, the unique Goan combination of 'the sun, the sand, the sea, swaying coconut trees, the rivers and forests'? For liberals with an incorrigible penchant for taking Vajpayee's secular mask at its face value, his gospel from Goa may be the ultimate proof of his core belief in a non-sectarian Hindutva. For every Indian for whom the genocide in Gujarat remains an unforgettable and unforgivable act of crime perpetrated by Vajpayee's saffron cohorts and sponsored by the state led by a senior leader of his own party, his lecture on tolerance and diversity will however be remembered only as an instance of hypocrisy of the worst kind.

There is of course more to Vajpayee's new year message from Goa than hypocrisy. As an argument it is utterly fallacious and mischievous, as a statement of intent it is nothing short of a declaration of war on the very identity, aspirations and rights of the overwhelming majority of India's one billion people. Secularism, Vajpayee tells us is a concept of the State, enjoining upon it the duty to show respect for all faiths and to practice no discrimination among citizens on the basis of their beliefs. Such a state-centric definition of secularism clearly leaves the field open for rationalising acts like the Gujarat genocide as an expression of emotional outburst on the part of the 'Hindu society'.

He then goes on to remind us that "In this sense, India has been secular since the beginning of her known history." Yet a few sentences later he claims that "Hinduism's acceptance of the diversity of faiths is the central feature of secularism in India." Now, India's written history certainly includes several centuries when India, or at any rate most parts of the land, was ruled by people preaching and practising non-Hindu religions like Buddhism, Islam and Christianity. If the state in India remained secular even in those periods, then such secularism certainly cannot be attributed to any special quality of Hinduism. But from Advani to Vajpayee, every ideologue of the RSS always defines secularism as an inherent trait of Hinduism.

The next mischief lies in defining India's national culture in religious terms, as a Hindu way of life, equating it with Bhartiyata or Indianness. While internally, this Indianness is predicated on Hinduism, externally it is defined in terms of facing the challenge posed by the western neighbour, Pakistan. Ironically, Vajpayee tells us that he often finds it odd that though India reconciled itself long ago to the creation of Pakistan, the latter continues to find it difficult to accept the unchangeable reality of a united and secular India. If the notion and spirit of Indianness is as ancient as Vajpayee would like us to believe, then why is the Sangh so obsessed with Pakistan which has been in existence only for the last five decades and a half? After centuries of colonial subjugation and renewed Western imperialist domination in the present era of globalisation, why the West only means India's western neighbour in the Sangh's vocabulary? Why is Vajpayee's new year message conspicuously silent about the real power which is increasingly dominating India in every field, the United States of America?

Vajpayee pleads passionately for what he calls a 'Connectivity Revolution' to solve every problem that we face. In economic terms, this revolution means greater freedom for big capital driven by foreign MNCs and institutions like the IMF, World Bank and WTO to exploit whatever natural and human resources we have. In strategic or politico-military terms, connectivity refers to a bigger sell-out of our national interests and priorities to the dictates and requirements of US imperialism. For a smooth implementation of this scheme, Vajpayee has stressed the need 'to expand the area of consensus on economic and other urgent reforms' while calling upon the people 'to reduce their dependence on government for everything.' We do not need louder hints to tell us how the Vajpayee government plans to bulldoze the country with its steamroller of communal and jingoistic politics, pro-market anti-people reforms and a trigger-happy state machinery.

What can be the country's new year message to such a regime except that you have no business to rule this great land? Goa, Goa, Gone! Let us say it loud and clear.

CPI(ML) Central Committee Meets in New Delhi

(Seventh Central Committee of the CPI(ML) met in New Delhi from 20-23 December '02. Summary of the deliberations reproduced below.)

Gujarat Election Results and Our Tasks

The Gujarat results mark a serious threat to secular-democratic forces in the country. Given the BJP's strong network in Gujarat, the intensity of the post-Godhra communal polarisation in the state, the climate of fear and the utter bankruptcy of the Congress, there was perhaps an element of inevitability about the outcome of the Gujarat elections. We must not however underestimate the scale and implications of the BJP's victory even though its vote share has been only a little more than 50%. As indicated by the Prime Minister's remarks and the moves already initiated by various outfits of the Sangh parivar, the saffron brigade will make every attempt to replicate its Gujarat model. The elections results have already emboldened them and they are planning to step up their offensive on every front in the coming days.

