Chandan:
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: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>Chan Mahanta
To: <mailto:[email protected]>[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
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