The Hint from Himachal

With the VHP holding yet another Dharam Sansad in Delhi over Ayodhya, the Hindu Jagaran Manch discovering another Ayodhya-in-the-making in the Bhojshala controversy in Madhya Pradesh and the Congress walking right into the RSS-laid trap with its variety of competitive cow-politics, the saffron brigade must have thought that it had the right ingredients for producing another victorious wave of high-pitched Hindutva. But the findings of the pre-budget annual Economic Survey and the outcome of the Himachal elections marked a rather rude end to the saffron scheme for a renewed frenzy.

Had the BJP not run such a high-profile election campaign, it could well have explained its Himachal defeat in terms of the anti-incumbency theory. While chief minister Dhumal undertook a "Viswas Yatra" asking for a renewed manadate from the Himachal electorate on the basis of his promise of 'Dhumal for development', Vajpayee went all out to renew his commitment to the cause of the temple in Ayodhya. And Advani almost echoed the demand raised by the VHP's Dharam Sansad for a parliamentary legislation to facilitate the construction of a temple when he said that with the concurrence of the Congress the NDA government was ready to table such a legislation. This statement by Advani marked a significant departure from the BJP's standard refrain in favour of either a judicial resolution or a negotiated settlement of the Ayodhya issue.

The Himachal defeat should rankle the BJP all the more because not only did the party go to the poll with all its weaponry but it had also pressed into service its latest star campaigner Narendra Modi who scored a duck in his first match away from the home ground. The BJP high command is now busy scapegoating the infighting in the Himachal unit as the primary cause behind the party's rout in the state. It is being said that every second nominee of the party faced a rebel candidate in the fray. If in Gujarat the Congress went down imitating the BJP, in Himachal it seems to have been the other way around!

It is not difficult to understand why the BJP fared so badly in Himachal Pradesh. This is one province whose population is almost exclusively Hindu and the BJP's politics of anti-minorityism therefore does not have much local relevance. Not temple or terrorism, but bread-and-butter issues like jobs and prices, and corruption and the all-pervasive agrarian crisis, were uppermost on the minds of the Himachal voters. In fact, these are the issues that are agitating the entire country. The same January 2003 India Today-ORG-MARG Mood of the Nation opinion poll which predicted 320 seats for the BJP-led alliance in the event of a snap poll had 39 per cent respondents identify unemployment as the issue they were most concerned about, followed by rising prices (37 per cent) and government corruption (10 per cent).

And this growing concern of the people over the state of the economy has been fully justified by the findings of this year's Economic Survey. The survey revealed a continuing decline in the overall economic growth rate - down from 5.6 per cent in 2001-02 to 4.4 per cent in 2002-03. This is just half of the 8 per cent rate visualised by the Tenth Five Year Plan. Even this limited growth is powered mostly by the ongoing construction boom, beyond which the all-important agricultural sector recorded an absolute decline of 3.3 per cent. Meanwhile, employment growth rate has dropped from 2.7 per cent per annum in 1983-94 to 1.07 per cent per annum in 1994-2000. The budget proposals just do not address this basic malady of jobless growth.

In the name of unleashing faster economic growth, the budget has only offered a wide range of tax concessions and price reductions to the consumer class. This is what is being described by the media as election-oriented populism. Time was when the word populism used to refer to catchy slogans like Garibi Hataao and schemes addressed to the toiling masses and the lower-middle class. Today, these sections lie outside the purview of the economic policies. The touchstone of today's populism is cheaper tickets for Shatabdi and Rajdhani Express trains and reduction in the prices of cars, computers and foreign liquor. But while the economic policies count out the workers, peasants and the unemployed, it is they who constitute the overwhelming majority of the electorate. And as Himachal has shown once again, whenever their pressing concerns find a say in electoral politics, saffron castles are bound to collapse like nine pins.

Pro-Rich Budget Critisised by the CPI(ML)

Reacting sharply to the General Budget, the Communist Party of India (M-L) has said that the budget further increases burden on already over-burdened workers, poor peasants and lower middle class and gives respite to the rich and upper middle class of society. While prices of petrol, fertilizers and petroleum products have already been increased many times, this budget again proposes a hike in these products. The skewed nature of the budget is best illustrated by the fact that it has made foreign liquor cheaper while packaged refined edible oil has been made costlier.

The budget has also delivered additional blows to the working class people by further reducing the tax rate on small savings.