We must step up our efforts and initiative to resist this saffron offensive. There are several strong factors operating against the BJP and the BJP is bound to come up against stronger opposition in most other states and regions. On our part, we must concentrate in our strong-holds but we must also undertake larger initiatives to reach out to various other Left and democratic forces. An appeal will be issued in the name of Left and democratic forces and we should warn Left ranks against the danger of the opportunist Left's line of hobnobbing with and relying on the Congress. We must also take specific initiatives to allay the fears of the minority community and have closer interaction with sections of the minority community and dalits and adivasis so as to strengthen the anti-BJP resistance. Various State and District Committees should plan specific initiatives in this direction in keeping with their specific conditions.

Inside Gujarat, our work is still at a very primary stage. We did conduct some campaign independently as well as jointly with other forces and we have established some encouraging contacts in the process. We will have to keep up this initiative and persist with our efforts to develop a base for the Party and the communist movement in the state.

Seventh Party Congress and after

The successful conclusion of the Seventh Congress has instilled new hope and confidence in the entire Party and has also generated a larger positive impact beyond our own confines. The CC recognised certain weaknesses in our preparation and management, but felt that on the whole the Congress had been a great success. The CC congratulated the entire Party, especially comrades in Bihar, on the success of the Seventh Congress.

The Congress documents will be shortly finalised and made available in different languages. All Party Committees must carry the message of the Seventh Congress to the entire ranks in a systematic manner. Party classes should be organised at various levels to organise and encourage serious study of the Congress documents.

Simultaneously, Party committees must also make and implement specific plans to harness the goodwill and impact generated by the Congress in broader circles around the Party.

The CC has elected a 9-member Polit Bureau comprising Comrades Dipankar Bhattacharya, Swadesh Bhattacharya, Ram Naresh Ram, Nand Kishore Prasad, Ram Jatan Sharma, Akhilendra Pratap Singh, DP Buxi, Rubul Sarma and Kartick Pal.

The Central Committee formed South Zonal Bureu, North-East Zonal Cooradination and North Zonal Coordination. The Central Committee also formed a Working Class Department and a Peasant and Agrarian Labourer Department. The CC also allocated responsibilites for departments of Student-Youth, Culture, Party Education and International Relations. The CC also appointed editorial boards of Liberation and Lokyudh. Targets of circulation of Liberation and Lokyudh were also fixed at 2500 and 10,000 respectively.

State level agricultural labour organisations should be formed in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and other prospective states and all-India organisation should be launched on a membership basis of one million. AICCTU, AIPWA, AISA, RYA, etc. were asked to streamline their organisations, expand membership and take up vigorous initiatives.

On the Party front, we should ensure the following: (i) maximum retention of the existing members (candidate as well as full), (ii) realisation of growth possibilities in growth areas like Jharkhand, Orissa, Karbi Anglong and NC Hills and other newly developing areas, (iii) attaining at least 10% women membership in Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and UP, (iv) emphasis on cadre-building and organising special education camps for specific sections (like student-youth, working class and women) and specific regions.

This Is Delhi: Criminals May Be Spared, Not The Agitators

This is Delhi. To be more precise, Delhi University, where crimes are rampant, criminals roam freely, incidents of rapes are frequent with police remaining a mute witness. But, when students, even blind students, dare to raise their voice to defend their rights and sit on a dharna, they are treated as criminals and sent to jail.

In Delhi University (DU), the blind students who were holding a dharna before Vice Chancellor (VC) office for the past two and a half months to press their just demands. They were removed forcibly by police before daybreak on December 22 under a mischievous plan hatched by DU administration and police to crush the movement. However, as soon as the news spread, AISA members gathered and together with blind students started a protest march from Patel Chest. The police attacked the marchers at Khalsa College and arrested 7 AISA leaders without any provocation. When the marchers did not disperse, they arrested as many as 87 blind students. The AISA leaders were beaten and again tortured in the police station. All the arrested students were sent to jail on remand for 14 days.

Condemning this highhandedness on the part of police and university administration, several students and teachers organisations issued a joint statement.

