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Two months after the BJP suffered an ignominious defeat in an election in which it thought it
had been calling all the shots from timing the elections to fixing the electoral agenda, the party is evidently yet to come to terms with the shock. The party’s consecutive victories in 1998 and 1999 had fuelled its hope of getting recognised and legitimised as India’s ‘natural’ party of governance as the Congress was till the 1980s. The party thought that despite Gujarat it could continue to harp on its newly honed discourse of de-ideologised governance and win an election by parading mobile phones, expressways and India’s much hyped superpower potential! Verdict 2004 has clearly belied these fond hopes.
The saffron camp is clearly divided in its analysis of the election results. Ideologues of the RSS seem to be suggesting that the BJP has had to pay for under-emphasising its ideological moorings. The VHP argues that the BJP has been punished for ‘abandoning’ the Hindu agenda. According to Ashok Singhal, the TDP-BJP combine lost the elections in Andhra because Andhra apparently has the highest incidence of religious conversion! Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray too holds the NDA’s ‘moderate’ plank responsible for the defeat, but instead of treating the debacle as a ‘punishment’ meted out by disillusioned Hindus he describes it as a conspiracy hatched out by the ‘green moles’, his latest expression for Indian Muslims.
Vacationing in the hills of Manali, Vajpayee made quite a sensation by suggesting it was Gujarat that really did the BJP in and hinting at a possible change of guards in Gujarat. Of course, he was not talking about the genocide and the role of the Gujarat government in sponsoring it or that of his own government in condoning it, he was only concerned that the BJP had underestimated the opposition’s ability to ‘exploit’ the Gujarat ‘incidents’ to the latter’s advantage! Vajpayee even recollected how he wanted to remove Modi in the wake of the killings but had to restrain himself in order to accommodate other opinions in the party. But by the time he returned to Delhi, he had done another Vajpayee! Gujarat again became a closed chapter and Modi got yet another ‘reprieve’, even if a temporary one.
Following his defeat in the elections, Vajpayee now stands squarely dumped by his own party and Parivar. As far as the Sangh is concerned, he has evidently exhausted whatever utility he had as the Parivar’s ‘liberal mask’ and as the ‘poet statesman’ prime minister of a neo-liberal pro-imperialist regime. With the BJP back in opposition, once again it is Advani who is back as the leader. Unlike other leaders and ideologues of the BJP and the Parivar, Advani’s response to the NDA’s poll debacle has been quite cautious. While downplaying the debacle by describing it as a fractured mandate attributable to a host of local factors, he has accepted responsibility for the BJP’s ‘failed’ slogans which tried to conjure a feel-good factor in a ‘shining India’ but clearly failed to connect and communicate. And significantly enough, he has said nothing about either Hindutva or Gujarat.
Advani knows the difference between 2004 and 1984. With 138 MPs, the BJP today is placed much more comfortably than when it had only 2 members in a 540-plus Lok Sabha. The party is certainly not faced with any major identity crisis or any imperative to ‘reinvent’ itself. The BJP knows all too well that the Congress is not going to navigate back to its ‘socialistic pattern’ days, and that it is going to operate very much within the parameters of neo-liberalism, pro-Americanism and soft Hindutva. Such an ideological-political terrain is very hospitable to the BJP and the party can always hope to stage a comeback much the same way the Congress had staged a comeback in 1980 after being rejected so resoundingly only three years earlier.
Instead of singing paeans for Indian democracy and imagining a crisis for the BJP where it has to either ‘secularise’ itself or face a permanent exile to political oblivion, the progressive opinion in the country must focus on asserting a radically different people’s agenda of democracy and development. Nothing short of a powerful anti-feudal anti-imperialist awakening of the Indian people can effectively foil the fascist game plan of the RSS.
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What if the Congress-led UPA govt. in the center with Laloo Prasad's RJD as an important constituent has announced to repeal POTA in its Common Minimum Programme? Congress supported Rabri Devi's RJD govt. in Bihar is still using TADA of bygone years to suppress and victimise political activists mainly from CPI(ML). Lawmakers are the ablest lot who know how to use the ambiguities in Law.
