My Take on Why Independence - V, How to Achieve ItChandan: Thanks!! and I fully understand your views. I was feeling a bit guilty if I was pushing you too much to an dead end. Couple of comments for mutual understanding.
In any Independence movement, in my theoretical opinion, all the following counts if one wants to write a 'mein kampf' like that of Hitler other such manuscript. It should address at least 1) What is the problem 2) Why is the problem? Who is responsible and why 3) What need to be done 4) Why that will solve the problem 5) How to do it etc Without such an manuscript people have to rely on rumors and action of the field to give any credible support to such independence movement. I think in case of ULFA, that is exactly what happened. I have not yet seen any report, analysis even from ULFA, AASU, AGP and others. Without having any such manual, other tool people will have to go for is the general impression of ill treating of Assam by the GOA. But even to take advantage of that general sentiment, none of these parties could even unite the public. In stead all the parties literally split. AGP even failed to unite with other local parties Assamese parties in Assam like Bodos. As seen now, out of all these, only AASU is the only group who is trying to have some sense and has any credidablibility now. Without such an manuscript, general public has a zillion questions unanswered which further diluted the movement to its lowest. ULFA was given enough slack and support, but even with the help of MMRG and others, they could not earn enough credit even in the amongst general public. Beyond that I donot want to say anything. In such a situation in the field, anyone has simply a great uphill battle to convince anyone that Assam's Independence will solve Assam's problem. All one can do is to simply talk and talk, argue and argue, blame and blame and can create lot of chaos in the already chaotic situation. Yours or nobody's voice will be heard. At most if one could do is to jump to point # 5) HOW TO DO IT? If ULFA or anybody would have come up with a plan which they can sell, lot of people would have fill in the blanks for items 1), 2), 3). & 4). But that is also missing now. In case of India, INC was formed in broad daylight as an open forum by the Indians with the purpose of seeking self government for India. India was ruled by a foreign government, and believe it or not most of the public were happy, under the British rule. till the British introduced English language in India. Anyhow it finally succeeded only because of leaders like Gandhi and Nehru, who could unite the whole of India, mainland, South India and Assam under one voice. So far as I see, Assam's Independence movement is dead. One can say somebody put water in the bah khori which has already burnt. You may not agree it but there is nothing I can see which can rekindle the minds and imagination of the people of Assam for independence eventhough people can see lot of political. cultural and economic corruption by the GOI. Please also note. A new element has come into the picture. GOI has now lot of monwy which are being channelled through GOA to spend lavishly in the name of community develeopment. Against that during the last 50 years, Assam could not produce a single credible regional party with good leadership which can even make any voice. AGP today is a pathetic example. The question all Friends of Assam, what we need to do at this time and situation? I think new questions need to be asked under new perspective to create new public opinion starting from zero. That is my comment. Thanks for your input. Rajen ----- Original Message ----- From: Chan Mahanta To: [email protected] Sent: Sunday, February 25, 2007 10:22 AM Subject: [Assam] My Take on Why Independence - V, How to Achieve It I had no intention of getting into this originally, since my experience with the matter is on the light side :-). Not only because I had not served in any such movement, but also because I am not much of a history-of-conflicts buff. Rajen's question , a lawyer like Nayanjyoti would surely know, is called a 'leading question' in 'legalese'. They are usually not allowed in enlightened legal procedures, because they are designed to coach and elicit a particular answer, obviously to serve the interest of the questioner. But since it is not a court of justice, and since I do that all the time myself, the least I could do is to address it as best as I can.Furthermore, since I see occasional recommendations , usually to ULFA, here in Assam Net and in the Assam newspapers,from people who no doubt mean well, I thought it may not be a bad idea to examine the options and go where they may lead. *** >From the little I know of independence movements from the last two or three centuries, it is obvious that it always required violent confrontations, spilling of much blood, usually of the independence seekers. *** It is said that India's struggle for independence was a non-violent one. Unless I am terribly mistaken about the meaning of the word non-violent, this statement must be the most daring con-jobs of deceptive marketing at best and the most bald faced of historical lies at worst. I know, I am taking a highly unpopular position here, probably at par with my last such position about Lasit's Whack several years back, if not even more outrage evoking. But like Rajen reminded me, I do have the arguments ready to defend my view, should anyone be interested in pursuing it :-). *** Rajen obviously hoped to lead me to take a stand here against those who took up arms in pursuit of this goal for Assam, citing the example of Mahatma Gandhi's tactics. But regardless of my penchant for violence, or respect for non-violence, I shall not attempt to second-guess those fellow men of mine who had the courage and dedication to take up arms against an overwhelmingly larger and powerful adversary , knowing full well it could mean certain death and have pursued it tenaciously for a quarter century. I shall not be the one to insult these brave men and women's sacrifices and courage, while never lifting a finger or voicing a word in their support or quest. That is not MY style. *** Having said that, I will again acknowledge, like I always have, that without the support of a broad section of society's intelligentsia, and without a well formed political base, no independence movement against as overwhelming an adversary as India is to Assam, is ever likely to succeed. To that end, I agree with Rajen and others who advocate a discourse in Assam society. It was expected from ULFA, since they are the ones who held up the torch and led the struggle. ULFA has its reasons not to speak out publicly over the matter, and I understand them. But I submit, WE, Assam's well wishers and an elite segment of Assam's intelligentsia, has as much a responsibility to take it up,if not even more. With that I conclude my say. I would like to sit back now and take the brick-bats, or the kind of highly unexpected accolades that came from Nayan. I hope I did not use the rope my friends here offered me to hang myself and appreciate their patience in letting me say my piece without interruptions and pot-shots. But regardless, I hope my time and effort here would serve as a spring-board to discuss and debate the subject, examine it for its worthiness for Assam's future. And to all those who challenged me to embark on it, my only request: Please make your statements FOR or AGAINST independence, give your reasons, and take a stand. What will be most disappointing will be a disappearing act or a long bout of laryngitis. I believe it was H.L. Mencken, the acerbic journalist and commentator who once said something to the effect that " I don't know of anyone going broke underestimating the intelligence of the American people". I hope no one will be tempted to echo Mencken with something like " I don't know of anyone going broke underestimating the courage or activism of the Assamnetters." :-). Best regards. cm ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ _______________________________________________ assam mailing list [email protected] http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
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