>ML Update > >A CPI(ML) Weekly News Magazine > >Vol.-3; No.-50; 20-12-2000 > > > >Editorial: > > > >Let's Turn Ayodhya into the Sangh Parivar's Waterloo > > > >The NDA government has managed to win the Ayodhya motion in the Lok Sabha. >Given the parliamentary arithmetic, an NDA victory was of course a kind of >foregone conclusion. In spite of the noise being made by so-called angry NDA >partners like TDP and Trinamul Congess, nobody really expected them to quit >NDA as yet. It is however noticeable that the former Janata Parivar members >like Samata Party, JD(U) and the newly formed Jan Shakti of Ram Vilas Paswan >did not even bother to express any kind of formal dissent on this issue. > > > >The opposition tally could have of course been greater but for the absence of >some Congress MPs and the deliberate abstention of the BSP. While the failure >of the Congress to exert its full strength exposed the party's continuing >vulnerability to the communal cancer, the BSP's decision to abstain has >revealed the endless extent of its opportunism. It is now clear that the >BJP-BSP pact in UP is not a thing of past, it is still a live possibility. And >it is also clear that the political opportunism of BSP flourishes on a >reactionary ideological ground. For all its rantings against Manuvad, the BSP >has enough ideological ground in common with BJP -- rabid anti-communism, >deliberate silence of economic issues and now the 'neutrality' on Ayodhya are >three important points of idological proximity underlying the BSP-BJP >political deal. Dalit activists and Ambedkarites must ponder if it is possible >to 'save' the Constitution of India on such a marshy ideological ground. > > > >Bolstered by the parliamentary victory, the BJP has accelerated its already >aggressive campaign on Ayodhya. All wings of the Sangh Parivar have stepped up >their activities according to the RSS blueprint of division of labour. Reports >of renewed attacks on religious minorities and their places of learning and >worship are pouring in from various parts of the country. The VHP is working >overtime for the forthcoming Kumbh Mela and reports indicate that preparations >are proceeding apace for the eventual construction of Ram temple in place of >the demolished Babri Masjid. Advani has started ridiculing the CBI chargesheet >while Bangaru Laxman openly says that the court cannot ignore the 'ground >reality' of a temple already existing on the site which was home to the Babri >Masjid for more than four centuries. By all indications the Sangh Parivar is >bracing up for a second showdown over Ayodhya. > > > >The Liberhan Commission formed immediately in the wake of the December 1992 >demolition of Babri Masjid is showing some degree of belated activism. The >attitude of the accused politicians and bureaucrats to the Commission has of >course been marked by deliberate non-cooperation and even contempt. Going by >the experience of the Sri Krishna Commission and numerous other commissions >formed over the last five decades, one can only speculate on the future of the >Liberhan Commission and the fate of whatever report it may eventually produce. >But knowing as we do the Sangh Parivar and the Indian judiciary it will be an >unpardonable folly on the part of secular forces to remain content with >Vajpayee's assurances to 'abide by the court's verdict'. > > > > If the Sangh Parivar is preparing for a second showdown, so must the >forces of secularism and democracy. Eight years ago, the secular forces were >certainly not caught napping, but they were systematically let down by most of >the leaders, parties and institutions they had banked upon. This time round, >the secular-democratic resistance must overcome all its inhibitions and >vacillations and prepare for giving a fitting rebuff to the communal fascist >challenge. Ayodhya is turning out to be an epic battle. If round one went to >the saffron brigade, we must make sure that the present round is won >decisively by the forces of secular democracy. The BJP has begun to lose on >many fronts, let Ayodhya prove to be its Waterloo. > > > > > >Com. Vinod Mishra Remembered on His Second Death Anniversary > > > >CPI(ML) observed the second death anniversary of legendary Marxist-Leninist >thinker and former General Secretary of the Party Com. Vinod Mishra on 18 >December as 'Sankalp Diwas' throughout the country and resolved to develop and >intensify people's struggles for democracy, social and economic justice and >national self-reliance, against globalisation and communal fascism. Towards >this end, the Party has called for building up a broad-based, >struggle-oriented unity of all Left and democratic forces including the >activists of new social movements. > >Apart from observing the centrally decided programmes in Delhi, Patna and >Calcutta, meetings, seminars and conventions were held in almost all centres >of our work. While paying