CPI(ML) HOME Vol.8, No.12 21-28  March, 2005

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:

A Disciple Denied

Wonder of wonders! Narendra Modi has been denied a visa by the United States. After all the awe and admiration expressed time and again by the mass murderer from Gujarat for the reigning butcher in the White House, this denial by the guru should indeed hurt the disciple. In their own ways, both Modi and Bush are known as contemporary masters of the modern religion of genocide and what is the meaning of ‘religious freedom’ if one master could not go on a pilgrimage to the land of another! This denial has understandably awakened the ancient rage in all the sages of RSS and VHP. Modi has attributed the American decision to a Christian outrage at the anti-conversion law passed by his government. And he even expects us to believe that the US is now targetting Gujarat as its next Iraq!

Could any comparison be more intriguing? It is well known that the BJP has been the staunchest supporter of the US-led invasion and occupation of Iraq. Modi often likened and linked his ‘mission’ in Gujarat to Bush’s global war on terror. The Vajpayee government had to be stopped by the people and Parliament from sending Indian troops to fight Bush’s dirty war in US-occupied Iraq. In his first reaction to the news of the US denial, Modi had wondered what America’s reaction would be if the US Army chief were to be denied a visa by India on grounds of human rights violation in Iraq.

The comparison between Gujarat and Iraq (and not the US) made at the March 20 ‘swabhiman rally’ in Ahmedabad sounded more like an interesting afterthought, a belaboured attempt to present his case as one of victimisation by an imperialist power and make an appeal on this basis to the anti-imperialist sentiment of the Indian people. Goa and Jharkhand have already enabled the BJP to scream over murder of democracy, and now from Bush comes the special Holi-eve anti-imperialist rescue package for a beleaguered Modi who is faced with growing dissidence in his own state legislature party.

The denial of US visa to Modi has been the upshot of a sustained international campaign by human rights activists, a campaign sustained and supported by large numbers of NRIs the world over. It is another matter that the invitation to Modi had also been extended essentially by sections of NRIs who have consolidated their position in the US in the ‘hospitality’ industry and are no doubt flush with funds for the ongoing genocidal projects of the RSS.

Post 9/11, so many Indians have been denied visas and even those travelling with valid visas have often had to experience harassment in the US and elsewhere in the West. Thanks to Strobe Talbott’s memoirs, we now know how George Fernandes was strip-searched at US airports – not once but twice – while he was visiting the US as India’s Defence Minister. The BJP and the Sangh Parivar or for that matter the NDA government never thought it fit to question such acts of imperialist and racist arrogance. But now the denial of US visa to Modi has become an assault on India’s sovereignty!

The same men who celebrated their first tryst with state power by dishing out huge concessions to the notorious US multinational Enron and have been voted out of power by the Indian people for bartering away the nation’s economic and political sovereignty to the US super-state are now seeking sympathy as victims of imperialist assaults on national dignity!

The reaction of the Congress has been no less revealing. The UPA government has taken umbrage at the American denial of visa to a constitutionally elected chief minister of an Indian state. Can the post of a constitutionally elected chief minister be viewed in complete abstraction from the concrete role discharged by the person concerned? Did not the state-sponsored genocide in Modi’s Gujarat amount to a brutal rape and murder of the same constitution and every fundamental right guaranteed therein? Just because the Vajpayee government patronised Modi and the UPA government has not been able to muster the courage to prosecute him, can and must Modi be paraded as an export-quality symbol of constitutional governance in India?

It is one thing to expose and challenge the US doublespeak on human rights and religious freedom. But to treat Modi’s right to travel as a symbol of India’s sovereignty and jump to his rescue on grounds of either respect for Indian constitution or nationalism is nothing but ideological and political bankruptcy of the highest order. The Congress has of course never been wanting in that.

CPI(ML) Asserts as Left Opposition to Mulayam’s Corporate Socialism:

Party‘s Mammoth Rally In Lucknow

On march 17, Party organised mammoth “Lucknow March”, with highest-ever mobilisation of around ten thousand toiling people converging from all parts of the state to expose and oppose Mulayam Raj`s betrayal against his own tall promises of democracy, social justice and jobs. This impressive show was certainly a milestone in party’s sustained efforts, through a series of agitational-mass political initiatives, to develop consistent democratic critique of Mulayam regime on behalf of left movement. Party’s determined resolve to develop left movement as credible, struggling force for social change, through red storm of militant mass movements, targeted against communal fascist forces, while at the same time isolating all those, responsible for committing great betrayal against democracy, development, social justice and dalit rights, was expressed in the concluding Declaration, when in the Rifah-e-aam club grounds of Lucknow, twenty thousand hands holding high red flags with clinched fists pledged to shed last drop of their blood for defence of democracy and ensuring basic rights of the people.

