The Merrier October 07, 2012 S

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Vol. 67 No. 37 More the merrier October 07, 2012 S. Viswam

So, India’s multi-party to a chance to govern India ( sub ko A conversation with BJP chief parliamentary democracy is to be parkha, ab hum ko parkho”). But Kuldip Nayar enriched with yet another political the BJP differed from the Congress party, tilting at the windmills of only in its ideological platform. The power. Post-independence, the BJP is an out-and-out communal The RTI and the Judiciary number of political parties has risen organisation, an offspring of the Bapu Heddurshetti steadily, and to no one’s surprise extreme right-wing RSS and has been the parties born after independence functioning as the political wing of have not succeeded in dislodging the the RSS whose bark is communally party that won India’s freedom from venomous as its bite. In all other A Ray of Hope its honourable pedestal. The Indian respects, it shares all the negative Sandeep Pandey National Congress still remains the traits of the Congress. Consequently, most widespread, truly Pan-Indian the BJP is now not a party with a and best organized cadre-based party, difference but only a different party although it is now being challenged and a party with internal differences Fail I alone in Words and Deeds! more intensely and determinedly than springing, as in the Congress, from D. K. Giri in the past. The Congress has had to open and subrosa struggles for power yield its monopoly on power at New and pelf. Delhi twice in the post-independence Is it economics versus politics? era. It is not at its prime strength and Some regional parties have K. S. Chalam cohesion right now, and no eyebrows performed exceedingly well, sailing will be raised in surprise if it has to their ships adroitly between the vacate the throne once again in 2014. stormy waters of the Congress and the BJP. Many of them have managed to Editor : The principal opposition party, the capture power in the states through the Bharatiya Janata Party, has gained in ballot box. The extreme Left too has G. G. Parikh political clout even though it began done well for itself. It once held sway Managing Editor : Guddi on a small scale and with limited over three states and even called the ambition. The failures of the Congress shots at the Centre by virtue of being D-15, Ganesh Prasad, on many fronts and in many states a supporter of the ruling coalition. Naushir Bharucha Marg, emboldened the BJP to challenge Its wings have been clipped in West Mumbai - 400 007. the Congress at the Centre in the Bengal, one of the three states it ruled seventies of the last century. At that for an inordinately long time, by yet Email : [email protected] time, the BJP claimed it was a “party another regional party, the Trinamool with a difference” and hence entitled Congress led by the stormy petrel of 2 JANATA, October 07, 2012

Indian politics Mamata Banerjee. Between the lines Into this maelstrom of the hotchpotch Indian politics, the A conversation with BJP chief erstwhile members of Team Anna and currently leading stalwarts of India Against Corruption plan to Kuldip Nayar make a grandstand entry by floating, of all things, a new political party A chance meeting with BJP the Akali Dal’s support and even which is to receive an official name chief Nitin Gadkari proved to be expected Jayalalithaa’s AIADMK and habitation a few weeks later. very productive. But it has left me to come to their side. “What, another party, as if there is confused. I found him saying more not enough of tomfoolery going on or less what the leftists uphold. I The BJP president had no already,” the cynical among us may wondered whether their ideological hesitation in admitting that his claim. “The more the merrier. Let us differences had got rubbed on him party would need to get the Muslim have some fun, yaar!,” some others and the BJP after their joint boycott of vote if it wanted to make the may say. It is premature, and also parliament and joint demonstrations majority. Turning towards me, somewhat imprudent to speculate over the past few months. he said: “You people have spread at this stage on how different a the impression that we are anti- party Arvind Kejriwal’s proposed Gadkari too talked about Muslim. The Hindutva does not formation will be. It may go the way overhauling the system, lifting mean hostility towards Islam. Our of all flesh and end up as yet another the living standards of the lower priority is nationalism.” I corrected letterhead party, or it may take wings half and criticising the successive him by saying the country should be and fly into the skies and beyond. governments since independence for the priority, instead of nationalism. not doing anything for the poor. At He said: “Yes, the country,” and Kejriwal’s proposed entity starts one stage, he said he was a leftist. elucidated that Hindutva meant a on a positive note in the sense that it Yet he made one thing clear lest he pluralistic society which took pride wishes to represent the aam aadmi thought he had given me a wrong in the spirit of accommodation and (personified in the Indian political impression. He is a cent percent RSS the sense of tolerance. lexicon as the ''vast middle classes''), pracharak and was proud to be so. “I fight against corruption, throw out wear kakhi knickers and I feel elated And then he singled out the the status quo parties and defeat the when I stand in a shaka,” he said. Congress party for all that had gone VIP system that breeds and sustains wrong with the country. “It is a party corruption. So far, so good. A point I felt confused on yet another of manipulators and conspirators in its favour is that its entry is being point. He admitted to the infighting and it was the Congress which had seen to be supported and hailed by taking place in his party. “They are divided the country into secular and the youth of the country who are already staking their claim to the non-secular parts.” The Congress expected to transfer their support to prime minister’s gaddi. I have told had done little for the Muslims either Anna Hazare to the new party. But them that I am not a candidate.” Yet in the field of education, health or the positives end here. he had no doubt that his party would employment. It has used them only lead the next coalition government as a vote bank, he reiterated. Kejriwal and his closest ally at the centre. Prashant Bhushan (their former “And see what is happening? colleague Kiran Bedi has wisely Gadkari assessed that the National They pick up some boys from among kept out of Arvind’s adventurism Democratic Alliance (NDA) would the Muslim youth and dub them as along with Anna himself) may find get 200 seats in the 526-member terrorists. Certain crimes are framed that running a political movement, or Lok Sabha. At present the NDA’s against them so that a particular to be more accurate a campaign, is strength is 114. “Once we cross the act of terrorism had ready-made child’s play compared to running a figure of 150, you would see how perpetrators. What choice do the the political parties rush to join the poor Muslims have?” The police (Continued on Page 3) NDA.” He was confident about has done the greatest harm to the JANATA, October 07, 2012 3 community by filing false cases by raising his voice which would Muslim fundamentalism and he against them, added Gadkari. have lessened the impact. A gleam was sorry to see Pakistan getting in his eyes was at times more contaminated by it. He was, however, vocal about one expressive than what he said in thing. “If ever India had a Muslim words. Those in the BJP should Gadkari does not like China. majority, it would be converted into know this. I congratulated him for Even during his visit to the country, an Islamic state. Islam does not getting another term as the BJP chief. he said, he was unhappy because “they think no end of themselves.” know secularism.” More or less, a “I pleaded with none. Nor did I stand He has been hurt by some anti- similar remark was made by the then in the queue to ask for the position. India remarks he had heard. “We Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee It has come to me without asking for can become friends of Pakistan, when I was a member of the Rajya or canvassing,” said Gadkari. Sabha. “India is secular because it but not China which has unlimited ambitions,” said Gadkari. These is a Hindu majority state. The day The BJP chief wanted best of were, more or less, the words which Muslims have a majority, they will relations with Pakistan. “I have Lal Bahadur Shastri had used when convert it into an Islamic stage. See told the Pakistanis that both of us he, as Home Minister, visited the the world over where the Muslims should live peacefully as neighbours forward areas after the India-China are in a majority.” and jointly fight against poverty. war in 1962. I was his press officer. They are wasting money on buying Only on Gujarat, did Gadkari weapons and so on. Imagine the I had to end my roving make some observations off the crop the two countries can reap if the conversation with the BJP chief record. But he claimed that the state money is diverted towards ploughs, because the plane had landed at chief minister Narendra Modi would tools and technology, instead of Delhi. “Whenever you want I can sweep the assembly election once guns, tanks and ammunition,” he come down to your house and again. “The state is on the top of said. Yet, he made it clear that the resume our talk,” said Gadkari in development in the country,” said greatest enemy of the world was his earthy way. Gadkari, in support of his claim.

It was three years ago when I (Continued from Page 2) met Gadkari—the only time—when political party. All parties start with it is embarrassingly transparent and he and I were on the same dais to the hope of changing the world. They honest and that the aam aadmi will inaugurate a Marathi newspaper always be the intended beneficiary. which has folded up since. He end up frustrated at their inability If it is, it will live to see another day. recognized me instantly in the even to change themselves! It is If not, it will invite its own obituary. waiting lounge of the airport and when they begin dealing with public inquired about my wellbeing. money that the real challenge comes: This was in sharp contrast to most How honest they let themselves be. Congress leaders, whom I know Janata intimately, just look through me Kejriwal has announced a list of Subscription even when I have wanted to talk the elements in his vision agenda. Annual Rs. : 260/- No item is original or profound. All to them. True, they are politically Three Years : 750/- powerful and make no bones about of them have been attempted in the it. They emit an air of arrogance and past by others as well-meaning as Demand Draft / Cheque on authority. the former Team Anna members. Mumbai Bank However in politics, performance Gadkari was effusive and does not always or necessarily in favour of conversed for half an hour. I found is consistent with ideals, and him a down-to-earth person who was intentions, however sincere, do not Janata Trust miles apart from me ideologically always get translated into deeds and D-15, Ganesh Prasad, but was not defensive about his policies and performance. Kejriwal Naushir Bharucha Marg, views. Even otherwise, I did not find and Co. have to prove that their Mumbai 400 007 him debating his pronouncements party is/will be truly different, that 4 JANATA, October 07, 2012 The RTI and the Judiciary

Bapu Heddurshetti

The Supreme Court of India has Chairman of the Press Council of ‘shall’ and direct the Government delivered another path breaking India. to get the Act amended or direct judgement. Instead of breaking new the Parliament to amend the Act path the judgement in the RTI case The Patnaik-Swatanter Kumar while holding the threat that if the tends to break the existing path and Judgement raises two important Act is not amended it would be lead the nation astray. questions. The first concerns the declared unconstitutional. Even validity of the view taken by the this kind of ‘observation and hope’ In a judgement rendered on a Court on the Act and its various impinge on the legislative domain proverbial ‘PIL’, a bench consisting provisions and the second concerns which belongs to the Parliament of Justices A.K.Patnaik and the encroachment by the Court on alone under the Constitution. What Swatanter Kumar has held that the turf of the executive and the if the Government moves the the Central and State Information legislature and thereby disturbing the amendment and it does not pass in Commissions are judicial bodies delicate balance that exists between the parliament? Will the Supreme and should therefore be presided the three organs of the Government Court hold the Government and the over by only a serving or a retired - the Executive, Legislature and the Parliament in contempt of court and Chief Justice of a High Court or a Judiciary - and thereby denting the dismiss both or send both of them judge of the Supreme Court and that doctrine of separation of powers. to prison? Obviously the advice since they carry out quasi-judicial given by no less a person than the functions, they should function Section 12(5) of the Act says then Chief Justice of India, Justice in benches of two members with that the “Chief Information S. H. Kapadia who said that the one of the two being a judicial Commissioner and Information judges should apply the ‘test of member. The Court has even said Commissioners shall be persons enforceability’ while writing their that “we observe and hope that these of eminence in public life with judgements so that they do not say provisions would be amended at the wide knowledge and experience in earliest by the legislature to avoid law, science and technology, social something which cannot be enforced any ambiguity or impracticality and service, management, journalism, went unheeded with the bench of to make it in consonance with the mass media or administration and Patnaik and Swatantar Kumar. constitutional mandates”. It beats governance”. Terming the criteria The reasoning of the Court anybody’s logic that the Court while as vague and by ruling that the that the Information Commission upholding the constitutional validity Chief Information Commissioner of the Act, still says that the Act has shall be a serving or retired Chief performs judicial functions and to be brought in consonance with Justice of a High Court or a Judge hence should be headed by a Judge the Constitution instead of striking of the Supreme Court, the Court has is also flawed. For that matter which down the law as unconstitutional in effect amended Section 12(5) of functionary does not perform one or and thereby in effect allowing a law the Act by changing the criteria for the other ‘judicial’ function? Even which according to the Court is not appointment of the CIC laid down the executives perform ‘judicial’ in consonance with the Constitution by the Act. This is certainly judiciary functions. The Executive officers to hold the field. poaching on the legislative turf. heading the talukas and districts called the Assistant Commissioners However, it is interesting to Though the Court has used the and Deputy Commissioners also note that in the year 1996, the first words ‘observe and hope’ while perform ‘judicial’ functions and are draft of the Act was formulated by recommending the amendment in fact even called ‘magistrates’. Now a committee, headed by Justice P. to the RTI Act, we do not know will the Court say that only judges B. Sawant, a former Judge of the when the Court will interpret the should be appointed as Assistant and Supreme Court who was then the words ‘observe and hope’ to mean Deputy Commissioners? JANATA, October 07, 2012 5

The Court says “Without any offices, taking recourse to rules that perspective has done more harm than peradventure and veritably we prohibit disclosure of information served people. The land reforms in state that appointments of legally on administrative and financial Karnataka would have been bogged qualified, judicially trained and matters. Recently the Punjab and down in delays and defeated the experienced persons would certainly Haryana High Court rejected an very purpose if the power to confer manifest in more effective serving of RTI application seeking information ownership rights on ‘tenants’ had the ends of justice as well as ensuring on pendency of cases (including been conferred on judicial bodies. It better administration of justice by writs) in the High Court and the was conferred on a ‘civil body’ with the commission”. The Information number of cases remanded by the an executive officer as the presiding Commission is conceived as a Supreme Court for rehearing and/or officer and hence the reform could mechanism to provide ‘information’ expeditious disposal” be implemented in record time. Our and not ‘do justice’ to the people or experience with the ‘family courts’ administer justice. “If the judiciary is so persistent being manned by ‘judges’ has been in exempting itself, is it not logical no good. Though the law mandates The track record of the Judiciary to fear that it may undermine the that the family disputes should be vis a vis bureaucracy concerning implementation of the RTI Act in disposed off within 6 months, it RTI is not very praiseworthy. In this the other wings of government? is never done so since the judges context, to start with, the acts of the .. The Right to Information Act is preside over the ‘family courts’ and then Chief Justice of India, Justice H. a step forward towards opening though advocates cannot appear G. Balakrishnan who took the stand a closed and secretive judicial before the ‘family courts’ as of right, that being a constitutional authority system. The preamble of the Act they are always permitted to appear he is not subject to the RTI, and that specifically states that India is leading to inordinate delays due of a bureaucrat Wajahat Habibullah a democratic republic and in a to unnecessary adjournments and who as the Chief Information democracy an “informed citizenry technical fights. Commissioner ordered the provision and transparency of information… of information by the Supreme are vital to its functioning and The judgement also provides Court, needs to be juxtaposed. also to contain corruption and a post-retirement employment to hold Governments and their exchange for the judges. In their Aruna Roy and her colleagues instrumentalities accountable… eagerness to provide for post- have the following to say in the The Chief Justice of India, as the retirement benefits to their brother matter. “Within months of the passage high priest of the legal system, judges the bench even ignored of the RTI Act, the Supreme Court must uphold the RTI Act and Section 13 of the Act which tried to insulate itself from the Right realise that no institution can be states that the retirement age of to Information Act. It reportedly first considered credible and inspire the Chief and other Information sought a blanket exemption from public confidence unless it is open Commissioners is 65. How can a the Act. That did not succeed, but and transparent. The judiciary can judge of the Supreme Court who subsequently various High Courts only occupy the high moral ground it retires at the age of 65 become the and the Supreme Court, have drafted often claims, by setting an example, Chief Information Commissioner rules that not only violate the letter and leading from the frontlines of who also has to retire at the age of and spirit of the RTI Act, but threaten transparency; not by hiding behind 65? It is this attitude of the judges to defeat the fundamental purpose the veil of secrecy”. which Justice Ruma Pal counted as th of the Act to ensure transparency Obviously Aruna Roy and her the 6 of the 7 sins of the Judiciary. and accountability in government colleagues are being very modest in She called it “Professional arrogance functioning. their language. What will happen to – whereby judges do not do their the RTI machinery with the Patnaik- homework and arrive at decisions of “Many High Courts for instance Swatanter Kumar judgement grave importance ignoring precedent have fixed exorbitant application delivering the entire machinery to or judicial principle”. fees under the RTI. The Delhi the mercy of the judiciary. High Court has refused to divulge And where does the Supreme information on appointments of The tendency of the judiciary Court propose to find so many judges class 3 and class 4 officers in its to view everything from judicial to become the Chief Information 6 JANATA, October 07, 2012

Commissioners or Information principle of ‘Separation of Powers’. judgement in the Arbitration Act Commissioners? Karnataka has the He said “Judicial pronouncements case. Even the sane advice given unique experience of not being able must respect the boundaries that by the Chief Justice of India has to find a ‘clean’ judge to become separate the Legislature, Executive gone completely unheeded. In the the Lok Ayukta. While a retired and Judiciary.” While the exercise same month again the Supreme judge of the Supreme Court who of powers of the Legislature and the Court passed another judgement was appointed as Lok Ayukta had to Executive “are subject to judicial in total contempt of the above two resign as he had not only procured review, the only check on the advices, trampling once again the two sites one in his name and one Judiciary’s exercise of powers is doctrine of separation of powers in his wife’s name, but had also the self-imposed discipline and self- and encroaching on the legislative violated the bye-laws of the housing restraint,” the President said. territory. In the process it has also society from which he had purchased tried to gobble up more power for his site. Thereafter, whenever the In the same month a Constitution itself in sheer defiance of the law of name of a judge was suggested, Bench, consisting of five judges of the land and even the Constitution some public spirited citizens used the very same Supreme Court headed of India. the RTI, found out that the judge by Chief Justice S. H. Kapadia had had violated some or the other law reiterated that courts cannot enter With the Supreme Court already and hence unfit to become the Lok into the legislative domain. It had taking the stand that the persons Ayukta and the fourth estate hounded said “If the scope of the Indian recommended by it should alone be them out. One retired judge of the Arbitration Act had to be widened, appointed in the case of appointment Supreme Court publicly said that his only Parliament could do it”. of judges, what needs to be done name should not be considered for now is to say that all appointments the appointment. Delivering a lecture on of the Chairpersons of institutions ‘Jurisprudence of Constitutional like the Press Council of India, The On the question of accepting Structure’, Chief Justice S. H. National Consumers’ Forum, the offices after their retirement by Kapadia said "judges should not Law Commission of India, etc., the judges of the Supreme Court govern the country or evolve must be made by the Collegium of and the High Courts, Chief Justice policies. We need to go by strict the Supreme Court. Is the judiciary Hidayatulla, had said that if the principle. Whenever you lay down becoming an ‘ogre’? practice is encouraged the Judges, a law, it should not interfere with instead of being ‘forward looking’ governance. We are not accountable will start ‘looking forward’. Well, he to people. .. judges should go himself became the Vice President of strictly by the Constitutional India. The judgement of the Patnaik- principles which clearly demarcate Swatanter Kumar has, according to the separation of powers among the Times of India “boosted post- the judiciary, the legislature and retirement opportunities for HC and the executive”. He mentioned the SC judges”, making them, according judgment of a Supreme Court bench to Hidayatulla "to look forward". on the recent police action against Does it not erode the ‘independence’ Baba Ramdev’s supporters in Delhi, of the judiciary? which made the ‘right to sleep’ a fundamental right under Article 21. The second question is that the While the Chief Justice wondered judgement violently violates the “where are we going”, a wag was doctrine of separation of powers. wondering whether the SC would In September this year delivering hold the mosquitoes who do not Price: Rs. 20/- the valedictory address on the allow people to sleep, in contempt occasion of 150th year celebrations Janata Trust and send them to prison? D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Naushir of the Madras High Court, President Bharucha Marg, Pranab Mukherjee cautioned that Obviously the Patnaik-Swatanter Grant Road (W), Mumbai 400 007. ‘Judicial Activism’ could erode the Kumar bench was oblivious of the JANATA, October 07, 2012 7 A Ray of Hope in an Atmosphere of Despair

Sandeep Pandey

Saeeda Diep is a Lahore based neighbours and not as enemies. cumbersome to travel between the activist who has been working It further says that since the two two countries. The convention on consistently on issues of human countries have lived under shadow 22nd September had to be postponed rights, women rights, democracy, of war for long their potential once because the Indian visitors were against patriarchy, feudalism has been undermined hampering not granted visa by the Pakistani and communalism and on peace initiatives for poverty alleviation and High Commission in New Delhi. and friendship with India. Quite sustainable development. In a world obviously to work in an atmosphere where coexistence, engagement, If one has to travel to Pakistan of religious bigotry and everyday cooperation and mutual dialogue are the visa will not be granted until violence is not easy for a woman in the norm, the petition says, the deficit clearance has been given by the Pakistan. in mutual trust can be minimized Pakistani Interior Ministry in through greater confidence building Islamabad. This implies that unless On 22nd September, she had measures. Finally it advocates easing there is somebody in Pakistan organized a convention in Lahore on of visa policy to pave the way for pushing for your case it is virtually the occasion of collection of 85,000 peace and harmony through trade, impossible to go there. The visa is signatures on a petition, collected tourism, collaboration in education almost always granted only during over the last eight months in the and healthcare sectors and renewed the last few days before travel as the cities of Lahore, Multan, Pakpattan, people to people contact. Interior Ministry takes lot of time Faisalabad and Okara. This to clear names. Visa when given campaign, addressed to the Prime There was a group of youth with is valid only for a few cities and Ministers of the two countries, was Saeeda Diep - Sunil, Raza Khan, one cannot go anywhere else. After for facilitating easier passage across Elizabeth, Saima Williams, Salman, obtaining the visa when one arrives the borders as well as for continuing Amir, Awais Siddiqui, Naquib at Wagha it is not possible to cross dialogue until all the disputes were Hamid, Raheem ul Haque, Mariam the border without permission of resolved. A seven-member Indian Arif, Taimur Ahmed, Ayesha Arif, Indian External Affairs Ministry. delegation also went to participate Fahim Sheikh and about 50 others Such kind of restriction is not there in this convention. - who through hard work, and at for travel to any other country. It some risk, collected the signatures is ironic that if one is travelling by Saeeda Diep who is the director in public places like bus stands. train, bus or air then this particular of an organization she has built permission from External Ministry up, Institute for Peace and Secular In September itself, earlier is not required. Studies, is of the opinion that only during the visit of India's foreign when citizens of the two countries minister S.M. Krishna, there was an Now if one is able to cross all are allowed to meet more often agreement signed with the Pakistani these hurdles and reach Pakistan then and in larger numbers the mistrust Government to relax the visa regime. reporting to the police is must. If one created over the years will melt For the first time giving group fails to do this then one may not be away. She has been part of numerous tourist and pilgrim visas is being allowed by Pakistani authorities to such cross-border initiatives. Peace considered. It will be smoother for return. One has to be also careful between India and Pakistan is the businessmen to travel now across that one has to choose the same goal of her life now. Her dream is the border. Citizens above 65 years way and method of returning as to create a home on the Pakistani and children below 12 years of age the one used to go into Pakistan. It side of Wagha border where visitors, and ‘eminent’ businessmen will cannot happen, for instance, that one crossing over from India will feel be exempt from police reporting. decides to cross Wagha on foot and at home. Decision on visa will be taken within then to return by air. One wonders 45 days of application. Although what could be the possible rationale The petition says that Pakistan such announcements have been and India should live as friendly made in the past also it remains quite (Continued on Page 11) 8 JANATA, October 07, 2012 Fail I alone in Words and Deeds!

D. K. Giri

While thinking of the main First, the last year, BJP stalled and It has now vertically split, as the Opposition party in India, namely wiped out the entire winter session closest comrade-in-arm of Anna, the BJP, one is reminded of Robert of the Parliament, demanding a JPC Arvind Kejrial moved away to Browning’s famous lines in the probe into the 2G scam. Although form a political party. The huge poem Last Ride Together, “Fail Congress could have conceded it fund of goodwill generated by the I alone in words and deeds? then and there without going on movement now lies in tatters. Where Why all men strive, and who an ego trip for the whole winter does that leave BJP vis a vis Anna succeeds?” Whilst the large part session, BJP was not going to Hazare’s movement. of the civil society and majority of achieve anything more with JPC the Opposition parties are striving than it would have done with other Fourth, BJP stalled the last to put the Congress on the mat on investigating agencies, as well as the session of the Parliament again as a series of scams and on the issues Supreme Court getting involved in it demanded the resignation of the like inflation, FDI in retail, hike in it. Second, BJP took long enough to Prime Minister. It was blatantly diesel price and limiting the use of rein in Yeddyurappa in Karnataka undemocratic showing BJP’s cooking gas, Congress comes out who was facing corruption charges desperation and lack of strategic unscathed and draws the country’s exactly at the same time as BJP thinking. They knew that they could attention to a minor political issue was attacking UPA on the 2G scam. not browbeat the PM to resign. of so-called major reshuffle of BJP’s vaunted claim that it was a Instead, by behaving as responsible the Cabinet. There could be two party with difference (and discipline) parliamentarians, by debating the probable theories for the Opposition fell flat on their face, Yeddyurappa issue in the Parliament and outside failing to bite. One, Congress is deified the central leadership. He it, by showing the double-standard powerful enough to split the civil is now thinking of forming a new of Congress, by drawing a parallel society (Anna and Kejriwal), create party having accused, in a letter to between the resignation of the dissension in the BJP (planting the president, of the party of betrayal telecom Minister, A.Raja and the Anjali Damania to discredit Nitin and released the letter to the press. Coal Minister, the PM, they could Gadkari), pushing Mamata out to Yeddyurappa is also reconfirming have exposed and embarrassed the boost reforms, warming up to the the typical Indian political culture Congress. Again in this episode, Communists to wreck the Third that the leader is bigger than the by using a wrong tactic, they seem Front of Mulayam Singh Yadav party - and BJP is no exception. to have lost the goodwill of a vast (who was exploring its revival to majority of people. BJP seems boost himself) and so on. Third, BJP fell in behind Anna to have slipped up in its election and Ramdev who drew shot-lived strategy. No doubt, the move was The second is that the Opposition public attention as they rallied aimed at forcing an early election, (BJP) is really faltering in putting people from across the country, those but whatever the goodwill the the Congress on the defensive. I am that have been crying for fresh and party had earned thus far seems inclined to believe that the latter is alternative leadership. BJP extended to have been lost by this move. true. The BJP lacks a formidable an olive branch to Anna and Ramdev, With the media reporting on the strategy, imaginative leadership, and identified completely with them loss that the disruption would have is losing the image of being “party even when they were attacking the caused to the taxpayers’ money, the with a difference”. One could say Parliamentary system itself. The electorate is pointing to the BJP as that if Congress-in-government is upshot of this was belittlement of the the villain. While kicking off the accused of policy paralysis, the BJP BJP as the main national opposition election campaign in Gujarat, Sonia can be charged with sleep-walking party, which showed its lack of self- Gandhi, the UPA chairperson, made in its strategy. Let me substantiate confidence, and gross miscalculation the disruption in the parliament as the charge. of the impact of Anna’s movement. her main plank. She exhorted the JANATA, October 07, 2012 9 voters to ask the BJP “if they were other, the painful memories of to secularism which they have been democratic and if they believed in 2002 communal violence, and the opposing so far would reinforce the the constitution of the country”. fear of a backlash by the Muslims misgivings of opportunism. BJP across the country, keep the regional needs, instead, to redefine Hindutva Sixth, by opposing FDI, along parties, the potential allies, away in terms of cosmopolitanism and with the Communists and the from BJP. Given the reception Modi multi-culturalism which some of Samajwadi Party which is supporting gets from the party workers, BJP its ideologues do. This is more the government, the BJP lost its will find it hard to dump Modi. On acceptable and practicable than distinctiveness. By supporting the the other hand, BJP cannot attract secularism which has been subjected investment and growth policy, they allies, and voters with Modi at the to varied misinterpretations. would have attached conditions to helm of affairs. Their strongest ally FDI in retail, not outright opposing Nitish Kumar, the Chief Minister Finally, the uncertainty of its it. It is understandable that small of Bihar, has been categorical that choice of leadership; Nitin Gadkari retailers have formed the traditional he would snap the ties if Modi was has been propped up by the RSS support base of BJP; they would be projected by the BJP as their Prime even though he has not demonstrated hurt by foreign super markets. But Ministerial candidate. BJP, indeed, is any remarkable leadership signs that many political analysts maintain in a difficult position of “damned if befit a national leader. L. K. Advani that despite its recent rhetoric and you do, damned if you do not”. BJP remains their seniormost leader, government bashing, the BJP doesn’t must resolve this dilemma on Modi’s but is pushed to the sideline except seem to be making much headway position in the party. giving him the respect he deserves. In among voters. And the BJP risks the second rank, no leader is clearly alienating, as it seeks to appeal to Eighth, BJP seems to be playing emerging the strongest which makes small traders, other voters. Apart down their Hindutva card in trying to room for jockeying for the top post. from the small traders, BJP’s other reach out to non-Hindus. It is strange It is true that, unlike other parties, strong vote base is the urban middle that the original Hindutva icon, L. K. BJP is a cadre based party and is class. So it is most likely that this Advani, should talk of secularism free from family leadership. Yet, a opposition to the FDI in retail in a bid to build a broader anti- strong, credible and accommodative may cost the BJP their traditional Congress platform. Is it electorally leader is what BJP needs. All in all, core vote base, which is the urban advisable for BJP? Supporters of BJP needs to do a lot of homework middle class. That section of society Modi argue that a reassertion of in its strategies to put Congress on stands to benefit from the retail Hindutva under Modi’s leadership the back foot. policy which offers the middle class will polarise Hindu voters in their more choice and maybe even lesser favour. His opponents contend prices. Furthermore, the BJP has that it may go the other way as the Madhu Dandavate come out with the latest posture of Muslims across the country would “without a clear-cut thought” and close ranks to defeat BJP. It is By just for the sake of opposing what no wonder since most ideologies B. Vivekanandan the ruling government had brought work this way - they could attract in. It is presumed that the party is supporters, but they could also repel Price: Rs. 20/- most likely to fall in line if it comes many. In any event, BJP’s move to power after 2014, where it will away from Hindutva to secularism almost certainly be in a coalition. may sound incredible to voters who may attribute opportunism to BJP Seventh, BJP is not taking a clear that it is diluting its core philosophy position on presenting Narendra in order to get more votes. BJP needs Janata Trust Modi as the leader, their most to understand that they can retain the D-15, Ganesh Prasad, successful Chief Minister. That Hindu vote base while embracing shows strategic confusion. On non-Hindus if they talk and practice Naushir Bharucha Marg, the one hand, Nardenra Modi has multi-culturalism, not Nehruvian Grant Road (W), emerged as the star leader of the secularism, which Advani calls Mumbai 400 007. rank and file of the BJP, on the pseudo-secularism. BJP’s transition 10 JANATA, October 07, 2012 Is it economics versus politics?

K. S. Chalam

As Hindus and Indians, we know of reforms at once or something drama of Indian politics signifies how God appears at the end of a else? as if a supreme being has made all deep crisis and resolves it as per the of us play the worldly characters to requests of the disciples/pundits. If we look at the policies pursued satisfy our egos. It gives an impression as if God is by different governments either under their control and operates as at the Centre or in the States for The moment we comprehend the per their dictates the few decades, particularly after non-duality of self and the Brahman 1991, one can find that almost all (the Supreme Being) or simply realize The political crisis in Delhi due governments followed analogous it as ‘maya’, we would attain bliss. to withdrawal of support to UPA policies irrespective of the ideology Therefore, do not try to physically by Didi has enticed commentators of the party in power. identify him as He appears to make fascinating observations everywhere; simply follow your on economic policy and political Otherwise, how could the massive karma. This is the ultimate truth of affairs. But, the news in English economic outcomes like billions of universal and sublime worldview press and media give an impression rupees worth of wealth through that one can reach being citizens of that the regulators in Delhi did not mining or share market or IPL, some this country! appear to be worried. other superficial activities have been One becomes religious and created? otherworldly after seeing the It is only the academic pundits in continuous and unabated play of their disquiet to interpret too many Is it possible to create so much events without substantial gain to things in one single event that have affluence in so few individuals the common man/voter. Therefore, started attacking economists and overnight? How many of the so- he becomes worldly-wise and tries policymakers. One may keep in called economists or bureaucrats to get/squeeze as much as possible mind that the job of an economist is are benefitted for part of the deals? from those who approach him/her at much wider than the mere business How many of the real policymakers the time of seeking his/her vote. He concerns of some or simply growth and beneficiaries of such policies are is doing his karma and why do you rates. brought to book? Unless we address blame him? Let us keep the Vedanta these questions, it is difficult to pose aside and get into the philosophy of There is also a subtle allusion the present crisis as a machination of survival politics in India. that the whole issue is between economists or politicians. the economic policies pursued by It appears that all politicians have government, or maybe a section Some of them may be the the same content even if we do not of the government, and those smokescreen of bigger players who accept the crude adage that it is the who oppose it on the basis of are behind these operations or crises last resort of scoundrels. We do not convictions. and finally come out with simple know much about the Bengal society solutions to resolve them with ease. from where Mamata Banerjee has Thus, the present disarray is emerged at the national politics basically a leapfrog between those As Hindus and Indians, we know and is the centre of present debate. who subscribe to some kind of how God appears at the end of a The Bengal bhadralok are very a political ideology and others deep crisis and resolves it as per the intelligent guys and can put anyone who stand for certain economic requests of the disciples/pundits. in a quandary (there are exceptions) policies. Is there such a separation It gives an impression as if God is without directly providing answers between economic policy and under their control and operates as to our immediate dilemmas. political ideology? Is there really per their dictates. an economic crisis or emergency I noticed a shift in their orientation now to force the policymakers in Though it appears to be simplistic about five years ago when an old Delhi to embark upon the stream to imagine like that, the cosmic friend known for his radical postures JANATA, October 07, 2012 11 explained to me that Mamata Didi to share power and resources. This political sociology seem to have not represented Bharat Mata with her may be a formulation that can be addressed to understand Didi. attire and gestures. That was his contested. retort when I told him that I was Neither the careerist economists impressed by her opposition to some The drama in Bengal is that nor policymakers do matter here, but policies of the government that without giving leadership to the the corporate business interests and affect aam aadmi. social proletariat, it is possible to the games they play would govern come to power through emotional the drama in Delhi. Let us watch What does it indicate? It may catchphrases to capture the the moves and manipulations of the signify that some of the forces that imagination of poor and illiterate. unseen spirits/deities that would were behind the previous dispensation Thus, Didi and her political party ultimately decide the future of the have slowly shifted to the other side are conditioned by the sociology country and not necessarily politics and started formulating agendas of of Bengal which the scholars of and economics. governance. This has perhaps suited well everyone in Bengal as it did not (Continued from Page 7) matter much since the superstructure behind this rule but it is quite clear Committee of which she is part of Trinamool has remained the same that such rules are strictly followed. had been demanding renaming of without substantial participation of All these rules apply to Pakistani Shadman Chowk after Bhagat Singh the real proletariat? It is here we may citizens as well when they are trying as this is the place where he was try to understand the sociology of to come to India. hanged. The Pakistani authorities, present Bengal so as to comprehend on the occasion of Bhagat Singh’s the significance of the utterances of If efforts of people like Saeeda birthday this year, 28th September, Didi. Diep bear fruition then it will be decided to grant this request. Since a big relief for common travelers Pakistani text books don’t mention Bengal and its indomitable between the two countries. anything about Bhagat Singh, people character of a mixture of Dravidian, there don’t know about this great Mongoloid, Austro-Asiatic and Saeeda Diep has been associated revolutionary who was born and other indigenous groups has never with another movement which brought up on their land. People like been represented by the national achieved a success recently. A group Saeeda Diep are trying to keep his Bengal icons that we are familiar called Bhagat Singh Memorial memory alive in Pakistan. with. There are districts in Bengal where the majority of the population is from Muslim, Dalit and Adivasi Studies in Socialism groups like Kooch Bihar, Malda, and By Jalpaiguri, etc. Ashok Mehta In fact, more than half of the Published by population of Bengal consists of Bhartiya Vidya Bhuvan scheduled castes (23per cent), Centre for Socialist Studies Scheduled tribes (5.5 per cent) Bangaluru and Muslims (25.2 per cent). A recent PhD study by Dipankar Price Rs. 250.00 postage extra Mandal has broadly concluded Send your order to that caste and tribal divisions still Centre for Socialist Studies persist in Bengal. Some individual 191, 10th Cross, 10th Main, castes among these groups have NGFI Layout been tactically encouraged by the Nagurbani, Bengaluru 560 072 previous party in power and are able Bhartiya Vidya Bhuvan to challenge the hegemony of the Munshi Sadan dominant in some pockets. Chowpatty, Mumbai 400 007 or But, critiques say they are pieces Janata Trust of demonstration but never surfaced 12 JANATA, October 07, 2012 QUEST FOR SWARAJ From Subjecthood to Citizenship

The promise of Swaraj beckons the future of India It challenges us to recover the true spirit of Swaraj. It invites us to redeem an old pledge. Swaraj was never merely liberation from the colonial rule. Swaraj promised nothing short of self-rule: people's control over their destiny, power to decide on matters concerning their well-being, to direct the apparatus of power and hold rulers accountable. Swaraj is about rule by the people, not by netas or babus. Sixty-five years after Independence, the promise of Swaraj is yet to be redeemed. Democracy has been reduced to a tiresome routine that involves electing the rulers once in five years, while being subject to indifference and indignity at the hands of politicians and bureaucrats in between. Political parties are not mechanisms for finding and airing people's voices; all of them have become election machines. These machines are designed to catch voters and use them as fodders to convert money into power and power back into more money. At best these parties hold out an illusory promise of “Good Governance”, but that is no substitute for self-government. The very idea of Swaraj is receding from our collective consciousness. India's future asks this question to all of us: shall we allow the idea of Swaraj to disappear, to disintegrate, to dissolve from our collective consciousness? Or, are we audacious enough to re-imagine, re-integrate and re-build the idea of Swaraj for our time?

From Popular Protest to People's Power …

This audacity marked the origin of popular protest in alternatives. An agitation that began with remedying an our country against massive corruption in high places. institution has evolved into a movement that has taken The Janlokpal movement began as an expression of up the challenge of reforming the entire system. popular anger born out of the helplessness and This moment offers an opportunity for this movement frustration of ordinary citizens in the face of corrupt and to look back at its own roots and also to look ahead to its unresponsive regimes. Soon the movement became a future direction. The Janlokpal movement draws its symbol of people's power against the political inspirations, ideas and icons from our freedom struggle. establishment. It belongs to the tradition of patriotism which saw the A wide-spread anger with the visible corruption of 'world as one family'. It has drawn its sustenance from politicians and the bureaucrats led to identification of people's struggles for popular control over natural the root cause of corruption. It was not long before resources in the post-colonial era. Thus it has to build corruption embedded in policies and the corruption upon traditions of popular struggle as well as inherent in the system was identified. It's victim, the constructive work. The quest for Swaraj for the last ordinary citizen, is not free of the taint of corruption person defines the ideological horizon for this either. Gradually protest against corruption sought new movement. tools; opposition was accompanied by a search for

… and now on to transformative politics

This journey has brought us today to the doorsteps of mainstream politics, for politics is the centre stage of the present system, the stage where the system is made and unmade. Over the years, this stage has lost its sheen and has become the site for an unbridled pursuit of narrow self-interest. This puts off and scares the best elements in our society, who decide to stay away from politics. This sets off a vicious cycle: corruption drives good citizen out of politics; their absence in turn makes the political arena worse than before. Someone has to break this vicious cycle and accept the challenge of stepping on to this stage. The experience of Janlokpal movement has taught us that we cannot make any big or enduring change in the system if we turn our back to politics. If politics serves as a shield for all that is unholy in our public life, an attempt to cleanse the system must begin with politics. Someone must stand up to this unholy nexus and build politics of selfless service to the country. We are not giving up the movement and the path of struggle in order to enter politics, narrowly construed as the game of winning elections and acquiring power. Rather, we enter politics as one more step in our struggle. We do not enter politics to acquire and exercise power; we do so to dismantle monopolies of power and return this power back to the people. It is our firm conviction that movements for social transformation must combine popular struggles and constructive work with electoral politics. Politics is not an optional activity. If politics is about maintaining or changing the given balance of power, then it is not JANATA, October 07, 2012 13

confined to what the states and governments do; all the spheres of our life – administration, police, judiciary, economy, society and even family – are implicated in politics. We have only two options: either we determine the course of politics or allow politics to determine the course of our life. Those who wish to shape the course of history in the light of their ideals do not have an option except for politics.

The idea of Swaraj: our worldview

The idea of swaraj is the cornerstone of our politics. We must suit our context and needs, that what envision a world where every country, every province, people need must be determined by them, not by every village and every locality enjoys freedom within its experts and officials, that our development must own sphere, where every individual and community can not imitate models from outside, that instead decide on matters concerning their well-being, where our path of development must be guided by demos rules over the governmental apparatus, where pursuit of equality and the needs of our last community is its own government. We dream of a world person, that we must seek a sustainable balance without coercion or violence among state, community of development with nature and environment, and individual, where different faiths and cultures live that we must prevent the growth of monopolies, in harmony, where happiness of one is not secured at that we must not allow the logic of capital, the cost of unhappiness of another, where each person market mechanisms and profit motivation to be and community can lay claim to only as much as may be the sole drivers of our economy; available to everyone else and to future generations, Ü That all social hierarchies based on accident of where the relationships between and among nations birth must go, that gender and caste inequalities and between humans and nature are marked by mutual must be attacked forthwith, that affirmative respect and friendliness. We look forward to a state of action is needed for those social groups who have affairs where each person and society gets to suffered from discrimination and disadvantage, understand, introspect and redefine oneself. that all religions and sect enjoy equal respect and Such a vision presupposes basic transformation in the none may be allowed to dominate others, that prevailing system. It would entail: the interests and rights of the minorities get Ü That people hold the reigns to government and special protection; and, administration, that central government may Ü That swaraj in ideas and cultures be pursued, control only minimum necessary powers and that everyone should receive equal opportunities resources, that maximum possible decisions are for quality and relevant education, that linguistic taken at the level of village or neighbourhood, diversities be preserved, that unequal treatment that people's voice must trump in-between of languages must come to an end, that elections too and that public opinion and indigenous and peoples knowledge be respected popular legitimacy must have supreme respect; and preserved, so that we can stand on our feet Ü That economic and developmental policies while we learn from the world.

Swaraj as peoples self governance: our policy vision

This vision needs to be translated into specific policies after extensive and informed discussion. Embracing politics entails taking a position on all the major questions of our time. At the same time politics also mandates a duty to listen to all sides and to set up a dialogue with everyone concerned. We accept this responsibility in all humility. We shall take up all the major contested issues in the country and provide a platform for informed and open-minded dialogue with the people and especially, with the younger generation. Here we have identified a few of these issues and indicated our initial position, subject to dialogue and debate. 1. There should be an independent, powerful and cannot possibly be exercised by local communities. effective Janlokpal at the Centre and Janlokayuktas People must be consulted directly on key national at the States to deal with corruption. There should decisions. Citizens must be consulted on any be an effective mechanism for bringing back the decision that affects their life or livelihood. black money deposited abroad. 4. Broad-ranging and fundamental administrative, 2. There should be broad-ranging electoral reforms, police and judicial reforms need to be initiated so including reforms to eliminate the role of money that the interface of the common citizen with public and muscle-power, to provide the right to reject and functionaries is not marked by bribes, delays and to institute the accountability of representatives indignity. All public functionaries should be made through the right to recall. accountable to the people. 3. The locus of decision-making should be shifted to, 5. The right of local communities to land, forests, or proximate to the people. As far as possible, power water and all natural resources in their area must be and the resources required to execute that power, recognized. The state must not acquire land barring must be transferred to the village or ward level. exceptional circumstances. Private monopolies in Only those powers should be left for upper tiers that natural resources must be not be permitted. 14 JANATA, October 07, 2012

6. The state must provide free, equal and quality 10. The state must accept responsibility for full school education to all children. The powers and employment, and appropriate wages for all work. resources of executing this responsibility must be We believe society needs to take care of the elderly, transferred to the gram sabha. Inequality in destitute and disabled amongst us and the educational opportunities between the rich and government to commit adequate powers and poor, the urban and the rural or government and resources to the gram sabhas to execute this private schools, must be eliminated. No student effectively. Safety-nets are also needed for the must miss out on higher education for want of interests of unorganized labour. resources. Education for-profit must not be 11. There need to be effective mechanisms in place to permitted. Education must impart knowledge, stop female foeticide and violence against women. skills for employment, self-confidence and focus on Girls in rural areas must be provided special creating a good human being. opportunities to study. The prior approval of the 7. The state must take the responsibility of universal women of the local community be taken before any health-care. Public hospitals must be equipped to liquor outlet is allowed to be set up anywhere. One- provide complete and free treatment of every kind third of seats in Parliament and legislative of disease. The local gram sabha or ward sabha assemblies must be reserved for women. must have the power and resources to run a local 12. There must be effective mechanisms to stop caste- hospital. Alternative medical systems and local based violence and harassment. Educationally health traditions must get their due along with disadvantaged communities must get special allopathy. opportunities. The system of reservations for Dalits, 8. The future of the country continues to be tied with Adivasis and OBCs must be supplemented by having a future for village India. Therefore, the affirmative action for the poor and other distribution of national resources must be disadvantaged communities. In order to ensure that proportionate to the population between urban and the real benefits of reservations flow to the rural India. Plans for rural development must be deserving, those persons, families and communities made by those who live in rural India and not in the within the reserved categories who have hitherto capital cities. All public facilities and functionaries not benefitted from reservations must get priority must be under the effective control of the gram over the well-off. There should be special provisions sabhas. for the extremely disadvantaged Dalits ( 9. India's future must have room for agriculture and Mahadalits), the most backward OBCs, particularly farmers. This requires that farmers should be able vulnerable adivasis and NT/DNT nomadic to earn reasonable profit on agricultural yield. communities. Employment opportunities apart from agriculture 13. Effective mechanisms should be in place to protect must also be available in the villages. These the Muslim community from suspicion, objectives mandate transfer of significant indifference, backwardness and discrimination. It proportion of national resources to local should be ensured that Muslims, especially communities for this purpose, so that they can backward Muslims (pasmanda) enjoy equal make their own plans and remunerative prices do opportunity in education and employment. not lead to price rise in foodgrains. Management of waqfs should be handed over from the government to local communities.

Movement rather than a party: our organizational vision

We need an organization to implement these dreams and policies – an organization that would look like a political party, but not behave like one, a party that belongs to the people and not its leaders. The image of the political party is at its worst today—most of them being victims of individual control, the tyranny of their high-command and specific families. It is virtually impossible for the common citizen, especially women to make their way into these hierarchies in a straightforward manner. The rank and file of the party usually has no role to play in formulating the policies of the party. While these parties accumulate wealth and muscle-power in the name of elections, often even their own workers, let alone ordinary citizens, have no clue of the income or expenditure of these huge sums. In order to distance ourselves from this routine image of the political party, we have a number of special provisions for members of our party. 1. Any citizen of this country should be able to bring a local level, in an open convention, with participation complaint of corruption or the violation of its code of local people. The candidate thus will be chosen by of conduct against any member of the party. This the people. will be investigated by the Ombudsman, a Lokpal of 3. The organization will maintain complete the party, comprising retired judges, fully transparency in its income and expenditure independent of the party leadership. The party will statements, making public unaudited statement of have to abide by its decision. all sources of donations and expenditures. 2. Candidates for elections will be chosen not by the 4. There will be one-third reservation for women at all party leadership, but by the party workers at the levels of party functionaries as well as candidates. JANATA, October 07, 2012 15

5. Students and young people are expected to play the maintenance of inner-party discipline. principal role in the party and so, there would be no 9. The party will maintain a special relationship with need for separate student and youth wings of the like-minded social movements and will respect their organization. independent identity. All members of the latter will 6. The party will be built bottom-up, with all 'top' be considered to be Associate members of the party party officials and committees being elected by and will have voting rights in the process of selecting those at the 'bottom' and will be accountable to candidates for elections. them. 10. As a rule, the party will respect difference of opinion 7. No person will serve more than two terms in one amongst its members, apart from a minimum position. ideological consistency. The associated movements 8. All complaints about inner-party elections, as well and organizations will be free to adhere to their as functioning, will be referred to a committee constitutions and carry on their policies and specially constituted to look into it. This committee programmes independently as well. will oversee the redressal of grievances as well as

Politics as ethics: our code of conduct

Politics as we know it carries the risk of moral lapse, of character. the gulf between words and deeds, of long-term 5. Drug or alcohol addiction leading to being a principles being compromised for the sake of short- social nuisance. term success. It is hard to guarantee otherwise. Yet, with 6. Non-declaration or false declaration of assets a constant self-awareness on these questions and and income. maintaining continuous and open discussion on these issues, the movement can perhaps keep its ethical There will be additional provisions for elected profile different. We have devised a code of conduct for representatives (equivalent or upwards of Zila Parishad members of the party, by which they can be assessed and members, including MLAs and MPs). These will also be investigated by the ombudsman as indicated earlier. under the purview of the Lokpal of the party for Any member of the public or a party worker is purposes of investigation. empowered to bring a complaint about any office- 1. The representative will not use any of the usual bearer or candidate on the following grounds: t r a p p i n g s a v a i l a b l e t o g o v e r n m e n t 1. An involvement in any kind of corruption functionaries—cars with red lights or sirens, (including the giving or receiving bribes and tax- unnecessary security etc. evasion) 2. The party will decide which part of the income 2. An organized use of violence in political work or and perks of the office would be availed to live an having a criminal record or image. ordinary middle-class existence. 3. Involvement in any action or organization that 3. The representative shall not utilize any spreads untouchability, caste or communal discretionary privilege(like MP's quotas) or use hatred. symbols of institutionalized corruption like the 4. Any kind of exploitation or ill—treatment of MPLAD Scheme. women; a reputation of having a poor moral

And finally, ours and yours

The quest for Swaraj demands action, it demands sacrifice. The resolve to preserve the idea of Swaraj demands integrity, industry and inner strength. What goes by the name of a party is for us an organization embodying these virtues. Politics is not merely a duty of despair, but the determination of turning the ideal into the real. Politics is about discovering the light of hope in the heart of darkness. Politics is the bridge that connects knowledge to social reality. Politics is about shaping ideas, building public cultures and indeed, creating a people. Not for us though, a politics that begins with elections and ends with state power. For us, politics is as much about struggle and creativity. Not for us, a politics limited to the external world. For us, politics is as much about an encounter with the inner world-- our homes, our minds, indeed our inner selves. Politics is our yugdharma, the imperative of our contemporary. We have stepped into politics to protect and promote the endangered dharma of politics. We have entered politics with a dream and a resolve for a better world, a better country, a better society and indeed a better self.

'We' includes you as well. We, the People, shall fight. We shall win!

