Of Political Imbroglio and People’s Initiative

Following a fractured mandate and a resultant political imbroglio that defied any immediate solution, Bihar has finally been placed under President’s Rule. All the fretting and fuming by Laloo Prasad, all the televised threats issued by his lieutenants like Shahabuddin and all the political pressurising and moral persuasion by his loyal Left allies could not cement the cracks in the UPA. The NDA too could not claim any number bigger than 102, which included 10 of the 17 ‘independent’ members of the new Assembly.

The CPI(ML) had made it categorically clear that it would offer active opposition to any attempt to instal yet another edition of an RJD-led regime in Bihar which had become synonymous with rampant criminalisation, corruption, all-round anarchy and systematic suppression of the rights and interests of the rural poor. At the same time, there could of course be no question of supporting any government which would depend on the BJP for its survival. For once, the 29-member LJP and the 4-member SP too refused to extend support to the NDA or any RJD-led coalition.

What kind of President’s Rule is Bihar going to have? And how long is it going to continue? These are the two most pertinent questions at the moment, but we do not have any definitive clue as yet. Some observers look at President’s Rule as just a brief interlude before the UPA can again get its act together. With Laloo Prasad finally being forced out of power, his bargaining power is likely to be weakened and the Congress and LJP can hope to make him come around sooner rather than later. While Laloo Prasad does not insist any longer on ousting Ram Vilas Paswan from the UPA, the latter too now talks about watching the progress of President’s Rule for the next month and gathering feedback from the people. All this would suggest that President’s Rule may not really last very long.

There is another view among the ruling classes that would prefer the period of President’s Rule to continue as long as it may be necessary to make a ‘difference’ before going in for mid-term elections. If the state-sponsored ‘anarchy’ in Bihar is really getting out of hands and Laloo Prasad is proving to be more of a liability than an asset, the Indian state must contemplate a new arrangement for Bihar. ‘Project Ram Vilas’ and ‘Operation President’s Rule’ can clearly be seen as two key components of such a new arrangement. The panel of advisors chosen for the Governor would provide some indication as to which way the Indian state and the all-India ruling classes would like to travel in Bihar. Sending a KPS Gill to Bihar as an advisor could perhaps be the most preposterous piece of advice.

The crisis in Bihar can only be described as state-sponsored criminalisation and withdrawal of the state from the most basic services without which no civil society or economy could possibly be imagined. What Bihar needs is restoration of the rule of law and not extra-judicial repression or more feudal-criminal violence. If the people on Bihar streets are prepared to treat President’s Rule as a welcome relief and if on March 7 the people of Jahanabad observed a day’s bandh against starvation death even as the UPA and NDA constituents remained busy in the battle of government formation, it clearly shows that Bihar desperately demands an accountable administration, an effective application of the rule of law and urgent provision of relief for the toiling masses. Any attempt to use President’s Rule as a pretext to convert Bihar into a police state could only prove disastrous.

Meanwhile, Jharkhand is also trapped in a state of political uncertainty. The Governor’s decision to swear in Shibu Soren as Chief Minister even after NDA had presented a list of 41 MLAs and even physically paraded them before him was a gross violation of democratic norms. The patently flawed actions of Goa and Jharkhand Governors have put the UPA in a tight corner and the BJP can only thank the Congress for the free flow of political fuel. Regardless of what happens in Jharkhand in the forthcoming ‘floor test’, the Congress and the UPA have already surrendered the initiative to the BJP and the NDA. For the watchdog Left to limit its role to an occasional bark or two on economic issues while condoning these dangerous follies can only prove suicidal. As the biggest contingent of the Left in both Bihar and Jharkhand, the CPI(ML) must play a proactive role as the most consistent and reliable defender of secularism, democracy and the people’s interests.

State Level Convention of ‘Mahendra Singh Hatya-Virodhi Pratirodh Manch’

The state level convention of ‘Mahendra Singh Hatya-Virodhi Pratirodh Manch’ (Resistance Forum to Oppose Mahendra Singh’s Assassination) was held on 6 March at Goessner Institute auditorium in Ranchi. Convened on the theme of “The legacy of Comrade Mahendra Singh and the tasks of democratic forces”, the convention was participated in by around 500 persons from various walks of life coming from all over Jharkhand.

