The BJP Demonstrates its Accountability to the RSS-VHP Combine

Amidst meetings and processions of red flag waving workers, Delhi this year also witnessed the beginning of a saffron conclave on May 1. The rallying cry of the conclave was: "Constituents of the Sangh Parivar, Unite!" The conclave which went on till May 3 was attended by key representatives of the Vajpayee government including Vajpayee and Advani, BJP President Venkaiah Naidu, RSS supremo V Sudarshan, VHP top brass Singhal and Togadia and senior representatives of Swadeshi Jagran Manch and Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh. The three-day session discussed a wide array of subjects from Indo-Pak relations and Kashmir to Ayodhya, disinvestment and WTO. For the record, the conclave concluded with a decision to set up a number of coordination committees at various levels and continue the process of periodic consultations.

What prompted the holding of such a high-level get-together of the Parivar? Clearly, differences and debates within the family have grown considerably in recent times. Even though many of these differences merely define the old Parivar principle of division of labour among different constituents, at times these differences have tended to be quite sharp and delicate and they have the potential to upset the Sangh's apple cart. The conclave thus marked a necessary exercise to put the Parivar in order on the eve of a series of major elections. It should however be seen not just as an acknowledgment of existing debates but also as a pre-emptive attempt to iron out potential differences over certain forthcoming initiatives of the government, especially those entailing a sudden change of direction like the new offer for dialogue with Pakistan.

Most importantly, the conclave has served as a public demonstration of the NDA government's accountability and allegiance to the RSS and the VHP. A spokesman of the RSS has defended the proposed arrangement of intra-Parivar coordination with the argument that if the BJP can carry along the twenty-odd partners of the NDA why cannot it have a similar system of coordination with the RSS and the VHP. So the RSS and the VHP are claiming an official status as partners-in-power without submitting themselves to the lawful process prescribed for political parties. The RSS must now give up all talks of being a 'cultural' organisation and reorganise itself openly as a political party. By the same token, the BJP must now be held thoroughly accountable for every word and every deed of the VHP.

The BJP has reportedly reiterated its commitment to the promised Ram temple at Ayodhya asking the VHP's support for creation of necessary conditions for passing a central legislation to this effect. It has also been reported in a section of the press that while the RSS fully backed Vajpayee's latest initiative to improve ties with Pakistan, Advani criticised the VHP's trishul-diksha campaign and expressed concern that the trident-distribution ceremonies were actually eroding the image of the Parivar and the Ram janambhoomi movement. But the day after the conclave, Togadia was already back to distributing tridents right in Delhi. He also vehemently rejected the idea of a renewed dialogue with Islamabad and called upon the government to instead dispatch tanks to Lahore to dismember Pakistan.

What are we to make of this high-decibel rain of verbal missiles just after three days of saffron consensus-building and coordination-making? Is Togadia sabotaging the saffron consensus or is he only implementing it by playing out his due role? Vajpayee says he has made his final attempt at improving relations with Pakistan. Is he trying to say that if his attempt does not succeed it would be followed by the prescription of Dr. Togadia? Whether we take the state of India's economy or the future of India's relations with Pakistan, these are too serious subjects to be left at the mercy of the Vajpayee-Advani-Sudarshan-Singhal-Togadia panchayat. The people of India have long been calling for a reversal of India's policy of tension, quarrel and war with Pakistan. They have long been demanding a reversal of India's economic policies of liberalisation, privatisation and globalisation, policies that are waging a veritable war on the people's basic right to livelihood. These are issues of life-and-death importance that will have to be resolved by the people on the streets of the country. The future of India cannot be relegated to the shadowy world of the Sangh Parivar's politics of intrigues.

Let the forthcoming all-India general strike of 21 May issue a clear warning to the conspirators of the Sangh Parivar.

On 185 th Birth day of Karl Marx
'Your name will endure through the ages, and so also will your work'

At the age of 17, Karl Marx wrote: "If we have chosen the position in life in which we can most of all work for mankind, no burdens can bow us down, because they are sacrifices for the benefit of all; then we shall experience no petty, limited, selfish joy, but our happiness will belong to millions, our deeds will live on quietly but perpetually at work, and over our ashes will be shed the hot tears of noble people."

In the words of Engels at the graveside of Karl Marx, "Science was for Marx a historically dynamic, revolutionary force. For Marx was before all else a revolutionist. His real mission in life was to contribute, in one way or another, to the overthrow of capitalist society and of the state institutions which it had brought into being, to contribute to the liberation of the modern proletariat, which he was the first to make conscious of its own position and its needs, conscious of the conditions of its emancipation."

