In this Issue
India Must Not Become a War Manager for US Imperialism
Troops out of Iraq ! Hands off Iran ! While anti-war activists observed the third anniversary of US invasion and occupation of Iraq by chanting these slogans in hundreds of peace rallies the world over, the Bush brigade celebrated the anniversary by launching a renewed air attack on Iraq . The White House also used this occasion to update the US ‘national security strategy', an American euphemism for Washington 's manifesto for absolute American hegemony through permanent war. The NSS 2006 has Bush using many pretexts to sell his doctrine of war – from promoting freedom and democracy and igniting a new era of global economic growth to expanding the circle of development and laying the foundation for future peace. But his bottomline for the American people is that it is a one-way war which would never come back to the American soil. In Bush's arrogant words, “We fight our enemies abroad instead of waiting for them to arrive in our country.” War abroad for peace (and, of course, profit, too!) at home – this has always been America 's preferred policy. In fact, the US has always believed in ‘outsourcing' the real dirty work of war as much as possible. But the formula of ‘war abroad for peace at home' has not always worked. The US will never really be able to erase the memories of the shocking and ignominious defeat it suffered in Vietnam and the popular backlash it produced back home. Iraq is no Vietnam , but the American ‘engagement' in Iraq is clearly turning out to be immensely messier than the US possibly expected. While a deposed Saddam Hussein is using the travesty of his trial to spread his political message to the Iraqi people, the US is learning that toppling Saddam was much easier than tackling post-Saddam Iraq . Underlying the textual bravado of the NSS 2006 is the real fear of a politico-military defeat in Iraq even as Bush's domestic ratings continue to experience a free fall.
After Afghanistan and Iraq , the latest American target is Iran . The NSS 2006 says that the US “may face no greater challenge from a single country than from Iran ” and accuses Iran of sponsoring terrorism, threatening Israel and disrupting “democracy in Iraq ”. The so-called nuclear concerns have thus been suitably generalized which means that even if Iran were to comply with the IAEA and UN Security Council conditions, the US would have other excuses ready to engineer a ‘regime change' in Iran. Iran is however not the only target the US is adamant to pursue. Included in the same bracket are not only fellow Middle-Eastern countries like Syria and Palestine , but countries as distant and diverse Zimbabwe and North Korea , Cuba and Venezuela .
The contours of the American discourse on terrorism are clearly expanding. True, Washington still demonises Islam as the predominant ideological source of terrorism – of course, it now accuses terrorists of exploiting, twisting and defiling a proud religion – and implicitly seeks an alliance of non-Islamic religions including “Christians, Jews, Hindus, other religious traditions” along the fault-lines of ‘clashing civilisations'. But the NSS 2006 also reveals a growing American attempt to describe terrorism as a means towards ‘totalitarianism and tyranny' and attribute it to ‘sub-cultures of conspiracy and misinformation' – standard anti-communist tirades from the Cold War era. Every country that refuses to fall in line with the American doctrine of globalization and ‘democracy' runs the risk of being branded a rogue state and identified as a deserving candidate for ‘operation regime change'.
Where does New Delhi figure in Washington 's latest global calculations? Indian foreign policy strategists are overwhelmed with joy that George Bush cared not only to pay a visit to India but also sign a landmark Indo-US nuclear deal thereby clearly demonstrating his government's commitment to enable India to emerge as a great power. To be sure, the NSS 2006 mentions India as a ‘major power' and a key partner of the US . The US sees the progress in Indo-US relationship quite compatible with improved strategic partnership with Pakistan , and the two together serving as a foundation for deeper American engagement throughout Central Asia . In particular, the US now expects India “to shoulder global obligations in cooperation with the United States in a way befitting a major power.”
All those who believe that the Indo-US nuclear deal has been a great bargain for India with no tags attached are therefore clearly living in a world of wishful thinking. The deal has not only bestowed the US with a transparent insight into India 's nuclear programmes and enhanced control over India 's energy economy, it has also reduced India to a foreign policy tool for the US . And as far as India 's own autonomy is concerned, the NSS 2006 has this statutory American warning for all US partners: “while we do not seek to dictate to other states the choices they make, we do seek to influence the calculations on which these choices are based. We also must hedge appropriately in case states choose unwisely.”
If India has to escape the disastrous consequences of the strategic embrace by the US , we will indeed have to win a second war of independence. A pro-imperialist ruling clique can never be the architect or custodian of an ‘independent' foreign policy.