A five-member presidium headed by noted Jharkhand scholar Dr. BP Kesri and comprising of Tridib Ghosh, Dayamani Barla and Father Steins conducted the proceedings. Convention began after paying two-minutes' silence tribute to Comrade Mahendra. After presentation of a “Shaheed Geet” (song in the memory of martyrs) by Jan Sanskriti Manch’s cultural team, an approach paper was read out by journalist Ram Pukar. Deleberations started with an aged Kamaldeo Singh, headmaster of Bagodar Middle School where Mahendra Singh had also started receiving his education, recalling the moments he had shared with Mahendra and the achievements Comrade Mahendra had secured for the people of Bagodar while he represented them in the Assembly.

Leaders of various political parties including CPI, JMM and Congress (Dr. Saba Ahmed) and also the pro-tem speaker of Jharkhand Assembly Pradeep Balmochu addressed the convention. Comrade Vinod Singh, son of Comrade Mahendra and the newly elected MLA from Bagodar recalled how Comrade Mahendra Singh behaved in a thoroughly democratic manner not only in the society but in the family as well. A leader of AIPRF was also among the speakers, while a good number of lawyers, engineers, journalists coming from Ranchi, Jamshedpur and other places recalled the tenacity and courage with which Comrade Mahendra used to fight for people’s cause. Comrade Pradeep Jha, editor of Shramik Solidarity recalled the years he had spent with Comrade Mahendra, the leader of IPF Legislature Party in Bihar Assembly while he was the secretary of the Legislature group. He said he was proud of the Party that produces heroes like Mahendra Singh.

Comrade BB Pandey, CPI(ML) Central Committee member and editor of Liberation, while addressing the convention recalled the eagerness and determination he saw in Mahendra Singh for resolving the concrete issues of the downtrodden people when he met Comrade Mahendra for joining the Party way back in 1978. He said that Mahendra Singh himself never looked at martyrdom in isolation with the whole struggling life, as he has expressed in the title poem of his book “Keemat Chukati Zindagi”. In this he truly followed Nagbhushan Patnaik who had said, “In life and death, I am for the Party and the people.” He inherited the legacy of struggle from the ‘Hul’ of Sidhu-Kanho and ‘Ulgulan’ of Birsa Munda, but he also derived energy from the millennia old struggle of Spartacus, and had full faith like the slaves of that Slavery Age, that the slaves of capital must necessarily produce their own Spartacus. Com. Pandey said that Mahendra Singh’s legacy lies in his concrete struggles for democracy, exhibited in his bold steps like holding panchayat elections on the basis of people’s own will, his tendering resignation from the membership of the Legislature while refusing to budge from the stand he took against the Speaker and lastly, his handling of bureaucracy in the true spirit of a representative of the people. Lastly, Comrade Pandey held that the Resistance Forum must, in order to inherit and carry on the legacy of Mahendra Singh must demand from whosoever comes to power, that firstly, the guilty police officials for all the killings from Doranda, Topkara, Koel-Karo to Markachcho, must be brought to book, secondly, Repeal of POTA must come into effect from the day it was imposed and all those booked under POTA must be immediately released and compensated, and lastly, the SP of Giridih Dipak Verma, and Ravindra Rai must be immediately arrested as there is an FIR filed against them, and punished for their crime.

Thereafter a resolution was read out on behalf of the convention by journalist Satyaprakash, demanding immediate arrest and trial of Dipak Varma and Ravindra Rai, and that the CBI must complete the investigation in a very short time and also include the killing of Prashant Sahai and Umesh Jha in the ambit of its investigation, in the light of ADG(P) BD Ram’s Report. The resolution also demanded a white paper from the government as to why Dipak Verma was appointed as S.P. in Giridih when Comrade Mahendra had already made allegations against him in the Legislative Assembly. After this, speaking on behalf of the Forum, senior journalist Faisal Anurag expressed the resolve to soon chalk out action plan and start agitation. Dr. BP Kesri, on behalf of the presidium, thanked the organisers and the participants expressing the hope that the democratic forces of Jharkhand would rise to the occasion and take up the challenges lying ahead before them.

