From: "cpimllib" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Tue, 31 Jul 2001 22:22:18 +0530 To: <Undisclosed-Recipient:;@tonto.eunet.fi> Subject: [ INDIA ] ML Update, Vol.- 4; No.- 31; 1- 8- 2001. ML Update : A CPI(ML) Weekly News Magazine Vol.-4; No.-31; 1-8-2001 Neither Bandit Nor Queen The killing of Phoolan Devi in Delhi last week marked a brutal end to a unique saga of revolt against oppression. While the Samajwadi Party understandably puts the blame on the BJP government in UP, another widespread speculation describes her end as the inevitable nemesis of India's most celebrated 'bandit queen'. We are told that it is Phoolan's Behmai past, which eventually caught up with her. Indeed, the dramatic confession of the self-professed killer links the killing to the nearly two-decade-old Behmai massacre even though the man himself has nothing to do with Behmai. A BJP minister of UP who had met Phoolan in the previous evening has claimed that she had become disillusioned with the SP, perhaps obliquely suggesting that the murder could be a fall-out of internal bickerings within the SP. Perhaps the real plot behind this gruesome murder will take time to unfold. But the event clearly has ramifications going beyond the ongoing political tussle between the SP and the BJP in Uttar Pradesh. The question has once again arisen as to how to categorise an individual like Phoolan in India's socio-political matrix. While the media sensationalised Phoolan's real-life story of abuse and rebellion, glamourising and packaging her as India's bandit queen, her subsequent metamorphosis into an elected member of Parliament was also sought to be projected as a unique example of empowerment and social justice. While some liberal bourgeois commentators saw in Phoolan the vindication of India's parliamentary democracy, its capacity to tame and transform the rebellious and the defiant, the conservative opinion always treated her as an unacceptable intruder into the noble 'mainstream', a repulsive embodiment of criminalisation of politics. Indeed nothing could be more repulsive and pretentious than this blatant hypocrisy of bourgeois politics. In Phoolan's case her entry into the political arena was preceded by her surrender and protracted jail sentence, whereas there are numerous examples where MLAs, MPs and even ministers are nothing but practising criminals or maintain organic links with the underworld. And what about those sophisticated bourgeois politicians whose politics itself is criminal? One commentator has rightly said that in real life Phoolan was neither a bandit nor a queen. She was a wretched daughter of oppressed India. But she was a victim who was not ready to take things lying down. She was a rebel who revolted against the sordid stranglehold of the oppressive social order. In the process she challenged and broke many an undeclared code of domination and submission. By subsequently making her into a spectacle, and ushering her into the parliamentary arena of bourgeois respectability, the society tried to lend a new glossy symbolism to Phoolan. But the violent end to her quest for self-respect would suggest that Phoolan would survive more as a folklore of revolt against social oppression than as a synthetic statement of social justice and empowerment. Long Live the Eternal Glory of Com. Charu Mazumdar The 29th anniversary of Com. Charu Mazumdar's martyrdom was observed this year on 28 July. In the late 60s and early 70s, who shook the Indian youth from their slumber, inspired them to sacrifice their career and bear the hardest of difficulties, even to undergo the ultimate sacrifice of life? Who entranced the whole youth generation with his call into leaving home and hearth and moving to the unknown territory of landless peasants, slums of labourers, to get integrated with them and get their names entered in the red army? It was Charu Mazumdar. Today there are few communist cadres and sympathizers who had the chance to meet Charu Mazumdar. On being asked whether he had seen Charu Mazumdar, mostly an old comrade of CPI(ML) would answer in negative. Still, the ranks devoted to changing this dilapidated social system in India pay unprecedentedly boundless reverence to this hero who lit the torch of Indian revolution. The path of Indian revolution is not that simple as was understood earlier to be, rather it turned out to be much more complex. Certainly a number of concepts of CM's time have undergone complete change. Still if one has to recall a single person for the dream of liberation of our beloved motherland from imperialist exploitation and feudal remnants, it is Charu Mazumdar... Today, in face of all-out, hideous attacks on communist ideals and values by the sly bourgeois agents, it is striking to recall how in the midst of a degenerating environment, CM put forth the great ideal and values of communism before a whole generation, shook them from a nightmare and brought them under a bright sun. Historically the role played by CM is that of a light house, which, with its evershining light, will never let the voyagers of revolution stray in haze of pessimism. Martyr's Day Observed 28 July was observed in all the districts of West Bengal. All the block/ local committees paid tribute to Com. CM by garlanding martyrs' column. At least in 30 places rallies were organised demanding constitution of a judicial enquiry into the death of numerous revolutionaries and left activists