rich tributes to Com. VM and recalling his >contribution to the cause of Indian society, participants discussed challenges >before the Left and ways and means to meet them. > > > > > >2nd Death Anniversary of Com. VM Observed > >Mazdoor Kisan Vikas Sammelan Held in Patna > > > >Around ten thousand people gathered at Miller School Ground in Patna to >participate in the Mazdoor Kisan Vikas Sammelan (Workers' and Peasants' >Convention on Development) held on 18 December on the occasion of second death >anniversary of our leader Com. Vinod Mishra. Incidently the venue was the same >place where Com. VM's mortal remains were finally kept for public view before >cremation. Addressing the gathering Party General Secretary Com. Dipankar >Bhattacharya scathingly attacked Prime Minister's statement justifying the >destruction of Babri Masjid as a manifestation of national sentiment. He said >that the statement is a slur on the nation, by which Vajpayee is trying to >misdirect the anger of the workers, peasants and toiling masses crystallizing >all around the country. Our response to Sangh Parivar's threat to build temple >at the site of demolished Babri Masjid will be: "We will bury Sangh Parivar at >Ayodhya itself", he asserted. > > > >Exposing the pro-US and anti-peasantry nature of agricultural policy of the >central government, Com. Dipankar said that such policy can no longer be >tolerated. Although grain is rotting in the FCI godowns, being eaten by mice, >poor people are nevertheless dying of hunger, he pointed out. It is in the >peasant's interests that these godowns, right from Punjab to Bihar, are >emptied at the earliest. He demanded introduction of 'foodgrain for work' >scheme and provision of employment to agrarian labourers round the year. If >the govt does not fulfil the demand, he proclaimed amidst thunderous applause, >millions of poor people would exercise their right to seize the godowns, as >employment is birth right of the poor. > > > >Coming to Bihar's development, he stressed that the movement would have to >fight against anti-development forces outside as well as within Bihar. It is a >half-truth that Bihar is a backward state, complete truth being that Bihar has >been kept a backward state. He emphasised the need of convergence of all the >Left forces, true socialists and the offshoots of 1974 movement committed to >the values and the path of struggle. The convention was also addressed by >State Secretaries, Com. Jalaluddin Ansari of CPI, Com. Amriteshwar Chakravarty >of SUCI, Com. Tarakant Prakash of RSP, Com. Nripendra Krishna Mahato of >Forward Bloc and Com. Ramjatan Sharma of CPI(ML), CC members Com. KD Yadav, >Saroj Chaubey, Party Incharge of Mithilanchal area Com. Dhirendra Jha, ex-MLA >and peasant leader Com. Amar Yadav, RYA president Com. Rajaram Singh and Com. >Mahboob Alam, MLA. The convention was presided over by Com. Rameshwar Prasad, >state convenor of Khet Mazdoor Sabha and conducted by Com. Prabhat K Chaudhry, >Incharge of State HQ. > > > > > >People's Movement Against Globalisation and Challenges Before Left in Punjab > > > >Around 400 party activists and sympathisers of various left forces gathered in >a seminar on "People's Movement against Globalisation and WTO and Challenges >before Left and Revolutionary forces" on 17 December at Khalsa High School >premises in Mansa, Punjab to observe second death anniversary of Com. Vinod >Mishra. Addressing the gathering Com. BB Pandey, Party CC member said that the >situation had changed in the last ten years and now in the context of rising >people's struggles Left needs an offensive strategy to defeat communal >fasicsts forces who are the main agents of imperialist globalisation in India. >Other speakers included Com. Mangat Ram Pasla, CC member of CPI(M), Dr. MS >Randhawa, Convenor of Janwadi Chetna Manch, Chandigarh and Ruldu Singh, Senior >Vice President of BKU(Ekta). Introductory remarks were made by Com. Rajvinder >Rana, secretary of Party's Punjab unit and the seminar was presided over by >Prof. Ajmer Singh Aulakh, a left intellectual. > > > > > >2nd Death Anniversary of Com. VM Observed > >Seminar on Challenges Before the Left in Calcutta > > > >Observing the 2nd death anniversary of Com. VM, Party's central organ >Liberation and West Bengal state organ Deshabrati organised a seminar on >"Present Situation and Challenges Before the Left" at Calcutta University >Centenary Building. Addressing the packed audience of around 1,500, Party's PB >member and Editor of Liberation Com. Sivaraman said that saffron >neo-colonialism has become a single entity and whenever the reform agenda >comes under attack from the people, the worried saffron rulers bring to the >fore their hidden communal agenda. "The need of the hour is a broader forum of >political forces actively engaged in mass protests against globalisation and >communal fascism. Differences over political