On 27 December AISA observed a 'National Protest Day' against this attack. Protest marches were brought out in Delhi and other cities and campuses. In Delhi, AISA activists wore black badges and burnt effigies of LK Advani. Students, teachers and karmachari groups marched through Delhi University campus to the VC office, demanding immediate and unconditional release of the arrested students and withdrawal of the charges against them, suspension of the Addl. SHO, Maurice Nagar who indulged in custodial violence against students. DUTA president Shashwati Mazumdar, JNUSU president Rohit, DUTA Academic Council member Khursheed Alam and Executive Committee Member Tripta Wahi, AISA President Kavita Krishnan, SFI State Secretary Anurag Saxena, PSU President Pradeep, Navin of DSU, Abhinav of Disha, Vinod Chauhan of ASO, Amar Singh of SC/ST/OBC/Minority Front, Sanjay Bohidar of DTF and Vinod Khurana of LDTF joined the protest. A delegation met Pro-VC who assured that DU administration will take steps to meet these demands, but no action was taken till the time of writing this report and most of the blind students are still in jail.

Reports from UP

Some 500 peasants marched on the land that was illegally occupied by some bullying landlords in Ghutna Bujurg village of Lakhimpur Khiri district of U.P. on 25 December. The land had been allotted to them on patta, but the landlords wanted to forcibly harvest the crop. As a result of the march, administration had to intervene and harvesting was stopped.

In Sitapur district of U.P., Khet Mazdoor Sabha staged dharna before the DM office on 20 and 21 December on their demands concerning land, wages and certain social issues. Dharna ended only when the ADM assured to take action on immediate demands within 10 days.

In Farenda town of Maharajganj district of U.P., police fired on a protest demonstration killing three persons on the spot. People were protesting killing of a student leader. An AISA team led by State President visited the spot on 25 December and held Mayawati government responsible for the firing and demanded stern action against erring officials and police personnel.

Trade Union Convention to Save Leather Industry and Workers

Sponsored by AICCTU, a civil and trade union convention was held at Tapsia, Calcutta on 23 December to safeguard the interests of leather industry and all the workers and employees associated with it. Supreme Court has ordered shifting of leather industry in Tiljala-Tapsia-Tangra area to a 15-km distant "Leather City" at Bantala-Karaidanga area. The state govt. has sold land to Jagmohan Dalmia on BOT basis at Rs38.32 per sq m., but he in turn is selling the same at Rs.600 per sq m. Still, proper infrastructure is not yet ready there, so shifting could not be started. But the State Govt., in order to save its skin as well as Dalmia's, submitted a false affidavit in the Supreme Court claiming that infrastructure was ready. Cutting off power and water supply to the tanneries in Tiljala-Tapsia-Tangra area, the government has thrown the tannery workers and employees our of job.

Veteran UTUC leader Sunil Sengupta, TUCC leader Nihar Roychaudhury, UTUC(LS) leader Dilip Bhattacharya, AICCTU leader Basudeb Bose, RYA leader Jayatu Deshmukh, AIPWA leader Indrani Dutta and many others addressed the convention. Sunil Sengupta repudiated the false statement of State Industry Minister Nirupam Sen. He also criticised the chief minister Buddhadev's remark that militant struggle of workers has now become irrelevant. It was decided that all central trade unions will form a joint investigation team to probe the matter and decide further course of action.

Rajasthan Governor Communalises Drought Relief Programme

CPI(ML) Rajasthan unit, CPI, CPI(M) and PUCL jointly opposed Rajasthan governor's attempt to impart communal colour to drought relief operations in the state by launching a programme of collecting funds through Ramkatha recitation. CPI(ML) State Unit demanded that this misuse of the office of governor must be stopped immediately as it goes against the spirit of a secular constitution. It termed the socalled fund collection drive as a patent fraud to cover up criminal malpractices and irregularities in drought relief operations in the state.

Anti-people State Fails to Check Crime; People Burst in Anger Against Assaults on Public in Bihar

Often Bihar looks like a killing field where a trigger-happy police force and a number of notorious gangs carry on their mindless killing spree with impunity. But the recent events indicate that the water has crossed even the earlier records and now reached well above the danger level. On 29 November, policemen in the capital city of Patna shot dead three youth in "encounter" claiming that they were deadly criminals looting a telephone booth, whereas the fact is that all of them had not even a distatnt link with the world of crime. Just because they had some altercation with the owner of the telephone booth, the latter called his relative who happens to be a police inspector, and the criminals in uniforms killed three innocent youth. An enquiry has been ordered, but people know what can be the outcome. Just a few days back policemen killed two innocent persons in Begusarai who were travelling in a Maruti car. But the culprit police officials have not been arrested yet.