NREGA in Bihar : Embroiled in the Vagaries of the Panchayati Raj System
In Bihar , the implementation of NREGA is going on at snail's pace. The entire scheme has got embroiled in the vagaries of the Panchayati Raj system and the Quota-Permit system. Wherever there is any sign of protest, the government is trying to repress it by brute force. The administration in Darbhanga district published an advertisement blaming KHEMAS activists who were helping people to understand the rules and regulations of the NREGA and to apply for registration and job cards. In fact it is only the AIALA and the CPI(ML) that are working to mobilise the people and this has drawn the ire of the administration.
The Panchayati Raj system does not work in Bihar . The Panchayat Sewak is not available most of the time and the Mukhiya's role is anti-poor. When people assembled in groups to submit their forms after prior information, they found no one available and had to return disappointed.
On the one hand the administration declares that there is no dearth of forms but people are not getting them on the pretext that there is a definite quota of forms given for every village. Neither is the time and place of availability of forms is declared nor the period for which it would be available. There is a scramble for forms and the mukhiyas are selling them through their agents. The forms printed by AIALA according to the central format (with receipt attached with signature and date) were being rejected and only Govt. printed forms without the receipt are being accepted.
After a lot of struggle in Darbhanga, Jahanabad, Samastipur, Muzaffarpur, Bhojpur, Rohtas, Gaya , around three lakh forms were deposited but even after the 14 days the people have not been given job cards. In a single Panchayat only 50-100 job cards are being distributed. This is to avoid having to give unemployment allowance. Bihar Govt. is busy with the NRI-World Bank scheme and is neither interested nor has shown any political will to implement the NREGA. In order to implement the scheme the Govt. is not interested in building the necessary infrastructure and alternate machinery. Only in those Panchayats where there have been militant protests and demonstrations has the administration forced to yield. Even those who are getting job cards are getting it through giving money. AIALA in Bihar has decided to make all efforts to make this process as broad based as possible.
Mass-movement forces administration to accept forms and issue receipts
Darbhanga : On 24 February, in Manigachhi, Ghanshyampur, Baheri and Bahadurpur block level demonstrations were held. In the first two blocks it was the first time that such a militant protest was held. Ghanshyampur was a new area of our work. But there was participation of 500-600 people. The BDO first ran away and then authorise the BAO to take up the matter. The filled up forms were not only accepted but 3000 more forms were given to the organisation. The demand for receipt was accepted. In Manigachhi, the BDO came to his residence at night, remaining absent during the day. People sat on a dharna and prepared Khichhdi in the BDO office premises in the evening. When BDO wanted to escape from his residence, he was apprehended and gheraoed by the people. He ran to the nearby thana for shelter. People followed him there too. Ultimately he accepted all the filled up forms and also gave a collective receipt for the same. Two dalal (broker) women were beaten up by the women protesters and thrown out of the BDO premises. In the process some of the leaders of the Panchayats and President of the Dalit Cell of the JD(U) joined AIALA. In Baheri, 2000 thousand protesters camped at the block office throughout day and night. Next day the Panchayat Sewaks were sent by the BDO for talks but they were gheraoed by the people till they accepted the forms. In Bahadurgarh also the people's pressure forced the administration to accept the form in many panchayats. In Gaura-Bauran and Biraul blocks also same process was repeated. In Keoti block a four-day long Ghera Dalo-Dera Dalo was conducted forcing the administration to accept the forms. In Benipur and Hayaghat blocks we were successful. Now several new Panchayats also joining AIALA. It has also given good propaganda in media.
Muzaffarpur : Movement was conducted to get dues of wages in Food-for-Work programme in several blocks. The contractors were forced to make payments under mass pressure (work through contractors was rampant under this predecessor scheme of NREGA, violating the regulations).
Samastipur : Intensive campaign through gherao in several blocks was conducted. In Sarai Ranjan block, in Harput-Barheta Panchayat, son of ex-Minister Ravindra Mishra, Sajjan Mishra, who is a leader of LJP sent his goons and seized the mike and rickshaw and got filed false cases against two AIALA leaders, Ramchandra Das and Indradeep Jha. In Gangapur panchayat of Pusa block people blocked the road for hours, after which the GPM had to take the forms and give receipts. In Khanpur block, a militant demonstration was conducted after which the forms were accepted.
Bhojpur : Malicious campaign was conducted against AIALA for printing the forms. A counter campaign and movement was conducted by AIALA. In several panchayats forms were accepted while in some the administration refused. In such a situation it was decided to organise effective demonstrations at 10 blocks. The participation was very good. The administration had to retreat and accept the forms and issue the receipts.