tactics need not come in the >way". Com. Anil Biswas, PBM and State Secy. of CPI(M) said that to oust NDA >govt. is their principal task and to that end they are adopting a broadest >anti-fascist united front policy. While differences over strategy may remain >unresolved, a unity on this tactics must be achieved, he opined. Com. Kartik >Pal, PBM and State Secy. of CPI(ML) said that the inner reasons behind decline >of Left and rise of fascist forces in West Bengal, rise of landlords to >strength and desertions within the Left camp during these 24 years of Left >Front rule must be probed and proper lessons be drawn to arrive at proper >orientation of the third front. Other speakers included Com. Debasis Datta, >State Secretariat member of CPI, Com. Jayanta Roy, State Secretariat member of >Forward Bloc and Com. Prabhash Ghosh, State Secretary of SUCI. Com. Arindam >Sen, CC member and member of Editorial Board of Liberation presided over the >seminar. > > > >In other districts of West Bengal, Martyrs' Day was observed on this day where >portrait of Com. VM was garlanded, silence was observed in memory of the >departed leader and speeches were made or discussion on his writings were >conducted. > > > > > >Seminar on Challenging the Globalisation in Delhi > > > >Observing "Sankalp Diwas", Party's Delhi State Committee held a seminar on >"Fresh Upsurge of People's Movement : Challenging the Globalisation offensive" >at Constitutional Club in New Delhi. Addressing a packed hall SP Shukla, >veteran economist and former member of Planning Commission said that people >will not take the onslaught of globalisation lying down. He said that the >rulers have become so alien that they are more committed to reforms than to >the interest of people. As new economic policy is not expected to succeed in >the long run ruling class needs political formation who can bulldoze people's >dissent and thus communal fascists become their choice. All talk of strong >centre and chauvinism is in essence to crush democracy in favour of >globalisation. The current situation of popular upsurge calls upon the >concerned to come together in a formation of united struggle against >globalisation, he said. Prof. Arun Kumar, veteran economist laid bare the >discriminatory character of globalisation and subservient role of Indian >rulers, and highlighted the potentials of India's cherished self-sufficiency. >Dunu Roy of Hazards Centre castigated elite class and institutions centering >Delhi Plan. Yogendra Yadav, social scientist exposed the leaning of so-called >liberal representatives of "centrist" stream towards globalisation and >insisted on drawing clear dividing lines and also emphasised on broadbased >unity along radical democracy to challenge globalisation. Com. Kumudini Pati, >CCM, explained party's vision on the plank of consistent democracy. The >seminar was presided over by Com. BB Pandey and vote of thanks was given by >Com. Rajendra Pratholi, Secy. of Delhi State Committee. > > > > > >Homage Paid to Com. VM in Rajasthan > > > >A Pledge-taking meeting was organised at Party headquaters in Jaipur on 18 >December, presided over by PUCL State President Prem Krishna Sharma. Com. >Srilata Swaminathan, CC Member called for a powerful and unified movement >against globalisation. Other speakers included Than Singh, ex-M.P., >Sarvodayite leaders Sawai Singh and Rajendra Kumbaj, Kavita Srivastava and >Arun Khetan of PUCL and Party Distt. Secy. Com. Harkesh Bugalia. > >In Jhunjhunu, 500 activists assembled at district headquarter in a meet >against ill effects of globalisation on peasantry. Party State Secy. Com. >Mahendra Chaudhary and Distt. Secy Com. Phulchand Dhewa addressed the >gathering. > > > > > > > >Comrade Vinod Mishra Remembered in Haryana > > > >More than 200 people including 50 women participated in a convention called to >remember the former General Secretary of Party Com. VM on his 2nd death >anniversary at Ramlila Bhawan, Railway Road, Karnal in Haryana. Com. Prem >Singh Gahlawat, State Party Incharge of Haryana referred to the great >contribution of Com. VM for Indian revolution and party building . Referring >to the onslaught of globalisation on the peasantry, he highlighted the need to >forge united struggle against globalisation. Other speakers included State >Secretary of CPI(M) Com. Inder Jeet, State Secretary of CPI Com. Raghubir >Singh, Karnal Distt. Secy. of CPM Com. Sube Singh, Com. Mahinder Chopra, Ram >Kishan and Ram Singh of CPI(ML). The convention was presided over by Com. Prem >Singh Kashyap. > > > >March to Parliament for Autonomous State > > > > CPI(ML), ASDC, Karbi Students Union (KSA) and Dimasa Students Union (DSU) >organised March to Parliament on 14 December to demand autonomous statehood to >Hill areas of Assam. The protestors were stopped at Paliament Street where, >addressing the marchers Com. Dipankar, Gen. Secy. of CPI(ML) warned