ML Update 33 / 2012

ML Update

A CPI(ML) Weekly News Magazine

Vol.  15             No. 33                                                                      7 - 13 AUG 2012

 

The End of Team Anna

 

On July 25 Team Anna launched yet another fast at Jantar Mantar. Spearheading the campaign this time was Arvind Kejriwal, demanding a Special Investigation Team to probe more than a dozen key members of the UPA cabinet including the Prime Minister and his erstwhile Finance Minister who had by then been elevated to the post of the President. The Anna agitation which had shot into fame in April 2011 as a non-party campaign for a stringent Jan Lokpal legislation was clearly on the lookout for a sharper political edge. Yet the fast could not generate the kind of mass interest that had been witnessed at Jantar Mantar in April 2011 or at Ramlila Maida in August 2011.

Ten days into the campaign, the fast was called off amidst talks of a transition from agitational mobilization to providing the people with a political alternative. Kejriwal promised to build a party through public consultation and stressed the need to intervene in the political process and enter the parliamentary arena to effect political changes while former Army chief VK Singh, the star attraction of the concluding day, delivered a speech that sounded an unmistakable readiness to face an electoral battle. Even as Team Anna members and supporters started debating the wisdom of this decision to go political and electoral, Anna announced that Team Anna's work was over and the Core Committee stood dissolved.

Ardent Anna supporters may liken this Anna decision to Gandhi's suggestion after 1947 to dissolve the Congress now that political independence had been won. The Congress of course paid no heed to Gandhi's suggestion and went on to consolidate itself as the premier ruling party with the full backing of the developing Indian bourgeoisie. But in Gandhi's case, he could rightfully claim that the colonial rulers had quit India, whereas for Anna and his now-dissolved Team even the limited goal of Jan Lokpal is still nowhere in sight. It should of course be noted that while dissolving Team Anna and its Core Committee, Anna too talks about providing a 'political alternative' by fielding honest candidates in the 2014 elections.

The difference between the two approaches – one being apparently advocated by Kejriwal and the other attributed to Anna – therefore boils down to the way the 'alternative' is to be constructed, whether by building a party and taking a plunge into electoral contests or by selecting and helping 'honest candidates' (probably cutting across parties) to win. Anna claims that he has already successfully applied this model in Maharashtra when 8 of 12 candidates supported by him won in Assembly elections. It would be instructive if Anna would let us know who these eight MLAs are and what kind of alternative they have provided in Maharashtra. The two contending dominant coalitions in Maharashtra and even parties like MNS that are formally not part of either coalition are all notorious for the worst kind of political venality marked not only by competitive corruption and criminalization, but also by communal and chauvinistic frenzy. Even if Anna's MLAs can boast of personal honesty, their politics has obviously failed to pose any kind of alternative or challenge to this dominant political paradigm.

While Anna and Kejriwal may differ in their specific modalities, both seem to agree that they have had enough of agitation and it was pointless to continue with the agitation against an apathetic and arrogant government. Well, what has happened in the name of agitation is a series of fasts in which the masses had little scope to participate. There have been talks of other agitational forms like 'jail bharo' but the calls have never been translated into action. The ultimate logic and strength of mass agitation lies precisely in exposing, challenging, isolating, and eventually compelling reluctant and arrogant rulers to concede the people's demands, yet for reasons best known to them, the Anna agitation has avoided the course of a decisive showdown with the powers that be. And now to argue that the agitation has already run its full course belies the hope, enthusiasm and anti-corruption spirit with which young India had welcomed the Anna agitation.

Equally unacceptable are the overtures and signals of a growing bonhomie between the Anna camp and Baba Ramdev. In the initial days of the Anna campaign, there were attempts to maintain some distance and demarcation from Ramdev and his ilk, but even as the Ramdev aura began to fade among his own supporters in the wake of last year's Ramlila Maidan episode and Ramdev began to hobnob openly with the likes of Narendra Modi, Anna Hazare has been making common cause with the dubious Baba.

The anti-corruption movement cannot be run on the lines of the so-called single-issue 'social movements' especially when corruption flows directly from the pro-market, pro-corporate policies of liberalization and privatization and flourishes in the corridors of power. The belated realization of Team Anna about the need to go political and intervene in electoral battles marks a welcome departure and evolution from its initial non-political and even anti-political protestations. But while the interest of people's politics demands a sustained intensification and broadening of the Jan Lokpal agitation in closer alliance with the entire range of anti-corporate pro-democracy struggles in the country, the decision to suspend the very agitation in the name of political alternative can only be treated as a negative lesson, a telling example of how not to go about politics.

 

Cadre Convention of Assam AIPWA

 

A state-level cadre Convention of the Assam unit of AIPWA was held on 22 July at Nagaon. 39 delegates from 6 districts participated in the Convention.

 

The Convention was conducted by a Presidium comprising Raju Barua and Bhadravati Gogoi. A perspective on the political situation in Assam and AIPWA's organisational situation was presented by the caretaker Secretary Minali Devi. CPI(ML) Politburo member Rubul Sarma and State Secretary Vivek Das addressed the Convention, and spoke of the challenges before the women's organisation, and the need to strengthen AIPWA.

 

AIPWA National Vice President Saroj Chaubey, addressing the Convention, spoke of the horrific instance of mob sexual assault on a schoolgirl in Guwahati. Not long ago, an adivasi girl protestor was stripped naked in Guwahati. Women in Assam and the North East are bearing the brunt of draconian laws like AFSPA and violence by security forces. Women workers are facing severe exploitation. She called for AIPWA to intensify the struggle against violence on women and for women's rights.  

 

At the Convention, a reorganised 17-member state committee of AIPWA was constituted, with Anju Borkataky as honorary President, Bhadravati Gogoi as President, Raju Barua as Vice President, Minali Devi as Secretary, Junu Borah as publication secretary. 

 

AIPWA Protest Against Violence on Women in Patna

 

Contrary to the hype about curbing of crime and empowerment of women in Nitish's Bihar, violence on women is on the rise. The murder of Neelam Sharma, Principal of Ankur Public School, by intruders who entered her home in broad daylight, in the state capital, was reminiscent of the murder of the Papiya Ghosh murder that took place in RJD rule. A woman mukhiya of Kurthaul panchayat near Patna also took place at the hands of intruders in her home in daylight. A schoolgirl was gangraped by four of her classmates, from prominent families in Patna, who circulated an MMS of the rape. They were arrested following an agitation.

 

An AIPWA fact-finding team headed by General Secretary Meena Tiwari visited the site of Neelam Sharma's murder. AIPWA called for a Patna bandh in protest against the murder. A team of AIPWA's Patna rural unit headed by district secretary Leelavati investigated the murder of the Kurthaul mukhiya, and held a protest in which the effigy of the Chief Minister was burnt. 

 

A joint dharna by women's groups was held in Patna against the MMS incident, which was addressed by Saroj Chaubey on behalf of AIPWA.

 

Martyrdom day of Comrade Saroj Dutta observed on 5th August

Revolutionary leader comrade Saroj Dutta was assassinated in a fake encounter in Kolkata during the black era of brutal state crackdown coming down heavily on the Naxalbari movement. Comrade SD's 41st martyrdom day was observed on the fifth of this month. A commemoration programme was held at 2 pm, adjacent to Curzon Park in Kolkata, where comrade Saroj Dutta's statue stands a few hundreds of meters away from Aryans Maidan, where police had shot him down in the early hours of 5th August 1971.