CPI(ML) Congratulates People of HP for Defeating the Communal BJP

The CPI(ML) congratulated the people of Himachal Pradesh for defeating the communal and corrupt BJP in its first encounter at the hustings after Gujarat, and thus stopping the "Ashwamedh" horse that the BJP had claimed to have let loose following its manufactured victory in Gujarat elections. CPI(ML) holds that this defeat of BJP is an indicator of things to come and expresses the hope that democratic and progressive opinion of the country will prevail over communal fanaticism to ensure continuation of the punishment of this communal fascist party for its crimes against people.

CPI(ML)'s March to Assembly in Jharkhand

Thousands of people marched to Jharkhand Assembly in Ranchi on Feb 28 with the slogan 'Oust Marandi - Save Jharkhand' to demand resignation of Chief Minister Marandi. This militant march assembled in front of Assembly, blocking the entry gates, and held a meeting which was addressed by Central Committee members Ibnul Hasan Basru and Mahendra Singh and many other leaders. Speakers at the meeting said that the discredited Marandi regime in Jharkhand is responsible for nearly a dozen incidents of police firing claiming tens of lives, including last month's Markachcho firing where three CPI(ML) activists were killed, and has booked more than 3000 persons, including minors, under draconian POTA and appealed to oust Marandi by strengthening people's movement.

'Arwal Bandh' against Massacre by Ranvir Sena

The CPI(ML) called for a successful Arwal Bandh on Feb 28 to protest against the massacre five persons, including three women, of a single family. The bandh was supported by almost all political parting barring ruling RJD and the BJP. The businessmen and shop-owners of Arwal, Karpi and Kaler instantaneously responded to the call given by the Party and actively supported the bandh. The Party has demanded immediate arrest of killers and strong action against police officials who are working in connivance with the criminals besides adequate compensation to the bereaved families. The Kharasine village, where the massacre took place on Feb 24, had also been a witness to one more massacre by the killer Ranvir Sena in the past.

An investigative team of CPI(ML) had visited the spot immediately after the massacre and organised a condolence meeting in the village and a district level protest day on Feb 25.

Meeting Against GIM at Palakkad

A Public meeting was organised at Palakkad, on Feb 18 protesting Kerala government's proposals to Global Investors Meet (GIM). The meeting condemned the police excesses on the protestors of GIM, criticised the proposal of Trivandrum-Kasargod Super Express Highway, etc. It also criticised UDF government for cracking down on tribal organisations in the name of encroaching forest. Speakers also demanded immediate closure of Coca Cola Bottling Plant at Palakkad that has led to water scarcity in the area. The meeting was addressed by V. Shankar, CCM and John K. Erumeli, state secretary of CPI(ML) among others.

Tea Workers Protest

A 'Save Tea Workers' mobilisation was held at Biswanath Chari Ali on Feb 26 on the demand of Regular wages and 20% Bonus to the tea workers. After the successful movement against lock-out in Bargaon tea garden, workers from different tea gardens of the locality have started joining in Asom Sangrami Chah Sramik Sangha (ASCSS), particularly in nearby Ketela garden leaving Cong-led Asom Chah Mazdoor Sangh (ACMS).

Dharna In Front Of Assam Assembly

Karbi Anglong Party Committee of CPI(ML) along with ASDC(P), KSA, KNCA, DSU staged a dharna in front of Assam Assembly on February 26, the first day of Budget Session of the Assembly. CPI(ML) pressed its demand of creating Autonomous State under section 244(A) of the Indian Constitution. Dharna was participated by hundreds of activists and supporters from different parts of Karbi Anglong and North Cachar hill districts along with Jayanta Rongpi, Rubul Sarma and other leaders of the constituent organisations.

Three Tea Workers Killed in Police Firing

At Changmari Tea Estate in district Siliguri of West Bengal tea workers had to face police firing which claimed three lives. This firing was a result of rivalry between two groups of CPI(M)-supported goons who are involved in extorting money and other anti-social activities. Six months ago two tea-workers also fell prey to police bullets at another Tea Estate, in Candmoni, in which henchmen of Urban Development Minister in the state were directly involved. And recently, Technology Minister of Left Front govt. has blamed 'worker-owner conflicts' for the crisis in the tea industry in WB shutting his eyes to the increasing repression and exploitation of the tea workers in the state where illegal closure of Tea Gardens is common.

The Darjeeling-Siliguri district committees of the CPI(ML) has visited the injured workers in the hospital and sent a team at the spot. Party has decided to build mass pressure through protest rallies and other forms of agitation to force the administration to punish the guilty police officials in this incident.