in the decades of 70s. In the programme organised in State Party Office, Com. Kartick Pal and Shankar Mitra paid tribute to the great leader. Observing the day Kolkata District Party Committee organised a rally from Hazra to Garia. Demand was raised against eviction of marginalised people like hawkers, slum-dwellers from Kolkata, jointly by the State Govt. and Kolkata Municipal Corporation. A Life Deeper Than A Sea, A Death Heavier Than A Mountain -- Vinod Mishra Recently I was talking to a journalist. Somehow we started talking about Charu Mazumdar. The journalist asked, "tell me, do you really know about Charu Mazumdar? Was he really a genuine person?" I could easily make out that the journalist had a prejudiced view of CM. Many a cock and bull story has been peddled by the government propaganda machinery. That Charu Mazumdar was a CIA agent, that he owned a lot of land, he worshipped violence, a legacy he inherited from the Kali worship by tantriks (enchanters) of Bengal. He got thousands of bright youth murdered at the instance of CIA, etc. In this nefarious propaganda, CPI(M) had an abominable role to play. CPI(M) also branded him as a Congress agent and propagated that during his underground life he used to stay in the American Embassy. Although an overwhelming majority of revolutionaries and common people rejected this hideous propaganda, very few people know about his life in an authentic manner. ... Charu Mazumdar was blamed to have rejected the significance of patriotism and nationalism by issuing the slogan "China's chairman is our chairman". Well, the form of the slogan might be a matter of debate, but it must be understood that being a communist Charu Mazumdar was first of all an internationalist. Lenin has said that the first condition of being an internationalist is to have the guts to oppose chauvinism within one's own country. Those days Indian government was fanning up anti-Chinese chauvinism, and under this pretext, wrecking havoc on movements launched by communists and struggling people. On the other hand, in the Great Debate Indian communist movement had adopted either the Soviet position or a centrist position between Soviet and China. In this scenario, a forceful voice defending communist internationalism against modern revisionism was the need of the hour so as to save Indian communist movement from an all-out degeneration of communist ideals. Standing by China and Chairman Mao, Charu Mazumdar's powerful voice was the product of this historical necessity. Same as during the First World War, when all other parties belonging to the Second International had sided with the bourgeoisie of their own respective countries, it was only Lenin's voice which opposed the World War, and exposed the imperialist ambitions of Russian ruling classes, in his own country. For this, Lenin was to hear his denunciation as a German agent. As far as patriotism is concerned, the whole thought of Charu Mazumdar was centred on liberation of the toiling people of India, and the revolutionaries of the 70s embraced martyrdom with the song Mukta hobe priya matribhumi (Our beloved motherland will be liberated) on their lips. Few people in the post-independent India delivered power with the pen in comparison to the statements made by Charu Mazumdar on patriotism. For example, "Before my eyes suddenly the dark clouds hanging over Indian soil seemed to dispel away. Dazzling under the bright sun, it was my own country India, people's democratic India, socialist India" (Is Srikaukulum turning into Yenan?) Even in the article bearing the title China's chairman is our chairman, China's path is our path, one comes across lines such as, "people's democratic India is not far off. First streak of the red sun has fallen on the Andhra shore. Soon it would spread to other states. Bathing in the red sun, India will shine forever." Yet again, "Today it is the sacred responsibility of every Indian to induce ardent hatred against all these cowards, foreign stooges and assassins. Such is the demand of all countrymen, all patriots: every revolutionary cadre must pledge to avenge the killing of these heroic martyrs. These hangmen are the enemies of Indians, enemies of progress; they are on the payrolls of foreign imperialists. Without eliminating them, no liberation is possible for Indians." (Avenge the death of heroic martyrs). In fact, behind the breaking of idols of thinkers during the student movement in Bengal in 1970-71, the reason of discontent was that many of the pioneers of Bengal renaissance had sided with the British during the First Independence struggle of 1857; or a number of them had become their sycophants. It was sense of dedication to the motherland that brought hundreds of youth on the streets. In the conditions prevailing those days Charu Mazumdar certainly believed that imperialist forces were trying to encircle and destroy China, so he held the defence of Mao's China (on the pattern of defending Stalin's Russia during the Second World War) the duty of India communists. In this anti-China conspiracy, imperialist forces wanted to turn India into their base area. Therefore, to Charu Mazumdar, Indian revolution was a confluence of both national as well as international tasks. As far as violence is concerned, he did resolutely stand by revolutionary violence. With the monopoly of violence resting in the hands of ruling classes, day in and day out all through the period after the