Bihar: Turbulence for Transformation

In Bihar, the New Year has begun with a bang. The cold-blooded slaughter of three students by the police in Patna on December 25 has triggered a wave of unprecedented mass protests in a state which has become internationally notorious for the reigning nexus between the police and criminal gangs and feudal armies. Defeating the state government's desperate attempts to cover up the entire incident as a case of 'real encounter' between the police and a criminal gang, citizens of Patna have not only forced the truth out, but have also pushed the thoroughly discredited government on the back foot.

'Enough is enough' is the thunderous New Year message that Bihar seems to be conveying to the Laloo-Rabri regime in no uncertain terms. Five years after he had to pave the way for his wife in the face of a powerful anti-corruption movement, Laloo Yadav is once again discovering a different Bihar. The BJP and its NDA partners must also be realizing to their chagrin that if Bihar is fed up with the repressive and corrupt RJD rule, the people are not amused by the antics of the BJP leadership either. Bihar has never relished the prospect of being ruled by a BJP-led coalition and Bihar will surely not brook with the BJP's current attempts to whip up communal tension and derail and distort the massive anger and agitation of the people.

The resolve of the people has been clearly articulated time and again in Patna and also at Gaya where the saffron agenda has been making mischievous attempts since December 28 to foment trouble and divide the people on communal lines. It is time that the various fragments of the erstwhile Janata Parivar which have tied up with the BJP in search of a short-cut to power realized that the BJP in Bihar was no asset but a big liability. Laloo must also be realizing that the people of Bihar are not prepared to buy his Gujarat bogey.

BJP will not be allowed to make a Gujarat of Bihar, goes the rhetoric of Laloo Prasad. Well, Gujarat happened in a BJP-ruled state and for all we know Bihar is still ruled by the RJD in coalition with the Congress. How then does the question of the BJP doing a Gujarat in Bihar arise at all? The question can only arise on the basis of Laloo toeing the Congress line of 'soft Hinduwa' and unleashing an onslaught on the people and their basic interests and rights that makes his government indistinguishable in public perception from any BJP -- or Congress-led dispensation. There are already enough indications that the RJD regime in Bihar is moving precisely in this direction.

Change is what Bihar is crying for. Not cosmetic change, but significant socio-economic transformation. And that in turn demands a different kind of politics. Bihar needs a paradigm shift from the politics of social engineering and power management that has been dominating the scene. The language of power and plunder has to give way to the language of mass struggle and popular awakening.

The anti-corruption struggle in the mid-1990s tore asunder Laloo's pretension of social justice. It forced the CPI to sever ties with the RJD and forced Laloo to join hands with the Congress and thus set the stage for a new configuration and consolidation of Left and democratic forces. The process has to be intensified and carried forward in the midst of the ongoing turbulence.

Many analysts and activists are remembering the stormy days of the 1974 movement. Some are lamenting the absence of a JP in today's politics and attempts have begun to reinvent a suitable JP for the present occasion. The tendency to look back at the last major point of reference is quite natural. But there can be no wishing away the bitter reality and if we are to transform this reality we must look beyond 1974.

The 1974 movement had ironically forged a link between Gujarat and Bihar. In Gujarat, the children of 1974 have authored the genocide and reaped the harvest of hate; in Bihar they have been busy adding new chapters to the ruling classes' history of economic corruption, social betrayal and political degeneration. In 2003, Bihar thus not only has to look beyond 1974, it also has to fight against the products of 1974. In 2003, the anger of Bihar's educated urban unemployed and disillusioned middle classes must merge with the heroic battle of rural Bihar for justice and progress. The stage is all set for the revolutionary Left to march forward and lead Bihar's battle for democracy and development, for political change and social transformation.

Communal Harmony March in Gaya

To resist communal fascist forces' attempt to spread communal frenzy and tension in Gaya town, a "Communal Harmony March" was held in Gaya on 10 January by CPI(ML) which was led by Party General Secretary Comrade Dipankar Bhattacharya. On the pretext that the wall of a temple had been damaged, local units of ABVP, Bajrang Dal, VHP and Shiv Sena in Gaya had raided a religious place of the minority community besides damaging a tailor shop belonging to a Muslim in the city. Other incidents of violence were also reported.

Party's senior leaders including Com. Swadesh Bhattacharya and other CC and State Committee members were also present in the van of the march. Participated in by leading intellectuals of the town, teachers, students-youth and women in hundreds, the march ended in a meeting at TV Tower Chock addressed by Comrade Dipankar and others. Participants vowed to smash the saffron conspiracy to foment communal trouble and divide people; and held the RJD government responsible for deterioration of communal situation in the state where saffron forces are daring to fish in troubled waters.