 

In the evening, Paschimbanga Gana Sanskriti Parishad organized a three-hour long discussion, in memory of the fearless journalist-writer-poet comrade SD, at the Mahabodhi Society Hall adjacent to College Square. The discussion focussed on examining the role of intellectuals, artists, singers, writers, filmmakers, scientists and journalists in a society where even basic democratic and civil rights are being threatened with impunity, and yet, a culture of sycophancy prevails in the 'mainstream' cultural arena, intellectuals and artists are sold out on the state payroll and all expressions of resistance are being routinely suppressed. That the need of the hour (in the present political climate of West Bengal) is to resist  this culture of sycophancy and abominable co-opting of public cultural space by building a united platform of all democratic and left cultural activists and groups was unanimously agreed. An appeal was made towards the realization of such a platform where people's voice, and not that of the ruling class, would be magnified. Prof. Amit Dasgupta, cultural activists and singers Nitish Roy, Bipul Chakrabarty, essayist Dr. Amitabha Chakrabarty, Shyamal Mukherjee (of Angan Mancha theater), Krishna Bandyoadhyay, Salil Biswas, Jayanta Sen, poet Anik Rudra and several others took part in the discussion.

 

Convention against eviction held by Nonadanga Sanhati Mancha

The ongoing eviction drive at Nonadanga has brought larger questions of urbanization-induced displacement to the fore. To protest recent eviction drives, imminent evictions, and share experiences of struggles against earlier forced displacements, a Convention was held on 27th July at Student's Hall, Kolkata. Bidhu Naskar, Maya Samaddar, Khokon Bar, Jaya Ghosh, Khokon Mandal, Prashanta Seth and other victims of eviction shared the dais. Prabir Das of Nonadanga Sanhati Mancha delivered the keynote address. Other notable speakers included Santosh Rana and Dhiresh Goswami.

 

Visit of violence-hit areas by CPI(ML) Team

A team of CPI(ML) leaders comprising of Assam State Secretary Com. Bibek Das, State members Com. Naren Borah and Arup Kr. Mahanta, Barpeta district committee members Dulal Sarkar, Babulal Sarkar, Mafijuddin, Harilal Das, Biren Ghosh visited violence-hit BTC areas and relief camps on 2nd August last. During the visit they met affected people of different cross sections of the society and heard about different incidents. Although the violence started on 19th July, the tension prevailed for the last one month or so. The Government totally failed to control the situation; and no effective administrative step was taken either on the part of the state Government or the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) to control situation and help the victims. It seems that there is no local authority to control the clash between Bodos and religious minorities. Administrative inaction, lawlessness, anarchy had permitted to quick spread of violence to the nearby districts.

 

At first, the killing of two leaders of All Bodoland Minority Students' Union, and there after killing of 4 ex-BLT members, worsened the situation. No prompt action was taken and no enquiry was ordered. As the Government remained inert, a wave of brutal killing and arson gripped Bodoland Territorial Autonomous Districts (BTAD). It is worth noting that illegal fire arms were widely used in the violence and the police officers in BTAD openly expressed their helplessness, and even the Sub-Divisional Police Officer of Bijni has sent his resignation letter to the higher authorities, pleading lack of adequate security forces.

 

Inmates in the relief camps complained of not receiving adequate food and access to safe drinking water. Low quality medicine is being supplied to some relief camps, due to which one person died in the relief camp. The team demanded punishment of the culprits and a high level enquiry into the matter. The inmates of relief camps want to go back to their villages, but due to lack of security of their life and property, they do not dare to move.

 

BTC Chief Hagrama Mohiliary resorted some provocative remarks alleging a 'Bangladeshi' hand behind this clash. It is nothing but a camouflage to cover up the total failure of the govt. Although Muslim people inhabited in violence-hit Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa (all under BTC, Odalguri, the last district of BTC is not affected) and Dhubri (outside BTC) district, they had no major clash earlier, but clashes started in the process of BTC formation. In BTC area, there is a strong feeling of insecurity among religious minorities, Adivasis and other non-Bodos, and some vested interested groups have been trying to use these sentiments. Similarly, on the part of Bodo leaders, no initiative has been taken to integrate with the minority and other non-Bodo people.

 

CPI(ML) holds the Tarun Gogoi Government and BTC responsible for the violence, arson and killings. The Tarun Gogoi Government has lost all moral right to continue in the power. CPI(ML) demands a CBI enquiry into the incidents of ethnic violence, and punishment of the culprits.

 

The party also demands adequate relief materials for the inmates of relief camps and supply of medicine and proper treatment, as well as timely and proper rehabilitation of the displaced people with adequate security in their villages and areas.

 

CPI(ML) is of the view that the problem of BTAD must be resolved through dialogue with different representatives of different ethnic groups so that the sense of insecurity can be overcome. Both the State Government and BTC administration have failed to show such political good will, thereby leading to aggravation of the problem.

 

AIPWA Protests At Kolkata

From Park Street to Gurap, from Barasat to Belpahari, from Shibani Singha who consumed poison after being raped by the Jangalmahal police, athlete Pinki Pramanik who underwent harrowing humiliation and sexual abuse in the name of 'medical tests to establish her gender (sic)', or Barun Biswas of Sutia who had organized the local people for more than a decade into a Pratibadi Mancha to stand up against more than 35 rapes of local women committed by a (politically protected) lumpen gang only to be martyred in broad daylight on July 5th: violence on women is escalating at an alarming pace in West Bengal. Instances of Police not registering FIRs of victims, the Chief Minister smelling "conspiracy against her regime", and TMC's elected representatives (of the likes of Chiranjeet) issuing veiled fatwas on women's dress code, perpetrators of each crime going scot-free while blaming and harassment of the victim has become order of the day. 

 

And now comes absolute intolerance of political opposition and the muzzling of protest. The police didn't give permission to AIPWA to hold a rally on August 1. AIPWA activists as well as women and men from Sutia were protesting against recent attacks on women, and had planned to march from College Square to Mahakaran to submit a deputation. Mamata's administration, scared by the proposed women's march, sent three police vans and arrested 34 protesters after initial slogans and even before the rally could begin, who were subsequently kept in Lalbazar lock-up till late evening. In spite of all the administrative paranoia and pre-emptive arrests, the women were spirited throughout. They burnt an effigy of the police and administration, and gave rejuvenating slogans till our release. A set of brilliant posters were on display, songs were sung and the walls of the lock-up painted with slogans and amazing 'jail art' by Anupam Roy. When they were let out, the women's steel resolve to carry the fight forward had only strengthened. 

 

Protests in Solidarity with Maruti workers

On 3rd August, at least 300 people, braving heavy downpour, marched from Subodh Mallik square to Camac street in Kolkata in solidarity with the fighting Maruti workers of Manesar plant. AICCTU, IFTU along with the worker's union from Hindmotor, Bauria cotton mill, Kalyani spinning mill, Garden Rich Ship Builders, and Hindusthan Lever participated in the march. A 5-member team met the regional head of Maruti-Suzuki company and submitted a memorandum demanding immediate release of all arrested workers, cessation of lock out etc. Outside the Maruti office a protest meet was organised. Basudeb Bose, State general secretary of AICCTU spoke on the occasion along with other TU leaders. On 26th July, another solidarity protest demonstration was organised by AICCTU along with NTUI and IFTU in the same venue. 

 

On 27th July 2012 the Democratic Advocate Association organized a demonstration in the Madras High Court campus to support the Maruti workers' struggle. This programme was headed by Bharathi (DAA Organizor) and it was addressed by senior advocates K M Ramesh, Ayyadurai, and M John Selvaraj (Organizer of Indian Lawyers Union). In this programme the protestors demanded release of the Maruti workers, and action against the Maruti management, and also demanded the Tamilnadu government to enact the trade union act and undertake the Nokia, Hyundai, Ford and other foreign and Indian companies.          

 

Protest Against Rape-Murder of Dalit Girl in Uttarakhand

In the early hours of 10 July, the raped dead body of 8 year old dalit girl Sanjana of Tiwarinagar village in Bindukhatta, abducted the night before, was found in the village itself. In spite of heavy police picketing and assurances by the police as well as Cabinet Minister Harishchandra Durgapal (who comes from the same region) that the culprits would be apprehended within 48 hours, no arrests were made even after 10 days.

