CPI(ML) HOME Vol.7, No.12 18-24 March, 2004

The Weekly News Bulletin of the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist)(Liberation)

U-90, Shakarpur, Delhi 110092. Tel: (91)11-22521067. Fax(91)11-22518248


In this Issue:

Make the Turnaround in Indo-Pak Ties a Lasting Reality

      all other outstanding disputes through bilateral dialogue without any third party meddling. The Indian cricket team’s long-awaited Pakistan tour has got off to a spectacular start. While Pakistan won the first practice match, India managed to win the first match of the one-day series which proved to be one of the most exciting cliff-hangers ever played in the history of the game. More than the outcome of the match, it is the ambience which has come as the biggest surprise. The Indian team has received a very warm welcome and in Karachi the entire stadium seemed to be resonating with the theme of peace and friendship between India and Pakistan.  

Some 3,000 Indians have reportedly been granted visa to watch the present series. The Indian visitors to Karachi included at least one cabinet minister of the NDA government and there are talks of Vajpayee himself being present to watch the forthcoming match in Lahore. But even without the Indian contingent, Indian players would have felt very much at home. Every good shot, whether it came from a Pakistani bat or an Indian bat, was enthusiastically applauded. Even though Pakistan lost by a meagre five runs after such a stupendous performance, the Karachi spectators were generous in applauding the visiting team at its hour of victory. Indeed, the Times of India reported some Pakistani spectators saying that supporting India was very much like supporting Pakistan. That must be pretty confusing for those who are used to mixing cricket and nationalism or treating Indo-Pak rivalry as the mutually reinforcing basis of nationalism in India and Pakistan.  

There is a sudden but unmistakable surge in people to people contact between the two estranged neighbours. The mobile service providers are now giving roaming facility across the border, albeit on an experimental basis for a limited period of four months. Indian newspapers are full of reports from Pakistan despatched by the huge Indian press contingent now camping there. Even though most of these reports are related to the worlds of cricket and glamour, the popular yearning in Pakistan for a durable peace and friendship with India clearly comes through. For the moment, the shrill jingoistic voice of a Bal Thackeray or an LK Advani seems to have been subdued. Thackeray’s men, shovels in hand, must be fuming with impotent rage; they will have to go to Pakistan first to dig up the pitches.

The turnaround is indeed quite remarkable. An Indian cricket team is visiting Pakistan after fifteen long years. And cricket has just provided the kind of opportunity that the common people in both countries needed to generate and celebrate a spirit of peace and friendship that has long eluded the two neighbours.  

How long is this turnaround going to last? Even as the common people on both sides of the border enthusiastically endorse the present mood, almost everybody has this inescapable feeling that this is too good to be true for too long. After all we cannot forget that even after the present series was okayed and the tour itinerary announced, the Indian government made such a fuss over security that the tour nearly got abandoned. There are too many interests in Washington, New Delhi and Islamabad that would feel threatened if ordinary Indians and Pakistanis were allowed to live in peace and enjoy good-neighbourly relations for so long as to make tension and war look like an anachronism.  

Yet we must ask why cannot there be lasting peace and friendship between the two countries. Nothing substantial has changed in Kashmir during the last few months except that the state now has a new dispensation. Yet the rhetoric and gestures used by the establishments in New Delhi and Islamabad seem to have undergone a magical metamorphosis. Obviously a different set of calculations and compulsions are at work. But if the powers that be in New Delhi and Islamabad can play the peace game in their interest, why cannot ordinary Indians and Pakistanis have real peace to serve their own present needs and fulfil their future dreams?  

For the forces of peace and friendship on both sides of the border, the need of the hour is to seize the present advantage and create such a powerful momentum that the governments are not allowed to defy that and go back to their own war-mongering ways. Now is the time for the people of the two countries to force their own bilateral agenda on their respective governments: (1) Restore full diplomatic ties, ease visa restrictions and expand people to people contact, (2) Reduce defence spending with immediate effect, and (3) Resolve Kashmir and  all other outstanding disputes through biliteral dialogue without any third party meddling.  

Party Starts Campaign in Haryana

Haryana Unit of CPI(ML) calls upon the people to unite under the banner of the party and fight against misrule of Haryana Government and teach a lesson to anti-workers Central Government CPI(ML) launched a campaign against anti workers, anti-people policies of central and state governments. In the forthcoming parliamentary elections, party will raise the issues of workers, agrarian labourers and organize them against the so-called feel good factor churned by the anti people governments. Party also organized a press conference and announced its candidature from Karnal.  