Mahadharna at Ranchi against Arjun Munda Govt. in Jharkhand

Since 22 April, the Jharkhand State CPI(ML) has been conducting an exposure campaign against Arjun Munda Govt. In this course a Mahadharna was held on 5 May at Ranchi in which all the left parties were also invited. Apart from CPI, CPI(M) and MCC-AKRoy, Dayamayi Barla of Jharkhand Ulgulan Manch and Ranjan Guria of Koel-Karo Jan Sangathan also addressed the Mahadharna. Speakers demanded exemplary punishment to the police and administrative officials responsible for Tapkara, Markaccho, and other mass killings and unconditional release of all the agitators. They also demanded a white paper on the issue of corruption, concerning the recent allegations and counter-allegations made against the ministers. Demands were also raised for a comprehensive policy on displacement and eabilitation of the evicted villagers. Apart from assistance to the parcha holders in getting possession of land, enuring job and minimum wages, annulment of Koel-Karo project and compensation for the crop damage due to hailstorm and elephants' trampling was also demanded. The Mahadharna was led by Com. Subhendu Sen, Secretary of State Committee and Com. Mahendra Singh, Party legislator and CC member, apart from other leaders. All the parties participating in Mahadharna called for Jharkhand Bandh on 21 May.

Com. Jayanta Rongpi Meets Home Minister, Opposes Clause 8 of BLT Accord

Party MP (Lok Sabha) from Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills of Assam Com. Jayanta Rongpi met the Union Home Minister LK Advani on 6 May and appraised him about the alarming situation arising out of the Clause 8 of the BLT Accord. The ongoing social tension is so high that a single incident may flare up the whole region into a cauldron of ethnic violence involving the Karbi and Bodo population. To prevent such eventuality Com. Rongpi urged the Home Minister to take following actions:

(1) The central issue of Autonomous State to Karbi Anglong and NC Hills should be clinched first. Only within the framework of an autonomous state can the demand of ST(Hills) by Bodo people be considered. Such package solution is necessary to deliver equal justice and maintain the delicate ethno-political balance in the region.

(2) Any demand for inclusion into ST(H) list should be considered only on the basis of KAAC resolution communicated to GOI on 6-11-91, in order to safeguard the interests of Karbi, Dimasa and other indigenous Hill tribes. Or a fresh opinion of the concerned Autonomous Councils of Karbi Anglong and NC Hills should be obtained.

(3) GOI should immediately convene a meeting of all the elected representatives of the Hill districts, including the Autonomous Councils Karbi Anglong and NC Hills to discuss the issue of clause 8 of BLT Accord.

Till these steps are taken, clause 8 of BLT Accord should be kept in abeyance. Com. Rongpi criticised the Govt for adopting a discriminatory policy to appease only a particular group and thereby fuelling ethnic rivalry in the sensitive Hill Districts. This has created social tensions which may prove costly to the nation. Com. Rongpi also warned the Govt. that one wrong decision on ST(H) question may spark a chain of reactions causing enormous destruction in the region.

Brief UP News

In Jalaun district of UP, police killed a dalit porter in an 'encounter' falsely identifying him as a notorious dacoit. However, recently the real dacoit was apprehended. Holding the police as responsible for the murder and demanding their arrest and due punishment, CPI(ML) staged a dharna at Urai, headquarter of Jalaun district on 2 May, in which hundreds of porters participated.

Anti-imperialist Yatra was brought out in Allahabad for 4 days to cover the rural areas of the district. It was in the course of preparation for the forthcoming Residency March to be held on 10 May in Lucknow.

May Day 2003
Indian Workers Pledge to Intensify Resistance to Government's Pro-Imperialist, Anti-People Economic Policies and Communal Fascism

As part of the international working class, tens of thousands of working people all over India celebrated May Day and pledged to intensify resistance to the pro-imperialist policies of Atal Govt. Slogans on this May Day underlined workers' protest against disinvestments and privatisation, closure of industries and attack on trade union rights by means of Second Labour Commission.

In Ahmedabad, a joint rally was organized in Ahmedabad by AICCTU, NTUI (New Trade Union Initiative), CITU, AITUC, HMKP and other workers' organizations. Along with AICCTU, NTUI played a major role in organizing this rally. Apart from contract labourers from Vadodara, forest workers, unorganized factory workers and workers and employees from organized sector also participated.

Apart form CPI(ML) General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya and Gujarat Party Incharge Ranjan Ganguli, NTUI leader Ashim Roy, AICCTU leader Dasharath Singhali, CITU leader and CC member of CPI(M) Subodh Mehta, AITUC leader GK Parmar, trade union leaders Shyam Babu Sharma and Baburam Yadav were leading the rally. The participants were shouting "US-UK imperialism, go back from Iraq!", "Make 21 May nationwide strike a success", "Stop eviction of Adivasis from forest land", "Abolish contract system", "Implement the Central Law for contract labourers in Gujarat", "Down with communal fascism", "Down with the American lackey Vajpayee govt.", etc.