 

The Party took steps in this matter and organized a public meeting attended by hundreds of villagers under the banner of the Bharatiya Kisan Mahasabha on 19 July. In spite of administrative pressure warning against participation in the meeting, 500 villagers including many women gathered at the Shaheed Smarak for the rally which arrived at the Tehsil by way of the main Bazaar. The demonstration vociferously demanded the immediate arrest of Sanjana's killers.

 

The meeting was addressed by CPI-ML State secretary Com. Rajendra Pratholi, Com. Raja Bahuguna, District secretary Com. Kailash Pandey, Com. Anand Sijwali, Com. Vimla Rauthan, Com. Man Singh Pal and others. The meeting was conducted by District President of Akhil Bharatiya Kisan Mahasabha Com. Bahadur Singh Jangi.

 

Symposium in Nagpur on Bathani Tola Massacre

A symposium on the Bahani Tola massacre was held on Saturday 14. 7. 2012 at the Hindi Sahitya Sammelan Mor Bhavan Auditorium in Nagpur.  CPI-ML (Liberation) Polit Bureau member Com.  Swapan Mukherjee was the chief speaker at the symposium.  Other speakers included CPI-ML (Liberation) Mumbai-Thane Committee secretary Com. Shyam Gohil, Com. C. H. Tumram of the Adivasi Vikas Sabha, Dalit litterateur Dr. Yashwant Manohar and Founder-President of All India Muslim Bahujan Samaj Javed Sheikh.  The symposium was presided over by Com. Saroj Meshram, member, CPI-ML (Liberation), Nagpur.  Com. Sandhya Talware of CPI-ML (Liberation) Nagpur welcomed the speakers and introduced them to the gathering.

 

The symposium commenced with the address of Com. Shyam Gohil who pointed out that the common factor in all the massacres like Bathani Tola massacre, Ramabai Ambedkar massacre in Mumbai, 92-93 riots, Khairlanji massacre was that till today the chief accused have not received punishment and are roaming freely with the full protection of the government. Com. C. H. Tumram elaborated upon the atrocities committed on dalits and backed his statements with relevant statistics. Javed Sheikh said that dalits who fight for their rights are branded Naxalites, just as muslims who fight for their rights are branded terrorists. Dr. Yashwant Manohar laid the blame for these massacres at the door of collusion of bourgeois ruling parties with feudal powers.

 

The chief speaker Com.Swapan Mukherjee pointed out that the real purpose of the Bathani Tola massacre was not just to kill dalits and muslims but to suppress the revolutionary red flag of CPI(ML). The Presidential address was given by Com. Saroj Meshram. Com. Jinda Bhagat of the Republican Aghadi proposed a vote of thanks.  The symposium was attended by intellectuals, workers, unorganized workers and other sections of Nagpur.

 

AIPWA Statewide Protests in UP

Violence against women has increased alarmingly in the SP regime in U.P. which claims to stand for social justice and security.  FIRs are not registered, women are raped inside police stations, high police officials publicly make anti-women statements, Khap panchayats pass anti-women diktats and the Chief Minister and police remain mute spectators. AIPWA organized protest meets in various parts of the State on 23 July to include women in a movement to form a new political alternative. These protests were held in Lucknow, Lakhimpur, , Pilibhit, Deoriya, Maharajganj, Gorakhpur, Varanasi, Gazhipur, Chakiya, Baliya, Mirzapur and Sonbhadra. AIPWA has submitted a 5-point memorandum of demands to the Governor.  Briefly, these demands are:

 

1.       The culprit arrested for the murder of AIPWA member Sunita Giri in Lakhimpur should be tried and punished, and Sunita's children should be provided free education.

2.       A central law should be passed immediately to safeguard women's safety and dignity and fast track courts should be set up to try related cases.

3.       Feudal and police attacks against poor tribal women have witnessed unprecedented increase.  The murder of the woman village Pradhan in Sukrit village by the privileged classes in connivance with the police is a case in point. AIPWA demands immediate punishment for the culprit policemen and legal rights for the State Women's Commission to take action in such matters.

4.       FIRs should be registered immediately by the police on the basis of women victims' complaints. Police staff who misbehave with women should be severely punished.

5.       Khap panchayats in Western U.P. which are issuing anti-women diktats should be banned and a central law should be passed against honour killing.

 

AIPWA Protest in Pilibhit

Incidents of barbaric violence against women have come to light in Pilibhit district of U.P. against which AIPWA has organized women in successful protest movements.

On 16 July in Susvar village, Jehanabad Thana, a minor girl was raped and her private parts and other limbs cut off by notorious goon Amar Singh, known to have links with the ruling SP and under protection of the police as well as the village Pradhan.  AIPWA leaders along with district panchayat member Rama Gaurela took steps to protest, which led to the arrest of the culprit.  AIPWA has further increased the level of protest to ensure that the culprit is not released from jail.

In Majhar Paun Acre village, Thana Madhotanda, a minor girl was raped and a video clipping of the incident is being circulated and viewed widely in Uttarakhand. On a complaint by the family of the girl, an FIR has been registered but no arrests have been made and the video has not been banned.  AIPWA district coordinator Rama Gaurela led an enquiry team which found that the girl's family had left the village out of shame and fear.

 

On 23 July AIPWA and CPI-ML staged a demonstration at the district headquarters of Pilibhit to protest against the tremendous increase in oppression on women. Com. Rama pointed out that atrocities against women were very high in the Mayawati regime and they have increased manifold in the present SP regime. AIPWA submitted a memorandum to the DM and avowed that unless the guilty are punished in the above incidents, the villagers would be mobilized into further protest and hunger strikes.

Edited, published and printed by S. Bhattacharya for CPI(ML) Liberation from U-90, Shakarpur, Delhi-92; printed at Bol Publication,
R-18/2, Ramesh Park, Laxmi Nagar, Delhi-92; Phone:22521067; fax: 22442790, e-mail: mlupdate@cpiml.org, website: www.cpiml.org

ML Update 32 / 2012

ML Update

A CPI(ML) Weekly News Magazine

Vol.15 No.32 31 JUL - 6 AUG 2012

Stop the Witch-Hunt of Maruti Workers

Uphold Labour Laws and Ensure Industrial Democracy

The fundamental questions raised by the Manesar tragedy, however, are being drowned out in the shrill accusations against, and ongoing witch-hunt of the Maruti workers. Maruti workers are being indiscriminately arrested (over a 100 are in jail); their families threatened; and even workers of other factories in Manesar are being subjected to illegal detention and searches. The Governments of Haryana and the Centre, the corporations, and much of the media are united in raising outraged cries against the workers, who are being painted as a murderous mob which hunted and lynched the hapless Maruti management. It should be noted that those baying for the Maruti workers' blood in this instance, are silent on the case of Ajit Yadav, the worker at the Rico Auto Factory at Gurgaon, who was thrown in a furnace and burnt to death by company officials and hired 'bouncers' in 2009: a case in which the killers are yet to be punished. In the Maruti instance too, the fact is that the management had introduced hired muscle to deal with a peaceful negotiation by the Union – leading to violent clashes between workers on the one hand, and the management and bouncers on the other.                 