Agitation Intensifies in Sonbhadra-Ghazipur-Chandauli District in UP against Feudal-police Atrocities

The feudal force and the police-administration have joined hands in the districts of eastern Uttar Pradesh to launch fresh attacks on the poor and Adivasi people with the sole aim of terrorizing them just before the parliamentary election so that they cannot be able to cast their votes. CPI(ML) leaders and cadres working among the poor and Adivasis are also being attacked by the feudal goons hand in glove with the police-administration. On 29 February, CPI(ML) candidate for Roberstganj (reserved) constituency Com. Ashok Kol and several other activists and cadres were murderously attacked at Aruaon village of Khorawel Tehsil. Com. Kol had gone there to wage campaign in protest against incident of criminal assault of feudal goons on an Adivasi woman of the village. Com. Ashok Kol and five other CPI(ML) cadres got grievously injuries in this feudal attack. They are struggling with their lives in Benaras and Robertsganj hospitals.

CPI(ML) has intensified the agitation in Sonbhadra-Mirzapur-Chandauli districts in protest against feudal-police atrocities. Protest-demonstration, dharna and road-blockades are being organized at different centers in the state. Party State Secretary Com. Akhilendra Pratap Singh sat on a 50-hour long fast at Robertsganj in protest against this feudal-police barbarity. CPI(ML) has decided to further intensify the agitation and evoke this issue in impending parliamentary elections.
 

Sit-in Demonstration before UP Assembly in Lucknow against Babhnan Police Firing

A massive dharna and demonstration was held before the Uttar Pradesh Assembly in Lucknow on 15 March in protest against the Babhnan (Basti) Police firing in which five students were killed. The CPI (ML) and AISA leaders condemned the killing of the innocent students and demanded immediate arrests of the responsible officials.

  CPI(ML) Calls Upon EC to Prevail Over Notorious RJD MP Shahabuddin

The history sheeter RJD MP from Siwan in Bihar, Md. Shahabuddin, is roaming free in connivance with the district administration and initiating the election process. Technically, he is lodged in Siwan jail. But, has been transferred to the Siwan hospital on the pretext of medical care. The people of Siwan are watching him moving free with his gangmens in several areas of the district. In the typical style of mocking at each and every canon of rule of land, he is openly flouting the directives of the Election Commission. Recently, people spotted him in a meeting at a school in Siwan. CPI (ML) immediately complained to the administration, but as usual the complaint went unnoticed. Reports say that this gangster is issuing threats to life to several CPI (ML) leaders and cadres in the district.

Everybody know Shahabuddin as a serial killer from Bihar who runs one of the most dreadly crime syndicates in the country. He is named guilty in more than three-dozen cases of murder, kidnapping, rape and loot. He masterminded the heinous killing of Chandrashekhar, ex. JNU Students’ Union President and a dynamic youth leader of CPI(ML) in 1997.

A high level delegation of CPI (ML) led by Party General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya had met the CEC on 19 February and called upon the EC to strictly monitor the activities of Shahabuddin. The delegation had also demanded that the EC might give a directive to transfer the DM and the SP of Siwan for ensuring free, fare and fearless elections. CPI (ML) had also raised this issue in the all-Party meeting convened by the EC on 20 February. But nothing could loring an iota of change in the situation.

Now, again, we call upon the Election Commission to prevail over this history Sheeter and order transferring him to any outside jail away from Bihar. We reiterate the demand that the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police of Siwan must be strictured for the pro-Shahabuddin conduct and transferred immediately.
 

  When   'India Burning' Meets  'India Shining'...?

 

  • The planned destruction of agriculture has pushed millions more into mass migrations. That in turn has seen more children drop out of school and even college in large numbers. Dalit and Adivasi students are worst-affected. The number of days landless labourers find work has fallen steeply. For too many, there is no work to be found. Not that it is easy to get it elsewhere. Last year, lakhs of workers from Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh arrived in Bangalore and nearby towns. This simply crashed the daily wage there. Sure, it is nice that a few thousand youngsters in urban India are getting work at call centres. But it does not begin to address our problems.  The years 1996-97 to 2000-01 had seen close to 9 lakh organised sector jobs vanish. Little has happened to turn that around
  •    
  • As what little remains of the public health system goes under, people are more than ever at the mercy of private providers. Health expenditure is now the second fastest growing component of rural family debt. Meanwhile, the rich patronise super-speciality hospitals and weight-loss clinics.  Thousands of well-off Indians trying to lose weight. Hundreds of millions of poor Indians, consuming less calories than before, trying desperately not to lose any more weight. Weight loss versus weight already lost.
  •  
  • In the villages, the collapse of communities has destroyed social bonds and broken up families. The debt owed to moneylenders has mounted as farmers are denied credit by banks. (It is simpler today to get low-interest loans to buy a Mercedes Benz than it is to raise one for agricultural purposes.)

    (Courtesy- P.Sainath, Frontline Mar 12,04) 

      Rightwing Aznar Regime Routed in Spain

      The unexpected defeat of the rightwing popular Party Government in Spain is widely regarded as a “protest vote” against the Prime Minister, Jose Maria Aznar, for his support to the American and British initiated war in Iraq. The Socialist Workers’ Party’s success is attributed to Mr. Zapatero’s opposition to Spain’s involvement in Iraq.  Its leader, Jose Luis Rodrigus Zapatero, who will soon take over as Prime Minister, is a firm opponent of the Iraq war.  