The rally started from Sarangpur and culminated in a mass meeting at Lal Darwaja. Addressing the rally chief guest Com. Dipankar Bhattacharya said: "On the May day this year, the working class is facing, along with the all-round attack by liberalization, privatisation and globalisation, the question of occupation of Iraq by US-UK imperialism. Iraq had gained freedom from the British colonial rule and the independent Iraq nation has always been openly opposing the US imperialist policies. It is because of this that US-UK imperialism attacked Iraq in which lakhs of Iraqi children, women and old people got killed and maimed, destroyed the socio-economic structure of modern Iraq. India too had gained independence 56 years back from the British colonial rule, and today there is extreme American pressure over our sub-continent. US imperialism poses a grave danger to our sovereignty. On this May Day, the foundation day of Gujarat State, Narendra Modi government, which has recaptured power in Gujarat cashing on the most heinous massacre of our history while riding on the Hindutwa wave, is shamelessly singing praises of so-called "Gujarat glory", whereas the economic situation of this state is deteriorating day by day. Factories are being closed and apart from joblessness poverty and starvation deaths are on the rise. Particularly northern and eastern belt of Gujarat is in the grip of drought for the fourth consecutive year and rural folk are fleeing their villages as there is neither grain nor fodder. Instead of conducting relief work the government is shamelessly spending crores of rupees on pompously projecting "Gujarat glory" and evicting Adivasis from their own homelands. Minorities, particularly their educated youth are being made target of oppression."

He urged the working class of Gujarat, particularly the unorganized labourers to get organized and combat the rising imperialist threat and communal fascist government. NTUI leader Ashim Roy called upon the workers to make 21 May nationwide strike a thundering success. Dasharath Singhali, Subodh Mehta, GK Parmar etc. also addressed the rally.

In Delhi, the May Day rally started from Ramlila grounds and culminated in a mass meeting at Town Hall. Nearly a thousand people from AICCTU, CITU, AITUC, HMS, UTUC, UTUC(LS) and TUCC participated in it. DTC workers, railwaymen, porters, hotel employees and factory workers came in significant numbers. Apart from others, Com. NM Thomas, Vice President of AICCTU addressed the meeting.

In the industrial belt of Jharkhand, May Day was observed at almost all centres. Protest was voiced to the disinvestment policy and closure of industries, and minimum wages along with a central legislation was demanded for unorganised workers. Around 3000 working people participated in a rally held at Saria in Giridih district. Most significant was the programme at Ghatshila of Singhbhum district. Impressive rally and mass meeting was held at Sardangal of Dumka and at Nagar Utari of Garhwa it was held jointly by left and democratic forces. Meetings were also held at Chainpur of Palamu, Bundu, Angara and Kokar of Ranchi, Churchu, Mandu, Patratu, Ramgarh and Gola of Hazaribagh district, and Lohardaga. In Bokaro, May Day was celebrated in Ballydih, Simandih and Bermo, apart from at Sector 4 in the Bokaro Steel City.

In Diphu, the headquarters of the hill district of Karbi Anglong, massive mobilisation of several thousands of workers, including a large number of women from tea-tribes, mainly from unorganised sectors like construction and forest workers, gathered to celebrate May Day. The rally was held in the midst of terror and sectarian violence unleashed by armed outfit UPDS, who had announced to stop all political rallies and gathering. Transport has come to a standstill due to their terror tactics as they fired indiscriminately on train passengers injuring three people on 28 April. However, Karbi Anglong Workers' Welfare Association defied all the threats and prohibitions to mobilise an impressive rally. Main speaker at the rally was Com. Swapan Mukherjee, AICCTU General Secretary. The meeting was presided over by Dilip Kiling. Famous writer and Karbi intellectual Rengbong Terang was the guest of honour. Leaders of Karbi Anglong Kisan Sabha, Karbi Anglong Rural Poor Association and Karbi Anglong Forest Grazing and Land Protection Committees also joined the mass meeting.

In Guwahati of Assam, May Day meeting was held jointly by AICCTU, CITU, AITUC and others. Comrade Subhash Sen addressed the rally on behalf of AICCTU. In Tamil Nadu, around 500 workers assembled to celebrate May Day at Neyveli. The meeting was held in front of Thermal Power Station-II. AICCTU leaders R Ravichandran and Selvaraj addressed the workers.