This draft vision statement is being released for public discussion. The final version will be released on 26th November, 2012. Your comments, feedback and criticisms are welcome and may be sent to A119, Koshambi, Ghaziabad, UP—201010. Email: [email protected] R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, October 07, 2012 P.R. No. MH/MR/WEST/275/2010-2012. Posted on every Wednesday at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1

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Vol. 67 No. 38 Prime Minister on test October 14, 2012 S. Viswam

The stage seems past in the Kejriwal launch of the new party by Kejriwal- The jingle of coins vs Robert Vadra controversy (over the Prashant Bhushan & Co. Indeed, Kuldip Nayar latter’s wrongdoings in his business even those sympathetic to the duo’s dealings) for the issue to be either anti-corruption campaign felt that Floodgates opened for talked out or ignored. The Congress the attack on Vadra was a “below the foreign capitalists has reportedly distanced itself from belt” kind of wild and irresponsible Pannalal Surana the controversy and allowed Vadra allegation meant to embarrass the Provident Fund of Adivasis! to fend for himself. This is typical of Sonia Gandhi family more than Vadra K.S.Chalam this party. True to tradition, when the himself. This was why it did not seem leader is in trouble, Congressmen go odd that ministers, including Finance Police and Communal Violence deaf, dumb, mute and blind in order Minister Chidamaram, rushed to point Asghar Ali Engineer to help in the blatant cover-up that out a transaction between two private follows. The supreme leader of the parties could not be subject to a probe Nuking Indian democracy party, in this instance, is none but on the basis of insinuations and B. K. Subbarao the mother-in-law of the impugned allegations in the air. And, notably, Robert Vadra and happens to be party no one was surprised that so many Is ‘Hindu’ our identity president and chairman of the United Union ministers thought it fit to rush and Nationalism? Progressive Alliance to boot. So, how to Vadra’s defence. In the initial stages Ram Puniyani can loyal partymen allow mud to stick of the exchanges between Vadra and on her? IAC, Vadra and Kejriwal, and DLF B. Satyanarayana Reddy and IAC, it did seem appropriate that But, as the controversy set off by Kejriwal should be ticked off good Arvind Kejriwal, member and leader and proper for mounting a patently of the India Against Corruption (IAC) vilifying kind of campaign against Editor : takes its course, an official cover- an individual member of India’s up seems not only difficult if only G. G. Parikh so-called First Family, a description because it would be so blatant but bestowed on the descendants of Managing Editor : Guddi also unwise. When Arvind Kejriwal Jawaharlal Nehru and which has stuck disclosed that the Vadra-DLF dealings on since for no better reason than that D-15, Ganesh Prasad, raised numerous questions of business like many things the media is also a Naushir Bharucha Marg, ethics and morality, public opinion creature of habit. Mumbai - 400 007. was reluctant to be supportive of his charges against Vadra. There But the situation has changed. Email : [email protected] was a feeling that the charges were After the release of the second politically motivated and timed for the instalment of charges against Vadra 2 JANATA, October 14, 2012 by Kejriwal, a strong element of Between the lines doubt has entered the proceedings. What all the Congress supporters and Vadra supporters claimed as The jingle of coins exaggerated and invented has proved to be laden with strong evidence tending to confirm the charges. Kuldip Nayar Leave alone the DLF, the other private party in the deal, now the What the New Yorker, an Someone, not they, had said long Government of Haryana (which is American fortnightly, has told about ago that writing in a newspaper was under Congress control) has been the Jain brothers, Samir and Vineet, writing on the back of advertisements. implicated in circumstances that do presiding over the Times of India The Jain brothers practise this both not show Chief Minister Hooda in group, has been known to most. in letter and spirit. “We knew we a flattering light. What is more, a The contribution by the New Yorker were in the business of aggregating group of farmers have stated at a is that it has nailed the doubts and a quality audience. Before that, we public meeting that their lands were confirmed that the biggest media just sold advertising space.” The fraudulently usurped by the Hooda moguls of the country believe that New Yorker article carries no direct government and handed over to there is nothing sacrosanct about quotes of the Jain brothers. They the DLF. And the DLF, ladies and news columns and can be sold for a probably refused to be interviewed. gentlemen, is the private party which price because a newspaper for them is bestowing baskets of favours is a commodity, like talcum powder However, their lackeys, thankfully on Vadra for no apparent reason or tooth paste. none from the editorial side, have given a peep into their mind. One than that he is the first family’s A reader may be shocked to know lackey says: “Editors tend to be son-in-law. Business houses or that the news he avidly reads is paid pompous thundering from the pulpit, businessmen are not in business for for. His frustration and helplessness charity. Hence, it becomes vital to speaking in 80-word sentences.” is heightened because he does not know what national interests were Vineet Jain himself is clear that to realize which part of the story is impinged when the players involved succeed in newspaper business, news and which part is a fake. This in this sordid affair spent their time you must not think like editors. “If violation of editorial standards conferring favours on one another. you are editorially minded, you will does not bother the Jain brothers What is involved is a bit more make all the wrong decisions.” because they treat the profession as than strictly business between one an industry to earn money. They feel individual and one private company. True, the Jains have made proud that they have torn ethics into A state government has entered the newspapers into a ‘news’ paper tatters and have still remained the picture and its claims of probity business. But that is because they No. 1 newspaper in India. Not only have to be officially established to have perfected the art of packaging that, they make more money than the satisfaction of the entire country. their newspaper, cheapening it probably any other newspaper in the and bringing it down to the level world. The great Rupert Murdoch’s Quid pro quo benefits have of yellow journalism. Yet they do empire is 20 times bigger than the accrued to some party or parties. not mind this because they have Times of India. Yet he earns less Out-of-turn favours have been done. the distinction of converting the profit. No one questions Vadra’s right profession into an industry. Editors to engage in the kind of business In a nine-page article, the for them are cheaper by the dozen. he is good at. No one grudges his fortnightly narrates how the Jains money-making luck or instinct. But treat journalism merely “as a I recall Girilal Jain, the then editor the matter steps across conventional necessary nuisance and celebrates of the Times of India, ringing me up limits and enters the wider arena of the advertiser as the real customer.” one day to ask whether I could speak public probity if money has been Not surprisingly, the Times of India to Ashok Jain, the owner whom I made at the cost of the nation. does not carry the name of editor in knew well, to get his son Samir Jain Vadra or the DLF ought to have print line because the paper does not off his back. Giri said that Ashok (Continued on Page 3) have any. Jain, whatever his preferences JANATA, October 14, 2012 3 treated him well but Samir’s attitude owners are sitting members of the without fear or favour. If the piper was humiliating. Ashok Jain said Rajya Sabha is not as important as is to call the tune it will only raise in reply that he could buy many is the fact that they cultivate political serious questions about the freedom Girilal Jains but he could not find parties for seeking favours. of expression. In democracy, where one Samir who has increased his free information stirs free response, revenue eight times. Inder Malhotra And their indebtedness or the press cannot be at the whim of once recounted to me how senior proximity to the party or the a few. A restricted press may well journalists were made by Samir to benefactor is reflected in the columns violate the constitutional guarantee sit on the floor in his room to write of newspapers. This relationship is for the freedom of expression. out the names of invitees on cards what has got translated itself into (Continued from Page 2) sent by the organization. “paid news”. Stories are sought no objection to the Income Tax to be written in a manner where a department checking their returns. What the Jain brothers have done particular person or a point of view is Here, Kejriwal has a point when he in their venture to make money is to projected in news columns. Readers says that if Chidambaram himself reduce newspapers to a title-tattle. seldom detect when information clears Vadra’s name without an Journalism is just a facilitator in is laced with propaganda or when inquiry, how dare the department their business. To ensure this, the advertisement is woven into the text interfere. newspaper, according to the New of news columns. Yorker, tries to maintain “a robust Kejriwal and Prashant Bhushan degree of optimism even in the news However, time has come when are morally obliged to substantiate space—despite murders and rapes a media commission should be their allegations against the DLF and accidents and tsunamis—and appointed to look into all aspects of and Robert Vadra. But they must be prefers to talk to the inspirational newspapers, television and radio. given a fair chance of doing so. This young. Poverty stories are given a When the last press commission can be possible only if the Prime low billing.” was appointed in 1977, we did not Minister himself orders a public have television because it did not inquiry into the charges. No one Business or management exist in India at that time. The whole below the level of the prime minister departments have come to have gamut of media needs to be looked will dare to order a probe unless the more say over the years. I think into to determine, among other matter is taken to court. But litigation the tame role of press during the things, the relationship between in India is a time-consuming affair emergency is one of the reasons why owner and editor, journalist and and it may take years before probity commercial interests have come to owner, who has circumvented the or its breach is proved. However, take precedence. When it was seen Working Journalists Act to introduce since vital questions concerning the pressmen had caved in without a a contract system, and linkage business ethics and practices have fight, the management began to push between TV and the print medium. been raised and need answers, them from the pre-eminent position Today, a newspaper can own a and the principal impugned party they once occupied. They are at the television channel or radio. There is is a highly placed and influential beck and call of the business side. no bar on cross-media ownership. individual, and above all since the We used to throw the press note This is leading to cartels which entire controversy has come too with BM (business must) into the ultimately affect the freedom of the close to the centre of power, it is dust bin. press. imperative for a probe of the kind demanded by the IAC is ordered. Since the relationship between For reasons best known to the A high-level probe instituted by the business and editorial has ruling party, it does not want to Prime Minister himself will carry become blurred, free expression appoint a media commission. Could such weight that all suspicions of a has got restricted and day-to-day it be because of the influence of cover-up created by senior ministers interference has increased. It is an the Jain brothers who have a lot rushing to Vadra’s defence will be open secret that the management or to answer? The Jain brothers must dissipated. Dr. Manmohan Singh, the business side dictates a particular understand that the right to freedom as Prime Minister, must restore the line dependent on their economic of expression was given to a scribe people’s faith and confidence in the and political interests. That many so that he or she could say anything system. He is on test. 4 JANATA, October 14, 2012 Floodgates opened for foreign capitalists

Pannalal Surana

After allowing foreign direct Minister after minister is prattling Allowing FDI in financial sector investment (FDI) in multi-brand about how much both farmers and is much more risky. In the first retail and aviation, the Manmohan consumers will benefit when FDI place it may aggravate inflationary Singh Government has decided to enters Retail in a big way. One situation. Secondly, it has been allow FDI in insurance up to 49 wonders if any of these dignitaries observed that the private finance percent and in pension as also to have ever come across even one behaves in most irresponsible allow four foreign private banks to example in the economic history manner vis-à-vis enterprisers and enter Indian market. It is reported that of any country under the sun in traders. In the last decade of the the cabinet has cleared amendments which private traders had paid last century, they had wrought to the Company Law though the remunerative or at least reasonable havoc in East Asian countries like details are not given. prices to the agriculturists. Even Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, today, the governments of rich etc. It is officially admitted that the In their wisdom, the Congress countries like the USA, Canada bursting of bubbles that caused party has further widened the field of or France are paying substantial widespread recession in the USA activities for the foreign capitalists subsidies to their farmers. If the latter and consequently in many countries in India, so as accelerate the rate of had received fair deal at the hands of all over the world was due to. A growth. Would that expectation be the wholesale private traders, there number of level-headed bankers and realized? would not have been any reason for economists have opined that strict such subsidies. In Independent India, regulation of financial institutions Before discussing that point, farmers started getting some assured is urgently called for. And here is it is necessary to have a look at prices only in the eighth decade of our world famous economist-Prime the national economic scene as twentieth century. And the growers Minister, who is boastfully throwing of today. Inflation graph has been of sugarcane and cotton started insurance, banking, etc. wide open rising continuously upwards for the getting somewhat reasonable prices to the private foreign capital. It is only after they formed cooperative last so many months hurting the common sense that the service sector processing factories or forced the people most. Secondly, the rate of by itself cannot invoke production of government to step in the market to employment generation has fallen socially necessary goods. And that assure minimum support prices. If down to 0.6 percent during the current exactly is the need of India today. the rulers at the Centre have to dance fiscal year. Agriculture continues to We have to accelerate production in to the tunes of the foreign capitalists, be starved of public investment, so agriculture, dairy, fishery, forestry, let them do so. But nobody from badly needed for picking up of the etc. plus manufacturing of cheap the farming community is going to rate of its growth. Besides, other medicines, paper, and other things of believe them. indices of human development daily use. All the brave attempts at like child and maternal mortality, FDI is not likely to bring in effecting “Reforms”are not likely to rate of literacy and provision for new technology, except perhaps in trigger off the acceleration process in public health schemes need urgent packaging. primary or secondary sectors. attention. Also, revenue deficit of the Central Government is likely to And, no more there will be Then why has the UPA-II launched exceed 5 percent of GDP and deficit employment avenues open to such measures in quick succession? in foreign trade is increasing rapidly. unskilled men and women in the One explanation is that they want to country in the retail trade. The net divert attention of the people from Is any one of these issues likely result would be a heavy drain of various scams that have rocked to be attended to favourably by the profit from our country towards the country during the last few FDI for which floodgates are thrown parent countries of those foreign open so wide? traders. (Continued on Page 6) JANATA, October 14, 2012 5 Let Minerals be Provident Fund of Adivasis!

K. S. Chalam

Adivasis or scheduled tribes of India has realized the drawbacks of if the objective is to record events India are considered as one of the the Act and brought out the Land in terms of alternative means of oldest communities of the world. Acquisition Bill 2011 with clauses communication like cave paintings, They are indigenous people of the to protect the common people tablets, cuneiforms and other non- country and were pushed into the mostly the Adivasis. The Bill is still verbal communication techniques forests and jungles after the alien pending before the Parliament and as developed by the ancient people settlers from North, North East the Group of Ministers under MoRD before the development of language. and other directions entered the were supposed to have met on 27th It might be a colonial design not country in prehistoric times. Those September to clear the objections to allow any ancient civilization who remained on the plains were raised by some members. The to be the subjects as the colonial accultured and assimilated into government has already passed the masters had hardly a history of two several castes mostly into the so- Forest Rights Act 2006 to protect millenniums and would appear to called scheduled castes as per studies the rights of the tribals on the be ridiculous to teach history and of some scholars. Thus, the Adivasis minor forest produce and to confer culture to the natives. are believed to be the native Indians titles over lands. In spite of all apart from other social groups who these protections and Constitutional It has bben established beyond claim similar status either based guarantees under Art 16 (4A), 244, doubt that the land and civilization on sociological considerations or 342 and 5th and 6th schedules etc, it of this country should have been genetical bonds. Several scholars, is reported that around two crores inherited by the so-called tribals. We Indian and foreign including the of people were displaced during the have adopted a tribal policy from the Indologists have established the post-independence period. In no time of Jawaharlal Nehru and a tribal origin of the adivasis in historical other country of the world so much sub-plan strategy from 1973 as part times and lamented that they had of cruelty and displacement has been of planned development. We know been socially marginalized and done to the natives as it is perceived the progress achieved by adivasis economically deprived. to have been done in India. during the last six decades of planned development. It is in this context, It is a known fact that the concept There are 8.4 crore adivasis one should understand the agony and of private property was originated or tribals in India as per the 2011 steadfast action initiated by Kishore as a colonial construct particularly census. They constitute 8.2 percent Chandra Deo, the present Minister in relation to land holdings with the of the population and are spread for Tribal Affairs who had passed advent of the Permanent Settlement among 635 tribal groups speaking orders cancelling mining rights in 1793. Land was commonly held hundreds of languages and dialects. alleged to have been illegitimately by the communities and there were As the most ancient inhabitants of issued by the Government of different types of land holdings the land, they are the legitimate Andhra Pradesh. Those who are in different regions of the country inheritors of Harappa, Mahanjo familiar with the provisions of the before the British had introduced daro and other unidentified and Constitution and Schedule 5 and the concept of eminent domain and undeciphered primeval civilizations. the detailed process of allotment the draconian Land Acquisition Act It is attributed by the scholars of of land in tribal areas know that it 1894. It is weird to notice that the West and their followers in India that is illegal not withstanding 1/1970 tribals, dalits and other marginalized these civilizations are not historical and Samata case relating to Andhra and powerless groups in the country and might be barbarian due to the Pradesh. The act of the Minister is were deposed out of their lands and fact that they did not have a written considered by commentators as very habitations under the same Act in word to record their facts of history. significant since no one prior to him the name of development for the They do not allow any questions as to sitting in the chair had the guts and last 120 years. The government of why only written word is considered knowledge to use the provisions 6 JANATA, October 14, 2012 enshrined by the founding fathers the proposed mining was planned an important resource for our rapid of Republic of India. Deo is the and is being cancelled now. Given rate of economic growth. The Mines senior most Parliamentarian with the socio-economic status of the and Minerals Bill 2011 reported sufficient academic background and adivasis being remained the same, to have made similar proposal of experience to deal with the issues of and the fragile environment that sharing the returns with adivasis this nature and it seems he has given would affect not only the adivasi has not yet been cleared. Thus, the sufficient time and leverage to the inhabitants but the people of the most Ministry of Tribal Affairs has not government before passing orders, backward districts of Vizianagaram only prepared a rationale for its being a Member of Parliament from and Visakhaptnam, the decision of order but also provided reasonable Andhra Pradesh. the Ministry is justified. It is not grounds for future policy making only in the 5th and 6th schedules to treat the minerals located in their The adivasis are the most deprived but even the lists of the Union and area as Provident Fund to help and malnourished group with 43.8 States contain provisions to consult provide succor to hapless Adivasis. per cent living below the official the tribal councils and the Union (Continued from Page 4) poverty line. The literacy rate is government before passing any law as low as 2 percent at the Mandal or granting license for mining in months. As of today no one has been level. There are some tribal groups Tribal areas. The Tribal Ministry punished for any of the scams. On like Savara (sabari) who are present must have cited in its order the above the contrary, Kalmadi and Raja have in several states. For instance, the violations after the Governor, who is been politically rehabilitated. How tribe is found in the Eastern ghats supposed to have played his role as have they become so shameless? spreading across Andhra Pradesh per schedule 5 has evidenced little and Koraput and other districts of interest in the issue. There is also reason to believe Odisha. These ancient people are one that these reforms are intended to of the groups going to be affected In fact, a proposal was mooted help pull the American economy by mining in Visakhapatnam by me about two decades ago when from the recessionary situation. The district. The group could also be Giridhar Gamango (my classmate) leaders of the ruling clique are doing seen in Sabarkantak in Gujarat. It was Union Minister to treat the their best to please their real masters. is noteworthy that the names of mineral resources of the country the rivers Sabarmati and Godavari as the Provident Fund of adivasis The nation is passing through seem to be due to the presence of . The concept would facilitate the difficult days. Radical activists Sabari plus Goda there. The current government to make use of the should close ranks and forge a strong issue of licenses for Mining in mineral resources like the Provident united front of the people which can Eastern ghats that spread in tribal Fund of the employees being used take on such anti-people rulers. areas of Andhra Pradesh, is alleged through planning process for the to be one of the serious violations development of the country. The of constitutional position. Apart Government pays interest (now Janata from the environmental, social and at 9 percent) for the use of PF cultural degradations that it might accumulations. It is possible to Subscription cause in one of our most beautiful estimate the value of mineral Annual Rs. : 260/- bio-diversity agencies of the country resources used to arrive at the Three Years : 750/- of which Telugu people are proud of, amount of royalty or compensation the economic dimensions have not to be paid to the adivasi inhabitants Demand Draft / Cheque on been discussed so far. (keeping environmental concerns). Mumbai Bank It is estimated that there are about in favour of We have forest coverage of 78.2 Rs 400 trillion worth of mineral million Ha in the country, where reserves (excluding Coal and Oil) Janata Trust 70 per cent of the tribals are living. in our country with self-sufficiency Most of the mineral resources of in several minerals like iron ore, D-15, Ganesh Prasad, the country are located in the tribal Magnetite, Copper, Zinc, etc. The Naushir Bharucha Marg, areas including Araku valley and annual value of exports is about Rs Mumbai 400 007 Galikonda of Visakhapatnam where 226552 crores and is considered as JANATA, October 14, 2012 7 B. Satyanarayana Reddy

Veteran freedom fighter and Chanchalguda, Hyderabad for six Holland, Switzerland, Netherlands Socialist leader B. Satyanarayan months. and Norway.. Reddy passed away in a private He was elected to Rajya Sabha in th While in prison he started and hospital in Hyderabad on 6 October 1978 as the nominee of the Janata 2012 after brief illness. He was edited the Urdu Weekly “Payam- e-Nav” which he used to circulate Party but joined Telegu Desham 86. He was a staunch follower of Party in 1983 and was re-elected to Rammanohar Lohia and Jayaprakash among his prisoner colleagues. Before this while he was studying in the Rajya Sabha as Telagu Desham Narayan. He was a bachelor, who nominee in 1984.He was Governor Class VI, he used to publish a Hindi dedicated his life for public service of Uttar Pradesh from 12-02-1990 Fortnightly “Mukul”. and served for long in the Janata to 25-05-1993 and later on Odisha. Party, Lok Dal and Telegu Desam. During the Emergency era he was A Telangana state protagonist, B. Satyanarayana Reddy, popularly Satyanarayana Reddy served as an known as ‘Bhaiji’ was born on arrested on 1st August, 1975 and was detained under “MISA” for 18 inspiration for those in the Telangana 21st August, 1927 in the village ement. Annaram, Shad Nagar, district months in Musheerabad jail during. Mehboobnagar, Andhra Pradesh, He was arrested several times during Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan in an agricultural family. He had the Congress rule. He had joined and Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar his primary education in the village the Bhoodan Movement of Acharya Reddy expressed their condolenses. Edulabad (of Rangareddy district) in Vinoba Bhave under the leadership Shri Narasimhan said that the then Nizam State and thereafter of Jayaprakash Narayan. Satyanarayana Reddy was a great freedom fighter and one of the most in Kayastha Pathshala and Keshav Shri Reddy had wide experiences Memorial School, Hyderabad. After able and influential public servants of Indian politics. He was the of his generation. Shri Reddy visited getting his High School education Chairman of the Action Committee in Vivekvardhini High School, the residence of Satyanarayana of the Hyderabad Students’ Union in Reddy and paid his tributes to the Hyderabad, he got college education the year 1947-48. He was the General departed leader. TDP president N. at Nizam College. He received Secretary of Bar Association, City Chandrababu Naidu recalled the his Law Degree from the famous Civil Court, Hyderabad. He was one services rendered by Satyanarayana Osmania University of, Hyderabad. of the founders of the Socialist Party. Reddy as Rajya Sabha member and Socialist Youth Wing, National High Governor. BJP leaders including M. Shri Reddy participated in the School, Samajwadi Yuvajan Sabha Venkaiah Naidu, Bandaru Dattatreya “Quit India” movement of 1942 at an and Janata Party. and State BJP president G. Kishan early of 14 years, and was arrested Reddy described Satyanarayana when he took out a procession of He was also Chairman of the Reddy as an ideal politician. students against Gandhiji’s arrest. Telengana Praja Samiti during 1969- –Qurban Ali Later on he took an active part in the 71. He was General Secretary of the Socialist movement and participated Executive Committee of the Socialist in the Hyderabad Peoples’ Movement Party, 1956-64 and was also the Madhu Dandavate in 1947. He took inspiration from General Secretary of the Janata Party Mahatma Gandhi, Acharya Narendra of Andhra Pradesh Unit 1977-79. By Deva and Jayaprakash Narayan and Thereafter, he was General Secretary B. Vivekanandan took part in the Socialist activities of Lok Dal (1979-82). He was Price: Rs. 20/- under the inspiring leadership of Convenor of Jayaprakash Narayan Janata Trust Dr. Lohia. He organised Satyagraha Committee, Andhra Pradesh in 1975. against the Nizam’s Rule. At the D-15, Ganesh Prasad, time of merger of the State in the Shri Reddy had visited Malaysia, Naushir Bharucha Marg, Indian union, he was arrested in Singapore, Rome, Libya, Nairobi Grant Road (W), 1947 by the Nizam’s Government (Kenya). London, China, Hong Mumbai 400 007. and imprisoned in Central Jail, Kong, West Germany, France, 8 JANATA, October 14, 2012 Decision not to raise the height of SSP welcome

A tripartite conflict over the appointed by the M.P. High Court including about 3,000 fake land Sardar Sarovar continues even in 2008 as well as the GRA, which purchase registries, corruption and today but not without political has been handling various issues, irregularities in the declaration expediency and resultant fraudulent clearly expose the false claims of oustees, benefits extended to claims. Amidst much controversy of ‘rehabilitation’. The GoMP is, ineligible persons and compensation and arguments with counters over no doubt, playing a serious and of ineligible properties, corruption whether rehabilitation of all Sardar reprehensible political game of and irregularities in the construction Sarovar project affected families is supporting Gujarat with the same of civic structures at the resettlement complete or not, the Resettlement political party in power, at the sites, allotment of house plots and and Rehabilitation Sub Group of cost of its own natural-resource disbursement of livelihood grants. the Narmada Control Authority, we based communities and its lifeline, No criminal cases are filed as yet, learn authentically, has decided not Narmada. but the Supreme Court has directed to permit raising of the dam height no further disbursement by cash beyond the present 122 mts to the Maharashtra, on the other hand, or cheque, without the scrutiny of final 138.68 mts. No construction has categorically conveyed that Justice Jha Commission of Inquiry. towards erection of 17 mts gates without completing rehabilitation In Maharashtra too, about 3 crore was permitted since that too would of the remaining, not less than rupees misappropriation in land increase further submergence, even 1,000 dam-affected adivasi families, purchase for rehabilitation was when Gujarat, under Chief Minister raising the height of the dam cannot be exposed by NBA and 5 officials have Narendra Modi was pressing for permitted. The GRA of Maharashtra been suspended. raising it to 128 mts. has also written a strong letter to the Government, conveying no consent The adivasis from Satpuda and Fraudulent Consent for further raise in the dam height. Vindhya mountain ranges in Madhya Shockingly, the Government The R&R Sub Group of NCA having Pradesh, Maharashtra and those in of Madhya Pradesh (GoMP), we taken a fair and legal position, Gujarat who have lost land since have learnt, placed the contestable must bring out the truth and take a years but are yet to get alternative opinion of the ‘former’ Chairperson firm legal stand i.e. no further dam land are up in the hills, refusing Grievance Redressal Authority construction without full and faithful to move without the right to land (GRA), as a basis for raising the dam compliance on all rehabilitation granted. While a few thousand height, without actually considering and environmental measures as per farmers, including these adivasis, the stand of the present GRA. It the Narmada Tribunal, statutory who have only been offered rocky may be noted that GRA’s consent clearances, state Rehabilitation and encroached land or have been is a pre-condition for any raise in Polices and Judgements of the given meagre cash compensation the dam height, as per the Supreme Supreme Court. packages are asserting their right to Court’s judgement of 2000. Madhya cultivable and irrigable land as per Pradesh, under Chief Minister The ground level situation, open the orders of the Supreme Court, Shivraj Singh Chauhan, has been to verification by anyone, is that thousands of landless, fish workers, denying the existence of 1.5 lakh out of 51,000 families, not less potters etc. are awaiting livelihood- people in the submergence area, than 40,000 are still residing in the based rehabilitation promised by a large number of them being un- submergence zone and the largest the Narmada Valley Development rehabilitated adivasis and small number of them are in Madhya Authority (NVDA), in its Action and marginal farmers, fish workers, Pradesh. A massive scam running to Plan of 1993 submitted to the Apex landless, potters etc. The people, the tune of at least Rs. 1,000 crores Court. The people’s struggle has led however, are fighting every inch of in the rehabilitation process has to attainment of land based R&R battle and the proceedings before been exposed by Narmada Bavhao for 11,000 families in Maharashtra the Jst (Retd.) Shravan Shankar Jha Andolan (NBA) and the High Court and Gujarat, while the challenge to Judicial Commission of Inquiry appointed Judicial Commission has obtain good land continues in M.P, into Corruption in Rehabilitation, been investigating all the aspects although the state government has JANATA, October 14, 2012 9 had to establish 88 resettlement sites occupying and actually cultivating nexus between M.P. and Gujarat, for the sake of thousands of PAFs. 50 acres of government farm land at but also the serious violations of Jobat for the past 10 months and are law and large scale social and In this background, there is on the verge of reaping the second environmental impacts of the SSP, absolutely no legal basis for filling harvest, even as legal and political with ten times increase in the overall of waters and flooding 248 villages action on the ground continues. This costs and less than one-tenth of in the three states, with 193 villages very year, however, not less than including a densely populated the promised benefits attained. It 1500 acres of land and 300 houses is also time for serious review of township in M.P. The GoMP has, have illegally submerged in M.P. and however, given its sanction to the entire Project from all angles, Maharashtra, twice in the months coupled with expeditious lawful Gujarat’s proposal which itself is a of August and September, due to legal fraud and gross contempt of rehabilitation, before any further release of water from the upstream work can be permitted. The Narmada the Apex Court’s judgement – not dams, especially Omkareshwar. The Control Authority and the Planning once, but many times. The worst struggle for compensation for the Commission are legally bound to of its gimmicks is to confuse the losses also continues. authorities and push the dam ahead undertake this and we demand the by fraudulent data and false reports It is, therefore, time now not same, as the nation and political of ‘compliance’ to merely expose the political leaders pay homage to Gandhiji. On the environmental front, the –Medha Patkar, Kailash Awasya, Devram Kanera, Expert Committee appointed by the Surbhan Bhilala, Yogini Khanolkar, Siyaram Padvi MoEF in 2008 after NBA raised numerous concerns has concluded Clinical Trials that all the three governments, especially M.P., are severely lagging In the writ petition filed by filed by respondents it came to the far behind in the implementation of Swasthya Adhikar Manch came notice that states do not have any various environmental measures, up for hearing on October 8 before laws and rules on the subject. Many including catchment area treatment, bench of Supreme Court consisting of the trials are happening without compensatory afforestation, of Justice R.M Lodha and Justice knowledge of the state and without command area development, A.R Dave. monitoring and regulatory systems. fisheries, downstream impacts, Union of India in its reply, informed archeological impacts, seismicity, Swasthya Adhikar Manch had the court that drafting of rules was etc. These reports have proved that filed application for directions under process which also clearly CAD works in the vast command regarding investigations of clinical indicates that there were lacunae in area is yet to be undertaken. Gujarat trials of New Chemical Entities the existing rules. has shown little progress on canal (NCEs) without approval as drugs for building, not beyond 25 percent and human use anywhere in the world. It has also been pointed out that, not less than 20 percent water has Advocate Sanjay Parikh appearing apart from Madhya Pradesh, there been used, while the water ponded for the petitioner, drew attention are other states i.e. Maharashtra, by submerging lands of adivasis is of the court to the illustrative list Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and being largely diverted to cities and of all NCEs and 59th report of Union Territories where illegal and industries, changing the original Parliament's standing committee unethical trials are being conducted. plan! dated 8th May 2012, which was It has also come to notice that the submitted to the court. It was pointed State don't have rules related to In the case of SSP, the Satyagraha out that the parliamentary committee clinical trials. of facing waters occurred since had observed in its report that 1994 to 2002 and every time the Indian citizens were being treated The court has directed all the government had to concede to as guinea pigs by multinational States and Union Territories to implement the law and uphold the pharmaceutical industries and the provide information related to rights of the oustees. The oustees report questioned about role of status of clinical trials in their have now moved ahead and have central and state governments in this states. Court has also asked for been asserting their right to land, by matter. During the debate 0n reply independent investigation report if 10 JANATA, October 14, 2012 any carried out by the state within eight weeks. Police and Communal Violence

After hearing both sides, court has Asghar Ali Engineer stated following points in its order and asked the Ministry of Health and family welfare and CDSCO to file It seems quite a stale topic as we What was surprising was that the reply within four weeks. know how police behaves during even U.P. police has not changed communal disturbances or even wee bit despite change of regime 1) The Ministry of health and before and after that. Recently in U.P. One expected that under Family welfare & CDSCO should Prime Minister of the country also provide status of number of New Mulayamsingh regime which came Chemical Entities that have been expressed serious concern about to power mainly because of Muslim experimented between January. increasing incidents of communal support that he will make police 2005 and 30th June 2012. violence in the country during behave. However, I was in for his inaugural address to one-day great disappointment. The police 2) Besides this, number of deaths and conference of Directors General and behaviour, if Mulayamsingh had serious adverse events happened Inspectors General in Delhi along done at all anything to change it, due to these trials, the nature of with intelligence officers. The Prime was quite defiant and it openly death and severe adverse event Minister of the country expresses helped the rioters. It appeared as should be provided. concern and draws their attention if it was a conspiracy to discredit 3) Provide the list of persons to to a problem it could be nothing but Mulayamsingh immediately after whom compensation was given, very serious indeed. his election to power. who suffered severe adverse events and family of clinical trial For first four months almost I reached one more conclusion subjects who died. no communal disturbances took that whatever the regime the police place and I was feeling happy that behaves in the same manner. They The parliamentary standing after all this year may turn out to have been too strongly indoctrinated committee has documented that be my dream year i.e. riot-free to change their mind under CDSCO is according primacy to the interest of drug industry and year. However, my dream was comparatively more secular regime. compromising the consumer interest. shattered when series of riots began But them one can point to Bihar and The committee observed that giving to take place in U.P. and elsewhere, West Bengal as both the states under permission to the drug company to especially after Mulayamsingh’s Lalu Prasad Yadav and Jyoti Basu conduct trials of untested newly S.P. was elected to power. It once and then Bhattacharjya managed patented monopoly drug is being again proved that riots are politically to have only few minor riots in last given greater emphasis. Such motivated and has nothing to do 15 and 30 years respectively. Bihar approvals would have impact on with religion. But for sure religious and West Bengal are still continuing public at large in India. prejudices are spread for political with the same tradition even now purposes. under Nitish Kumar and Mamta The petitioners have pointed Banerjee respectively. out how clinical trials, in particular Police has to play very crucial after 2005 Amendment in the Drugs role from intelligence gathering to May be Mulayamsingh Yadav & Cosmetic Rules 1945, have been arrest the culprits before they can does not have strong and charismatic conducted, using our country as a do harm to quash the riots once personality like chief ministers of soft target and the citizens here in they break out to take effective legal Bihar and West Bengal. It requires as guinea pigs. There is no record steps to punish them so that they do very detailed study to reach any maintained by the State with regard to deaths which have taken place not dare do again. Apart from my definite conclusion. What can be from January, 2005 to December, experiences with handling of riots said tentatively is that the police 2006. As per available information by the police in last several decades, submit to only strong Chief Minister from 2007 to June 2012, 2374 deaths the role of police in disturbances this who does not use them for his year until now has been not a wee political purpose. And goes by (Continued on Page 13) bit different. certain principles and sends correct JANATA, October 14, 2012 11 message to them. seen more officers of the kind. In one in Maharshtra (elsewhere too) of the workshops at National Police those police officers who failed to It is also important to understand Academy, Hyderabad wherein IPS control riots and were subsequently that whether entire police force trainees from all over India were reprimanded by Commissions of from top to bottom has been taking part, three batches were Inquiry, were promoted, rather than communalized or at the bottom and required to present case study of riots punished. middle rung only? Once, during a and role of police. I and Prof.Ram discussion in the National Police Puniyani were on panel of judges. For example, the then SP Police Academy, Hyderabad, I expressed Their presentation was so excellent during Bhivandi-Jalgaon riots of an opinion that those at the top rung that I told Ram jokingly – let us 1970 was reprimanded by Madon are less communal and casteist than now take retirement as these young Commission for false arrests and those at the middle and bottom rung. officers are so secular already and let go the real culprits was promoted A top IPS officer who had come to don’t need any further training. instead of punished and ended up the Academy, like me to deliver a as Director General of Police of lecture, strongly disagreed with me This is true but unfortunately Maharashtra. Another example and maintained that top officers are is not the whole truth. Anytime it that comes to mind is that of Joint anytime worse than those sat the would remain a partial truth. For Commissioner of Police Mumbai bottom or middle rung. I simply every secular officer, there are who shot dead 8 madrasa students said you are an IPS officer so you several communal officers at all the saying they were rioters and was know better. levels of the force. Their casteist and severely reprimanded by Srikrishna communal prejudices become quite Commission was promoted as But my experience shows it is a raw. I have seen and experienced Commissioner of Mumbai during mixed bag. There are very secular these raw prejudices especially Shiv Sena regime. An arrest warrant officers at the top as there are rank during Bombay riots of 1992-93 was issued against him after his communal ones. The Gujarat is and also in Meerut (1987) Gujarat retirement but got admitted into the best example for both. There (1985, 2002) and Bombay-Bhivandi hospital on pretext of having heart were IPS officers who bended their riots (1984). attack and managed to obtain bail knees before Chief Minister and from the Court. Thus he never went carried out all his orders and also This, I must confess, was at lower to jail even for a day. those who took a stand and defied levels but it was not very different him and remained defiant despite at the top also, again with some Many more examples could be tremendous pressures. I have shared honourable exceptions. This was multiplied. And recently one got the platform with the later ones in more due to the fact that most of opposite example of a CP, Mumbai certain places. the policemen (especially at lower punished for handling riot situation levels) as they all read Marathi in an exemplary manner. Mr. Patnaik It is not that they were Dalit Samna everyday and spoke that very deserved kudos for handling a rally officers, they were both from high language about Muslims. Who could of 50,000 people in most peaceful caste (even Brahmins) and those dare take action against Samna for manner. Instead of rewarding him, from lower castes. Also, I know writing such provocative language? under pressure from Raj Thackray of two brothers, both from top of MNS who also took out rally of castes and of the rank of Director- What was the stuff of the 45,000 people to demand action General of Police, have been, I Chief Minister Mr. Naik? When a against Patnaik and R.R.Patil, Home would say, exemplary secular in delegation of eminent citizens from Minister of Maharashtra, removed their attitudes and have remained Mumbai met him urging him to him (Mr.Patnaik) and posted him as consistent throughout their career control riots he asked these citizens Director General of Road Transport, and showed exemplary courage in to meet Bal Thackray as he was a post where one can do nothing. handling riot situations. provoking riots. In other words Mr. R.R.Patil, however, saved his neck. Naik had surrendered his functions to Well, one may argue they may be Shivsena Supremeo. How can such Mr. Raj Thackray who, so far an exception and I have nothing to a weak Chief Minister ever control consolidated his position by keeping counter this argument. But I have riots? And shamefully especially (Continued on Page 15) 12 JANATA, October 14, 2012 Nuking Indian democracy

B. K. Subbarao

The Kudankulam nuclear power detected radioactive caesium at 10 Kudankulam and Idinthakarai and plant in Tamil Nadu has become times above normal levels at 800 other nearby villages are sacrificing the Oracle of Delphi to reveal the km away from Fukushima. The their lives to help the Indian future of India. It has also become decommissioning of nuclear reactors government to open its eyes. a touchstone to know the worth of would greatly increase the problem Indian democracy. of long-term storage, which has not Nuclear scientists in the been resolved so far by any country, department of atomic energy (DAE) The crude and cruel ways deployed including Japan, which has to take should come forward for an open by the Central and state governments care of 50 years of spent fuel. public debate. These scientists are to contain the people expressing in doing a great disservice to the nation an entirely democratic way their A thing to be noted is, compared as well as to the cause of science opposition to the Kudankulam to the investment and commitment in India with their bald statements nuclear power reactors and also the Japan made in nuclear power, India that all is well with the nuclear ease with which false and frivolous is at best at the starting point. Prior to installations and nuclear power criminal cases as well as serious Fukushima nuclear disaster in March plants in India. Many things are sedition charges have been instituted 2011, Japan had about 30 percent not revealed to the Indian public. against them would show that the of its electricity from nuclear fuels, Media, print and electronic, is people in power are too preoccupied while India generates even now only yet to demonstrate its skills to with politics and pressing problems about 3 percent from nuclear fuels. unearth the mismanagement in to grasp the perils of nuclear power Therefore, it is prudent for India DAE. The prime minister and the plants in the long run. to stop building any more nuclear chief ministers of states craving power plants and concentrate on for nuclear power plants are all ill- If India continues to climb on the renewable energies as Germany and informed and insufficiently informed curve of nuclear power growth, it is Japan are doing now. Fukushima on the injury and loss in store for bound to face the problems Japan is opened the eyes of people worldwide. the nation in the long run from now facing after Fukushima Diaiichi Kudankulam should open the eyes of opting for nuclear power plants and nuclear disaster in March 2011. Indian people and Indian planners of neglecting renewable energy sources Japan now finds it difficult to climb electrical power. such as small and medium hydro down on the nuclear power. power plants, solar, wind, biomass The truth is the global nuclear and biogas, geothermal and energy Japan finds it too expensive and, power corporate sector is as powerful saving. in a way, impossible to clean up the as the global oil corporate sector, and radiation contaminated soil, forests more sophisticated in enticing the Global nuclear power corporate and water caused by the Fukushima leaders of the developed countries sector has become restless after Japan nuclear disaster. The hardships to like Japan and developing countries announced its new nuclear power the displaced people will continue like India. The pressure the Japanese policy. The determined and sustained for years together. Even after a government is now facing from opposition of Japanese people to few decades, people cannot return the powerful global nuclear power nuclear power has compelled the to their homes located up to more corporate sector to restart the shut- present government of Japan, headed than ten kilometre radius from down nuclear reactors in Japan by prime minister Yoshihiko Noda, the stricken Fukushima nuclear against the wishes of the Japanese to declare a new energy policy 18 complex. Lives of people are severely people should be an eye-opener to months after the earthquake and disrupted. Food chain is affected, the Indian government as to what tsunami devastated Tokyo Electric and underwater belt is contaminated. it is going to face if India becomes Power Co’s Fukushima Daiichi Groundwater with caesium at nine a market place for nuclear power plant in March 2011, triggering times the government’s limit has plants against the wishes of the meltdowns, spewing radiation and been found in Fukushima. Scientists Indian people. Ordinary people in forcing some 160,000 people to flee. JANATA, October 14, 2012 13

Salient points of the new energy saving methods. In all this there is a of the Chennai airport and were policy of Japan are: Limit the life of lesson for democratic India. deported on September 25, 2012. the nuclear reactors to 40 years, stop This is yet another instance to show building new nuclear power plants, In its efforts to phase out nuclear that Indian democracy is getting phase out nuclear power by 2030 power after last year’s Fukushima derailed on account of the desire and restart the shut-down nuclear disaster, Japan has by now approved to make India a market place for reactors only if the nuclear regulator more than 33,000 renewable energy nuclear power plants. permits. Thus, Japan joins countries projects that can receive subsidies such as Germany and Switzerland in under a new energy law that took (Continued from Page 10) turning away from nuclear power. effect on July 1, 2012. These projects have taken place in these clinical In abandoning nuclear power, Japan include solar, wind, small hydro and trials, some as young as in their aims to triple the share of renewable geo-thermal. 30s. Drug companies, investigators power to 30 percent of its energy employed by drug companies and Germany is one of the pioneers mix. Ethics Committees have however in the global switch to renewable claimed that only 37 died due to Whether it is a political energies. One-fourth of German drug trials. statement or a real zero nuclear electricity was furnished by energy option by Japan, time renewable energies in the first six The learned counsel also pointed alone will show. But there is months of this year (2012). Based out that the New Chemical Entities an immediate reaction from the on calculations from the German (NCEs) of which the foreign United States, France and Britain Association of Energy and Water pharmaceutical companies hold the expressing concerns over the zero Industries, water, wind, biomass patents do trials in different countries nuclear energy option of Japan and photovoltaic power plants but the soft targets are developing because they all make money produced 67.9 billion kilowatt hours countries such as India. The data on from Japan’s nuclear industry. of electricity between January and side effects and efficacy is generated An added concern of France and June, 2012. That represents a 25.1 by Multinational Companies Britain is that Japan may refuse to percent share of German electricity (MNCs) in a country like India at take back spent fuel that was sent consumption. very low cost and without fear of from Japan to France and Britain any liability/responsibility. Lured for reprocessing. The dealings This has shown the way to Japan, by easy money, free trips to foreign connected with reprocessing are which plans to make up its 30 countries, free equipments, hefty quite tricky. Japan at present holds percent nuclear electricity deficit payments to doctors and collusion 70 tonnes of high grade plutonium. from out of renewable energies. of drug controlling authorities, Certainly, India can plan to have the are some of the apparent causes. Without their nuclear power present 3 or 4 percent of its nuclear Constitution of Ethical Committees reactors, Hokkaido Electric Power electricity from out of renewable as private bodies or within a private Co., Tohoku Electric Power Co., energies and become completely free hospital or a clinic, is another Tokyo Electric Power Co. and from nuclear electricity. Systematic factor which permits unethical risky Japan Atomic Power Co. would expansion of renewable energy clinical trials. Therefore, the drug all go bankrupt. Therefore, the will not only be good from an companies (mostly multinational) “big business” has already termed environmental point of view, but also purely for profits, use the people of the new energy policy of Japan as in terms of innovation, growth and our country in clinical trials which anti-industry. In the days to come, employment. are of no benefit to our country or if the new energy policy is diluted, own people. the agitating Japanese public will Three Japanese anti-nuclear The court observed that once raise the slogan of ‘anti-people’ and activists who came to India to share the parliamentary committee has if the new energy policy is strictly their experiences and understanding made an observation and recorded implemented the “big business” of the Fukushima nuclear disaster a finding, action should be taken by will air the slogan of ‘anti-business’. in their country and also to express the Government and they should also The resulting public debate is bound their solidarity with the people who bring suitable amendments in law. to work on democratic Japan to are continuing their democratic gravitate much faster towards opposition to Kudankulam nuclear –Amulya Nidhi renewable energies and energy plant were not allowed to step out Chinmay Mishra 14 JANATA, October 14, 2012 Is ‘Hindu’ our identity and Nationalism?

Ram Puniyani

Religious identity has come Ambedkar, pained by the and wanted to exclude Muslims to the bigger prominence in the ignominies hurled on untouchables and Christians from being a part of social-political space during last few by Hindu caste system, expressed nationalism envisaged by him. This decades. The rise of communal and his sorrow by stating that, “I was definition of Savarkar also included fundamentalist politics has vitiated born a Hindu; that was not in my Jains, Buddhists and Sikhs into the popular perceptions about ‘who hands but I will not die a Hindu.” Hindu fold, calling them as mere are we’ and this in turn has deepened He embraced Buddhism and left sects of Hinduism, which is not the divides in the society. Recently the Hindu religion. As communal unacceptable to the followers of RSS supremo, Sarsanghchalak, politics started coming up to oppose those religions, as these religions are Mohan Bhagwat stated (September the emerging Indian nationalism, also full-fledged religions. 2012) that, “When we use the word the feudal sections and kings came ‘Hindu’, we refer to everyone in together to give a religious colour Now to say, as Bhagwat is doing, the Indian society—be it Hindus, to their opposition to emerging that all Buddhists, Jains, Indian Muslims or Christians—since it is a nationalism. In contrast to Indian Muslims and Indian Christians have word that gives us our identity and national movement, they, feudal- a Hindu identity is far from true. It nationalism.” Will it be acceptable to lords-kings, posited Muslim is in a way a political imposition of all Indians? The statement operates nationalism or Hindu nationalism. Hindu identity and thereby Hindu at two levels, one religious and two The parent organization which in rituals on religious minorities. In the political-national. due course gave rise to religious similar vein, nearly two decades ago nationalist organizations, was United Murli Manohar Joshi, another RSS Are we all Indians, Hindus, as India Patriotic Association (UIPA) Pracharak, the then BJP President, being stated by Bhagwat? It is true formed in 1888. In the formation stated that “we are all Hindus, that the word Hindu itself came of this organization Nawab of Muslims are Ahmadiya Hindus, and into use since around 8th century, Dhaka and Raja of Kashi were Christians are Christi Hindus” and when those coming from the the main people. Later some other so on and so forth. west, Iraq, Iran to this side of middle class educated elements also the continent coined the word joined in. This UIPA was the parent During the freedom movement, Hindu for those living on east of organization from which Muslim two concepts of nationalism Sindhu. In their language H is League and Hindu Mahasabha developed. One was the Indian used more often for S, so Sindhu emerged. nationalism, which was the hallmark becomes Hindu. This word initially of the founders of Indian National began as a geographical category. While Islam, being a prophet- Congress. This was the defining Later various religious traditions, based religion, did not require principle of the world’s largest ever Brahmanism, Nath, Tantra, Siddh, any redefinition, Hinduism being mass movement, India’s freedom and Bhakti, prevalent in this part of an umbrella of various religious struggle. Here nationalism was the continent started being called tendencies required to be defined for geographical and religion was Hindu, and Hinduism became the providing a base to Hindu religious personal. Majority of Indians broad umbrella for these different nationalism. That’s how Savarkar supported this concept and joined religious traditions. Today while came up with the definition that the movement, which not only in some parts of the world the “all those whose Punyabhu (Holy aimed to throw away the yoke word Hindu still has geographical Land) and Pitrabhu (fatherland) is of British colonialism but also meaning, here in India and broadly in this part of the world are Hindus”. laid the foundations of caste and at most of the places this word This was a political definition gender transformation, and gave is primarily used as a religious of Hinduism, as Savarkar was the defining principles of Liberty category. championing Hindu nationalism Equality and Fraternity, which came JANATA, October 14, 2012 15 to be enshrined in our Constitution. Pakistan with the logic of Muslim of all Indians, its religious identity The other nationalism was religious nationalism unfolding there and only of Hindus. And of course nationalism, which began from the this is what is happening to Indian ‘Hindu’ is not nationalism in any landed élites primarily and was later minorities with the ascendance of sense of the word as our nationalism to divide in two parallel nationalisms, Hindutva nationalism. Hindutva is Indian. word is again not synonymous which had similar principles. These (Continued from Page 11) were Muslim Nationalism (Muslim with Hindu religion, it is parallel quiet on Muslim question and even League) and Hindu Nationalism to ‘political Islam’, Hindutva is supporting them, has, in view of (Hindu Mahasabha and RSS). These ‘political Hinduism’ so to say. 2014 elections, have opted for nationalisms not only kept aloof Golwalkar, the major ideologue of Hindutva card and hence took out from the freedom movement, were RSS-Hindutva had formulated in huge rally, investing a lot in it and opposed to the mass movement his book ‘We or Our Nationhood has killed two birds with a stone – for freedom struggle but they also defined’ that the Muslims and came closer to main Shiv Sena (may subtly protected the caste and gender Christians must subordinate be with a view to form an alliance hierarchy of feudal times in the themselves to Hindus, else they will in 2014) and also increased his clout name of ‘our glorious traditions’ not deserve any citizenship rights. in Maharashtra politics (even if he or ‘our religion’ and so on. These In India unfortunately his prophesy goes with the Congress) But in this religious national streams took back is getting actualized by and by, with political game an exemplary officer their nationalisms to ancient times. the rise of communal violence and like Patnaik who handles a very Muslim League claimed that ‘We its aftermath. serious situation so well, has been Muslims are a Muslim Nation since sacrificed. the time Mohammad bin Kasim, To say that we are all Hindus is established his kingdom in Sindh’. a political assertion to subjugate That is why I hear many police While Hindu nationalists claimed religious minorities on one hand officers saying during my workshops that we are a ‘Hindu nation since and to uphold caste and gender that what can we do, we are a pawn times immemorial’. hierarchy on the other. The later part on political chessboard. It is true related to hierarchical inequalities in many cases, even in case of In this understanding, projection is the unspoken part of religious Gujarat where many good officers of nationalism to the earlier times nationalism, political ideologies tried to resist pressure but did not is totally flawed. The very concept based on religion. To identify Hindu succeed, but it is not always true. of nationalism begins from the with our nationalism-identity is to Police officers have inbuilt deeper last three centuries or so, while oppose the very concept of Indian prejudices. For that not only school putting an end to kingdoms due to nationalism, values of freedom syllabuses but also police training changes in industries and education. movement and values of Indian courses have to be drastically Even before kingdoms, there were Constitution. Such political agenda changed and policemen given high other patterns of society, which of RSS as articulated by Bhagwat is pressure secular indoctrination and can by no stretch of imagination be to stifle the democratic space offered much more. called as nations. These concepts of to us by our Constitution to all of nations glorify the kings belonging us, including religious minorities, Also, what is needed is the to their religions, while they also and is an attempt to bring back the judgment of the type of Naroda demonize or look down upon kings Golwalkar’s articulation in a more Patiya in Ahmedabad wherein a of ‘other’ religions, forgetting that shrewd way. It will also be the cabinet rank minister was given the very system of kingdoms is beginning of telling the minorities 28 years in prison for provoking highly exploitative and hierarchical. that they will have to follow Hindu communal riots violating secular rituals, and Hindu holy books, Hindu Indian Constitution. This will At the same time during the deities amongst others. So, saying discourage these politicians from freedom movement, the ‘religious that we regard all as Hindus, is not cheap way of getting elected by nation’ concepts gave a status to an expression of magnanimity but playing with raw communal passions other religious minorities as the is a way to impose Hindu identity of their constituents. We must salute status of second class citizens. on religious minorities. In sum a the courage of Justice Jyotsna This has what has happened in substance, Hindu is not the identity Yagnik. R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, October 14, 2012 P.R. No. MH/MR/WEST/275/2010-2012. Posted on every Wednesday at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1

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Vol. 67 No. 39 Further loss of credibility October 21, 2012 S. Viswam Clean JP versus corrupt dynasty Kuldip Nayar A Tamil adage has it that fate UPA bar an electoral defeat for it to continues to wound the wounded pack up and go well ahead of its time. man and delivers more cruel blows on The case of Multai Police Firing the broken family. The saying seems A week ago, the government was Sunilam applicable to the plight of the ruling just recovering from the shock of UPA at the Centre. A fresh scandal corruption charges aired against Sonia Implications of Strong Rupee surfaces every passing day, fresh Gandhi’s son-in-law Robert Vadra K. S. Chalam mud is hurled at the government, and demands rising to a crescendo for and the Centre’s already-diluted an independent official inquiry into credibility suffers another blow. the dealings between him and the real Reservation in Promotions Never before in its career, now estate firm, the DFL. We had endorsed Mastram Kapoor speedily drawing to an end, has the that demand and said it was a moment UPA pushed itself into a corner to of test for the Prime Minister whose the extent it has done in the two reputation and prestige were at stake. New Land Bill will Further preceding weeks. The government’s The government seems to have Intensify Conflicts vulnerability has touched nadir. decided to ignore that demand and It is doubtful if the remedial ride the situation through. This is a measures Dr. Manmohan Singh is bad decision for which the Congress Socialist Meet at Meerut planning these days, like a cabinet and the government led by it at the reshuffle, for instance, can restore Centre and in Haryana may pay the establishment’s faded élan. a heavy price. That mistake has Death of Six Persons in Viewing the crisis-ridden situation been compounded by the Haryana Police Firing at at the Centre, West Bengal Chief government transferring a senior Musoori Police Station Minister and Trinamool Congress official for daring to act against chief Mamata Banerjee observed last Robert Vadra’s interests and ordering Editor : week that the government might not an inquiry. The government says the G. G. Parikh last even the next six months. She transfer is innocuous since the high said that she was banking on her court ordered it, but the sequences Managing Editor : Guddi political knowledge and instinct to in terms of time are questionable. offer such a prediction. However, The government’s action is clearly D-15, Ganesh Prasad, it does not need too deep a political motivated. Implied in the transfer, Naushir Bharucha Marg, acumen or insight to diagnose what which is widely being seen as Mumbai - 400 007. ails the government now. Call it bad punishment for action against Vadra, luck, call it nemesis, call it the wages is the warning that the Nehru-Gandhi Email : [email protected] of the past sins catching up with it, family is beyond the pale of law. whatever. It seems all over for the As the victimized official Ashok 2 JANATA, October 21, 2012