Recently, 16 activists of CPI(ML) have been implicated under TADA in a false case in Jehanabad. Ironically, seven of these have already been found innocent and were acquitted along with three others in the same case by TADA court of district Aurangabad long back on 19 August 1998. Now this case (no. 1/90 dated 04/01/90) has been opened in Jehanabad implicating 16 people including Surya Dayal Paswan, Vijay Paswan, Indal Mehta, Shankar Mehtar, Lakhan Paswan, Mahesh Ravidas and Gupta Mishra, who were exonerated earlier.
In spite of widespread condemnation and opposition from various democratic circles in the state, the arrogant state administration and the government seems hellbent to continue enforcing their unspoken policy of repressing democratic and rural poors' movements.
An adjournment motion placed on this question by the CPI(ML) legislative group was turned down in Bihar Assembly. The government has not given any statement on this issue, CPI(ML) MLAs protested inside the Assembly on June 21 and reiterated their demand for withdrawal of all TADA cases and release of their comrades. The government was accused of protecting those who are victimising political opponents using TADA and even murdering CPI(ML) leaders and cadres and appealed to the chair to accept the motion. But Assembly was adjourned four times on the day and no business could be conducted amidst the protests.
CPI(ML) Legislatures also held a dharna at the entrance of the Assembly in the morning while a protest demonstration was going on in the streets of Patna on this question at that time.
Incidentally, the most infamous and dreaded army of feudals enjoying political patronage from the ruling quarters in Bihar, Ranvir Sena, is at the moment most active in Jehanabad and making attacks on leaders of CPI(ML) as it is leading the movement of rural poor and dalits in the region. And in the process, our comrades are braving all types of pressures by nexus of ruling lobbies as well as attacks by Ranvir Sena. Few months back Comrade Manju was martyred in an attack by Ranvir Sena and now one of the popular leaders of the Party Comrade Kunti Devi is facing a threat on her life. The killers of Manju have not been arrested yet and even the memorial built by local people in her memory has been vandalized twice by Ranvir Sena. In such backdrop, implication of CPI(ML) activists in TADA does definitely seem to be a deliberate ploy of political victimisation to suppress the popular movement.
Last year, there was one more such case that shook the conscience of the democratic people in Bihar when 14 CPI(ML) activists were imprisoned for life after implicating them under TADA. They were framed falsely by the police long back in 1988 after the infamous Bhadasi police firing. All these 14 innocents are now behind bars and Supreme Court has turned down their appeals for reconsideration of the case. All these convicted comrades are on hunger strike inside the jail since 18 June in protest against the injustice done to them and more than 400 other inmates inside the jail have also joined them in support from 20 June.
It is possible to lift TADA cases under section 321 of CRPC and, in fact, such cases have been lifted involving many persons in Jehanabad district and one such ‘beneficiary’ is Ramadhar Singh, dreaded ring leader of Sawarn Liberation Front who perpetrated massacres at Sawanbigha and Barsimha where 16 innocents were killed. But few selective cases are being allowed to continue under TADA, most of them involving CPI(ML) activists.
TADA continues to be used as a political weapon though it was allowed to lapse after strong nationwide criticism. What will happen with POTA, if repealed as promised, is yet to be seen. CPI(ML) has demanded to withdraw all cases under TADA and POTA from immediate effect.
This is a glaring example of how the legislations can be manipulated to serve the political interests of ruling establishment and how hollow are the promises made under people's pressure. Cases are still being framed even after the withdrawal of this Act. We must not let this happen and must not allow the ruling combine to make the poor and toiling millions be deprived of the political space they deserve. The struggle against anti-people policies and for an equitable and just society must continue.
The Party has launched a Protest Campaign throughout Bihar and appealed to all Left and democratic people to come forward and oppose this draconian step. A two-day campaign was organised in Jehanabad on 9-10 June and All India Agricultural Labour Association organised a day-long dharna at all block headquarters in Jehanabad district.
