|
Of 'Token Punishment' and 'Symbolic Karsewa'
Will the VHP abide by the verdict of the court on Ayodhya? Singhal has one answer, Giriraj Kishore has another. Meanwhile, you have Togadia adding new twists everyday even as Dalmia delivers his own verdict. If you are hungry for more, you may follow the ash-smeared lips of Jayendra Saraswathi as he mutters something inaudible and inscrutable. Finally we are told a 'solution' has been found and VHP has given an undertaking to abide by the court's verdict. The government immediately rewards the VHP by easing all restrictions on the movement of the VHP band to Ayodhya. And with the court 'permitting', the stage is all set for a 'symbolic' shila pujan on March 15.
The VHP and its saffron cohorts in other outfits of the Sangh Parivar have time and again said that Ayodhya is a question of 'faith' and faith has its own 'sovereign domain' not subject to any form of judicial intervention. They have repeatedly violated instructions of various courts and gone back on words that they and their governments had supposedly given to the courts. The Supreme Court has never considered such routine oft-repeated statements to constitute what it calls contempt of the court. And if the VHP issues a tactical statement expressing a most vague and conditional acceptance of the court's verdict, of course in anticipation of a favourable one, it only adds to the VHP's claims to legitimacy!
The same Supreme Court, which turns a Nelson's eye to the utterances and acts of the VHP, becomes hyper-sensitive and hyper-active in dealing with Arundhati Roy. The eminent author is sentenced to a day's imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 2,000 for daring to criticise the Court's verdict on Narmada and for not showing any 'remorse' or 'repentance'. Lest one is led to the conclusion that the Supreme Court has such a low evaluation of its own honour, the learned judges of the Court also added a patronising slant. The Court has ordered only a token punishment, the judgement went on to say, considering that the 'guilty' was a woman. This patriarchal and patronising pill came on March 6 leaving these patron saints of women's empowerment free to describe Arundhati's release the next day to be a great Indian tribute to the International Women's Day!
Token punishment to Arundhati Roy. Symbolic 'shila pujan' at Ayodhya. Whatever has happened in Gujarat after Godhra is also described by some as a symbolic and 'restrained' manifestation of 'Hindu' anger. Meanwhile, Advani has unleashed another symbol in Parliament. The draft version of POTA has been tabled in Lok Sabha. There are indeed symbols galore. The question is: what meaning of Indian democracy do we derive and decode from these sundry signposts and symbolisms? What kind of a democracy is it, which has to depend for its daily diet on the small mercies of the Supreme Court and the 'rationality' and even 'magnanimity' of the marauding vandals of the VHP?
To be sure, there is no dearth of alternative symbols in this land. The symbolic verdict of the February elections came seething with popular anger. We continue to see living human symbols of hope and harmony even in the midst of all-round communal venom and violence in Gujarat. We continue to hear around us courageous voices of reason and resolve that cannot be drowned in any communal noise. We can feel people getting increasingly fed up with the sordid politics of temple. The need of the hour is to build on these alternative symbols and changing moods and defeat the sinister symbolism of the Sangh Parivar. This is the time to push forward and chase away the saffron intruders from every nook and corner. Oust Saffron, Save the Nation. Fight for Democracy, Fight for India.
CPI(ML) Statements
On President's Rule in UP: Party strongly opposed the imposition of President's rule in UP. By denying Samajwadi Party an opportunity to form a government and prove its majority on the floor of the house and recommending President's rule, the UP Governor has acted like a trusted activist of the Sangh and by no means as a custodian of democratic norms and constitutional propriety. In the name of ensuring a stable government in a hung assembly, the governor has only helped intensify political instability in UP and that too at a time when the VHP and other outfits of the Sangh Parivar are bent upon fomenting trouble and whipping up communal frenzy in the state.
