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WITH ITS LATEST MOVE on the South Asian chessboard – the resumption of the sale of F16s to Pakistan followed by a similar offer to India – the US has sought to hit at least a pair of two birds with a single stone. One, torpedo the composite Indo-Pak peace process and thereby wreck the Iran- Pakistan-India gas pipeline project, which Washington had tried unsuccessfully to preempt by diplomatic pressure; two, encourage a new phase of arms race in the subcontinent so as to help the American military industrial complex (Lockheed Martin in particular, which was on the verge of closing down its F16 production line for lack of buyers) with new orders. Incidentally, the US was the biggest presence in the latest air extravaganza at Bangalore, putting its flying death machines on display and frantically trying to outshine other arms vendors from countries like Russia, France, and Israel. However, its current sales proposal includes, apart from fighter jets like the deadly F18s, missile defence systems and – provided India agrees to backtrack from the gas pipeline project – also nuclear power reactors to meet the country’s growing energy needs.
The whole story is thus one of aggressive marketing coupled with covert arm-twisting, of the old imperial habit of fishing in troubled waters. But there is more to it than that. Bush, Rice and others have repeatedly clarified that India now occupies the central position in Washington’s South Asian geopolitical strategy, which in its turn is an integral part of its scheme of world domination. New Delhi relishes this, and wants more. Hence its bargaining stance befitting a big customer: placing orders with countries like Germany and Qatar while not rejecting the American bouquet either and evincing interest in joint production of F 16s and F18s.
A large section of democratic people in both India and Pakistan, it is heartening to note, have seen through the American design. They have called on the two governments to steer clear of the death trap of arms race and keep up the peace process. Taking this as a good beginning, we in India should now move ahead to compel the government thoroughly rework its policy orientations on at least three points. First, when experts in the Indian Air Force have made known their preference for alternatives like the Mirage and Sukhoi, there is no reason why the political establishment should at all consider the purchase or production of American fighter planes. This becomes all the more pertinent in view of our bitter experience of broken promises on the part of Uncle Sam (e.g., in the case of cryogenic engines for the Indian satellite launch vehicle), an experience we share with many other nations. Secondly, to bind our country to the war chariot of the world’s number one rouge state is to invite untold and endless miseries, hardly to be compensated by an illusory sense of glory in being an ally of the dreaded megapower. What we rather need is an independent foreign policy based on cordial relations with neighbours and a proactive peace policy directed against warmongers. Finally, the point is not simply to avoid an American bear hug, but to radically reorder our overall priorities. India already enjoys complete military, naval and air supremacy in the subcontinent, even as hundreds of thousands of Indians go without safe drinking water and go to bed hungry. Why on earth, then, should we not drastically slash our military spending for the benefit of social sector outlays?
The fight against imperialism is inconceivable without a stubborn struggle against the UPA government’s increasingly pro-imperialist, anti-people policies, such as inviting FDI in strategic sectors including airlines, patent law amendment, initiation of labour reforms by removal of restrictions on night shift work by women, and so on. And such a movement is what the entire left ranks cutting across party lines are eager to launch in unison. Will the parties that have just held, or are going to hold, respective party congresses, heed the voice of the masses and rise to occasion?
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Com. Chandrashekhr‘s martyrdom day was observed at various centres, where students and youth took pledge to carry on the glorious legacy of com. Chandrasekhar and march on the path of serving the people and revolutionary social change, as shown by him. After his brilliant career as a popular, student-youth leader., twice president of prestigious JNU student union, he opted for a career of professional revolutionary and plunged into the whirlwind of his home state Bihar’s stormy peoples struggles. There he embraced martyrdom on March 31, 1997 when he dared to challenge RJD MP Shahabuddin’s mafia reign of terror in Siwan. While campaigning for Bihar Bandh called by CPIML against the regime of mega scams and massacres as well as all-round misrule of the then Laloo govt., he along with other Party leader, Com. Shyam Narain Yadav, was shot dead by the henchmen of Shahabuddin. Since then, Com. Chandrashekhar‘ has become a symbol of death defying courage and youth challenge to all the tyrannical forces of retrogression and reaction and his martyrdom day is observed as National Youth Day
This year in Siwan , the programme began with paying tribute to the martyred leader at the samaadhi sthal at his home village, Bindusaar. Then thousands marched shouting slogans to Siwan town, towards Town hall where a seminar was held titled ‘Dangers and Challenges before Democracy ’. The rally was led by Chandrashekhar’s mother, Kaushalya Devi, Comrade Raja Ram, RYA leaders Com. Salim, kamlesh Sharma, Param Hans Kumar, Amarjeet Kushwaha, Janmat Editor, KK Pandey, AIPWA leader shubhra Nagalia and many other party and student-youth leaders. The seminar was chaired by eminent critic and poet and former Head of Hindi department of Allahabad University, Prof. Rajendra Kumar. National Vice-President of RYA, Md. Salim also addressed the seminar. Prominent intellectuals of Siwan were also present at the seminar and paid their tribute to the revolutionary memory of the comrades. The libratory effect of Shahbuddin’s ouster from his own constituency and a crushing rejection of acquiring a majority by his party, RJD in the recent assembly elections by the people of Siwan and Bihar were clearly visible.