On 21 June CPI(ML) along with AIPWA held a protest demonstration in Jehanabad and a march to Bihar Assembly and demanded to withdraw cases under TADA along with the cases framed against hundreds of Party activists. Protesters also demanded to arrest the police officers who ordered and conducted firing and killing of innocent people in Telpa of Arwal district.
The Congress-led UPA govt. has started its innings in Delhi with the slogan "reforms with human face". It has also made it clear that major aspects of reforms undertaken by last NDA govt. will be continued. The only 'deviation' from NDA regime is the 'human face' tactic. Many ministers in the new govt. are inviting various trade union representatives to discuss things and to ask for their more participation in helping things move faster.
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), one of the leading organisations of Indian bourgeoisie, also met central trade unions for a pre-budget 'informal' discussions. Apparently, many issues were discussed in a very 'cordial' and 'democratic' atmosphere and the need was felt for a greater "social partnership" between the Industry and the Labour. The Captains of Indian industry and the government have not shifted a bit from the core issue of neo-liberal reforms which also includes the need for a 'rational' exit policy. The CII mainly represents the manufacturing sector and expects/needs a good buoyancy in coming days. It is supporting the government's move of focussing in the rural areas, imposition of vat and taxing agricultural income. One more important factor behind this support, apparently, may be viewed from a different angle that the organised sector is not in a position to provide jobs. Rather it is willing to further reduce the number of existing jobs. The captains of Industry are also proposing to evolve further 'informal' consultations, particularly post-budget, on small-medium sector industries.
The government and the Industry are advertising the 'reforms with human face' through such meetings and trying to take the leaders of working class into 'confidence' to minimise opposition in order to continue these policies.
The trade unions must develop mass movements and launch campaigns to expose the real face of reforms. The working class and its organisations, particularly the Left, must bear in mind that there is a change in style but the substance remains same. The government has declared to go deeper into reforms. Moreover, when the government and institutions like CII are talking about competitiveness and lack of resources, the working class must raise the real issues and demand for taxing the rich, social welfare, land reforms, increasing costs of agricultural inputs, protection of small industries and agriculture, and the labour rights. This is the battle we must take up in the coming days.
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Bihar unit of the All India Progressive Women's Association held a protest march in Patna and burnt the effigy of Manmohan Singh on 18 June to oppose the hike in LPG, patrol and diesel prices by the UPA govt. While in Delhi, AIPWA and AISA held protest demonstration on 17 June and demanded a rollback. They also demanded rollback of hike in electricity prices in Delhi. The hike is going to severely hit the common people. This would lead to increase in the prices of all essential commodities. The justification being given for the increase, viz rise in international prices, is not at all a valid reason since this could be taken care of through other means. This is all the more important because the present government has got the people's mandate due to its promise of commitment to the interests of the poor and common people.
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A one-day cadre convention was organised by the Punjab unit of the Party at Bhikhi on 4 June, on the fifth death anniversary of Comrade Hakam Singh Samaon. four topics were discussed in the Convention, viz. Current political situation, Relations between Party and its mass organisations, Organising the mass organisations and Future plans. This was attended by nearly 250 comrades.
Rajasthan CPI(ML) has been busy consolidating its electoral gains through a series of party schools and meetings from 8-16 June. The Party State Committee reviewed its performance in last elections and decided to launch a campaign centering around issues of agricultural labourers, poor peasants, unemployed youth, women and dalits. It has also been decided to launch a campaign to expose state govt.'s anti-people policies and its fundamentalist and communal agenda.
The CPI(ML) has submitted a memorandum with the Home Ministry on state sponsored terror in Karbi-Anglong district of Assam and demanded immediate intervention from the Ministry to restore normalcy and rule of law in the region. A Party delegation, led by Central Committee members Kumudini Pati and Prabhat Kumar, met special Secretary for Home on 18 June and handed over a memorandum to him.