Prior to this, a seminar was held at Town Hall in Gaya on "Gujarat Election Results and Communalism", which was addressed by Com. Dipankar and intellectuals of Gaya. The initiatives taken by CPI(ML) against communal frenzy have left positive impression among the democratic and secular people as well as the minority community and instilled the faith that Party can truly champion the movement for building a new Bihar.

CPI(ML) to Launch 'Make A New Bihar' Movement

The Bihar State Committee in its 8-10 January meeting reviewed the situation after the recent Party-called Bihar Bandh and noted that the explosion of people's protest against the police guilty of killing innocent people in three incidents (Majhaul in Begusarai district, Ashiana Nagar in Patna and Parasthua in Rohtas) was first of its kind against the RJD rule. However, the Party noted that BJP was hell bent to divert the democratic movement against RJD govt by imparting it communal colour. The fact that along with the government the opposition was also responsible for the present sorry state of affairs in Bihar must be brought out in bold relief. The Committee decided to extend full support to the state-level student-youth march going to be held in Patna on 22 January. The next day on 23 January Party will hold a state-level cadre convention in Patna on the theme "Make A New Bihar". Afterward, a mass convention will be held in Patna on 23 February involving left-democratic forces and justice-loving people of Bihar.

Protest to Police Repression in West Champaran

In Mainatanr, Sikta, Gaunaha blocks of West Champaran, agrarian labourers, poor peasants and dalits have been conducting struggle against landlords for quite some time. Severe repression has been launched on them by police in connivance with the goons and criminals sponsored by the landlords. For the past one month large contingents of police have been raiding Ekdahari, Satwaria, Mangalpur, Behra Lalprasad, Sirasia, Lathiyahi, Mohmadwa, Parsauni, Sargatia, Jagannathpur villages of Sikta Block and arresting people without warrants. In several villages protest marches have been conducted by the local people; they have organised gherao of local police stations and even snatched back the arrested persons. In the midst of this state repression, a large mass meeting of agrarian labourers was held in protest at Gaunaha on 6 January. It should be kept in mind that in West Champaran, most of our Party leaders are either in jail or have warrants against them in a number of false cases.

Death Sentence to Rapists Demanded by Women

Protesting against an incident of rape of a minor girl on 22 December in a Railway Colony in Guwahati by a mafia criminal gang, a demonstration was held before Chandmari Police Station. It was organised by a joint platform against repression, participated in by some 19 organisations including Sadou Asom Pragatisheel Nari Santha, Assam Women Writers Association, Coordination Committee for Protection of Women's Rights, Jonaki Sangha and women's associations of Bhagdattapur and Paltan Bazar. The protestors demanded death sentence to the rapists and held police administration guilty for protecting the mafia.

Villagers Protest Killing by Ranvir Sena

In Lodipur village of Konch PS of Gaya district, Ranvir Sena kidnapped five poor dalit villagers. While two of them somehow escaped, the remaining three were brutally killed. In protest thousands of enraged villagers blocked Tekari-Kurtha Road and demanded arrest of Ranvir Sena criminals. A Party investigation team led by Rameshwar Prasad, General Secretary of Khet Mazdoor Sabha and Rajaram Singh, Dy. Leader of legislature group, and State Committee member Mahanand went to the spot and paid their condolences to the killed villagers while addressing a pledge taking meeting. They demanded that the main culprits behind the killings must be brought to the book.

Ranvir Sena Killed 3 Villagers in Jehanabad

On 12 January Ranvir Sena killed three villagers in Koeria-Chatar village who are said to be PWG supporters. Comrade Mahanand met the families of the victims and addressed half a dozen of street corner meetings from Koeria to Jehanabad in which thousands of people participated despite biting cold. Speakers exposed the nexus of RJD and Ranvir Sena and demanded immediate arrest of the culprits. The PWG on the other hand killed two CPI(ML) supporters in Kakaria village in Jehanabad. Protesting the killing around 400 people participated in a march from Kakaria to Jehanabad on 10 January and demanded a check on PWG anarchist activities.