the >BJP-led NDA govt. to stop following the footsteps of Congress and inflicting a >deep wound of alienation to the minds of the people of Hill districts. Com. >Jayanta Rongpi, CPI(ML) MP from autonomous district said that "By refusing to >concede a constitutional demand of 15-yr. old peaceful democratic movement >while at the same time holding talks with an organisation like NSCN in a >foreign country, Vajpayee govt. is sending a very wrong message. The >government which talks loud about national unity and integrity is actually >sabotaging people's autonomy and unity and encouraging secessionist insurgency >in the North-east, he said. Com. Chandrakant Terang and Com. Hemsing Tisso, >president and secretary of ASDC, Com. Prakant Warissa, MP (Rajya Sabha), KSA >president Kamal Rongpi and DSU president Rajat Thaosen also addressed the >protestors. > > > > > >Comrade Vinod Mishra Remembered in Haryana > > > >More than 200 people including 50 women participated in a convention called to >remember the former General Secretary of Party Com. VM on his 2nd death >anniversary at Ramlila Bhawan, Railway Road, Karnal in Haryana. Com. Prem >Singh Gahlawat, State Party Incharge of Haryana referred to the great >contribution of Com. VM for Indian revolution and party building . Referring >to the onslaught of globalisation on the peasantry, he highlighted the need to >forge united struggle against globalisation. Other speakers included State >Secretary of CPI(M) Com. Inder Jeet, State Secretary of CPI Com. Raghubir >Singh, Karnal Distt. Secy. of CPM Com. Sube Singh, Com. Mahinder Chopra, Ram >Kishan and Ram Singh of CPI(ML). The convention was presided over by Com. Prem >Singh Kashyap. > > > >March to Parliament for Autonomous State > > > > CPI(ML), ASDC, Karbi Students Union (KSA) and Dimasa Students Union (DSU) >organised March to Parliament on 14 December to demand autonomous statehood to >Hill areas of Assam. The protestors were stopped at Paliament Street where, >addressing the marchers Com. Dipankar, Gen. Secy. of CPI(ML) warned the >BJP-led NDA govt. to stop following the footsteps of Congress and inflicting a >deep wound of alienation to the minds of the people of Hill districts. Com. >Jayanta Rongpi, CPI(ML) MP from autonomous district said that "By refusing to >concede a constitutional demand of 15-yr. old peaceful democratic movement >while at the same time holding talks with an organisation like NSCN in a >foreign country, Vajpayee govt. is sending a very wrong message. The >government which talks loud about national unity and integrity is actually >sabotaging people's autonomy and unity and encouraging secessionist insurgency >in the North-east, he said. Com. Chandrakant Terang and Com. Hemsing Tisso, >president and secretary of ASDC, Com. Prakant Warissa, MP (Rajya Sabha), KSA >president Kamal Rongpi and DSU president Rajat Thaosen also addressed the >protestors. > > > > > > > >Resist the Offensive of Globalisation and Communal Fascism ! > >Gear Up for An Upsuge of People's Movement !! > >(Selected paragraphs under the head World Politics and Economics in the Era of >Globalisation from the Political-Organisational Report of the Sixth Congress >held in October 1997, VMSW, pp. 407-411) > > > > > >The US is bent on exercising its hegemony all over the world. It continues to >pursue policies like the economic blockade of Cuba which began in the '60s, >economic sanctions against Iraq and Iran and bullying China, Russia and Japan. >It is engaged intrade wars with European countries. And it meddles in the >internal affairs of a host of countries including India. And for these >purposes it uses international financial and trade institutions as well as the >UN, which of late has become an instrument of pursuing US policies. > > > >For small and weak countries therefore, the national question continues to be >of paramount importance in this age of globalisation. ... > > > >... China has been strengthening its economic and political ties with East >Asian countries and in a gathering of East Asian leaders the Chinese premier >talked about a 'new international economic and political order'. The Chinese >are invoking the national plank in a big way and have started taking more >active and vocal role in world politics. Hong Kong's unification has boosted >both the economic strength of China as well as its nationalist plank. ... > > > > _______________________________________________________ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki - Finland +358-40-7177941, fax +358-9-7591081 e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.kominf.pp.fi _______________________________________________________ Kominform list for general information. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Anti-Imperialism list for geopolitics. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] _______________________________________________________
