Hi Santanu:
At 9:11 AM -0600 1/10/06, Roy, Santanu wrote:
C-da:
I agre with all of this. But an armed rebellion is not likely to succeed on its own.
One needs a civilian political movement above the ground for three reasons.
*** You are so right. In fact we discussed this exact thing right
here in Assam Net a number of times over the years.
One, to build up and establish internationally visible political legitimacy for the demand for secession (this is distinct from the moral legitimacy of the demand that you allude to).
*** Again you are right. I know for a fact that ULFA and its
supporters have indeed been active on this front, as we saw reports of
it here time to time. But it needs a whole lot more visibility.
Second, to articulate and formulate a blueprint for the proposed state in transparent direct interaction with people. This cannot be done from the barracks.
*** Absolutely. I agree completely.
Third, and this is far important than all of the above, to actively foster nation building across the thnic groups in the state. To have a nation state, a pan-Assam political nationality beyond ethnic identities must emerge. This is also not possible without a long term civil movement.
*** Again you are right. One thing that many of our friends here
in Assam Net, and the Assam intelligentsia as well, including all the
media heavies, miss the REASON/s for the demand for ethnic identity
guarantees. It ultimately boils down to the absence of
protection of minority rights in desi-demokrasy and the ethos of
political power as the fast route to individual wealth and a share of
the collective spoils for the groups, fostered and promoted so well by
Indian governance.
But it does need to be explained and promoted by a visible
civil/political
arm.
*** All this however is dependent, or impacted by Indian
intransigence, its muscle power, acts of bribery, overt and covert;
and clandestine operations. One can only imagine what a formidable
obstacle it must be for ULFA and its supporters to mount an effective
and visible political offensive against such
obstacles. Of necessity, they are forced to fight this battle
surreptitiously.
But I won't write them off, considering how they have not only
managed to keep those flames alive, but remained a force to
reckon with against the incredible odds. It can mean only one thing,
that the flames of independence are still alive in the IMAGINATIONS of
a large segment of the people of Assam. Without that, ULFA would have
been history long ago.
And guess what: I intend to do MY share to keep those
flames fanned in this forum :-), even though I am grossly
outnumbered by all those who cannot imagine a pluralistic Assam
looking after itself and prospering.
My thoughts were in connection with how one might find room for a civil political movement even within the current political landscape.
In the history of the world, no armed rebellion has been sustained more than few decades without a definite strong civilian political process above the ground.
*** I misunderstood your question, and went off on a tangent.
Again you are right, it is a formidable but acutely necessary
component.
If the demand for secession is based on the fact that Assam and the states of north east India are colonies of India - then, one must also understand that no empire minds insurgency or armed rebellion that only affects the colonies. For them, its a nuisance at worst.
*** I would agree, but with an exception: The fact that India
also bleeds in the process, news of which is absent from the national
discourse due to its unaccountable governance and clueless
intelligentsia, will not remain out of the public domain for ever,
in-spite of the historical and deeply seated cultural
insensitivity to the lives of their invisible fellow men. Even
though Indian life is cheap and could be expended freely, will not
remain so in an increasingly connected world.
It is hardly a secret that India's privileged elite want
RESPECT from the world, a seat at the table of the World's powers.
They are aware, that what they so dearly seek, could remain withheld,
while India's internal disparities continue to grow rapidly even with
an expanding economy. The are aware of their NATIONAL SHAME and
it would only increase. India can wipe ULFA out with its military
prowess instantly. But cannot embark on it because of that
SHAME it will bring upon itself in the process of doing so.
And I pin my hopes on that tiny segment of the population who
believe in their own goodness, regardless of who is noticing it, or
not noticing at all. Historically they have always played a big part
in modern nations' political conscience and their
civilizations.
It is for that reason that Utpal raised the issues he did, even
though he himself won't support an independent Assam. It is exactly
for the same reason YOU raise the issues you do. And there are are
others too, even though I realize it is a minority.
The spirit of freedom rarely dies, unless the fuel that keeps it
burning is exhausted. From all visible and perceptible trends, time is
on Assam's side.
Finally, I do not think the current negotiations are going to lead to any settlement in the near future.
Santanu.
*** Again I agree with you completely.
c-da
-----Original Message-----
From: Chan Mahanta [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Tue 1/10/2006 11:13 PM
To: Roy, Santanu; Malabika Brahma; [email protected]
Subject: RE: [Assam] What prevents India from holding a plesbicite
Hi Santanu:
A few quick thoughts about your thoughts. Gotta run for a bunch of
meetings this morning.