Sugarcane Farmers' Movement in UP

The movement by Sugarcane farmers in Terai districts of Pilibhit and Lakhimpur-Kheri in Uttar Pradesh is slowly picking up under the banner of Terai Kisan Sabha. For last many seasons the farmers in UP are demanding an arrangement of immediate payment by the mills for their produce, which usually remains unpaid for months or, in some cases, upto the next season. Farmers are also demanding for increase in support price of sugarcane because the govt. move to cut subsidies in agriculture has increased the input costs thereby increasing economic burden over the farmers. Agitating farmers in Sampurnanagar forced the management of a local sugar mill to close down as they refused to supply sugarcane to the mill unless their outstanding dues are cleared and the price of sugarcane is increased to Rs. 95 per quintal.

The Terai Kisan Sabha also organised a week-long protest dharna before it decided to stop supply to the Mill. The agitating farmers are now also getting support from nearby district of Pilibhit as hundreds of farmers participated in a big rally in front of the mill on Jan 10.

AISA Burns Effigy of PM

AISA has strongly condemned the arrest of its leaders in Allahabad University while they were staging a protest march and burnt the effigy of Prime Minister protesting his recent statement as well as government's policies which are depriving common students of their right to higher education.

The All India Students Association has strongly opposed Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's statement justifying curtailment in UGC grants and thus making higher education costly and out of reach of common students.

Protest Against Anti-Worker Policies

The workers' in Bhilai Steel Plant organised a day-long protest dharna against anti-working class policies of the govt. on Jan 8. The dharna was jointly held by various trade union centres including AICCTU, AITUC, CITU, HMS, HMKP and INTUC.

Lathi Charge In Tinsukia

Police severely lathicharged on the protesters of the 8 January Programme called by the central TUs. In Tinsukia town, around 750 workers and employees had been successfully blocking the road for 2 hours. Then the police pounced on the protesters and in the lathicharge that followed 30 people were injured, and 3 of them had to admitted to the hospital. Five protesters including Com Sukomal Bhuiyan were sent to the jail and released only on bail two days later. A protest dharna was also organized against police brutality on the next day, 9 January, in which 250 people participated.

Tributes Paid to Comrade Arijit Mitra

To express its deep sorrow on the demise of Comrade Arijit Mitra, Assam State Committee of CPI(ML) held a condolence meeting at the State Office, Guwahati on January 7, 2003. While remembering his noteworthy role in the advancement of revolutionary democratic movement particularly in West Bengal, comrades also reminisced his attachment to Assam. During the IPF days he had visited different areas of the state and took part in various activities. Comrades also remembered his role at the crucial meeting with AASU leaders that was held at the peak of Assam movement in Kolkata in 1983, which he had presided. Condolence meetings were also held in other places of the state.

Party's Bihar and Uttarakhand state units also passed condolence resolutions in memory of Comrade Arijit Mitra.

AISA-RYA Staged Protest March in Delhi

Protesting the heinous killing of three students in Patna by the police and demanding resignation of Rabri govt., and attacking the NDA Govt. at the centre for repression on blind students and AISA activists in Delhi, AISA and RYA staged a march at Jantar Mantar on 6 January and burnt the effigies of Rabri govt. in Patna and NDA govt. at the Centre. The protesters demanded exemplary punishment to the culprit police personnel in Patna and withdrawal of all cases against blind students and AISA activists.

AICCTU National Council Meet in Pondicherry

The National Council of All India Central Council Trade Unions (AICCTU) met in Pondicherry on 10-11 January 2003. The meeting was presided over by Com. S Kumarswamy, its working president and conducted by Com. Swapan Mukherjee, general secretary. After paying tributes to recently departed CPI(ML) leader and renowned cultural personality Comrade Arijit Mitra and Lal Nishan Party (Leninist) Chairman Comrade AD Bhosley, the meeting took stock of the situation of Indian working class movement. The AICCTU National Council congratulated the Indian working class for making the recent "Jail Bharo" programme on 8 January successful and called upon them to reach Delhi in large numbers on 26 February to make the "March to Parliament" called by eight central trade unions a great success. AICCTU will launch a nationwide campaign from 1 to 24 February for mobilising the working class for this programme. Immediate introduction of legislation for agricultural labourers and umbrella legislation for unorganised sectors for job security, livelihood and trade union rights in this budget session will be the main demands in AICCTU's February campaign. Apart from the threat of US attack on Iraq, combating communal fascism, privatisation of NALCO and oil sector, second labour commission report recommendation of amending labour laws to facilitate hire and fire are the other main issues of the February campaign. The issues at sectoral and state level like power hike in WB, oil sector privatisation in Assam etc. are also to be added along with the national issues at the respective levels. The meeting also took decisions to take up focussed capaign and movements in the vast unorganised sectors like bidi, osnstruction, tea, etc., to double the existing membership in 2003, to build AICCTU Central Office in Delhi and to organise state conferences in some important states and sectors. At the end of the council meeting, Com. S Kumarswamy placed a paper on the report of the Second Labour Commission.