Martyrs of Historic Hurwa Assassination case Remembered in Tripura

The martyrs of Hurwa assassination were remembered on the occasion of 25th anniversary of ghastly Hurwa assassination case which was masterminded by the then Left front Government of Tripura in 1980. A public ceremony was organised at Dharmanagar by the Tripura State unit of CPI(ML) on Feb 25.

Under the command of T.K Sanyal, the former SDPO and directions of the then CPI(M) Chief Minister Nripen Chakraborty, seven CPI(ML) revolutionaries namely Govinda Teli, Akkal Mia, Chandu Nama, Chandra Kanta Nath, Kalinjoy Singh, Kshitipati Das and Ranjan Nath were murdered in cold blood 25 years ago on 25 Feb, when they were holding a meeting in village Huruya . To commemorate their memory various programmes were held throughout the month which came to an end on the 25 Feb after adopting resolutions for the future programmes of struggle.

On Feb 25 a Martyrs' Post and a statue of martyr comrade Govinda Teli were unveiled by CPI(ML) Polit Bureau member Rubul Sharma at Kalacherra. Floral tributes were paid on the Martyrs' Post by Com. Haricharan Teli, father of martyred Com. Govinda Teli, daughter of martyr Com. Akkal Mia, brother of martyr Com.Ramjan Nath and others. Com. Amritlal Bhattacharjee, Com. Asit Chakraborty and Com. Rubul Sarma, who were fellow-comrades of the seven martyrs, addressed the gathering and presented a detailed profile of the revolutionary activities and dedication for the cause of the toiling masses of seven martyrs. They appealed to all those present to follow their revolutionary path to bring a total change in the society and to strengthen the struggle against the anti-people activities of the CPI(M) led state Govt. of Tripura.

After the inaugural ceremony people marched to the venue of the rally at Dharmanagar town. This was led by 25 activists waving 25 red flags. A big procession marched through all the main roads of the town amidst chanting of the slogan “We want murderer TK Sanyal to be hanged". The meeting was addressed by Rubul Sharma, Mrinmoy Chakrabotry, Secretary of CPI(ML) Tripura State Committee, Manik Pal, Shankar Mohanty, Kamala Mia, the fellow comrades of the martyrs. Speakers urged to take forward the incomplete mission of the seven martyrs by defeating the left opportunism of the CPI(M). The meeting was presided over by Chiranjib Bhattacharjee, District Secretary and member of the State Committee of the CPI(ML).

CPI(ML) Opposes Tapovan-Vishnugarh Hydro-Electric Power Project in Garhwal Hills

CPI(ML) Garhwal unit held a protest demonstration on Feb 28 at district headquarters of Chamoli district to demand withdrawal of Tapovan-Vishnugarh Hydro-Electric Power Project which going to endanger whole of the Joshimath town in Garhwal hills besides causing many environmental problems. Party sent a memorandum to the President through the DM in this regard. Recently this project was inaugurated in Dehradun, 300 kms. away from the original venue due to massive people's protests going on in the area.

CPI(ML) also joined in the gherao of Uttaranchal Tourism Minister TPS Rawat on the day, who came to town on the way to inaugurate the Auli Skiing Festival. Villagers of Selang, Paini and other villages are opposing government's unilateral decision to take over their lands. Police's bid to manhandle Party activists was foiled by the resistance put up by the protesting women during the gherao. Pressurised by the protest the Minister had to issue an statement demanding to cancel the take over of the lands of the villagers.

One such project, Vishnu Prayag Hydro-Electric Project, is already under construction in the vicinity and one more project will certainly disturb the fragile eco-system of the area. Already many natural water sources in affected villages have been dried up and even the cattle are now producing less milk in those villages due to sudden change in the climate.

The demonstration was led by CPI(ML)'s Garhwal in-charge Kailash Pandey and AISA State President Indresh Maikhury. Leaders of many local organisations and CPM district Secretary also addressed the gathering.

Convention against Privatisation

Nagarik Vikas Panchayat organised a mass convention against privatisation of basic public amenities like electricity, water, education, transport, etc. at Narela in Delhi on Mar 6. Hundreds of people and intellectuals of the area participated in the convention which was addressed by AICCTU leader Santosh Rai, President of the Panchayat Satvir Shramik and CPI(ML) District Secretary Surendra Panchal. Convention called upon to intensify movement against the privatisation bid of basic amenities by Delhi government. Convention also demanded to strengthen DTC fleet and removal of Blueline buses from Delhi roads, takeover of recently privatised electricity companies in view of escalating prices and incompetence and to halt the process of privatisation of Delhi Jal Board. Convention also condemned increasing contractorisation and privatisation of education, health and sanitary services in Delhi.