What, after all, accounts for repeated instances of such violent clashes across the country, in most of India's industrial belts? At Maruti, as at Pricol, and in fact in all industries and MNCs in India, workers are forced to wage long, frustrating struggles simply to avail of the rights which are written into India's labour laws. These include the right to form a union of their own choice and the principle of 'equal pay for equal work' which mandates that contract workers, paid far less than permanent workers, cannot be employed in the core production processes of industry. Inevitably, in every instance, workers leading the peaceful struggles are laid off; the government and labour departments do nothing to uphold the labour laws; hired muscle is used to 'discipline' workers; illegal lockouts are resorted to; and even when legal battles are won, the laws are rarely implemented on the ground. Maruti workers too have time and again led peaceful agitations demanding the right to unionise. On the last occasion, the leaders of the struggle were bought off by the management. Eventually, the union (MSWU) was registered in March this year with the labour department after much delay. However, even now, the Maruti management, in violation of the law, insists that the Union cannot be affiliated to any central Trade Union, and the Haryana Government has failed to set up the legally mandated grievance redressal committee and labour welfare committee. Wages continued to be low, arbitrary penalties like loss of wages in case of leave were common; contract workers were being paid a fraction of what permanent workers received, for the same work; work conditions were being made more undignified and exploitative (for instance curtailment of tea and toilet breaks) in order to speed up the assembly line production. Permanent workers were repeatedly told that they had no right to raise the issue of contract workers' rights and violation of the provisions of the Contract Labour Act. Throughout, the Haryana Government and labour department condoned the violations by the Maruti management, and failed to act to defend the legal rights of workers. In a situation where the system stubbornly refuses to uphold labour laws and allows open violations to be the norm; where avenues for redressal of grievances are denied and union's functioning curbed; and where managements routinely introduce hired muscle, victimization, and corrupt means to deal with protesting workers, outbursts and clashes are inevitable.

Branding the workers as criminals while refusing to acknowledge or the correct the widespread violations of labour laws and denial of industrial dignity and democracy can only aggravate industrial unrest, never resolve it. Instead of correcting the widespread violations of labour laws, the corporate sector and Governments too are using the Maruti incident as a pretext to clamour for 'reform' of labour laws. In other words, they are seeking the legalization of the ongoing violations – and the freedom to exploit the workers without any legal impediment. 

The ray of hope in the dismal situation is the determination of the new generation of workers all over the country to agitate and defend their rights. In Pricol, the workers braved the all-out witch-hunt of 2009 to eventually emerge victorious and secure an agreement on their long-pending demands. It is encouraging that the workers of Pricol in Coimbatore and Honda in Gurgaon have staged demonstrations recently in solidarity with Maruti workers. India's working class and trade union movement must resist the attempts to criminalise the Maruti workers' struggle, and must continue and intensify the struggle for industrial democracy, equal pay for equal work, and workers' rights and dignity.            

Charu Bhawan Inaugurated and Book on CM Released

On 28 July 2012, the 40th anniversary of the martyrdom of CPI(ML)'s founding General Secretary and leader of the historic Naxalbari movement, Comrade Charu Mazumdar, the CPI(ML) inaugurated its Central Office 'Charu Bhawan,' and unveiled a bust of Comrade Charu Mazumdar at the office. A book in memory of Comrade Charu Mazumdar, Charu Mazumdar: The Man and His Legacy was released on the occasion.

The CPI(ML) Central Office, U-90 Shakarpur, was christened Charu Bhawan and inaugurated by the party General Secretary Comrade Dipankar Bhattacharya. A bust of Comrade Charu Mazumdar was unveiled by party Politburo member Comrade Swadesh Bhattacharya, who is also the sole surviving member of the CPI(ML) Central Committee which was reorganised on the second martyrdom day of Comrade Charu Mazumdar, 28 July 1974. The bust of Comrade CM was sculpted by Shri Bodhan Hansdah of Birbhum district of West Bengal. 

Anita and Madhumita, daughters of Comrade Charu Mazumdar, as well as his son, party Central Committee member Abhijit Mazumdar, were also present on the occasion.

Politburo and Central Committee members of the party, CPN(UML) Central Committee members Comrades Devi Gyawali and Guru Baral, Kalpana Wilson of the South Asia Solidarity Group (London), as well as veteran party leaders, former members of the party central committee, leaders of mass organisations, and leaders from various states, paid floral tributes to Comrade Charu Mazumdar's bust.

Cultural groups Hirawal from Patna and Ganasanskritik Parishad from Kolkata presented 'Shaheed Geet' (songs in memory of the martyrs). A condolence resolution was adopted, paying tribute to the martyred and departed comrades of the party's 1st Central Committee (elected in 1970), including Comrades Charu Mazumdar, Saroj Dutt, Sushital Roy Choudhary, Kanu Sanyal, Nagbhushan Patnaik, Appu, Vempatapu Satyanarayana, Adibatla Kailasam, Appalasuri, Shiv Kumar Mishra, and Soren Bose; martyrs of the first generation of the ML movement including Comrades Panchadi Krishnamoorthy, Panchadi Nirmala, Subbarao Panigrahi, Master Jagdish, Rameshwar Ahir, Baba Bhuja Singh, Daya Singh; party General Secretaries Comrade Jauhar (martyred in 1975) and Comrade Vinod Mishra (passed away in 1998); martyred and departed Central Committee members including Comrades Ram Naresh Ram and Mahendra Singh, and other martyred comrades from different fronts. Observing two minutes' silence, the gathering resolved to pay tribute to the departed and martyred comrades of the entire Indian communist movement and ML movement, and to carry forward their legacy of struggle and make their dreams a reality.

A book on Charu Mazumdar: Charu Mazumdar: The Man and His Legacy, was presented by Comrade Arindam Sen to Comrade Swadesh Bhattacharya who released it and dedicated it to the fighting people of the country. The book contains a short biography of Comrade Charu Mazumdar, a memoir by Comrade CM's daughter Anita Mazumdar, a collection of rare photographs culled from family albums, quotations from Comrade CM's writings, and some articles about the historical context and enduring relevance of Comrade CM's life and work. 

Comrade Abhijit Mazumdar greeted the gathering on behalf of the CPI(ML) Central Committee and Comrade Charu Mazumdar's family and called for carrying forward Comrade CM's legacy. Party General Secretary Comrade Dipankar Bhattacharya, speaking on the occasion, recalled that Comrade Charu Mazumdar and his comrades, bearing the worst brunt of state terror unleashed in the late 1960s and 1970s, had given new life and meaning to the country's communist movement and revolutionary peasant movement. Today, as the country faces a renewed assault on democracy and on the rights of peasants and the poor, the legacy of Comrade Charu Mazumdar becomes all the more relevant. He also said that this was a time when there was a debate ongoing in the country's communist movement. The entire country was in search of a political alternative to the loot and repression unleashed by the Congress and other ruling class parties, but at such a time, the CPI(M) was extending support to Pranab Mukherjee – a move which has sparked off widespread debate among CPI(M)'s own ranks. Hailing the young comrades who were speaking out boldly against the opportunism of the CPI(M), he expressed the hope that the country's Left movement would rebuff the opportunist and revisionist trends, and firmly uphold and defend the revolutionary tradition. He said that only a revolutionary Left movement to transform the country's corrupt and repressive regime could be a true tribute to Comrade Charu Mazumdar. The programme ended with a rousing rendering of the Internationale. 

Martyrs' Day Observed All Over the Country

All over the country, party units at district and local levels observed the martyrdom day of Comrade Charu Mazumdar. In Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka, 28 July was observed with cadre meetings and other programmes.

In Tamilnadu, 28 July was observed with programmes against the anti-people Jayalalithaa government, mobilizing people on their issues at the local committee levels. Serious efforts were taken by the district committees and various campaigns such as signature campaigns were taken up at the panchayat and area levels. On July 28 in 55 centers, around 7000 were mobilized on various issues from statutory wages for NREGA to garbage removal.

In Chennai, demonstrations were held in 5 points. Migrant workers organized a demonstration demanding implementation of Migrant workers Act and TN rules. Earlier they released a pamphlet in Hindi. Over 550 organized and unorganized workers were mobilized in these demonstrations. In Sriperumbudur meeting, a booklet on the issues of trainees was released.

In Coimbatore, comrades took up campaign in 5 centers but could hold demonstration in only one center as permission was denied in other centers. Over 100 participated in the demonstration.