Khemka rightly comments, the rule of law is not enforced in India when Between the lines powerful people are involved. Shri Khemka should know: he has been Clean JP versus corrupt dynasty transferred 43 times in the last 19 years of his service for displeasing the government of the day. Kuldip Nayar In the wake of the Vadra-DLF real estate scam, news broke of one of Revolutionaries have a short some builders were trying to occupy India’s largest steel firms making span of fame. They are forgotten part of the building which has been payoffs to senior officials in key sooner than their length of struggle converted into a museum, retaining ministries and even the media. The and sacrifice has lasted. Mahatma the study and the bedroom of JP as name of the Himachal Pradesh Gandhi, who ousted the British rule, he used them. Congress stalwart, Veerabhadra is mostly remembered because of Singh, who held office as Union Steel the Indian currency notes which Still he was the man who had Minister, during the scam period,hit carry his photo. So is the case single-handedly put democracy the headlines in this connection. It with the founders of Pakistan back on track after it had been was blush time for the Congress and Bangladesh—Quaid-e-Azam derailed. He crushed the mighty and the UPA. Blow after blow. The Mohammad Ali Jinnah and Sheikh Indira Gandhi, then the Prime UPA’s favourite minister, Salman Mujib-ur Rahman are beaming Minister, in the 1977 elections. He Khurshid and his wife Louise, were through the currency notes in their showed how an ordinary person to grab the headlines next as Arvind respective countries. (aam admi) can retrieve his right to Kejriwal charged that the Zakir speak out, to write or to live freely Hussain Memorial Trust run by that Poor Jayaprakash Narayan enjoys if he determinedly stands against family misappropriated government no such honour although he effected despots. JP revived the constitution funds issued to the Trust and that in 1977 a revolution to release India which Indira Gandhi had suspended various kinds of fraud and financial from the shackles of authoritarian and gave back newspapers their irregularities had been committed. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. I freedom. Central funds were sanctioned to the sensed the neglect even in his home trust on the basis of forged signatures state, Bihar, when I visited Patna, It is another matter that JP failed of UP government officials. As many where he was born. Coincidence had in his lifetime even after giving the as 34 officials in 17 districts claimed it that the day of my visit happened second independence to the people. that their signatures were forged. to be October 11, the birthday of He fell ill and could not keep an The law minister and his wife were Jayaprakash Narayan. No local eye on those who took the reins of forced to defend themselves on a newspaper had any mention of him, the government at the centre. There variety of allegations of wrong-doing much less carry his photo. was no difference between Smt. and abetment, all amidst a thick Gandhi’s authoritarian rule and curtain of suspicion and underhand The state government run by non-performing Janata government. collusion. The minister and his chief minister Nitish Kumar, one I complained to the then Prime wife have asked for an inquiry even of JP’s leading followers, had taken Minister, Morarji Desai, that JP was while they have hinted they would unhappy over his lack of contact seek legal remedies. A state-level no notice of the day. There was not inquiry is already on, but the Action even a small official function to with ministers. Desai curtly replied Against Corruption leaders have recall his services to the state, if not that he had not even gone to meet openly expressed doubts about its the country. The airport named after Gandhiji. “JP is not bigger than fairness. They have alleged that the him still carries the wrong spelling Gandhi,” said Desai. Centre and the UP government were of his first name, Jai, instead of Jaya. bound to collude in obfuscating the Back in Delhi, I saw the issues involved and would protect At Kadam Kuan, where his forlorn debasement of politics. The central each other’s interests. What is really residence stands in a congested area, government was busy defending called for is an independent probe. was without any crowd. A few of us Robert Vadra, Congress president queued before his statute to garland Sonia Gandhi’s son-in-law. It had (Continued on Page 3) him. What shocked me was that been found that he had submitted to JANATA, October 21, 2012 3 the Registrar of Companies balance how far Smt. Gandhi was involved. of corruption. The agitation was to sheets which were at variance with retrieve the values of the freedom the records of a real estate company Her reputation got tattered during movement. It is still a far cry but, if from which he had purchased the emergency and her son, Sanjay they are to be restored, the first step properties. He reportedly made some Gandhi, gave her the name of a should be to re-establish propriety Rs. 700 crore. mother who protected her child. His in public life. It should be applicable venture, Maruti, to produce small to ministers both at the centre and in But hats off to Ashok Khemka cars with the assistance of a Japanese the states. Today, the same challenge for cancelling the land allotment to firm, Suzuki, came to be called Ma faces the nation which is seething Vadra as the Haryana-cadre officer Ruti (mother crying). Robert Vadra’s with anger over injustice. corruption found the allotment illegal. The venture in building properties worth is only a part of it. poor officer has been transferred— many crores of rupees reminds one (Continued from Page 2) as to how Sanjay Gandhi got the 40th transfer in his service of 20 Meanwhile,propriety demands that years. When such examples come licence to manufacture the car, how he got the land near Gurgaon and Salman Khurshid resigns as Union to light, they evoke hope in an Minister. otherwise gloomy atmosphere. how he got an unsecured loan. Vadra is the first case of a son-in- However, it will be really I have wondered why the Nehru- surprising if the minister resigns. Gandhi dynasty has come to be law becoming a part of the dynasty. Feroze Gandhi, son-in-law of Nehru, The tradition of cabinet ministers entangled with corruption. No finger assuming responsibility for wrong- was pointed out at Jawaharlal Nehru was an exposurer of corruption. He was so upright that he did not even doings seems to have ended with Lal although he stayed India’s Prime Bahadur Shastri. The Congress has Minister for 17 years. Even a charge live at the Prime Minister’s house but had a separate bungalow to made official corruption fashionable of corruption against his ministers and acceptable. Indira Gandhi set which he was entitled as a member was rare. T.T. Krishnamachari, the the tone for this by justifying her of parliament. then finance minister, was found party’s corruption on the ground of involved in helping a company to It is a pity that Feroze Gandhi’s it being a global phenomenon. Now dispose of its shares to a particular son, Rajiv Gandhi, got contaminated her partymen maintain that high insurance company. Then a when, as Prime Minister, he finalized principle. Dismissing the charge of commission that probed the charges a deal to buy the Bofors guns. misappropriation of Rs. 71 lakhs held him guilty and he had to Bofors, a Swedish firm, gave money, leveled against Salman Khurshid, resign. Never did anybody suspect kickbacks, to get the order, again his cabinet colleague Beni Prasad Nehru. It was not that people like through the pressure that Rajiv Verma says the sum is insignificant him belonged to an era where only Gandhi used on the army selection as a bribe for Central Ministers. If sacrifices were remembered and team. Indeed, Bofors became the charge was the gobbling up of not the scams which were rare. The synonymous for corruption. Rajiv Rs. 71 crores it might probably be fact was that their methods were Gandhi lost the 1989 election on worth looking into! clean and they never thought of any that count. hanky-panky. Janata Corruption of the dynasty has Subscription Everything went haywire when lessened in tone and tenor. None of Annual Rs. : 260/- Indira Gandhi, Nehru’s daughter, its member is in the government. But Three Years : 750/- came to power. The phase of coterie, Vadra has created the stench. The Demand Draft / Cheque on connivance at the illicit huge party Congress party and some members Mumbai Bank funds and corrupt deals in public of the Manmohan Singh cabinet are sector undertakings—all are the up in arms to defend him. Yet the in favour of products of Smt. Gandhi’s rule and damage to the dynasty’s reputation after. The Congress governments in has been done. Janata Trust the states and at the centre became suspects in the eyes of the people. How all this is in sharp contrast to D-15, Ganesh Prasad, They blamed individual ministers JP who tried to impart values to the Naushir Bharucha Marg, or the party leaders but wondered movement he led! There was no wisp Mumbai 400 007 4 JANATA, October 21, 2012 The case of Multai Police Firing

Sunilam

Now it is well-known that on government will protect and promote contrary, on the basis of the report 12th January 1998, the then Chief them if they conduct massacre of the government opined that after any Minister of the Congress government anti-government protesters, more so police firing the accused officials in Madhya Pradesh, Digvijay Singh if they are the farmers or agricultural should not be suspended before the had ordered police firing, in a laborers. The point is: why, instead inquiry is completed. The farmers conspiracy to assassinate me and of engaging the protesting farmers in suspect that the concerned judge was crush the farmers’ agitation for the dialogues, the government preferred elevated to the position of a judge in compensation of the crop failure in to kill and seriously injure them? the high court after the submission of Multai. 24 farmers were killed and Constitutionally, the IAS and report. A perusal of the report makes 150 injured. The government did IPS officials are not appointed to it clear that it was prepared with not take cognizance of the demand indiscriminately kill the people who the explicit purpose of implicating for action against the responsible become inconvenient to the ruling me and giving clean chit to the officials - the District Magistrate and party due to its anti-people policies. guilty officials. Under the RTI Act, the Superintend of Police - for firing, Ideally, both the officials should I demanded the copy of the judicial the state Government filed 66 fake have been summarily dismissed and inquiry report from the department cases against me and 250 farmers. prosecuted to give the clear message of the general administration of the We continue to face in the court the that no administrative or police government two years ago, that has cases under the charges of murder, official would be allowed to take not been made available to me as yet. attempt to murder, arson and loot, the law into his hands and would not Informally the officials have told that etc. since 12th January 1998. The be allowed to kill unarmed farmers the report has been lost. This is the judgment was due on 10th October and that no official indulging in the government attitude towards such 2012, but it has been postponed killing of innocents would be spared. serious issues. to 18th October as the concerned Magistrate has gone on leave. Court In thousands of police firings Seeing the cruelty of the state and will deliver the judgment based in the country, over 55 thousand the callousness of such commissions, on the testimonies of witnesses, unarmed innocent citizens have lost it is high time some alternative arguments and pleadings of lawyers, their lives. After every police firing devices are evolved for inquiries but it is pertinent to discuss the the ritual of a judicial inquiry is into such cases. The inquiry should issues emerging out of the Multai observed. Same happened in Multai be such that the guilty officials fear police firing. Police firing. The judicial inquiry it and are not allowed to mislead. commission was constituted under It must be ensured that the officer After the barbaric act against the the District-session court’s judge, heading the inquiry must not be farmers, government ritualistically P. C. Agrawal. The farmers did not rewarded on the basis of its report. suspended the DM and the SP cooperate with the commission, Many such cases have come to the responsible for firing and instituted as they have been demanding public notice in which the officials a judicial inquiry. the inquiry by the judges of the conducting inquiries are removed Supreme Court. They did not expect in the middle of the process, as they After the completion of justice from government appointed were being impartial and were not formalities, not only these officials commission under a judge who in prepared to act as the puppet in the were reinstated but were promoted the past had submitted a report that hands of the government. too, as a reward for killing and saved the government and implicated injuring the farmers who were the protesters. The report was neither After the brutal police action on peacefully protesting for their rights, discussed in the state assembly nor 12th January 1998, I was arrested thus giving a clear message to was any case registered against the and tortured to the extent that I lost the IAS and IPS officials that the accused police personnel. On the my senses. When I would regain JANATA, October 21, 2012 5 consciousness, I would be again police for vested political interests. The dual characters of the political beaten by batons, boots and belts The political party in power uses parties are clearly manifested in till I lost consciousness again. I the police as its political tool. The this episode. After the firing the was handcuffed and shackled and envisioned answerability of police issue was debated in the Assembly was kept without food and water. to the constitutional provisions for many hours. 10 BJP members Fake encounter to eliminate me and the provisions of the Indian who are ministers now, had then were attempted at. I wrote these Penal code are set aside and the demanded swift action against details and sent them not only to role of police is reduced to carrying the guilty officials, withdrawal of the court but also wrote letters to on the orders of the ruling party the fake cases against the farmers the Prime minister, Chief Minister leaders. The police is free neither to and timely compensation and and the National Human Rights register the cases against the erring insurance for their crops. They Commission from the jail. But as yet officials nor to impartially inquire had also demanded construction no agency has initiated any inquiry into the cases. If 66 cases imposed of memorials of the martyred into the matter. On the 3rd day of on the agitators in Multai episode farmers. But even after nine years the arrest myself and 250 farmers are probed impartially, it would in power, none of these ministers were produced before the magistrate become clear that all of them are have bothered about the plight of the and we were sent to jail and 66 fake baseless and fake. But the police was farmers. No serious action has been cases under various Acts of IPC were used to manage the fake witnesses. taken by the BJP government on leveled against us. No one objected The whole inquiry was aimed at any of those demands, orchestrated to 66 cases in one incidence. And implicating me and my fellow by the BJP MLAs, when they were no cognizance was taken of our agitators. Despite all this, police in opposition. objections. According to a judgment was unable to press all the charges At the time of elections, the of the full bench of the Andhra in the court. How many charges political parties raise the issues of the Pradesh High Court, in case of any were dismissed or withdrawn is not farmers’ plight for electoral gains. death in police action, cases against intimated to us. When the acts of BJP printed and pasted posters of the officials must be registered and fake charges were condemned in the martyrs of Multai and forgot they must be produced in a court various quarters, the government the plight of their kith and kin after of law. In this case 24 innocent began to withdraw some of the coming to power. Not only this, the farmers were killed but no case was charges. It is interesting to note that BJP government has not yet granted registered against any guilty official. the government was pretending to the permission for the construction A student Rishi Sahu, was shot dead withdraw the cases in the public of memorial pillars of the martyrs in the broad daylight while playing interest on the one hand, and the despite my offering Rs. 20 lakhs cricket in a ground while Rawat was public prosecutor was indirectly from my MLA fund. Rahul Gandhi, dragged from the shop and killed. opposing its own application in the the Congress general secretary No cases were registered against court, on the other hand. raised the issue of the suicide by the the killers. Vidarbha farmers in the Parliament After 10 years of the Congress It is not only the matter of Multai to the roaring applause by the rule when, BIP government came farmers against whom the fake cases minions and zealots of the Congress, to power, the then Chief minister, have been registered. Wherever but the condition of the Vidarbha Uma Bharati told me in the assembly there are peoples’ movements, farmers remains the same. Recently, that severe wrongs have been done disregarding the demands of the Sonia Gandhi in an election rally to me and that the justice would agitation, number of fake cases are in Gujarat, expressed solidarity be done to the farmers. That day slammed on the leaders and activists with the farmers and accused the she announced the withdrawal of and they are invariably sent to jails. BJP government of firing at the the fake cases against me and the Unless the legal provisions to punish farmers agitating for their legitimate farmers. However, in the past nine the officials registering fake cases demands. But she does not utter a years the BJP government has and fake witnesses are made this word about firing at farmers by the withdrawn 75 thousand cases but trend will continue with impunity. Congress governments. withdrawal of any case against the The issue of the fake cases is Multai farmers did not go beyond The political parties have not directly related to the misuse of the the lip service. been able to address the issues of 6 JANATA, October 21, 2012 compensation to farmers for the crop failures and the insurance of Implications of Strong Rupee the crops. Now the government is contemplating FDI in the K. S. Chalam insurance sector. If the insurance for the crops is not paid by Indian The economic managers in Delhi the last few years. But, the common companies, the state of affairs are alleged to have been forced man is interested to know why and under the dominance of foreign to announce some long pending how all this is happening. companies is anybody’s guess. policies under international and When the government policy internal pressures. As expected, Rupee became strong according of development is based on the the package has given immediate to some monetarists because of the destruction of the villages, the dividends to those who were policy package that triggered some agriculture and the farmers, the participating in the decision making positive signals in the international justice to the farmers shall remain process. Economists are happy that market. It means the exchange an illusion. With corporate dictated the stigma of indecision appended rate of rupee is turned favorable to model of the development and the to Man Mohan Singh is partially India in terms of US dollar. In other welfarism of the state becoming withdrawn by the corporate media words without any exchange of real a farce, it seems imminent that and their interest groups. The rupee goods in trade (current account), it is the governments shall become is declared strong. It has gained on a possible to gain this much through the more and more repressive against single day 33 paise and stood at Rs political and psychological domains the farmers. The misery of the 51.41 against US dollar. The policy that helped to pour in money in to farmers is the consequence of the frame work of the government has our capital market. Interestingly, governments’ neo-liberal policies instantly impacted the share market our trade deficit has increased in with the dominance of the market measured in terms of BSE sensex September and would have adverse and the consumerism. reaching around 19087. It is reported affect on value of rupee. Strangely that about 10 lakh crores of rupees the rupee is strengthened. This Justice delayed is justice denied. (one day 1.2 lakh crores) wealth needs to be understood in terms of In the name of justice the farmers was created. Is it not a miracle the determinants of exchange rate. of the Multai have been running of monetary policy that without One, it is known that the exchange around the courts for the last 14 creating any tangible goods, it is rate in nominal terms is fixed based years. Individual farmers have possible to create so much wealth on currency markets. The movement of capital facilitated by the proposed been warranted and arrested time in less than a year? policy package would help the FIIs and again in this period. The courts Let us ponder over the monetary to buy equity in Indian companies have been unable to summon the and fiscal policies that the economists and billions of dollars flow in to prosecution witnesses for over a are trying to put in force so as to strengthen the rupee. Two, the decade. The sessions court trials speed up the rate of growth of the difference in interest rates would were conducted like summary economy that was sluggish for also be arranged in such a way trials. Whenever a judge came quite some time. It is also necessary that it would be beneficial to the close to comprehend the case, he/ to make note of the expected list investor to buy Indian shares. Three, she was transferred. No political of hidden beneficiaries of the Rs Speculators and traders should party, institution or organization 10 lakh- crore wealth . As the be made to think that it would be came forward with the offer of present civil society activists are profitable to hold shares or stocks any legal help to the farmers to not interested in small amounts in the futures or forward markets help them in their routine legal like lakhs of crores of rupees or in the next few months in terms of battle, they have been trapped corporate frauds, we may expect the stability in the market. There are into. Advocate Aradhana Bhargav, someone would come out with the other factors like the possible trade for the last 15 years, has been, truth in future. Or it might finally get surplus that would make the US conscientiously and voluntarily absolved by the system as this great to increase the demand for rupees representing them and fighting country has the enormous capacity favoring India in future. The share their court cases. of forbearance for such scams during market seems to have over-reacted to JANATA, October 21, 2012 7 the package even without its actual execution. This appears to be finicky New Land Bill will Further and have created doubts about the Intensify Conflicts whole issue that is deflected in public sphere due to some civil society/ Draft Land Acquisition, the Ministry of Trade & Commerce, political drama in Delhi. Resettlement and Rehabilitation Finance, Urban Development, Bill (retitled as Right To Fair Planning Commission and other We may for a moment focus our Compensation And Transparency In Ministries. attention to the recent past in our Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and neighborhood- East Asian crisis in Resettlement Bill, 2012) is touted by It is no wonder and seems to be 1997. Though some of our advisers UPA government as a remedy for only expected from a government and policy makers are aware of infusing animal spirit in economy, which is being run on the life support the situation, they pretend that it satisfying investor’s sentiment given by the private corporations is not relevant now. It is now well and addressing the ongoing land and on their money, especially after established that the East Asian crisis conflicts. However, the current completely anti-people decisions in was basically due to the excess draft of the Bill which has been form of allowing FDI in retail and inflow of foreign capital and sudden accepted by the Group of Minister’s aviation, hike in diesel prices and withdrawal of their deposits. It was is a retrograde step and will only electricity tariff, disinvestment of basically a capital account crisis. It facilitate the transfer of precious public sector units and other related was due to the construction boom natural resources to the private measures. artificially created by the agencies corporations and facilitate further and their advisers who kept silent for corruption and fuel land conflicts. The Bill will be placed before the sometime after 1997. It was believed Cabinet but we would like to express in certain academic circles that 65 years of developmental our opposition to such a legislation they would shut their speculation process in the country has thrown which is going to deprive the nature and revise their theories after the up enough experience - starting from resource based communities of their 2008 crisis. But, the situation in a mixed economy to current crony livelihood and fails to accommodate India seems to be quite converse. capitalist model - even then the Bill key recommendations of the Further, economic theories (Mundell has not taken in account any of those Parliamentary Standing Committee and Fleming) have indicated that lessons. Failure of resettlement and comprising of members from control of international supply of rehabilitation in Bhakra dam and different political parties. money and interest rates to manage many other projects to withdrawal domestic demand are ineffective in of World Bank from Sardar Sarovar for the private and PPP projects, the given regime. On the contrary, citing environmental violations and since they are nothing but a loot of we have problems of slow rate of complete lack of R&R or death of natural resources. The unfolding growth of the economy, bottlenecks farmers in Nandigram, Kalinganagar corruption cases involving auction of in infrastructure projects and locking and other places should have given coal blocks and spectrum, irrigation up of huge investment (Rs 16 lakh enough reason for the government scam and others, all testify to greed crores of Bank capital plus) in to give up the whole framework and illegality in private and PPP real estate seem to have serious of acquisition of land using the projects. It is time for shunning the ramifications in the domestic sector. ‘eminent domain’ principle. It is eminent domain framework of the extremely unfortunate that putting state rather than expanding it to be The profound trust in international aside every possible democratic a tool in service of private capital. trade as a panacea for all our ills precedent and institutions, It will be a move for the worse seem to be a flawed conjecture, progressive pronouncements of the and fundamentally damage the given the recent developments both Supreme Court, UPA government socialist and egalitarian fabric of the in the advanced and less developed ruling in the name of aam aadmi is constitution, as propounded in the countries. It may be due to the bringing a law to legitimise forcible directive principles of state policy or fact that almost all the countries acquisition by the government for mandated in the Article 243. are resorting to the same kind of private and PPP projects in the name of development and to placate the NAPM along with many other (Continued on Page 10) investors and their representatives in movement groups under the banner 8 JANATA, October 21, 2012 of Sangharsh have been demanding to protect the interests of the farmers and Empowerment, Tribal Affairs, free prior informed consent of the and communities dependent on the Environment and Forests and Urban Gram/Basti Sabha for deciding land but unfortunately none of the Housing who are mandated to look nature of public purpose, to approval actions by the government seem after the interests of the marginal of the project and their participation to demonstrate that. No wonder communities must assert themselves in R&R and various steps of project if approval to such a Bill by the and protect their rights or else implementation. Unfortunately group of Ministers will only add to what is the point of having such under the pressure from industry discrediting the government, since it ministries, when their rights are and their lobbyists even a 80 percent seems to be ruling for the interests being trampled in the interest of consent clause of the project affected of the private and multinational business and commerce? people is now being reduced to the corporations alone and not for the two third of the land losers alone. people who voted it to power. –Medha Patkar, Dr. Sunilam, Similarly, small benefits like a Prafulla Samantara, Roma, Gautam house plot to those displaced are The Bill if accepted in current Bandopadhyay, Vimal Bhai, Suniti S R, Bhupinder Singh Rawat, being taken away by increasing the form will not only increase the Dr. Rupesh Verma, time of residence from three years conflicts surrounding the land across Advocate Aradhana Bhargava, to five years prior to displacement. the country as being witnessed Rajendra Ravi, Madhuresh Kumar In spite of numerous deliberations around the various infrastructure with the Ministry, displacement in projects but will prove fatal for it in urban centres seems to be nowhere the next general elections. UPA must Events in Haryana on radar, a separate legislation on the heed to the voices of the people, real As an observer, I feel an All- urban evictions and displacement is investors’ and not to the investors Party Conference, comprising the only way out now. holding fictitious wealth. People and progressive elements from all communities are real investors, who parties, should be set up to deal The new formulation says that hold control of land, water, forest, the Bill shall apply prospectively with recent events in Haryana. minerals and most important their This should concern itself only, i.e., for new acquisitions only, labour. and not retrospectively. Earlier the with measures to counter the increasing incidents of crimes Bill was to apply retrospectively, Ministry of Rural Development against women, atrocities i.e., to ongoing land acquisitions recently signed an agreement with against dalits, the deteriorating where Award had not been made or Ekta Parishad and talked about possession not taken. formulating a policy for ensuring labour relations in Haryana, the homestead titles for landless, we rampant corruption and the social This is nothing but further arrogance of the khap panchayats. dilution, since we have been saying wonder how serious they are, given the Bill which has just been agreed. I notice that some of those who that nearly 10 crore people have been have led recent mobilisations affected by various ‘development’ The Bill in current form will take away the land rights or titles given in the country tend to neglect projects since independence with a many retrograde developments very low rate of R&R, nearly 17-20 to anyone either under the Forest in their own home states. percent. A new legislation should Rights Act or by the proposed new Anna Hazare, for instance, has move forward in addressing the legislation. Let the message be clear seemed to wink at many of the historical injustice committed on that no matter what the Cabinet the scheduled castes and scheduled decides but ultimately the Bill has doings of Thackeray and his tribes who constitute the majority to be passed through the Parliament offshoots in Maharashtra and does of PFAs by setting up a National where we hope the will of people not appear to have said anything Resettlement and Rehabilitation will prevail and not of market. We significant about the attacks Commission to address their claims will continue to struggle against on non-Maharashtrians there. of R&R rather than feeling proud in such draconian laws and pose stiff Solid progressive movements denying their share in development resistance to the loot of precious must be rooted in the sense of not of the nation. It is shameful and natural resources and strive for land overlooking reactionary tendencies nothing else ! rights. in one’s immediate surroundings.

A concerted effort is being made Finally, we would also urge –Anil Nauriya by the UPA to say that they are trying that Ministry of Social Justice JANATA, October 21, 2012 9 Reservation in Promotions

Mastram Kapoor

There seems to be a sinister had advocated separate home for treatment by Nehru’s successors. design behind implementation Muslims with this aim. Jawaharlal However Mandal Report was of reservation scheme of the Nehru had tolerated reservation for accepted by VP Singh government Constitution. Although provision SCs/STs thinking that 22 perent and despite ugly and violent all for special opportunities (instead reservation would not make much India agitation against it by the of equal opportunity) to the classes difference to the hegemony of upper Congress and BJP supporters, it who suffered for centuries due castes, which he called hegemony became law after the 9-judge bench to the caste system was based on of merit. But reservation for OBCs of the Supreme Court put its stamp natural justice, (the weaker progeny was a challenge not only to Nehru’s on it in Indira Sahani Case (1992). getting special care among human dream of ‘meritocracy’ but also to Scheduled Castes and Tribes had so beings as well as animals), the Ambedkar’s dream of special status far remained indifferent to OBCs upper castes never appreciated to scheduled castes. Ambedkar was reservation and in fact opposed it. Even the great man like Pt. against scheduled tribes getting them when they joined hands with Jawaharlal Nehru always talked of special rights as per his submissions upper castes in toppling Karpoori merit against reservation or special to the Simon Commission and it was Thakur Government in 1978 who opportunity without understanding only due to leaders like Thakkar had announced reservation to OBCs that meritocracy ultimately leads Bapa that the special benefits were according to Kalelkar Report. to caste. Our Varna Vyavastha was given to them and both SCs and STs But the agitation over Mandal nothing but a meritocracy. This was were grouped under the Poona Pact Report brought them in support of a division of labour according to and later in the Constitution. reservation for OBCs as they feared merit (Guna Karma Vibhagshah) but that this agitation might endanger as the occupations became fixed and Ambedkar and Nehru, the their own reservations. This is the hereditary, the division into castes main driving force of making of bitter chapter of the history of the and sub castes according to the the Constitution, did not make reservations. division of occupations took place. any provision for OBCs until a This was (in Ambedkar’s words) representative from Bihar pointed The Supeme Court bench in division of labour becoming division out that OBCs had been left out. Indira Sahani Case allowed the of labourers. It may appear strange It was then as an afterthought, that reservation for OBCs but with a but it is the truth that meritocracy Article 340 providing for Other rider of creamy layer concept (which leads to caste and reservation to Backward Classes Commission is exterior to Constitution) and abolition of caste. was introduced in the Constitution, refusal of reservation in promotions. But when the first Backward classes Although SCs and STs were not When our Constitution was Commission (Kaka Kalelkar affected by this judgment they feared being framed, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Commission ) presented its report that this might apply to them. They Chairman of the drafting committee , Nehru was so annoyed that he put pressure on the Government of the Constitution and law minister forced Kaka Kalelkar to write in the to safeguard their reservation in in cooperation with the Congress forwarding letter to the President, promotions and the Government leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, that he did not agree with the report in order to please their vote-bank saw to it that the vast population (although he had signed it) and this provided this safeguard by amending of depressed classes or Other should not be accepted Constitution to this effect in 1995. Backward Classes (OBCs) remained The provision of this amendment outside the fold of reservation. Dr. Dr. Ambedkar also kept mum. were not extended to OBCs. It was Ambedkar wanted to exclude them No doubt, Kalelkar report was decided in Indira Sahani case that so that he could realize his dream consigned to the dustbin and later the quota of posts which would of number one minority status Mandal Report providing reservation remain unfilled, would not lapse for scheduled castes. Earlier, he for OBCs, was also given the same but would be carried forward. This 10 JANATA, October 21, 2012 allowed the Government to fulfill cannot be made. Now, the only (Continued from Page 7) the empty quota posts with general way by which it can be ascertained category candidates after lapse of whether or not a particular group prescriptions of monetary policies some period on the pretence of work (class of citizens) has got adequate to stimulate domestic demand that suffering due to vacant posts. Again, representation, is caste-census for would effect a depreciation of the Constitution was amended to the which no Government was willing. exchange rate that in turn adversely effect that empty quota posts may This means a ban on reservation in affect prospects of other countries be filled with only reserve category promotion. by reducing the demand for foreign candidates. This created a situation goods and so on . In a globalised in which accumulated quota posts The Government is once again world, there are chain reactions in could be filled only if new jobs were trying to overcome this hurdle by international trade particularly when created. constitutional amendment [may the dominance of US dollar as a be by nullifying Article 16(4)] but medium of international exchange While this tussle between the it will not be easy task since the is deliberately allowed to continue. politicians and the bureaucrats was amendment will surely hit the basic Further, money is not printed now, going on, another controversy arose structure of the Constitution. The it is electronically created enhancing about the accelerated seniority. OBCs-based Samajwadi Party has the so called ‘fictitious capital’ Since the candidates of the reserve vehemently opposed reservation without much growth in the real category was placed above general in promotion, since the OBCs economy. It is believed that the category candidates in seniority, they have been totally left out from this mathematical modeling done by were promoted earlier than general promotional reservation facility. Management experts would solve category candidates which was The demand for inclusion of OBCs some of the problems of huge set of considered as accelerated seniority in promotional reservation will not equations and calculations with the or double promotion. This not be accepted by the general category help of computer soft ware, however only created bad blood between bureaucrats and may be by the has ended up in 2008 catastrophe. the reserve category officers and courts too. What will be the final Therefore the crisis is imminent general category officers but also outcome of this controversy, cannot despite the ‘quantitative easing’ and resulted in dominance of reserve be predicted, but the best way to other techniques used by Bernanke category officers in higher posts. solve this tangle would be to adopt in USA and copied in India. This accelerated seniority resulting the formula of seniority–cum–merit in accelerated promotion was in promotions, instead of merit-cum- The problems of effective demand sanctioned by another constitutional seniority, which was once in vogue that the economists have been amendment (85th). Side by side, the in Government services and which discussing for quite some time Parliament also amended article enables a person to get his promotion appear to be due to the high living 335 permitting the lowering of in normal course unless he earns a standards that the West had adopted standards for evaluation of SCs really bad report. The ‘merit-cum and STs. Now, there was no room seniority’ formula is an instrument of without much contributions to the for general category bureaucrats to mischief in the hands of upper caste physical production. They could maintain their supremacy in higher bureaucrats to by-pass the reserved sustain it through colonial (neo- posts. These rules of recruitment category candidates. colonial) plunder that seems to have and promotions were also pinching been converted in to the illusion the judiciary setup. Ultimately, Some intellectuals belonging of service sector with the support they found a way out. They took to high castes and having chronic of artificially created money. The refuge under the Article 16(4) which grudge against reservations, are moment the third world countries provides that reservation will be using this stalemate on reservation started imitating them, the system subject to the condition of adequate for condemning the whole scheme started crumbling. The sooner we representation. The court said that of reservations saying that any form realize the folly and resort to our unless the Government proves that of reservation runs the risks of bad original hard earned experiences the group benefitting from promotion faith (Pratap Bhanu Mehta in India with mixed economic models or is inadequately represented Express on Aug 28th); they can social democracy, the better at least reservation in the promotion simply be ignored. to avoid immediate distress. JANATA, October 21, 2012 11 Release Innocent Muslims

Speaking at a press conference Raising doubts over the secular other the two youth Tariq and Khalid organized by the Socialist Party character of various political parties, were being harassed every night in at the Lucknow Press Club on Sacchar said, “even though the Lucknow district Jail by the Jailor ‘Innocent Muslims imprisoned in the governments at the Centre and in and Deputy Jailor who under the name of Terrorism’, ex-Justice Dr. the state of Delhi do not belong to influence of alcohol abuse and beat Rajender Sachhar said that the RD Modi’s party, but still Muslims are up the two boys. He said that Tariq Nimesh Investigation Commission being falsely framed in terrorism Quasmi had written a letter from report should be immediately related cases on a large scale. This Jail exposing the psychological released by the UP Government. The reveals the communal character of pressure that the Muslim prisoners commission was set up to investigate parties other than the BJP.” are undergoing. He revealed how questions raised on the arrest of two Demanding investigation in the prisoners tortured by authorities boys from Azamgarh and Jaunpur, custodial death of Qateel Siddique and intelligence agencies were even Khalid Mujahid and Tariq Qasmi in Pune’s Yarwada Jail, Sacchar contemplating suicide. This exposes respectively, in the 2007 court blasts said that, “We would not let the reality behind the self-declared and the report of the commission is Nazism prevail in India”. He also secular party headed by Mulayam lying with the UP Government since demanded that Faseeh Mahmood be Singh Yadav. In such torturous 31st August 2012. brought back to India immediately. circumstances, if anything uncalled Faseeh is an engineer from for takes place inside the jail, the Justice Sacchar said that “not Darbhanga who was working in SP government will be responsible only are the lives of the two boys Saudi Arabia and was abducted by for it. at stake but what is also at stake the Indian Intelligence agencies in Allahbad High Court advocate Saudi Arabia. is the justice for those who died Ravi Kiran Jain raised questions during those blasts. The public He demanded that the Sedition about the role of Police and ministers ought to know who the real culprits law, which has origins in the British during the riots at Asthan village were.” A list of 68 people framed period, be abolished, as it has no place of Pratapgarh that took place in terror incidents was made public in a democracy. “That the Congress during the tenure of the SP. He also at the conference and investigation government isn’t abolishing such released the PUCL fact finding of charges demanded for each of laws is shameful”, he said, as it was report of the riots. He said that in them. Rajender Sacchar who has Jawaharlal Nehru himself who found Asthan village, due to the fear and been the chief justice of the Delhi it anti-democratic. He informed horror induced by rioters, people HighCourt and has also headed the that the PUCL is doing a country- haven’t returned home yet. Committee set up for enquiring wide signature campaign against the Status of Minorities across the Sedition laws which prevent people Omkar Singh, the National country added “that at a time when from exercising their democratic Secretary of the Socialist Party Muslim youth are spending almost right to protest. A million signatures said that the SP government has ten years in jail, before they are are being collected which will be betrayed the people of Uttar Pradesh on the issue of releasing innocents released without any charge, it is submitted to the government. imprisoned in the name of terrorism. very important that the government On the issue of FDI, Sacchar said The SP had promised before the set up a separate committee for that just like the East India Company elections that if they come to power investigating cases related to who came to trade but ruled the they will ensure release of innocent terrorism.” country for years, through the FDI youth but contrary to that four a path is being paved for a new kind more Muslim youth have been He said that because of such of slavery even worse than before. incarcerated. Also in the seven incidents Muslims were being forced Coordinator of the ‘Forum for the month period of their being in to believe that the government was release of innocents imprisoned in power, eight major riots have taken trying to frame them as part of its the name of terrorism’ Md Shoaib place augmenting the process of policy plan. “This is a dangerous said that on the one hand the state communal polarization. signal towards collapse of democracy government was not making public itself.” the RD Nimesh report, and on the - Sandeep Pandey 12 JANATA, October 21, 2012 Socialist Meet at Meerut

On The occasion of 111th The programme was inaugurated environment, it is important that birth anniversary of Loknayak by Mohan Singh and he described a viable political alternative is Jayaprakash Narayan a “Socialist the history of socialist movement available”, he added. Samagam” (Socialist meet) was at length and underlined the K. C. Tyagi reminded the organized by Acharya Narendra contribution of Jayaprakash Narayan Deva Memorial Samiti and Dr and Dr. Rammanohar Lohia during audience of the contribution of Rammanohar Lohia Sansthan, the national movement. According the socialist leaders especially of under the chairmanship of veteran to him JP and Lohia were leading Jayaprakash Narayan in nation socialist leader Sohanveer Singh lights of the decisive struggle for building and for the restoration of Tomar former MLA and a close freedom during the August, 1942 democracy in 1977. associate of late Chandra Shekhar call of ‘Quit India – Do or die!’ The socialist Samagam was at Chambers of Commerce Hall at Capt. Abbas Ali paid rich tributes also addressed by Dr. Sunilam. Meerut. to Jayaprakash Narayan and Commenting on the current political Dr Lohia and emphasised the situation he emphasized on the need Veteran socialist leader Capt. socialist ideology. He called for the of socialist ideology and of its Abbas Ali, Samajwadi Party’s unification between Communists propagation. General Secretary and Rajya and Socialists to forge a Third On this occasion a Meerut Sabha member Mohan Singh, Force in national polity and share Janata Dal (United) Secretary- a common platform. Referring to Declaration or “Merath Ghosna” General K. C. Tyagi, former MP, the erstwhile Congress Socialist underlying the need of concerted Dr. Sunilam, former MLA(M.P.) Party in the 1930s, which had in effort by left-socialist forces of and Kisan leadere, Saulat Ali, its fold socialists like Jayaprakash the country against the invasion former MLA(U.P), Satish Aggarwal Narayan and Lohia and veteran of economic imperialism of the former SYS General Secretary and Communist leaders like multinational companies in the President of Allahabad Students E.M.S Namboodiripad, Sajjad garb of new economic order was Union 1966-67, Kripal Singh, Zahir, Z.A. Ahmad, AK Gopalan read out. The Samagam decided to Satya Prakash Tyagi, Prabhat Roy, and P. Sundarayya, he said that hold similar socialist’s interactions Haridas,Mohammed Adil and many after initially sharing the same in future in different cities of Uttar youth and student leaders from the platform, socialists and communists Pradesh. The programme was western Uttar Pradesh participated parted ways and time was now conducted by Major Himanshu in this Samagam. ripe for them to unite. “In today’s Singh, a young activist of Meerut. Studies in Socialism By Ashok Mehta Published by Bhartiya Vidya Bhuvan Centre for Socialist Studies, Bangaluru Price Rs. 250.00 postage extra Send your order to Centre for Socialist Studies 191, 10th Cross, 10th Main, NGFI Layout Nagurbani, Bengaluru 560 072 Bhartiya Vidya Bhuvan Munshi Sadan, Chowpatty, Mumbai 400 007 or Janata Trust –Qurban Ali JANATA, October 21, 2012 13 Death of Six Persons in Police Firing at Musoori Police Station

On September 14, 2012 (Friday) Masoori’s central location, land is arrived. Soon a number of outraged evening 6 youth died in police firing very precious here as in all areas Muslims started blocking NH 24 in Masoori. News of deaths was close to the big cities, particularly and gathering at the police station. reported by news channels on 14th Delhi. Town chairman is a long time An FIR was lodged but the crowd September and in the newspapers SP leader and the SP candidate won demanded that the perpetrators be the next day. Six Muslim youth from here for UP assembly in 2012 arrested immediately, particularly, were by some accounts part of election. It falls in the parliamentary the person whose mobile number a rampaging mob of thousands constituency represented by BJP was scribbled on the page, the one outraged by rumours that copies of leader Rajnath Singh. Mayawati’s who had also abused the Imam. The the Koran were defiled and thrown BSP has done well in neighbouring crowd swelled to over 4000 and near the railway line which runs assembly sectors. Altogether, the started pelting the police station from Ghaziabad to Moradabad. usual complex mix. with bricks and there are unverifiable allegations that some local fire arms Killing of Muslim youth so close The first stop of the team was the were also used. The policemen, the to the national capital? A group of District Collectorate of Ghaziabad. government officials and some of conscientious citizens visited the The team could not meet District the representatives of the Muslim area to ascertain the facts. The group Magistrate as she was out to an area community became fearful of the became a fact finding team which but we met an ADM, who insisted crowd’s anger and soon the ADM consisted of journalist Saeed Naqvi, on talking off the record only. In was compelled to order to open fire Dr. N. K. Bhattacharya, former other words, nothing he said can be in self defence. The ADM insists that Principal of Motilal Nehru College, reported. But the general impression the police first opened fire in the air Delhi University and convener one picked up was this: a few pages and only later directly on the crowd. of Jan Hastakshep, Sachin Singh, of the Koran with “pig” scribbled There were also versions that one of professional photographer and on one of them were mysteriously the two guns did not fire. documentary film maker and Anil found at Adhyatmik Nagar railway Dubey, journalist and a member of station at noon on September 14, and While coming out of the Jan Hastakshep. The team visited forwarded to the nearby Rafiqabad Collectorate the team saw a group the area on September 18, 2012 to mosque where its Muezzin, Abdul of around a hundred people sitting ascertain the facts. In their efforts Qadir accepted the desecrated page on Dharna on the other side of the they were assisted by veteran trade to be taken to the Masoori police road. This dharna against deaths union leader Ram Naresh Tyagi of station. Adhyatmik Nagar railway in police firing and inaction of SP IFTU. station is the neighbouring station Gove4rnment was being organized to Dasna and the two are adjacent. by Dr. Ayub’s Peace Party. Masoori is a small kasba roughly The torn page with ‘pig’ written on it about 15 km east of Ghaziabad on also had a mobile number scribbled This version of events was National Highway 24. The town on it. The Imam had called the also narrated almost fully by the and nearby villages have a sizeable doubtful number. Choicest abuses policemen present at Masoori police population of Muslims. It is a were showered on him by the person station when this team visited it commercial centre for the nearby who answered the phone. Soon, though none of them was present villages and their agrarian economy. a group of about 150 people with at the time of firing. Policemen Proximity to Ghaziabad and capital some of the local village heads who had seen action had all been Delhi also has an impact on the lives accompanied Abdul Qadir to file a transferred or suspended before the of people in terms of their economic report at the nearest police station team could obtain their versions. and social life. Masoori is on the at Masoori, situated by the roadside. The current DSP and SP (Rural) who highway linking the capital of India At the Masoori police station many were present at the police station also and the capital of its most populous others, including a SDM and SP insisted that they could not explain state, Lucknow. For reasons of (Rural) Ghaziabad were called. They the anger of the crowd. According 14 JANATA, October 21, 2012 to them, the police were cooperating station was torched. Policemen them were: 1. No one had first with the Imam in filing the FIR showed some marks of pellets on hand information about the incident. and were just as keen in arresting the wall allegedly from firearms 2. No one was sure about how the culprits and also in tracing the elements in the crowd were carrying. many people have been injured mobile number written on the page. because of the fear of being arrested The DSP and SP were also unable The team asked if any procedures by the police and being implicated as to provide any concrete answers for crowd dispersal such as tear gas, one of the 5000 rioters against whom to any of the questions about how lathi charge or water canon were a blanket FIR has been filed by the many policemen were present at that used. The SDM (Revenue) replied police. Therefore, many villagers time, how did such a large number in a very rough and dismissive had temporarily left their homes in of people suddenly congregate at manner that when people are seeing fear of being arrested by the police. the police station without prior death staring at them then everything Several of the injured had refused knowledge, how many PAC were changes, it is people like us (the to go to the government hospital called. The DSP at the desk ignored team) who have the temerity to for treatment and had also refused the team because his priorities were insist on conducting post mortems. any compensation to avoid being different: he was deeply engaged in This, he said angrily, was ridiculous, arrested by the police. sorting out a problem concerning his it is absurd to ask for procedures It was clear that nobody was child’s school. to be followed when there is a mob threatening to kill everyone willing to give an account in first The police station was adequately including the police. They are person narrative as everybody was photographed by the team and bore simply thankful for having saved fearful of being implicated by the signs of some minor damage to the their lives and it was correct to police. The turn of events started sign, two lamp posts and several cars open fire as there was no choice. with the dissemination that copies and motorcycles which had been People interviewed by the team also of the Koran were defiled and that the police was not agreeing to file an lying in police custody were burnt. corroborated lack of any warning by FIR. A large number of people were The burnt vehicles were lying in the police before the firing. This was already present at Masoori because a heap. A diesel tanker which was also corroborated by the dismissive of the Friday Haat, local weekly inside the police station was lying approach of police officials towards market, which attracts people from untouched and so was a petrol pump such niceties in such a dire situation. as many as 33 neighbouring villages. which borders the police station: how On asking why did no additional At the time of the crowd gathering at did a “rampaging” mob miss out on force arrive, the pat answer was that the police station and the subsequent the dramatical combustible targets? since the highway was blocked, no police firing there could have been Several other vehicles were also left additional force could arrive. While 7000 to 8000 people who would have untouched. Two policemen of whom ADM and SP could reach the venue been visiting the weekly market. Not one was reportedly seriously injured, it is strange that additional police or a single policeman or any one from SP and SDM reportedly received the PAC could not. Apparently they the administration had mentioned some injuries from stone pelting, are not used to walking. In any case this point to us. Either they were but there were no such signs that a this is incredible excuse, but the feigning ignorance or they were “rampaging” mob had attacked the team could not ascertain why the blind to this fact. police station. On the other hand, arrival of PAC was delayed. There it must be added that the wooden was also no answer to why no one The local people were living doors of the complaints room had received firearm injuries if the crowd in fear of police reprisals and this been broken. By whom? In the same was not only throwing stones and whole area had been turned into a compound of the police station are bricks but were also using country virtual police station. There was a also the residence quarters of the made pistols. huge police presence which was also policemen, including the SO, which noted by the fact finding team. No were all unguarded. Several cars Thereafter the team interviewed MLA, MLC or MP had visited the and a police jeep and a truck were a few citizens at Masoori village to area so far. torched, but no woman or child of gather more information. During this the policemen’s families were even interaction, all the people we talked The team met Hajji Shokeen, threatened. One room in the police with, the common points raised by the Pradhan from Masoori who JANATA, October 21, 2012 15 insisted that in the last 50 years there is what he had been told by others. that a post mortem be conducted on has not been a single incident of those who had died”. communal rioting in these villages. Hajji Shokeen (belonging to the The Muslims, Hindus and Christians ruling party of the state) was present We met Mumtaz Ali grandfather live without any rancour or fear and at the time of the incident, when of deceased Mohammed Wahid in the neighbouring village a temple the news of the defiled Koran was of Piplara village near Masoori. and a mosque even share a common brought to his notice in the afternoon. Mohammed Wahid ran a mobile wall. Many villagers insisted that Others had also got the same news. repairing shop at Ghaziabad and this was definitely a political attempt He insisted that they remained was returning home, but because to create a communal divide between behind while he went to the Masoori of the NH 24 being blocked the Hindus and Muslims. police station to ascertain the issue. bus stopped much before Masoori He met the Imam who told him about and he was forced to walk. While According to the residents of the defiled pages of the Koran. He passing by the Masoori police station Masoori and neigbouring villages saw the crowd swell and become a bullet hit him on his head. He whom the team managed to talk to, restive. As it swelled in numbers, the was rushed to the nearest hospital the events were as follows: Hearing crowd started pelting stones, which by motorcycle, but many of the about the defiled Koran at Dasna a went on for an hour and a half, but roads were blocked and hospitals/ group of concerned Muslims with differing with the police version, he nursing homes were shut. Wahid was the Chairman of the Municipalty and neither saw nor heard any firing from brought dead to Saraswati hospital at the Imam went to the Masoori police the crowd. Anwarpur village and subsequently station. According to those narrating a police case was registered and a the events it was the police’s refusal According to Mr. Shokeen he post mortem conducted which states to file the FIR which led to the crowd heard the SP (Rural) asking for force death by bullet injury in the head. getting angry and since it was a repeatedly and sending repeated Friday there was a huge crowd in warnings that all their lives were We also met Sajjid Hussain, the the haat. They said that initially in danger, yet no additional force Chairman of the Municipalty at there were 100-150 people and the arrived. Finally the SDM gave the Dasana. Mr. Hussain belongs to the assembly swelled to nearly 4000 order to open fire. Much later about Samajwadi Party for last 19 years people. Some of them also said 250 PAC did arrive, but they did and has been elected Chairman for that the Masoori police asked for not use any firepower. He recalls the last 15 years. Mr. Hussain was additional force and the PAC arrived with horror how they all feared for informed by the Station Incharge and opened fire directly on the their lives and locked themselves crowd. Only one room in the thana inside the strong room. When the Masoori that a crowd was coming was burnt, many vehicles which firing dispersed the mob and they towards Masoori from various were confiscated by the police lying all came out he saw a child lying directions which reached Masoori there for many years were torched, with his abdomen open. He asked at about 1830. On reaching the a diesel tanker inside the compound him who was his father, the boy Police station he met the Imam was left untouched. According to replied “Ashmat” after that he Abdul Qadir. This is the version of some of the people the team met it is quickly pushed the intestines inside events narrated to him by the Imam possible that the police had torched and immediately got the boy sent till before the mob collected and the the vehicles. According to them two to the hospital. He also saw another firing took place. policemen were injured because they young boy from Masoori who was were forcibly driving away 10-12 lying injured who was also sent to Sajid Hussain, 6.4 feet, lanky, people loaded in the jeep. the hospital and another youth who narrates the nightmare he lived was lying on the road. He finally got through. He speaks almost in a A person narrated to a member of back home at around 2:30 am and daze. Holding his head in both the team how he had seen policemen just as he was changing, he got a call his hands, he mutters: “Yes, I saw fetching petrol from the nearby from the DM and the SP to come to the desecrated page very briefly petrol pump. He however did not police station. Upon reaching there at the police station because I was fail to mention that he had been to “I insisted upon them showing those distracted by the mob.” Lucknow and what he was narrating whom he had sent to the hospital and (to be concluded) R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, October 21, 2012 P.R. No. MH/MR/WEST/275/2010-2012. Posted on every Wednesday at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1

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Vol. 67 No. 40 The unimportance of Modi October 28, 2012 Kuldip Nayar Private property and territorial identity The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) is by making it clear that Modi is the K. S. Chalam testing the water. It too realizes that best candidate available in the party. Socialists need not be alarmists elections are many months away but Bapu Heddurshetti wants to know whether Hindutva is Modi does not go higher in the acceptable to the voters. Spreading estimate of people just because Unaccounted Cash seizures the name of anti-Muslim Gujarat chief Britain says that it wants to do must to tackle the menace of minister Narendra Modi is meant to business with him, though it does money in elections assess if his non-secular image would not endorse his actions. Taking the attract the ordinary Hindu voter. The initiative of sending its envoy, James Legal Help Committee party has not yet got over from the Bevan, to Modi after maintaining for Dr. Sunilam defeat of last parliament elections the touch-me-not stand for a decade Arbitrary Arrest of Dr.Sunilam when it was all set to occupy the conveys London’s keenness. America and Daya Mani Barla treasury benches only to find out that or other countries may follow suit in the communal tag attached to it had due course of time. Travesty of Justice in pulled the party down. Its Hindutva Multai Police Firing Case image brought the surprised Congress Yet this does not make him back to power. acceptable to India which is the Death of Six Persons at subject matter. Modi has bamboozled Musoori Police Station-II The BJP is open to all options this Gujarat in the name of identity as if time. The RSS is in the picture from the its people have a different entity than The Girl Who Changed beginning. Its chief Mohan Bhagwat the rest of Indians. Had Punjab chief Pakistan: Malala Yousafzai Shehrbano Taseer has not only welcomed Narendra minister Prakash Singh Badal done it, Modi at the RSS headquarters in the entire nation would have pounced Nagpur but has also announced that upon him for leading the Sikhs to Editor : Modi would get a higher position in separatism. G. G. Parikh the BJP after the Gujarat assembly Managing Editor : Guddi election next month. This, indeed, Modi is responsible for misleading reaffirms as to who controls the reins the Gujaratis, who look like re- D-15, Ganesh Prasad, of the BJP. However, to lessen the electing him. They have been daring Naushir Bharucha Marg, party leaders’ humiliation, Bhagwat the country for almost for 15 years Mumbai - 400 007. has said that the selection of prime that for them the state government minister’s candidate is the prerogative is more important than the nation Email : [email protected] of the party. Yet, on the other hand, he which is sworn to the principles has rubbed the salt on their wounds enunciated in the constitution. For 2 JANATA, October 28, 2012 the Gujaratis, equality before the law and separation between state Private property and territorial identity and politics has stayed on paper because their chief minister Modi K. S. Chalam has been determined to flout the principles. This was visible in 2002 The issue of FDI has initiated a pass orders to transfer titles (in the when some 2000 Muslims were debate on several related concerns name of mutation) even in Adivasi butchered because they were not and movements, some to strengthen areas to non-tribals. considered equal and because they it and quite a few to divert attention were sacrificed at the altar of Modi’s from its adverse impact. It is said This is happening despite abolition innovation of mixing religion with that the liberalization agenda is a of Article 31 (private property) with the state. package consisting of intellectual, the alleged help of Art 300-A and invoking eminent domain. In fact, Had the guilty been punished civil society and political interest in 1984 when the Sikhs were the group activities to have control over the whole issue of private property is victims at Delhi, the Gujarat Hindus properties of independent nations. a very interesting subject that needs would not have dared to indulge in our attention in the context not only ethnic cleansing. The burning of 46 It is believed that FDI would of FDI but even issues of territorial Hindus in a compartment at Godhara enhance the productive capacity and regional identities. was a provocation. But the pogrom and wealth of those nations whose in Gujarat would have taken place resources were either unutilized Land, as private property, is a even without the Godhara incident or underutilized. Several scholars post-colonial construct as far as as a few plucky journalists have and activists are now referring to India and some third world countries brought out in their write-ups. the advantages of FDI, particularly are concerned. Though, India and with reference to Wal-Mart in the third world countries do not The guilty in Guajrat have not China. belong to the so-called Robinson yet been brought to book. There are Crusoe type of economies, they had some pending cases in which Modi’s Yes, we can learn from the traditional institutions to take care of name is mentioned. To project experiences of China, but one should the needs of society and individuals him as India’s next prime minister know the history and the conditions in a limited way. tantamounts to dragging down the under which the FDI operates there. country to the dust of shame and Till 1982 there was no right to The right to private property has oblivion. How can a political party private property as the communists been built over a period of time. think of Modi even if it shuts its eyes believed in Proudhon saying that There are other concepts like wealth, to the murders, rapes and lootings? “all property is theft”. But Deng, in capital along with property that is his reformation program brought the interchangeably used to convey The BJP has been hurt by another 1982 Constitution with a provision similar meaning. But, they are not unexpected quarter. Its chief Nitin for private property facilitating the same. Gadkari is allegedly possessing communes to own land. bogus firms which he has created to Wealth is abundance of value of make money while he was the PWD Again, China brought an Act on material goods or assets held by a minister in Maharashtra. The charges private property in 2007. Yet, all person or firm at a particular date. against him are so serious that even land in urban areas is owned by Capital, on the other hand, consists the RSS sources have reportedly the State and the foreign investor of any durable goods capable of said that the BJP’s image has been is not allowed to buy land. FDIs go producing a stream of benefits over severely dented. The Congress has to regions/places that are identified a period of time, and includes wealth been given a god-send opportunity by the State for their economic also. Private property is defined as and it has already ordered what it activities and not beyond. If it were something owned as a tangible and refers to as “soft inquiry.” In any in India, our experts would have or intangible goods like a patent, case, the BJP will not be in a position created precedents (like SEZs) to copyright, etc, to use it to earn (Continued on Page 9) make the courts/revenue officials income, transfer or enforce its use JANATA, October 28, 2012 3 by others through legal means and development is being carried out some other country or region. can be bequeathed. with their indulgence as they get a nominal wage. This approach would enable It is this feature of property that us to understand the absurdity of has allowed WTO to develop the This process would be painless starvation deaths in a region with concept of intellectual property and if the whole monetary system went plenty of production of food grains. created a legal framework to get under the control of one agency or This is an extension of what Amartya the efforts made in the capitalist an ensemble of institutions like the Sen has said about starvation deaths; countries to be owned and operated World Bank and WTO. for instance, in districts like KBK by them or by their cronies. where there is surplus of production These institutions appear to be of food grains but due to lack of This has enabled a few global but their policies go in favor purchasing power people fail to pay corporations run by individuals of the rich and advanced countries. for them and die of starvation. or families to own properties in It is in this context that one can different countries and operate them look at the economic activities This can be applied to countries from a metropolitan centre like New in metropolitan centres like New and regions to understand the York, London, and New Delhi, etc. York, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, mechanism of exploitation of natural Vizag, etc. For instance, the income resources without much benefit to The concept of private property generated in the centre is taken as the inhabitants like the Adivasis. is more relevant today than it ever part of a State or region, but the We can take the example of North before was due to the expansionist owners of the property that generate Andhra or rural Visakhapatnam and over-jealous nature of some income or the decision-makers of where most people are poor, but the capitalists who are interested in that income/property could live aggregate income, including Vizag, destroying the boundaries of nations elsewhere. seems to be higher than others. This and even regions in their lust for dichotomy is due to the fact that the accumulation. The method of calculating the owners of the properties in the region GDP/SDP or even district income (city) are not the locals. It is here that the concept of is not bound by the ownership of property needs to be seriously the property, but is summative of Similarly, a region may remain understood as it has the capacity as the goods and services produced poor while capitalists of the a piece of paper (registered or as in a year in the defined boundaries region might own huge properties a convention) might confer rights of a country, State or district. This elsewhere without any benefit to the to transfer the whole economic is a dichotomy as the income thus locals. Thus, the territorial identity activity of a region or country or sub- calculated is considered as the like a country, State or region is region to a few individuals living wealth of the State or region, but problematic, if the property or elsewhere. the people there do not have any wealth is not owned (at least free recourse to the fruits of the wealth access) by the local people. This is much easier in the regime thus created, if the owners belong to of share market. Trillions of dollars do cross borders with just a click of Dear Socialist Comrades, the mouse now. Therefore, the rights would ensure that the properties Two veteran Socialists and friends and colleagues of Dr Lohia namely could be physically located in a place Somayya Ravela and his son Manohar Ravela and Bhola Prasad Singh, or region or country, but the decision former minister of Bihar have done tremendous and fantastic job by establishing Lohia websites http://lohiatoday.com/ and http://www. to transfer or enjoy the fruits of it lie lohiavani.com/ elsewhere.

