Why India Must Not Ape Israel

Ariel Sharon, the infamous Prime Minister of Israel came to India and left earlier than scheduled. The visit of an Israeli Prime Minister to India could never be of a ‘vini-vidi-vici’ variety where the visitor supposedly comes, sees and conquers! On the contrary, the visit of ‘Butcher Sharon’ evoked powerful protests all over the country. But sections of the dominant media chose to dismiss and even condemn the protests as ‘routine Muslim opposition’ while going gaga over the ‘promises’ held by a growing partnership between New Delhi and Tel Aviv. It is time for a fresh look at the implication of these ‘promises’ so the country can be saved from being doomed like Israel.

Repeating the same line that Brajesh Mishra had advocated earlier in New York, Vajpayee openly called for an alliance of the three ‘embattled democracies’ India, Israel and the United States. The Congress too appeared to share this new-found foreign policy wisdom of the NDA government and Sonia Gandhi, accompanied by senior Congress leaders Manmohan Singh and Natwar Singh, called upon the Israeli Prime Minister. The Deputy Prime Minister of Israel, Mr Yosef Lapid told the Indian media about there already being an ‘unwritten and abstract axis’ among the three countries.

Although the formal statement issued at the end of the visit talked about the development of ‘Friendship and Cooperation’ between the two countries and emphasised bilateral economic and commercial relations, it is well known that the focus has primarily been on defence with talks of India acquring Phalcon airborne warning and control system and Arrow surface-to-air missiles. With American approval India may purchase such ultra-expensive weapons from Israel, but it will be foolish to believe that such weapons will arm India with any greater degree of security.

Already Pakistan has started complaining about the India-Israel nexus and apprehensions are being expressed from different corners of South Asia about the upsetting impact Israeli weapons would have on the strategic equilibrium in the sub-continent. It is a matter of time before the US also approves the sale of similar weapons to Pakistan by some other supplier. The sale of Israeli weapons to India thus can only signal the beginning of a new phase of disastrous arms race between india and Pakistan.

Indeed, the whole notion of ‘borrowing security’ from Israel is utterly illusory and suicidal. Thanks to its belligerent approach and militarist policy, Israel remains and is destined to remain one of the most insecure countries in the world. Sharon’s very trip to India was haunted by a high level of fear and insecurity. His aircraft had avoided the air space of Islamic countries – instead of taking the normal eastern route which would have taken only three-and-a-half hours, Sharon’s flight took the longest route which took over eight-and-a-half hours! Journalists trying to interview Sharon during his visit also got ample taste of the Isreali obsession with security and the fabled ‘efficiency’ of the Israeli security agencies. And finally it was terror, which cut the Sharon trip short following blasts back in Israel on 9 September.

Being bracketed with Israel and the United States can never be a ‘gain’ or ‘plus’ for India’s foreign policy. However much Vajpayee may try and evoke the world’s sympathy for the ‘embattled democracies’ in Israel and the US, every child knows that these two powers are the biggest aggressors and violators of peace, security and human rights in world history. Just a few hours after Sharon’s return to Israel, a senior minister of his cabinet Mr Ehud Olmert bluntly stated that assassination of Arafat remained an open option for the Israeli establishment. The more New Delhi gets identified with Tel Aviv and Washington, the more will it invite isolation from the rest of the world.

Launching a new phase of arms race with Pakistan and alarming and antagonising the neighbours is the last thing that India needs at a time when India-Pakistan ties are getting normalised and the SAARC countries are hoping to have their long-awaited summit in January 2004. Most importantly, the politics of an India-Israel-US axis runs completely counter to the economics of third world solidarity. If the Cancun spirit has to be sustained, and resistance to the OECD countries made more efective and credible, then New Delhi must immediately be freed from the disastrous course of an axis with Tel Aviv and Washington.

All-India Protest Against W.T.O.
Thousands Join in Anti-WTO Rally in Delhi

CPI(ML) organised Anti-W.T.O. protests at all important centres in the country on 13 September in face of the Cancun Meet.

Party along with CPI(M)(Punjab), Akhil Bhartiya Kisan Sangharsh Samiti and All India Khet Mazdoor Sabha held a massive Rally in Delhi on September 13. Thousands of peasants, workers and youth from Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, M.P., Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi Joined this rally.

Opposing the unilateral dictates of the WTO, the protesters demanded that the livelihood and future of India's working population must not be sacrificed at the alter of the WTO. "If the WTO comes in the way of fulfilling the basic demands of Indian agricultural population, the government of India should immediately quit it", speakers at the rally said.

A memorandum was also submitted to the President of India.