On Arundhati Roy's Imprisonment: The CPI(ML) PB expressed grave concern over the harsh verdict issued by the Supreme Court against eminent author and activist Arundhati Roy. At a time when communal forces are freely brandishing and wielding the sword and private armies and armed forces of the state are routinely using the gun against innocent citizens, the Supreme Court judges have only degraded the dignity of the judiciary by targeting one of the few pens that have the courage to speak against injustice. This judgement will go down in India's judicial history as one of the most absurd and arbitrary verdicts based on an archaic notion of 'contempt of court'. Criticism cannot and must not be dubbed as contempt and in a democracy, the judiciary is called upon to safeguard and not silence dissent.
On Ayodhya: CPI(ML) has taken strong exception to the deal being reportedly brokered between the Union Government and the VHP. Any permission granted to the VHP to perform any kind of 'bhumi puja' on March 15 the land acquired by the Central Govt. would be patently illegal and mark a treachery to the Constitution and surrender to the fascist forces. The CPI(ML) therefore appeals to all secular and democratic forces to thwart any sinister deal between the Vajpayee government and the VHP on the issue of Ayodhya.
Farooq Abdullah Must Quit: Now that it has comprehensively been established that innocent civilians were killed and dubbed as terrorists at the J&K village of Chittisingpora on March 20 two years ago and that the Farooq Abdullah government committed yet another heinous crime by fudging the DNA samples of the relatives of the slain civilians, the Farooq Abdullah government has no moral right to continue in office. We call upon the Abdullah government to tender immediate resignation and seek a fresh mandate.
CPI(ML) Observes 'Save Gujarat, Save India' Nationwide Protest
Party held nationwide protests to mark "Save Gujarat-Save India" Day on 9 March in various centres of the country demanding immediate dismissal of the killer Narendra Modi government of Gujarat, resignation of LK Advani, and ban on VHP and Bajrang Dal. The Party strongly condemned the deal being brokered between the Vajpayee govt. and the VHP to pave the way for 'bhumi pooja' on March 15 on the land acquired by the govt. and has appealed to all secular and democratic forces to thwart any sinister deal between the two on this issue.
In New Delhi, a protest demonstration was held which was converted into a mass meeting at Parliament Street and effigy of Advani and Narendra Modi was burnt there. The demonstration was led by CPI(ML) PB member B Sivaraman and Central Committee members Kumudini Pati and PV Srinivas and Delhi State Secretary, Rajendra Pratholi. Speakers also included noted social activists Gautam Navlakha and John Dayal. Delhi State members, Rajiv Dimri, Sunita, VKS Gautam, Santosh Roy, N M Thomas and AISA National President, Kavita Krishnan also spoke on the occasion.
In Patna, party activists and supporters led by PB member Ram Naresh Ram, CC members KD Yadav and other leaders including Prabhat Kumar, Ranjit Abhigyan, took out a protest march and held a meeting at AIR square. Similar protests were also held at other centres of Bihar including Arrah, Jahanabad, Gaya, Siwan, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga and Samastipur. Earlier, a protest march was brought out in Muzaffarpur on 3 March during which the effigy of Atal and Advani was burnt at Kalyani Chowk. It was led by Com. Meena Tiwary, Party Distt. Secy., Krishna Mohan and other Party leaders.
Protest rallies were taken out in Kakinada, Paykraopets and Visannapeta in Andhra Pradesh. Comrades Murthy, Bangar Rao and Harinath led the rallies.
In UP, Party activists staged a dharna at GPO Park in Lucknow. The dharna was led by Party State Secy. Com. Akhilendra Pratap Singh, who warned that if VHP is allowed 'bhumi pooja', left-democratic and secular forces will march on the streets to stop it. Prominent among those present at the dharna are MK Sherwani, Gen Secy. of All India Muslim Forum, Naimullah Ansari and Ismail Siddiqi, leaders of Momin Conference, Ram Prakash Kushwaha of Shoshit Samaj Dal, Sudama Prasad of Nishad Mahasangh and Tulika Srivastava of WAMA.