independence countless toilers and youth became victim of violence by feudal forces and police. The thought gave rise to enormous discontent in him. He raised the slogan to break this monopoly, but not for an unbridled, vengeful or aimless violence. He had seen an unlimited revolutionary potential among the landless-poor peasants, and the aim of his revolutionary violence was to train this class in the course of struggle against their class enemies, and step by step, against the enemy army. Starting from small guerrilla squads in this process, he had a plan to build a people's army with modern weaponry. Even the greatest military action undertaken by petty bourgeois elements was, to him, nothing but adventurism; if it took place without the participation of landless-poor peasants, without unleashing their creative potential. His ideal was Mao's guerrilla warfare, and he treated Che Guevara's guerrilla warfare as a middle-class indulgence in revolution. Charu Mazumdar was neither from an elite family, nor a rootless, imposed leader coming from England with a bar-at-law degree. Throughout his life he braced the sting of poverty and ever since his youth he sought his place amongst poor peasants and workers. On this count he was a unique example in the whole progression of Indian communist leaders. Throughout his life he unrelentingly fought against the reformist line within the party. He never knew to bow his head before anyone on the matter of principles. In fact from his early days people considered him an "insistent" character. His adversaries within the party branded him as "die-hard" and "arrogant". He laughed it out, "without being insistent, die-hard and arrogant, can one become a revolutionary?" He did not write voluminous theses on Indian revolution sitting in a drawing room; rather he sacrificed his personal pleasure, family, health and ultimately his life, to put into practice whatever he said or wrote down. Those who refrain from doing anything make no mistakes. They who enter into practice do commit mistakes as well. Charu Mazumdar too committed mistakes. But in history, even the mistakes committed by the heroes of revolution play a historical role. These mistakes raise the consciousness of the people to a higher plane, where, beyond the routinely stereotyped life, the dream of revolution comes alive. This mistake was committed by Marx, when he discerned the indications of impending revolution in Germany. Lenin too committed this mistake, when he thought he heard the footsteps of world revolution following the success of Russian revolution. And then, even Mao did this mistake when he dreamt of making socialism invincible through Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution. When Social-Democrats were laughing at the mistakes of Karl Leibnecht and Rosa Luxemberg, Lenin said, "Eagles may sometimes fly lower, but however a hen tries, it can never touch the height of an eagle." How prophetic the words of Lenin were! Charu Mazumdar was the first and only leader of in the whole history of Indian communist movement who painted a lively picture of Indian revolution. And, as if bound by a magic spell, a whole generation of tens of thousand youth followed him, a generation which embraced martyrdom voluntarily, in the words of Rabindranath, "making life and death one's captive slave". Exactly as the British had burnt the corpse of Bhagat Singh in the darkness of night, the body of Charu Mazumdar was stealthily consigned to the flames under a heavy police cordon. Thousands of his admirers could not even offer a few teardrops and floral tributes. Those immense eyes having the dream of an unfinished revolution within have departed from us. But the dream has lived on throughout these years, and it will certainly remain alive. Through newer pathways, but incessantly always, the caravan of revolutionaries will push ahead towards its goal. And Charu Mazumdar will always remain a source of inspiration, a guide, for this caravan. March in Delhi Against Violence and Scam CPI(ML) activists held a protest march in Delhi on 27 July at Parliament Street protesting the killing of Phoolan Devi in broad daylight in the high security area of MP's residence on 25 July and demanded resignation of Union Home Minister LK Advani for the utter failure to guard the life of even an MP. An effigy or Advani was also burnt there. The protesters also demanded resignation of Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha for misutilizing the ministerial power in abetting scams like US-64. The marchers were addressed by Com. Kumudini Pati, CC member, Ranjit Abhigyan, Central Sectt. member and Rajendra Pratholi, Secy. of Delhi Party Committee. Nagrik Sabha Demo Nagrik Adhikar Suraksha Samiti of Nangloi in West Delhi staged a demonstration in front of Delhi Jal Board to press their demands on 30 July. It was addressed by Com. Rajendra Pratholi, veteran comrade Mulkraj and Rajpal. Party Condemns Killing of Students in UP CPI(ML) condemned the killing of three innocent students by police on 21 July in Barabanki district of UP, that was being termed as an encounter. But the lie got fully exposed when the CB-CID on investgation found the incident as a false encounter. As a result, 11 policemen have been put under suspension and the SP has been transferred. This vindicates Party's allegation that police is killing innocent people under Rajnath regime. Workshop Against Globalisation in Assam