In Bihar, CPI(ML) observed May Day by launching a campaign to recruit all agrarian labourers into Khet Mazdoor Sabha. The campaign with a target to recruit 10 lakh members has been started in all the districts simultaneously and it will be conducted extensively as well as intensively until 15 June. From senior party leaders to the grassroot cadres at village level, all are involved in this campaign.

No Precondition for Meaningful Dialogue with Pakistan -- CPI(ML)

CPI(ML) called for immediate resumption of a meaningful dialogue with Pakistan without any precondition and without any American pressure or intervention. The Party said, "meaningful talks can never be held till India and Pakistan get rid of the American shadow and resist the American arm-twisting." The Party also criticised the New Delhi official line that "No talks till cross-border terrorism is stopped." The Party further said, "if cross-border terrorism is all that the government acknowledges about the Kashmir problem, then the condition can well be put as "no talks till the Kashmir problem is resolved."

The CPI(ML) called upon the Govt. of India to restore all normal relations with Pakistan including people to people contacts and sports as well as other socio-cultural ties.

Gujarat: Eviction of Adivasis Opposed

In the forest dominated eastern belt of Gujarat spread over Sabarkantha, Banaskantha, Panchmal, Dang and Valsad districts, eviction of Adivasis is continuing in the name of clearing encroachment for the past two decades. However, during the past 6 months, particularly after Narendra Modi returned to power, the forest department has tremendously speeded up this campaign. CPI(ML) has taken initiative in this regard in Sabarkantha district, where in the month of February this year a campaign was launched in a number of affected villages. Leaflet distribution, mass contact and mobilisation ensued in the months of March and April.

On 30 April a memorandum was presented to Chief Minister of Gujarat demanding: (1) In accordance with the Central Govt.'s 1990 policy, those cultivating in the forest area before 1980 be awarded ownership deeds; (2) Forest Offence Record dated before 1980 be construed as a proof of cultivating the land; (3) So-called encroacher peasants should also be regularized or rehabilitated in a non-forest land; (4) Appropriate measures for rehabilitation be adopted under "joint forest management".

Homage to Tarakeshwar Chakraborty

Comrade Tarakeshwar Chakrabarty, leader of AIBEA, departed on 2 May 2003. He had led bank employees against the onslaught of privatisation. His untimely and sudden demise is a loss that will be felt in bank and finance sector movement in particular, because he had emerged as a central figure in the bank movement. We share the grief with the bereaved family and fighting ranks.

American 'Road Map' for Palestinians

Announced by Washington on May 1 was the 'Road Map', with three phases, timelines, target dates, and benchmarks for Palestine to be carried out with active US involvement and Israel's support, under the auspices of the Quartet. The destination is a final and comprehensive settlement of the Israel-Palestinian conflict by 2005, and then, further progress by resolving the conflicts between Israel and Syria and Lebanon and Israel towards peace between Israel and Arabs. It was originally presented in President Bush's speech of 24 June, and welcomed by the EU, Russia, and the UN in the 16 July and 17 September 2002 Quartet Ministerial statements, and titled as Draft proposal for Middle-East Peace. The road map is to begin with change of leadership in Palestine in favour of cracking down the Palestine people fighting Israel's aggression. Its Choice goes in favour of "a leadership acting decisively against terror and willing and able to build a practicing democracy based on tolerance and liberty, and through Israeli's readiness to do what is necessary for a democratic Palestinian state to be established". No wonder Hamas rejected the 'Road Map' outrightly and called it "a plan to liquidate the Palestinian cause". Palestinian liberation forces are not ready to stop the intifada. But Abbas, in his inaugural address as the Palestinian Authority's new prime minister, pledged to control militant groups and illegal weapons and vowed to put an end to the "chaos of arms" in the Palestinian areas, an implicit warning to the various Palestinian militias that the 'intifada' must soon end. He promised to crack down on activists and work for the success of the new internationally backed Middle East peace plan.

"The quartet brokered 'Road Map' set up on the dynamics identical to defunct Oslo Accord is no more than a phased security initiative for Israel, opening the gate for the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Israelis to work together to quell the ongoing blessed Intifada and resistance groups in Palestine', said, Dr Khalid Mahmoud, renowned Palestinian scholar and expert on Middle East Affairs, in an exclusive interview with Pak News, on May 5

He further added, 'no one dares to ask US as to why did Washington endorse the government of Mahmoud Abbas [Abu Mazen] in Palestine which did not see the light of day as a result of transparent and genuine electioneering.'

"Patting the back of Abu Mazen by the US to further the colonial Road Map was nothing short of mocking democracy and the will of people by the 'champions of civil liberties and democracy' ", he commented.