International Women's Day Observed by AIPWA
In Delhi, AIPWA conducted meetings of women workers in Moolchand Hospital, In the CGHS women's wing and in Shahadra and Mandawali and formed local AIPWA committees, A folder concentrating on working women's problems was distributed in the Patparganj Industrial area. On 8 March, a procession was brought out, which marched from Mandi House Crossing to Jantar Mantar where a mass meting was held. A set of 18 resolutions, concentrating mainly on working women's problems and demanding dismissal of Narendra Modi and resignation of Advani, ban on VHP and Bajrang Dal as well as withdrawal of anti-women budget and industrial policy was passed. Demand of declaring women's day as a holiday was also there. Presided by Savita Singh and conducted by Sunita, Delhi incharge of AIPWA, the meeting was addressed by Kumudini Pati, Gen. Secy. of AIPWA.
Four AIPWA teams, two in East Godavari and one each in Krishna and Visakhapatnam districts, conducted a padayatra from March 1-7 covering more than fifty villages and held mass meetings of women. They spoke about the plight of women in Gujarat at the hands of marauding fascist mobs of the Sangh Parivar and also about the problems of local agricultural labour women. They were able to form mahila sanghams in many new villages. On March 8, they conducted door-to-door campaign in four towns, Pithapuram and Eleswaram in East Godavari, Paykraopeta in Visakhapatnam and Visannapeta in Krishna district, took out rallies and held public meetings. In all about 700 women participated in these rallies.
The Pondicheery AIPWA unit conducted a hall meeting to observe the International Women's Day. The meeting, mostly of women worker activists from factories, discussed the problems of women workers.
Tamil Nadu unit of AIPWA held a seminar on "Attack of globalisation and communal fascism on women" was held in Madurai. Com. Balasunderam presented a paper. The seminar was conducted by Com. Mary, state organiser.
CPI(ML)'s Success in Orissa Panchayat Polls
In the recently held Panchayat elections in Orissa, Party candidate Com. Ashok won a Zila Parishad seat in Delang block under Puri district polling over 7,000 votes. In the same district, Com. Yudhisthir Mahapatra polled over 1,200 votes and won a seat in the block development council of Konas block.
Party Initiatives in Jharkhand
Com. Mahendra Singh, who had initiated a fast unto death at Bokaro district headquarters on 16 Feb. demanding arrest of CISF officials responsible for Lewatanr incident and compensation to the victims, broke his fast on 20 Feb. with the issual of arrest warrant against one inspector, one sub-inspector and ten jawans of CISF and consequent surrender by the inspector. The compensation has also been granted. This issue had become the main political issue within and outside Jharkhand legislature for so many days.
In Jamua-Deori blocks of Giridih district, all the 633 members of CPI including the cadres led by Com. Ibnul Hasan, have joined the CPI(ML) in a general body meeting held on 12 February. The meeting was attended by CC member Com. Mahendra Singh, Giridih District Party Secretary Com. Rajkumar Yadav and other district Party leaders. It may be noted that the area had witnessed a powerful anti-feudal movement in the early 1980s, but in 1995 the CPI leader Baldev Hajra deserted the Party to join RJD. Soon a massive rally will be held at Jamua on 17 February.
TUs Condemn Attack on BALCO Workers
AICCTU, AITUC, CITU, UTUC (LS), TUCC, UTUC, HMS, BMS, JAF (Bangalore) and Federations of Financial Sector Employees jointly condemned on 4 March the brutal lathicharge on peacefully agitating BALCO workers and leaders. The management has terminated mass of workers and got 300 workers arrested and implicated in several false cases. The TUs jointly demanded that all the workers must be taken back to work, arrested workers and leaders be released forthwith and action taken against the authorities who have unleashed violence on the protesting workers.
Party Criticises WB Budget
While the CPI(M) too has joined the countrywide chorus of condemnation of the Union Budget, four crucial recent steps adopted by the West Bengal Govt. and the State CPI(M), however, clearly indicate that the state govt. is adamantly pursuing the same direction and the same set of policies: (1) steep hike in hospital charges, electricity rates and educational fees against which the state observed a day's bandh on 10 January, (2) privatisation of the Haldia Petrochemical unit, (3) resolution adopted at the State CPI(M) conference to close down so-called 'sick' state govt. undertakings, (4) tax concession worth more than Rs. 100 crore to Reliance Infocom following Anil Ambani's meeting with Buddhadeb Bhattacharya. Party condemns these double standards and reiterates its resolve to carry forward the struggle against anti-people neo-liberal economic policies at all levels and in all spheres.