On 8 July, Sadau Asom Pragatisheel Nari Santha (an affiliate of AIPWA) organised a state-level workshop on "Impact of globalisation on women and our tasks" at Bargong in Sonitpur of Assam. It was inaugurated by Com. Bibek Das, Party State Committee member and conducted by Junu Bora, vice president and Bhadrawati Gogoi, assistant secretary of Santha. Introducing the subject, Santha president Anju Barkataki explained how globalisation would render women jobless and increasingly convert them into commodity. State Santha Secy. Kanaklata Datta appealed to the whole women society to develop unified struggle against globalisation. A massive rally against globalisation has been planned to be held in Guwahati on 30 September. It was decided to actively participate in the nationwide road block programme to be held on 9 August. Raju Barua, Any Raibhuiyan, Mrinali Devi, Sheyali Bora, Purnima Saikia, Sunit Neog etc. also participated in the deliberations. Left Women Organisations Demand Withdrawal of Ceasefire in Assam On 13 July, Sadau Asom Pragatisheel Nari Santha, Asom Mahila Sangha, Ganatantrik Mahila Samiti (DWA), YWCA and other women organisations staged a protest demonstration at the Dy. Commissioner's office, Kamrup, and submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister demanding immediate withdrawal of area extension in ceasefire with NSCN(IM) and peaceful resolution of the problem and asking the govt. to stop its conspiratorial move of instigating militant forces. CPI(M) Cadres Join CPI(ML) On 13 July, 30 CPI(M) members led by Com. Bhupen Hazarika joined CPI(ML)(Liberation) in undivided Nagaon district of Assam. They include DYFI state committee member Com. Upen Bharali. A meeting to mark the occasion was held at Nagaon Sahitya Sabha Bhawan, presided over jointly by Mridupawan Bora and Harikant Das. After welcome address by Com. Arup Kumar Mahanta, Nagaon District Party Secy., State Secretary Com. Rubul Sharma emphasized the need to develop independent communist movement to forge real left alternative opposed to Congress, BJP and discredited regional forces. Development of real communist movement was not possible by tailing behind the ruling class parties. The meeting was also addressed by the members newly joining the Party. AIRPB Conference Held in Howrah The 4th conference of All India Railway Party Branch was held at Vinod Mishra Nagar (Santragachi) in Howrah distt. of West Bengal on 28-29 July. After flag hoisting, the delegates, Party central leaders and organisers all paid red salute to the memory of martyrs including the founder General Secretary of CPI(ML) Com. Charu Mazumdar, who embraced martyrdom on 28 July. Following the welcome address, a 5-member presidium took the chair. Central Committee observer Com. PV Srinivas made the inaugural speech. Thereafter the outgoing AIRPB secretary Com. Rabi Sen presented the draft work report. As many as 30 of the total 53 delegates and 9 observers participated in a serious and spirited discussion over the draft, which served to enrich it. After the report was unanimously passed, the house elected a 17-member Party Branch which reelected Com. Rabi Sen as its secretary. Among those who addressed the conference include Politbureau members Com. DP Buxi and Kartick Paul, and Member of Editorial Board of Shramik Solidarity Com. Pradeep Jha. The focus of the conference was on opposing restructuring and privatisation in railways and strengthening the Party ideologically, politically and organisationally. "March against Massacre" in Jharkhand Party's Hazaribagh Distt. Committee brought out a "Protest march against massacre" on the occasion of "Rallygarha martyrdom day" on 26 July, which started from Rallygarha and went up to Kandaber (Keredari), where a mass meeting was held. The march was flagged off by Com. Subhendu Sen, Jharkhand state committee secretary. Before starting the march, martyrdom day was observed at Rallygarha ground in memory of the seven poor dalit comrades who were killed during a struggle against coal mafia by Jan Mukti Sena, a feudal-criminal gang enjoying protection of Marandi govt., in Nawadih village (near Kandaber) on 7 July. Floral tributes were paid and a pledge-taking meeting was held. Cultural programme was presented by "Prerana", a women's cultural group. Apart from Com. Subhendu Sen, State Committee member Com. Devkinandan Bedia and JMKS leader Com. Sohrai Kisku also addressed the meeting. It was presided over by Com. Pachu Rana. Artists of Jharkhand Sanskriti Manch presented songs during the march. AICCTU leader Com. Tarun Sarkar, State Committee member Bhuneshwar Bedia, CMWU leader Bijendra Prasad and Anil Anshuman of Jharkhand Sanskriti Manch were also among those leading the march. ___________________________________________________ In response to the CPI(ML)'s Call Vajpayee Hatao, Azadi Bachao Gear up for Jail Bharo, Rasta Roko (Road Blockade) & Chakka Jam(Stop the wheel) on 9 August, 2001 Against Onslaughts of Globalisation and Communal Fascism ____________________________________________________ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki Phone +358-40-7177941 Fax +358-9-7591081 http://www.kominf.pp.fi General class struggle news: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subscribe mails to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Geopolitical news: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] __________________________________________________