Of course killing by private armies and killer gangs is nothing new. People know about Ranvir Sena and Shahabuddin gang. A few days before a gang led by Sunil Kranti, an ex-PWG squad member, killed 7 persons in Jahanabad. Killing of peasants and labourers by gangs like Ranvir Sena, PWG and MCC has become a daily affair. Killing apart, abduction has become so common in Bihar that it averages 6-7 cases per day.

The government issues instructions to the police to check these incidents but everybody knows that these are nothing but deception, because from top to bottom Bihar is run by a nexus between powerful persons, politicians, criminals and police. This nexus is facing a serious challenge from the movement of rural poor. The state is bent on crushing this movement by hook or by crook. Because a regime like the one of Laloo-Rabri can run only by means of illegal use of brute force and nexus with criminals, police has to be given a free hand. Strange though it may seem, it is State that is at the root of all crime in Bihar.

The incident caused youth burst into anger along with their spontaneous protest, CPI(ML) took out protest rallies and called 'Patna bandh' on Dec 31. While making Bandh completely successful people expressed their resentment against the conspiracy to turn Bihar into a police state. A large contingent of Party and various mass organisation activists led by Comrades KD Yadav, Manohar, Shashi Yadav, Mithilesh Yadav, Paramhans, Anita, Murtza Ali, Shambhunath Mehta, Vikrant etc. were arrested while appealing to people to make the bandh successful. That day Party gave a call for Bihar Bandh on Jan 3 '03.

People are fed up with enquiries that are in fact an eye-wash. If a government wants to remain in office, it must start with instant booking of the culprit police officials on the charge of murder. Moreover, in the event of any murder, massacre or abduction, concerned DM and SP must be held accountable for it and suspended immediately. And the Govt. must come up, without any delay, with a white paper on murders, massacres and abductions by criminals gangs and killings by police during its present tenure.

Remembering Mao Zedong On His 110 th Birthday :
"All Reactionaries Are Paper Tigers"

(A great leader of world proletariat, Comrade Mao Zedong was born on 26 December 1883. Remembering him we are publishing below excerpts from an Interview of Mao Zedong taken by Anna Louise Strong in August 1946, heading ours. )

"To start a war, the U.S. reactionaries must first attack the American people. They are already attacking the American people - oppressing the workers and democratic circles in the United States politically and economically and preparing to impose fascism there. The people of the United States should stand up and resist the attacks of the U.S. reactionaries. I believe they will."...

"The atom bomb is a paper tiger which the U.S. reactionaries use to scare people. It looks terrible, but in fact it isn't. Of course, the atom bomb is a weapon of mass slaughter, but the outcome of a war is decided by the people, not by one or two new types of weapon. "

"All reactionaries are paper tigers. In appearance, the reactionaries are terrifying, but in reality they are not so powerful. >From a long-term point of view, it is not the reactionaries but the people who are really powerful. In Russia, before the February Revolution in 1917, which side was really strong? On the surface the tsar was strong but he was swept away by a single gust of wind in the February Revolution. In the final analysis, the strength in Russia was on the side of the Soviets of Workers, Peasants and Soldiers. The tsar was just a paper tiger. Wasn't Hitler once considered very strong? But history proved that he was a paper tiger. So was Mussolini, so was Japanese imperialism. On the contrary, the strength of the Soviet Union and of the people in all countries who loved democracy and freedom proved much greater than had been foreseen.

"Chiang Kai-shek and his supporters, the U.S. reactionaries, are all paper tigers too. Speaking of U.S. imperialism, people seem to feel that it is terrifically strong. Chinese reactionaries are using the "strength" of the United States to frighten the Chinese people. But it will be proved that the U.S. reactionaries, like all the reactionaries in history, do not have much strength. In the United States there are others who are really strong - the American people.

"Take the case of China. We have only millet plus rifles to rely on, but history will finally prove that our millet plus rifles is more powerful than Chiang Kai-shek's aeroplanes plus tanks. Although the Chinese people still face many difficulties and will long suffer hardships from the joint attacks of U.S. imperialism and the Chinese reactionaries, the day will come when these reactionaries are defeated and we are victorious. The reason is simply this: the reactionaries represent reaction, we represent progress. "