Farmers' Struggle in Rajasthan
Farmers led by Jhunjhunu district branch of Rajasthan Kisan Sangathan sat on dharna outside the Govt. offices in Jaipur demanding revocation of the privatisation of electricity, writing off the loans to the poor, viable remuneration prices to the farmers for their crops and full compensation to the those in the border areas for the crops they have lost due to army deployment.
Earlier, a mass meeting of over 1,500 farmers was held on 23 February, addressed by Com Phoolchand Dheva, Party District Secretary. In Salumbar area of Udaipur, Party and RKS conducted a padyatra covering over 20 villages.
Rally against Dalits Oppression
A large rally and public meeting was held outside the Tehsildar's office at Jamvaramgarh in Jaipur District on 27 Feb. to protest against the atrocities on dalits, particularly women, illegal occupation by the upper castes of the land allotted to dalits, depriving them the use of roads and drinking water in villages, etc. Party State Secy. Com. Mahender Chaudhary, CC member Com. Srilata and Jaipur Party Secy. Com Harkesh Bugalia addressed the meeting.
Party Team Visits Kaithal in Haryana
An investigation team led by Com. Prem Singh, incharge of Haryana Party unit visited Kalayat town in Kaithal district where Muslim households had been attacked by Sangh fanatics on the lines of Gujarat. The team found that in a well-planned way the administration and police first scared away the Muslims to leave their home and hearth and Maulvis to leave mosques and Idgahs; and then escorted the rioters in their loot and arson campaign on the mosques, Idgahs and the property belonging to Muslims. The administration shamelessly justified all this in the name of "protecting" Muslim lives. It is worth mentioning that in Kaithal Muslims are a minuscule minority and there had never been a riot here since 1947.
Anti-Communal Rally in DU Campus
A 250-strong procession of students, teachers and karmcharis marched through Delhi University campus for two hours on 4 March demanding immediate ban on VHP, Bajrang Dal and dismissal of Narendra Modi, holding him directly responsible for the mass killing and burning of Muslim households. It is to be mentioned here on 1 March ABVP hoodlums armed with sword and lathis broke glasses of University library, humiliated teachers and manhandled other students. The 4 March rally served a warning to the ABVP that there communal hooliganism will not be tolerated in the campus any more. Eminent professors including Sumit Sarkar, Uma Chakravarty, DN Jha &Anand Chakravarty participated in the procession. AISA is now campaigning in different colleges distributing leaflets demanding ban on VHP.
Dharna at Assembly in Chhattisgarh
CPI(ML) along with Khet Mazdoor Kisan Sabha, Stone Quarry Mazdoor Union staged a dharna at Assembly in Raipur on 22 February. A memorandum was presented to the chief minister after the dharna demanding a check on mechanisation that has robbed workers of employment and caused migration, and also for introducing food for work scheme. On 21 February a dharna was staged by HSCL employees demanding work worth Rs 1 crore annually to HSCL.
Massive Anti-War Demo in London
Organised by the 'Stop the War Coalition' and backed by CND, a lively, diverse and determined gathering of 20,000 marched through central London on 2 March in the third major national anti-war demonstration since the US and Britain launched the military assault on Afghanistan on 7 October. The Coalition convenor said that the ever-expanding 'war against terrorism' is a war of lies and hypocrisy.
Speakers in Trafalgar Square included Tony Benn, human rights lawyer Louise Christian, MPs Jeremy Corbyn and George Galloway, writer Tariq Ali, and representatives of Muslims for Just Peace, Kurdish and Palestinian organisations. Many trades unions, community and civil rights groups, peace organisations, media workers, artists, Muslims, Jewish, Kurdish, Palestinian and Colombian organisations, as well as a wide variety of political groups.
Movement to Support Palestinians
Despite heavy rain, 100,000 people under the banner of Forum for Palestine demonstrated on March 9 in Rome in solidarity with the Palestinian Intifada. This was, in fact, the biggest ever demonstration in support of the Palestinian cause and Intifada in Italy or for that matter in a western country. The protesters demanded withdrawal of the Israeli army from the occupied territories; dismantling of all Zionist colonial settlements; right to return for the Palestinian refugees; foundation of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital and international observation against Israeli violence.