In other words, the national I would request you to visit these websites, contribute to it and propagate boundaries and even State boundaries about it among the socialist fraternity. It will be a great service to the become extraneous while gullible Socialist cause and in the promotion of socialist ideology. people living in the region could –Qurban Ali be kept under the illusion that 4 JANATA, October 28, 2012 Socialists need not be alarmists

Bapu Heddurshetti

About the economic situation in (apart from State pools) in January The Infant and Maternal mortality the country, Pannalal Surana has 2012 was 55.2 million tonnes as rates have come down and the drawn a very bleak picture (Janata, against the minimum norm of 25 life expectancy and literacy levels October 14, 2012) quoting inflation, million tonnes, which is adequate have increased. About employment rate of employment generation, lack for meeting the requirements under generation, do you remember when of public investment in agriculture the public distribution system and Gandhi visited the Manchester Cloth and child and maternal mortality welfare schemes. India ranks first in Mills and requested the workers rates and literacy, etc. But the the world in milk production, which there not to take away the jobs of economic situation in India is not as went up from 17 million tonnes in Indian weavers? Today the American bleak as he would have us believe. 1950-51 to 121.84 million tonnes in President Obama is coming to India On the contrary, permit me to 2010-11. The per capita availability and asking her not to snatch jobs mention that. according to the IMF, of milk has also increased from 112 from the Americans! India is projected to be the second- grams per day in 1968-69 to 281 fastest-growing major economy (7 grams in 2010-11 when the world The poor unskilled people in the per cent) after China (8.2 per cent). average per capita availability was rural areas are getting employment The increase in share of India, in 284 grams per day in 2009-10. under the MGNREGA. The reaction global GDP places her as the fourth to this statement will be that the largest economy in Purchasing It is strange that on the one hand MGNREGA is not reaching the Power Parity terms. Between 1980 Pannalji complains that India’s targeted persons and that there is and 2010 while the share of GDP of trade deficit is growing and on the corruption. If it is not reaching US was reduced from 24.6 percent other he opposes tooth and nail the targeted persons, how is it, to 19.5 percent in terms of PPP, the SEZs meant to increase our that today farmers all over India that of EU was reduced from 31.4 exports. The SEZs as a whole have are complaining that agricultural percent to 20.4 percent but that of provided employment to 8,15,308 workers are not available to work India increased from 2.5 percent persons apart from million man- on their farms, even for Rs. 400 a to 5.5 percent. Between 1980 and days of employment created by day in states like Kerala. Where 2010, India achieved a growth rate the developer for infrastructure have the agricultural workers, who of 6.2 per cent, while the world as activities. Physical exports from constitute almost 25 percent of the a whole registered a growth rate of the SEZs have increased from Rs total population, vanished? Or are 3.3 per cent. 2,20,711.39 crore in 2009-10 to they still in our villages but are Rs 3,15,867.85 crore in 2010-11, refusing to work on the farms? If so Pannalalji speaks of starving of registering a growth of 43.11 per why? If they are poor and hungry, agriculture of public funding. Banks cent. Today our foreign exchange why are they not ready to work on disbursed a credit of Rs. 4,46,779 reserves are 304.8 billion US Dollars farms and earn Rs. 400 a day? Or crore to the agricultural sector as which is 99.5 percent of the total have they decided to die of hunger against a target of Rs. 3,75,000 crore foreign debt. rather than work on the farms? If this in 2010-11, thereby exceeding the is not good news to socialists who target by around 19 per cent. By the Even the social indicators are should champion the cause of those end of 2011, interest waiver and debt not as bad as he would have us who have nothing to lose but their relief to farmers amounted to Rs. believe. Between 1993 and 2005 chains, instead of championing the 29099.94 crores. Is this starving? poverty was reduced from 36 percent cause of those who have at least their The production of food grains during to 27.5 percent according to the lands to lose, then what is? 2011-12 has been estimated at 250.42 Lakdawala methodology and from million tonnes. The stock position of 45 percent to 37 percent according The argument that “The net result Rice and Wheat in the Central pool to the Tendulkar methodology. would be a heavy drain of profit from JANATA, October 28, 2012 5 our country towards parent countries distributed among people whether being judged by ‘lay’ persons on of those foreign traders” is built they are Indians or foreigners should the basis of news paper reports and on the premise of nation-states. In not matter for socialists but may be TV channel shows. As soon as the these days of globalization, where to the nationalist. There is no need news of a scam is flashed in the European nations that fought two to mix the two. news papers or on TV channels, world wars between themselves are there is a tendency amongst now sitting together in the European The Horticultural Co-operative common people to condemn the Union, a single parliament, and are Society in Karnataka is trying to ‘accused’ as ‘guilty’. When one having a single currency, and when reach horticultural produce directly agrees that none of them have we as socialists dream of a world from the producers to the consumers. been punished, would it not be government, to think in terms of Had not the socialists spoken about wrong to talk of shameless in ‘nation-states’ is becoming obsolete eliminating middlemen? I am rehabilitating them? One must and sooner we get rid of such notions sure there are similar co-operative remember that there is a principle the better it is. societies in other states also. Are in law that a person is presumed not Reliance and other ‘local’ retail innocent until he is proved guilty. Also, not all profit is taken away. shops doing the same? Are these Either, we accept the principle The foreign companies have to pay outlets not giving a ‘better’ price to and treat all accused as innocent 30 percen t of the profits as income the growers than they were getting till proved guilty, or condemn tax to the Indian Government in earlier and are they not selling the them as guilty before trial on the addition to paying other taxes to produce at a rate cheaper than the basis of news paper reports and other authorities like the property consumers were buying earlier? news channel shows and say to tax to the local bodies. Out of the If private corporations are leasing hell with the judicial system. It is remaining profits that are taken land from farmers and growing farm quite a different thing to say that away by the foreign companies to products and making profits, why are a person in politics should quit their parent countries, the entire the farmers themselves not able to his office if accused of a serious money does not go into the pockets do so? Instead of wondering if any offence like corruption. But that is of one or two persons. There is also dignitary has come across an example a question of propriety and not of an underlying assumption in these in history where private traders have law. What if, after a trial a person criticisms that the foreign companies paid better prices to the growers, I is proved innocent? Who is going are owned by individual capitalists. wish the critics would make a case to reinstate his lost position and The foreign companies, like any study of a corporate outlet and draw prestige? Indian company also, are not owned, conclusions. Subsidising farming though controlled, by individuals. has a different objective than paying Finally one must be careful Hundreds of thousands of people remunerative prices to their produce. about the Seventh Day Adventists. buy shares in the companies and are The two need not be mixed. Aren’t When I was studying in college, hence the owners of the company. Indian farmers getting subsidy? and when the population of the The company also does not invest country was about 45 crores, these only the money borrowed from When computers were sought to Adventists warned of ‘population the capital market. It also borrows be introduced in banking operations, explosion’ and ‘food riots’. Today money from the Banks and other the ‘alarmists’ raised a hue and cry we are not only feeding 1.2 billion financial institutions. Hence, the that it would lead to unemployment? people but are also exporting food profits earned by these companies What has happened? How many grains. And the economists are are disbursed to the share holders as persons employed in the banking now talking of the advantage India dividends and to the depositors of the industry before the introduction has of a large population which Banks and other financial institutions of computers have been thrown they call ‘demographic dividend’. as interest on their deposits. If only out of employment? Have not the It is necessary that we should give the sentiment attached to the ‘nation banking services improved because up our alarmist attitude and take state’ is removed, the profit earned of computerization? a rational view from a socialist is distributed amongst thousands point of view and think of ways of people whether they are Indians It is most unfortunate that of means of achieving equality in or foreigners. Now if the money is persons like Raja and Kalmadi are the changed context. 6 JANATA, October 28, 2012

There is need for the socialists to learn from history. The Communists Unaccounted Cash seizures must to and the Anarchists had opposed tackle the menace of money in elections the states and condemned them as executive committees for managing Association for Democratic alone viz Rs 9.30 crore in a van in the affairs of the bourgeoisie and as Reforms (ADR) and Gujarat Mehsana, Rs 5 lakh in Sabarkantha fetters on freedom and wanted to Election Watch(GEW), a chapter and Rs 70 lakh from Vijaypur taluka destroy them. But then the democratic of National Election Watch (NEW), on Himmatnagar-Mehsana road. socialists used the very same state which is a campaign of more than Earlier, in 12 cases SST intercepted apparatus to bring about equality in 1200 organizations across India, cash of Rs 1.43 crore out of which many countries. Socialists should be have been working in the area of Rs 1.41 crore was returned as it was more concerned about equality than the electoral and political reforms accounted legal money. about just opposing developments for more than a decade now. ADR like globalization. It is necessary and GEW have also been actively The efficacy of the cash seizure to dispassionately analyse the involved in election watch in the methods has been proved in several phenomenon and try to find out ways state of Gujarat for the upcoming elections in last two years, since the and means of achieving equality elections. time EC has started implementing under the changed circumstances. these expense monitoring measures ADR and GEW have given in the elections. There have been By opposing the Constituent this reaction to a Public Interest record cases of cash seizures across Assembly on the ground that it was Litigation (PIL) filed recently in almost all states during elections. not elected on the basis of adult the Gujarat High Court. The PIL The news reports of cash seizures franchise and by not participating in has been filed by the business by EC in Andhra by-polls earlier its proceedings the socialists had lost community in Gujarat, seeking this year stands at more than Rs 41 an opportunity of giving a socialist “restraint and moderation” of the crore. The corresponding figures orientation to our constitution. It was Election Commission’s (EC) order for Tamil Nadu assembly elections left to Dr. Ambedkar to orient the that rules the seizure of cash beyond in 2011 and UP assembly elections constitution towards socialism to the Rs. 2.5 lakh in transit unless the 2012 are Rs 60 crore and Rs 30 extent he could. If only democratic money has been appropriately crore, respectively. accounted for. ADR reiterates that socialists like Acharya Narendra legitimate business transactions In 2009 Lok Sabha elections, more Deva, Jayaprakash Narayan and based on cash should not suffer, but than Rs 100 crore were confiscated Asoka Mehta were in the Constituent supports the ECI’s measure to seize by EC. These are astronomical sums Assembly, would not our constitution unaccounted for cash. of money and by most estimates just have been more socialist than it is the tip of the amount that actually is now? I only hope that by opposing ADR and NEW unequivocally in circulation during elections major globalization the socialists will not support the EC’s order that directs fraction of which is black money lose another opportunity of working citizens to not to travel with procured through illegal hawala towards socialism. more than Rs 2.5 lakh in cash. transactions. We consider this as a critically Between 1977-78 and 2004- important instrument in the EC’s This huge amount of money 05 while the Per Capita Average Election Expenditure Monitoring spent in elections requires a very Consumption Expenditure increased Mechanism that aims to tackle head- wide-spread web of monitoring by 31 percent at 1977-78 prices, the on the alarmingly increasing menace mechanism and this ECIs order same for the bottom 20 percent of the of money power in elections. Ever of not allowing people to travel population increased by 54 percent. since the model code of conduct with more than Rs. 2.5 lakh is an Is this not a good trend. According came into application, there are news extremely correct step in the right to the GINI coefficient, India has reports that EC’s Static Surveillance direction. Specifically with respect more favourable equality of incomes Team (SST) in Gujarat have already to the present Gujarat Assembly than even China. The need is to seized more than Rs 10 crore of appreciate it and enhance it. unaccounted cash in three cases (Continued on Page 16) JANATA, October 28, 2012 7

Legal Help Committee for Dr. Sunilam, Shesh Rao Suryavanshi and Prahalad Aggarwal An Appeal Dr. Sunilam has been a consistent fighter for the cause of farmers for the last several years. He and two of his colleagues, Shesh Rao Suryavanshi and Prahalad Aggarwal of Kisan Sangharsh Samiti, have been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Session Court of Multai, Dist. Betul, Madhya Pradesh, on 19 October 2012, in the 14 years old Multai Firing Case. There was an indiscriminate firing by the police on farmers gathered at Multai headquarters on 12 January 1998 under the banner of Kisan Sangharsh Samiti led by Dr. Sunilam. They were demanding compensation for their soya been crop destroyed due to bad conditions. In the indiscriminate firing by the police 24 farmers were killed and more than 100 injured. A fire brigade driver Dhir Singh was also killed in the chaos. The administration booked 250 farmers in 66 fake cases. Dr. Sunilam was accused of attempting to burn Inspector Sarnam Singh alive, of snatching a rifle from I.T. S.N. Katare in order to kill him and of killing the fire brigade driver Dhir Singh by assaulting him five times with a stone. The accusations are not true. The truth is that the police brutally repressed the farmers. Dr. Sunilam, Shesh Rao Suryavanshi and Prahalad Aggarwal are now imprisoned in the Bhopal jail. Advocate Aradhna Bhardwaj and other activist friends in Madhya Pradesh are trying to get bail for them and preparing an appeal to file in the Jabalpur High Court. We, the undersigned, appeal for financial contribution and co-operation in this legal battle. The cheque/demand draft may be send to SBI, Multai, in the name of Kisan Sangharsh Samiti, A/C no. 32059516258, code no. 01206. In this connection friends can contact Jagdish Vodke, vill/post – Jaun Kheda, Tehsil – Multai, Dist. Betul – 460661 (MP), phone : 09179124860. –Rajindar Sachar, Bhai Vaidya, Vinod Prasad Singh, G. G. Parikh, Mohan Singh (MP), Sharad Yadav (MP), Ram Gopal Yadav (MP), Medha Patkar, Arvind Kapole, Lilatai Chitle, Mangal Das Arsekar, Vilas Bhongade, Baban D’ Souza, Manhar Gunjan, Mehboob Mahimture, Abhjit Vaidya, A. K. Arun, Sandeep Pandey, Prem Singh and Subhash Vare (Convener, mobile : 09822020773). SM Joshi Socialist Foundation, Ganjve Chowk, Navi Peth, Pune : 411030 Arbitrary Arrest of Dr.Sunilam and Daya Mani Barla

We, the undersigned, are authoritarian state which goes out of Imprisonment of Dr Sunilam, a appalled and anguished by the its way to serve its imperial masters socialist politician from Madhya continuing state repression on mass and the big business. Binayak Sen Pradesh, has been received with a movements and social activists and Seema Azad were given life sense of deep concern and dismay by a pro-business state which is sentence by an equally complicit as part of a trend to silence voices giving up its democratic pretensions of public interest by misleading the judiciary. The former were guilty with each passing day to suppress judiciary to save vested interests. of taking sides with the oppressed all genuine protests by farmers, Dr Sunilam has been part of Indian workers, adivasis and different masses. Thousands of false criminal People’s Movement against WTO marginalized social groups who are cases were imposed on the activists and anti-corruption movement in driven to the brink of starvation, of POSCO and Koodankulam. The the country. Former legislator and dispossession, mass peasant suicides list is endless. The latest examples President of Kisan Sangharsh Samiti, imposed on them by an increasingly are Dr Sunilam and Dayamani Barla. Dr Sunilam led Kisan Andolans. On 8 JANATA, October 28, 2012

12 January, 1998 which was a black conviction in fabricated cases has We condemn this dastardly act day for the farmers’ movement of become a trend that merits the of incarceration of Dr Sunilam our country, the State Government response of the sane legal, social and and Dayamani Barla and urge the under the leadership of Digvijay political minds to defang the bite of governments of MP and Jharkhand Singh brutally crushed the non- the strategic lawsuit against public to withdraw all cases against them violent farmers’ movement using participation. and release them unconditionally. the state police. –Chitranjan Singh -PUCL, Anil Chowdhary-Peace Delhi, Vijay Pratap-Socialist Front, Will D’costa-Insaf Delhi, Kiran Shaheen-Water Right Campaign, Taking note of Dr Sunilam’s Asit Das-Writer & Activist Delhi, Rajni Kant Mudgal-Socialist Front, Sanjay background, the appeal for Kanojia-RJD, Gangadhar Patil-D.N.A. Mumbai, Rajiv Kuamr-Indian socialist. supporting him merits endorsement of all the concerned citizens who Travesty of Justice in love democracy and cherish citizen’s liberty. Multai Police Firing Case

The case of Dayamani Barla “We were expecting this. The sentences awarded to me and two of my who is a journalist turned anti- colleagues Sheshrao Suryavanshi Parmandal and Prahlad Agarwal are an displacement, tribal, woman activist attempt at silencing the ongoing agitation against Adani Power Plant and from Jharkhand is part of a similar Pench Power Project in Chindwara district and also Union Minister for trend to harass public interest Urban Development Kamal Nath’s constituency. We will not be deterred persons. She was granted bail by a by this and our struggle will continue under Kisan Sangharsh Samiti with local court of Ranchi on October 18, the help of all the progressive movements across the country”. 2012. But she was arrested again. When friends and colleagues of –writes Dr. Sunilam from Multai jail. Dayamani reached jail to receive Dr. Sunilam and two of his other BJP government since they have her, they were told that she has colleagues have been sentenced for been actively fighting anti farmer’s been arrested in the Nagadi case life on charges of murder, arson and policies and intervening wherever and can’t be let off. She was sent to others. This is nothing but a travesty necessary. Most recently when Jail on October 16, 2012 in fourteen of justice; since those who need to police fired in Raisen killing days judicial custody, after she be punished are serving the police Harisingh, former Sarpanch in surrendered before the court in a force, have been promoted since May 2012 or when police lathi matter of April 25, 2006. This is not then and those who were struggling charged and arrested many farmers the first time when she is intimidated for rights of farmers have been including Rakesh Tikait of Bhartiya or harassed but the government is sentenced after 14 years. The wrong Kisan Union in Anuppur who were leaving no chance to target her. The sentence given to Dr. Sunilam and fighting against Moser Baer power recent intimidation and arrest is due others is one thing but one is left to plant. Dr. Sunilam has been an active to her leading a restless, successful wonder when will the 24 farmers and proponent of the farmers and workers and mostly peaceful (except once their family get justice? Every year rights and been organising and most when police opened fire on villagers) on January 14 Shahid diwas is being recently constituted anti corruption struggle against the acquisition observed but till date the government units in 40 districts of Madhya of fertile land at Nagari, a village has not given a memorial place in Pradesh. An active socialist, he situated at few kilometers from the Multai town. Every year memorial travelled across the country as part of state capital and where government plaque is brought to the ground and the Dr Lohia Centenary programmes wants to build IIM, IIT and National is then taken back, since government and been active as National Alliance Law School. The government is is refusing them permission to put of People’s Movements Convener desperately trying to crush the it in Multai tehsil compound where in various movements across the movement, by hook or crook. farmers died in police firing. movement. It is not a matter of Dr Sunilam and Dayamani Barla alone. Harassment Dr. Sunilam and KSS has been In May 2011, Dr. Sunilam, of activists on fake pretexts and an enemy of not only Congress Advocate Aradhana Bharagava and government but also of the current other members of KSS were attacked (Continued on Page 9) JANATA, October 28, 2012 9 by the goons of Adani in Chindwara, nothing but a vindictive move on The resistance in Chindwara where he sustained severe injuries part of the corrupt nexus between is against the vested interests of and many of the villagers were later bureaucracy, political forces and the the state government and elected arrested without any charges on the administration whose political and representatives from the region, attackers. It was eighth attack on economic interests are being hurt his life, but he survived. In the past so every attempt is being made to due to Kisan Sangharsh Samiti’s nine years nearly 1,75,000 cases implicate the KSS leadership in other (KSS) active opposition to the against the BJP workers have been cases and this seems to be the reason Adani Thermal Power Plant and withdrawn by the BJP government for implicating Dr. Sunilam in this but farmers and others challenging Pench Water Diversion Project the government continue to languish in Chindwara District and SKS case too. We will not be surprised if in jail or are running from Court and Maxo Power Plants in nearby in other ongoing cases against him to Court. What a shame ! It is districts. will lead to further conviction. Continued Incarceration of Dayamani Barla

Dayamani Barla, die hard fronts most important being the anti one of these wrong judgments in crusader against the corporations in land acquisition struggle in Nagadi the Higher Court and will continue Jharkhand is being kept in custody for setting up of Indian Institute of to struggle against the anti people by the Jharkhand Government under Management near Ranchi. policies of the Government and false cases. It is nothing but a brazen fight for justice. We will not be attempt at threatening her for the NAPM along with other people’s intimidated ! struggle she is leading on various movements will challenge every –Medha Patkar, Gabriele Dietrich, Prafulla Samantara, Sandeep Pandey, Roma, Arundhati Dhuru, Suniti S R, Anand Mazgaonkar, P Chennaiah, Ramakrishnan Raju, Gautam Bandopadhyay, Geetha Ramakrishnan, Bhupendera Singh Rawat, Vimal Bhai, Saraswati Kavula, Mukta Srivastava, Rajendra Ravi, Madhuresh Kumar

(Continued from Page 2) tolerance. Unfortunately, communal where the Babri masjid stood before to roar in parliament as it did in the riots still take place, not at the scale destruction. last session. Its image of cleanliness as they used to be in the fifties, has got a serious beating. sixties and even later. But the nation In fact, Modi himself should is sensitive enough not to return withdraw his claim for the post of The party will have to reckon those who have only religion to sell. prime minister because he reduces with Gadkari’s episode in the next the stature of the position as well as election. Therefore, it does not have In the last six decades, India has the chances of the BJP. If he were to confine its strategy of finding come to settle down as a democratic, to say sorry and undo the wrongs he out whether the wind is blowing pluralistic nation. Whatever else has done to the Muslims, he would in favour of Hindutva by giving happens—it happens to the country’s perhaps come to be known as a currency to Modi’s name. There are shame—democracy has got reformed Modi. Then there may be other issues which the opposition entrenched deep. Religious slogans a chance for him and his party. cannot destabilize it. It may well be will be exploiting. And corruption, Madhu Dandavate so far tagged to Congress, will be a truism but the fact is that there can charge against the party to which it be no democracy without pluralism. By will have to reply. One’s scams will It is a pity that the BJP has not yet B. Vivekanandan be pitted against another’s to the understood this very basic thing. It Price: Rs. 20/- confusion of the electorate. should remember that when it came Janata Trust to power at the centre, it had to cut D-15, Ganesh Prasad, As for Hindutva, India, with all off its communal fangs and give an its faults and failings, is a country undertaking, among other things, on Naushir Bharucha Marg, which prides itself in the spirit of giving a special status to Kashmir Grant Road (W), accommodation and a sense of and not build temple on the place Mumbai 400 007. 10 JANATA, October 28, 2012 Death of Six Persons in Police Firing at Musoori Police Station-II

Behind Sajid Hussain’s office By 6.30 pm ADM, SDM, SP, scribbled on the Koran. The Imam is the mosque of the adjacent every acronym in the administrative told him that he had personally village of Rafiqabad. Someone, and police catalogue are crammed called the number, only to be abused who is mysteriously anonymous, into one small complaints room by someone at the other end. The brought the pages of the Quran to from where they all crawl into the Imam also showed him the defiled Abdul Qadir, “Muezzin” (one who “khazana” or the Strong room to Koran which had a few pages calls the faithful to pray) of the protect themselves. missing and the word “pig” scribbled mosque. Accompanied by a posse on it along with the mobile phone of devotees, Qadir turned up at the Sajid Hussain continued: number. Meanwhile the crowd was Masoori police station, shaking with “Reinforcements please” shouts the swelling and becoming restive, rage. He announced he had come to SP into his mobile phone repeatedly Mr. Hussain remembers giving the file an official complaint. The crowd “Or, we will be killed.” The mob has Koran to someone called Shakeel meanwhile was rapidly transforming held up traffic on NH24, blocking who is the son of Vakil, after that he itself into a mob. And the mob grew reinforcements, he is told. As the does not remember what happened exponentially in size from “Asr” to mob, by now in thousands, surges to those pages. As the crowd swelled “Maghreb”, the two congregational towards the room, setting fire to Mr. Hussain tried to talk to them prayers, one in late afternoon and the vehicles in the way, the ADM and pacify the gathering, however, orders the constable with his finger other at dusk. every time there would be cries on the trigger. “Fire in the air.” The of provocateurs “Allah O Akbar”, constable pulls the trigger. Nothing Sajid Hussain stands up, stretching Some taunted him, “Do you not happens. He shouts “Bandook both his hands which nearly touch know what is happening in Libya kharab hai”, (the gun doesn’t fire). the ceiling. “Calls were being given with the provocative film on Islam?’ Where is the armoury? There is no at all the village mosques asking and once again the crowd would start armoury, just one more .303 rifle, the congregations to rush to the getting angry and had already started say the policemen. Encouraged by Masoori police station.” That is how burning a bus. a virtually unarmed police station, the crowd swelled. He then screams the mob breaks the door. into the air: “Who has given them Sajid Hussain continued: By the time for the Maghreb namaz, so much power, these Imams of ADM orders the police to fire from mosques?” And when the situation the solitary gun in its possession into around 19:30, the crowd had swelled goes out of control “You expect the crowd. Youngsters, at least three to thousands and despite being the secular leadership to douse the including bystanders, are shot in the dispersed would come back insisting flames?” head. Three more die of excessive that the man whose mobile number bleeding. was written on the pages be arrested According to Mr. Sajid, earlier immediately. Soon the crowd started when the SHO asked Qadir to let According to Sajid Hussain pelting the police station with stones him have the pages of the Quran so the local Imam told him that the and bricks and all of them inside he can attach it or make a copy of Muezzin brought the defiled Koran were forced to take shelter inside it for the FIR, Qadir refused. The to him. The Imam insisted that the the Khazana or Strong room. A SDM Quran would become “unclean” if Koran be buried and with it the and an SP were injured and when the SHO handled it. Was not that potentially explosive issue. However there was no sight of any additional particular page from the Quran apparently a group of people felt force despite repeated requests, the already “desecrated”? After all, that otherwise and insisted that the ADM ordered to open fire. There specifically was Qadir’s complaint. Imam take the Koran to the police were only two rifles in the chowki Moreover anyone can buy a copy of station and a report should be filed and the first rifle did not fire, after the Quran from bookshops. Qurans and the police be asked to arrest the that the ADM ordered firing again thus sold become unclean? person whose phone number was and it was with the second rifle JANATA, October 28, 2012 11 which worked that the crowd was as they could not be taken to any alertness. It could also be to prevent dispersed and the six persons died. hospital. any open talk of the event and to terrorize people into submission The Chairman was concerned why Postmortem reports confirmed and silence. was there a call from almost all the four out of six died having received neigbouring mosques to gather at the bullets from close range. Other two SP Government led by Akhilesh police station. During the time when died because of blunt injuries. The Yadav has been in power for the he was trying to pacify the crowd team was not told of post-mortem last six months and in these six he was repeatedly being taunted for reports despite enquiring, but an months it was the 31st incident of betraying the cause of the Muslims, account was published in the Indian communal violence or violence now after the firing the Hindus are Express on September 20, 2012. against Muslims. It was sixth major blaming him for getting the crowd Mode of death as per post-mortem incident in this period. While in there and targeting their buses. He findings as given in the report are incidents in Pratapgarh, Bareiley said that there is a concerted effort as under: and Mathura, local conflicts between to infiltrate the mosque committees communities provided the backdrop with more fundamentalist Muslims Mohammad Arif (18): Died of of the violence, in Allahabad, and destroy the communal harmony. excessive bleeding after an entry Lucknow and now in Masoori, police This area had never witnessed and exit wound caused by a bullet fired upon the Muslim protestors communal riots though there have in the thigh. Clothes had blackening, who were rallied behind religious been previous unsuccessful attempts. signifying a bullet fired from close slogans. In these incidents there was The team tried looking for Qadir but by. Range possibly 6 to 7 feet. Hayat no violence between communities he remained elusive. Sajid Hussain (35): Died due to bullet injury to the but police violence against Muslims. sent for him twice but he did not skull. Range possibly 8 to 10 feet. appear. Wahid (20): Gunshot injury to the SP Government’s response has skull. Blackening present. Range been to announce compensation to The team also interacted with possibly 4 feet. Lukman (14): Bullet the deceased and seriously injured common people who as noted above injury to the right skull. Blackening and to order administrative enquiries. were particularly apprehensive of present, indicating a range possibly But it has made no effort to expose admitting of their presence at the of about 4 feet. Amir Khan (16): the culprits and punish them. police station that day. However, Abdominal wound caused by a blunt they said that large gathering was instrument, possibly a stick, or by SP had gained clear majority in due to the haat on that day. This is falling down. Wasim (22): Injuries the 2012 Assembly elections. In this, also corroborated by the fact that caused by a blunt object to the left support from Muslims reportedly the number initially was small and side of the skull. Skull fractured. played a major role. However, since started swelling later, as the news coming to power of Akhilesh Yadav of not filing FIR and taking action Bullets from three deceased have led SP Government there have been spread. been sent for forensic tests which many incidents of police firing on will show whether they were fired Muslims while there have also been Some people also said that though from the same gun as claimed by attempts to mobilize Muslims on announcement in Masjids was made the police and Admn. or different religious issues. to go to Masoori police station, but ones. Bullet from the fourth who had the people who were coming from received bullet in thigh could not be This area is part of Dholana those villages did not reach the found, according to police sources assembly constituency wherefrom police station as on their way they cited in the report. in 2012 elections SP candidate had learnt of the police firing and deaths. defeated his nearest BSP rival by They returned from the way. So, On the way back the team saw over 9000 votes. BJP had been third we have two contradictory versions heavy police presence in all areas. and Peace Party, a new entrant to here. Common people also said that Every street and every corner was electoral fray, was fourth bagging demonstrators and bystanders were occupied by armed policemen. Such over 29000 votes. RLD candidate fired at from close range. Some died heavy police presence after the event supported by the Congress was a on the spot and some may have died shows the Admn.’s effort to show its distant fifth. 12 JANATA, October 28, 2012

Observations: is clear that the people had police station, the police was not 1. The versions given by the come to file an FIR and were aware of it and took no remedial Administration, police and ruling enraged by the dilly-dallying of action, mobilizing of force or politicians have been identical the local police as perceived by trying to talk to their leaders, i.e. Muslim mob enraged by them. They probably believed only waited in the police station desecration of Koran and that the present administration for people to come and the crowd mobilized through Masjids had would be responsive to their to swell. vandalized the police station and demand and had therefore been 8. No effort was made to calm police fired upon this mob only further aggrieved by such an the people nor any effort or attitude. When the police and to save their lives. However this announcement (on public address local politicians retreated inside version in many essential parts is system or otherwise) made to along with some persons, people not corroborated by the versions warn them before firing, these got restive and barged in to know of the common people. Moreover being made out to be niceties not what was being done on their this version also does not stand to be cared for at such times to complaint. test of scrutiny. The entire team save their lives. of policemen posted on that 4. Violent incident of burning 9. From the incongruities in the day had been transferred or the vehicles inside the police police-administration version suspended. Hence the policemen station of vehicles seized by and from the facts cobbled present were only giving official police while sparing many others together from people’s narratives, version and would evade any and particularly a diesel tanker it appears that the people had question saying they were not standing in full public view only gathered without violent intent. present. shows that this incident whose authorship may be doubtful, at Police firing was not only 2. While it appears to be a fact excessive but also uncalled that large number of people had least does not show any violent intent. for. Situation could have been gathered at the police station, handled sparing the lives of the 5. It is also surprising that only one in fact it all started with only people. 100-150 people which gradually rifle was operational in the police swelled to nearly 4000 thanks station. ADM, SDM, SP (Rural) 10. People are afraid of talking or largely to the haat on that day. and other officials must have admitting their presence as is But what does not appear to be a come with their security who generally the case after such fact is that people had gathered must have possessed weapons. incidents. Police generally files with any violent intent. Such a Also thana incharge must open-ended FIR in such cases large gathering confronting only have had his personal weapon. and implicates anyone who about 15 policemen with one Forensic tests would establish speaks or claims to be injured to functioning rifle, scattering away veracity of this claim of only one justify its own position. People even after six people were shot rifle being used. are not willing to speak and dead without causing any serious 6. The story of additional police even when they speak request injury to anybody. The police- force not reaching the site due to not being quoted. This is also administration claim of crowd road block while officers could responsible for a large number possessing firearm also does not reach there also needs further of people having fled for fear of stand to scrutiny as these were examination and explanation. arrests or not seeking treatment not used against police or any It has to be ascertained at what in hospitals. The all pervading other person even while police level this occurred and who atmosphere of fear is all too had killed six of the crowd. in the official hierarchy was palpable in this area and heavy Marks on the compound wall responsible for this. police presence is adding to that. alone, pointed out by policemen, 7. While it is the line of police- 11. It is clear that full facts of the are not convincing evidence of administration-local ruling class incident can’t be formally brought violent intent of the crowd. politicians that announcement out unless people are assured of 3. From all accounts even of the was being made from Masjid their safety and freedom from police and administration it from noon of assembling at police prosecution. JANATA, October 28, 2012 13

12. This incident happening so close to the Capital shows police The Girl Who Changed Pakistan: ineptitude and callous disregard Malala Yousafzai of people’s lives. Because of the protection they receive, police Shehrbano Taseer display utter disregard of legal procedures and show no reason for employing tact or restraint. The teenage girls chatted to each route that Malala took to school, Demands: other and their teachers as the school and, once the attack was done, To overcome atmosphere of bus rattled along the country road. the Tehrik-e-Taliban in Pakistan fear and establish full facts of the Students from a girls’ high school in gleefully claimed responsibility, incident, to apportion responsibility Swat, they had just finished a term saying Malala was an American for this tragedy involving loss of paper, and their joy was evident spy who idolized the “black devil six lives, to uncover the forces as they broke into another Pashto Obama.” She had spoken against behind this incident and to prevent song. About a mile outside the the Taliban, they falsely said, and such occurrence in future, it is city of Mingora, two men flagged vowed to shoot her again, should vitally important that a judicial down and boarded the bus, one of she survive. them pulling out a gun. “Which one probe into this incident should be The power of ignorance is conducted without delay. Such an of you is Malala Yousafzai?” he demanded. No one spoke—some frightening. My father, Salmaan enquiry should be conducted by Taseer, was murdered last January a sitting Judge of the High Court. out of loyalty, others out of fear. But, unconsciously, their eyes turned after he stood up for Aasia Noreen, a Administrative enquiry will only be voiceless, forgotten Christian woman a means to cover up. to Malala. “That’s the one,” the gunman said, looking the 15-year- who had been sentenced to death for All attempts to terrorize people, old girl in the face and pulling the allegedly committing blasphemy. arbitrary arrests and falsely trigger twice, shooting her in the My father, the governor of Punjab implicating people must be stopped head and neck. He fired twice more, province at the time, believed that immediately. People’s democratic wounding two other girls, and then our country’s blasphemy laws had rights should be respected. Open- both men fled the scene. been misused; that far too frequently, ended FIRs should not be allowed they were taken advantage of to to be misused and stop the people Over the screams and tears of the settle scores and personal vendettas. from speaking the truth. girls, a teacher instructed the bus In the days before my father’s – Sayed Naqwi driver to drive to a local hospital a murder, fanatics had called for a few miles away. She stared in horror fatwa against him and had burned at Malala’s body, bleeding profusely him in effigy at large demonstrations. Janata and slumped unconscious in her His confessed shooter, a 26-year-old Subscription friend’s lap, then closed her eyes and man named Mumtaz Qadri, said Annual Rs. : 260/- started to pray. he had been encouraged to kill my father after hearing a sermon by a Three Years : 750/- As of this writing, Malala fights cleric, who, frothing at the mouth, Demand Draft / Cheque on for her life at the Queen Elizabeth screeched to 150 swaying men to kill Hospital in Birmingham, England. Mumbai Bank my father, the “blasphemer.” Qadri, Her would-be killers have not yet a police guard, had been assigned been caught. But it’s clear who bears in favour of to protect my father. Instead, on responsibility. And in the days since the afternoon of Jan. 4, my brother the Octoer 9 assault on her, sadness, Janata Trust Shehryar’s 25th birthday, he killed fury, and indignation have swept the my father, firing 27 bullets into his D-15, Ganesh Prasad, world. Naushir Bharucha Marg, back as he walked home. Mumbai 400 007 For months a team of Taliban My father, one of the first members sharpshooters studied the daily of the ruling Pakistan People’s Party, 14 JANATA, October 28, 2012 was frequently imprisoned and been twisted into by media anchors told us not to wear colorful dress tortured for his unwavering belief and clerics on a hysterical witch that might make Taliban angry.” in freedom and democracy under hunt. Maybe if he had listened to She wrote about walking past the the harsh dictatorship of Gen. Zia what my father really said, Pakistan headless bodies of those who had ul Haq. would not have lost its bravest man defied the radicals, and about a boy and I my center of gravity. named Anis, who, brainwashed But in later life, as he spoke by the Taliban, blew himself up at against the blasphemy laws, his After his bloody deed, Qadri was a security checkpoint. He was 16 views were distorted to suggest— hailed as a hero by right-wingers years old. wrongly—that he had spoken and fanatics. In a loathsome display against Prophet Muhammad—just in front of the court where he was Encouraged by her father, as Malala’s views were twisted to be tried, hundreds of lawyers Ziauddin, a schoolmaster, Malala by both her Taliban attackers and charged with upholding justice quickly became known as she spoke opportunistic politicians peddling instead showered the murderer with out on the right to an education. poisonous falsehoods for their own rose petals in praise of him taking a Ziauddin had two sons also, but he gain. sacred life. told friends it was his daughter who had a unique spark. She wanted to One would think the nightmare But terrorism bears within it the study medicine, but he persuaded and brutality of the Zia regime ended seeds of its own destruction. What her that when the time came she when the tyrant’s aircraft fell out of schools with a good syllabus can should enter politics so she might the skies in 1988 and he was killed. offer is the timeless and universal help create a more progressive We were so wrong. appeal of critical thinking. society—at the heart of which was education for all. In Pakistan, 25 What the attack on Malala makes This is what the Taliban are most million children are out of school, clear is that this is really a battle over afraid of. Critical thinking has the and the country has the lowest youth education. A repressive mindset has power to defuse terrorism; it is an literacy rate in the world. been allowed to flourish in Pakistan internal liberation that jihadism because of the madrassa system simply cannot offer. “I hope you won’t laugh at me,” set up by power-hungry clerics. Ziauddin wrote in an email to Adam It’s a deeply rooted indoctrination, This time, with the attack on Ellick, an American filmmaker, and it sickens me to see ancient Malala, what is different—and after Ellick had stayed with the religious traditions undermined by encouraging—is the outpouring of family in Swat for several months. a harsher form of religion barely support in Pakistan for this young “Can I dream for her to be the a generation old. These madrassa, girl. We cannot, and we will not, take youngest to clench a Nobel award or religious schools headed by any more madness. for education?” clerics, are the breeding ground of Islamic radicalism. The clerics don’t Malala was only 11 when she In the film that Ellick made for The teach critical thinking. Instead, they started blogging entries from her New York Times in 2009, the bond disseminate hate. These clerics are diary for the Urdu-language website between Ziauddin and his daughter raising merchants of hatred who of the BBC. Her nom de plume was is evident as is his pride in his young believe in a very right-wing and Gul Makai, meaning cornflower in daughter’s accomplishment. “When radical Islam, to hail people like Pashto and the name of the heroine of I saw her for the first time, a very Osama bin Laden and Mumtaz Qadri many local folk stories. A star student newborn child, and I looked into as heroes. They train children how to with olive skin, bushy eyebrows, and her eyes, I fell in love with her,” use guns and bombs, and how not to intense brown eyes, Malala wrote Ziauddin says at one point in the live but to die. about life under Taliban rule: how film, beaming. “Believe me, I love she hid her schoolbooks under her her.” (Her mother, a homemaker Since my father’s murder, I have shawl and how she kept reading even who speaks only Pashto, is also often wondered if Qadri would have after the Taliban outlawed school supportive of Malala’s work; she killed him had he known my father’s for girls. In an entry from January wasn’t depicted in Ellick’s film for actual views and not what they had 2009 she wrote: “Today our teacher cultural reasons.) JANATA, October 28, 2012 15

At the time, the Taliban had Former British prime minister shift in preparation for a long-term swept through Swat, banning girls’ Gordon Brown said the attack had fight. education and attacking hundreds given rise to a children’s movement, of schools in the province. But with children proudly wearing “I The assault on Malala seemed Ziauddin—who, in addition to am Malala” T-shirts and defiantly a departure from Mullah Omar’s running a school, is also a poet, asserting their rights. “Young people “charm offensive”—a desperate a social activist, and head of the are seeing through the hypocrisy of but well-known attempt to spread National Peace Council in Swat— ... their leaders [who] deny millions fear. Even among those who had defied the Taliban by refusing to of girls and boys the opportunity supported the TTP’s ideological cancel classes, despite continued to rise,” Brown said in an email. goals in the past, there was revulsion death threats. “They were so “For one Malala shot and silenced, at the attack on the little girl. “The violently challenged,” says Ellick, there are now thousands of younger shooting could be an attempt to show who is still close to the family. Malalas who cannot be kept quiet.” that they are still active,” says author and analyst Zahid Hussain. “They As Ziauddin explained his Ziauddin is reportedly shattered want to send a message.” motivation at one point: “Islam by the attack on his daughter and Instead of being chastised by the teaches us that getting an education unable to speak, yet he plans on popular outrage both in Pakistan is compulsory for every girl and returning to Pakistan once her and in the West, the Taliban has wife, for every woman and man. treatment is complete. He wants to responded by threatening local This is the teaching of the holy return to their work on education journalists who have covered the Prophet,” he said. “Education is a with renewed commitment and attack on Malala. The TTP has light and ignorance is a darkness, strength. He told Ellick: “If all of us even threatened cricketer-turned- and we must go from darkness into die fighting, we will still not leave politician Imran Khan, claiming he light.” this work.” is a liberal and therefore an infidel. The threats surprised many since Ziauddin “has given Malala a In order to operate, the “Taliban Khan”—as many refer to love, strength, and confidence that’s Taliban need the acceptance—or him—is perceived as an apologist rare,” agrees Samar Minallah Khan, submission—of the population. A a Pakistani journalist and filmmaker Gallup poll conducted two years for the extremists. In fact, in the who knows the family. “She has an ago shows that only 4 percent days after the attack on Malala, incredible spirit and a mind of her of Pakistan’s 180-plus million Khan was strongly criticized for not own because of the confidence he population views the Taliban in a taking a more forceful stance on her has given her.” positive light. But the TTP, as they shooting. (Khan said he could not speak too openly against the Taliban In three short years, Malala are known, have capitalized on the mounting anti-Americanism spurred because that could imperil the lives became the chairperson of the of his supporters in the north.) District Child Assembly in Swat, by civilian casualties of U.S. drone was nominated for the International strikes. Keen to cultivate favorable “Pakistan has arrived at its with- Children’s Peace Prize by Desmond public opinion, Mullah Omar, the us-or-against-us moment,” Bilawal Tutu, was the runner-up of the spiritual leader of the Taliban, issued Bhutto Zardari, the son of the International Children’s Peace Prize, a “new code of conduct” in 2010 that president, told Newsweek by email. and won Pakistan’s first National banned suicide bombings against The 24-year-old Bhutto Zardari Youth Peace Prize. More recently civilians, burning down schools, and succeeded his mother, Benazir she started to organize the Malala cutting off ears, lips, and tongues. Bhutto, as chairman of Pakistan’s Education Foundation, a fund to On the Web, the TTP rallied against ruling party after her assassination ensure poor girls from Swat could drone strikes, condemned attacks in 2007. (The family believes that go to school. on shrines, hospitals, schools, and the Taliban killed her, though an al marketplaces. In practice, however, Qaeda commander initially claimed Sharing her father’s eloquent and the code was spottily enforced and responsibility.) determined advocacy made Malala did not necessarily mean a gentler a powerful symbol of resistance to insurgency. Critics claim that any Even as Malala fights for her Taliban ideology. changes were cosmetic—a tactical life, people continue to twist her R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, October 28, 2012 P.R. No. MH/MR/WEST/275/2010-2012. Posted on every Wednesday at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1 views and words to suit their own and the means to bring perpetrators tongue when asked if he believes incendiary narrative. Samia Raheel to justice. “If we do capture the the attackers will get caught and Qazi, herself a mother and a senior terrorists who attacked Malala, I do punished. “I don’t think so at all,” he figure in Pakistan’s largest religious hope they are brought to justice,” says. “When have they ever?” party, Jamaat-e-Islami, posted an says the government spokesman, image of Malala, her father, and the Bhutto Zardari. But sounding less There is talk now in Pakistan of late U.S. envoy Richard Holbrooke than convinced, he cautions in the further military sweeps of militant on Twitter, adding a caption that same email: “This is a war zone. Just strongholds. But it is clear that the falsely claimed that Malala had as NATO or the U.S. will not capture solution cannot be purely military. attended “a meeting with American every terrorist in Afghanistan we The government must address the military officers.” cannot capture every terrorist in root causes of terrorism as Malala Pakistan.” argued. “If the new generation is not In Pakistan such character given pens, they will be given guns assassinations and conspiracy Malala’s English teacher, who by the terrorists,” she said before she theories are unfortunately not is close to the family, clicks his was shot. “We must raise our voice.” uncommon—and they benefit the Taliban’s odious campaign. (Continued from Page 6) cash. The paper also prescribes “Liberals would like to believe this Elections that are to be held in putting a limitation on cash holding is a turning point for Pakistan,” December, 2012, the elections fall for private use and confiscation of says journalist Najam Sethi. “That’s in festive season and not much cash held beyond prescribed limits. what they thought when a Swati should be left to imagination if we ADR and GEW also appeal to all political parties that they ask their girl was publicly flogged by the consider how this atmosphere can candidates to keep their expenses in Taliban in 2009.” Pakistanis were be exploited by candidates if certain limit, so that the elections take place at first outraged, but the anti- strategic and effective steps are in a free and fair manner and the Taliban consensus soon evaporated, not taken to monitor and check the influence of money power is reduced he recalls. Sethi believes that election-expenses. in the elections. upcoming Pakistan elections will further politicize the attack. “The A case of similar nature also government will make the right came up before Madras High Court noises but fall in line with exigencies during the Tamil Nadu assembly of party politics. No general or elections of 2011 when the court civilian will risk precipitous action.” took the suo motu cognizance of various newspaper reports in which Pakistan’s government is funding some political party leaders had Malala’s treatment and will present complained about various similar her with a national award for restrictions imposed by EC. The courage. It has also promised jobs to court had declined to curb the the family members of the other two powers of EC to prevent distribution girls who were shot. But many fear of money to voters and also directed that—despite the arrest of almost that the standard procedures for 200 people—the investigation into dealing with unaccounted cash and the attack will conclude as most other valuables be followed. investigations do: with a failure Price: Rs. 20/- to prosecute those responsible. Even the white paper of the UPA Our antiterrorism courts have a government has also recommended Janata Trust D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Naushir shoddy record of convictions. The in para 6.13 that existing laws Bharucha Marg, judiciary and law-enforcement should be amended to regulate the Grant Road (W), Mumbai 400 007. agencies clearly lack both the will possession and transportation of Printed and Published by G.G. Parikh on behalf of Janata Trust. Printed at Mouj Printing Bureau, Khatau Wadi, Girgaum, Mumbai-400 004 and published at D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Naushir Bharucha Marg (Sleater Road), Mumbai - 400 007. Established 1946 Price : Rupees Five