The memorandum says, "We are watching with grave concern the developments at the 5th ministerial meeting of the WTO which began at Cancun of Mexico on 10th September in the shadow of the tragic suicide by a Korean farmer, Kun Hai Lee. The Korean farmer's suicide symbolises both the plight and anger of the entire developing world against the unilateral dictates of the WTO. We insist that the livelihood and future of the India's working population must not be sacrificed at the altar of the WTO."

It further reads, "Regardless of whatever transpires at Cancun we urge you to ensure that the following basic demands of Indian agricultural population are fulfilled forthwith- (A) Guaranteed procurement of Crops at adequate price by the state. (B) Provision of adequate distribution of essential commodities of mass consumption through the Public Distribution System (PDS). (C) Immediate enactment of a Central Legislation to guarantee minimum wages and social security of all Agricultural labourers. (D) Guaranteeing the inalienable rights of the tribal people over their traditional habitat and natural produce. and (E) If the WTO comes in the way of fulfilling any of the above demands then we also demand withdrawal of India from the W.T.O."

The Rally started from Ramlila Maidan and after covering several routes reached Parliament Street where it was stopped by heavy contingent of police. The protesters later organised a protest-meeting at the Parliament Street. The demonstration was led by CPI(ML) leader and AIKSS convenor Rajaram Singh, Rameshwar Prasad and Krishna Adhikari of All India Khet Mazdoor Sabha, Mangat Ram Pasla of CPM(Pasla) from Punjab, Prem Singh from Haryana, Srilata Swaminathan, Mahendra Chaudhary from Rajasthan, Kumudini Pati, Prabhat Kumar Choudhary and Rajendra Pratholi from Delhi and many others.

The rallyists carried hundreds of placards and huge banners and fastoons that screamed "WTO is undemocratic and anti-national, Quit WTO", and "WTO is pro-Imperialist and anti-Poor, Resist it". "WTO to devastate poor developing countries, as bombs and missiles meant for Iraq" read one placard.

In Bihar, Bihar Pradesh Kisan Sabha and Bihar Pradesh Khet Mazdoor Sabha organised protests in many districts against W.T.O. Demand for an effective solution to perrenial problems of drought and floods was also raised on the day. The protesters condemned increasing incidents of suicides by farmers in the country and demanded for better agricultural infrastructure and low-cost inputs to make the agriculture viable and pro-peasant. Thousands of farmers and agricultural labourers participated in these programmes throughout the state. A rally was taken out in Kolkata on the day where an effigy of W.T.O. was burnt by CPI(ML) activists and supporters. Anti-W.T.O. protests were also carried out in other states in various forms by CPI(ML) and it’s affiliated organisations.

CPI(ML) Welcomes Collapse of WTO’s Cancun Talks

The CPI(ML) welcomes the collapse of WTO’s Cancun talks is a shot in the arm for anti-WTO-anti-globalisation protests in India and worldwide. The Party, however, cautions against any possible complacency and call for exercising greater vigilance and intensified resistance to thwart the increased pressure the OECD countries are now destined to mount.

As for the Indian representative’s role at Cancun, CPI(ML) believe that ‘one swallow does not make a summer’ and the need of the hour is to ensure that the resistance to the OECD countries is not only sustained but made more effective and credible. And, for this, it is imperative that India extricates herself from the strategic stranglehold of the United States and abandons the suicidal advocacy of Indo-US-Israel axis.

CPI(ML) Asks for Repeal of POTA

The CPI(ML) has said that POTA has failed completely in its declared objectives and suggested to the Review Committee for withdrawal of POTA in toto.

In a letter sent to the Review Committee on POTA, Party says "In fact, by this time, as apprehended by us and many others, it has been amply experienced that POTA has proved useless to address its declared purpose but became instrumental in the hands of the corrupt feudal-mafia-ruling politician-police combine to book activists of popular movements at grassroot level and to unleash terror on those who dare to raise their voice for democratic rights."

"In BJP-ruled Jharkhand alone, it is alleged that more than 3200 persons were booked under POTA. Only after interventions from various quarters, the state govt. admitted that there were cases which were falsely lodged. U.P. under BJP-BSP rule also have similar experiences."

"There has been a common belief that in Gujarat, another BJP-ruled state, the use of POTA was rampant on communal bias. The use of POTA against political rivals as an instrument to take revenge need no mention."