Protest Against US-UK War Threat to Iraq

In Morocco, around 10,000 people held protest rally on 9 January in Rabat, the capital, against a possible U.S.-led war on Iraq. They were waving Iraqi and Palestinian flags and some chanting "George Bush assassin" and "Tony Blair is his dog". They held banners reading "America is terrorist", "No to war, yes to peace", etc. They also burned American flags and called for a boycott of American products. Morocco's monarchical government rarely allows mass demonstrations. The demonstration was organized by a pro-Iraq grouping of political parties, trade unions and associations, many linked to Morocco's increasingly popular Islamic movement.

Displaying their protest to British government's war preparations against Iraq, two train drivers in London refused to move a freight train carrying ammunition believed to be destined for British forces being deployed in the Gulf. This anti-war revolt on 9 January is the first such industrial action by workers for decades. In Britain, the anti-war group 'Stop the War Coalition' is organising a second national demonstration in central London on February 15. The first one in September saw participation by 400,000 people.

Many Labour Party leaders have warned Tony Blair that thousands of party members would resign if UK joins a US-led attack on Iraq without UN approval. Labour Party membership has already declined. Many MPs have also indicated to resign in the event of such attack.

In Los Angeles, around 15,000 people marched through downtown on 12 January chanting "no blood for oil" and "stop Bush now," to protest a possible war with Iraq. Apart from the organizers Unity in Action Committee to Stop the War on Iraq, Act Now to Stop War and End Racism (ANSWER), the Coalition for World Peace and Interfaith Communities United for Justice, many noted personalities also participated in the march. The rally followed President Bush's announcement that the U.S. will deploy 62,000 more U.S. troops to the Persian Gulf.

Despite all the media hype about America's so-called war on terror, a survey conducted by Times magazine indicated that 50.1% voters consider US as a "dangerous" country!

ANSWER has already called for national level mobilizations against war to be held on January 18 in Washington DC and San Francisco. As resistance builds in the United States, it is manifesting itself through a combination of grassroots anti-war actions of all types and of national mass mobilizations. To that end, the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition has calls for a Week of Anti-War Resistance promoting a whole variety of activities between February 13 and February 21.

North Korea Protests US War Designs

Over one million citizens gathered in the North Korean capital city of Pyongyang on 11 January to fully support the statement of the DPRK (North Korea) government declaring its withdrawal from the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT).

On 10 January 2003, the DPRK Govt. issued a statement holding the present situation "dangerous" in which "the national sovereignty and the supreme interests of the state are most seriously threatened by the U.S. vicious hostile policy toward the DPRK".

The US instigated the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to adopt a "resolution" against the DPRK on January 6, in which DPRK has been termed as a "criminal" and demand has been made to scrap its "nuclear program" at once...

The IAEA director general issued an ultimatum that the agency would bring the matter to the UN Security Council to apply sanctions against the DPRK unless it implements the "resolution" in a few weeks. "This clearly proves that the IAEA still remains a servant and a spokesman for the US and the NPT is being used as a tool for implementing the US hostile policy towards the DPRK aimed to disarm it and destroy its system by force.", the statement says.

The statement notes that the US herself has grossly violated the NPT and the DPRK-US Agreed Framework. Under Bush administration, the US listed the DPRK as part of an "axis of evil", adopting it as a national policy to oppose its system, and singled it out as a target of preemptive nuclear attack, openly declaring a nuclear war. It also answered the DPRK's sincere proposal for the conclusion of the DPRK-U.S. non-aggression treaty and its patient efforts for negotiations with such threats as "blockade" and "military punishment"

The DPRK Government had earlier announced its withdrawal from NPT on 11 June 1993, but put a moratorium on its effectuation in DPRK-U.S. joint statement. Now that the US has unilaterally abandoned its commitments to stop nuclear threat and renounce hostility towards the DPRK, the latter had no option but to make the withdrawal effective.

However, the withdrawal from the NPT is not aimed to produce nuclear weapons and DPRK's nuclear activities at this stage "will be confined only to peaceful purposes such as the production of electricity". North Korea has made it clear that its main aim is to get a non-aggression treaty with the US and to revive the dialogue for normalization of relations that was promised in 1994. Washington's assertion that it will not negotiate with North Korea is grossly irrational. It would only mean a return to the pre-1994 situation when it was on the point of having its nuclear facilities bombed by the US.