>Is that unconstitutional? I mean, is it unconsitutional to demand an
>amendment >to the constitution? I don't think so.
*** I don't know the answer. But since the constitution was NOT
something given down to a bearded man on a mountain top engraved in
stone tablets by God himself, and it was something devised by
imperfect men, who did NOT represent all of the disparate
constituents of the union and under circumstances not entirely under
their control and/or free will; one will have to believe that it is
an instrument that should and could be amended and corrected, to
reflect the need of the times.
There is nothing inherently sacrosanct about a constitution. Much
more so in the Indian context, because it is violated by its
custodians everyday, with the institutions of governance UNABLE to
prevent its debasement. The Indian constitution's sanctity is a myth,
created by people in power, by majoritarian diktat, and not thru
democratic means where minority rights have credible and effective
built-in protections.
*** The question of the constitutional constraints in dealing with
the issue of secession aspirations of a people could arise ONLY if
the constitution has been mutually acceptable with a credible
track-record for safeguarding the interests of the many disparate
constituents of the union, as they were promised at the time of
accession.
Take for example the case of Manipur, in which the accession was
forced by imprisonment of its King by a lowly Indian army Brigadier
at the orders of Sardar Patel.
If it is not so accepted by EVEN ONE of the constituents, then it is
fair game to be disavowed by the aggrieved party. That would be a
natural law.
Oh, yes there would be the issue of might is right. Just as it has
played out in the subcontinent since independence.
And that is why the armed rebellions.
More later!
At 10:07 PM -0600 1/9/06, Roy, Santanu wrote:
>One must recognize that all it takes for India to recognize the
>right to secede and a procedure for secession of states is to have a
>constitutional amendment. That's not very tough - its been done over
>50 times.
>Now, one can rephrase the demand for referendum and right to
>secession as a demand for such a constitutional amendment. Is that
>unconstitutional? I mean, is it unconsitutional to demand an
>amendment to the constitution? I don't think so. Now, suppose a
>political party was floated in Assam that demanded an amendment to
>the constitution - in this instance, with particular reference to
>procedure for secession of Assam. Suppose it contested the election
>on that platform and won a strong majority of seats. Would that be
>almost equivalent to a preliminary vote on demand for self
>determination?
>I am just thinking aloud.
>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] on behalf of Chan Mahanta
>Sent: Tue 1/10/2006 12:30 PM
>To: Malabika Brahma; [email protected]
>Subject: Re: [Assam] What prevents India from holding a plesbicite
>
>
>
>>Chandan da thinks he is right.
>
>*** I am perfectly willing to SUBMIT to the will of the people of
>Assam, as expressed in a free and fair plebiscite. Heaven knows they
>have suffered enough.
>
>> May be most of the people in Assam want seperation from India or
>>may be they don't.
>
>*** And if they had a shot at expressing themselves, AFTER they had
>an opportunity to EXAMINE the TRUTHS about their condition ( as thru
>a free and unfettered discussion/debate of all pertinent issues), if
>they choose to remain with India and share their dysfunctional state
>of the state, so be it! I shall forever hold MY peace on that.
>
>And I salute YOU Utpal, for being able to think like that ( not that
>I had a doubt).But can Ram? Can Rajen? Can Himen-da ? Can the so many
>amongst us who sing the praises of democracy on the one hand, but
>shall not accord the same to the people of Assam, or of Kashmir?
>
>
>>I hope someday the nation called India will be matured enough to
>>incorporate >the "instrument of seccession" in the constitution.
>
>
>*** Me too. But we all know the reality.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>At 11:23 PM +0000 1/9/06, Malabika Brahma wrote:
>>Chandan da thinks he is right. So does Rajen da or Ram da or Mike da
>>or my self. May be we all are right or may be not. It does not
>>matter what I or you feel (the elites of Assam) , what really
>>matters is what the people of Assam feel. May be most of the people
>>in Assam want seperation from India or may be they don't.
>>
>>There is easy way to find out. Hold a plesbicite under a free
>>neutral environment and avoid all bloodshed.
>>
>>But somehow I think the present form of GOI does not have the moral
>>courage to face the free and fair ballot that would decide the fate
>>of Assam or NE for that matter. Also the question is whether
>>pro-independence groups of NE have the moral courage face the same.
>>
>>I hope someday the nation called India will be matured enough to
>>incorporate the "instrument of seccession" in the constitution.
>>
>>Ut! pal Brahma
>>
>>
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