International Women's Day:

AIPWA Criticizes Budget, Demands for Rights for Working Women

The All India Progressive Women's Association observed International Women's Day by organising a protest dharna at Jantar Mantar on the eve of Women's Day. The Women's wing of All India CGHS Employees' Association also joined the dharna after holding a march. AIPWA severely criticized the Union budget saying that this is eyewash in the name of Gender Budgeting, because women have got nothing out of it except for a rise in the ceiling for Income tax, which will benefit only a small section. There has been a total disregard of the economic condition of women, their joblessness, their lack of social security and absence of any support structures or incentives to help women contribute their best to the society. The dharna was led by AIPWA President Srilata Swaminathan and General Secretary Kumudini Pati.

AIPWA has sent a charter of demands to the Minister for Labour demanding right to work as fundamental right, an alternative employment guarantee Act with provisions of unemployment allowance, Govt. of India prepare a detailed paper outlining its policies towards working women, ensuring job security and social benefits for women workers, to stop immediately the privatisation of health and education sectors, a law to stop sexual harassment of women at the workplace, interest-free loans for women for self-employment, enactment of a proper agricultural workers' Act which will guarantee the rights of millions of women agri. workers, implementation of 33% reservation for women in all elected bodies, and to abolish all discriminatory practice on the basis of caste and gender for working women, e.g. discriminatory wages and untouchability in the case of women scavangers.

In Patna, a Seminar was organised by AIPWA on "Role of Women in Present Situation" which was addressed by Saroj Chaube, Dr. Vina Sinha, Manju Prasad and Anita Sinha. Demonstrations were held at Darbhanga, Madhubani, Bhagalpur and other places in Bihar. In Lucknow, A poster exhibition and dharna was organised in front of State Assembly which was led by Ajanta Lohit and Tahira Hasan.

AIPWA Dharna at Guwahati

A massive dharna was organised on 2 March, when Assembly Session was in progress, at Guwahati as a part of the Nari Jagaran Abhiyan to press some burning problems of the women. Tarun Gogoi led Congress Govt. did not allow women to hold this dharna and used police administration in different places of the state to stop AIPWA supporters. Police arrested about 800 women coming from Sonitpur and Nagaon at Guwahati Railway station. Nearly 350 women were arrested from the train by the police at Lumding station on the way to Guwahati. A bus coming from Barpeta was blocked by the police on the way near Baihata Chari Ali. Another group coming from Jorhat was arrested at Jorhat Rly station.

AIPWA Assam state unit started this Nari Jagaran Abhiyan from January and it will be concluded on 8th March, the International Women's day. Following demands were raised during this statewide Jagaran Abhiyan:

1. Pass a proposal at the Assam Assembly in favour of 33% seat reservation for women in this budget session,

2. Activise and democratise Assam State Commission for Women,

3. Stop obscene advertisements, pornographic films and punish culprits involved,

4. Announce BPL list of women in every panchayat and select BPL list by holding general meeting of all women of the locality,

5. Ensure minimum 150 working days for Tea garden women,

6. Exempt all loans of the women in flood affected areas,

7. Ensure withdrawal of Armed Forces (Special Power) Act, 1958 etc.

Statewide protests were held by AIPWA on 8 March on these demands in Assam.

Seminar on Women's issues

A Seminar was organised by AIPWA in Kakinada on Mar 4, in view of forthcoming Women's Day. Problems of Women were discussed in the Seminar in detail. It was addressed by AP State AIPWA President R. Nagmani and District President K. Ratnakumari among others. Nearly 800 women were present on the occasion.

A CALL... OUT NOW!

March 20, 2005

Global Day of Action

The world-wide antiwar movement calls for massive demonstrations against the war on March 19-20 — the second anniversary of the invasion of Iraq .

Against Bush Administration’s launching of a new phase of the war against the Iraqi people.

To demand the immediate, complete and unconditional withdrawal of all U.S. occupation troops from Iraq .

To acknowledge the absolute and unconditional right of the Iraqi people to resist the occupation of their country.