Salim remarked on the cowardly attempts of Shahbuddin and his goons to terrorise and push back the growing assertion of the people of Siwan under the banner of CPIML and said that attempts to kill revolutionary leaders only demonstrates their fear and weakness. Comrade Raja Ram said that Bihar has entered into a transition period for moving towards an alternative rule for a just, corruption free and development oriented state. It was the result of the growing assertion of dalit and poor sections of the state against the oppressive ruling class politics. Prof. Rajendra Kumar paid tributes to the memory of Chandrashekhar and said that in todays consumerist and throat cut competitive world of capitalist and feudal values, Chandrashekhar has given us an alternative model and direction . He has given a revolutionary legacy to students and youth in contrast to carrier pursuits prevalent amongst young people today.
In JNU, on March 31, a march chanting slogans to fulfil the unfulfilled dreams of Com. Chandrashekhar and demanding already delayed punishment to criminal Shahabuddin and his goons, covering the entire campus, culminated into a mass meeting, addressed, by Com. Seram Rojesh, President of Manipuri Students Association Delhi and AISA leaders. It was preceded by a colourful cultural night on March 29, revolutionary songs were presented by Hirawal team of Patna, Com. Balindra Sakia from Assam and Delhi University AISA cultural activists. And then, there was screening of, the film "EK Minute KA Maun".
In Patna, AISA-RYA organized a convention centering on the issue of employment in present political context. Main speakers were Com. Ram Jatan Sharma, Party state secretary, Bihar, Prof. Naval Kishor Chaudhary from Patna University, Com. Pradeep Jha, Editor Shramik Solidarity, Shashi Yadav, AIPWA State Secretary.
Sankalp March and memorial meetings were organized at various centres including Darbhanga, Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur, Bhojpur, Lucknow and Allahabad etc.
Andhra
Seminar was organized by RYA on ‘the Crisis Of Unemployment and Govt.’s Response’ in Jaggampeta of East Godavari district, attended by around hundred youth.
In Vissannapeta of Krishna district, a demonstration was held on the eve of Com. Chandrashekhar’s death anniversary. It was led by com. K Janardhan, RYA state secretary and Com. D. Harnath, AIALA state co-convener. A seminar was organized there, too.
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Post-poll Bihar is witnessing a new spate of Dalit killings and repression on the rural poor. Reports of anti-dalit backlash are coming from different corners of the state. CPI(ML) supporters and activists, especially dalits are being attacked by criminals owing allegiance to RJD and BJP. Bhojpur alone has witnessed at least half a dozen incidents of attacks in last one month. Recently, on March 23, CPI(ML) Terari block committee member Com. Raman Paswan was killed by criminals belonging to RJD. Thousands of people participated in the funeral procession of Com. Raman, which began from Bihta and reached Imadpur where a mammoth Sankalp Sabha was held on the banks of river Sone. AIALA General Secretary Com. Rameshwar Prasad called upon the poor people to intensify their struggle to avenge the cowardly killings of their comrades.
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The spate of starvation deaths continues unabated in Bihar, under President’s rule. On March 23, Ram Balak Bhagat of village Titaria in Jehanabad district starved to death, when he was inside the Kako block premises to collect his old-age pension. Infact he had visited the block office umpteen number of times ,earlier also but could not succeed in getting even the meager amount, which probably could have saved his life. CPI(ML) organized protest day on the eve of Holi.
Similarly, one Ram Bali Bhuian of village Kuneri in Gaya district ,died out of hunger .An investigation team ,led by Party District secretary Com. Niranjan Paswan visited the village. Massive dharna was organized at district HQ and a demonstration is planned on April 8. It is significant that Gaya is among 150 districts selected by The central govt. under ‘food for work’ plan. But it has not started yet.
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The first state conference of AIPWA in Andhra Pradesh was organized in Com. Manju Bhavan (Ambedkar Bhavan) in Vishakhapatnam on March 26. On this occasion a colourful rally was organised. Addressing the public meeting as chief guest there, Com. Kumudini Pati said, that after installation of Raj Shekhar Reddy Govt. things have not changed, including the future of women. Several populist schemes have been declared but their implementation remain a far cry. Recently during the land struggles in different parts of the state, large scale police repression specially on women has been reported and farmers suicide continue unabated.
Com. K. Vijai laxmi and other AIPWA leaders addressed the meeting. 308 delegates from Srikakulam, Visakhapattanam, East Godavary and Krishna districts participated in the conference. Com. Nagmani presented the Secretary's report. After a lively discussion, the report was passed and then the conference elected 22 member state council and 9 member state executive council.