Vol. 67 No. 41 Is it the winning team? November 4, 2012 S. Viswam

Public Property for Private Use The composition of the UPA’s Minister has done a good job in K. S. Chalam new team that is set to measure up finalizing the choices and identifying to the challenge of leading the those who can deliver. A Day of two incidents coalition to victory in the 2014 Lok Pannalal Surana Sabha polls is now in position. As the That said, it has to be added that Prime Minister has asserted, the reaction to the reshuffle exercise Violence in Assam Sunday’s exercise of reshuffle and would have been different had Rahul has subsided… expansion and reallocation of Gandhi agreed to be part of the new Harsh Mander portfolios is the last he expects to team. However, he is still reluctant undertake before the elections. The to try his hand at administration, The Island Controversy nation is only too well aware that the preferring instead to play a role in Brij Khandelwal 2014 confrontation is a matter of strengthening the Congress. He has “political” life and death for the two no experience in administration. One India’s Rising Billionaires major coalitions, the one lead by the cannot assess his potential as a Vivek Dehejia Congress and the other by the minister, in either senior or junior Bharatiya Janta Party. Parties which capacities, although the Prime Al-Qaeda’s India focus are members of neither coalition also Minister seems to be confident of his Tufail Ahmad have a major stake in the 2014 competence. Even if we give him outcome since it will shape up their the benefit of the doubt, the remaining State of Human Rights in the future in the states. All in all, months before the polls are too short Prisons of Maharashtra therefore, given the importance of a period to test him in this respect. Pamela Fernandes the coming parliamentary poll, the So, perhaps it is just as well that he contribution of the government that has stayed out of the government. will be in office at the time of the At the same time, his work till now Editor : hustings in moulding the image of the in the organizational field has been G. G. Parikh ruling dispensation will count a lot. unremarkable. Indeed, the Congress Managing Editor : Guddi The people will judge the UPA by which fought the UP assembly the performance of the new team elections under his leadership could D-15, Ganesh Prasad, and juxtapose it by the overall not even ensure victories in his and his mother Sonia Gandhi’s Naushir Bharucha Marg, performance of the Manmohan Singh regime during the last three constituencies. He has not displayed Mumbai - 400 007. years. Seen from that perspective, any striking leadership qualities either, Email : [email protected] one has to say that the Prime and his voice is not heard when the 2 JANATA, November 4, 2012 party is in crisis or needs a guiding Public Property for Private Use hand. Why is the nation being asked by the Congress to place high reliance on Rahul Gandhi’s ability to K. S. Chalam deliver, especially in these times where formidable challenges have to The difference between public changed the characters of most of be combated with over-riding property and private property is that, our public resources after the confidence and competence, is the former offers benefits to the introduction of their methods of intriguing, to say the least. The only society as a whole while the latter exploitation. Scholars like Madhav explanation is that the Congress profits the individual. Common Gadgil and others have recorded how takes it for granted that this nation property that is generally referred to the common property resources in of a billion plus owes a moral as public property in popular jargon is regions like the West coast ( Uttara obligation to the Nehru-Gandhi different, as it is only a local resource kannada) have undergone radical dynasty and keep rewarding the like grass, woods, weeds, fish, etc transformation, might as per some, family for services rendered in the that are being controlled and utilized give us a clue as to how the public distant past. by small communities, in our country properties have moved into the hands by traditional castes. Common of individuals. However, the Cabinet formation is the sole property resources are depleted anthropological approach to study prerogative of the Prime Minister. throughout the world with the advent common property would have certain This “perk” attached to his position of colonial system of terms of trade limitations to understand the as the First Servant of the Country based on market and are being studied complexity of the transfer of public cannot be questioned or challenged. by scholars of environment ( we don’t properties as private possessions. The In the case of Dr. Manmohan Singh, know whether CoP touched it ) to analysis of the reassignment or one must be gratified that he is provide sustainability not only to the alienation of land and other resources allowed to exercise this prerogative resources but also to the communities like mines, state owned machinery, without the Congress President and that depend upon them. It is a different etc. could be better understood Chairman of the UPA snatching issue and we are concerned here with through an approach called class away this role also from him. public property that is non-excludable analysis. One can either use a Secondly, a reshuffle or expansion is and non-rivalry in character. Marxian or a non-Marxian or a matter that is of major concern only Weberian class to understand the to the ruling coalition and of no other Public property is defined by the dynamics of how properties in party. Unmindful of this simple rule, Prevention of Damage to Public countries like India change hands. which has now grown into an Property Act 1984 in India. It is said Class in the Indian context both as an established convention in our that, “public property means any economic and social category, can parliamentary system, the BJP had property either immovable or movable be a useful tool to scrutinize the no business whatsoever to question (including machinery) which is process of transformation (as of the Prime Minister on the shifting of owned by or in the possession of or now) of flaccid resources under the Jaipal Reddy from Petroleum to under the control of , Central control of the state becoming vibrant Science and Technology. Challenging government , any state government wealth creators in the hands of select the Prime Minister on this issue would or any local authority or any few individuals. It does explain how be bad enough, but the BJP has corporation, or public company, or the ruling classes use their political compounded its impudence with the any institution undertaken by central power in the democratic drama of charge that the Prime Minister had government” and declared so decision making of getting public punished a minister for his honesty, through a Gazette notification. resources either for themselves or or in other words, protected the Though it is a legal definition, it for their cronies. It is neither a new interests of a leading business house conveys the meaning of public phenomenon nor limited to Andhra which was kept at bay by the property as one that belongs to the Pradesh. It has been a long drawn people of the country and the minister. The implication is that only process ever present in our history, beneficiaries or the inheritors are the corrupt ministers can be given was once confined to few is being public and not private individuals. It spread to many groups after (Continued from Page 7) is said that the colonial system has liberalization. JANATA, November 4, 2012 3

There are several connected ultimately turn up here. of the public institutions including issues in the transformation of public schools, hospitals, places of worship property as private property within It is in this perspective, the data etc are generally built with public the legal structures of the country. It furnished by the census 2011 on the resources. The net worth might be appears that people have places of worship, schools, toilets etc equivalent to the sum of GDP. misunderstood Jairam Ramesh when are really revealing. It is reported that Strangely, once they become he raised the issue of public toilets the number of places of worship of institutionalized, the property thus rather in a discrete language. In this all the religions were 2398650 in 2001 obtained becomes the personal context, we can find that our and are now bloated to 3013140 in privilege of the few. There are cases Constitution has given scope for 2011. The number is directly where the priests are underpaid, certain freedoms to establish proportional to the increase in GDP. discriminated, starved and humiliated institutions and own properties and The more interesting aspect of it is in places where there is no public are exempt from paying taxes under that there are more places of worship glare, while the rich establishments Article 27. Let us not question the in West Bengal than any other state enjoy the luxuries of life. efficacy of this Article and envision except the (huge) Uttara Pradesh Unfortunately, because of our the expansive rationale of it. The (see Nilotpal Basu, the Hans India). increasing intolerance about the constitution makers might have Andhra comes at sixth place (fifth in issues of faith, the real predicaments thought, given the plurality of the population size). Along with the places of control, regulation, and order and country that each group would work of worship, the number of schools, above all the public cause has never for the welfare of the larger interests colleges and hospitals are also given surfaced in the public discourse. Is it of the public given this freedom. It in the same census table. It is reported not helpful for the public institutions was assumed perhaps, not to allow that the number of schools, colleges that control trillions of rupees worth individuals or a cluster of them to and hospitals put together stand at of public property to develop a code form interest groups to amass 2789732 ie, about 3 lakhs less than of ethics to contain fraud and prevent properties mostly from the public and the number of places of worship. Most its becoming a private asset? convert them as fiefdoms to benefit a few individuals or their companions. The litigants and legal luminaries might je<ì^ mesJee o} say something on this, but the crux of GÊej Yeejle mecelee mecces}ve the problem is that huge public megjsvê ceesnve veiej, jepeieerj (vee}boe) properties and wealth are accumulated in the hands of few 7ö8 veJebyej, 2012 individuals without much use for the }eKeeW µeneroeW keÀer kegÀyee&veer mes Deepeeo leLee SkeÀpegì ngS Yeejleer³e ieCejep³e keÀes nceW mecelee kesÀ DeeOeej groups for which they are intended Hej SkeÀ De®íe ®esleveece³e je<ì^ yeveevee nw~ or to the people of the country in general. We have come to know from peeefle Oece&efvejHes#e je<ì^er³elee SJeb meeceeefpekeÀ-DeeefLe&keÀ meceleeö³es efJe®eej Fme ceneved osµe keÀer DeeOeejefµe}e the media reports that the yeves Ssmee Òe³eeme keÀjves mes ner megvenje meceleeJeeoer Yeejle keÀe meHevee meekeÀej nesiee~ controversial Swamy Nityananda had yee}keÀ-yeeef}keÀe SJeb ³egJee Heeræ{er keÀes Fve efJe®eejeW keÀer meerKe osvee leLee keÀLeveer-keÀjveer SkeÀ meceeve nes Ssmee bribed another Swamy to acquire Rs GvekeÀe ®eefj$e efJekeÀefmele nes, Jes Devegµeemeveye× lejerkesÀ mes efve®eer SJeb meeJe&peefvekeÀ keÀece keÀjles jns-Ssmee 1500 crores worth of property. People talk of such incidents as if mebmkeÀej GvnW osves keÀe Òe³eeme je<ì^ mesJee o} 1941 mes keÀj jne nw~ 26 peveJejer, 1050 mes Dece} ceW Dee³es they are known public figures, but ngS mebefJeOeeve keÀe mecceeve nj veeieefjkeÀ keÀjs Ssmee DeefYe³eeve mesJee o} ves iele oes mee} mes ®e}e³ee nw~ GmekeÀer there are millions of such cases (all Debeflece keÀæ[er kesÀ ªHe ceW ³en `GÊej Yeejle mecelee mecces}ve' mebHevve nes jne nw~ denominations) that elude public Deepe meeceeefpekeÀ-DeeefLe&keÀ efJe

Pannalal Surana

A district level officer of Bewilderment was writ large on the thrashed him brutally. Later on, the Madhubani Bihar had lodged a Bandh–callers, authorities, media police resorted to lathi-charge. A complaint with the police that their men, et al. number of demonstrators were daughter, Prithi Choudhary, a student injured. Three women had to be of IX class was “missing” since When would the mystery be rushed to hospital, where condition September 3, 2012. The suspect unravelled? Prashant’s mother says of one of them was said to be named was Prakash Jha, a X class that she felt it was his son’s body critical. Hindkesari himself had to student aged 17 years. More than a because the feet “appeared to be be rushed to Patna medical month lapsed but the police could not very much like his”. Poor soul. Well, college. trace Prithi. some unknown person’s body received so much publicity and It is believed that the assaulters On October 11, a headless body religious rites. were hired by the wine-dealers. A was found nearabout. After the few months back, a group of women postmortem, it was announced that And what about Prithi’s parents? had given vent to their anger and had the body was of a person of about They are observing serene silence. broken window-panes of a wine- 26 years. The mother of Prakash shop. It is learnt that those who have and a few of her kin demanded Who had provided shelter to the obtained permit to sell wine packs custody of the body claiming it to two adventurers without informing which are supplied by the be that of Prakash. They also their parents? If they had stayed manufacturers after paying excise staged a dharna in front of the at a hotel how could they bear so duty to the State Government. government office. On October 12, much expense? It is likely that However, there are a number of a demonstration was organized in Prashant must have managed the unauthorized wine-manufacturers front of a police station. The mob money. Was that his pocket who don’t pay excise duty. They set on fire some of the buildings money? Then, are not his parents have a problem as to how to sell their and vehicles. Police resorted to answerable to the community for products, because selling also firing. One passer-by was killed. their extravaganza? Both must be requires license. So, some of them Some persons gave a bandh call underage for marriage. What supply their products to vendors who on October 13. Incidence of arson would they and their parent to do in turn supply the same to small shop- and loot in Madhubani multiplied straighten out the matter? keepers in villages. This with some casualties either in stone unauthorized sale channel is run by * * * pelting or firing. All the Left parties the licensed dealers. It is believed gave a call of Bihar Bandh. In the At Muzaffarpur, on October 13, that some of the stuff supplied by meanwhile, the police had handed Hindkesari Yadav, MLA and them includes poisonous hooch. That over the body to Prashant’s mother former minister, led a morcha of is why women are angry. Hindkesari and the kin who performed the the villagers from his community had conveyed their feelings to the religious funeral rites. The Bihar who had lost fourteen of their concerned authorities including Chief Bandh, was largely successful. brethren in an accident of Minister. Thereupon the wine- Some observers felt that it was consuming poisonous liquor. dealers felt that it was Hindkesari ignited more by the cumulative Women were in majority. When who was causing so much trouble to unrest and anger against both the they approached the District them. That is why they had planned Central and State governments. Collector’s office, a number of the assault on October 13. The police lathi-wielders attacked them. were hand-in-glove with them. There The same afternoon, on October Hindkesari himself rushed in one seems to be close nexus between the 13, Prashant and Prithi appeared in of the chambers, but the vandals district level administration and the AIIMS, Delhi for check up. pulled him out by collar and wine-mafia. JANATA, November 4, 2012 5 Violence in Assam has subsided…

Harsh Mander

Although Assam has disappeared There are legitimate anxieties Bengali Muslim and Santhal - from the front pages of national and grievances on both sides of the continue to live in camps up to the newspapers, large populations still dispute. Udoyon Misra writes present day, an entire generation live in makeshift, underserved eloquently of the ‘ever so heavy’ of forgotten internal refugees with camps, racked by memory, fear and burdens of history of indigenous no home. The government took uncertainty, with little prospect of an Assamese peoples like the Bodos, no decisive steps to help early return to their homelands. of ‘land, immigration, demographic these refugees return to their Legitimate anxieties of land and change and identity’. He describes homelands. identity have acquired an urgent massive land alienation of the Bodo grammar of violence and hate, and plains tribal people who were This remains a festering wound irreconcilable divisions have grown shifting cultivators with few land on the psyche of the Bengali Muslim, further between estranged records, by industrious and as also the fact that not a single communities. aggressive Bengali Muslim person has been persecuted for the immigrant cultivators. gruesome slaughter mounted in During my journey to relief Nellie in 1983. They complain that camps in Dhubri, Chirang and Successive governments in both all Bengali Muslims are tainted as Kokrajhar, housed in the the state and the Centre have failed Bangladeshi illegal immigrants, classrooms and courtyards of to effectively seal borders, and to whereas demographers confirm that schools, i found that government identify and repatriate illegal only a small fraction of the had ensured basic food rations and immigrants. The Bodos worry also immigrants are actually illegal settlers primary healthcare services. For about being culturally swamped in who slipped into the state after the the rest, people mainly had to fend their traditional homelands, not just agreed cut-off date of 1973. Many for themselves. There was no by Bengali Muslims but also other have learnt Assamese, and wish to bedding, no mosquito nets, toilets communities such as the caste be accepted as legitimate Assamese were scant and choked, and there Hindu Assamese, Koch-rajbanshis, citizens. was little water for drinking and Santhals and Bengali Hindus. bathing. People who had fled their This already fraught environment, burning villages or rampaging mobs The Bodo accord of 1993, which of legitimate competing anxieties and had few clothes or utensils. belatedly gave administrative grievances of diverse communities, Children were the worst hit. There autonomy to the Bodo people in has deteriorated sharply because of were no child care services, or their traditional homelands in the implicit legitimisation of violence temporary schooling. Everywhere which they already were reduced as a means to resolve these I found a longing to return home. to a minority, unfortunately also competing claims. People created an incentive for driving out sympathetic to the concern of Bodos The stories we heard in both Bodo people of other communities and and other indigenous tribal and Bengali Muslim camps were ethnicities. The first attacks by communities suggest that the disturbingly similar, of neighbours armed Bodo militants on Bengali violence to which they have resorted turning into murderous mobs, of Muslims occurred in 1993 itself, in recent decades is unfortunate but torched and ransacked homes, of and these have recurred understandable. This is rendered looted livestock, and of fearful flight. sporadically against also Santhal more dangerous because of the easy Many escaped only in fear, even adivasis, who are descendants of availability of sophisticated arms though their settlements were not tea garden workers who migrated among the surrendered Bodo attacked, and in these villages, men centuries back. Clashes occurred militants, who were never effectively return to guard their homes and in 1994, 1996, 1998 and 1999. disarmed. fields, leaving the women and Around one and a half lakh people children in camps. displaced by these clashes - both On the other hand, apologists for 6 JANATA, November 4, 2012 the Bengali Muslim violence justify it as being ‘only retaliatory’. This Legal Help Committee is slippery ethical territory, because the same argument was used to for Dr. Sunilam, Shesh Rao justify the post-Godhra massacre, as well as the slaughter of Sikhs Suryavanshi and Prahalad Aggarwal after Indira Gandhi’s assassination. An Appeal There is disturbing evidence of growing radicalisation of a small Dr. Sunilam has been a consistent fighter for the cause of farmers section of the Assamese Bengali for the last several years. He and two of his colleagues, Shesh Rao Muslim, of a kind which was Suryavanshi and Prahalad Aggarwal of Kisan Sangharsh Samiti, have remarkably absent among the victims of the Gujarat violence. been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Session Court of Multai, The latter have remained Dist. Betul, Madhya Pradesh, on 19 October 2012, in the 14 years unshakably committed to the old Multai Firing Case. There was an indiscriminate firing by the police democratic, legal and non-violent on farmers gathered at Multai headquarters on 12 January 1998 under resolution of their grievances, the banner of Kisan Sangharsh Samiti led by Dr. Sunilam. They were despite the brutal slaughter and demanding compensation for their soya been crop destroyed due to systematic subversion of justice bad conditions. In the indiscriminate firing by the police 24 farmers and reconciliation by the leadership were killed and more than 100 injured. A fire brigade driver Dhir thereafter. Singh was also killed in the chaos.

There are wide demands today The administration booked 250 farmers in 66 fake cases. Dr. that only those Bengali Muslims in Sunilam was accused of attempting to burn Inspector Sarnam Singh relief camps should be allowed to alive, of snatching a rifle from I.T. S.N. Katare in order to kill him return home who can first prove and of killing the fire brigade driver Dhir Singh by assaulting him five their legal status. The acceptance of this demand would further times with a stone. The accusations are not true. The truth is that the incentivise the mass violence police brutally repressed the farmers. which resulted in their displacement in the first place. Dr. Sunilam, Shesh Rao Suryavanshi and Prahalad Aggarwal are There is no doubt that the rights of now imprisoned in the Bhopal jail. Advocate Aradhna Bhardwaj and indigenous communities to their other activist friends in Madhya Pradesh are trying to get bail for land, forests and culture need to them and preparing an appeal to file in the Jabalpur High Court. be defended, and illegal immigration effectively blocked. We, the undersigned, appeal for financial contribution and cooperation in this legal battle. The cheque/demand draft may be But there should be no send to SBI, Multai, in the name of Kisan Sangharsh Samiti, compromise, even by implication, A/C no. 32059516258, code no. 01206. In this connection friends with violence as a means to achieve can contact Jagdish Vodke, vill/post – Jaun Kheda, Tehsil – these demands. People in both new Multai, Dist. Betul – 460661 (MP), phone : 09179124860. and old camps must first be res-tored to their homelands unconditionally, –Rajindar Sachar, Bhai Vaidya, Vinod Prasad Singh, and assisted in rebuilding their G. G. Parikh, Mohan Singh (MP), Sharad Yadav (MP), Ram Gopal houses and livelihoods. Only then Yadav (MP), Medha Patkar, Arvind Kapole, Lilatai Chitle, Mangal should a just and caring state intervene to ensure that the Das Arsekar, Vilas Bhongade, Baban D’ Souza, Manhar Gunjan, legitimate concerns of both Mehboob Mahimture, Abhjit Vaidya, A. K. Arun, Sandeep Pandey, indigenous people and settlers are Prem Singh and Subhash Vare (Convener, mobile : 09822020773). met, by processes which are lawful, SM Joshi Socialist Foundation, Ganjve Chowk, Navi Peth, Pune : 411030 humane and non-violent. JANATA, November 4, 2012 7 The Island Controversy

A long time ago, I had moved the gave up the sovereignty over the 280 My socialist friends, the late Delhi High Court challenging the acres of the Kachchativu island in Surendra Mohan and then minister Indian government’s decision to give the Palk Strait, a narrow strip of sea of state for external affairs, away the Kachchativu island to Sri dividing India and Sri Lanka. Samarendra Kundu, pressured me to Lanka. give up the battle, saying this could Although the Island was affect India-Sri Lanka relations. When the transfer happened, in uninhabited, fishermen from India 1974, I was aghast. used to go there to fish and to dry I argued that not resolving the their nets. It was marine rich — and issue would lead to complications at I am not a Tamil, I do not live in remains so today. a later date. Tamil Nadu either; but as an Indian I was shocked that India had chosen Many Indians also visited the This is exactly what has happened to surrender a chunk of its territory to island to pray at the church of St. now, with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister another country. Anthony. J. Jayalalithaa deciding to press the issue in the Supreme Court. That too land which a section of Notices were issued to the central Indians (read Tamils) did not want government asking why our petitions With the Sri Lankan navy, more to be given away. should not be admitted. aggressive after the defeat of the Tamil Tigers, attacking and killing I also knew that the government The government argued we had Tamil Nadu fishermen, and with of Indira Gandhi had not got the no right, constitutional or statutory Jayalalithaa demanding the return decision ratified by parliament. or otherwise, to file the writ petition; of Kachchativu, the dispute is no right of ours was threatened; and bound to aggravate in the coming I moved a civil writ petition in the that we petitioners had no locus times. Delhi High Court that very year. The standi. judges were T. Tatachari and M. –Brij Khandelwal Ansari. The case came to be known In any event, in view of the as “Brij Khandelwal vs Union Of Emergency declared December 3, (Continued on Page 2) India”. 1971 (in view of the India-Pakistan war), the agreement could not be charge of petroleum portfolio since I prayed that the court issue a writ challenged by invoking article 19 of they will be needed to subject of prohibition and/or any other the Constitution. themselves to the dictates of the appropriate order preventing New corporates. The implication also is Delhi from ceding Kachchativu to The government also said there that Veerappa Moily was chosen to Colombo. was no question of cession of Indian succeed Jaipal Reddy because he is territory as there had been a long corrupt or can be corrupted! Yet Another petition was filed by standing row between India and another preposterous thought Shyama Charan Gupta praying that Ceylon (later Sri Lanka) over propagated by the BJP is that a shift the Indian government be stopped Kachchativu. to Science and Technology from from giving away Kachchativu and, Petroleum is a demotion for Jaipal if this had already been done, to The government insisted that Reddy. It is nothing of the kind. In take back the island. Indian fishermen and pilgrims would today’s India, every ministry in the continue to enjoy access to government is equally important and He also wanted the court to Kachchativu without obtaining travel calls for the same measure of declare that the government and documents or visas. responsibility, confidence and parliament have no powers to cede competence to administer. The BJP any part of India. After Indira Gandhi was voted out needs to learn to be more graceful in in March 1977, I pursued the matter its political actions, interactions and It was in June 1974 that India with the Indian foreign ministry. attitudes. 8 JANATA, November 4, 2012 India’s Rising Billionaires

Vivek Dehejia

The strength and direction of the as placing the Indian experience in of India’s billionaires came from Indian economy may be up for comparative perspective. The data sectors that the researchers classify debate, but one remarkable fact is reveals a staggering increase in as “rent-thick,” that is, those enjoying not: There has been massive growth billionaires’ wealth as a percentage what economists would consider in the number and wealth of of national income in India, from a above-normal profits because the billionaires in India since the low point of less than 1 percent in companies possess certain economic liberalization measures in 1996 to a whopping 22 percent in privileges. What is more, these 1991. 2008. billionaires account for a majority (about 60 percent) of the total wealth The phenomenon has often been That number has dropped off as of India’s billionaires. compared to the United States’ a result of the global financial crisis experience in the latter part of the and plummeting stock markets in The Forbes list of richest Indians, 19th century. This was a period India and elsewhere, but as of 2012 released last week, is full of evocatively described by Mark it stands at just under 10 percent. businessmen and women from “rent- Twain and Charles Dudley Warner thick” sectors: real estate, as America’s “Gilded Age,” a time How does this compare to other construction, infrastructure, media, characterized by industrialists so countries? India is now on par with cement and mining. These are wealthy and powerful that they the United States and Mexico, where sectors in which the government came to be pejoratively called billionaires’ wealth in both countries continues to play a large role, in the “robber barons.” is about 10 percent of national form of licenses and other forms of income. Among the large emerging control, and in which there’s a According to the 2012 list of the economies known as the BRICs, presumption of a government- world’s billionaires, compiled (referring to Brazil, Russia, India and business nexus – or collusion, to use annually by Forbes, 48 of the 1,153 China) India is more unequal than a less flattering term, according to billionaires are from India, China (where the comparable Ms. Gandhi and Mr. Walton. accounting for a little over 4 percent statistic is below 5 percent) and of the total. This compares to India’s amazingly even with Brazil (a little For example, they contend that share of global output at 2.6 percent above 5 percent), historically a “the real estate sector is well known when compared using nominal country noted for wide disparities in for the large number of ‘black’ exchange rates, or 5.7 percent when wealth and income. transactions, and the nexus between compared using “purchasing power politicians and realtors has been parity” exchange rates. By this Among the BRIC countries, only documented in recent scams.” An metric, India’s share of billionaires Russia has a higher share of obvious inference, although one in the global total seems comparable billionaires to national income difficult to prove rigorously, is that to its overall share of the global (pushing 20 percent) – and that in a the above-normal profits earned in economy. But look more closely, and country famous for its oligarchs, industries like real estate or cement a different picture emerges. latter-day robber barons who accrue because of the cozy emerged during the heady days of relationship between business and A recent study by the economists former President Boris Yeltsin in the government. Aditi Gandhi, formerly of the Center 1990s, when Russia held the dubious for Policy Research in New Delhi, moniker of being the “Wild East.” There is some heartening news, and Michael Walton of the Kennedy though, in the study by Ms. Gandhi School of Government at Harvard The other important finding and Mr. Walton. According to their attempts to parse the sources of the emerging from Ms. Gandhi and Mr. analysis, the majority of Indian wealth of India’s billionaires as well Walton’s research is that 43 percent billionaires are “self-made,” and JANATA, November 4, 2012 9 around 40 percent represent wealth recent Times “Room for Debate” possibility that excessive inequality that is “inherited and growing,” like feature. could be bad for the economy may the Ambani brothers, Mukesh and be the most important lesson to come Anil, sons of the late Dhirubhai In an era of flagging growth rates out of the Forbes billionaire list. Ambani, founder of the family and a renewed reform impetus from business empire. the incumbent government, the – India Ink-New York Times

Not surprisingly, the self-made billionaires are in fields like information technology, which are Appeal for contributions for offspring of the 1991 economic Gujarat elections reform measures, and not holdovers from the era of the “license raj.” Socialist Party intends to put up 5-7 candidates for the Why might this be important? upcoming Gujarat elections. This is an appeal to you to make According to research, there is a financial donations for supporting the campaign of these positive correlation between candidates. economic growth and the wealth of self-made billionaires, while there is Socialist Party stands for the rights of farmers whose land is a negative correlation between being taken away in the name of development projects, against growth and inherited wealth. It’s the skewed development which is widening the gap between impossible to establish a conclusive the rich and the poor and against the communal politics practised cause-and-effect relationship, but the by Narendra Modi government which has caused complete finding is at least suggestive of the polarisation of Gujarati society on communal lines. We stand fact that economies populated by for the right of all sections of toiling masses, farmers and those whose wealth is self-made are minorities. more dynamic than those that rely on the perpetuation of existing economic The donations may be made in the name of ‘Socialist Party elites and their descendants. (India)’ and may be sent to:

As Jayant Sinha, an investment adviser, and Ashutosh Varshney, a Jayanti Panchal, political science professor at Brown Gujarat Mazdoor Panchayat University, have argued in a column Lohia Sadan, Ram Manohar Lohia Marg in The Financial Times, the current Odhav, Ahmedabad-382415 state of the Indian private sector, which they dub “curry capitalism,” Contact number: 079 22874822 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting requires sweeping reforms, intended to ensure that cronyism and FREE 079 22874822 end_of_the_skype_highlighting, 0984061294 corruption are curbed while India’s entrepreneurial ethos is given a or you may transfer money electronically to: much-needed boost. Current Account Number 50065914767 What is more, even in the United IFSC Num: ALLA 0212227 States, there is an increasingly urgent Allahabad Bank, Ahmedabad debate on whether worsening If you send a donation please do inform Jayanti Bhai at the income and wealth inequality, as abovementioned contact numbers. captured by the importance of billionaires to the economy and other Rajinder Sachar Bhai Vaidya Pannalal Surana, factors, is helpful or harmful for economic growth, the subject of a 10 JANATA, November 4, 2012 Price Rise

Being in public life for more than Loss for the country in terms of resulting in the same increase in 40 years, we always fought against power lost : 11,500 MW. If we could subsidy from the government, even the harmful influence peddling by the substitute this with costly imported at the low production level corporate sector in the Government gas, the extra subsidy burden on projected by Reliance (only 27 set up for its own pecuniary benefit. fertiliser and power per year: Rs. units this year and 18 units next This Government has shown its true 40,000 crore year). This was resisted by the colours in favouring selected private Ministry and an EGOM note parties in the 2G scam and the Petroleum Ministry gave a penalty recommending rejection of the Coalgate scam resulting in loss of notice to Reliance for disallowing the proposal has been circulated. Had lakhs of crores of rupees to the public cost recovery of Rs. 5500 crore due the production been at last year’s exchequer. I am totally perturbed to shortfall in production in 2011-12 production levels of 37 units, the that during our life time we would of the order of 27 units. This amount estimated increase in profit of see such period when the corporate of cost recovery being disallowed Reliance would have been house like Reliance becomes even will increase to Rs. 10,000 crore or Rs. 45,000 crore in the next two more powerful than the Government. even more since the production years. If the production would have As we have learnt from the recent continues to decline steeply in the been at the contracted level of 62 newspapers reports that the current year. units in 2011-12 and 80 units in Government of India functions on the 2012-13, the profit of Reliance whims and fancies of the Corporate Request for increase in price would have been RS. 65,000 crore houses like Reliance to the extent in two years. that the Cabinet portfolios are being RIL requested to increase price decided by them. An honest Minister from $4.2 per unit to $14.2 per unit, Had the Petroleum Minister Jaipal like Jaipal Reddy has been punished an increase of around $10 per unit. Reddy not resisted the corporate for protecting national interest and If agreed to, it would mean pressure from Reliance, the country saving lakhs of crores rupees for the increase in profit of Reliance by would have lost lakhs of crores of Government. This move of the Rs. 22,000 crore in two years, rupees as detailed above. Government was only to appease Reliance to enable it to make huge –Sharad Yadav, Member of Parliament illegal profit at the cost of public exchequer.

I would like to highlight two specific cases which have been In any event, as commeted upon by Sydney Merlin in the resisted by Jaipal Reddy against ‘Quarterly Journal of Economics’ the word ‘privatisation’ Reliance. first entered academic literature to describe the Nazi party’s policy at “facilitating the accumulation of private Fall In Production fortunes… by its members…” This has disturbing Production expected as per similarity with UPA-II policies; witness the proliferation: original contract between 2G, Commonwealth G, Coal G and so on. This amounts to Petroleum Ministry and Reliance : stripping the assets of the state, not a healthy moving 80 units away of the state from superfluous and inefficient non- Actual Production currently: 28 activity. units –Jaswant Singh, Member of Parliament in The Hindu Fall in Production : 52 units JANATA, November 4, 2012 11 Al-Qaeda’s India focus

Tufail Ahmad

In recent years, India has been the Pakistani tribal region and Qaeda videos emerging from frequently mentioned in Al- Balochistan recently. To advance Afghanistan and Pakistan on jihadi Qaeda’s literature, but a its jihadi framework, Al-Qaeda Internet forums reveal a similar September 30 statement by a relies on an Islamist interpretation pattern: in these videos, militants senior militant in Pakistan that a Muslim ‘assisting infidels are not seen hiding in caves and indicates that the terror group is even partly’ has left Islam and is mountains, but they appear in evolving its strategy on the therefore liable to be killed. droves and pass through villages Myanmar-Assam region. In the led by their commanders. statement, Ustad Ahmad Farooq, Another factor injecting an who was appointed as Al-Qaeda’s element of India perspective into In recent months, Afghan head of preaching and media Al-Qaeda’s strategic thinking is its soldiers defecting to the Taliban department for Pakistan in 2009, recruitment of Pakistani militants to were garlanded at public warned that the recent killings of top operational and organisational ceremonies in remote villages Muslims in Myanmar and Assam positions, for example Ilyas Kashmir where presence of children was “provide impetus for us to hasten and Mansoor Badr, both of whom visible. Some US analysts have our advance towards Delhi”. He were killed in US drone strikes. sought to present Mullah noted: “I warn the Indian Ustad Farooq, the first Pakistani Mohammad Omar as leader of the government that after Kashmir, national to be promoted to a Taliban whose focus is limited to Gujarat… you may add Assam to leadership position in Al-Qaeda, has Afghanistan. In reality, all jihadist the long list of your evil deeds.” emerged as its sole spokesman on groups in the Middle East and the South Asia. Early this year, Farman Caucasus have offered, like Al-Qaeda’s emerging thinking Ali Shinwari, a key militant Osama bin Laden did, their on the Myanmar-Assam region is commander, was appointed as head bai’yah (oath of allegiance) to consistent with its new jihadi of Al-Qaeda’s Pakistani branch, Mullah Omar, who is deemed as framework on South Asia. From replacing Mansoor Badr. According Emir-ul-Momineen, leader of the 2008 onwards, after Al-Qaeda to Pakistani author Amir Mir, faithful, leading the global jihad. militants were tortured in Pakistani Shinwari’s three brothers were prisons, it produced academic involved in Kashmir jihad during the In Pakistan, there is a worrying research, arguing that the 1990s. Although Al-Qaeda has been pattern in counter insurgency: while Pakistan Army is an apostate force led by Arab fighters, its recruitment several Taliban and Al-Qaeda and eligible to be annihilated for of local militants means that the militants have been killed in US supporting the United States war group has a ready historical-jihadi drone strikes, the Pakistani military on terror. The Pakistan Army has framework on India, where it sees operations have invariably avoided been involved in killing Muslims a large presence of disaffected killing or capturing any top Taliban —Al-Qaeda argued in videos and Muslims. commander — except for two statements — through the past Taliban spokesmen, Maulvi Omar three centuries: notably as part of Following the killing of Osama and Muslim Khan, who were Indian units of the British colonial bin Laden, the US has given an detained. Pakistan does not need force in 1757 war, against Mughal impression that Al-Qaeda has been to kill thousands of militants to win rulers in 1857 and during British largely defeated. However, this war and curb Islamic military expeditions to Baghdad ground realities are otherwise: extremism: it merely needs to kill and Jerusalem before the second hordes of Al-Qaeda terrorists can or arrest the top 25 commanders, world war; and after 1947, in the be seen roaming publicly in including Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, 1971 Bangladesh war, in toppling Somalia, Yemen, Syria, Libya, Iraq Fazlur Rehman Khalil and Maulana the Taliban regime in 2001 and in and Egypt. The Taliban and Al- Masood Azhar. However, this is 12 JANATA, November 4, 2012 unlikely to occur, as the Pakistan neighbourhood”, he also warned the vowed to liberate “occupied Muslim Army, once a strong force, is too Burmese government: “Don’t think lands”, including India. In short, Al- weak now to confront them. that the blood of Muslims will Qaeda is developing its look-east continue to flow like this.” policy for South and Southeast Asia. Currently, the Taliban militants Amid a series of Indian intelligence are recuperating and strengthening The September 30 statement is failures over the recent decades their fighters in the hope of the US also perhaps the most detailed such as those leading to the Kargil troop withdrawal from Afghanistan policy document to emerge from Al- War and the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, by 2014 and for a new era of jihad Qaeda’s top leadership in Pakistan India is totally unprepared to prevent to begin. with regard to South Asia. On the terrorism on its soil. 9/11 anniversary this year, Al- In his statement, Ustad Farooq Qaeda leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri –New Indian Express mentioned the issue of Muslim minorities in Thailand, Burma, India and Sri Lanka, and in a bid to recruit Pakistani soldiers to Al-Qaeda’s Socialist Party cause, argued that Muslims who had been supporting Pakistan migrated Socialist Party(India)-Cuddalore district branch celebrated to Assam and Burma due to Dr. Lohia Day on 24.10.2012 Vijaya Dasami day at Vaddalur. A. C. Pakistani Army’s failure to win the Natarajan presided over the function. S. Karuppaiah welcomed the 1971 Bangladesh war. The lower delegates. Narana Natesan, State President of the party in his ranks of Pakistan Army remain address insisted that to usher in a socialist society the party must influenced by the jihadi message. work hard. “We must have band of party workers with clarity in Over the past three decades, principles, readiness for selfless hard work and fight through soldiers recruited into Pakistani Gandhian non-violent methods.” State secretary general of the party Army were influenced by a jihadi Mazhavai Singaravelan and many others spoke. Following District culture and into the next three Office bearers were elected: decades they will be moving into decision-making positions in the President : A.C. Natarajan, Pennadam, military. Secretatry : K. Sundaram, Soudara Cholapuram, Notwithstanding India’s unilateral Joont Secretatry : N. Govindarajan of Srimushnam, drive to better relations with Pakistan, it is unlikely that the Treasurer : G. Silambarasan, M.Sc.,Phd., Porto Nova. Pakistani military’s jihadi impulse Exective Committee Member : will permit democratic forces to assert control in Islamabad. This R. Varadarajan, Kattumannarkoil; complicates the scenario in South S.Chinanappa, M.A.,B.Ed., Pennadam. Asia, as Al-Qaeda’s central leadership in Pakistan is known to A resolution to agitate for total prohibition in the state was passed. have worked with and without the At first, meeting the individual citizens to insist avoidance of alcoholic support of the jihadi forces in drinks, then fasting and slogan shouting in front of government Pakistani military. offices-this agitation plan should be implemented step by step.

In addition to the India-specific For the struggle, a committee has been appointed under the threat, Ustad Farooq also warned chairmanship of K. Ramakrishnan, State Vice President. Buddhists in Thailand, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. Urging Islamic District Secretary K. Sundaram gave vote of thanks. scholars in Bangladesh “to step forward and help the oppressed –N.G. Muslims living in their JANATA, November 4, 2012 13 State of Human Rights in the Prisons of Maharashtra

Pamela Fernandes

Maharashtra is India’s third Maharashtra had 153 prisons Consequently, each of the 27 state largest state in area and second throughout the state, categorized as governments is responsible for the largest in population, 9.4 per cent follows: Central prisons–8, District administration of prisons in its of India’s total population. The State jails–23, Sub jails–115, Women territory. of Maharashtra covers an area of jails–1, Borstal schools–1, Open 3,07,784 sq. km. It comprises of 35 jails–3, Special jails–1, Others–1, Arunachal Pradesh is the only revenue/ districts, 353 Tehsil and Total–153 state which does not have any 43,722 villages (inhabited and prisons of its own and its convicts uninhabited). There are 378 towns As per figures supplied by the and under-trial prisoners are housed in the state. Based on 2001 census, National Crime Records Bureau in the prisons of Assam. The central the population of Maharashtra in (henceforth NCRB) a total of government administers prisons in 2005 was 10,73,93,682 covering 25,892 inmates including 9,203 the union territories. Delhi and ,59,25,838 males and 5,14,67,844 convicts and 16,539 under trials Puducherry are exceptions to this females. The urban population was were lodged in the prisons of rule; their prisons are under the 43.71 per cent and the rural Maharashtra during 2007.Prison administrative control of their population was 56.29 per cent. The Department is an independent elected governments, and not the percentage literacy was 76.9 per Department that functions under central government. cent as per the 2001 census (State the Home Department of Crime Records Bureau, 2005). Government of Maharashtra. For Indian prisons are largely India’s richest state, Maharashtra the purpose of Prison governed by the colonial Prisons contributed 25 per cent of the administration, the State prisons are Act of 1894. States that have country’s industrial output and 23.2 divided into three geographical enacted their own prison acts have per cent of its GDP in 2010-11. regions viz. Western Region, closely modelled these on the Central Region and Eastern region, Prisons Act. Maharashtra state has a total of each headed by a deputy Inspector 38 prisons consisting of 8 Central General (Prisons) headquartered at This law was introduced in prisons and 23 district prisons Mumbai, Aurangabad and Nagpur, India amidst a climate of fear, (Inspectorate General of Prisons, respectively. The Inspectorate repression, security concern and 2006). The state is divided into four General (Prisons) headquartered in terror, regulating the prison regions. The Central prisons Yerawada, Pune is the office incapacitation of swathes of the from the eastern region are at responsible vide section 5 of the indigenous population. It Nagpur and Amravati, in the western Prison Act., for the administration contained no provisions on region are at Yerwada and Kolhapur, of prisons throughout the state. prisoners’ rights; for their in the Southern region are at Similarly each prison in turn is rehabilitation or reformation, or Mumbai and Thane and at the administered by the Prison for their reintroduction into society Central region are at Aurangabad superintendent vide Section II of the on completion of sentence. and Nasik (Inspectorate General of Prison Act, and other prison staff Prisons, 2006). such as senior jailors, jailors, prison The Prisons Act codified a guards, employees, medical colonial policy suspicious of the Maharashtra Prison officers, etc; as the case may be. indigenous population, providing for Department Maharashtra ranks restricted access and little oversight, the highest among all states of the Laws Governing Prisons and for the imposition of disciplinary country in terms of number of punishments at the discretion of prisons, followed by Tamil Nadu The Constitution of India lists prison superintendents, including and Andhra Pradesh. As of 2007, prisons as a state subject. solitary confinement, beatings with 14 JANATA, November 4, 2012 chains and whips and transportation reform prison practices and to inject moral precepts of the group to which in irons. constitutional consciousness into the a prisoner belongs. The standard system”. rules give due consideration to the It is scandalous that 60 year separation of the different categories apathy for reform should see such It further noted that it must adopt of prisoners. It indicates that men an Act, drafted and adopted under a a proactive attitude with regard to and women be detained in separate hostile administration, survive and problems of prison administration, institutions. The under- trial prisoners govern the contemporary because a convict is in prison under are to be kept separate from correctional system. The day-to-day the order and direction of courts. convicted prisoners. Further, it administration of prisons is governed Nevertheless, translating the writ of advocates complete separation by rules framed under the Prisons the courts into reality for the almost between the prisoners detained Act by the state governments. These four lakhs of people in prisons across under civil law and criminal offences. rules, interpreted and formulated into the country remains a challenge. The UN standard Minimum Rule also state jail manuals, are antiquated and made it mandatory to provide demand revision. International Obligations separate residence for young and and Guidelines child prisoners from the adult This does not, however, imply that prisoners. Subsequent UN directives there have been no attempts to The International Covenant on have been the Basic Principles for reform the prison system in Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) the Treatment of Prisoners (United independent India. remains the core international treaty Nations 1990) and the Body of on the protection of the rights of Principles for the Protection of All Apart from the various state prisoners. India ratified the Covenant Persons under Any Form of governments, the Government of in 1979 and is bound to incorporate Detention or Imprisonment (United India has set up several committees its provisions into domestic law and Nations 1988). to suggest ways to reform the state practice. correctional system. The most well On the issue of prison offences known and comprehensive of these The International Covenant on and punishment, the standard is the Report of the All India Economic, Social and Cultural Rights minimum rules are very clear. The Committee on Jail Reforms, 1980- (ICESR) states that prisoners have rules state that no prisoner shall be 83, popularly known as the Mulla a right to the highest attainable punished unless he or she has been Committee Report (after retired standard of physical and mental informed of the offences alleged Senior Judge of the Allahabad High health. against him/her and given a proper Court, Anand Narain Mulla), which opportunity of presenting his/her submitted 639 recommendations to Apart from civil and political defence. It recommends that the central government on all arenas rights, the so called second corporal punishment, by placing in a of prison administration and prisoner generation economic and social dark cell and all cruel, in-human or rights. human rights as set down in the degrading punishments shall be ICESR also apply to the prisoners. completely prohibited as a mode of Almost all of the The earlier United Nations Standard punishment and disciplinary action in recommendations of this and other Minimum Rules for the Treatment the jails. committees, however, lie gathering of Prisoners, 1955 consists of five dust without the political will to parts and ninety-five rules. Part one A. Accommodation implement them. provides rules for general applications. It declares that there Like prisons throughout the The judiciary and the Supreme shall be no ‘discrimination on grounds country the prisons in Maharashtra Court, in particular, have played a of race, colour, sex, language, also face he chronic problem of crucial role in changing the religion, political or other opinion, overcrowding. While the 2007 figures philosophy of the correctional national or social origin, property, released by NCRB states that the system. In Sunil Batra’s case, the birth or other status. At the same prisons in Maharashtra have an Supreme Court observed that the time there is a strong need for occupancy rate of 123.9 per cent “court has a distinctive duty to respecting the religious belief and such a figure is grossly incorrect and JANATA, November 4, 2012 15 does not represent the ground in Maharashtra is regarding Alzheimer’s disease and memory reality. The NCRB in such clothing for under trials. The loss. Hence other equipment calculation has incorrectly included Manual compulsorily lays down that necessary for food consumption the capacity of non-functional under trials accused for murder are such as stainless steel plates, prison buildings and barracks thus to wear prison uniforms. (Chapter spoons and glasses if found in use lowering the official figure. A more XXIII, Bedding, Clothing and by the inmates get confiscated by realistic occupancy rate would Equipment, Rule No. 6) This is in jail authorities. range between 200 per cent to 300 total violence of the general per cent . principle of jurisprudence, that all The Jail Manual overtly under trials are to be assumed categorises prisoners by prescribing This problem of overcrowding innocent, until proven guilty and arm bands of different colours to immediately effects a particular hence should be treated as such. be stitched on the prisoners clothing. inmate with regards to his space in The United Nations Standard For example life sentence prisoners prison and overloads existing Minimum Rules for the treatment have yellow bands, those previously facilities of water, latrines, of prisoners also allows the untried escaped or attempted to escape red sanitation, ventilation etc. According prisoner’ to wear his own clothing bands etc. (Chapter XXIII Rule No. to the prison manuals the minimum if it is clean and suitable’ 17) As an extension of this logic space per person in sleeping the Eastern region prison authorities barracks shall be 3.71sq. meters The Bombay High Court had also have enforced green arm bands for and 15.83cu. meters and in hospital declared this rule as violative of those under trials accused of naxal wards 5.58sq. meters and Art.14 & 21 of the Constitution of related crimes. This explicit 23.75cu.meters ( Chapter V. Prison India. However the state categorisation has no lawful Building and Sanitary government has not complied with sanction and has been enforced on Arrangements, Rule 13) However this judgement and has openly mere directions of the police. Such in practise ,it is normal for three declared its intention to legally blatant interference of the police in inmates to occupy the area challenge it. Prison administration is unlawful, specified by the prison manual. unreasonable, discriminatory and Prisoners sentenced to death, While the clothing and bedding violative of under trials rights. pending appeals and mercy provided is inadequate, during petitions are also confined in similar winter when temperatures reach Overall the bedding clothing and circumstances. Except for hose extremely low in many prisons equipment provided by Maharashtra sentenced to death due to making blankets a necessity these Prison Administration needs reform overcrowding 3 to 5 inmates share have to be procured illegally as its present provisions are not in one single cell. through influence or favours. For step with minimum living and human prisoners engaged in manual labour rights standards. The construction of night he cotton clothing provided gets (to be Concluded) latrines and water storage worn off before the sanctioned facilities in barracks causes foul period of acquiring a new set Janata Subscription odour to dominate the air in the namely 8 months (Chapter XXII, barracks all day. Drinking water Rule no. 21) making prisoners Annual Rs. : 260/- supply and water for use in degradingly use the torn clothes for Three Years : 750/- latrines is highly inadequate. Such months on end. Demand Draft / Cheque unhygienic conditions become on fertile ground for air and water Similarly Rule No. 5 of Chapter borne diseases. XXII makes provision for every Mumbai Bank prisoner to be supplied with an in favour of B. Bedding, clothing aluminium mug, katora (bowl) and JANATA TRUST and other equipment. plate for eating purposes. D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Aluminium utensils are known to be Naushir Bharucha Marg, One of the unreasonable and medically unsuitable for food as Mumbai 400 007 unjust features of the Jail Manual they are suspected to cause R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, November 4, 2012 P.R. No. MH/MR/WEST/275/2010-2012 Posted on every Wedenesday at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1