Thousands Gherao Collectorate in Darbhanga:
Police Firing and Lathicharge on Protesters

On Sep 12, thousands of people demonstrated before the Collectorate in Darbhanga in Bihar and demanded immediate release of the jailed activists charged under sedition for the ‘crime’ of showing black flags to LK Advani on August 16. The police led by Darbhanga DM and SP launched a brutal crackdown on the protesting people. After raining lathis on the protesters, the police fired five rounds of bullets. Tear-gas shells were also used. More than 100 people got injured in this police repression. More than hundred people were arrested. Several CPI(ML), AIPWA, RYA and AISA leaders including Savita Sahni, R. K. Datta, Shivam Yadav, Ram Kishan Prasad and Laldev were severely beaten by the police in the presence of the DM. The district administration also issued a warrant of arrest against CPI(ML) District Secretary and Central Committee member Dhirendra Jha.

CPI(ML) held statewide protests on Sep 13 against this police-barbarity and demanded suspension of Darbhanga DM, SP and DSP and immediate release of four jailed activists. Party announced to further intensify the movement on this issue. A weeklong agitational campaign has been launched in Bihar from Sep 16 with slogan ‘withdraw black laws - Repeal charges of sedition - Save democracy’. Thousands of students and youth from all over the state will reach Patna on Sep 23 and take out a militant march to the Bihar Assembly. If false charges are not withdrawn till Sep 23, the CPI(ML) will also call for ‘Mithilanchal Bandh’ on September 24.

On August 16, students and youth had held a demonstration in Darbhanga. The protesting students and youth had greeted Advani with black flags and slogans like ‘Babri Masjid demolisher go back’. During this protest-demonstration, the police arrested four activists of AISA and RYA and sent them to jail under the charges of sedition. This police-action triggered a series of protests in Darbhanga and elsewhere in Bihar. Protest marches were taken out in Darbhanga on August 17 followed by a student-youth convention on August 18 and protest through forming human chain on August 20. A protest meeting was held at Muzaffarpur on August 23. Dharna started in front of Darbhanga Collectorate from August 26 which continued till August 31. At Arrah, students and youth launched struggle from August 29. An effigy of Bihar Chief Minister was burnt in Patna on August 30 followed by a demonstration on Sep 1. On Sep 2, jailed student-youth activists released their ‘open letter’ from the jail and called upon the people of the state to protest conduct of the police to silence democratic protests and the Bihar govt.’s shameful role in putting the student-youth leaders behind the bars under the charges of sedition to appease Advani. Several student and youth organisations held a joint protest in Patna on Sep 5. Padyatra and mass-contacts were launched in Darbhanga from Sep 6-11. On Sep 10, several eminent personalities including noted writer Arundhati Roy, film-maker Anand Patwardhan, journalists Rajendra Yadav, Praful Bidwai, social activists Yogendra Yadav, Sripad Dharmadhikari and Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan sent a letter to the Bihar Chief Minister by fax condemning the govt.’s role and demanded immediate release of the activists.

Laloo-Rabri regime in Bihar is trying to preside over the funeral of democracy in the state.The regime notorious for shielding mafia-criminals has let loose a reign of terror in the state. The government which never tires of mouthing anti-autocratic rhetoric has taken a leaf out of Advani’s book of ‘hard state’ to intensify repression on the democratic movements of each and every section of society. The growing clout of mafia-police-politician nexus and the increasing suppression of democratic protests mark the order of the day.

Fortunately, the people of Bihar are also not quiet. They are coming out on the streets in large numbers protesting the criminalisation and autocratisation of the government and the state. Reports of people’s protests and use of ‘lathis’ and ‘bullets’ on those protesters are coming daily from several areas of Bihar.

North-East Tribal Convention

A North-East Tribal Convention on “Tribal Problems and Indian Democracy” was held on Sept. 14 at the initiative of CPI(ML). This was addressed and attended by more than 300 participants representing several tribal organisations and movements in various areas in North-East. Delegates from Meghalaya and Manipur also participated in the convention. The Convention passed a 12-point ‘Diphu Declaration’ on immediate tribal and indigenous people’s agenda. (Details of this declaration will be published in the next issue -Ed).

Workshop at Diphu

Tea Workers Agitation

In continuation of its two-month long campaign Assam Sangrami Chah Sramik Sangh (ASCSS) organized dharnas demanding 20% bonus and wages for Sunday in different places of Assam including Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Biswanath Chari-Ali, Jorhat and Nagaon on September 8. Thousands of tea workers took part in these programmes. In Tinsukia, more than 3000 workers participated in the dharna. All these programme evoked a good response from tea workers in the state and due to the continuous movement some big tea companies were compelled to declare 20% bonus, which has built tremendous pressure on the owners of small and middle gardens. The Cong(I)-led trade union ACMS and it’s leaders are trying to persuade the workers to take 8.33% bonus, but lower level units of the ACMS are sticking to the demand of 20% bonus. Cong(I) govt. in the state is not willing to give 20 percent bonus to the workers, in spite of the fact that tea community is their main vote-base, is now finding itself in a state of fix. In this backdrop workers are gradually getting disillusioned about ACMS and joining our ASCSS affiliated to AICCTU.