AIKSS Calls for Nationwide Protests

The All India Kisan Sangharsh Samiti (AIKSS) has decided to protest anti-peasant budget proposals on Feb 10. In a two-day meeting held on Mar 1-2 at Jaipur, the AIKSS central executive has strongly criticised central govt. for decreasing public investment in agriculture sector to benefit big industrial houses and multinationals despite increasing incidents of suicides by farmers and the growth rate in agriculture sector going down to -3.5 %. When farmers are facing repeated occurrences of drought and floods and not able to afford the increased costs of agricultural inputs, further rise in prices of diesel and fertilizers has again proved this government to be insensitive to the plight of peasant. On March 10, AIKSS will demonstrate on a nationwide scale and burn effigies of Prime Minister, Finance Minister and the General Budget 2003-4 at all blocks HQs and important centres of the country.

AIKSS also criticised Congress-led Rajasthan govt. and BJP-led Central Govt. for political maneuvering and shirking from responsibility in a drought affected state and demanded immediate relief measures. AIKSS has lent its support to the sugarcane producers' movement going on in many places in the country. The American attempts to attack Iraq defying world opinion were also condemned in the meeting. It was also demanded to immediately release Haryana's popular farmer-leader Ghasiram Nain who is in Jail for last many months.

B R I E F S

• Bihar unit of CPI(ML) protested the anti-poor anti-peasant Union budget by burning effigies of Prime Minister Vajpayee and Finance Minister Jaswant Singh at Patna, Nawada, Arrah and many other places in Bihar on March 1.
• Movement is going on in Gaya against killing of a nurse of Lady Algin's Hospital. Police has opened fire on protesting women and implicated them into false cases. All India Progressive Women's Association (AIPWA) held a dharna led by its General Secretary Saroj Chaube to demand to lift the false cases and release of all arrested activists on Feb 28 before the Commissioner's office. An all-party meeting was also held on March 1 besides a big mass meeting at Panchlakh village.
• The CPI(ML) conducted a road blockade to press the demands of Sugar-cane farmers in district Moradabad (UP) with a 7-point charter that includes increase in support price up to Rs. 95 per quintal. And in Champaran (Bihar), movement is continuing when peasants protested at Majhaulia Sugar Mills on Feb 12 under the banner of Kisan Sabha to demand payments of dues while at Harinagar Mills they continued protest braving police lathi-charge twice and an attack by hired goons of Mill management.
• In response to the call given by the Bihar Pradesh Kisan Sabha (BPKS), hundreds of peasants held an impressive demonstration before the DM office at Arrah on Feb 27 and reiterated their demands for the modernisation of Sone Canal, adequate supply of seeds and fertilizers, rollback of the hike in irrigation tax and compensation for the damaged crops.
• Uttar Predesh Khet Mazdoor Sabha organised a dharna at DM office in Jalaun with the slogan "remove harvesters - save agri. labourers" on Feb 28 after a three weeks campaign in which about 50 villages were covered through cycle marches, meeting and street plays to highlight the demands of agricultural labourers in the district.
• UP unit of the CPI(ML) has condemned the arrests of AISA and RYA activists who were going to hold a dharna in front of UP Assembly on Feb 28 to demand to hold elections in Allahabad University campus as promised by the Chief Minister Mayawati and to build a Memorial of the Martyrs of 1857 at Lucknow Residency.
• Mandawali unit of Revolutionary Youth Association (RYA) held its conference on March 2 and organised a 'Dam bandho - Kam do' march. The conference resolved to intensify struggle for right to work and unemployment allowance, etc.
• In Vaiko village of Giridih district in Jharkhand CPI(ML) protested against an incident of dacoity and police inaction by organising a militant march which was participated by one and a half thousand people.

CPI(ML) to Hold March on Mar 15 in Solidarity with International Action against War

The CPI(ML) will hold anti-war peace marches at all important centres in the country on Mar 15 in solidarity with the International Action Against War which is organising anti-war protests on a global scale.

More than 120 representatives from the anti-war movement in 28 countries held meeting in London this weekend to finalise strategy and coordinate international efforts to stop the war on Iraq. The Meeting issued a statement of international coordination calling for "a massive escalation of action in the coming weeks to try to prevent war" and announced to hold demonstrations, protests and mass actions on March 15 in solidarity with the Emergency Convergence on the White House. The worldwide anti-war movement is working together in an unparalleled effort of coordination and solidarity as people around the world fight for peace and justice, not just each for themselves, but for each other.

The campaigns to disrupt U.S. forces have also been started. The dozens of activists, were arrested on Tuesday for chaining themselves to the gates of a U.S. military center outside Rotterdam. In Italy, hundreds of protesters occupied train stations and railway tracks for nearly a week to delay trains carrying U.S. military equipment from northern Italy to the Camp Darby military base near Pisa. Irish protesters broke through the perimeter fence at Shannon airport in January and damaged a U.S. Navy plane, causing other planes to divert their flights and refuel elsewhere. Trade union movements in Italy and France are pledging work disruptions and considering general strikes if war breaks out. Before March 15 demo, there will also be a students' strike in US and Australia on March 5 and International Women's Day anti-war protests on March 8.