Siwan : Protests were held at panchayat level in several blocks. At block level gheraos people participated in 3000-5000 numbers at each block leading to an expansion of the organisation. Siwan comes under state sponsored employment guarantee scheme. As the work has not yet started, the campaign is being intensified to pressurise the state govt. for the same.
Rohtas : A workshop was conducted to enthuse cadres and to counter the false propaganda by the administration. Administration has printed two types of forms here creating confusion among the masses. On the pretext of photography, there was an effort to reduce the number of registrations. In several blocks, caste certificates were also demanded. The organisation resisted all such attempts and tried to get the registrations done through mass pressure. In Narsiganj, the administration was forced to put up a camp for registration. The administration had to open the camp till late in the evening and even arranged extra lights when it became dark. Initiatives have been taken in other blocks also and there is a good mass participation in our campaigns.
Similar initiatives have also been taken up in Nalanda, Gaya , Patna , Aurangabad , Jehanabad and other districts. Block level protests, propaganda campaigns, conventions etc. are being taken up in all the districts of Bihar . Despite lakhs of application forms been submitted throughout the state, no job cards have yet been issued to the needy. Though there are reports that a handful of job cards are being issued to the selective people through middlemen at a cost making a mockery of this Scheme.
Employment Guarantee Campaign in Jharkhand
CPI(ML) Jharkhand unit has recently concluded the second phase of the campaign for implementing the NREGA. One of the main aspects of this campaign was to mobilise and organise the rural poor for the struggle for the employment guarantee. The campaign centred on two points: To get those people registered who could not registered themselves for the scheme, and to ask the administration to issue job cards for those who had submitted their application forms.
At many places camps were organised to fill up the application forms and to submit them to the concerned official. These camps were turned into big mass meetings in many blocks. Such camps were organised in Bagodar, Birni, Rajdhanwar, Gawan, Tisri, Jamua and Gandey blocks in Giridih on 6 March, in Chainpur, Daltonganj, Panki, Lesliganj, Satbarwa and Patan blocks of Palamu from 7-11 March, and in Garhwa, Dhurki, Ramuna, Nagar Untari, and Dandai blocks of Garhwa from 7-10 March. Camps were also organised in Hazaribagh, Dumka and Ranchi districts.
The role of the state machinery in implementing this scheme is criminally negligent and directed towards accepting least number of application forms and issuing job cards to a select few. Although it is making a lot of hoopla in the name of propaganda. As yet no job cards are issued in any of the districts in the state. The state govt. also conducted a campaign for the registrations in February, and only 11 lakhs and 70 thousand forms were filled in that month - in a state where more than 70 percent rural and tribal population lives under poverty and unemployment. In the month of March very few registrations have been done. A very large proportion of rural poor is yet to be included under this scheme. More than a month has lapsed but no job cards are issued to those who submitted their forms in February. The block officials are telling that the job cards have not been supplied by the administration and they can do nothing. At many places where registration camps were organised by the CPI(ML) and JMKS, block officials preferred to flee from their offices instead of answering the queries of the public.
Till now proper arrangements have not been made either for photography or job cards distribution. At the same time there are apprehensions that the money meant for the scheme may by siphoned off in the name of photography and printing. It seems that the scheme may become another saga of treachery and loot of public funds unless proper mass pressure is not built through a militant movement.
CPI(ML) and Jharkhand Mazdoor Kisan Samiti has mobilised thousands of people on this issue and is successful in forcing the authorities at many places. But now district and higher level mobilisations are also needed to expose the government and make the issue a political one. The ongoing campaign has been concluded on March 20 in a massive Vidhan Sabha March in Ranchi where thousands of rural poor raised the question of guaranteeing their right to employment along with some other issues. Party has warned the state government of more intense movement if immediate and complete implementation of the Act is not done. At the end of March there are plans to organise district level demonstrations and rallies throughout the state. And calls for district level bandhs will be issued if govt. inaction and deliberate delay continues.
CPI(ML) has also demanded from the state govt. to include remaining two districts of the state under this scheme and to give special status to Palamu district by allowing every able member of a household to work under this scheme, and that for minimum 200 days a year as this district is facing a drought since last five years continuously.
ACTIVITIES
Political Resolutions Passed by the Assembly of the People in Ranchi on 20 March
(A Vidhan Sabha march was organised by the CPI(ML) in Ranchi at the conclusion of its month-long campaign for the implementation of the NREGA, and to press for the demand of the arrest of the killer of Comrade Mahendra Singh along with some other demands. The march was led and addressed by CPI(ML) General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya. The large assembly of the people from various districts of Jharkhand passed following resolutions.)