AISA’s Anti-WTO Protest Attacked by ABVP Lumpens

Ramnagar (Uttaranchal) unit of AISA gheraoed police station and staged a protest march in the town on Sep 15 against the attack by ABVP lumpens on Anti-WTO protest on Sep 13. AISA also condemned the role of police in the incident. Several AISA leaders including Lalit Upreti, local AISA President and candidate for the forthcoming students’ union election in the Govt. PG College, Ramnagar, were implicated by the police under false charges. Lalit was severely injured and taken to hospital. AISA activists including girl students put up stiff resistance to the goons during the incident. Activists of other left students’ organisations also participated in the gherao.

AISA has demanded arrest and stringent action against ABVP goons and withdrawal of cases against AISA activists and has also announced to intensify and broaden the movement on this issue. The fact that ABVP openly nurtures goondaism in campuses is evident in the incidents like the one where the principal of the PG College in Pithoragarh was set on fire after pouring kerosine by an ABVP leader, while AISA always remains at the forefront of students’ movements including resisting goondaism as well as the administrative high-handedness.

Police Kills a Peasant in Nalanda

Police in Nalanda in Bihar opened unprovoked fire on peasants who were protesting distribution of duplicate fertilizers. Peasants were enraged by the third incident of sale of duplicate fertilizers. It was also found that only 45 Kg. is being sold in a bag of 50 Kg. Protesting Peasants blocked national highway with 45 Kg. fertilizer bags in protest which was heavily lathicharged and then fired upon indiscriminately without any warning killing one poor peasant, Ram Kishan Sao, by the police. Nearly twenty peasants have been arrested by the police. A team of Bihar Pradesh Kisan Sabha has visited the spot and also met the Peasants lodged in jail. BPKS held a protest march on Sep 11. This area comes under parliamentary contstituency of Rail Minister Nitish Kumar who has not uttered a single word to condemn the incident.

KMS Rally in Jamalpur

Thousands of people participated in a massive rally organised by UP Khet Mazdoor Sabha at Jamalpur in UP to demand immediate release of Comrade Ramkrit Biyar, UPKMS leader who is in jail on false charges, and to withdraw all fake cases from CPI(ML) activists framed under SC/ST Act by the previous BSP-BJP govt.

Sack Narendra Modi

The CPI(ML) has condemned the NDA government for supporting and saving the killer Narendra Modi govt. despite severe indictment by the Supreme Court in Best Bakery Case. The way the NDA leadership is mocking at the Supreme Court's observation shows the extent of contempt on the part of the govt. for the Court and the rule of law. It becomes a constitutional obligation upon the Central govt. to sack Narendra Modi govt. for it’s obstinate refusal to carry out the constitutional duties to punish the guilty of Gujarat genocide".

It’s not Modi alone, Vajpayee’s rajdharma is also being quetioned once again. But Vajpayee prefers to keep stuck to Modi-dharma.

“Vikas Purush” is being put to acid test once again. So far, opposition parties, civil libertarians, media personalities, human rights organisations including NHRC accused Modi of perpetrating a worst kind of state-sponsored communal genocide and for rediculing the rule of law. At home and abroad, Gujarat has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. But Vajpayee and his colleagues not only allowed and guarded Modi-fication of Gujarat but also projected him as a hero. This time it is the apex court of the country which has questioned Modi’s ‘Rajdharma’ - the intention, ability and credibility of the Modi - government and eventually raised finger against his government for its protection, instead of prosecution, of the guilty in the infamous Best Bakery case. As for Narendra Modi, it is to be seen how he faces the Supreme Court. But the nation’s eye is on Vajpayee as to how he performs his ‘Rajdharma’. Still allowing Modi to remain stuck to power, Vajpayee continues to disregard all talks of morality in politics and democratic norms. However, people at large have no confusion that Swayamsevak Vajpayee has bid farewell to these qualities long back (if he possessed any).

SC Judgement on HP-BP Disinvestment

The CPI(ML) has welcomed the Supreme Court Judgement on HPCL-BPCL disinvestment. This is just another slap on the central govt. just after the severe indictment of the Narendra Modi govt. in Best Bakery case. The stand of HPCL-BPCL employees and opposition of entire working class to the disastrous policies of disinvestment and privatisation has been vindicated by the Supreme Court’s judgement. CPI(ML) demanded immediate resignation of the Disinvestment Minister for misleading the country and persisting on this patently illegal move.