In the meanwhile, on Feb 27, citizens of Bangalore took out to streets under the banner of Bangalore Initiative for Peace condemning the American attempts at war on Iraq. The procession was attended by various mass organisations of left parties including AICCTU, AISA and AIPWA, besides PUCL and many NGOs, students and several muslim social organisations.

"You have blood on your hands"

(An excerpt from the writer Arundhati Roy's letter to the Kerala Chief Minister, A.K. Antony, on the recent happenings in Muthanga, Wayanad, as reproduced in The Hindu dated 28 February '03)

There are some moments in the life of a society when something happens to put its moral fibre on public display. This is one such moment.

The Muthanga atrocity will go down in Kerala's history as a government's attempt to decimate an extraordinary and historical struggle for justice by the poorest, most oppressed community in Kerala. It will go down in history because, unlike most 'struggles' in Kerala, it is not a petty, cynical fight between political parties jockeying for power. It is the real fight of the truly powerless against the powerful. It is the stuff of which myths are made.

I visited the Muthanga sanctuary (partly used as a eucalyptus plantation for Grasim's Gwalior Rayons factory, which has recently been closed) where the Kerala Police opened fire on hundreds of adivasis. I visited the Sultan Bathery hospital where the wounded have been admitted. I visited some adivasi settlements close to the sanctuary. I also visited the Calicut jail and met C.K. Janu and Geethanandan, both of whom are recovering after having been badly beaten by the police. Apart from this I spoke with several eyewitnesses to the firing.

For the Kerala Police to open fire on a group of hundreds of people including women, children, old people and infants is an act that has few parallels in recent history. The event that comes to mind is Jallianwallah Bagh. According to eyewitness accounts the official death toll of two is completely untrue. The people I spoke to reported a much higher toll.

There is absolutely no justification or excuse for what happened. Even the police version of being provoked by a 'hostage' crisis is not a justification. To open fire like that with no attempt to negotiate shows a deep lack of respect for human life - not just adivasi lives, but also the lives of the policeman and the forest official who were taken hostage. It is not the way governments in the past have dealt with kidnappings and hijackings by real militants. While those who killed the policeman must certainly be punished, you cannot hold all the people present there - or the Adivasi Gothra Mahasabha or indeed the entire adivasi community - responsible for that act.

Survivors who I spoke to in hospital were less traumatised by their own injuries than by the fact that many of their family members, including small children, had gone missing. I met a man whose child had fallen from his arms when he was brought down by a police lathi and has been missing since then. There are others, women and old people, missing. It is not known whether they are dead, or alive or hiding, hurt and hungry in the sanctuary.

A week has passed and no effort has been made to draw up lists of the missing and crosscheck them with jail and hospital records and reassure those who are rigid with grief and uncertainty about their loved ones. Can you even bear to think how you would feel in their place?

Meanwhile, the police are terrorising adivasis in the region. Policemen enter settlements and arbitrarily arrest the men folk, beating them and dragging them away. Their families have no idea what has become of them. When we approached the villages we found ghost-settlements with only a few frightened women and children. The men who remained all ran away. Clearly the intention is to stamp out the struggle completely. It is a ruthless political game by accomplished players.

Journalists and cameramen have been threatened and intimidated. For fifteen hours after the firing, the place was closed to the media.

The result of this police-raj is that adivasis are too frightened to go to work. People are frightened to employ them. In effect, they are starving to death in their villages - their ration cards have been burnt in the carnage. This is an exacerbation of the situation that led them to fight for the return of their alienated lands in the first place.

This is to urge you to immediately release people who have been held on baseless charges and see that they are able to return safely to their villages. Most have lost all their worldly possessions - they have no food, no vessels to carry water, and no clothes to wear.

Forgotten in the reportage about the carnage and its aftermath is the fact that this confrontation was the outcome of yet another cynical promise by the Government of Kerala to provide land to 53,000 adivasi families by the end of December 2002. It was another link in the chain of 28 years of unforgivable manipulation. Ours is a nation built on the jagged shards of broken dreams.

You have blood on your hands, sir. You need to make amends. And quickly.

P.S: A small observation: In its eagerness to restore the Eucalyptus plantation to its pristine condition, apart from killing human beings, between bouts of firing, the police squadron had a picnic lunch. The plastic cups and plates scattered on the 'eco-sensitive' battlefield tell a story. This one meal by the guardians of the State produced more non-biodegradable waste than the homes and worldly possessions of one thousand adivasis families.