1. This assembly of the people condemns the governmental callousness and administrative high-handedness in implementation of NREGA and demands immediate distribution of Job Cards under this scheme. If this demand is not fulfilled, CPI(ML) will organise a statewide Protest Day on March 31 in the state.
2. This meeting condemns the allocation of inappropriate funds for the Employment Guarantee Scheme in the Central as well as State budgets.
3. This meeting condemns the continuing attacks by the state government on the rights of the tribals and demand to hold Panchayat Elections in whole of the state. These elections must be held under PESA Act in the Scheduled Areas.
4. This meeting believes that signing of number of MOUs, one after another, by the state government without taking elected representatives into confidence is a conspiracy on the people of the state, and demands the cancellation of all MOUs signed by the state govt. so far.
5. This meeting expresses grave concern over the severe water crisis in the state and demands an immediate solution to this problem at war footing.
6. This meeting condemns the planned attacks on religious minorities by the communal forces under government protection and demands the arrest of the killers of Father Ignesh Bara as well as to stop the conspiracy to bring in the anti-conversion bill.
7. This meeting demands to stop the killings of innocent villagers in fake encounters in the name of containing extremism and, simultaneously, demands the arrests of notorious police officers like Deepak Verma and PS Natarajan.
8. This meeting demands immediate presentation of BD Ram Committee's report in the State Assembly and that the investigation report of Markachho firing incident be made public.
9. This meeting demands to stop the loot and exploitation of industrial and forest resources and that the closed mines in the state be handed over to the co-operatives of the workers. This meeting also demands to remove Tileshwar Sahu from the Presidentship of the Pollution Control Board.
10. This meeting believes that the recent renewal lease with the TATAs is against the interests of the people and the state and this lease should be cancelled.
11. This meeting feels that extravagance and corruption are a cruel joke on the people of the state and demands an immediate stop to such practices.
12. This meeting opposes the attempts to decrease the number of Assembly seats reserved for the Adivasis.
13. In view of the more or less permanent situation of famine prevailing in the state, this meeting demands a special package from the government.
14. This meeting demands to immediately withdraw cases imposed on Comrades Dipankar Bhattacharya, B. N. Singh, Puran Mahato and dozens of other CPI(ML) leaders and activists.
15. This meeting condemns the organised and inhuman attack on hundreds of traders form Jharkhand and Bihar who went to the Ghasidas Mela in Bilaspur of Chhatisgarh and demands intervention of Central Home Ministry to nab and punish the perpetrators and give compensation to the affected people.
16. This meeting strongly condemns the India Government's policy of surrender before the US Imperialism.
Dharna by State Govt. Employees in Front of Parliament
On the call of "National Campaign Committee of Struggling State Employees", hundreds of state govt. employees and teachers staged a dharna in front of Parliament on March 20. The employees came from different states like Bihar , Jharkhand, Uttaranchal, U.P., W. Bengal , Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry , Maharashtra , Punjab etc. The National Campaign Committee also submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister and Speaker of the Lok Sabha. Dharna raised the demands of constitution of 6th Pay Commission, and reversal of economic policies which are leading to the closure of govt. departments, handing over of public utility services to private hands, abolition of posts and ban on recruitment, privatization of pension funds, lowering of interest rates on PF etc. Dharna also demanded scrapping of Govt. Servents conduct rules made for govt. employees in colonial times; forming of a uniform wage policy on the basis of need-based minimum wage and awarding permanent status to all temporary, daily wage and seasonal workers. Swapan Mukharjee, Yoheshwar Gope, Madhukar Katre, Rambali Prasad and Singheshwar Singh and others addressed the dharna.
AIALA Agitation for BPL Cards in Pilibhit
AIALA raised the issue of BPL cards to all poor and non-inclusion of poor people in the voters' list in Pilibhit district. Acitivists sat on hunger strike broke fast on February 24 after a written agreement was reached with the CDO of the district. Two people's representatives will also be included in the process of new survey and distribution of BPL cards. AIALA District Secretary Debashish Ray, Senior CPI(ML) leader in the district Allauddin Shashtri and Ram Autar Verma sat on the fast in protest. Administration also assured to take action in case of some incidents of police atrocities and many cases of non-inclusion of name of the poor in the voters' list. The demand to include Pilibhit under the NREGA was also raised in this protest.
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