     Immediately after synchronized explosions in four commuter trains on March 11, as the voting took place, people cast their votes against the ruling party. People blame the U.S. so called war on global terrorism for the blasts. According to recent opinion polls, over 90 per cent of Spaniards were opposed to the country’s involvement in the Iraq war. Soon after the results were out, to fulfill election promise, the Socialist leader Zapatero’s first announcement in Madrid, said that Spain’s 1,300 troops in Iraq will be “brought home” by June end and described the invasion and occupation of Iraq as a “big disaster”. Perhaps, 3/11 linked with post 9/11! Thus Bush and Blair receives shock waves from Spain, the apparent staunch ally of yesterday has turned into a potential opponent of their War today, as the party of a close ally in the Iraq war has been put out of office.  

    On 15 March general elections, the Socialist Workers’ Party defeated the ruling Conservative rightwing Popular Party, jumping from 125 seats to 164 in the 350-member Congress of Deputies. The conservatives fell from 183 to 148.The massive turnout of 77% surpassing the earlier turnout of 55% of 2000 elections was considered as the continuation of the mass protest by other form Spanish workers have played exemplary role in the anti globalization movement.  Last year Spain observed largest anti-war demonstration of the world participated by more than one million people.  A day after the bomb blast, on Friday, the spontaneous protest march was unprecedented one which, conservative daily El Mundo estimated that more than 11 million of Spain’s 42.7 million people took part in marches across the country. During the eight years rule, Aznar’s government has provoked and accentuated the confrontation between and against peoples, notably against the Basque and Catalan people. He dragged Spain into war against Iraq, despite the unanimous opposition of the population. Now stand exposed himself as a “liar” for hiding information on the terrorist attacks in Madrid in which 200 died and 1500 injured for not to lose the election.  

    When the bombs went off in Spain, that nation and the world faced a tipping point. The fear and horror could have compelled the Spanish people to support their government and its role in the farcical War on Terror. They could have allowed themselves to be swept up in hysteria and lined up behind leaders who have, thus far, done everything wrong. They did not do this. They did, in fact, overwhelmingly repudiate their government and its war.  Aznar regime had gambled everything on its blind support for the United States, or rather the Bush administration, at the price of weakening the bond between the people of Spain and Europe.  

    Congratulating the decision to withdraw the Spanish troops from Iraq by June 30, in a message to José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, Fidel Castro reminded him not to forget that, “by virtue of actions and pressures on the part of Mr. Aznar as the head of the government of Spain, more than 1,000 young men from small and impoverished Latin American nations were sent as cannon fodder to Iraq under the command of the Spanish Legion. Thus, the possible death of any of those young people is the responsibility of the Spanish state. The peoples of Latin America thus have the right to expect the immediate return of those young people. They do not have a duty to wait until June 30.”  

      The Spanish verdict is a big political setback to Washington as well as London and would strengthen the anti-War forces.  

    J O I N

    " WORLDWIDE ANTI-WAR PROTEST DAY "

    on

    ON MARCH 20, 2004!

    - END THE OCCUPATION !
    - CALL BACK TROOPS FROM IRAQ !
    - MONEY FOR JOBS, HEALTH CARE AND SCHOOLS, NOT FOR PROFITS & WAR!

     

    We Need Your Valuable Support to the
    CPI(ML) Election Campaign

       

    Dear friends,
    For all of us engaged in combating the twin dangers of communal fascism and imperialist globalization and advancing the agenda of people’s democracy and radical social transformation in India, the forthcoming 14th Lok Sabha elections (April 20 – May 10) provide an important platform of struggle. The CPI(ML) has decided to participate vigorously in this struggle and organize a powerful election campaign with a view to defeating the fascist and pro-imperialist forces and enhancing the assertion of the working people and democratic sections of the intelligentsia. Around 65 candidates would represent the Party in this electoral battle in sixteen states and two union territories.  

    We request you to extend your valuable support to this campaign and help the people take on the ugly nexus of money power, muscle power and increasingly the power of the corporate media and strengthen the battle for democracy on every front.  

    In many areas of Bihar, Jharkhand and eastern UP, CPI(ML) activists and supporters are faced with brutal state repression and state-sponsored feudal-criminal violence. Your voice of protest against this repressive order can force a modicum of accountability on the concerned authorities and non-functional institutions, while your words and acts of solidarity are bound to go a long way to bolster the courage and morale of the fighting people.  

    We also count on your contribution to our election fund. We would welcome any donation (preferably through cheques/drafts drawn in favour of the CPI(ML) and payable in Delhi) that you can make, or collect from your friends, to fund our election campaign.  

    Please feel free to equip us with any other idea or input you may consider relevant to meet the present challenge.  

    Let us unite to fight and fight to win.

    With warm greetings of democratic solidarity,    

      Dipankar Bhattacharya
    General Secretary
    For
    Central Committee
    CPI(ML)(Liberation)


 

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