 In Pudukottai protest demonstrations were held demanding Rs. 132 for NREGA work, against reduction of job cards and wages as per work completed (piece rate). In 13 panchayats of over 1200 were mobilized on these main issues and other panchayat based issues. In Kanyakumari in 6 centers 1500 were mobilized on house site patta and other local issues. In Tiruvallore district demonstrations were held in 4 centers with over 800 rural poor demanding Rs. 132 for NREGA work, unemployment allowances under nrega, renovation of group houses and house site pattas. In Nagapattnam-Tanjore district demonstrations were held in 5 centers and over 800 were mobilised in these demonstration on the issues of statutory wages of Rs.132 for NREGA, wage arrears for four months since the date of announcement, etc. In Manalur area, the BDO gave assurance for implementing statutory wages immediately.

In Villupuram, demonstrations were held in 5 centers on the issues of Rs.132 for NREGA work, compensation for Thane victims and local amenities. In three centers local AIADMK men attempted to disrupt our campaign right from the stage of pamphlet distribution. But inspite of this attempt around 1000 rural poor participated in the protests in these centers.

In Namakkal district demonstrations were held in 4 centers on the issues of inclusion of power loom workers in the BPL list, toilet facility for the power loom workers in the place of work and local amenities. In Tirunelveli, demonstrations were in 6 centers demanding scrapping KKNPP and other local issues. In Salem demonstrations were held in 3 centers with 250 on issues of local amenities.

In Odisha, programmes commemorating Martyrs' Day were held at Bhubaneswar, Rajkanika and Bhadrak with public meetings, rally and Sankalp Divas initiatives. At Bhubaneshwar, the programme was addressed by Comrades Radhakanta Sethi, Yudhistir Mohapatra and Mahendra Parida, who described the historic context and revolutionary role and continues relevance of Comrade Charu Mazumdar. The meeting was presided over by Comrade Janakirao. At Rajakanika AIPWA State Secretary  Comrade Sabita Baraj and party district secretary Comrade Bidhan Das addressed the meeting. A big rally was held at Bhadrak which was addressed by Comrade Samar Bal and Comrade Jayanti of AIPWA. These meetings gave a call for the 31st August Jail Bharo agitation against corruption, land grab, corporate loot, and price rise, and also resolved to take up special membership drives on all fronts to spread the party in Odisha.

CPI(ML) Statement on Riots in Assam

The tension and violence spreading from Assam's the Bodo Territorial Administered District and Kokhrajar has claimed over 50 lives, while an estimated 4 lakh are displaced, homeless, and forced into relief camps. The inaction and failure of Congress Government of Assam, the Central Government, and the Bodo Territorial Council Administration are squarely responsible for this escalating violence. In June 2012 itself, the warning signs of tension were there – but the Government both in Assam and the Centre have failed to act to preempt or contain the violence.  

The tension in these areas is no new phenomenon. In 1983, there were clashes between Bodo and non-Bodo people; in 1996, there were Bodo-Muslim riots, and 5000 families displaced at that time continue to remain in relief camps even today; there have been clashes between Bodos and adivasis; and again 1 lakh people were affected in violence in 2008. The Government of Assam and the Centre have, throughout, failed to resolve the pending political issues and questions of land security of the Bodos as well as minorities. Clearly, even the formation of the Bodo Territorial Council is inadequate and has failed to resolve the issues, aspirations and apprehensions of the concerned communities.      

The CPI(ML) strongly condemns the attempts by certain leaders of Assam as well as national leaders of the BJP to justify the violence and further foment tension by communalizing the issue and branding the Muslims who have been residing in the area for decades as 'foreigners'.

The CPI(ML) demands that the Government of Assam and the Centre take urgent measures to contain the violence; ensure the speedy rehabilitation of the displaced and compensation for all affected families; and come down firmly on any attempts to communalise the already volatile situation. The CPI(ML) appeals to the people of Assam and the secular and democratic forces to do all they can to stop further violence, rebuff divisive forces, and strive for a peaceful and amicable resolution of the issues of political identity and sharing of resources. 

On the ongoing ethnic violence in Assam: A Statement

(Excerpts from a Statement issued in Delhi on 27 July 2012, endorsed by a number of concerned organizations and individuals)

We the people from various parts of northeast residing in Delhi, along with concerned individuals, university members, various students', teachers', trade union, women's, civil and human rights organisations from Delhi, strongly condemn the ongoing ethnic conflict with serious communal undertone that has erupted in four districts (Kokrajhar, Dhubri, Chirang and Bongaigaon) of Lower Assam. This has been the most widespread and alarming conflict in the recent history of Assam.

We understand that the eruption of this conflict is not 'spontaneous'. Tensions between different communities have been prevailing, primarily over the questions of access to available resources. We understand that the Assam Government, the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) administration and the Central Government were very much in knowledge of the simmering tensions in this area. We believe that the lack of any action in abating pre-existing tensions has actively contributed in escalating the scale of violence. The massive spree of arson, violence and killings would not be possible without the knowing compliance of the state.

Both the Bodo and the Muslim population of this area have historically been at the margins of the 'Assamese society'. However the society at large and a section of the Assamese media as well as national media have been tendentiously pointing finger at 'illegal' immigration from Bangladesh as the root cause of this violence. We understand that these kinds of conflicts do not arise out of simple causalities. It is important for all of us that we steer clear from raising alarm bells of xenophobia.

We condemn the use of this moment of violence and mayhem by various groups with vested interests to drive home the longstanding demand of deporting Bangladeshi immigrants. We strongly condemn all acts of violence and destruction of human lives as a means for furthering any political interests.

We demand that:

1) The violence, arson and killings must immediately stop.

2) The Assam government, BTC administration and the Central Government take full responsibility for the loss of lives and livelihood and rehabilitate all those who have been displaced.

We appeal that:

1) All sections of Assamese society play a proactive role in stopping the mayhem in these districts of Lower Assam.

2) Leading organizations of various communities in these four districts call out for a collective resolution to restore peace and normalcy.

3) The media, both regional and national, should be responsible in their reportage so that communitarian animosities do not aggravate further.

The Statement was endorsed by several organisations including the Manipur Students' Association Delhi; Kuki Students' Organisation Delhi; Hmar Students' Association; Naga People's Movement for Human Rights; Campaign for Peace and Democracy (Manipur); Manipur Womens' Gun Survivors Network; Save Democracy Repeal AFSPA Campaign and AISA, as well as several intellectuals and activists. 

28 July Martyrs' Day:

Successful Jharkhand Bandh Against Land Grab

Forced acquisition of land from adivasis is all too common in Jharkhand. On 25 July, the entire state came to a standstill in response to a Bandh called by the CPI(ML) against land grab. Several other organisations also supported the Bandh call or gave independent calls for a Bandh on the same day. The Jharkhand Dishom Party independently called for a Bandh, and 21 organisations including the Adiovasi Jan Parishad, the Adivasi-Moolnivasi Chhatra-Yuva Sanghatan, the Sarna Prarthana Sabha, Nagdi-Chaura Zameen Bachao Morcha, and Ulgulan Mahila Manch actively participated in the Bandh, holding a torchlight procession in Ranchi on the eve of the Bandh, and holding a mass meeting on the evening of 24th July at Albert Ekka Chowk which effectively blockaded the Chowk for several hours.

The Bandh was called in the wake of the ongoing struggle of adivasis of Nagdi village near the capital Ranchi, against the attempt to grab 228 acres of fertile land. The Jharkhand Government plans to grab land of 35 villages for campuses of IIM, Law College and Triple IIT, and Nagdi was a test case. The land in question was acquired on paper way back in 1957 – but even then, adivasis waged a successful struggle, refused compensation, and retained effective control of the land. Since then the land has been cultivated every year by the adivasis, who even have proof of having paid land revenue till very recently. Some months back, the Government, seeking to regain control of the land, constructed a boundary wall around the proposed site. But the adivasis of Nagdi and all 35 villages launched a determined agitation. They began an indefinite dharna in end April, which was led by activist Dayamani Barla. On behalf of the party, AIPWA leader Comrade Guni Oraon centred in Nagdi to help lead the agitation.