Vol. 67 No. 42 Countdown to 2014 November 11, 2012 S. Viswam

Perfidious Characters The 2014 Lok Sabha polls are opportunity that sprung up in the last in Communist Countries still several months away, but the two years to drive the Congress into K. S. Chalam countdown can be said to have a corner regardless of the rights and begun with the Congress party’s wrongs of an anti-Congress campaign massive rally on Sunday which was that was largely opportunistic and Reclaiming the city in the nature of an election meeting often unfair and below the belt. for street vendors judging by the tone and temper of However, if it is any party that has Harsh Mander the speeches. Rahul Gandhi has been been adhering to the principle that all formally presented to the public as is fair in love and war and politics, the party’s new winning face, and the BJP would be the winner. Kisan Sangharsh Samiti the electorate has been warned that Intensifies Agitation in the Congress is now in a combative For all its grandstanding, the BJP Chindwada election-mode mood. The party has little to commend itself right now managed to mobilise an impressively as the alternative to the Congress. Fair to say, the Congress has suffered State of Human Rights in the strong crowd drawn from states severe blows to its political image Prisons of Maharashtra - II adjacent to the national capital and clout in the UPA II regime. Pamela Fernandes under the party’s control. The party leadership has chosen the medium Nothing has gone right for the of the public rally to announce that Congress. Indeed, the party was so badly demoralized that it was always Sir Syed Day and Its Utility it is shedding its hitherto-apologetic on the defensive. The aggressive tone Asghar Ali Engineer face and replace it with a far more aggressive one that is determined to set at the rally by the Sonia Gandhi- counter the opposition onslaught with Manmohan Singh-Rahul Gandhi no punches pulled. trio is a message to the combined Editor : opposition that the worm has turned. G. G. Parikh The principal opposition party, the However, the BJP’s image is none too flattering either. Sonia Gandhi Managing Editor : Guddi Bharatiya Janata Party is scheduled to hold a major get-together in the said that the BJP kept targeting the D-15, Ganesh Prasad, next weeks to fulfil the agenda of Congress on graft charges but the Naushir Bharucha Marg, extending president Nitin Gadkaris’ “BJP itself was immersed in the muck Mumbai - 400 007. term by another year. That occasion of corruption.” Obviously, she was will be treated as the party’s inaugural hinting at the sad predicament of the Email : [email protected] for the 2014 election campaign. party president himself caught in a Indeed, the BJP has been using every vast web of allegations of corruption 2 JANATA, November 11, 2012 and false dealings. Undoubtedly, the charges exposed against Shri Perfidious Characters Gadkari have dealt a massive blow in Communist Countries to the leader’s image as well as to that of the BJP. K. S. Chalam Doubts have already been expressed by political pundits There are a series of episodes economic system are only rampant about the possibility of both the of corruption in the so-called in communist and even in mixed Congress and the BJP being unable communist countries while the economies like India. It is very to deliver a good showing at the American voters are preparing to hard to find neither democratic 2014 polls. Unless each of the elect the next President quietly. values nor human rights in such two major coalition formations It gives an impression that the countries as they are totalitarian dramatically improve their image capitalist countries are unruffled by systems that do not allow productive and organizational clout, they may any of the scams or frauds and all forces to enjoy freedom to grow. fare worse than they did in 2009. the immoral activities are happening This has resulted in their stunted This would mean that the prospects in the traditional societies in their growth and increased misery. It is of the non-Congress non-BJP parties yearning to catch the secular West. reported that about 540000 people will commensurately improve. In This is how some of the results are so far sent to jail and around other words, we must be prepared of studies commissioned by the 40000 corrupt officials involving for the emergence of a new grouping Western corporate bodies are being 54 billion Yuan’s are under trial in of secular parties on the one side, and pushed in to the public domain and China. The recent events involving a new grouping of rightist parties are being picked up by media for the Chinese Prime Minister Wen, on the other side, both making an public consumption. Those who attempt to set up a government at Politburo Member Bo Xialai and are familiar with the ‘World Values military personnel in bribes and the Cantre. The possibility of such survey’ and studies on corruption scandals of millions and billions of groupings, you may or may noy discern such catchphrases for the last yuans speak about the magnitude want to call them Third Fronts, few decades after the fall of Berlin of corruption in present day China. becoming a force to reckon with wall. Economists particularly, the Since China is still carrying the red should not be discounted. Indian breed are the first to develop flag, CPC and People’s Republic etc theories that public enterprises or to describe a communist regime in The political complexion of states’ role in economic activities power, the crimes naturally go into several states has changed in the last promote rent seeking tendencies two years. The new parties that have among the bureaucrats that lead to their account. In fact it is not only seized power in some states—UP, rampant corruption in most of the present day Market Socialist China Tamil Nadu,West Bengal to mention countries. The recommendation but even the so-called socialist bloc a few—have their own interests follows; better to privatize the unleashed by Gorbachev through to protect. Their strategy will be economy that would increase his perestroika and friendship tailored to the protection of the efficiency and opulence. But, our with Reagan administration have larger interests of their own parties. recent experience is quite contrary to provided a different story of They will join or spurn coalitions what they have been campaigning for communist experiment. It is left to more on the basis of their parties’ decades. Nor the popular episodes of the connoisseur to ponder over. But, future rather than on considerations corruption, debauchery and all the the amount of wealth accumulated of ideology. Mamata Banerjee, filth of a debased society as in China and siphoned off to the West and Mulayam Singh Yadav, and both the do support the case for privatization. other countries through mafias after DMKs can come up with surprising the fall of the communist regimes decisions which may or may not be A section of the intellectual do not substantiate the criticism palatable to the Congress and the community has established that that they were inefficient and BJP, the two major parties. Thus, bribery, cronyism, red tape, impoverished. In fact, the amount politics in the coming months is all inefficiency and several other of wealth created in these nations (Continued on Page 8) shortcomings of a politico- was alleged to be the main motive JANATA, November 11, 2012 3 for its enforced disintegration and of communist party functionaries It seems the scholars desired to capture. It appears that there is serialized in mainstream media. It promote the idea that except market another side of the story that the is also not true that all communists nothing else can save the nations, communists have failed to explain are dishonest; on the contrary some where the disgraceful bunch of and turned remorseful. Media of them are known for their supreme dishonest people are in office. provides very little information on sacrifices. In fact, Rammanohar Interestingly, they just do not care Cuba, Venezuela ,etc. Lohia, a critique of the soviet system to recognize the corporate frauds used to praise the communists that or speculative maneuvers including Let me give my experience with they were the only group in India incidents of insider trading as a communist country, Poland. I was known for their honesty and non- immoral. They are perhaps part in Poland during early the 1980s accumulation of private wealth. of the game and collect whatever undergoing training at the Central But, it is the occasion to point out growth obtained through reforms. School of Planning and Statistics, how the seeds of devastation of Therefore, we keep on getting Warsaw under the exchange the system were not identified and the billionaires list each year by programme of Government of India. precautionary steps not initiated Forbes without the tag of ethical (I had to abandon my admission under the superciliousness of power, earnings. In other words, the ethical to pursue Ph.D under Mark Blaug sometimes construed by them as or philosophical accentuation that at London School of Economics ideological pre-eminence. Some of the corporate capitalism promotes as Margret Thatcher suspended our colleagues from Iran, Bolivia development is perilous for human Commonwealth scholarships.) and other third world countries survival, as it is narrow and one I preferred Warsaw as Oskar R used to argue with the professors sided. Lange, the great socialist economic about the weaknesses and some sane theoretician who had a stint of scholars used to say that the days of We have a dilemma now, whether teaching in the school gave reading the system werre numbered due to we should desire growth with material that was popular and this weakness. honesty or growth with perfidious not available outside at that time. public servants operating market The university had arranged our It is strange to find that the mechanism as in China? accommodation as paying guests ideological debate became unipolar with a local citizen. There were after the fall of Soviet Union and few Indians in other schools and the third world countries had lost we had opportunity to exchange steam to argue for an autonomous our experiences occasionally. It and socially relevant path of was perhaps the hardest period development. They are forced to in Poland as there was economic accept neo-colonial methods of crisis (production) along with development. It is unusual to find the political turmoil initiated by that the development debate and civil Solidarity movement at Gdansk. society activities are concentrated We had problems of getting food around corruption of public servants material in the central stores. But, including political bosses who take friends used to take us to the so- decisions for a consideration and called party functionaries to procure not the system that promotes it. It is ration as it was abundantly available also noticed that studies sponsored with them. The circuitous narration by international organizations have here is only to point out how the brought out results that support the party bureaucracy was perfidious in argument; poor people in the third Price: Rs. 20/- accumulating scarce resources while world in their drive to survive, Janata Trust common people suffered in the so- indulge in corrupt practices. The called communist country. instinct of survival, it is reported, is D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Naushir so strong that it remains faith-neutral Bharucha Marg, This is not to compare the irrespective of Catholic, Protestant, Grant Road (W), Mumbai 400 007. present episodes of hidden riches Muslim or Hindu religious dogmas. 4 JANATA, November 11, 2012 Reclaiming the city for street vendors

Harsh Mander

The streets of every city in the working capital is available only Since the 1990s, the declared country are not only home to tens from private moneylenders, who official policy was to free private of thousands of working poor and charge exorbitant interest. business enterprise from the destitute men and women, they are stranglehold of the license permit also vibrant hubs of livelihood for But the greatest stress and raj. Government efforts focused impoverished people; and reliable insecurity of this vocation is created on deregulating and easing norms sites for cheap and affordable retail. by a hostile state. Street vendors are for setting up businesses in the On city pavements, women and men condemned to fight daily undeclared organised sector, and in licensing, energetically hawk an extraordinary – and unequal – battles against the taxation, regulation and credit. variety of goods, including cooked police and municipal authorities. The Recently, norms have been eased food, fruit and vegetables, clothing, seven-city study confirmed that in all for foreign direct investment in toys, books, household utilities and the cities street vendors are forced to large multi-brand retail stores. decorations. pay daily and weekly bribes to police Land acquisition laws are being and municipal authorities, as well amended, with a declared objective An estimated ten million people as huge fines, but even this does not of facilitating access of private live in India by street vending. To free them from the perennial dread of industry to land. impoverished migrants, as also laid- sudden, violent eviction. The study off workers, street vending affords estimates that at least 20 per cent of However, no such efforts have low-end but steady employment. It their income is lost to rent-seeking been made for easing up the is the only sale outlet available to by public officials. “Bribery is the livelihoods of poor producers and many small producers of garments or service-providers, such as street only way most street vendors can cottage products. It allows working vendors and rickshaw pullers, which survive in their trade”. people, and even middle class remain choked in unjust licensing consumers, to purchase their needs at Official extortion and insecurity systems. Far from being eased, these convenient sites and cheaper prices have only become more stringent arise from an oppressive and opaque than in any store. Street markets are and unforgiving in recent decades. license regime, which effectively in many ways invaluable spokes in illegalises almost the entire the wheels of the urban economy. Vendors depend on an estimated profession of street vending. An They also enrich the distinct cultural two percent of urban land, but these arbitrary, ridiculously low ceiling life of every city. sites are mostly legally barred to is placed on the number of licenses them. The seven-city study found Street vendors, however, typically in a city, and this is only a small that only Bhubaneshwar and Imphal lead a very hard life. A survey fraction of the actual numbers made provisions for street vendors conducted by Sharit Bhowmik who vend in the city. In Mumbai, in their city development plans, but with the National Alliance of Street for instance, an estimated 2 lakh these were absent in the plans for Vendors of India in seven cities, hawkers operate, but the municipal Delhi, Patna, Bangalore, Mumbai, found their working conditions corporation arbitrarily fixed a ceiling Ahmedabad and Kolkata. The plans abysmal; their average working day of only 14,000 licenses, and even earmark spaces for hospitals, parks, stretches ten to 12 hours. There is these were not issued for many offices, residential colonies, and bus no protection from the rigours of years. Therefore most vendors were and rail terminals, but neglect that climate, no health services or social illegal and there is huge rent-seeking around all of these, vendors naturally security. Their earnings typically in the grant of licenses. The situation congregate, and these vendors fall well below statutory minimum was worse in Kolkata, in which all provide essential services to people wages; these ranged in 2002 from street vending was barred by law, at low costs. The urban plans provide Rs 50 to Rs 100 for men and Rs and hawking was a cognisable and for malls and covered shopping 35 to Rs 40 for women. Credit for non-bailable offence. arcades, but the imagination of town JANATA, November 11, 2012 5 planners and officials excludes all shops which are run by the poor, Congress should be renamed for the poor. ‘Corporate Party’ An important central law is The news of the Rs. 90-crore The Socialist Party would like to currently before Parliament, which interest-free loan by the Congress to reply to the argument presented by promises to correct these inequities. Associated Journals Pvt. Limited for the Congress in their defense in this Laudably the law affirms that its the purpose of reviving the National matter. The Congress has spoken purpose is not just to regulate street Herald has created a furore. The from a high pedestal, posing a brave vending, but also to protect the news, launched by the Janata Party face that the party’s act was aimed livelihood rights of street vendors. president Subramaniam Swamy, at propagating and strengthening the But in practice, the major part of was quickly taken up by the BJP. Gandhi-Nehru ideology and legacy. the Bill is devoted to registration According to Swamy, the Congress The argument is hollow. Politicians and licensing, and the system that has violated the laws of Income Tax as well as intellectuals in India have the Bill proposes is still opaque and the Election Commission of established a wrong tradition by and confusing. It places the burden India by providing money to ASL. tagging Gandhi’s name with Nehru. on persons who wish to vend to He has filed a complaint with the The spokesperson of the Congress apply for registration. There are EC in this connection, demanding has repeated the same old mistake. de-recognition of the Congress as a The Gandhi-Nehru legacy term many dangers inherent in this. political party. BJP’s senior leader is misleading. When the country Municipalities may establish Arun Jaitly has pointed out at the became independent, Nehru had preconditions such as domicile, commercial interest of the Congress told Gandhi that his vision of India they may require documents which in this transaction because Young did not correspond to (Gandhi’s) poor street vendors will be unable to Indian, a company constituted under dreams. Gandhi too had rejected the produce, and they may declare high Section 25, has been taken over by vision of India as propounded by value current vending markets as the ASL board of directors which Nehru. The testaments of both the ‘non-vending’ zones. It is not clear includes Congress president Sonia great personalities to this effect are that all or most registered vendors Gandhi, general secretary Rahul available in writing. will automatically be eligible for Gandhi, treasurer Moti Lal Vora licenses. and senior leader Oscar Fernandes. The Socialist Party does not The BJP has demanded that the EC believe that the Congress of Sonia The draft law demonstrates once should take cognizance of Swamy’s Gandhi and Man Mohan Singh are again how difficult it is to free the complaint. working to realize even Nehru’s livelihoods of poor people from the vision of India. Nehru, with a mixed The Socialist Party is of the firm stranglehold of the bureaucracy. In economy and a welfare state, was view that political parties are not trying to build a socialist India. At effect, all the law does is to give the formed to practice money laundering least he had stated this on so many right to a vendor to vend if she or in any fashion. If the Congress has occasions. He included the term he has a certificate of registration; an emotional attachment with the socialism as a goal in the Congress and this certificate depends on National Herald, it should have party’s document. Later the term the scheme prepared by the local adopted some other possible way was included in the Preamble of the body, prescribing where vendors to revive the newspaper. The party, Constitution by Smt. Indira Gandhi. may run their businesses, and in which has been promoting national Therefore, the claim of the today’s what numbers. In material terms, and multinational corporate houses, Congress, which openly supports how does this change the situation could have otherwise revived an old and serves the interest of corporate in which vendors find themselves newspaper easily. The newspaper capitalism, cannot be an heir to the today? could have been helped through the Nehruvian legacy. Thus, its claim central government, taking other is nothing but hollow. The Socialist This can change only if the law parties in confidence. This arbitrary Party suggests that the Congress mandates that most vendors are act of the Congress once again should rename itself as ‘Corporate registered, and that vending zones proves that it believes that the Nehru Party’. This term illustrates its true family is the Congress. That is why it character. and vending capacities are decided does not find any fault in promoting –Dr. Prem Singh, (Continued on Page 12) the newspaper by the Congress party. General Secretary 6 JANATA, November 11, 2012

English medium schools and the YMC loses a stalwart state itself is encouraging this when it announces that the children of Ramesh Murdeshwar died on October 10, early in the morning. He was Adivasi parents will learn in English 76, and had cancer prostate. Though under treatment, the best that can medium schools, exposing their be given, he developed severe urinary infection, was taken to hospital, total lack of understanding of what education means. developed cardiac arrest in the emergency room of the hospital itself, revived after hectic efforts, taken to ICU, perhaps with irreversible brain There is a hostel in the compound damage, kept on ventilator and affairs till the end. Even in the last days of the Tara high school, where a before he was taken to the hospital, he was doing some calculation for hundred Adivasi girls get free food the Anjanvel hospital which the Yusuf Meherally Centre (YMC/Centre) and accommodation and education. is building. Honest to the core, he was publicity shy and a loner, but The Centre spends ten lakhs annually preferred Tara to Mumbai. He had his flat in Mumbai, which he rarely on this. The big challenge is to raise entered though his flat was in the same building as the office of the YMC year after year ten lakhs to ensure that these Adivasi girls better their and every week he came to Mumbai. His flat was used by the YMC and lives. if some guests chose to give some money, it went to the Centre – directly. As a rare gesture, and perhaps to set an example, he decided not to take his And there is a campus – it is called gratuity and thus gifted a substantial sum to the Centre. And his relatives, Madhu-Pramila Dandvate Sankul whenever approached, donated generously. - where there are gramodyogs, camping facilities, a dairy and a He was a capable organizer as was proved conclusively often. One vermi-compost unit, an experimental example: he meticulously organized the Maharashtra leg of the Manav organic farm - called Ten Guntha Jyot Yatra in 1993. And one more: when once Chandrashekherji visited Farm - a bio-gas plant which uses Tara it had rained heavily in Mumbai as well at Tara. Mumbaikars could cow-dung and bio-mass, (a BARC hardly stir out because of the heavy rains, and at Tara, the ground where technology), a bio-diesel plant (an the Mandap was to be built was under water, he had to shift the venue of IIT technology) which can use used oils and acid waste and there the Mandap twice in one night. And he and other workers, despite rain, is a replica of Bapu Kuti to remind handled more than a thousand guests who turned up and the function people of the values popularized went off smoothly. during the freedom movement and also to sensitize visiting citizens The Centre has lost a good worker. No wonder, the condolence meeting to the problems of global warming at Tara was well attended. And almost all the workers at Tara, in the and discuss and debate as to what aftermath, are working overtime to see that the Centre not only survives, citizens can do at their level to but improves. That is their way of paying homage to him. mitigate the evil effects. The Centre gets 50,000 visitors annually. -GGP The Bapu Kuti will have a library. Tara is the village (a little more are charged - in line with YMC’s A beginning has been made, thanks than 60 kms from Mumbai on thinking that education up to SSC to Gandhian institutions and also Bombay-Goa highway) where level should be free. Admissions the Mumbai Freedom Fighters’ the Centre is building a model are on first come first basis and Sabha which gave a handsome of rural development. There is a no admission donations. Teachers, amount. The Bapu Kuti has become hospital which charges minimal fees. though taken as per state rules, do possible because two large corporate Obviously it has to depend on charity not have to pay anything to the houses, one close to Gandhiji and and the challenge is to ensure that Centre when recruited, a practice the other sympathetic to socialism local and nearby communities chip widespread in the state. gave generously. And a corpus is in and the city doctors, specially being built by taking not more than the specialists, give free time and One problem the school is facing a thousand from any individual. The services. This medical activity is is to ensure that the villagers do Centre wishes to approach a lakh of going on since 1967. not send their children to English people. medium schools. Many villagers There is a high school. No fees want their children to be taught in (Continued on Page 12) JANATA, November 11, 2012 7 Kisan Sangharsh Samiti Intensifies Agitation in Chindwada

The situation in Chindwada The farmers and others were Mahapanchayat President Shri continues to remain tense with not allowed to meet Medha Patkar Chand Chauriya, Azadi Bachao heavy police presence deployed to and other activists by the police. Andolan, Chindwara J L Mishra, intimidate the farmers, labourers Protesting the high handedness Ashok Choudhary and Roma from and adivasis protesting the illegal of the district administration NFFPFW, Anurag Modi of Jan commencement of work on the Medha Patkar along with Mukesh Sangharsh Morcha, Madhya Pradesh PenchWater Diversion Project. Bagoria, Rahul Yadav of Narmada and others have condemned the Bachao Andolan, Advocate Sushma incidence and lent their support to Medha Patkar, National Convener, Prajapati, Akhil Bhartiya Gondwana the movement. NAPM who travelled from Indore to Kisan Mahapanchayat, National Chindwada and reached there in Vice President; Devaki Marawi It needs to be noted that agitation the wee hours of November 4, was and Rajesh Tiwari of Bargi and against these two project Pench stopped and checked at virtually Bheemgarh Bandh Visthapit Sangh; Water Diversion Project (PWDP) every station by the police and also Jameel Khan of KSS and other and Adani Pench Power Project surrounded by 50 policemen at representatives of the Pench Project (APPP), Chindwara has been the Chindwada station, where the and Adani Power Project affected ongoing in a peaceful manner since Tehsildar and other officials tried to families have sat in Dharna. 2004. PWDP involves construction restrain her from proceeding further, of a 51 meter dam on Pench river, insisting that she must go to the It needs to be noted that for the submerging 5600 Hectares of land Circuit House. past few days police had been and of 31 villages. The project planned She was told that Sec 144 had terrorizing the people. Even then in 1980s got a one page clearance been imposed in Chindwada and villagers have been protesting at from Department of Environment in the entry of people in three tehsils of Vamanwada, 3 kms away from 1984 (MoEF was not there then) for Chhindwada, Amarwada and Chouri Machagora and have been on a irrigation purposes. That clearance is had been prohibited from October peaceful sit in. More than a thousand no longer valid; the project requires 30th.. When asked for a copy of policemen are surrounding the a fresh clearance under Environment the order to that effect, she was dharna site. Protection Act 1986 and also under denied that. However, on Novembr EIA notifications. Acquisition 3, Sartaj Singh, the M.P. Forest The agitation will continue until process was started back then, Minister held a public programme the forceful and illegal eviction some farmers were given throw- of distributing tendu patta bonus and acquisition of land is stopped. away compensation but acquisition and BJP Kisan Morcha also held a NAPM has decided to extend process was never completed since convention in Chourai. On the same complete support to the struggle the work didn’t start. Till today day Deen Dayal Antyodaya Mela and in absence of Dr. Sunilam farmers continue to cultivate and was organised as also adventure and Aradhana Bhargava, (both are grow 2-3 crops in a year from the sports programme in Tamiya. “Is the NAPM Conveners) Medha Patkar fertile land there. Section 144 for only for the activists and others will lead the struggle going to Bamanwara?” asked Medha in Chindwara and Multai and fight After the agitation, the Patkar. for the rights of farmers and farm compensation was increased to workers. nearly a lakh rupee an acre but 90 A huge police force had gheraoed percent of the farmers have refused the house of Adv. Aradhana Support has been pouring in to accept it and are not willing Bhargava, leader of Kisan Sangharsh from different movements across to part their land. In 2011 May Samiti, who was arrested on false the country. Hind Mazdoor Dr. Sunilam and Adv Aradhana charges under Sec 151 IPC on Kisan Panchayat, State Advocate Bhargava were attacked by the November 3rd itself and had been D K Prajapati, Madhya Pradesh goons but the administration failed sent to judicial custody. The next Pensioners Association, State to take any action. Many of the day police also arrested Brajkishore Secretary T M R Naidu, Samata farmers in fact along with Aradhana Chaurasia, Yuva Kranti Dal and Dr. Party State President Suresh Sharma, Bhargava spent more than a week Rajkumar Sanodia of KSS. Akhil Bhartiya Gondwana Kisan in jail on the false charges of arson, 8 JANATA, November 11, 2012 loot and obstructing public officials. State of Human Rights in the Prisons PWDP today is to be constructed of Maharashtra - II for supplying water to the APPP, diverting water meant for the farmers. Last year KSS along with Pamela Fernandes NAPM met Environment Minister, Jayanti Natarajan , who informed C. Prison Diet male convicts are sanctioned 350 the delegation that no clearance gms and women convicts 200 gms. had been granted to the PWDP and The food sanctioned for prisoners in Maharashtra has undergone Such a discrimination based on under the law they are supposed to gender had no logic and is violates have prior Environment Clearance. changes since the relevant provisions of the Prison Manual were enacted the fundamental right to equality The PWDP is going to threaten the in 1970 (Chapter XXIV, Diet for under law. forests of Pench National Park and Prisoners) The present diet as per Tiger Project too. So, in all senses it the Government resolution passed Another serious problem is makes no sense to be constructing in 2005 provides prison inmates a the timing of food distribution. this but even then MoEF has not daily quota of: According to the prison Manual taken any action. Kamal Nath, MP [Chapter XIX, Prison Routine, rule and Union Minister from Chindwara Breakfast – tea, milk, poha, upma no. 2] the evening meal is to be has been personally involved in or sheera. served and eaten between 4:45pm ensuring that the project goes on and and 5:45pm i.e. before the barracks been supporting the APPP as well. Lunch - Roti, rice, dal and vegetable are locked i.e. ‘bandi’. Thereafter Madhya Pradesh Government on the prisoner is not provided a meal the other hand has been in complete Dinner- Roti, rice, dal and vegetable for nearly fourteen hours until the hand in glove with Kamal Nath. next morning at 8am. Such a routine It is no wonder that Dr. Sunilam Fruit – a single banana is not only medically damaging and other activists of KSS got life but also inhuman. If the prisoner sentence in a case where 24 farmers Although intended to constitute chooses to eat his dinner a little were killed by police on January 12, a balanced diet, the above list later, he, then has to do with a cold 1998. None of the police officers conspicuously lack any egg or meat meal. The situation is much more have been punished till date, not a items. Such items are common aggravated on Sundays, when the single FIR has been filed in that case. in many cultures and also form time for ‘bandi’ of the barracks is It is a clear case of conspiracy and part of an individual’s minimum 2pm (unlike 6pm on weekdays). On collusion between BJP and Congress standard of living besides being such days the inmate has no other in the interest of Adani. a rich source of protein. While option, other than eating a cold prison administrations of several dinner which is torturous especially –NAPM states have already included non during the winter. vegetarian fare in their diet once a (Continued from Page 2) week Maharashtra has yet to make In 2000, the Maharashtra set to take some interesting turns. In this change despite various legal Government amended Section 31 the immediate future, however, the representations. of the Indian Prison Act (Applicable Congress will make a serious effort to Maharashtra) so as to deny to notch up achievements that will While the administration rightly unconvicted criminal prisoners the improve the party image. Which differentiates food quantities between facility to maintain, purchase or receive food from private sources is why it has deliberately chose to under trials and laboring convicts, it including home. go ahead with FDI in multi-brand incorrectly discriminates against women whilst providing wheat for retail, If the reform, succeeds, the the purpose of rotis. Male under trials D. Communications with Congress will gain at the hustings. are sanctioned 300 gms, whereas D. advocates, family and friends If the FDI turns sour,the Congress women under trials are sanctioned Communication of prison inmates fortunes will sink. It seems as simple only half the amount. Similarly with their advocates, family and as that right now. JANATA, November 11, 2012 9

Percentage distribution of expenditure on various items on tried, absence of legal aid until the prison inmates (2005) point of trial reduces greatly the Items of expenditure Percentage value of the country’s system of legal 1. Food 62.1 representation to the poor. Lawyers 2. Welfare activities 1.6 are not available at the point when 3. Vocational education 1.4 many of them mostly need such 4. Clothing 4.0 assistance. 5. Medical aid 8.8 6. Others 22.0 F. Inequalities and distinctions Source: National Crime Record Bureau. Though prisons are supposed to friends is a guaranteed fundamental One of the main short comings of be leveling institutions in which the right in the Constitution of India this system of interviews is that variables that affect the conditions and the various International Human such interviewers are only allowed of confinement are the criminal Rights Covenants and Declarations. in rooms where glass or grills divide records of their inmates and their In Maharashtra, communications the family member from the inmate behaviour in prison, other factors with Advocates, Family and Friends therefore such interviews without play an important part in many are allowed by visitations and physical contact are inhuman and countries. (Neier et al 1991). This written correspondence. Although unreasonable. report by the Human Rights Watch, many other States (Madhya Pradesh, specifically cite countries like West Bengal, Karnataka, Delhi, etc.) Discussing legal matters and India and Pakistan, where a rigid have started telephone facilities examining legal documents with class system exists in the prisons. in prison for the purpose of such ones advocate is also impossible in It states that under this system, communications; the Maharashtra such grilled interviews. Interviews special privileges are accorded to Prison Administration has not are only granted on week days and the minority of prisoners who come initiated any efforts in this direction disallowed on Sundays or Public from the upper and middle classes as yet. Holidays. irrespective of the crimes they have committed or the way they compose The NHRC and a Parliamentary The provisions of the Jail Manual themselves in prison. Standing Committee on moderniza- viz. rule 12, ‘political matters not tion of Prison administration (2008) to be discharged at interviews- G. Women and Health Care in had also recommended the creation termination of interviews’ and rule G. Prisons of telephone facilities for prisoners. 13 ‘language of conversation at Although the population of For prisoners, who have their family interviews’ of the said chapter; allow women in prisons is relatively low, and friends residing far away from the the Jailor to terminate interviews if their adverse social positions and prisons where they are lodged, such political matters are discussed or social disadvantage make them more a facility is not only economically if the jailer cannot understand the liable to rejection from families and viable but also convenient and time language of conversation. Both rules greater dejection when they are in efficient. The need to immediately are violative of a prisoners right to prison. Low levels of education and contact one’s legal counsel when freedom of speech and expression. In poor legal awareness makes women faced with problems in prison or the case of written communication, more likely to serve longer sentences during a trial is an essential provision the prison administration is in prison. Some women are pregnant of Article 22(1) of the Constitution empowered to censor letters written when they come into prison and this of India and such telephone facilities and received by a prisoner. can be a particularly difficult time, for prisoners will enable its proper physically and psychologically. realization. E. Lack of legal aid Sometimes these women are In India, legal aid to those who incarcerated for several years and In the case of interviews, the cannot afford to retain counsel is their children have to bear the brunt Maharashtra Prisons allow a 30 only available at the time of trial and of life in prison from birth. minute interview for convicts per not when the detainee is brought to month and a 20 minute interview the remand court. Since the majority H. Newspapers, books and library for under trials per week. Advocate of prisoners, those in lock up as well The Prison Manual has made it interviews are granted at all times. as those in prisons have not been compulsory for the prison authorities 10 JANATA, November 11, 2012 to supply ‘a copy of the daily concerns, inadequate transporting ineffective in actual practice. As per newspaper in English or in one of vehicles, etc., are some of the provisions of the Prison Manual, the regional languages…. free of excuses commonly cited for such an the Medical Officer is duty bound charge…..for every 20 prisoners or omission. The various High Courts to inspect water supply sanitation, less’. [Chapter XXXI, Facilities to throughout the country including diet of prisoners, conditions of Prisoners, rule No.29]. The prison the Bombay High Court have given accommodation, ventilation and administration does not provide such much attention to this practice and cleanliness of barracks and cells, a facility on the grounds of shortage time and again directed Police and etc. and report his observations. of funds. Prisoners are instead Prison authorities to adequately [Chapter IV, Prison Hospital, Rule compelled to privately purchase such staff and set up mechanisms for the no.3]. However in practice, the newspapers thus exonerating the transportation of prisoners to court. medical officers behave indifferently administration of its responsibility. regarding such matters which are On the pretext of censoring news, the K. Medical facilities often flagrantly below minimum Prison authorities regularly cut news Timely and adequate medical Human standards and the prescribed articles and reports from the daily treatment of prisoners is an provisions as per the Jail Manual. news papers. Invariably such editing extremely important aspect of L. Education in prisons deals with prison disturbances or prison administration as prisoners disclosure of malpractices of the do not enjoy access to medical Education is now a compulsory Prison management. As for the rights expertise that free citizens have and activity in all prisons. Additional of prisoners to possess books, the secondly, because of conditions of posts of teachers required for Prison Manual, [Chapter XXXI. incarceration, inmates are exposed organizing educational and cultural Rule no. 30] restricts the number of to more health hazards than ordinary programs in prisons have been books to ‘not more than 2 religious citizens are. created under Five Year plans. and 10 non-religious books’. Though Regular classes from the first to Indian Jails have very poor the Prison Manual stipulates that tenth standard are held for prisoners. medical facilities, and Maharashtra every Prison (Central, District, Class Swadahya classes, consisting of small is no exception. In nearly all the I & Special Prisons) should have groups have also been organized for prisons of Maharashtra, the medical a library, this facility is horribly prisoners studying from the first to infrastructure is not in consonance neglected in practice. the Secondary School Certificate with the prison grade or number of (S.S.C) Prisoners are encouraged to I. Sports, recreation prisoners. Even in those currently pursue college education. Likewise I. and entertainment having prison hospitals, such as they are encouraged to appear With no expenditure, the Nagpur Central Prison, minimum for English, Sanskrit and Hindi administration totally relies on diagnostic and investigative Examination conducted by the donations of benefactors and Non- facilities are lacking. The medical various educational organizations. Governmental Organizations. Officer is authorized to refer the Expenditure on TVs, Radio or video prisoner for treatment often does so Vocational training in various facilities and efforts for organizing in return for monetary favours from industries is also given. The classes cultural programmes is minimal and influential prisoners, in connivance are organized in various prisons in totally dependent on donors. The with the prison staff. Thus, only a carpentry, textile, tailoring and other Recreational and Cultural needs few get the benefit of this ‘luxury’ trades. Vocational training classes of an individual are of primary and the remaining unfortunate are conducted twice a week and they importance especially given the majority have to make do with are closely related to institutional mental agony a prisoner has to face ‘prescribed pain-killers’ until their work program and the post of during trial or sentence. condition worsens, to ultimately teachers required, therefore, have merit such action . Another problem been created under Five Year Plan. J. Production of under-trials plaguing the medical facilities in M. Discipline and the role of J. before courts prisons is the supply and quality M. violence in prison Many under trials are not of substandard medication. On M. administration the whole, medical treatment in produced before the courts. Police Violence by authorities in the prison lacks quality, punctuality, bandobast, visits of dignitaries to Jails of Maharashtra like the rest of the city, far-flung courts, security innovation and therefore proves JANATA, November 11, 2012 11 the Country are not isolated events, deaths in Western Maharashtra was • Corruption and malpractices in as often made out to be. They are carried out from year 2001 to 2008. the system. conscious acts perpetrated daily A total 66 cases of prison deaths were to subdue the prisoner, establish examined excluding deaths in police Areas for Reforms unquestionable authority and custody. 64 inmates were male and 2 Transparency in Prison are viewed by the Prison staff were females. The age ranged from Administration as essential to effective Prison 21 year to 80years with mean age management. Jailors who are able of death being 46.48 years. Natural Hasten the cases of under trials to subdue the prisoners by violent cause of death predominates (n=63, and aggressive means, derogatory 95.45 percent), tuberculosis related The free legal aid provided by and abusive language or frequent deaths (n=34, 51.51 percent) being government is deplorable as lawyers floggings are considered effective maximum, followed by coronary are not committed and do not follow and are given an unspoken immunity artery disease (n=22, 33.33 percent), up on cases. for these actions by the entire pneumonia (n=2, 3.03 percent), Network with NGO’s and Prison set-up. In prisons, violence cancer (n=2, 3.03 percent), liver community based organisations to is an institutionalized procedure cirrhosis (n=2, 3.03), intracranial find surety for prisoners with no upon which the edifice of Prison haemorrhage (n=1, 1.51 percent). Discipline is built. It begins from the homes/addresses and follow up with Out of which 50 (75.75 percent) moment of entry into prison, during a rehab program. cases received treatment. Unnatural the strip search or other procedures deaths (n=3, 4.55 percent) comprised of admission at the prison gates No immunity for jailors for torture exclusively of suicidal hanging, all when the prisoner is faced with and violence of prisoners. were suffering from mental illness. violence and aggression. If the Jail staff identifies a particular prisoner Issues of Concern Ensure public awareness about who frequently resists this culture of working for prisoner’s welfare. submission he is somehow taught a • 80 percent prisoners are under ‘lesson’ by violent methods under trials Segregation of prisoners specially any unrelated pretext. • Even though bail is granted, hardened criminals from other prisoners are not released. inmates. For prisoners, the most feared legal pretext for such violence is • Lack or insufficient provision of Improve basic living conditions that of the general “Alarm” in case medical aid to prisoners hence – ventilation, sanitation and general of ‘news of serious outbreak or need to appropriate adequate hygiene. disturbance amongst prisoners’. medical facilities. Conclusion On the sounding of the alarm, all • Callous and insensitive attitude hell breaks loose; the Prison staff of jail authorities. Jail staff must Promotion, Protection of Human goes on a violent rampage and be trained in human relations and Rights and Prevention of its violations are essential components indiscriminately thrash anyone upholding the rights of prisoners. coming in their way. The Prison of Prison administration. In Prisons authorities in Maharashtra are also • Punishment carried out by jail where an individuals’ right to Life known to have deliberately sounded authorities to maintain discipline. and Liberty is deprived by the State, the alarm in many instances and • Harsh mental and physical torture all the rights of that individual used it to physically attack those be it economic, social, medical, who do not submit to their brand of • Lack of proper legal aid. educational or cultural rights become authoritarianism. In this culture of • High amount of surety ordered by as indispensable as his Civil Rights. submission and violence, attempts courts which indigent prisoners Any deprivation of the same would to patiently persuade, counsel and can’t pay thus constitute an unreasonable, reform prisoners in maintaining oppressive and unfair procedure and discipline are unpopular. • Rejection of surety bonds due to a violation of his constitutionally lack of money or verification of guaranteed Right to Life. N. Prison deaths addresses, as indigent prisoners A retrospective study of prison don’t have houses. This modern approach that seeks 12 JANATA, November 11, 2012 to reform and rehabilitate criminals amendments in the Prison Manual business/slide-show/slide-show- back into society, directly conflicts and other Statutory provisions 1-top-25-states-with-highest- with the practice of the police who & rules and any other matter of gdp/20120223.htm go to any extent to violate the general importance regarding Jail 4. www.humanrightsinitiative.org at rights of prisoners. Hence, attempts Administration’, [Notification dated @EbookBrowse , Maharashtra’s to manage prisons by personnel 22-6-2006]. abandoned prisons -2010. from the Police or Indian Police 5. http://mahapolice.gov.in/ Service (IPS) would fail in the full Headed by Justice S. P. mahapolice/jsp/temp/igpprison.jsp realization of such reformative and Kurdurkar, this ‘Inquiry correctional goals. Commission for Maharashtra State Jail Administration & Jail Manual (Continued from Page 5) In addition, the existence of a Reform’, began inquiries and sought through a transparent process, by a common Home Ministry of the representations and suggestions broad-based agency which includes Government for both Police and from prisoners, jail staff and representatives of vendors. Prison administration further harms Non-Government Organizations. the reformative and correctional However, the State Government did In the end, what this entails is approach. In such a Ministry, not sanction a further extension and an entirely new imagination of the it is but natural that the Prison the Commission was forced to wind city, which includes the masses of department is treated as an adjunct up, without presenting any report. urban poor people as legitimate to the Police and other Law and The State Government has also paid and legal partners. And, indeed, Order or security concerns. What no attention to recommendations it entails a new imagination of follows from such a situation is a of similar commissions on Jail economic growth, powered not just more security centric prison rather Reform such as the Justice A.N. by the profits of large transnational than a reformative and correctional Mulla Commission (1980-83) or companies, but the enterprise of one. Priority is given to modernize the recent ‘Draft National Policy millions of the working poor. and tighten prison security rather on Prison Reforms & Correctional than upgrade facilities for prisoners. Administration (2007)’. After the – Aman Biradafi Enactments are passed for harsher 26/11 attacks on Mumbai, the State and longer sentences rather than for Home Ministry has drawn up its (Continued from Page 6) protecting prisoner’s rights. Funds priorities, and prison reform is It is a model of rural development are allocated for building more and clearly not a part of them. However, in the making. It will become, more prisons, rather than improving for those thousands currently definitely, replicable and it will the quality of existing ones. In short, incarcerated in the prisons of also become the foundation of an the political will calls for increasing Maharashtra, Prison reform still alternative development model for the number of prisoners rather than remains a fondly cherished dream the future. implementing Prison reform. of betterment. The Centre is worth a visit, Due to pressure from Civil References worth help in cash or kind. And for Gandhians and socialists and Society and various Human Rights 1. A retrospective study of prison trade unions and activists, it should Organizations to do away with deaths in western Maharashtra be a preferred venue for having the oppressive and archaic Prison (2001–2008),Sonar Vaibhav, their training camps and important Act, the centre finally drafted a Lecturer, Dept. of Forensic Medicine, meetings. ‘Model Prison Manual (2003)’, and Govt. Medical College, Miraj. urged the States to do the same. –Yusuf Meherally Centre, In accordance with this directive 2. State of Human Rights in the Prisons D/15, Ganesh Prasad, 1st Floor, the government of Maharashtra, of Maharashtra, field report as a part 10, Nausher Bharucha Marg, Home Department, constituted a of Two Years Distance Learning (Sleater Road), commission to ‘inquire into certain Postgraduate Programme in Human P.O, Grant Road (W), Mumbai - 400007 lapses and to suggest measures Rights, 2010, Arun Ferreira. which are required to be taken by Website - www.yusufmeherally.org the Jail administration including 3. Weblinks -http://www.rediff.com/ TeleFax - +91 22 23889738 JANATA, November 11, 2012 13 Sir Syed Day and Its Utility

Asghar Ali Engineer

Seventeen October happens to this resentment against modern As Aligarh played great role for be Sir Syed’s birth day and every education is not found only among spreading education among Muslims year all those who have studied at Talibans but also among many in the Indian sub-continent today Aligarh Muslim University celebrate other Muslims who are illiterate, that role could be played by those it with great enthusiasm and arrange backward and poor. Even today our who have obtained education in that dinner on that occasion. This year Ulama bring tons of money from university. But celebrating Sir Syed too the Aligarh Muslim University Arab countries for madrasas and day has become a mere ritual. There Alumni Association of Maharashtra build grand buildings but do nothing is great need for these past students celebrated Sir Syed day on last 17th to promote modern education. with successful careers to make it October and invited senior journalist a mission like Sir Syed and work Kuldip Nayar as Chief Guest and this These Ulama had greatly opposed with great enthusiasm, like Sir Syed writer as Guest of Honour along with Sir Syed when he started modern did, to spread modern education Teesta Setalvad and Amin Patel, an college at Aligarh. They even among Muslims. It is the only way MLA from Maharashtra Legislative obtained fatwas from Mecca for his to success as these students have Assembly. being kafir, Christian or Jew. But Sir themselves succeeded because of Syed did not give up and continued, modern education. I am not going here into who said deeply convinced as he was, his what but take account of what Sir efforts to spread modern education. Sir Syed Day should not be Syed did and what is its impact on He even went to Oxford along with reduced as a mere ritual as we are Muslims of Indian sub-continent. his son to study the plans for his wont to do. It should become a I can understand the emotions institution. Simply celebrating Sir day for inspiration, for renewal of of those who studied at Aligarh Syed day will not do. We have to vows and for re-energizing these and are leading successful life emulate his spirit, his courage and students to work for welfare of today as a result of educational his sense of mission. the community and for promoting qualification they acquired there. It communal harmony as Sir Syed is not important that they celebrate Our Ulama do not oppose Sir Syed did. It is very important to note that Sir Syed Day once in a year and meet today or modern education for that Sir Syed did a great deal to promote each other, have dinner and disperse. matter. However, they do nothing to unity between Hindus and Muslims. promote modern secular education It was part of his mission. Besides Much more important is to assess among Muslims and instead go on saying that Hindus and Muslims are what is the condition of Muslims multiplying madrasas with Arab like two eyes of a beautiful bride today in the sub-continent and what money. If all these funds had been he also said that Muslims are also impact Sir Syed’s contribution has used for starting modern institutions Hindus in geographical sense. In on Muslim society today. It is so it would have done great service one of his speeches he, addressing unfortunate that just a few days to Muslim community in the sub- a gathering of Hindus and Muslims before Sir Syed Day a 14 year continent. One has to learn a lot from he said “are you all not borne in old girl Malala from North West Christian missionaries in this regard. this land? Are you not cremated or Frontier Province from Pakistan Their institutions are considered buried in this land? We all belong was murdered by Tehrik-e-Taliban- best even in Pakistan and people to this land.” Pakistan led by Maulana Fazlullah, want to send their children to their just because she was campaigning schools. Our Ulama, it is a matter It is great irony that some scholars for education for girls. of great concern, are opposing even try to prove that Sir Syed was a modernizing madrasas which could separatist and some even have tried It shows that even after 150 years immensely benefit the students. to project as founder of the idea there are Muslims who find modern They fear they would lose control of Pakistan. These ignoramuses secular education an anathema as over them if they accept government do not know that even Jinnah had they found it in 19th century. And money for that purpose. not thought of Pakistan before late 14 JANATA, November 11, 2012 thirties and had forced the supporters today for similar reason and start having on the outlook of people. Old of Rahmat Ali to withdraw the earning and supplementing family commentaries were written in the resolution on creating of Pakistan in income and to become better artisans. light of knowledge then available. one the sessions of Muslims League But times have changed now and Someone has to show courage and as late as mid-thirties. Jinnah was modern education has become complete this task and also revise using idea of Pakistan as bargaining universal in character. Muslims have what Sir Syed wrote as many more counter right up to 1946 and Pakistan produced Sir Syed but now they need developments have taken place. became reality not only because an Ambedkar to work for upliftment Jinnah demanded it but also because and education of poor, low caste Sir Syed, in his commentary of some mistakes made by some Muslims. It is these Muslims who are also had defended women’s rights Congress leaders as pointed out by in overwhelming numbers in India. but again he had certain severe Maulana Azad in his book India The Sachar Committee estimates constraints and could not do what Wins Freedom. that the OBCs among Muslims are he would have liked to do in this about 45 per cent. But that estimate field also. Instead he had to advise However, this is beside the point. also seems to be wrong. It is not Maulavi Mumtaz Ali Khan, a great I would also like to point out here less than 80 to 85 per cent. Most of supporter of women’s rights not to that Sir Syed had some limitations of the Asharafiyas from North India publish his book Huququn Niswan his own and I said this in my speech migrated to Pakistan in 1947 leaving as it would add to his troubles. in the function. Sir Syed belonged to behind OBC Muslims and one has to Not that Sir Syed would not like to Ashrafiyah i.e. the noble classes and work, as Ambedkar did for Dalits, give women their due but mainly his vision were limited by his social for modern education. The clerics because orthodox Ulama would add origin. He had seen total destruction will never do that and therefore, to his troubles. Sir Syed thought as of Muslim ruling classes and he the Aligarh students should come education improves among Muslims wanted them to catch up with the forward to do this task and fulfill Sir they would re-think on all these times instead of weeping and breast Syed’s mission. positions and would revise their beating. He, therefore, thought they opinion. must go for modern education so There is another part of Sir Syed’s that they could occupy an important mission which remains unfulfilled But unfortunately for various government position which was not until today. Sir Syed was great reasons not to be discussed here it possible without modern secular supporter of modernization and did not happen and there is need education. He, therefore, founded change. He also formed Scientific for launching a fresh movement for Anglo Mohamedan Oriental College Society of India along with other women’s rights. We need a Maulavi which became Aligarh Muslim colleagues and undertook translation University in 1920 by an Act of of several scientific books in Urdu. Mumtaz Ali Khan besides a Sir Parliament. He also began to write tafsir (modern Syed to get equality for women. commentary on Qur’an) but had to Today modern education and gender But Sir Syed who gave so much abandon that work as the theologians equality both are most important importance to modern education vehemently opposed it and forced issues, as important as during Sir for Ashrafiyah was not much him to put it aside. It has gone into Syed’s time and Aligarh Muslim enthusiastic about similar education oblivion as no one was interested in University’s past students would for children of weavers. When publishing it until Khuda Bakhsh be better advised to undertake weavers of Moradabad (Ansaris) Library, Patna under took that these issues with renewed spirit. invited him to inaugurate a school important task and published it in They would do real service to the for their children Sir Syed advised two volumes. community and also this would be them not to waste their time in the best tribute to the memory of sending them to school but train This commentary is of great this great man. Sir Syed as indeed a them in weaving so that they can importance though Sir Syed could modern architect of Muslim society. earn and supplement family income not complete it due to opposition We must stop paying mere lip service and can become better weavers. from conservative Ulama. No one and gird up our loins to start working even talks about it that Muslims for completion of his mission. Sir Syed was right in his own need revisiting Qur’an in the light way in that context. Many Muslim of modern developments in the field Centre for Study of Society and children do not go to schools even of knowledge and impact it has been Secularism JANATA, November 11, 2012 15 Secular Humanist Philosopher

The sudden death of Dr. Paul version the 1933 original. Kurtz was not merely an academic Kurtz on 20th October in USA at the philosopher but was also a great age of 86 is a great loss to the world I became his admirer after activist. He travelled all over the humanist m movement. He was a reading his articles in the “Radical world propagating secular humanist renowned philosopher and founder- Humanist" magazine. I met him in values and attended a world humanist editor of “ Free Inquiry” magazine 1997 at Buffalo, NY state, USA conference in Mumbai. as also the founder of the publishing along with two Indian friends and house "Prometheus Books" which discussed about humanist and We should study the ideas and was intended to propagate the values socialist movements. The interview ideals of Dr. Erich Fromm and of humanism , secularism and free was arranged by Dr. N. Innaiah. Dr. Paul Kurtz of the West and Inquiry. He was also the founder of humanist thinker M.N. Roy as well Institute for Science and Humanism, Just as renowned social as socialist thinker Dr. Rammanohar Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, psychologist Dr. Erich Fromm Lohia of the East, in order to build Council for Secular Humanism and introduced socialist component into a New Human Civilization and for Center for Inquiry. He had authored the humanist movement, Dr. Paul the development of a New Human 40 books and was the co–editor of Kurtz introduced secular component Culture. Humanist Manifesto, an updated into the humanist movement. Dr. -Ravela Somayya

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Vol. 67 No. 43 Above the People November 18, 2012 The UPA seems to be facing a dual rise. Moreover, the poverty didn’t crisis. They are under attack from seem to go away. Again he had no Arvind Kejriwal who is exposing prescription for poverty alleviation. Activists Questioning corruption of its leaders, which till He, while releasing a report saying Corruption Land in the Jail the other day seemed to be living in that half the children in India are Sandeep Pandey ivory towers, and the fact that the malnourished, commented that it national economy is in doldrums was a matter of national shame. Beyond the Pain has made it look very vulnerable. The relevant question to be asked Pitiable Plight of Women The chief coalition partner, the is why was there no soothing effect Kuldip Nayar Congress has after initial hesitation of his policies on the situation of decided to deal on both fronts with malnutrition? Quite clearly, the some aggression. To bolster its own Manmohan-Montek policies of Indigenous Knowledge confidence the Congress organized a Privaisation, Liberalisation and as People’s Technology huge rally to convey to its distracters Globalisation have no solution K. S. Chalam that its supporters continue to be with for inflation, price rise, poverty, it even after all the blame it has got malnutrion, farmer suicides, mother nationally and internationally. mortality rate and global warming. Report on Recent Violence in Bodo Autonomous Manmohan Singh’s image and One of the reasons given for Territorial Districts has taken a thorough beating. In his implementation of neo-liberal Nishikanta first term he seemed to be the man policies was that the corruption in command. He was implementing and inefficiency of public sector policies very confidently which undertakings would be a thing of The GDP Illusion he and Montek Singh Ahluwalia John Smith the past once private companies take convinced everybody were the over. However, both corruption and only way India could maintain a inefficiency have increased manifold high growth rate. On the way they in the era of private companies. And Editor : also implemented some pro-people the policy makers do not seem to G. G. Parikh measures like the NREGA and mind it as they are hand in glove with waiver of loans to farmers, which the private corporations, which has Managing Editor : Guddi actually helped the Congress win been clearly brought out by CAG and the elections in 2009. The trouble Arvind Kejriwal. D-15, Ganesh Prasad, began when the economy registered Naushir Bharucha Marg, high inflation in the Prime Minister’s The honest PM is seen to have Mumbai - 400 007. second term. Suddenly the doctor supervised the plundering of wealth confessed that he had no solution by his ministerial colleagues. Initially Email : [email protected] for it. He said he didn’t have a magic some action was taken. But after the wand to deal with inflation and price matter of Robert Vadra, the son- 2 JANATA, November 18, 2012 in-law of the Congress President, one for the rich and powerful and allow foreign companies to make being exposed, where he made Rs. another for the common and poor. money on the domestic savings. 300 crores from “investment” of This is similar to allowing Coca Rs. 50 lakhs, the Congress party An analogous decision has been Cola and Pepsi to make money by was baffled. They have now taken taken on the front of economic selling our water to us by the brand a decision to justify the corruption. policies. When it is clear that neo- names of Kinley and Aquifina. The party is saying that there is liberal policies have spelt trouble The US has made it clear on nothing legally wrong in what for common people, Manmohan several occasions that it will adopt Vadra did or for that matter in the Singh has decided to pursue the protective policies keeping the party giving interest free loan to same path, with a vengeance this interest of its population in mind. Associated Journals of Gandhis. It time, as if to answer the western But Manmohan Singh chooses to also felt emboldened to bring back critical assessment of him as an ignore it and for some reason wants the tainted lawyer Abhishek Manu underachiever. The decision to to remain in its good books. The Singhvi whose political career allow FDI in retail and insurance country will have to pay a heavy seemed, not long ago, to be over will mean more hardship for the price for the policies being adopted with the exposure of a sex scandal. poor of this country. Manmohan by him. and Montek probably already know The Congress party seems to this but they have decided to at least His government will not just be be saying that it does not mind the please the investors, especially the remembered for being the most corruption and immorality of its overseas ones. In the US Walmart corrupt one but also for being very leaders and things will probably has taken away the employment anti-poor. The man who never continue in the same manner. There of three people when it provided faced a direct election imposed his will be no action against the errant. jobs to two. The ratio will be far decisions on the largest democracy It has confirmed the worst fears in worse in India given the wider gap of the world like an autocrat. He has the minds of people that there are between the rich and the poor. In the betrayed his image of being honest two sets of laws in this country – insurance sector we’ll essentially and humble. Activists Questioning Corruption Land in the Jail

Since the movement against and colleagues. Sunilam later got leading the protests against a power corruption has taken on the political elected an independent MLA and plant project of Adani and a Pench class head on there seems to be later on joined the Samajwadi Party. project meant to divert water for certain resentment amongst the He was elected for one more term the power project in Chhindwara, ruling elites against the grassroots to the M.P. Legislative Assembly. constituency of powerful central activists. Two of these activists But his essential identity is that minister Kamalnath. have recently landed in jail. of an activist rather than a party politician. He would be part of all When Medha Patkar went to Dr. Sunilam has been convicted people’s movements for the basic the house of Aradhana Bhargava, by sessions court for murder in a rights of marginalised and was even advocate and colleague of Sunilam, 14 years old case and given a life arrested in international protests arrested a day earlier, she was also term. His Kisan Sangharsh Samiti against the neo-liberal order. Most arrested on 4th November in the had organized a protest, on 12th recently he was part of movement night from in Chhindwara and kept January, 1998, of farmers at Multai, against corruption led by Anna in jail, for no reason at all, for two District Betul in Madhya Pradesh to Hazare. days. Opposition to Adani is a key demand compensation for the crop reason for these activists landing damaged because of bad weather. Sunilam and two colleagues in jail as the government wants the 24 farmers died in police firing and Shesh Rao Suryavanshi and land acquisition process to take many were injured. In the ensuing Prahlad Agarwal were sentenced place smoothly. violence the driver of a fire brigade by the Multai Sessions Court on was killed. While there is no case 18th October, 2012, and have been Dayamani Barla is a tribal activist yet filed for the killing of farmers, incarcerated in Bhopal jai sincel. It fighting against land acquisition in 66 cases were filed against Sunilam is noteworthy that Sunilam was also Jharkhand. She was sent to jail on JANATA, November 18, 2012 3