Addressing the rallyists Com. Akhilendra Pratap, PB member and UP State Secretary, accused Mulayam govt. of throttling democracy and betrayal on the vital issues of providing jobs and unemployment allowance. He asserted that if govt. chooses to proceed on a dictatorial course, then people’s resistance is bound to intensify. Demanding white-paper on capital inflow into the state in the name of development, about which govt. has created so much hype, guaranteeing BPL Cards as well as ensuring jobs round the year for the poor, provision of separate reservation quota for MBCs and backward Muslims, he warned govt. against it’s nefarious game-plan to pit dalits and MBCs against each other. He termed Mulayam govt. to be verbose, pro-mafia and anti-people. Referring to Mulayam’s repeated rhetoric against Maoism, he said that creating this spectre of Maoism will only benefit autocratic monarchy in Nepal.

Lambasting heavily the riot politics of BJP, anti-people opportunist politics of Congress and DM-CM politics of BSP, he claimed that it is BSP, which more than any other political party is responsible for damaging the cause of dalits. Mayavati claims to be born out of a dalit mother‘s womb, but she has betrayed them and hit on their belly. BSP never takes any sincere steps on vital issues of poor-dalit sections. Starting her journey with anti-Brahmanical rhetoric, she now in her new Brahminical avatar of Chandi is busy in hollow firefighting against Mulayam govt. He claimed that the political instability created from Bihar to Jharkhand is actually people’s protest against bourgeoisie ruling formations and this instability will continue as long as left -democratic forces do not emerge as viable force. He urged that, UP too needs the same and this time colour of the new change will be red instead of saffron, blue or green.

Com Krishna Adhikari, CC member, dwelling upon the increasing repression on struggling rural poor in Kheri-Pilibhit region, said, history is witness that whoever tried to suppress mass movement by brute force, was thrown in the dustbin of history. She warned Mulayam Singh of the same fate, if he persists in his repressive policies. Ajai Singh General Secretary, Jan Sanskriti Manch, said that even in the field of culture Mulayam govt is promoting mafiadom. Citing a glaring example, he alleged that a pro-mafia person has been installed as Chairperson of UP Lalit Kala Academy whose right place, actually, should have been in jail.

Presided over by senior party leader and veteran freedom fighter Com. Brij Bihari Lal and conducted by Com. Yashwant Singh, the mass meeting was addressed by AIPWA national vice president Tahira Hasan, state secretary Ajanta Lohit, AICCTU state secretary Dinkar Kapoor, AIALA state vice president Kranti Kumar Singh and secretary Shri Ram Chaudhary, Poorvanchal Kisan Sabha president Ishwari Prasad Kushawaha, RYA president Md. Salim, AISA state president Ramayan Ram, PUHR General Secretary Anand Dipayan and Dalit Asia Today editor Dr. Brij Bihari.

Political resolutions were presented by Com. Pranay Krishna. In one resolution, Mulayam govt. was warned against continued repression on the rising political assertion of rural poor in the name of Naxalism, from eastern U.P. to Terai region. Assault on mass movements, media and democracy was strongly condemned, suspension of Lakhimpur SP with Immediate effect and withdrawal of all false cases against journalist Samiuddin “Neeloo” and other CPI(ML) leaders was demanded. Another resolution demanded constitution of Land Commission and distribution of all surplus land among the poor. Yet other resolution demanded formation of a new social justice commission and inclusion of Kol, Korvan, Mushahar and other tribal communities in the category of scheduled tribes and provision of separate reservation quota for them.

This massive show of strength on behalf of left and struggling forces, was in a way culmination of a series of agitational mass initiatives and appropriate political maneuvers to foil the continued reign of repression in our areas of struggle and to seize political initiative from the populist Mulayam regime, masquerading as champion of social justice, democracy, secularism and development.

Actually democracy and livelihood of the toiling masses have been the biggest casualty in Mulayam's regime. However, all posturing apart, there is no genuine opposition, worth the name in the state. CPI(ML) has to shoulder this responsibility of developing a real fighting peoples opposition to the Corporate Socialism of Mulayam- Amar Singh duo. Party’s Lucknow March was certainly a major step forward in this direction.

State Party Education Camp at Assam

A party education camp was held in Assam on three subjects viz. "What is to be done", "One step forward two steps back" and "Two tactics" on 19-20 March at Bargang, Sonitpur. This two-day camp was attended by 39 selected cadres and members from Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Nagaon, Sonitpur, Guwahati, Barpeta and Karbi Anglong. Subjects were placed by Central Education Camp's participants Comrades Partha Dey (Two tactics), Arup Mahanta (One step forward two steps back) and Valindra Saikia (What is to be done). Comrade Rubul Sarma, Party State Secy. also addressed the participants. One more such camp will be organised in the month of June.