It was announced that towards March end an international solidarity delegation will travel to Iraq. And an Anti-imperialist Camp will be held in Assisi, Italy, from Aug. 3 to 10.
General Strike against Israeli Attacks
On 10 March, Arabs staged a general strike across the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and also in Israel, to commemorate the "Black Friday" which killed 46 people, including 40 Palestinians on 8 March and to express solidarity with the Palestinians following days of deadly raids in autonomous towns and refugee camps in the territories.
The strike affected normal life in east Jerusalem, Nazareth, Sahnin, Umm el-Fahm and the other major towns of the Israeli Arab community, which accounts for 18% of the total population. In the Gaza Strip Palestinians also staged a general strike. The stoppage was called by Yasser Arafat's Palestinian Authority, as well as the National and Islamic Forces, an umbrella group of 14 militant Palestinian movements, to commemorate "Black Friday."
Gujarat Literary Persons Decry Communal Violence
"We the literary persons, journalists and intellectuals of Hindi and Gujarati residing in Gujarat, condemn the Godhara massacre in the strongest terms. We also decry the communal violence that erupted following this massacre throughout the state. The failure of the State Govt. in anticipating and foiling the bid of Hindu and Muslim fundamentalists has resulted in killing of more than 600 persons and as yet the killers are looming large throughout the state." The statement while noting that "the whole governing machinery has been communalised", makes a request to the president "to order a probe into these allegations by a judge". It also calls for a human right commission enquiry. It expresses concerns over a number of intriguing facts including participation in the riot by a section of upper middle class, including women, violence spreading to villages and adivasi areas and publication of inflammatory materials in some newspapers. The statement also appreciates examples of communal amity set by Hindus and Muslims alike in protecting each other and extends salutation to these "candles of humanity". Issued on 7 March, the statement bears signatures of Sanat Kumar, Joseph Macvan, Indu Kumar Gyani, Swaroop Dhruv, Harivansh Rai, Balji Bhai Patel, Hiren Gandhi, Dr. Bhagwandas Kahar, Dr. Mridula Parekh, Dr. Madan Mohan Sharma, Prof Charukant Desai, Phulchand Gupta, Prof Baldev Agaja, Dr. NS Parmar, Ashok Chandra, Navneet Chauhan, Dr Rajkumari Vyas, Sushma Srivastava, Ranu Mukherjee, Sriram Tripathi, Kiran Bhokri, Purvi Shashtri, Maya Prakash Pandey, Dr. Manik Mrigesh, Hasmukh Parmar, PM Parmar, Vasant Kumar Parihar, Dr Dwarka Prasad.
|
 |
JSM Holds Srijan Samvad in Gujarat
Jan Sanskriti Manch held a "Srijan Samvad" (creative interaction) in Himmatnagar of Sabarkantha district in Gujarat on 10 February. This meet of writers of Hindi and Gujarati was convened by poet and writer Ashok Chandra, National Councillor of JSM.
The first session was presided over by writer Mridula Parekh, in which Ashok Chandra termed the republication of 'Samkalin Janmat' as an alternative revolutionary intervention in Hindi literary journalism. Poet Phulchand Gupta shed light on various trends of Hindi little magazine movement and held that the credit of establishing socially committed writing into the mainstream goes to little magazines and termed the reappearance of Janmat as the rebirth of a phoenix. Theatre artist Navneet, senior writer Sanat Kumar, discussed some writings appearing in Janmat, appreciating the story "Thitholi" (fun) by Awadesh Preet and the articles by Manager Pandey, Rami Rai and Armando. Later a recent play of Sanat Kumar "Agnishesh" was read out and discussed. The play exposes sham nationalism and nurtures anti-war mentality. In the end, a poet session was held, conducted by Phulchand Gupta, in which Vasant Kumar, Charukant, Dwaraka Prasad, Maya Pandey, Madan Sharma, Ashok Chandra and others read out their poems.
|
|
|