16th October, 2012, in an old case. of duty by government officials. exploitation of resources of the She has been involved in protests Dayamani Barla had opposed the tribals and poor in the kind of jobs against attempted takeover of proposed project of steel giant that they will be prepared for. Hence 227 acres of land in Gram Sabha Arcelor Mittal in Jharkhand earlier. the struggle is not just against the Nagadi on the outskirts of Ranchi projects it is also against the skewed by government for building IIIT, The commonality between development or benefits flowing IIM and National Law School. It is Sunialm and Dayamani is their inequitably from these projects. the last which has probably become opposition to big projects in the a matter of prestige for the High name of development. With the Activists such as Sunilam and Court. The Court, therefore, has exposure of large scale corruption Dayamani are not just questioning ordered acquisition of land even in big projects now it is becoming the corruption involving merely if paramilitary forces are required clear that they are not just financial transactions they are also to do the job, giving a taste to the development projects. They involve questioning the corruption in policy local population of the colonial transactions of huge sums where the making where the ruling elites, hangover of our ruling elites. In benefactors are private corporations including the judiciary, want to the process all the righs tribals and members of the ruling class. corner all the benefits for themselves have been empowered with, in the The benefits from these so-called at the cost of marginalised sections Constitution as well as through development projects also accrue of society. Questioning such various laws of the land has been to only the well off section of corruption is attacking at the roots thrown to the winds. society with the poor always at the of very existence of the ruling sacrificial end. For example, it is classes. They will not be able to As Dayamani got bail in one case unlikely that many tribal students enjoy the luxurious life styles if another case was imposed on her to will even be able to make it to they would be required to equitably continue her incarceration. Unlike the institutions of higher learning share the benefits of development. Sunilam she was being kept in jail on created on their ancestral land. Hence they have adopted a policy minor charges of disturbing peace The students graduating from these to banish the activists and the and obstructing the performance institutions will engage in further protesting masses. –Sandeep Pandey Eminent Women Urge the Immediate Release of the three Women of Idinthakarai

Nearly a 100 prominent Indian Shabnam Hashmi. The letter was in already spent a month in jail, with women have written to the Tamil reaction to what the signatory women the police bringing up fresh cases Nadu Chief Minister and the National termed as “the increasing hostility of at each bail hearing. Most recently, Commission for Women urging the various agencies of the State to three new cases based on earlier them to facilitate the release of democratic dissent, and the particular FIRs were registered and warrants three Idinthakarai women -- Xavier viciousness with which non-violent served on the jailed women on 9 Ammal, Selvi and Sundari. All three protests are being addressed.” November, 2012. The letter noted imprisoned women are fore-runners the discrepancy between the FIRs’ in the 15-month long struggle against The letter endorsed by the women claims that protestors were carrying the Koodankulam nuclear power stated that the women’s “alleged aruvals (sickles), crowbars and plant. crime was an act that most women other deadly weapons, and the TV would commit intuitively, namely footage from the police crackdown The list of signatories includes acting to protect their families, of 10 September which carries no notable senior writers, scientists, their communities and their future substantiation of these allegations. advocates, thinkers, artists and generations.” feminists including Mahasweta Devi, The Idinthakarai trio is currently Women and other supporters from Aruna Roy, Romila Thapar, Vandana in the Trichy Women’s prison, across the country have said they will Shiva, Mallika Sarabhai, Lalita facing several charges including of visit the three women in jail, and Ramdas, Medha Patkar, Pamela sedition and waging war against work towards their speedy release. Philipose, Vrinda Grover, Devaki the state, in six cases. They have Jain, Kalpana Kannabiran and –Geetha V 4 JANATA, November 18, 2012

Between the lines Kuldip Nayar Beyond the Pain

Some memories do not fade killing of Muslims in Gujarat in 2002 The 80 per cent Hindus can brush however old they become. It is would not have taken place because the criticism aside as most of them really the pain which accumulates the rulers and their associates would do. Yet the fact remains that the because of disappointment and have learnt the lesson for complicity. taste of democracy goes sour if the helplessness in not finding justice. I Yet we must know why the Sikhs, of the minorities feel that they are realized this the other day when an as a community, were targeted and not getting their due. I must admit old Sikh friend of mine called me what was the motive behind doing that the thoughts and conversations from Faridkot in Punjab and cried so. I have shared with the Muslims on the phone. He asked me again tell me that they find the millstone and again why the government did I still think that there is a necessity of partition still hanging around not take action against the 1984 to appoint a Truth and Conciliation their neck even after 65 years of anti-Sikh rioters, some of whom he Commission like the one the South independence. However, some complained were still roaming free. African government did when confidence is beginning to build. the blacks assumed power under The simple answer which I Nelson Mandela. Several white men In a speech, Jamia Millia vice- gave him was that when protectors appeared before the commission chancellor Najeeb Jung, said a become predators, the punishment and gave gory details of what they few days ago: “…There is need to is negated. This is what happened did by resorting to untoward and understand Muslim concerns and in November 1984, when 3000 illegal methods to keep the blacks address them to give the community Sikhs were killed or burnt alive in suppressed. The white admitted the greater confidence, and ensure its broad daylight. The then Congress abominable role they had played. greater involvement in the national government was reportedly accused mainstream. Two committees of being part of the pogrom. Hence None was punished because appointed by the government, both whatever little action taken was the very nature of the commission chaired by retired judges of the perfunctory not meant to bring the required true confessions to avoid Supreme Court, have submitted culprits to book. punishment. Similar confessions reports underlining the weak economic and educational standards There was the Chief Justice are required from the Congress of Muslims, their inadequate Ranganath Mishra report and some leaders and the authorities of those other assessments. But they talked days. Only then would we be able to representation in government jobs more about the assassination of reconstruct the tragedy, particularly as compared to their population, and Indira Gandhi than the killing of the the participation of the top leadership suggested means to address them. Sikhs. The only worthwhile probe in the party and the government. The Government of India is making was that of Justice Nanavati. But the right noises and there is hope that he too did not go deep enough and “This is happening because we some positive steps will be taken to did not apportion blame to anybody are only two percent in the country,” improve the lot of the Muslims. The specifically. Even when, in an said a young Sikh at Jantar Mantar, Muslims themselves have realised interview, I tried to pin him down adding that even the Muslims met their political power. In almost one to name person behind the carnage, the same fate in Gujarat although third of seats in the lower house of he merely said: “You know who he they were 17 per cent. His note of Parliament Muslim vote can make was.” helplessness struck me more than his the difference between winning and pessimism. His is a telling remark on losing. The Muslims have gradually I think the naming of the guilty a polity which takes pride in being understood the value of tactical was important to punish them. Had democratic and adherent of secular voting, and their sheer numbers will the law taken its normal course, the constitution. also gradually force the government JANATA, November 18, 2012 5 to take them more seriously than the bound to carry them out faithfully, facing the fallout of political rulers’ first 30-40 years of Independence.” whatever their predilections. It order. The real question is not would be a sad day when the political but human. The Sikhs On the other hand, the Sikhs, military would question the order of are voicing their grievance against who consider themselves close to rulers backed by parliament. non-rehabilitation of the victims’ Hindus, are beginning to feel that families. “I have been living the the relationship does not mean However, the role of the army horror everyday for the past 28 anything if the Hindu community takes me to the theatrical posture years. My entire family, including gets worked up as it did in 1984. of the retired General V.K. Singh. my husband and two sons, were Maybe, there is a bigger lesson in There is something called propriety mercilessly killed by the rioting the tragedies of Operation Blue Star which he has thrown to the wind and mob. I recount my story every year and the killings. Only by delving has come down to level of urchins to the media, but what difference has into them would we understand asking for gheraoing parliament. I it made? Have I got justice?” says the killing of General A.S. Vaidya am shocked that Gandhian Anna Surjeet Kaur, one of the victims. or the attack on Lt. Gen. K.S. Brar Hazare, who shared the platform who led the Operation Blue Star with him, has not realized the harm True, one should move on. against the insurgents entrenched he has done to the movement he It is easier said than done. But in the Golden Temple. has initiated to bring back the value punishment to the guilty will serve system. as a balm. The government has Whatever the reason, it does not to initiate steps that would instill lessen the sanctity of orders given See the comparison between the confidence in the Sikh community by the elected government to the two. One is itching to join politics which should not feel helpless or army commanders who are duty while the other, Brar, a Sikh, is abandoned. Pitiable Plight of Women

Even as Malala Yousafzai, a but their advanced societies have operations in Waziristan and Swat to 14-year-old activist who advocated sophisticated ways to humiliate the crush Taliban. girls’ education, recovers from the female. bullet shots by Taliban at Swat in No doubt, anger is there but it Pakistan, there is no let up in the In this part of the world, a girl cannot be channelized without any atrocities against women in the is generally considered a curse or concerted effort or action. Religious subcontinent. Haryana in India burden from birth. While a boy is fanatics appear to come in the way witnessed another rape of a dalit regarded as a bread-winner, a girl is and they are the ones who call the girl and yet another honour killing a damper on ambitions of a family. shots. All statements emanating from by parents of their daughter in The economic factor only aggravates the army suggest that it will give no the northern part of Pakistan. In the social factor and it would be quarter to the terrorists, meaning Delhi, the national capital, a married wrong to assume that the earning thereby Taliban, but the operation girl committed suicide, with her potential of a girl is the real reason. against them lacks determination. daughter, because her in-laws had This may be, partly because Taliban not stopped demanding dowry even But the real tragedy is that the are said to have penetrated the army after five years of marriage. women themselves, mothers or ranks itself. mothers-in-law, are the perpetrators These incidents are distance- of crimes. They are behind the In India, the most developed wise removed from one another dowry tragedy or honour killing. A nation in the region, the voice and they even differ in gory details. feeble protest is seen in a few brutal against the atrocities on women is Still they are similar in intent: A cases but it is forgotten the following probably the loudest. There are many woman cannot claim any right, much day. Then it is business as usual. I political and social women leaders less equality, in India, Pakistan or thought that the attack on Malala - the all-powerful Sonia Gandhi Bangladesh. I am sure that women would unite Pakistan in pain and it included. Even then they have not in the West, too undergo indignities would rise as one nation to intensify been able to do much. For example, 6 JANATA, November 18, 2012 they have not been able to secure the pundit, has advocated inferior the public aware of the atrocities 33 percent reservations for women. status for women and has proposed committed against women. The The bill, after having been in limbo inhuman punishments for them if purpose is how to give women their for many years, has only made it to they challenge men to give them an rightful place in the society and make the Rajya Sabha. The prospects of its equal status. Even today the entry them feel that they are inferior to approval by this house of parliament of women to a few temples remains none in any field - political, economy are almost nil. barred and even the treatment meted or social. The development in a out to them has come to have country has no meaning if the society Male chauvinists, particularly religious sanctions. does little against discrimination among the dalits and backward and denial to women perpetuated classes, are vehemently opposed to As for the Muslim women, the for centuries. reservations to women on the ground restrictions are even wider. That (Continued from Page 8) they cannot enter most religious that the concessions would be contributions for the survival of cornered by the urbanite educated. places is common. The shrine at man, but also to address the present This fear is without any basis Nizamuddin at Delhi is closed to market for its sustenance? because the election of women them. The custodians of Haji Ali heads in half of the panchayats dargah at Mumbai have issued a fiat It is found that common people shows that at the ground level their a few days ago to disallow women are resorting to traditional methods confidence is immense. At least the from entering their premises. This representatives of dalits and Other was done for the first time since the of therapeutics when the corporate Backward Classes have no face to shrine’s foundation hundred of years hospitals make their lives a liability talk about the elite among women ago. In contrast, Islam is progressive once admitted for treatment. It getting the advantage of reservations enough not to have any stigma is noted that the families that are because they themselves constitute a against widow remarriage. above poverty line became poor creamy layer which has not allowed after getting admitted either in the second or third rung to benefit. It is really man’s insensitivity to a private or public hospital for the feelings of women that is behind serious ailments. It is time to act and Titled Men and Women 2012, the pitiable plight of women. He provide legitimacy to the indigenous an official report, indicates a neither understands nor appreciates knowledge systems with necessary marginal participation of women in what his wanton attitude does to her scientific safeguards so that they governance and economy sections. individuality. Violence is only part may bail out the poor. Even the health, education, finance of his assumption to be superior. and crime indicators are causes for The reason why women are the first worry. Under the judiciary, there target for rape in riots is not so much are two woman judges out of 26 avarice as the humiliation sought to judges in the Supreme Court and be heaped upon them. only 54 women judges out of 634 judges in high courts. This lopsided Unfortunately, the government participation is reflected in other treats rape as just one of the crimes. echelons too. Women only occupied In fact, it is a collective murder of 10 percent of the total central jobs a female. The punishment should in 2009. In institutions such as be meted out not only to those who scheduled commercial banks, the commit it but all those who silently scenario slightly bettered to 16.6 watch the happening. They are as percent in 2010 from 15.9 percent guilty just as the members of Khap, in 2009. the panchayat in Haryana who sentence young girls for wearing Even if placement of women clothes they like or wanting to marry Price: Rs. 20/- is ratified some day, they would the persons they like. still face many handicaps to come Janata Trust up the ladder. Religious traditions A movement is needed - in all the D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Naushir also come in the way of their claim three countries of the subcontinent Bharucha Marg, to equality. Manu, a Hindu great - to raise strong protests to make Grant Road (W), Mumbai 400 007. JANATA, November 18, 2012 7 Indigenous Knowledge as People’s Technology

K. S. Chalam

The recent international Though the efforts are limited to Thus science and technology have conference on bio-diversity under the the mainstream and Sanskrit based never remained constant. As society aegis of CoP in Hyderabad seems to knowledge as of now, it is hoped progressed from one stage to another, have discussed several issues relating that it would be extended to the real science and technology have also to environmental degradation and and historically sustained systems undergone change. However, science indigenous resources. Scientists and of the adivasis and other indigenous and technology became dominant environmental activists, including populations of the country in players in human civilization after the former vice-president of USA Al future. Now everyone looks at the renaissance movement in Europe Gore, have adequately popularized our indigenous and traditionally that led to concretization of science. the notion that there is bio-diversity practiced unwritten structures of Therefore, Betrand Russel has only in the southern hemisphere knowledge for insights so that they mentioned that science has two of the globe. We all know that the can be commoditized and marketed functions, to enable us to know Northern hemisphere where all the for an economic return. things and to enable us to do things. advanced countries are situated do The Greeks were interested in the not have the kind of resources that It is said that animals are former and the Arabs, Indians and we in the third world countries of genetically endowed with use of their Chinese in the latter. But science the South have. Yet, how all the limbs as tools while human beings was given prominence when the Northern countries have achieved develop tools with their limbs and measurement of various physical a great deal of development in just thinking skills. It is the accumulation phenomena became easy. At one two hundred years is a mystery of experiences of human beings as time, measurement itself became that the economists might one day thinking animals that helped the science. It has its advantages and expose. One of the important assets mankind to develop civilizations shortcomings when it turns out to of the third world is the unexplored and transformed them at different be demotic. and hidden data in the traditions of points of time. It was Gordon Childe the indigenous knowledge systems. who said that, “the simplest tool Though man has been making We can draw from them as we made out of a broken bough or a and using tools from Paleolithic progress on the road to self-sustained chipped stone is the fruit of long age, the principles lying behind such development. Some of the tricks that experience of trials and errors, tools became known only after man the advanced countries have been impressions noticed, remembered developed cognitive abilities and trying to play on us are through and compared. The skill to make it started recording them. Therefore, the route of GATS that protects has been acquired by observation, we will find in all human civilizations intellectual property. They want to by recollection and by experiment. people accumulating wealth of have patents on all our traditional It may seem an exaggeration, but knowledge about the physical world. knowledge and knowledge products it is yet true to say that any tool In majority of the cases, some like Ayurveda and Siddha, with the is an embodiment of Science. groups survived with that little connivance of some prejudiced For it is a practical application knowledge even in modern times. individuals. But, they seem to have of remembered, compared and It was the European who wanted to not succeeded as India has been collected experiences of the same translate this knowledge into his own heroically fighting against this kind as are systematized and method and found that some of the conspiracy at the international forums summarized in scientific formulae, knowledge and experiences of the with the support of documentation. descriptions and prescriptions”. people he conquered did not fit into Sometimes government agencies do It is the application of some of his intellectual tradition. He called also good things, as seen in terms of the scientific principles to solve those societies as tribal and primitive. the documentation of our indigenous practical human problems that leads This is not true as historical records knowledge systems project (DST). to the development of technology. and experience have gone contrary 8 JANATA, November 18, 2012 to European formulations. The so-called indigenous people of the Politics Stoking Caste Fire world including India have shown to the world how the remnants In a state that boasts of being Goundergal Peravai, which claims of their material culture involved progressive, caste divide is rearing its to represent the community, issued science and technology. Some of it ugly head once again. The violence advertisements in newspapers calling may have remained at the stage of that rocked Natham in Dharmapuri a meeting of community members to proto-science due to the fact that the district on Wednesday has reversed a oppose inter-caste marriages and indigenous people are denied or did recent positive trend in the northern launched a campaign against it. not have the opportunity to develop districts of Tamil Nadu, once a hotbed of simmering caste tension Activists point out that the or translate their experiences into between Vanniyars and dalits. violence in Dhamrapuri had modern concepts of science. That occurred in a hamlet which used to does not mean that they do not Activists point out that this is have a strong presence of the left have any tradition of science and the first big caste violence in the movement. “The district was once technology. In fact, it has been last two decades in Dharmapuri. the headquarters of the ‘naxalbari’ proved beyond doubt that those The last decade had seen leaders of movement. Hence caste violence in people who constantly interact the dominant communities in the such a place has come as a surprise,” with nature and in that process use region, the Vanniyars and the dalits, said a police officer. their physical labour to make a campaigning together for communal Well-known Tamil writer comfortable living, alone are capable harmony. Manushaputhiran pointed out that of developing technology. In this “Tamil Nadu is a land of political parties have been using context, we can find in our society reformation. Usually, political and caste as a tool to improve their several groups of people who have social leaders of the state advocate prospects. “Caste feeling is not only remained adivasis, artisans, service inter-caste marriages and successive a cultural issue now. Caste parties castes, etc, but have abundant fund state governments have encouraged have been using it as a powerful of knowledge that can be codified, progressive development. But in political tool as well,” he said. evaluated, systematized and finally recent months, this positive trend While there is a lack of cooperation provided the status of modern has changed and a few caste leaders between dalit and non-dalit leaders science and technology. In fact, the have been openly campaigning in southern Tamil Nadu to end the native Indian philosophical school, against inter-caste marriages,” said divide, PMK leader S Ramadoss Sankhya is full of such concepts. writer-politician D Ravikumar, and Dalit leader Thol Tirumavalavan state secertary of the Viduthalai made some efforts for communal It is recognized today that the Chiruthaigal Katchi, a dalit party amity in the northern belt. Ramadoss contribution of indigenous people with a presence in the north. “They unveiled dalit leader Ambedkar’s to the world of medicine including have indirectly encouraged killings statue in many places and the VCK Ayurveda even in the 21st century in the name of honour and even in turn honoured him by awarding amounts to billions of dollars worth ignited violence. This should him the Ambedkar Award. of wealth. The technology used by be stopped through progressive the indigenous people is simple and initiatives,” he said. The caste tension between relevant to the social conditions Vanniyars and dalits was seen and circumstances in which they Caste leaders have gone one to have ended in the early 2000 regressive step further to warn live. Thus, this technology is people because of this truce between the two activists against encouraging the oriented as against the gigantic and leaders, who came together under union between couples of different sophisticated technology that is the umbrella of Tamil Protection castes and even issuing diktats generally addressed to the market. Movement. But the bonhomie did against love marriages. PMK MLA Unfortunately nothing survives that not last and Ramadoss recently J Guru, who heads the Vanniyar declared that his party would align does not address the market today. Sangam, the first avatar of the PMK, Therefore, is it not necessary to only with caste parties for elections shocked progressive groups when he in the future. examine the indigenous technology issued an open threat at a community not only to bring its significant meeting, forbidding inter-caste –K A Shaji, V Senthil Kumaran & (Continued on Page 6) unions. Similarly, the Kongu Vellala Karthick S, Times of India JANATA, November 18, 2012 9 Report on Recent Violence in Bodo Autonomous Territorial Districts

Nishikanta

Assam, the gateway of North- from various angles and multilayer train in 1901 further facilitated the East India, notwithstanding its interventions to assuage the feelings Bengali migration into North-East. scenic beauty and bounty of natural of the public as well as to bring out a As per 1921 census the population resources, is in a state of simmering. long term solution to the competing growth in Assam was 41 percent Sentiments of deprivation, contesting interests. whereas the all-India average was tribal identities, religious radicalism, only 6-7 percent (Krushak Mukti perceived economic threat and The State Sangharsha Samiti). Again, after the political opportunism have played The valley of Assam is situated Pakistan-Bangladesh war the Indira- havoc with its social fabric. in the heart of the north-eastern Muzibur Raheman treaty ensured Although the people of North-East zone of the Indian sub-continent. that the refugees from Bangladesh get ravaged by natural calamities It is located between 24 degree who came before March 24, 1971 like flood and earthquakes, the 10m N to 27 degree 58m N latitude were to be provided citizenship of present socio-political explosion is and 89 degree 49m E to 97 degree the country and those who arrived purely man made. The long standing 26m longitude. The state borders after March 24, 1971 were to be tribal disputes over land, contesting Nagaland, Manipur and Myanmar detected, deleted and deported identities for autonomy and self in the east, West Bengal in the west, back to Bangladesh. As a result the rule and the present communal Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh in migrant population grew in North- radicalisation have the potential the north and Mizoram, Tripura, East, but the government failed to divide and disintegrate not only Bangladesh and Meghalaya in in its effort to identify and deport Assam and other North Eastern the south. Spread over 78,438 the post-1971 migrants as per the states but also the whole of the sq.kms, the state has a population of requirement of the agreement. Again, country. Assam is a border state 3,11,69,272 residing in 27 districts the open boundary between India sharing boundaries with Bangladesh as per the census 2011. Literacy rate and Bangladesh is further facilitating and Bhutan and any development of Assam has increased from 54.28 migration as the cultural similarity here has international implication in 2001 to 67.27 percent in 2011. and economic pull is very strong. for India. There is a dispute over the extent Assam has 72 communities, of migration from Bangladesh. A team comprising of Guddi from including a number of tribes such As the economic indicators of Maharashtra, Krishnakanta from as Deoris, Rabhas, Bodos, Mishings, Bangladesh are better than India, Gujarat, Nishikanta Mohapatra from Karbis, Dimasas, Santhals. Major experts argue that the migration Odisha, Chandan Sukla and Shakib religions of the state are Hinduism, theory is more perceived than a from Bihar visited Assam for a Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Islam, reality (Outlook,3 September, 2012). period of ten days. We extensively Christianity and Batho. Assam Here lays the difficulty to have an toured the conflict area, talked to has as many as 21 ethnic-centric effective solution to the problem of Bodo and non-Bodo leaders and constitutional, statutory and native versus migrant fight. While organisations. We also met the administrative autonomous councils Assamese people are demanding Governor of Assam Janaki Ballav signifying the assertiveness of the the deportation of migrants as per Patnaik. After interacting with the ethno-nationalists and the perceived 1985 agreement between the then intelligentsia, common public, fear of losing one’s identity. Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and leaders of various organisations and Assam Chhatra Sangha (All Assam visiting the camps of the violence- The historical setting Student Union) which accepted 1971 affected persons, we got convinced During the British period farmers as the cut off date, the governments that the problem is not as simple from East Bengal were encouraged to are finding it extremely difficult as it looks. It needs approaches settle in Assam. The Assam-Bengal to detect and deport the migrants 10 JANATA, November 18, 2012 for some practical and technical – Already the immigrants have valid documents making it further reasons. As a result, in 37 years only their children born in India and difficult to identify them. There is 1200 migrants have been detected as per constitutional provisions every possibility that the genuine out of the alleged 39 lakh migrant anybody born in this country is citizens will be harassed if the population (Hemaji,Gandhian). a citizen of this country. So we government decides to verify these have cases where the parents are documents of the minorities. As The demands of the Assamese Bangladeshis but the children are flood and earthquakes are common People: (as told by office bearers of Indians. in the North-East, availability of AASU) – Another problem in Assam is documents can not be a prime basis 1. Update National Registrar for equating the foreigners with for detection. Moreover, Indian Citizenship (1951, 30th March) Bangladeshi Muslims. The government doesn’t have any to identify migrants from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) provision of citizenship document. Bangladesh; as per its political convenience The present crisis: considers that Hindus from 2. Immediate sealing of Bharat- Bodos constitute 6 percent Bangladesh Border; Bangladesh are refugees but Muslims are immigrants to be of the population of Assam but 3. Land right to indigenous people deported. But, many Muslims are the movement for “Bodoland” only; Bengalis but not from Bangladesh encompassed 50 percent of the area of Assam. As is common in 4. Constitutional safeguard for the and have settled in Assam from Assam, the fear of loss of identity, Assamese people to save their a long time ago. So it is too political power and economic culture, language and habitation; simplistic to say that Bengali Muslims are from Bangladesh. interest propelled the violent 5. No land and house should be movement and encouraged armed – It is quite difficult to identify owned by the immigrants; struggle for an independent state of and deport the so-called Muslim Bodoland. A students’ movement 6. The immigrants should be immigrants. Because, Assam under the leadership of Bodofa; an detected, deleted and deported has a long history of Muslims. armed terror group namely Bodo as per the tripartite accord There are Goria, Moria and Liberation Tigers (BLT) demanding among All Assam Student Union Deshi Muslims whose antecedent statehood and another heavily armed (AASU), Assam Government stretches to Ahom rulers’ period group National Democratic Front and the Central Government and these people are Assamese signed in 1985. in culture, language and in of Bodoland (NDFB) demanding upbringing. There are the native sovereignty for Bodos ensured The Assam violence of the period Muslims from West Bengal and that the movement became the 1979-85 ensured that Prafulla Bangladesh who have migrated most violent one. Bodos attacked Mahanta, the leader of the movement long before the emergence of Adivasis (1996,1998), Muslims became chief minister for two terms. Bangladesh and are settled for (1993,1994,2008,2012) and others But, his government could not good. Even the Bangladeshis who at different times to enforce their proceed on the agreementt. The came to India before 1971 are legal demand for Bodoland. As a result agreement of 1985 to detect, delete citizens of this country. So the in 2003 the Congress government and deport could not be implemented identification of immigrants has in Assam and the BJP government as there is some inherent obstacles been a long standing contentious at the centre got into an agreement in the process. issue between the government with BLT for creation of “Bodoland and public of Assam. Territorial Autonomous Districts The difficulties faced by the (BTAD)” comprising four districts of Government can be summed up as Vote bank politics of the Congress Assam namely, Kokrajhar, Chirang, follows: party has further complicated the Udalguri and Baksa. BTAD ensured – It is not easy to identify the issue of illegal migrants. Minority that its 20 percent Bodo population foreigners from the natives for the votes and political opportunism have gets an upper hand over 80 percent cultural similarity and social bond compelled the Congress to pursue non-Bodo population and 30 out of in the communities along both the issue, jf at all, tardily. Now many 46 seats are reserved for the Bodos. side of the international border; of the immigrants have possessed After the creation of Bodo Territorial JANATA, November 18, 2012 11

Council (BTC) in BTAD, now Bodo From time to time they have fought citizenship proofs and fear of being Peoples Forum (BPF) is in power with all the other communities to forcibly deported to a country where and it is in alliance with the ruling achieve their goal of Bodoland. Even they are not welcome is also bringing Congress party in Assam. after creation of BTAD in 2003 the the Muslims together to give a Bodo militants are yet to surrender common fight. Although the native The Bodoland movement and their arms and ammunitions. In Muslims of Assam demand that the subsequent ethnic conflict with their grievance what they are not Bangladeshis be deported, they are Muslims, Adivasis, Assamese and mentioning is the fact that they are unsure of the yard sticks to be used indigenous communities carries in fear of losing their hegemony over for this purpose. The present method some basic convictions of being land, economy and polity in the stiff of updating the citizen register and exploited and marginalised as competition from the non-Bodos electoral enrolment will severely follows (as stated by All Bodo who are industrious. Bodos possess hamper the interest of Muslims who Students Union): large stretches of land and generally have come here before 1971 as most are landlords in areas dominated by of them are not enrolled. 1. Government gives priority them. Outsiders come and settle in to illegal migrants and not to Bodoland as service providers, but With this general apprehension, Bodos; now the equation is changing. More the Muslims in BTAD are faced with than hard labour, the outsiders have additional challenges. As there is a 2. Muslims are occupying river history of attacks from Bodos, they beds namely Kaziranga, now acquired financial power and are dominating the market. There consider that the present violence is Sankosh, Beki and Utimori; an effort at ethnic cleansing in the is a clamour for “land reform” and and later acquiring lands in the garb of fight against Bangladeshis. a challenge to traditional Bodo plain; The post-violence camps have Desi domination. This has also added to Muslims who are convert Rajbanshis 3. They occupied Barpeta village the fear of political insecurity among and Purba Banga Muslims who are college ground for Namaz which the Bodos as their population is one very old residents. Even Abodos is now a disputed ground; fifth of the non-Bodo poluation even using Assamese language are driven in the BTAD. Therefore, the present away from their homes. So for the 4. Land grab by outsiders is a Bodo-Muslim conflict has to be seen regular feature; Muslim community, this is a fight in the larger context of economic between Bodos and Abodos and not and political perspective rather than 5. Claim of 50 percent growth of between Bodos and Muslims. with the simplistic notion of native Muslim population in the last 30 years; and foreigner conflict (interviews Impact of violence with Pranjal Boddolai, Nurul Haq, In all 35 Bodo villages and 40 6. No respect for Assam Accord by Miaz Ahmed). Muslim villages were burnt. In the Governments; Muslim insecurity the process 56 muslims lost their lives against 17 Bodos. More than 7. Others want to occupy the It is a fact that the demand for 3 lakh muslims are displaced from political space at the cost of implementation Assam Accord the Bodo areas and around 20,000 Bodos; and identification of foreigners has Bodos are displaced from Muslim created a sense of insecurity among 8. Muslims’ Friday beef is against dominated areas (this data is to be the Muslims of Assam (Prof. Seikh confirmed ). the Batho religion of Bodos; Hridayatullah). Even the legal Indian 9. A public pond in Nuagaon citizens are seen with suspicion and We visited the relief camps at is encroached upon by the have to bear the brunt of Assamese Matiabug M.E. School (Matiabug Muslims; resentment whenever there is a village), Dalsingher Alga L.P. conflict of this type. The common School (Gouripur), Bidyapada M.E. 10. Threat to Bodo identity and language, religion and relationship school (Tulsibadi) and Kathal toli culture. stretching from pre-Independence M.E. school (Kathaltoli). Both the time with Bangladesh have further Bodo and Muslim relief camps It can be seen that the Bodos have confused the identities for the had adequate ration and the local not fought with the Muslims alone. purpose of detection. Lack of valid management committee were doing 12 JANATA, November 18, 2012 reasonably well to look after the To broadbase its demand it has overdue implementation of Assam distressed public. The Muslim relief stopped attacking other non-Bodos accord. camps were overcrowded and lacked and is inviting the Bharatiya Janata proper sanitation. The uncertain Party to safeguard the interests of The way forward future and fear of further violence no the Hindu Bodos although Bodos As the continuous violence doubt has cast a shadow of cloud on subscribe to Hindu, Christian and has ripped the social fabric in the people in the relief camps. Batho religions. Not surprisingly, the state, it is essential that some while remaining a partner with urgent steps are taken to restore Role of political parties Congress party it has helped All normalcy and build up confidence The ruling Congress party under Bodo Students Union to organise among the communities. Firstly, the leadership of Tarun Gogoi is a programme at Delhi with the the government should arrange facing a tough time to quell the BJP”S Gadkari as the chief guest for return of the affected persons violence. At one end it has to to strengthen implementation of from camps and must provide satisfy the alliance partner Bodo its demand for deportation of adequate security for their stay in Peoples Forum (BPF) who are Bangladeshi Muslims. The issue the villages. Secondly, political ruling BTAD and also a party to has successfully got united all parties must strive to keep the issue the present violence, at another other student unions and North- localised and desist from making end it has to see that the Muslim Eastern states as the demand for resentment doesn’t polarise at the implementation of Assam accord it an all-India issue. Thirdly, the all-India level and thereby shaking is a long standing grievance of the government must ensure dialogue its national perspective. Realising Assamese. All Assam Students with Bangladesh to facilitate the vulnerability of the mainstream Union knows that the Bodos have deportation of the immigrants in a political parties for Muslim votes, fought with other natives to achieve smooth manner. Fourthly, the native Badruddin Ajmal, the president Bodoland but now the native – and legal Muslim citizens must be of All India United Democratic foreign debate is very convenient taken into confidence before any Front (AIUDF) with 18 MLAs in to all of them. negotiation for implementation of the assembly is trying to make the the Assam accord for deportation. Bodoland conflict a national issue. Bharatiya Janata Party in its Fifthly, the Bodos and other ethnic He addressed a press conference endeavour to consolidate the Hindu communities must be sensitised in Delhi to condemn the attack vote bank has remained unsparing that land distribution and sharing on Muslims and got the all India about the issue of immigrants. It of political power are essential response in terms of Mumbai has remained steadfast in its stand features of democracy and they violence and Bangalore exodus of that the Bangladeshis - Muslims - must respect these democratic tenets. North-East population. Furthermore should be sent back to their places Sixthly, the people like Baddrudin by demanding abolition of BTAD and the government should examine Ajmal and Raj Thackrey must be and by playing with the fear of the all Muslims to know their nativity. restrained from precipitating the Muslims against deportation he is Notwithstanding the difficulties conflict through their provocative in the process of consolidating his in verification and the sense of speeches and actions. Seventhly, vote base and is trying to emerging alienation among the Muslims it the civil society must play a big role as the sole saviour of the Muslims. has supported Bodos under the to bring the communities together The recent violence in the rally of plea that their cultural, political and to enhance the trust missing All Assam Muslim Students Union and economic interests should be (AAMSU) has helped polarise the maintained. It has remained silent in the present climate of fear and Muslims and strengthen AIUDF. of the fact that 20 percent Bodo suspicion. Eighthly, all radical population is controlling the BTAD organisations and armed groups BPF in its bid to realise the with a reservation of 75 percent in must be identified and isolated in political supremacy of the Bodo the council and the armed Bodo the conflict areas to restore amity people is playing the native versus militia is taxing the Abodos in the and peace. Lastly rest of the Indo- foreigner card. Accusing the Bodo areas. Bangladesh Border (around 270 Bengali Muslims as foreigners from KM) must be sealed immediately Bangladesh it wants immediate Assam Gana Parishad is siding to control the illegal traffic through deportation of the immigrants. with Bodos and demanding the long the border. JANATA, November 18, 2012 13 The GDP Illusion

John Smith

The “GDP Illusion” is a fault and profit in the global economy. where they are consumed. These in perception caused by defects in three global commodities are in the construction and interpretation Three archetypical examples turn representative of broader of standard economic data. Its of the “global commodity”—the transformations in capitalist main symptom is a systematic iPhone, the T-shirt, and the cup of production. underestimation of the real coffee—validate and illustrate this contribution of low-wage workers argument; their diversity serves Economic statistics and their in the global South to global wealth, to highlight what is universal to standard interpretation also obscure and a corresponding exaggerated them and to all other products of the relation of exploitation in the measure of the domestic product globalized production processes. relations between northern firms and of the United States and other All data and experience, except southern producers. This relation of imperialist countries. These defects for economic data, points to a exploitation does not disappear and distorted perceptions spring significant contribution to the entirely but remains partially visible from the neoclassical concepts profits of Apple Inc. and other in the paradoxes and anomalies of price, value, and value added western firms by the workers who which infest standard accounts of which inform how GDP, trade, work long, hard, and for low wages global political economy. These and productivity statistics are to produce their commodities. Yet paradoxes and anomalies are like devised and comprehended. The economic data show no sign of blemishes in a distorting lens that result is that supposedly objective any such contribution; instead, alert observers to its existence, and untarnished raw data on GDP, the bulk of the value realized in making it necessary to identify and productivity, and trade are anything the sale of these commodities, characterize this distortion so that but; and standard interpretations and all of the profits reaped by the world can be seen as it is. This conceal at least as much as they Apple and Starbucks from them, distortion is the misrepresentation reveal about the sources of value appear to originate in the country of value captured as value added.

Part One : What Contribution Do Foxconn Workers Make to Apple’s and Dell’s Profits?

What contribution do the 300,000 and mainstream economic theory, price captured by each U.S. or workers employed by Foxconn none whatsoever. Apple does not Chinese firm is identical to the value International in Shenzhen, China own the Chinese, Malaysian, and added each supposedly contributed. who assemble Dell’s laptops and other production facilities that They reveal no sign of any cross- Apple’s iPhones—and the tens of manufacture and assemble its border profit flows or value transfers millions of other workers in low- products. In contrast to the in- affecting the distribution of profits wage countries around the world house, foreign direct-investment to Apple and its various suppliers. who produce cheap intermediate relationship that used to typify The only part of Apple’s profits that inputs and consumer goods for transnational corporations, no appear to originate in China are western markets—make to the profits annual flow of repatriated profits is those resulting from the sale of its of Dell, Apple, and other leading generated by Apple’s “arm’s length” products in that country. According western firms? Or to the income suppliers. Standard interpretation to the standard interpretation of and profits of the service companies of economic statistics, all of which economic data, as Marx said, the that provide their premises and retail record the results of transactions in value of commodities “seem not just their goods? According to GDP, the market place, assumes that the to be realised only in circulation but trade and financial flow statistics, slice of the iPhone’s final selling actually to arise from it.” And so the 14 JANATA, November 18, 2012 flow of wealth from Chinese and workers on every continent. United States. The offshore jobs are other low-wage workers sustaining Contained within each handheld mostly in low-wage manufacturing, the profits and prosperity of northern device are the social relations of while the jobs in the United States firms and nations is rendered contemporary global capitalism. are more evenly divided between invisible in economic data and in Examination of who makes these high wage engineers and managers the brains of the economists. products and who profits from them and lower wage retail and non- reveals many things. The most professional workers.” Apple’s products, and those of striking and significant of these is the Dell, Motorola, and other U.S., huge scale of the shift of production Just thirty of the 13,920 U.S. European, South Korean, and processes to low-wage nations, and, workers were production workers Japanese companies, are assembled corresponding to this, the greatly (receiving on average $47,640 by Foxconn, the major subsidiary increased dependence of firms and per annum); 7,789 were “retail of Taiwan-based Hon Hai Precision governments in North America, and other non-professional” Industries. Foxconn’s one million Europe, and Japan on super-profits workers (whose average wages employees assemble “an estimated obtained from the living labor of are $25,580 per annum); and 6,101 40 percent of the world’s consumer these countries. were “professional” workers, i.e., electronics,” according to the managers and engineers involved New York Times. Its complex of Research on the Apple iPod, in research and development. This fourteen factories at Shenzhen in published in 2007 by Greg Linden, latter category captured more than southern China has become world Jason Dedrick, and Kenneth two-thirds of the total U.S. wage bill, famous both for its sheer size and Kraemer, is particularly valuable receiving on average $85,000 per for a spate of suicides amongst because it reveals two things absent annum. Meanwhile, 12,250 Chinese its workers in 2010. Foxconn’s from many more recent iPhone production workers received $1,540 Shenzhen workforce peaked that studies: (1) their study quantifies per annum, or $30 per week—just 6 year at around 430,000 workers the living labor directly involved percent of the average wages of U.S. and is currently being scaled back in the iPod’s design, production, workers in retail, 3.2 percent of the in favor of plants elsewhere in transportation, and sale; and it also wages of U.S. production workers, China. In January 2012 Hon Hai reports (2) the vastly different wages and 1.8 percent of the salaries of U.S. chairman Terry Gou provoked a received by these diverse groups of professional workers. The number of firestorm with his remark, during workers. workers employed in iPod-related a visit to the Taipei Zoo, that “as activities was similar in the United human beings are also animals, to In 2006, the 30Gb Apple iPod States and China, yet the total U.S. manage one million animals gives retailed at $299, while the total wage bill was $719 million and the me a headache,” followed by a cost of production, performed total Chinese wage bill was $19 request to the zookeeper for advice entirely overseas, was $144.40, million. on how to manage his “animals.” giving a gross profit margin of 52 Want China Times commented, percent. What Linden, Dedrick, and A study published by the Asian “Gou’s words could have been Kraemer call “gross profits,” the Development Bank (ADB) in 2010 chosen more carefully…working other $154.60, is divided between reported on Apple’s latest product, and living conditions [in Foxconn’s Apple, its retailers and distributors, revealing an even more spectacular huge Chinese plants] are such that and—through taxes on sales, profits, mark up. “iPhones were introduced many of its Chinese employees and wages—the government. All of to the U.S. market in 2007 to large might well agree that they are treated this, 52 percent of the final sale price, fanfare, selling an estimated 3 like animals.” is counted as supposed value added million units in the United States generated within the United States in 2007, 5.3 million in 2008, and iPods and iPhones and contributes towards U.S. GDP. 11.3 million in 2009.” The total The Apple iPhone and related They also found that “the iPod and manufacturing cost of each iPhone products are prototypical “global its components accounted for about was $178.96 and sold for $500, commodities,” the result of the 41,000 jobs worldwide in 2006, of yielding a gross profit of 64 percent choreography of an immense which about 27,000 were outside to be shared between entities such as diversity of concrete labors of the United States and 14,000 in the Apple, its distributors, and the U.S. JANATA, November 18, 2012 15 government, all of which appears as to Apple to show some “corporate nearly 80 percent. The Financial “value added” generated within the social responsibility” by giving up “a Times reported in August 2011 that United States. The main focus of small portion of profits and sharing “costs per employee [are] up by this report was the effect of iPhone them with low skilled US workers.” exactly one-third, year-on-year, to production on the United States- They might just as well suggest just under us$2,900. The total staff China trade deficit, finding that “most Apple give a much-needed boost bill was $272m: almost double gross of the export value and the deficit to demand in the Chinese economy profit…rising wages on the mainland due to the iPhone are attributed to by sharing its $110 billion cash pile helped to drive the consolidated imported parts and components from among Foxconn’s workers. operating margin of the world’s third countries.” However, Chinese largest contract manufacturer of workers “contribute only us$6.50 to Apple’s iPhone exhibits electronic devices…from 4–5% 10 each iPhone, about 3.6% of the total general trends and fundamental years ago to a 1–2% range now.” manufacturing cost.” Thus more relationships, but in an exaggerated than 96 percent of the export value and extreme form. Hon Hai made Seeking cheaper labor and of the iPhone is composed of re- $2.4 billion in profits in 2010, or to reduce dependence on the exported components manufactured $2,400 per employee, compared to increasingly restive Shenzhen in third countries, all counting $263,000 in profits reaped by Apple workforce, Financial Times as Chinese exports to the United for each of its 63,000 employees columnist Robin Kwong reports States, while none of it towards (43,000 of whom are in the United that Hon Hai “has invested heavily China’s GDP. The authors do not States); this figure is expected to in shifting production from China’s investigate in detail how these rise to $405,000 in 2012. On March coastal areas to further inland and gross profits are shared between 11, 2011, Hon Hai’s share price is in the process of increasing Apple, suppliers of services, and valued the company at $36.9 billion; automation at its factories. As a result, the U.S. government, but they can meanwhile Apple, with not a factory Hon Hai last year saw its already hardly avoid commenting on their to its name, was valued at $324.3 thin margins shrink even further.” spectacular size, noting that if “the billion. Apple’s share price has The combination of sharply rising market were fiercely competitive, soared in the year since, its market wages, heavy capital spending, and the expected profit margin would capitalization almost doubling to relentless cost-cutting by companies be much lower…. Surging sales around $600 billion, overtaking like Apple is bad enough, but worst and the high profit margin suggest Exxon to become the world’s most of all is the chronic sickness which that…Apple maintains a relative valuable company. Further boosting Hon Hai’s and China’s principal monopoly position…. It is the profit its share price, it has accumulated a export markets have fallen into. maximization behavior of Apple huge $110 billion cash stockpile that Kwong concludes, “it is not hard rather than competition that pushes it has no productive use for. to see why the last thing Gou needs Apple to have all iPhones assembled now, after building all those inland in the PRC.” Meanwhile, in what one study factories, is a slowdown in demand.” called a “paradox of assembler (To be concluded) This leads the ADB researchers to misery and brand wealth,” Hon –The Monthly Review - Red Star imagine a scenario in which Apple Hai’s profits and share price have moved iPhones assembly to the been caught in the pincers of rising United States. They assume U.S. Chinese wages, conceded in the face Madhu Dandavate wages to be ten times higher than of mounting worker militancy, and By in China and that these hypothetical increasingly onerous contractual B. Vivekanandan U.S. assembly workers would work requirements, as the growing Price: Rs. 20/- as intensely as the real ones do at sophistication of Apple’s (and Janata Trust Foxconn, calculate that “if iPhones other firms’) products increase the were assembled in the United States time required for assembly. While D-15, Ganesh Prasad, the total assembly cost would rise Apple’s share price has risen more Naushir Bharucha Marg, to us$65 [from $6.50 in China, and] than tenfold since 2005, between Grant Road (W), would still leave a 50% profit margin October 2006 and January 2011 Mumbai 400 007. for Apple,” and finish by appealing Hon Hai’s share price slumped by R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, November 18, 2012 P.R. No. MH/MR/WEST/275/2010-2012. Posted on every Wednesday at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1

Vol. 67 No. 44 Freedom in peril November 25, 2012 S. Viswam

The Mumbai police severely point of view and in as inoffensive Sooner the polls, the better it is Kuldip Nayar assaulted one of the primary manner as possible. We dare say that freedoms guaranteed to you and me there are large sections of people in by the Constitution of India when they India who share the view that, and Kokrajhar: A Grim Reminder arrested on Sunday two young women on the basis of evidence, that the Nitish Chakravarty for recording a personal comment on Shiv Sena and its leaders spread a social networking site. One of the the cult of violence, that they were arrested women was the author and sectarian in their views and tended “Beware the Ides of March” the second, her friend, who expressed to use force unilaterally regardless Rajinder Sachar a liking for the comment. The two of considerations of law and order. were charged with hurting religious Indeed, Justice Markandaya Katju, sentiments of people, abusing the the highly respected retired judge A Cornered Sena Information Technology Act and so of the Supreme Court and newly Suhas Palshikar on. They were detained in the police appointed chairman of the Press lock-up till the early hours of Sunday Council of India, wrote an article in India’s great shame and later released on bail by a court. a national English daily to explain Harsh Mander What was the comment that invited why he was not and could not be official wrath? The author protested among those who paid tributes to the against the entire city being shut down departed leader. This was because, he The GDP Illusion-II for a day for the funeral of a leader argued, the late Mr.Thackeray was John Smith who had died a natural death. Also, pursuing an anti-national ‘sons of the that the city shut down out of fear (of soil’ policy, that he spread the cult of violence) and not out of respect for the violence, his strategy was violent and leader whom she did not name. The his tactics disruptive. His view was Editor : police also ignored the fact that she that the Shiv Sena leader advocated G. G. Parikh also apologized later for expressing separatist views and his politics could such an opinion. lead to the Balkanisation of India. Managing Editor : Guddi Many others have said that Balasaheb The Mumbai police were clearly supported Fascist methods and was an D-15, Ganesh Prasad, guilty of violating Article 19(1) open admirer of Hitler. Naushir Bharucha Marg, that ensures freedom of speech and Mumbai - 400 007. thought. The offence was not so Now, is the Mumbai police going serious to warrant such hasty police to arrest and detain everyone who is Email : [email protected] action. After all, the author of the critical of the Shv Sena and its leader? comment was expressing a personal After all, the Shiv Sena is a registered 2 JANATA, November 25, 2012 political body and contests elections. Between the lines The Shiv Sainiks may not agree with the view that Muslims of this country enjoy equal rights with other Sooner the polls, the better it is communities, that all communities have the right to choose their place of residence and domicile, that India Kuldip Nayar belongs to all its citizens and that one of the cherished ideals of the The Government of India has town saying the government has people is secularism, that India is a a strange habit of mixing issues, won because its has done good democracy. But that does not mean some time economics with politics work for the people. All the scams that those who do not subscribe to and some times economics for its and scandals will be sought to be the Sena’s politics of communal survival. The two issues which are whitewashed. Mercurial Mamata hatred and separatism are vulnerable to violence unleashed by Sena before parliament are a notion for Banerjee is a one-track person. She cadres? vote of no-confidence against the took the decision without consulting Manmohan Singh government and any other party because she was The Maharashtra Government, the other, Foreign Direct Investment annoyed with the government at the acting on a letter of protest against (FDI) in multi-brand retail. The two Centre, without caring about the the two arrests from Justice Katju, are different in purpose and intent. fate of the motion. She expected has instituted a probe. Without the CPI(M) to oppose her but not waiting for the conclusion of the The motion for vote of no- the BJP. probe, the government must drop all confidence, sponsored by West the charges against the two women. Bengal chief minister Mamata The question of FDI in retail is As if to prove the correctness of the Banerjee, is meant to defeat the not related to numbers in parliament. author’s view that the Sena indulged government on the floor of the It concerns the entire country. in violence which in turn evoked fear house to force early elections. The Fearing a defeat on this question, in people, Sena groups took the law motion is essentially a question the government has already begun into their hands and attacked the of numbers. With the BJP and the saying that it is an executive decision residence and hospital of a Palghar CPI(M) coming out openly against which does not require the support of doctor who happens to be the uncle the motion, the government looks parliament. The measure has already of the girl who wrote the comment. like winning hands down. been gazetted through a notification. Does that attack and threat not New Delhi is emphasising that the vindicate the view that the people There is a remote possibility of FDI does not apply to states which fear rather than respect the Sena and the BJP changing its stance if it sees will have to decide individually its cadres? that the government can be defeated. whether they want it or not. However, the ruling Congress is not sitting idle. It has already got smaller Maybe, opening the retail in trade parties on its side, along with the UP to foreigners will help people to Janata leader Mulayam Singh Yadav whose confront the capricious shopkeepers, Subscription son runs the state government. Then especially those dealing in food Annual Rs. : 260/- there is Bahujan Samajwaji Party’s products, raising the price as and Three Years : 750/- Mayawati, who also looks like when the demand increases. True, Demand Draft / Cheque on supporting the government. But even all the 500 million retailers, their Mumbai Bank if the BJP and the CPI(M) were to estimated number, do not behave support the vote of no-confidence, the same way. Many are conscious in favour of the Congress would still scrape of their responsibility. Still the FDI Janata Trust through with two votes. is not in the interest of the country.