In Kathipudi village of East Godavari district, Mrs. Ganga Bhawani was burnt alive by pouring kerosene oil on her head by her husband, mother-in law and father-in law. This cold- blooded murder was committed for more dowry. Demanding immediate arrest of culprits, more than 100 AIPWA members staged a dharna before MRO office in Sankavaram led by AIPWA state council members Com. Jullamma and Com. K. Vijailaxmi.
CPI(ML) Delhi State Committee organized a day-long Dharna on 4 April for a Safe, Cheap, Clean & Reliable Public Transport System and to protest the complete negligence by the government with regard to addressing certain crucial issues such as the ongoing projects of DTC privatization, pro-rich bias in the existing road and transport policy, and difficulties being faced by daily commuters on Delhi roads.
The agitators expressed deep anger over the Delhi Government’s Attitude of privatising and profiteering on drinking water. The Party has called upon for observing a protest-week.
A five-point memorandum was submitted to the Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit and Mr. Haroon Yusuf, Minister for Transport and Power that demanded to ensure a people’s friendly transport system, no further hike in bus fares and to stop any move to curtail the facility of free passes in DTC buses, to oppose privatisation of transport system and comprehensive Transport & Road Policy for Delhi and to stop playing with drinking water.
AIALA staged a dharna, attended by some 300 agrarian labourers, at Collectorate in Kakinada, East Godavari District HQs on April 4, demanding electricity, lifting of false cases against AIALA members and house sites etc. Dharna was led by AIALA leaders Com. B. Viplavkumar and G. Satyanarayan.
Party has supported journalists struggle against increasing assaults on media persons by Mulayam govt. and their demand for immediate removal of Lakhimpur SP Expressing solidarity with their dharna- protest on March 21 in front of assembly house in Lucknow, Party accused Mulayam govt. of violating all parliamentary norms, when it shamelessly refused to take action against SP, despite categorical instructions from the upper house, the legislative council, to this effect.
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CPI(ML) has rededicated itself to militant peoples struggles against the 2nd term of the already tested treacherous, NDA rule, re-imposed in the state in complete violation of peoples‘ mandate. Party has decided to launch mass campaign against Munda Govt. from April 1-15 at block and district HQ level, demanding arrest of all those responsible for various massacres like Doranda, Tapkara, Markachcho etc., trial of Dipak Verma and Ravindra Raiputting them behind bars, in Com. Mahendra Sngh’s murder case, Punitive action against corrupt elements, holding of Panchayat elections without any further delay and implementation of "food for work" throughout the state with immediate effect.
Party has strongly condemned new govt’s attempts to save the real culprits of Com. Mahendra Singh murder case by presenting an entirely fabricated report in the state assembly.
-Com. Dipankar
Addressing the Party state committee session in Nasariganj, Rohtas ,Com Dipankar asserted that lasting solution to Bihar’s political stalemate is possible only through leftward shift in Bihar society and polity and hence ,the urgent need to accelerate the class polarization in society .State committee resolved to intensify battle for a New Bihar, based on the assertion of the poor.
State Committee decided to launch statewide mass campaign from April 14 to 22, to bring forth and assert the task and agenda of left in the present political situation, culminating in impressive programmes at grassroots on April22 ,the Party Foundation Day. On the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti, seminars will be organized on all district HQs, on the topic ‘Increasing atrocities on Dalits-Indian Democracy and Constitution’. A special Cadre Convention is planned on April 24-25 in Patna, to be attended by selected cadres and leaders from all over the state.
The 3rd. Asia –Pacific International Solidarity Conference 2005 was held in Sydney, with great enthusiasm, from 24 to 28 March. Central Committee Member of CPI-ML Liberation Srilata Swaminathan also participated.
The main theme of APISC 2005 was "Globalise Justice not War & Poverty". The first plenary session "The Social Tsunami: Global capitalism and the Third World", was kicked off with three women leaders – Srilata from CPI-ML, Dita Sari Chairperson of People’s Democratic Party of Indonesia and Rehana Mohideen, Interantional officer of Filipino Workers Solidarity. They spoke of the impact of imperialist globalisation on the peasant and workers of their respective countries and the struggles against it. The four days of the Conference saw a hectic timetable of ten plenary sessions, eight major sessions and workshops. Leaders from Philippines, Indonesia, East Timor, New Zealand, Aceh, India, Papua, Burma, Palestine, Iraq, Vietnam, Venezuela, Cuba spoke about their struggles, against war and imperialism. Unfortunately Farooq Tarik of Labour Party Pakistan was denied a visa. The Venezuelan delegation’s entry also were denied. The conference was also addressed by Stan Goff, Ahmed Shaawki and Barry Sheppard from the USA, Helmut Markov -European Parliament Member and leader of German Party of Democratic Socialism, Taylan Bilgic of Turkish Party of Labour
The delegates also participated in a demonstration, rally and public meeting at Redfern, an aboriginal locality of Sydney whose lands were being taken away from them by the government and land speculators while their youth were victims of police repression. Delegates also participated in cultural programmes, but the main objective of solidarity, unity, sharing of experiences and forging links of the commonality of the joint fight against imperialism and for global justice were emphasized.
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