The HC and SC rejected the adivasis' petition, but the adivasis refused to accept defeat. A massive protest meeting in May was addressed among others by CPI(ML) MLA Vinod Singh, Marxist Coordination Committee MLA Arup Chatterjee, and CPI(ML) leader Bhuneshwar Kevat. On 4 July, the Nagri adivasis broke the boundary wall – and faced a severe lathicharge. CPI(ML) held a protest march the next day in Ranchi, as did other Left parties and adivasi organisations. The Nagdi protestors blockaded the main road from 5-7 July; Vinod Singh was among those who addressed the mass meeting at the blockade site. On 9 July, the Nagri protestors held a militant Raj Bhawan March, where they clashed with the police, and it was only with Vinod Singh's intervention that their memorandum could be submitted to the Governor.   

On 12 July, the All India Kisan Sabha held a Convention against the corporate grab of land, forests, water, and minerals. Representatives of struggles against corporate loot as well as a range of mass organisations, intellectuals and social activists participated in the Convention, which emphasised the need for broad-based unity in the struggle against corporate plunder of resources and displacement of adivasis and peasants.

Addressing the Convention as the main speaker, CPI(ML) General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya said that earlier, the Government was instrumental in directly grabbing land to hand over to corporates. Faced with the political consequences of people's resentment against land grab, however, now the Governments are seeking to take a back seat and allow corporations to acquire land directly. There are changed political circumstances too. Today, Jharkhand is a separate state, several of its Chief Ministers are adivasis, and under their patronage, Jindals and Mittals are blatantly defying laws like CNT and PESA to grab and loot forests and land. Political forces bearing the 'Jharkhand' name, once the new state was established, have emerged as agents of corporates rather than champions of the true spirit of a separate Jharkhand. Congress and BJP which compete for pwoer at the Centre, are united on the question of corporate plunder in Jharkhand. Comrade Dipankar called for struggles against corporate plunder and eviction to be united on new principles and a new direction, inspired by the struggles and sacrifices of Siddo-Kano, Birsa Munda, and Mahendra Singh.

The Convention was also addressed by noted intellectual and Jharkhand Jan Sanskriti Manch President Dr. BP Kesri; Father Stan Swamy, a noted activist in struggles against displacement and state repression; CPI(ML) CC Member Bahadur Oraon on behalf of the presidium; Ramashray Singh, leader of the Ghatwar Adivasi Mahasabha who spoke of the struggles of those displaced by the Maithon DVC Project at Dhanbad; CPI(ML) leader Sarayu Munda who is heading an agitation against land grab by Jindal at Patratu in Ramgarh, who also spoke of the struggle against land grab by Reliance in Badkagaon area of Hazaribagh; AIPWA leader Geeta Mandal who reported about the notorious Devghar land scam; CPI(ML) leader Rajkumar Yadav who spoke of the anti-eviction struggles in Koderma; and noted poet and JSM's national Vice President Dr. Shambhu Badal. Comrade J P Verma proposed a 9-member Struggle Committee Against Eviction, which the Convention adopted unanimously. Comrade Chandranath Bhai Patel presented a set of political resolutions, and CPI(ML) State Committee member Anant Prasad Gupta thanked the gathering.

The Jharkhand Bandh of 25 July was very successful – and the capital Ranchi wore a deserted look, with shops, schools and transport halted, and protest marches held by various organisations. At Ranchi, the CPI(ML)'s protest march on the day of the Bandh was led by CCM Bahadur Oraon, State Secretary Janardan Prasad, State Standing Committee member Anant Prasad Gupta, Bhuneshwar Kevat, Anil Anshuman, Guni Oraon, Sarojini Bisht, and Rajendrakant Mahto. The scores of protestors were arrested at Firaylal Chowk, and taken first to the Women's Police Station at Bazaar, and later to the Jaipal Singh Stadium Camp Jail. Party leaders including State Secretary Janardan Prasad have been booked by the police under several sections, in a completely vindictive way.   

In Giridih, thousands of CPI(ML) activists made the Bandh successful. At Bagodar, the protests were led by Vinod Singh, and the GT Road was blockaded from 6 am to 1 pm. Road blockades were held at Rajdhanwar (led by Rajkumar Yadav); Bengabad (Rajesh Yadav); Jamua (Jaiprakash Verma) as wekk as Saria, Gandey, Tisri, Chatro, and several other places.

At Tilaiyya in Koderma, the Asansol-Varanasi Passenger was stopped for 1 hour. Blockades were held at Domchanch (in spite of heavy rain); Hazaribagh (led by Chandranath Bhai Patel); several places in Hazaribagh and Ramgarh districts as well as the NH-33 in Ramgarh. Hundreds of protestors at Ramgarh led by JHAMAS State President Devkinandan Bedia were arrested after a clash with the police. Blockades were held at several places in Bokaro district, and at Nirsa in Dhanbad, the National Highway was blockaded for 2 and a half hours. Protests were held at Devghar and Mohanpur in Santhal Parganas.   

CPI(ML) activists were arrested at Gumla; distributed leaflets at Tata; blockaded the NH at Bundu; and were arrested while implementing the Bandh at several places in the Palamu range. At Garhwa, protestors led by Kalicharan Mehta blockaded streets and railways.

This Bandh was the first ever political state-wide strike on the burning issue of land grab, corporate plunder, and eviction. Its success reflects the political assertion of the adivasis and rural and urban poor, their anger against corporate plunder and eviction; and their disillusionment and anger with the political parties that have enjoyed power in Jharkhand. The CPI(ML) is determined to expand the unity of fighting organisations on the issue of corporate plunder and eviction, and to prepare for even more powerful and effective statewide agitation on the issue.   

Edited, published and printed by S. Bhattacharya for CPI(ML) Liberation from U-90, Shakarpur, Delhi-92; printed at Bol Publication,
R-18/2, Ramesh Park, Laxmi Nagar, Delhi-92; Phone:22521067; fax: 22442790, e-mail: mlupdate@cpiml.org, website: www.cpiml.org

ML Update 31 / 2012

ML Update

A CPI(ML) Weekly News Magazine

Vol.  15                          No. 31                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        24 - 30 JUL 2012

Presidential Poll 2012 and Beyond

As anticipated, Pranab Mukherjee has won the Presidential race hands down. With the UPA eventually staying intact, and support coming in from sections of NDA as well as the Left Front, as from formally unaffiliated parties like the Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and Rashtriya Janata Dal, Pranab Mukherjee's emphatic victory was a foregone conclusion. Pranab Mukherjee has not just been a prominent Congress leader, but a crucial architect and custodian of the pro-US neoliberal order that has been shaped over the last two decades. Only the future can tell us the implications of having such a key bourgeois leader as the President of India.

The Congress has definitely used this occasion to the hilt to try and shore up its fortunes and corner its rivals. The resounding victory of Pranab Mukherjee in the Presidential election marks an eloquent contrast to the pathetic performance of the Congress in all recent Assembly elections and by-elections. This has certainly been possible only because the Presidential election is an indirect election and it does not directly reflect the public mood or the real situation on the ground. To treat the Presidential election outcome as a sign of turnaround for the Congress will therefore be clearly premature and unrealistic. In fact, the Congress wanted a key leader as President precisely in anticipation of a hung Parliament in 2014 where the Congress could well lose its position as the single largest party.

Yet the fact remains that it is the BJP which has emerged the biggest loser in the Presidential poll. For the BJP it could have been an opportunity to showcase the renewed potential of the NDA as the rallying point for non-Congress non-Left forces. But in the event, two of the BJP's long-standing allies, Shiv Sena and the JD(U), deserted the BJP and sided with the Congress, indicating clearly that in today's politics, corporate preference prevails over 'coalition dharma,' or more precisely, it is corporate power that can easily make or unmake bourgeois coalitions. Mr. PA Sangma, whose candidature was eventually backed by the BJP, was actually fielded by two regional parties, the AIADMK of Tamil Nadu and BJD of Odisha, and the BJP was left without any initiative.