Demonstration on Women's Demands

All India Progressive Women's Association (AIPWA), along with AIDWA and AIWF, organised a demonstration on Mar 11 in Kanpur to press upon for the demands of 33% reservation for women, to stop female foeticide and special budgetary provisions for employment for women.

Land Struggle in AP

Hundreds of AIALA activists freed 6 acres of ceiling surplus land in a village of East Godavari district and collectively sowed paddy on the same land on Mar 15. A dharna was also held before the Collectorate next day to demand release of poor landless peasants, distribution of disputed land among landless agri. workers and lifting of false cases imposed on AIALA activists.

Activists of AP Agricultural Labour Association seized 40 acres of ceiling surplus land in Lachiraddipalem village of East Godavari on March 11. There was a struggle going on for the same land for many years. In Dharmavaram village of Prathipadu mandal 65 acres of land was seized. This land was under occupation of landlords for the last three decades. Another 8 acres of land was also occupied.

Dharna by Tea Workers in Guwahati

Asom Sangrami Chah Sramik Sangha (ASCSS) organised a dharna in Guwahati on 14 March to press some burning problems of tea workers of different tea gardens of Assam including holding new wage agreement to increase minimum wage to Rs. 75, Sunday wage, problem of Electricity Bills of the workers, payment of wages, problems of gardens of Assam Tea Corporation etc.

Although the administration issued permission to hold procession at Guwahati, police blocked tea workers in different places of the state on the way to Guwahati. In Tinsukia railway station 350 odd participants coming from Dibrugarh and Tinsukia were stopped by the police. And another 550 workers were blocked at Rangapara Rly station (Sonitpur) on the way to Guwahati. This group staged protest at the railway station and blocked train for 2 and a half hours.

Any way, nearly 150 workers managed to reach Guwahati and a procession was brought out from Guwahati Railway station to the DC office Kamrup and handed over a memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister of Assam. ASCSS has vehemently condemned this autocratic and anti-worker attitude of Tarun Gogoi Govt.

Agricultural Workers' Rally in Mansa

On Mar 15, a district level mobilisation of agricultural labourers and unorganised sector workers was held in Mansa of Punjab on the issue of betrayal of promises by Congress govt. in Punjab and UPA govt. in the centre. Thousands of people with red flags and banners stormed into the DC office where a mass meeting was held. A large number of women including the newly appointed part-time teachers also participated in the rally.

The rally demanded immediate payment of Old Age Pension at increased rates, allocation of land for housing, strict enforcement of minimum wages Act and labour laws and implementation of employment generation programmes. The rally was addressed by Swapan Mukherjee, General Secretary of AICCTU, Rajwinder Rana, State Secretary of CPI(ML) in Punjab, AIPWA leader Jeeta Kaur besides employees leader Jasbir Kaur and Mazdoor Mukti Morcha and AIALA leader Bhagwant Singh Samao. Later, a memorandum was given to DC and an impressive procession was held in the city.

AIBEA against FDI Hike in Banking Sector

All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA) and Bank Officers Association held a massive All India rally in front of Parliament on March 11 against the UPA govt.'s move for privatisation of Banks and opening up of foreign control for Indian Banks. The rally also gave a call for the success of the All India Strike of Bank Employees to be held on Mar 22. Along with other leaders of central TUs and leaders of political parties, AICCTU General Secretary Swapan Mukherjee also greeted the rallyists and expressed full solidarity with the struggle of Bank employees particularly the strike call of 22 March against privatisation and increasing FDI cap in Indian banking sector.

Airport Authority Workers Protest in Delhi

Airport Authority employees and Officers' Association have formed a joint front to fight back the UPA government's move to open foreign control of our main airports by allowing 74% FDI in this sector. Protesting it, a massive militant rally was organised on March 17 at AAI headquarters in New Delhi. The rallyists defied the court's injunction of not entering the headquarters and held the rally right in front of Chairman's office. AICCTU General Secretary Swapan Mukherjee addressed the rally, where he condemned the UPA for betraying its own CMP and expressed solidarity with the struggle. A large number of women employees also participated in the programme.

Grand Celebration of  ”People’s Art Festival “ in Madurai

"Tamil Nadu Cultural Forum” organised the grand celebration of “People’s Cultural Festival” in Madurai city on February 19. Tsunami disaster, forced to postpone this yearly gathering by five weeks this year. It was otherwise supposed to take place on January 14 on the occasion of Pongal festival (Tamil new years day). However, a massive gathering of more than 600 with large number of women from all over the state participated surpassing all expactations of the organisers.