Through the memorandum several incidents of inhuman torture and killings of CPI(ML) supporters in Hamren sub-division of Karbi-Anglong district by UPDS (pro-talks) militant gang were brought to notice of the Home Ministry. The memorandum says, "Karbi Anglong had been one district in Assam that had been free from intra-tribal strife and had been peaceful under the leadership of Dr.Jayant Rongpi of CPI(ML). The sequence of events shows that there is a deliberate attempt to sow seeds of discord in the district for vested political ends of the ruling party of the state. This is a dangerous precedence and can lead to serious conflagrations in the area which can even go out of control."
Bandh in Karbi Anglong and N C Hills
A twelve-hour bandh in Karbi Anglong and N C Hills was organised on 18 June which received a massive response from the people and was total and peaceful.
The CPI(ML) N C Hills Party Committee has strongly criticized the State Govt. for heavy deployment of army in Umrangso, N C Hills district of Assam in the name of combing operation against extremist outfits. The innocent people are suffering untold misery due to excessive and unnecessary harassment meted out by the security force. One person was shot dead on 17 June near Umrangso-Haflong road by the army which is a clear violation of human right. CPI(ML) has demanded Judicial enquiry and adequate compensation to the bereaved family of the victim. While appealing to release all the six abducted employees of Umrangso Cement Ltd by outlawed organization, the party has also called to withdraw army from the two hills districts of Assam and initiate a dialogue with all insurgent groups operating in Karbi Anglong and N C Hills.
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Sadou Asom Pragatishil Nari Santha, state wing of All India Progressive Women Association in Assam sent a memoranda to the PM, Speaker of Lok Sabha and HRD Minister through Deputy Commissioner, Kamrup on 16 June demanding adoption of the bill for 33% seat reservation for women in the coming LS session.
The memorandum says that previous goverments had thrown the proposed Bill in parliament to cold-storage in the name of consensus which reflected the apathy towards the cause of empowerment of women, although the Legislation was repeatedly presented on the floor of the Parliament. This was an utter neglect of the democratic and progressive voice of the society in general and the aspirations of the women in particular. The last NDA Govt. presented a Bill after totally diluting the basic sprit of the original one.
The Memorandum reminds the UPA Govt. of its CMP that says, ‘the UPA Government will take the lead to introduce legislation for one-third reservation for women in Vidhan Sabhas and in the Lok Sabha. Legislation on domestic violence and against gender discrimination will be enacted.’ and urged to stress priority to this long-pending legislation and to adopt it in original form without any dilution.
It was also demanded to enact a law to compulsorily form Women's Commission in every State and to give ample powers to the State Women's Commissions so that they can execute or enforce law upon any specific crime against women.
18 Trade Unions in Pragjyotishpur, Guwahati from Noonmati to Chandrapur formed a Joint Forum of Trade Unions after a convention which was attended by workers of carbon, chemicals, asbestos, motor transport workers, construction workers, rural workers and workers of sick and closed industries on 13 June. This forum will develop movement for revival of sick and closed industries, minimum wage and job and social security. The Convention demanded re-commission of Chandrapur Thermal Project. It planned to hold a day-long hunger strike at Chandrapur on August 15.
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Comrade Rameshwar Ravidas was assassinated in the evening of 18 June 04 just outside his native village Suranga of Sindri in district Dhanbad. Comrade Rameshwar, popularly known as Raju, was immensely popular not only among the colliery workers, where he was primarily entrusted the task to organize them, but also among the general people of the region. He himself was a colliery worker and a member of the Dhanbad District Committee of the Party.
Comrade Raju was threatened by the goons of Congress and MCC (AK Roy) during campaigning for the Party’s candidate from Dhanbad in last general elections.
After hearing the shocking news of his assassination, a large number of people spontaneously gathered at his village and held a road blockade in protest. They demanded to the administration and the police to immediately identify and nab the killers.
Party’s State Secretary in Jharkhand Subhendu Sen and CPI(ML) MLA and CC member Mahendra Singh immediately rushed to Sindri to attend his cremation.
Full of energy and enthusiasm, Comrade Raju always remained at the forefront of struggles and justly represented the younger generation in the Party. His untimely demise is an irreparable loss to us all. We send our condolences to his bereaved family.
Red Salute to Comrade Raju.
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