The Presidential election over, the ruling coalition is now getting ready for the next big battle, the 2014 Lok Sabha election. The drama of political succession in the Congress seems ready for resolution and Rahul Gandhi has declared his intent to play a bigger 'pro-active role' in the affairs of the Congress party and UPA government. Meanwhile, the pressure on Manmohan Singh to 'perform' has been on the increase from Indian corporates as well as Western powers. The Time magazine ran a cover story branding Singh an 'underachiever', Obama openly called for a freer flow of FDI into India, a British daily ridiculed Singh as Sonia's poodle, and Ratan Tata, while recalling Singh's role as the architect of neoliberal reforms, also added a quiet reminder that it was time for Singh to step up the gas. By every indication, the Congress will try to use the last two years of the lame duck Prime Minister to intensify the neoliberal economic assault, while doing everything possible to project Rahul and corner the BJP/NDA over the issue of leadership.

The Congress looks forward to a Rahul Gandhi versus Narendra Modi showdown in 2014. The forthcoming Gujarat election would also have the same theme, but this mini battle will be played on Modi's home turf, while the bigger battle in 2014, the Congress hopes, may work more favourably for the Congress. While it will surely rattle the NDA by forcing parties like the JD(U) to take a final call, the Samajwadi Party and the CPI(M) would have no problem aligning with the Congress in such a scenario. The Congress also hopes that the anti-Congress edge of the anti-corruption public mood would be blunted with time, what with governments led by the BJP and other parties all getting equally embroiled in mega scams.

Against this backdrop, the coming days are crucial for the people's movement in the country. The mass resentment against corruption and economic crisis and the aspiration for change must be pushed in a radical direction. What need to be changed are the policies that govern the economy and the country, and not a mere rhetorical shift in slogans and a generation change in leadership. The crisis of the Congress and the waning support for the BJP could be an ideal moment for the Left and its politics of social transformation and people's rights. What the CPI(M)'s decision to support the Congress in the Presidential election amounts to is an injustice to this great possibility, and a complete abdication of the political responsibility of the Left. The organisations and struggles of the working people and the progressive intelligentsia must reject and overturn the suicidal course of the CPI(M), and press for a determined advance against the corporate plunder, social injustice and violation of democracy.

Captain Lakshmi Sehgal Passes Away

Legendary freedom fighter and leader of the women's regiment of the Azad Hind Fauj (Indian National Army) Captain Lakshmi Sehgal passed away of a heart attack on 23 July. She was 97. 

Trained as a doctor, Captain Lakshmi had been working a doctor in Singapore when she came in contact with Subhash Chandra Bose. She came to lead the Rani Jhansi women's regiment of the Indian National Army in 1943. She was captured by the British and brought back to India in 1946. She married another INA comrade, Prem Sehgal.

As a doctor in Kanpur, she worked tirelessly and generously to provide the best medical care to the poor, especially women and children. She was dedicated to the cause of women's liberation, and was staunch in her lifelong commitment to the Left movement. In 2002, she contested as the Left candidate for the post of President.

Captain Lakshmi will always be fondly remembered and revered by people all over the country for her unassuming nature, her simplicity, her anti-imperialist role, and her spirit of public service. And Left ranks will always find inspiration in her unwavering commitment to revolutionary struggles for social transformation. CPI(ML) dips its flag to the memory of Captain Lakshmi Sehgal, and expresses heartfelt condolences to her family and comrades.  

Red Salute to Captain Lakshmi Sehgal! 

Atrocities on Dalit Youth Leading Struggle Over Land   

 On July 15, Tika Ram was among the youths from Ramgarh village in Dadri who attended the Convention on Bathani Tola in Delhi, and spoke of their struggle against the grab of land allocated to dalits by the gram pradhan Kuldeep Bhati.   

On July 20, Tika Ram was found on the railway tracks, his body mutilated and both legs severed. Doctors at the AIIMS Trauma Centre have had to further amputate his legs to save his life, which is still in danger. Meanwhile, four other youth leaders of the struggle against land grab have been jailed – on fabricated charges of shooting a girl.   

The murderous assault on Tika Ram, and the arrest of his comrades, is the latest in a series of violent acts – all aimed at punishing those dalits who dared oppose the grab of land by the powerful gram pradhan who is of the dominant Gujjar community.

Way back when Mayawati was still in power, Brahm Jatav and some other dalit youths raised their voice against the move by Kuldeep Bhati, gram pradhan, to grab 4.75 bighas of panchayat land allocated to dalits as homestead land. Bhati and his supporters encircled the dalits' land and homes with a 7-foot-high wall. On March 14, to punish Brahm Jatav and others for daring to protest, Bhati and his thugs attacked the dalit hamlet, seriously injuring around 30 people, mostly women.

In spite of repeated protests since then, Gautam Buddh Nagar district administration has not lifted a finger to end the illegal encirclement of dalit land, and the perpetrators of the March 14 attack were not arrested. Bhati and his supporters repeatedly warned that they would 'teach a lesson' to the dalit youths and ensure that they never dared to raise their voice again.   

On the night of July 19, a dalit girl was injured by a bullet inside her own home. The same night, Tika Ram went missing from the front yard of his house, where he had been sleeping. In the early morning of July 20, police arrived and arrested Brahm Jatav, Veerpal, Roshan and Guddan from their homes, charging them with shooting the girl. They charged Tika Ram also with the shooting. It was then that Tika Ram's family realized he was missing, and looked for him. They found him lying mutilated near the railway tracks. When Tika Ram regained consciousness, he told his family that four people – Nepal, Dayaram, Anil Bhati alias Kalu and Kuldeep Bhati, kidnapped him at gun-point from the front of his house.   

Throughout the day of July 20, while Tika Ram battled for life, the police refused to arrest those whom he had named as his attackers. It was only after a gherao of the police station for several hours by dalit women and children, led by RYA leader Aslam Khan, that the police finally agreed to lodge an FIR in the night. Subsequently Dayaram and Kalu (Anil Bhati) have been arrested, but Nepal and Kuldeep Bhati continue to be at large. The main accused Kuldeep Bhati, in fact, is seen openly moving around the village with a police gunner – yet the police claim inability to arrest him. The dominant Gujjars have been audacious enough to protest against the arrest of Anil Bhati – and the Greater NOIDA police and administration are clearly under their thumb. They continue to terrorise the dalits daily, and there is every danger that more atrocities and acts of violence against dalits may occur at any time. The police has even withdrawn the security that it had initially provided for a short time.      

Right from the beginning, a small section of dalits in the village have been acting as agents for Kuldeep Bhati and his supporters. With their help, Bhati has falsely implicated the main dalit youth leaders, in order to deflect from the land struggle. As a result, the land struggle has indeed been pushed back, with the main dalit leaders having to fight to prove their innocence against the cooked-up 'attempt to murder' charges. The sheer horror of Tika Ram's mutilation too is aimed as a deterrent for the dalits to continue with their struggle to defend their land.

The RYA and CPI(ML) are demanding that, since the Greater NOIDA administration's bias is apparent, an impartial judicial enquiry be ordered to establish who in fact shot at the dalit girl, and who are responsible for the murderous attack and mutilation of Tika Ram. The four innocent youths who have nothing whatsoever to do with the shooting of the girl, that happened within the four walls of her own house, must be freed without delay, and the charges of attempted murder withdrawn. Round-the-clock police protection must be provided for all the dalit families in the village. 

The Greater NOIDA administration must answer as to why the illegal 7-foot wall erected around common panchayat land is yet to be demolished. The wall must be demolished and the land allocated amongst dalits, and the latter must be given possession of the land. The UP Government and Greater NOIDA administration must also answer why Kuldeep Bhati, who himself is guilty of grabbing panchayat land and unleashing a spate of violent atrocities on dalits, is yet to be removed from his position as gram pradhan. 