Beautifully decorated by the painting of artists, Jinnah Stadium  in Mahaboob Pattinam, the venue of the celebration, offered a distinct attraction by  convergence of several organisations from  many popular cultural streams - including national, dalit, adivasi, Fisherfolk - unfolding verities of artistic and literary forms, offered a rich experience of human creativity.

Festival began with the beating of drums and dance performed by “Nagarkoil Murasu” troupe followed by verities of dances. Tribal dance, stick dance and  stag-horn dance were collectively performed by large number of men and women, enthused the audience. 

“Mayyam” street drama movement performed “Massacre” which was a tribute to school children died in Kumbakonam tragedy. The play effectively exposed the harsh realities behind privatisation of education, temptation of learning English and callousness of the governments, the root cause of the whole tragedy. Audience could not control their tears and anger.  Another play attracted the audience was “Tsunami” that captured fisherfolks’ brave struggles against Western MNCs on the one hand and insensitiveness of our own governments in the face of tsunami tragedy on the other. 'Aruppukkottai Nadippu Swadesikal troupe’s “Language formation in human history” received appreciation form the audience. While various groups performed inspiring songs and music, popular personalities in cultural field were actively involved in the 'Poet meet', “Debate forum” and “Symposium on contemporary literature and cinema”. 

Keynote addresses were  delivered by CPI(ML) leaders S.Balasundaram and  D.Pandiyan. Comrade Pattali, Joint Convener of  Tamil Nadu Cultural Forum presided the festival while Madurai convener Comrade Guhanandan delivered the welcome address. As a whole the festival was really a cultural experience in substance,  an experience of entertainment, enlightenment and inspiration at the same time. 

Thousands Took to Streets Around the World :

International Iraq Solidarity Day

March 19-20. Tens of thousands of anti-war protesters took to the streets in the United States , Europe and other parts of the world, to commemorate the second anniversary of the US-led invasion of Iraq and to demand the pullout of foreign troops from the country.

In Delhi , 200 protestors, comprising of students from AISA and SFI and intellectuals from diiferent professions took out a march from Mandi House to the American Centre on the occassion of “International Iraq Solidarity Day” on 19th March. The main slogans inscribed on banners and placards read - “U.S. Imperialism is No.1 Threat to World Peace, Asian Soil Shall be Witness to Death of American Imperialism, UPA Govt. Must Stop Hobnobbing With Imperialist U.S., Bush is Biggest Terrorist of the World, etc”. The Police had barricaded the road leading to the American Centre. The protestors broke the barricade and held a brief meeting there which was addressed by renowned cultural personality Habib Tanvir.

Thousands demonstrated in Mumbai against American War and Occupation. Protesters in Cairo defied a ban on political rallies to condemn war against Iraq . In Damascus , tens of thousands of people condemned US war preparations and Washington ’s support for Israel . Hundreds of schoolchildren joined protesters in the Pakistani capital Islamabad to try to form a human chain to Rawalpindi .

Massive anti-war protests took place in London , in Moscow and Paris , in Rostock and Tuebingen in Germany , in Rome , Stockholm , Warsaw , Copenhagen , Istanbul and Madrid , in Barcelona , Sydney , Melbourne , Brisbane and several other cities in Australia , Tel Aviv in Israel , and in many cities around the world including countries like Argentina , Brazil and Mexico , Malaysia and Japan . Protests were held in 756 towns across the US including Washington , New York City, San Francisco , Pittsburgh . Chicago and Boston .

“When Vietnam Veterans Against the War was formed, that was an important turning point in the struggle against the Vietnam War. Now that veterans are returning and speaking out against the Iraq War, more and more people are seeing the truth. Bush has stolen the wealth of this country and put into the war. Bush has said that the soldiers are fighting for liberty. That is not true. They are fighting for Bush, for Cheney, for Halliburton, and for Bechtel—and they are not worth dying for. You don’t bring liberty to a country with napalm and cluster bombs. You don’t bring democracy by breaking into houses and terrorizing civilians. War is terrorism.” said Howard Zinn, renowned radical historian, during one such protest.

Edited, published and printed by S. Bhattacharya for CPI(ML) Liberation from U-90, Shakarpur, Delhi-92; printed at Bol Publication, R-18/2, Ramesh Park, Laxmi Nagar, Delhi-92; Phone:22521067; fax: 22518248, e-mail: mlupdate@cpiml.org, website: www.cpiml.org

 

 

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