Protest Against Witch-Hunt of Maruti Workers

On 18 July, yet another scene of violence in the auto industry was enacted, which claimed the life of an HR manager. What was responsible for this tragic sequence of events – which keeps being repeated in factory after factory in India?

The mainstream media is baying for the blood of the workers, accusing them of being bloodthirsty, 'instigated by Maoists', and so on. More than 90 workers have been jailed. The incident is being used as a pretext to prescribe stringent 'reform' in labour laws. The very root of the problem is being touted as the solution.

What made the workers erupt in fury that day? According to the Maruti Suzuki Workers Union (MSWU), negotiations were underway on the charter of demands submitted by the Union. On 18 July, a supervisor on the shop floor made a casteist remark against a dalit worker of the permanent category. The latter protested – but he was suspended, while no action was taken against the supervisor. It is a tribute to the unity of the workers that all the permanent and contract workers, irrespective of caste, rose up to protest this discrimination. The workers approached the HR to revoke the suspension and act against the supervisor, but the HR officials refused. Negotiations were ongoing, but meanwhile the HR officials, as is common, brought in 'bouncers' (thugs) to intimidate the Union members. Hearing this, the gathered workers entered the factory. When the thugs attacked with sharp weapons and arms, the workers retaliated. In the ensuing mayhem, the HR department caught fire – and it was that fire that claimed the life of the HR manager.

Clearly, it is not just the khap panchayats that are a sign of stubborn feudal remnants in Haryana's industrial semi-urban belt. The use of casteist slurs to discipline workers in a prestigious Japanese collaboration automobile factory is yet another such sign. Compounding this state of affairs, is the fact of blatant, open, violations of Contract Labour and other labour laws; and the total denial of industrial democracy, whereby thugs are routinely called in to deal with any instances of collective bargaining or Union negotiation. Unless some modicum of democracy and dignity can be guaranteed to the workers in India's industries, the tragedies of Pricol, Graziano, and Maruti will keep being repeated. 

The AICCTU called for a countrywide protest day on 19 July in solidarity with the Maruti workers. A protest demonstration was held at Jantar Mantar, which was addressed by AICCTU General Secretary Swapan Mukherjee as well as AICCTU leaders from Delhi. In Tamilnadu, AICCTU released a poster on 19 July demanding unconditional release of arrested workers and a stop to further arrests. Over 500 Pricol workers staged a demonstration at the factory gate on 19 July demanding release of the workers and a high level judicial enquiry into the issue. They also demanded that the factory be opened immediately. A demonstration was held in Ambattur on 20 July, in which over 175 workers participated. Comrade S Kumarasami, PBM of CPI(ML) and AICCTU All India President addressed the gathering.

AIPWA Protests Violence on Women in UP

 AIPWA held protests in several districts against the mob sexual assault on a schoolgirl in Guwahati and on the khap panchayat diktat curbing women's rights in Baghpat district of UP.

At Varanasi, AIPWA organized a protest march against the Guwahati mob assault, in which university students and teachers as well as human rights activists wore black badges and demanded prosecution of all those responsible for the assault and demanding resignation of the Assam Chief Minister. AIPWA also observed that the NCW had displayed the worst insensitivity during its visit to Assam, and demanded that representatives of women's organizations and the women's movement should find a place in the NCW rather than ruling party nominees. The protest was led by AIPWA National Executive member Kusum Verma.   

AIPWA burnt the effigy of khap panchayats in the state capital, Lucknow, to protest against the recent diktat announced by a khap panchayat in Baghpat, banning women from wearing jeans, using mobile phones, going to the market alone or having love marriages. AIPWA Vice President Tahira Hasan led the protest.   

At Patwara village of Paliya Kalan block of Lakhimpur district, a local thug Paramjit Singh (who owns a liquor factory and is an agent of the ruling party) held a 45-year-old woman captive in his house, beat her up, stripped her naked, put spice powder in her private parts and threw her on the streets. The police had not even registered an FIR. Hearing of the news from the media, an AIPWA team led by District President Arti Rai met the victim and organized women in her support in the village. AIPWA organized a protest demonstration at Paliya block, in which 200 women from the village participated, demanding the immediate arrest of Paramjit Singh, and protection and compensation for the victim. The protestors also submitted a memorandum to the President against the incidents at Guwahati and Baghpat. AIPWA leaders Arti Rai, Sudha Singh, Mala Singh, and others participated in the protest.

AIPWA units of Devaria and Gorakhpur, led by Geeta Pandey and Jagdamba respectively, also submitted memoranda to the President against the incidents at Guwahati and Baghpat.

AICCTU Workshop in Tamil Nadu

TN AICCTU held a State Council cum workshop in Chennai on 21 – 22 July. Preparations started a few months back. The topics taken up in the workshop are as follows:

1.       a) wage labor and capital; b) value, price, profit

2.       What is to be done?

3.       Discussions on tactics.

4.       Presentations of Papers for different sectors and a general paper on future work.

On the first topic some 35 questions were formulated and circulated through Orumaipadu (Tamil Solidarity magazine). On 'What is to be done?' A separate note was circulated with crucial extracts from 'What is to be done?' and other writings of Lenin. An article on how to grasp 'What is to be done?' was also circulated. On the fourth subject, papers were presented on construction labor, migrant labor, beedi, power loom work and contract labor. The state conference report's concluding part of tasks and challenges were taken up as the general paper. Since a popular booklet on the issues of trainees was published with 5000 copies, there was no separate paper on that subject.

The state council cum workshop was presided over by comrades S.Jawahar, N.K.Natarajan, T.Sankarapandian, A.S.Kumar, Bhuvana. The meeting was inaugurated by Balasundaram, Secretary, TN CPIML. S.Kumarasami, AICCTU National President was also present and spoke on the first, second and fourth topics.

Jawahar presented the first topic and initiated the discussions. N.K.Natarajan presented the second topic. Gurusami, a Pricol worker leader captivated the house with his rousing presentation of different tactics at different situations. Paper on construction was presented by Desikan, on contract labor by Eraniappan, on beedi by Sankarapandian, on power loom by Govindaraj, on migrant labor by Sekar and the general paper was presented by A.S.Kumar.

Teams from MRF, defence, electricity board, TN civil supplies corporation, co-optex and representatives from beedi, power loom, construction, migrant labor and employees from Pricol, Government Press, TI Diamond Chain, Hyundai, Onload gears, Gymkhana club, Kanchi Kamakoti Hospitals and other factories and organization in Chennai participated. There was a constant participation of 120 and a varying participation of 80.

2 comrades from Karnataka AICCTU attended the meeting. Balasubramaniam AICCTU National Secretary from Puducherry, also spoke in the meeting.

The meeting resolved to take up a campaign from August 15 on working class issues in the form of padayatras which will culminate in the CPIML jail bharao program on August 31. For this purpose in all districts a general body meeting will be held on August 15.

The meeting also resolved to launch a big campaign demanding the convening of a special session of the Assembly to discuss working class issues by the end of this year or in early 2013. In this campaign a signature campaign and two yatras from Kanyakumari and Coimbatore may be clubbed. All comrades felt that this meeting will be a stepping stone for AICCTU's next round of progress in the state.

 

Inauguration of Charu Bhawan

[Central Office, CPI(ML)]

Installation of Bust of Comrade Charu Mazumdar

28 July 2012

And Book Release:

Charu Mazumdar: The Man and His Legacy

 

U-90 Shakarpur, Delhi-92

1 pm onwards

Edited, published and printed by S. Bhattacharya for CPI(ML) Liberation from U-90, Shakarpur, Delhi-92; printed at Bol Publication,
R-18/2, Ramesh Park, Laxmi Nagar, Delhi-92; Phone:22521067; fax: 22518248, e-mail: mlupdate@cpiml.org, website: www.cpiml.org