D-15, Ganesh Prasad, In fact, the motion can be counter- Against this backdrop, the Naushir Bharucha Marg, productive. Its defeat will give the government is conscious that Mumbai 400 007 Congress an opportunity to go to parliament’s rejection would be a JANATA, November 25, 2012 3 slap on its face, a rejection which the opposition would exploit. Therefore, Kokrajhar: A Grim Reminder it is possible that the government would try to evade voting. After Nitish Chakravarty all, it is for the Speaker to decide whether the debate on FDI in retail A middle-aged man displaced by have occurred intermittently over should be followed by a vote. On the rioting that rocked many towns the past decades. More people the motion of no-confidence, the and villages within the jurisdiction were slaughtered in the course of government cannot avoid voting but of Assam’s Bodoland Territorial a few hours in a cluster of villages in the case of FDI it can. Council in July-August was killed around Nellie in Assam’s Nagaon soon after he returned recently district on February 18, 1983, After the debate in parliament, the to his charred home after staying than the Sikhs killed in the wake bigger question on the government’s for several months in a shanty in of Indira Gandhi’s assassination viability till the general elections gruelling conditions. More such in 1984. The intensity of violence in May 2014 will become tougher. attacks have taken place in the last has escalated with the emergence The government can, at the most, couple of weeks. The killers were of groups relentlessly pursuing an postpone another vote of no- apparently those who do not want agenda to carve out an exclusive confidence by six months. That is the Muslims living for many years Bodo homeland simultaneously a long period for working out the in Bodoland territory ever to come permutations and combinations. with a sharp rise in the immigrant back to the homes they had to quit population in Bodo territory as well And what happens until then to the in fear. governance which is already stricken as elsewhere in the state. with sloth and corruption? The news is a grim reminder that the eerie silence prevailing for Scattered across the plains on There is no go from mid-term some time in the riot-hit villages the north bank of the Brahmaputra polls if the ruling combination and towns is no assurance that life river, the Bodos, after many years wants the country to move forward. has returned to normal. The ground of struggle, have attained a measure The economy is not dependent on reality is that the surface calm of recognition as well as power reforms but on the people’s shoulder restored in the riot torn areas is no to shape their destiny. Even as to the wheel of development. At substitute for durable peace, far less Bodoland remains nominally a part present, there is no such mood in for amity and harmony. of Assam, the State Government the country. The growth rate which and the BTC are at loggerheads There are reports, by no means has come down to 5.8 per cent may not infrequently, and Guwahati’s concocted, that influential people go down still further because the writ hardly runs in the BTC’s in elevated positions are stoking people’s and investors’ lack of trust jurisdiction. the fire. They have a vested interest in the rulers. in driving out not only Muslim But any attempt to treat the issues What one can see is that the immigrants but even other non- at stake in Bodoland in isolation Bodo residents from the area where ventures dependent on individual is unlikely to yield a tangible the BTC’s fiat runs. The BTC initiative have fared well. The result. The issues need to be dealt controls land and farm related entrepreneurs have, on their own, within the context of the overall matters, education, health care, propelled the economy upwards demographic complexity of Assam. public works, etc. Even though the despite the government meddling. Even though in the 1960s and 1970s In fact, most cases of failure carry BTC has no official say in law and order issues, police authorities can vast swathes of territory were hived the stamp of government’s bungling. off from Assam to create a string The Manmohan Singh rule did hardly afford not to pay court to BTC bigwigs because of the clout of new states – Nagaland followed not take remedial measures when by Meghalaya and Mizoram – and the faltering economy required they enjoy by virtue of the positions they occupy. NEFA [later named Arunachal correction. However loud the Pradesh] was delinked, Assam’s denial the policy paralysis and slow Clashes between the indigenous complex ethnic diversity remains (Continued on Page 6) people and immigrant Muslims baffling. 4 JANATA, November 25, 2012

Assam is home to more groups of cripples the economy. The tenor of immigration” by students across the people with distinct ethnic identities the debate reflected a shared urge religious, tribal, caste or language than any other state in India; in fact to rise above the blame game and divide. “What happened to that Assam alone is home to nearly 25 hammer out a solution that would Assam of peace?” they asked. “Give per cent of India’s diverse ethnic ensure enduring peace and harmony. us courage so that we can find a communities. The individual identity way back to light”, cried out one of of these communities was subsumed Some of them bemoaned the loss Assam’s sons living overseas. “And in the larger Assamese identity of “the tolerant Assam where not a to peace ... we owe it to ourselves for centuries. During my school single soul was lost when partition and to our children”, he cried out. and college days at Dibrugarh and plunged India into deep religious This is the voice that is becoming Guwahati I knew very little about the violence”. They also recalled the increasingly strident in the strife- ethnicity of these numerically small “peaceful protest against illegal torn state. communities, some of whom lived (Continued on Page 6) next door. They were all identified as part of the larger Assamese-speaking family, for their languages – some A tune of about 500 crores pending against 59 are still called dialects – were in Companies’ Water Bills, those far behind times seldom State Government has failed to collect pending dues of water bills from spoken even in their homes and were different companies/factories for years together in the state. This piece of information was obtained through RTI from the office of Engineer-in-Chief, not taught at any school. Water Resources, Goverhment of Odisha on 14.11.2012. The PIO has provided the information that a total number of 59 companies have not The spread of education gave a paid dues of water bills amounting to around Rs. 500 crores. The major leg-up to the movement for asserting companies which have not paid water bills are as follows: the ethnic identity of the numerous tribal communities who have lived Sl.No Name of Companies Amount in Assam in peace and harmony ( Rs. in for millennia. The dynamic socio- lakhs) cultural harmony and tolerance 1 Sterlight Energy Limited 8841.681 that have for long characterised 2 Vedanta Aluminium Limited 339.31 3 Action Ispat Power Limited , Jharsuguda 120.18 Assamese society are facing multiple 4 M/s ESPL limited 324.552 challenges from within. In addition, 5 Orient Paper Mill, Brajaraj Nagar 3702.831 the relentless flow of immigrants 6 MC.L., Brajaraj Nagar 3355.255 from across the international border 7 M/s Shyam DRI Pvt. Ltd. 1779.095 after independence has stirred up a 8 B.I.T.S, Bandhabahal 759.515 fear that the indigenous Assamese 9 Rathi Steel and Power Limited , Sikiridi 1294.91 people may before long turn into a 10 Jain Steel, Duriaga 393.74 minority in their homeland. 11 Jayashree Chemical 345.309 12 Vedanta Aluminium Limited , Lanjigarh 831.106 After the outbreak of violence in 13 NALCO Refinery, Damanjori 3422.407 the Bodoland area a lively debate 14 Sewa Paper Mill, Jeypore 10715.96 ensued in the electronic as well 15 M/s Bhusan Ltd. 4764.807 as the print media where I came 16 Tata Refractories Ltd., Belpahad 1121.131 across fresh ideas to deal with an 17 Viraj Steel and Energy Limited 542.307 old problem. Apart from organising 18 S.P.S. Sponge Iron Limited 209.16 relief and succour, many people, 19 L.N.Metaliks, Shreepura 61. 34 including highly qualified Assamese 20 M.C.L. Jagruti Vihar, Burla 231.082 men and women living abroad, came This is partial information. Water bill are still pending against number out with bold but non-parochial of other companies which has not been disclosed by the department. ideas about a lasting solution to Roughly, the pending water bills against all the companies in Odisha will the endemic communal violence amount to more than Rs. 2000 crores. that maims the social fabric and Pradip Pradhan JANATA, November 25, 2012 5 “Beware the Ides of March” - Shakespeare

Rajinder Sachar

I was reminded of the ancient industry. Moreover, Article III of economist, thus “Globalization maxim “Those whom the gods GATT explicitly forbids regulations is neither socially benign nor has wish to destroy they first make like specific sourcing requirement it been instrumental in reducing them mad (with power), the very from domestic industries. poverty; it has been detrimental to moment the Government announced the poor and other weaker sections policies approving majority FDI in This touching faith in the all- of society. In fact, globalization retail (read Wal-Mart stores, USA) pervading positive result of Wal- has been associated with a growing because this very step united the Mart incursion in India is ironically divide between the richest countries disparate opposition in one strong not shared in its home country. and the poorest, and growing single fist cuff. Thus on September 14, 2012 New inequalities within most countries York City shut Wal-Mart out, around the world”. How deep is political weight of mass marches in Los Angles city Wal-Mart in the Indian government (known for Hollywood Billionaires) To the plea by the corporate sector is evident by a cable sent by US protested with “we do not want you that businessmen need incentive to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Los Angles”. That closing down invest, let them listen to the jibe of to her Embassy in New Delhi in of small shops at 35 percent–60 biggest votary of capitalism, Warren September 2009, (as per Hindu- percent immediately flows from Buffet of USA who felt compelled Wikileaks India cable series: March the entry of Wal-Mart is the finding to publicly confess, “My friends and 18, 2011), enquiring “How does of a study made by Economic I have been coddled long enough (Commerce Minister) Sharma Development Quarterly. by a billionaire-friendly Congress. view India’s current Foreign Direct It’s time for our Government to get Investment guidelines? Which That Indian farmers will benefit serious about shared sacrifice.” Is sectors does he plan to open further? by Wal-Mart building refrigerated I wish the votaries of reform when Why is he reluctant to open multi- warehouses is a lie. In the USA out talking of increasing the growth brand retail?” of the 1578 refrigerated warehouses, 839 are in the public sector and 739 rate were to pay a little attention Wal-Mart International Division are in the private or semi-private. to the paradox of gross poverty chief John Menzer prided himself by The public warehouses are much which shows that while Delhi is claiming that “We’ve energized the larger, accounting for 76 percent of supposed to have the highest per FDI lobby and pre-empted the anti- the general storage capacity, with capita income in the country, in FDI lobby in India.” (June 6, 2005). private and semi-private accounting terms of actuals, according to data for only 24 percent - as against, to presented in the 65th Round of The apparent tempting sop held Indian government’s shame, over the National Statistical Survey out by the Minister of Commerce 95 percent of India’s cold storage Report (2010), embarrassingly that Wal-Mart will have to procure capacity is in the private sector shows that 70 percent of households 30 percent of its value from the local whereas only 0.44 percent is in the in Delhi have a monthly per capita market is a non-starter in the light of public sector. Does the government expenditure of less than Rs. 1500, actual practices followed by Wal- need Wal-Mart’s permission to which even the self-opinionated Mart and others – it is universally increase the number? Planning Commission has been known that over 90 percent of the forced to accept as the poverty level. products in Wal-Mart are sourced The touching faith of the from China, which in view of governments in the talisman of Heaps of statistics are thrown already cheap Chinese imported globalization is repudiated by at us by the Union Government goods, will ruin the local Indian Joseph Sliglitz, the noble laureate to show that we have no internal 6 JANATA, November 25, 2012 resources and therefore must invite The Governments should realize the days go by. The Congress may foreign investment. How deliberately that such ugly poverty and disparity be a bigger loser, but the BJP will misleading - 500 listed Indian in our country is contrary to the not be a gainer. Regional parties companies have enough cash on mandate given in the Article 39(c) of may benefit. their books to double India’s power our Constitution, namely to see that generation capacity of 2.00,000 mw the operation of the economic system Both the Congress and the BJP or build over 40,000 km of six-lane does not result in concentration of will find themselves dented further highways every year (compared with wealth and means of production when Gandhian Anna Hazare tours the current 800 km), (Economic to the common detriment. In this the country from early next year. He Times Dated, 20/08/2012) At the connection it may be instructive to had once caught the imagination of end of fiscal year March 31, 2012, remind the Central Government of the intelligentsia. There is no reason these companies were sitting on the waning given by Justice Brennan why he would not do so again. He cash and cash equivalent – the of Supreme Court of U. S. A. who may not be in politics but what he legend investments that can easily be put it succinctly: “Nothing rankles says or does will have a great impact converted to cash – of over 9.3 lakh more in the human heart then a on the next parliamentary elections. crores or 160 billion dollars. brooding sense of injustice, illness we can put up with. But injustice This is all the more reason why How false is the government’s makes us want to pull things down” both the parties should opt for an pretended claim of shortage of early election. They may retrieve dollars for investments in India (Continued from Page 2) some ground when the wind for is shown by the fact that in the change has not turned into a storm. year 2011 there was record level decision-making are palpable. But then the past experience is that of Rs. 9.8 lakh crores. The further the political parties have preferred concentration of wealth is shown Political parties, including the the status quo to new challenges. by the fact that top five companies Congress allies, are not enthusiastic This is the tragedy of political parties in BSE 500 held about Rs. 2.07 lakh about what the government’s future and that of the country, too, because crores or 22.3 percent of total cash plans would be. Even the Congress it gets the worst of both worlds. of these companies. And yet with the sometimes looks like going over the (Continued from Page 4) collusion of the central government exercise. The harm to the country these companies are permitted to is beyond calculations. The only Even as incontrovertible data take Indian money out of the country explanation which I heard in favour show the presence of hundreds of to invest in countries like England, of continuing with the present Lok thousands of Bangladeshi infiltrators Australia and Belgium. The result Sabha, the lower house, is that most in Assam as well as in West Bengal, is that coal, the strategic metal for of its members will not either get the powers that be continue to increase in our economic growth is their party tickets or will not get turn a blind eye. Political parties, not being mined in India but is being returned. This argument may be especially the ruling party, in Assam, imported from Australia and other saleable to political parties but not no less than in West Bengal, count countries. Is the Central Government to the people who want a change their electoral gains by using the infiltrators as a captive vote bank working for the people of India or for (parivartan). their erstwhile colonial lords. and expect to solve the problem by Probably, there is something in denying its existence. The Government cannot silence the point that both the main parties, Is it possible to douse a fire by the discontent in the country arising the Congress and the BJP, feel that turning one’s back to it? Barring a out of extreme poverty by putting a they will not be able to retain the few, all concerned people recognise claim, which is false, that prosperity number of seats they have in the that the seemingly incessant influx of so generated will move down and present Lok Sabha. The general Bangladeshis has to stop - and stop improve the condition of the poor. impression is that both parties here and now. The time has come to This is a false claim as per the together may not cross the figure of grasp the nettle rather than consign warning by Noble Laureate Joseph 250 in the 545-member house. But the future generations to perpetual Stiglitz — “The theory of trickle- what the two do not realise is that confrontation and antagonism. Else down economics is a lie”. their stock is going down rapidly as Assam will continue to burn. JANATA, November 25, 2012 7 A Cornered Sena

Suhas Palshikar

Where does the Shiv Sena go leading to Raj leaving the Shiv Without the towering image of Bal from here? In the party’s life of Sena and forming the Maharashtra Thackeray, the Shiv Sena runs the almost half a century, this question Navnirman Sena (MNS). Thus, the risk of losing its more vociferous is not new - though the context today change of guard in the Shiv Sena following in Mumbai to the MNS. is different. The same question was had happened much before the actual This will be the true test of Uddhav asked when the Sena was isolated passing away of the key leader. So Thackeray’s leadership and patience. during the late seventies; it was the challenges Uddhav now faces are Will he unveil a programme of asked again when it rejuvenated those he has inherited along with the collective action — that was the itself on the Hindutva platform; it stewardship of the Shiv Sena. Some hallmark of an earlier Shiv Sena surfaced when the Shiv Sena became of these challenges are worth noting. — in order to retain the faithful or the ruling party in Maharashtra and will he have the skill to divert their again when a bitter leadership battle Two of them involve the survival energies to more routine party work? resulted in a split between the two of the Shiv Sena. One is about the He may take the calculated risk of leaders who were supposed to jointly coalition with the BJP and the other losing some diehard vigilantes in inherit the mantle of the founder. is about the MNS. When the next order to keep the party on the road elections take place, the alliance that he has charted for some time It is natural that the question between the Shiv Sena and the now. would be asked in most earnest BJP would have completed 25 after the death of Bal Thackeray. years. Currently, it is under severe But the bigger challenge for the Thackeray senior founded the Shiv strain. The Shiv Sena was the more Shiv Sena would be in handling Sena, transformed it into a statewide powerful partner in the coalition the inheritance Bal Thackeray party around 1990 and then led until 2009. That has now changed. has left behind. This inheritance it to power in 1995 at the state The BJP is now impatient with the consists of a pro-Marathi agenda level. He enjoyed huge mass appeal Shiv Sena. Sensing that Uddhav does (in cultural terms as well as in based on his personal image. So his not have the popular image his father terms of employment demands) death makes the question not only enjoyed, the BJP would be looking and the politics of demagogy. At legitimate but also urgent for the for excuses to wriggle out of the the moment, the MNS appears to be party, which is not believed to have coalition. The Raj Thackeray factor more adept at both. To be sure, the been in very good health of late. would be crucial here. Sections of Shiv Sena had experimented with the BJP have already discovered the mix of regional pride and Hindu But we must remember that for the virtues of Raj Thackeray and nationalism long before Narendra the last few years, Bal Thackeray have been arguing that the Shiv Modi. But brand Shiv Sena has was mostly out of action; he did not Sena allow the MNS to enter the always been identified with regional campaign much during the 2009 coalition. Should the BJP dump the pride. The party will now have to elections; for some time now, his Shiv Sena in favour of the MNS, redefine that identity, partly because son Uddhav, has been designated as it could add tremendously to the the MNS has practically taken over “executive” president of the party, Sena’s problems. that agenda and partly because it and most party functionaries and now realises the need for a broader candidates have been handpicked One related issue is to do with the agenda to retain its hold beyond by the executive president himself. strategy the Sena adopts on its ties Mumbai and Thane. But can there be These details suggest that the with the MNS. It is hotly debated a Shiv Sena without demagogy? The transition of power within the party, whether the two cousins will make Sena’s rise in the nineties owed a which many think is about to start up, a scenario that sounds more great deal to Bal Thackeray’s ability now, has already happened. In fact, suited to a Bollywood film. A more to reshape Maharashtra’s political that was the main bone of contention realistic line of inquiry is, who will culture and public reason. This feat between Raj Thackeray and Uddhav, attract the workers of the other party. appears beyond the ability of the 8 JANATA, November 25, 2012

Shiv Sena now. But a party nourished on sumptuous doses of demagogy Principles of social and economic could find it very tiresome to settle justice alone can provide ‘alternatives’ down to “politics as usual”— all the more so when the rival MNS to the current growth paradigm thrives on that very demagogy. So, ironically, two of Bal Thackeray’s During the 9th National Biennial “Today so many of our activists, most crucial inheritances can prove Convention of National Alliance of who should have been with us in to be stumbling blocks for the new People’s Movements, community this convention are in different jails Shiv Sena after him. leaders and women demanded across the country, due to the various community land rights and an false cases filed against them by the But the real challenge lies in end to the violence-ridden current police and administration”, said the party’s self-image. For too paradigm of development. The Medha Patkar of Narmada Bachao long, the Shiv Sena has operated convention affirmed that for an Andolan. Referring to the arrest in the space between a party and a alternative democratic political of Dr. Sunilam (Madhya Pradesh) vigilante movement. It has always system to evolve, dalits, adivasis, and Dayamani Barla (Jharkhand), been infatuated with its image as minority religious communities, Smt. Patkar said that increasing an organisation that can turn on women, landless and workers must state repression is evidence that adversaries. Such organisations rise to leadership and decision- find it very difficult to change people’s struggles against the ruling their image, because hidden in that making positions themselves. development paradigm and land change is the possibility of losing acquisition have become effective. “What right does this state have face. Will the Shiv Sena revert to that self-image and rely on street action in ruling us? It has only taken away “Contrary to the belief that or will it make the transition to a our resources, our land, water and globalisation has reduced caste- regular political party? One thing forests along with our mineral and based discrimination, atrocities is certain: it will be difficult for the aquatic wealth. The Prime Minister against dalits especially the women Shiv Sena to continue to be both a has been boasting about our ‘growth’ and students have increased vigilante movement and a political rates, while our landless peasants, massively. Legislations and policies party. Yet it seems the current dalits and adivasis are either hunted that have existed for decades have not leadership wants to ride a vigilante down by the state and corporations allowed for the benefits to reach the psyche while running a routine party. or are ending their lives due to people. Only three percent of dalits That is where the Shiv Sena will face the economic burden and debt, have benefited from reservations its greatest challenge. caused by inflation and growing and the conviction rate of people cost of life,” said P Chennaiah who have committed violence on –The Indian Express of Agricultural Workers’ Union dalits is pitiable. Students from Dalit (APVUU), Andhra Pradesh. The and Adivasi communities, despite Madhu Dandavate UPA government as well as the securing places in prestigious NDA-led opposition has lost all institutions of education are the credibility and right to govern this worst discriminated. The struggle for By country, said Chennaiah. He stressed Dalit rights and end of violence and B. Vivekanandan that the ruling nexus between discrimination is not the struggle of corporations and ruling elites is Dalits alone, said Arun Khote, Dalit Price: Rs. 20/- restricting all possibilities of any Rights activist from Uttar Pradesh. alternatives to the destructive model of growth and development. “Land “The multiplicity of issues faced Janata Trust rights and agricultural reforms, by the oppressed communities in D-15, Ganesh Prasad, not land grab and alienation, liberalism and globalization are Naushir Bharucha Marg, hold the key to successful future connected to control over resources, Grant Road (W), alternatives”, he affirmed while culture, politics, governance and law. Mumbai 400 007. stating the need to immediately end The destruction of natural resources absentee-landlordism. affects lives and livelihoods of JANATA, November 25, 2012 9 women, especially the Dalit women, and is connected to the skewed sex India’s great shame ratio, violence against women and patriarchy. This complexity has led Harsh Mander to a new form of violence against women today. Women are worst One of modern India’s great O n e d e m a n d o f s o m e affected in today’s violence”, said organisations and activists was for Gabriele Dietrich, activist from shames is the official failure to a new and improved central law Tamil Nadu. eradicate ‘manual scavenging’, the most degrading surviving practice to strengthen its accountability Land acquisition is still the norm of untouchability in the country. mechanisms, widen the definition of development and land grab, Merely because of their birth in of manual scavenging, and above all under the garb of growth is further particular castes, the practice to shift the focus to human dignity dividing our society and leading condemns mostly women and girls, from merely sanitation issues. Their to violence between state and its but also men and boys, to clean struggles persuaded the central citizens. The people are pushed human excreta in dry latrines with government to introduce a new against the wall and by demonising their hands, and carry it to disposal legislation, which unlike the 1993 peaceful and democratic resistances dumps or lakes or rivers. Many men law, would be automatically binding like Kudankulam, the Indian state also clean sewers, septic tanks, open on all state governments. has further alienated its people and drains into which excreta flows, and Particularly welcome is the lost all credibility in the eyes of the railway lines. acknowledgment in the preamble voters, the ‘aam admi’. of the new bill, that “it is necessary People trapped by their birth to correct the historical injustice and The Convention affirmed the in this vocation are shunned and fight against genetically modified indignity suffered by the manual despised. The anonymity of cities scavengers, and to rehabilitate (GM) crops and strengthened the otherwise may free people of the resolve to abandon the use of them to a life of dignity.” This disadvantaged destinies brought chemical fertilisers and pesticides stops short of the national apology on by their caste identity, because that have destroyed the agricultural which people who have suffered their caste is not written on their sector and the lives of agro- untold humiliation over centuries dependent families. Ecological foreheads. But manual scavengers wanted to see in the law. But a clear and agricultural sustainability hold are branded irrefutably by the acknowledgement of the historical the key to a sustainable future of the loathed work which they perform. injustice suffered by them would be country and the globe, especially a salve to their wounds. in times when climate change has Forty-three years after its The 1993 law defined a manual hit the globe so badly, said the prohibition in the Constitution, scavenger as “a person engaged in resolution form the session on in 1993, a law was passed which or employed for manually carrying Farmers, Workers and Agrarian outlawed the practice. But it was human excreta”. The 2012 bill Crisis. The community leaders from a feeble and toothless law, weakly definition is fittingly more elaborate different agricultural sector unions and reluctantly applied. It was and inclusive, and includes “a and organisations present at the rescued only by extraordinary and person engaged or employed... convention also raised objection sustained non-violent resistance by for manually cleaning, carrying, to the multi-brand FDI being organisations of manual scavengers disposing of, or otherwise handling promoted under the garb of giving themselves. I have in these columns in any manner, human excreta in better prices to producers. Bringing celebrated their collective actions to an unsanitary latrine or in an open the consumers and producers need demolish dry latrines and proudly drain or pit into which the human to be done by the people and not by burn the baskets in which they corporate market forces, affirmed excreta from the insanitary latrine is carried human excreta. They also disposed of, or on a railway track...” the Convention. moved the Supreme Court of India to compel central and state But the advantages of the (Continued on Page 10) governments to enforce the law. expanded definition are completely 10 JANATA, November 25, 2012 undone by the proviso that a person governments do not make these and on their shoulders rests major who cleans “excreta with the help public investments, because human culpability for the continuance of the of such devices and using such beings are available to perform this unlawful and unjust social practice. protective gear, as the Central work cheaply, propelled by their The bill must introduce the offence Government may notify in this birth in most disadvantaged castes of dereliction of duty by public behalf, shall not be deemed to be and lack of other livelihood options. officials under this statute, and a “manual scavenger”’. No such prescribe deterrent consequences proviso was there even in the 1993 The 2012 bill places a duty of for these failures. law. It deliberately introduces a huge survey on all local authorities, but escape route: employers may merely the past experience is that State This new central law presents issue gloves and protective clothing, Governments are mostly in denial. the people of this country one more which the Central Government They usually reject community chance to remedy an enormous notifies as sufficient, and this would findings, even when backed by strong historical wrong, of enslaving be sufficient to allow the demeaning evidence. This can be prevented our people to painful lifetimes of practice to persist. only if there is a continuous system humiliation and hopelessness. We of joint surveillance, beginning should not allow another deliberately The 2012 Bill explicitly prohibits with a joint survey by designated weak law to postpone once again our construction of dry latrines, and teams of government officials and collective obligation to end one of employment of manual scavengers, community members. modern India’s greatest shames. as also the hazardous cleaning of a sewer or a septic tank. But cleaning The 2012 bill fittingly mentions –Aman Biradari rehabilitation in the title itself. But railway tracks has not been included, (Continued from Page 9) and “hazardous cleaning” is defined it does not take us much beyond not by employers requiring workers earlier rehabilitation programmes Representatives of Building to manually clean sewers or septic which were introduced from 1993. Mazdoor Union; Upjau Bhoomi tanks, but requiring them to do The law should explicitly guarantee Bachao; JJSS; Kosinavnirmani so without protective gear. Our fully government funded school Manch; Plachimada Samrakshana objection to manual cleaning of education for every child of school Samiti; Kerala Sthreevedi; sewers and septic tanks is not just going age, with scholarships for Irinjalakuda Development of compromising worker safety higher education, and vocational Committee; , Moollolampally – which is no doubt important and computer training. Coordination Committee; Dynamic – but of human indignity, which Given the past experience of Action; AFHR, Tamil Nadu; would continue even if such manual corruption and harassment in loans, PMANE Koodankulam, Tamil Nadu, cleaning is done with protective and the fact that most manual Sterlite Virodhi Manch; Mangilal gear. And it is unconscionable to let scavengers are women, many of Rungta Kshyati Grastha Praja the railways off the hook. whom are older and with poor Sangram Samiti; GMR; Suraksha literacy, the scheme should be Samiti; Prastahita Sahare Power For sewer workers and railway Plant; Zindabad Sangthan, Orissa; workers, liberation will come by entirely grant-based. Women should have the option of receiving Niyamgiri Suraksha Parishad, introducing technological changes Pariyavaran Parirakshana Sangham; which will render the occupation a monthly pension of Rs 2000, or an enterprise grant of up to Sompeta, Tata Dharangrasth humane, dignified and safe, and also Sangharsh Samiti; Mosekhore ensure that human beings do not Rs 1 lakh, supported by training and counselling facilities. Highly Bachao Andolan, SSS Karnatakari; have to make any direct contact with Karnataka Domestic Workers excreta. Technologies are available subsidised housing should be ensured in mixed colonies. Union; Kranthii Kattada Karmaikara globally which both the Indian Sangha; Preethi Mahilodaya; Signa, Railways and municipalities could Public officials have frequently Bhumi Bachao Andolan, Narmada invest in, which would obliterate failed in their duties to identify, Bachao Andolan and National the requirement for human beings report and end manual scavenging, Hawkers Federation to manually handle excreta. The demolish dry latrines, and fact is that central, state and local rehabilitate manual scavengers, – C R Neelakandan JANATA, November 25, 2012 11 The GDP Illusion-II

John Smith

The T-Shirt source of income for the state affecting cotton and sugar. Yet the The iPhone’s dazzling and for all the people in the richer world’s coffee farmers have fared as sophistication and iconic brand countries.” bad, if not worse, than other primary status can too easily blind the commodity producers. Most of the observer to the exploitative and The Bangladeshi factory makes world’s coffee is grown on small imperialist character of the social 125,000 shirts per day, of which family farms, providing employment and economic relations it embodies. half are sold to H&M, and the rest worldwide to 25 million coffee- Nevertheless, the same fundamental to other western retailers. Workers at farmers and their families, while two relationships can be seen across the the factory, 85 percent of whom are U.S. and two European firms (Sara entire range of consumer goods. women, earn just €1.36 per day for a Lee, Kraft, Nestlé, and Procter & Take, for example, the humble 10–12 hour shift. The machine each Gamble) dominate the global coffee T-shirt. Tony Norfield, in “What worker runs produces 250 T-shirts trade. Those who cultivate and the ‘China Price’ Really Means,” per hour, or eighteen T-shirts for harvest the coffee receive less than tells the story of a T-shirt made in each euro cent of the workers’ wages. 2 percent of its final retail price. In Bangladesh and sold in Germany The factory is one of 4,500 garment 2009, according to the International for €4.95 by the Swedish retailer factories in Bangladesh employing Coffee Organization, the roasting, Hennes & Mauritz (H&M). H&M more than 3.5 million people. Their marketing, and sale of coffee added pays the Bangladeshi manufacturer low wages partly explain, according $31 billion to the GDP of the nine €1.35 for each T-shirt, 28 percent to Norfield: most important coffee-importing of the final sale price, forty euro nations—more than twice the total cents of which covers the cost of Why the richer countries can export earnings that year of all 400 grams of cotton raw material have lots of shop assistants, delivery coffee-producing nations. drivers, managers and administrators, imported from the United States; In common with other global accountants, advertising executives, shipping to Hamburg adds another commodities, the portion of the price a wide range of welfare payments six cents per shirt. The remaining of a cup of coffee that is counted and much else besides. The wage €3.54 counts towards the GDP of as value added within the coffee- rates in Bangladesh are particularly Germany, the country where the drinking countries has steadily risen T-shirt is consumed, and is broken low, but even the multiples of these seen in other poor countries point to over time—in the United Kingdom, down as follows: €2.05 provides to take the most spectacular example, for the costs and profits of German the same conclusion: oppression of workers in the poorer countries is a between 1975 and 1989 coffee’s transporters, wholesalers, retailers, import price averaged 43 percent of and advertisers (some of which direct economic benefit for the mass of people in the richer countries. the retail price; between 2000 and will revert to the state through 2009 the average was just 14 percent. various taxes); H&M makes sixty cents profit per shirt; the German The Cup of Coffee Just as, according to the economists state captures seventy-nine cents Our picture is completed by the and accountants, not one cent of of the sale price through VAT at 19 addition of a third iconic global Apple’s profits come from Chinese percent; and sixteen cents covers commodity—the cup of coffee. workers, and just as H&M’s bottom “other items.” Perhaps you have one clasped in line owes nothing to superexploited one hand as you read this—don’t Bangladeshi workers, so do all of Thus, in Norfield’s words, “a spill any on your T-shirt or smart Starbuck’s and Caffè Nero’s profits large chunk of the revenue from phone! Coffee is remarkable in that, appear to arise from their own the selling price goes to the state alone of major internationally traded marketing, branding, and retailing in taxes and to a wide range of agricultural commodities, none of it, genius, and not a penny can be traced workers, executives, landlords and apart from small quantities grown to the impoverished coffee farmers businesses in Germany. The cheap in Hawaii, is grown in imperialist who handpick the “fresh cherries.” T-shirts, and a wide range of other countries, and for this reason it has In all of our three archetypical global imported goods, are both affordable not been subject to trade-distorting commodities, gross profits, i.e., the for consumers and an important agricultural subsidies such as those difference between their cost of 12 JANATA, November 25, 2012 production and their retail price, are European, and Japanese firms have The resulting steep wage far in excess of 50 percent, flattering vigorously responded by shifting gradient between northern and not only northern firms’ profits but production on a massive scale to low- southern economies provides also their nations’ GDPs. wage countries, either through foreign two different ways for northern direct investment (FDI) or through capitalists to increase profits: Not Just China arm’s length contractual relations (1) by expanding exploitation of We complete this section with independent suppliers. The low-paid labor throughout the by briefly looking at the wider resulting outsourcing phenomenon relocation of production processes transformations which smartphones, has transformed the imperialist to low-wage countries; or (2) by T-shirts, and cups of coffee epitomize. economies, accelerating the declining the superexploitation of low-wage China’s astonishing rise as a major weight of industrial production in migrant workers “at home.” The manufacturing exporter is renowned, their GDPs. Most significantly it IMF’s World Economic Outlook but manufactured exports provided has transformed the global working 2007 makes this connection quite 50 percent or more of export growth class: in just three decades, the precisely, noting that the “global pool between 1990 and 2004 for another South’s industrial workforce has of labor can be accessed by advanced forty “emerging nations” that have moved from numerical parity with economies through imports and a combined population twice the the “industrialized countries” to now immigration,” and observing that size of China’s. Of these nations, constituting 80 percent of the global trade “is the more important and twenty-three of them—home to total. According to Gary Gereffi, a faster-expanding channel, in large 76 percent of the entire population “striking feature of contemporary part because immigration remains of the global South, and including globalization is that a very large and very restricted in many countries.” eight of the ten most populous growing proportion of the workforce Stephen Roach, a senior economist at southern nations—received more in many global value chains is now Morgan Stanley, brought this driving force of neoliberal globalization into than half of their export earnings located in developing economies. unusually sharp focus: “in an era from manufactured goods in 2004.21 In a phrase, the centre of gravity In addition, many other smaller of excess supply, companies lack of much of the world’s industrial nations have made a brave effort pricing leverage as never before. As production has shifted from the to reorient their economies to the such, businesses must be unrelenting North to the South of the global export of manufactures, playing host in their search for new efficiencies… economy.” to manufacturing enclaves that exert offshore outsourcing that extracts a powerful and distorting influence product from relatively low-wage As the editors of Monthly Review on their national economies. While workers in the developing world industrial development in the stated in 2004, “Multinational capital has become an increasingly urgent global South may be very unevenly is thus able to take advantage of survival tactic for companies in the distributed, it is nevertheless very global asymmetries to create more developed economies.” widespread, as is indicated by the vicious forms of competition proliferation of export processing between pools of labor that are Not Just Wages zones (EPZs). In 2006, the latest year geographically immobile and thus Despite decades of wage for which there are statistics, more unable to coalesce.” Central to stagnation in the United States and than 63 million workers, most of these “global asymmetries” is the of wage increases in China, the them women—almost triple the EPZ suppression of the free movement of ratio between the two, adjusted for workforce of a decade earlier—were labor across borders, something that purchasing power parity, remain employed in 2,700 EPZs in more is accomplished by the permanent extremely large. One study, based than 130 countries,22 producing mobilization of a massive political on data from China’s National goods mainly for final consumption and military force which is in turn Bureau of Statistics, estimated the in Triad markets. part of a wider infrastructure of difference in 2009 to be around 16- racism and national oppression. to-1, rising to 37-to-1 if prevailing By “liberating” hundreds of These impede labor’s coalescence exchange rates are used to make millions of workers and farmers as an international movement and the comparison—and it is these from their ties to the land or they interact with a hugely increased that matter to U.S., European, and their jobs in protected national supply of labor in southern nations Japanese firms weighing whether to industries, neoliberal globalization to produce a dramatic widening of outsource their production. Wages has stimulated the expansion in international wage differentials, vary widely between different parts southern nations of a vast pool vastly exceeding price differences of China, between migrant and of superexploitable labor. U.S., in all other global markets. domiciled workers, and between JANATA, November 25, 2012 13 state-owned and private firms. device was due on shelves. Apple had cast serious doubt on the notion These and other distortions make redesigned the iPhone’s screen at the that low southern wages reflect low comparison difficult, and the ratios last minute, forcing an assembly line southern productivity. When we given here are indicative. overhaul. New screens began arriving consider wage differentials along at the plant near midnight. A foreman with factors such as the conditions, But ultra-low wages are not the immediately roused 8,000 workers duration, and intensity of labor, as only factor attracting profit-hungry inside the company’s dormitories, well as the paucity of the “social western firms. They are also attracted according to the executive. Each wage,” it is irrefutable that higher by the flexibility of the workers and employee was given a biscuit and a rates of exploitation pertain in the intensity with which they can be cup of tea, guided to a workstation countries such as China, Bangladesh, worked. Charles Duhigg and Keith and within half an hour started a 12- and Mexico than in the United States, Bradsher, in a widely quoted New hour shift fitting glass screens into Spain, or Germany. To put this York Times study, provide a vivid beveled frames. Within 96 hours, another way, Chinese, Bangladeshi, illustration: the plant was producing over 10,000 and Mexican workers receive in their One former executive described iPhones a day. wages a smaller portion of the wealth how [Apple Inc.] relied upon a they have generated than do workers Chinese factory to revamp iPhone High rates of flexibility and in the imperialist countries. manufacturing just weeks before the intensity of labor in the global South Part Two The GDP Illusion It is well known that the standard the global economy without using In each of the three global Mercator projection of the three- data on GDP and trade, yet every commodities examined above, the dimensional surface of planet Earth time we uncritically cite this data we gadget-maker (Apple), the giant into the two-dimensional frame open the door to the core fallacies of retailer (H&M), and the café chain of a map stretches the northern neoclassical economics which these (Starbuck’s) have outsourced all or hemisphere and shrinks the tropics. data project. To analyse the global most of the production to independent Standard data on GDP and trade flows economy we must decontaminate this data, or rather the concepts we suppliers, with whom they maintain produce a similar effect, diminishing the global South’s contribution to use to interpret them. an “arm’s length,” contractual global wealth and exaggerating relationship. Their connection with that of the imperialist countries. GDP—Some Paradoxes the workers and farmers who produce To see how this is done it must be and Peculiarities their goods is therefore indirect, remembered that, despite its claim Before we lay out the theoretical in contrast to the case of FDI. In to be a measure of “product,” GDP basis for overturning standard this form of the globalized capital/ and trade data measure the results of interpretations of GDP and trade labor relationship, the profit flows— transactions in the marketplace. Yet data, we must first consider some from transnational corporations’ nothing is produced in markets, the of the paradoxes and anomalies that subsidiaries to parent firms—are at world of the exchange of money and make this radical break necessary. As least partially visible, showing up titles of ownership; production takes we have seen from our three global in the data as repatriated profits. By place elsewhere, behind high walls, commodities, when a consumer contrast, there are no visible flows of on private property, in production buys a gadget, an item of clothing, profits from arm’s-length suppliers to processes. Values are created in or imported foodstuffs only a small their northern customers. Therefore, production processes and captured in fraction of its final selling price will according to economic data and markets and have a prior and separate appear in the GDP of the country mainstream economic theory, the existence from the prices finally where it was produced, while the workers employed by Foxconn and realized when they are sold. Yet these greater part of it appears in the the myriad of other “arm’s length” values “seem not just to be realised GDP of the country where it is firms in other low-wage countries, only in circulation but actually to consumed. Only an economist could producing cheap intermediate inputs arise from it,” an illusion that gives think there is nothing wrong with and consumer goods for western rise to the central fallacy underlying this! Another even more startling markets, make no contribution standard interpretations of economic example of the paradoxes produced whatsoever to the profits of Dell data: the conflation of value with by GDP statistics is that in 2007 the and Apple, nor of the related service price.30 This matter will be returned nation with the highest per capita industries that provide their premises to shortly; here it is only necessary to GDP—that is, whose citizens are and retail their goods. note that it is impossible to analyse supposedly the most productive on 14 JANATA, November 25, 2012 earth—was Bermuda. This island seeing through the GDP Illusion by as contaminated as those on GDP tax haven leapt above Luxembourg considering an interesting paradox: and trade. to become the world’s number one What happens when intensifying when hedge funds needed a new competition with China and other Indeed, the key to understanding home following the destruction of footwear and hosiery producers for global capitalism lies in what the World Trade Center in September access to the shelves of stores like we mean by “the productivity of 2001. Bermuda was given a further Wal-Mart and Top Shop forces the labor” and how we measure it. boost by Hurricane Katrina, which Dominican Republic’s employers to Economists and statisticians achieve sparked a global rise in insurance reduce wages? Assuming that this their numerical measurements by premiums and a flight of hot increased competition results from computing value added per worker, money into the world’s reinsurance China’s lower wages rather than but Marxist political economy industry—of which Bermuda is from more advanced production has a very different starting point: one of the most important centres. techniques (in other words, assuming while the mainstream concept of Despite ranking as, size-for-size, that the socially necessary labor productivity rests on the conflation the world’s most productive nation, time required to produce these of price and value, thereby abolishing virtually the only productive activity commodities is unaltered), lower the complex relation between the taking place in Bermuda is the real wages signify an increased rate two, for Marxist political economy production of cocktails in beach bars of exploitation and a higher rate of “productivity” is a contradictory and the provision of other high-end surplus value. The fall in the price unity, embodying what Marx counted tourist services. Meanwhile, 1,600 of shoes signifies that only a portion among the greatest of his discoveries, kilometers south-by-southwest of of the surplus value resulting from “the two-fold character of labour, Bermuda lies another island nation, the increased exploitation of shoe according to whether it is expressed the Dominican Republic, where workers appears in the profits of in use value or exchange value.” 154,000 workers toil for a pittance their employers. The remainder in fifty-seven export processing is a contribution to total surplus “Valued Added”—or Value zones, producing shoes and clothing value (shared between capitals Captured? mainly for the North American and supporting profit of all kinds), The paradoxes discussed here, and market. Its GDP, on a per capita and to consumers, supporting their the global commodities dissected basis, is just 8 percent of Bermuda’s consumption levels. earlier, suggest that uncritical when measured in PPP (purchasing acceptance of trade and GDP power parity) dollars, or 3 percent A reduction in the real wage in data leads to a distorted picture of at market exchange rates; in 2007 the Dominican Republic therefore the relative contributions of the it languished ninety-seven places means that its living labor becomes imperialist countries and the global below Bermuda in the CIA World more important as a source of surplus South to global wealth. To see why Factbook’s global league table of value and profits. GDP and trade data, this is so we must look more closely per capita GDP. Yet which country, however, lead us to the very opposite at GDP; it is, essentially, the sum of Bermuda or the Dominican Republic, conclusion: falling real wages in the the “value added” generated by each makes a greater contribution to Dominican Republic allow the prices firm within a nation. The key concept global wealth? of its export products to also fall, and within GDP is therefore value with them the apparent contribution added. Value added is defined as the The comparison between Bermuda of the Dominican Republic to global difference between the prices paid and the Dominican Republic is wealth and profits. And the same for all inputs and the prices received a special case, challenging us goes for measures of the Dominican for all outputs. According to this core to recognize that the “financial T-shirt makers’ productivity, too. neoclassical concept, the amount by services” that Bermuda “exports” Falling prices received for outputs which the price of outputs exceeds are nonproduction activities that directly translate into what is the price of inputs is automatically consist of teeming and lading counted as falling value added per and exactly equal to the value that it wealth produced in countries like worker, the standard measure of has generated in its own production the Dominican Republic. If “GDP productivity. These workers make process, and cannot leak to other per capita” was a true measure of the same amount of shoes before and firms or be captured from them. the actual contribution of hedge fund for less money, making them more Seen through the neoclassical lens, traders and workers in Caribbean “productive of capital” than before, production is not only a black box, shoe factories to social wealth, then yet value-added data report a decline where all we know is the price paid their relative position would surely in their productivity. Statistics on for the inputs and the price received be reversed. We can get closer still to “labor productivity” are, therefore, for the outputs; it is also hermetically JANATA, November 25, 2012 15 sealed from all other black boxes, this also occurs between firms in related to the prevailing rate of in that no value can be transferred different countries and continents. exploitation in that country, since or redistributed between them as a In other words, as David Harvey a large component of “GDP” in the result of the competition for profits. once surmised, “the geographical imperialist nations represents the Marxist political economy rejects this production of surplus value [may] proceeds of exploited southern labor. absurdity and advances a radically diverge from its geographical As our three global commodities different conception: value added is distribution.” To the extent that reveal in microcosm, the globalization really value captured. It measures the it does, GDP departs ever further of production is at the same time the share of total economy-wide value from being an objective, more-or- globalization of the capital/labor added that is captured by a firm, and less accurate approximation of a relation. The main driver of this does not in any way correspond to nation’s product (indeed, it never great transformation is capital’s the value created by the living labor was), and is instead a veil that insatiable quest for low wages and employed within that individual conceals the increasingly parasitic high rates of exploitation. Its main firm. Indeed, Marxist value theory and exploitative relation between result is the heightened dependence maintains that many firms supposedly northern capitals and southern living of capitalists and capitalism in generating value added are engaged labor—in other words the imperialist the imperialist countries on the in nonproduction activities like character of the global capitalist proceeds of exploitation of nature finance and administration that economy. and living labor in the global South. produce no value at all. The imperialist division of the world Conclusion GDP is frequently criticized for that was a precondition for capitalism what it leaves out of its calculation Commenting on the ADB report is now internal to it.” Neoliberal of “domestic product”—so-called cited earlier, Financial Times globalization therefore signifies “externalities,” e.g., pollution, columnist Gillian Tett said the the emergence of the fully evolved the depletion of non-renewable “challenge for economists is… imperialist form of capitalism. resources, and the destruction of profound. In the old days, they typically measured the output of Finally, the critique of concepts traditional societies; as well as for and statistics outlined here has major where it draws the “production an economy by watching where goods were ‘made’; but which implications for our understanding boundary,” excluding all those of the global crisis. This global productive activities that take place country should claim the ‘value’ for an iPhone (or an Italian suit or an crisis is “financial” only in form outside of the commodity economy, and appearance. It marks the especially household labor. Yet American Girl doll)? Where does the real ‘output’ come, in a world reappearance of a systemic crisis GDP as a concept has never been which the outsourcing phenomenon systematically criticized for what where companies can shift profits around?” The real question, however, itself was a response to: replacing it claims to measure, not even by higher-paid domestic labor with low- Marxist and other heterodox critics is not just where the “real output” comes from but also where it goes paid southern workers helped support of the mainstream. Part of the answer profits, consumption levels, and lies in the fact that marginalist and to, who generates this wealth, and who appropriates it. reduced inflation in the United States, Marxist value theory coincides at Europe, and Japan. Along with the one point: while Marxist value theory The GDP Illusion at least partly expansion of debt, outsourcing was reveals that the individual prices crucial to the imperialist economies’ received for the sale of commodities explains why dominant paradigms see the global South as peripheral escape from the crises of the 1970s. systematically diverge from the Furthermore, outsourcing is deeply values created in their production, and its contribution to global wealth of minor importance, despite the implicated in many ways in the return at the aggregate level all these of systemic crisis. Giving a central individual divergences cancel out. ubiquity of the products issuing from its mines, plantations, and place to the sphere of production In the aggregate, total value is equal in the analysis of the global crisis, to total price. sweat shops; and despite the fact that southern living labor are the creators a task preoccupying many Marxist If, within a national economy, of much or most of our clothes and economists, requires accounting for value produced by one firm (i.e., one electronic gadgets, of the flowers on the enormous transformations that production process) can condense our table, of the food in our fridge, have occurred within this sphere in in the prices paid for commodities and even of the fridge itself. the past three decades of neoliberal produced in other firms, then it globalization. And this requires that is irrefutable that, especially in Labor’s share of GDP within a we dispel the GDP Illusion. the era of globalized production, country is not directly and simply (Concluded) R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, November 25, 2012 P.R. No. MH/MR/WEST/275/2010-2012. Posted on every Wednesday at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1

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Printed and Published by G.G. Parikh on behalf of Janata Trust. Printed at Mouj Printing Bureau, Khatau Wadi, Girgaum, Mumbai-400 004 and published at D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Naushir Bharucha Marg (Sleater Road), Mumbai - 400 007. JANATA, November 25, 2012 17 18 JANATA, November 25, 2012 JANATA, November 25, 2012 19 20 JANATA, November 25, 2012 JANATA, November 25, 2012 21 22 JANATA, November 25, 2012 Established 1946 Price : Rupees Five

Vol. 67 No. 45 Birth of a party December 2, 2012 S. Viswam

A consensus eluding India Commenting in these columns a Its present condition is truly pathetic. Kuldip Nayar few weeks ago on Arvind Kejriwal’s announcement of his intention to The BJP even at the height of its Menace of Corruption in India float a political party and field that political glory was only marginally Rajindar Sachar party in the next general elections, concerned with the common people. It we had welcomed the move and sought its salvation in the communal Gujarat: whose state is it said the more the number of parties, ideology enforced through separatist anyway? the merrier would democracy be. strategies. The Left, unfortunately, K .S. Chalam Well, Kejriwal has named his new has been effectively decimated, is party after India’s Aam Admi and is in control of only one State, and is No talisman anymore projecting it as a national alternative searching for a formula and slogan Harsh Mander to the Congress and the Bharatiya to revive itself. Other centrist forces Janata Party. Admittedly, the new find their political clout restricted to Partnership with Private party takes birth at an interesting the state level and unable to seize for Public Loot phase in the country’s political power at the Centre. Under such Sandeep Pandey history. circumstances a new party mouthing slogans that touch the lives of the Uttar Bharat It is now a given that neither of common people is bound to attract Samata Sammelan these parties can muster enough both attention and support. political support in numbers to sustain Maharashtra Irrigation Scam a government of its own. The days of The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) thus single party majority seems long starts its career on an encouraging gone and the coalition era has set in. note. The political environment Right now, the political atmosphere offers the right platform, as well as Editor : could not have been more favourable the medium, for it to promote the G. G. Parikh for any new party that dares to set virtues it claims it possesses to first, Managing Editor : Guddi itself up as the national alternative. throw out the present dispensation The Congress cannot even pretend at the Centre and second, seize D-15, Ganesh Prasad, any longer that it speaks for the power. These virtues are its choice Naushir Bharucha Marg, common man. It controls only a few of corruption , inflation and clean Mumbai - 400 007. states, a humiliating come down for and effective governance as primary a party that once was, and claimed issues of national concern which Email : [email protected] to be, the true representative of the it will address. Moreover, it seeks poor, oppressed and downtrodden. to transfer the national focus from 2 JANATA, December 2, 2012 the corporate-ruled elitist market Between the lines forces to the lower levels of daily life and endeavour dominated by the middle classes. Interestingly, A consensus eluding India it is the exclusive support of the middle classes affected directly by corruption and high cost of living Kuldip Nayar that made Anna Hazare’s campaign such a roaring success. No wonder Indian political scene is it down. But the party knew before that Kejriwal is now banking on deteriorating day by day. Institutions moving the motion that none was the middle classes for the electoral are losing their credibility and willing to support it. They are too success of his new formation. political parties are straining the calculative to be provoked. However, while Kejriwal can system to the fullest extent for be forgiven for his rhetoric and making space. The effect is visible in They know they cannot collect 273 sloganising, the new party can make parliament which has been reduced to members to defeat the government a mark only through a workable an arena of overbearing government in the 545-member house. They agenda of action and programme. and impatient opposition. People would have unnecessarily given a The emphasis is on the word feel exasperated as well as insecure sense of victory to the Congress workable. While proposals like as non-governance tells upon the party. The issue of FDI (foreign sending corrupt ministers to jail in law and order situation, economic direct investment) in multi-brand six months after seizing power, the progress and the social conditions retail got lengthened because both setting up of internal Lokpal, and in the country. the Congress and the BJP, the two passing the Jan Lok Pal Bill in 15 main political parties, cannot stand days after coming to power can act Had there been early elections, each other. The BJP has gone to the as a morale booster for the public, there would have been a new extent of challenging almost every which is weary of encountering beginning and a fresh tenure of five executive order of the government official-level graft in their daily years for another Lok Sabha. This which is also unmindful of the lives, they will fall by the wayside would have meant almost beginning other’s sensitivities. when reality takes over ambition from a clean slate. But it looks as The problem with the Manmohan and aspiration. The sloganising if the parties are conscious that the Singh government is that instead that Kejriwal is indulging in now voters are out to have their revenge. of accommodating a different after forming the party can be Which party or which member will point of view, it is all the time assessed objectively as his playing be returned is anybody’s guess. manoevuring to have a majority in on and manipulating the credulity Yet the sitting members know that the Lok Sabha. The support of the of the aam aadmi. Most of the only a few among them would assorted groups comes at a price. items on Kejriwal’s “action plan” come back. Therefore, even though It means the compromises at the are utopian in nature. Promises are the opposition feels irritated and expense of national interest. This easily made but seldom translated helpless, it does not seem to want to has been the situation facing the into action. Poor Viswanath Pratap risk the leftover tenure of one year Manmohan Singh government from Singh, who was an experienced and four months. its inception. Any political party politician compared to young That is the reason why for the vote which does not win a majority at the Kejriwal promised to solve the of no-confidence motion against the polls would face the same problem. Bofors problem within 15 days Manmohan Singh government by The BJP, while confronted with the of assuming power. The Bofors West Bengal chief minister Mamata same predicament, saw to it that its problem continues to stare us in the Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress supporters would stay placated so face even now! did not muster even 50 members that it would stay in power. One of the areas of vulnerability for admission. She may be right I have never understood why a for all political parties, young or in her chiding that the opposition ruling party is reluctant to talk to old, is funding. The Anna Hazare parties are only shouting against the government and do not want to bring other parties to have a consensus (Continued on Page 7) JANATA, December 2, 2012 3 on matters which are important for the country and which cannot be Menace of Corruption in India resolved without one another’s help. Whether it is FDI or the installation Rajindar Sachar of nuclear plants, there has to be a general agreement to overcome the Corruption is not merely a moral economies such as the United sharp divergence of opinion on the question. It eats into the vitals of States, India’s GDP growth rate two subjects. In a democratic polity, the economy and leads to the loss an elected government cannot afford could increase by an additional 4 of faith in the principles of equality to ignore the popular opinion. At to 5 percent, to 12 to 13 per cent and honest administration. times, the government has rejected each year. C. K. Prahalad, the the offer to effect a consensus. The Management Guru, estimates that In its 2008 study, Transparency BJP has told the government that the lost opportunity cost caused by International reports that about 40 it was willing to support some of corruption, in terms of investment, percent of Indians had first-hand the bills pending in parliament. growth and jobs for India is over experience of paying bribes or using But the government has not been US$ 50 billion a year. a contact to get a job done in public enthusiastic (within the Congress office. itself there is resistance to the bills) Though loud proclamations are about it. made by the Central Government In 2011 India was ranked 95th to fight the menace of corruption, out of 178 countries in Transparency In fact, as I look back, I find in fact the disease has increased International’s Corruption that India’s first Prime Minister, and corruption index has reached Perceptions Index. Aid programs in Jawaharlal Nehru, tried for the the summit with the involvement India are beset by corruption, bad consensus, although with not much of politicians and high government administration and under-payments. success. For example, when the officials – this was to be expected As an example, a report cites that Babri masjid-Ramjanam Bhoomi when the Central Government only 40 percent of grain handed out dispute erupted in the nineteen- un-embarrassingly adopted for the poor reaches its intended fifties, he wrote to the then chief globalization as the first Mantra target. minister Govind Ballabh Pant of from the Prime Minister downwards, and equating the prosperity of the Uttar Pradesh not to disturb the Despite its best intentions, country with (by taking pride in status quo. The Muslims were MGNREGA is beset with then offering prayers at the masjid controversy about corrupt officials pointing out that) Indian billionaires even though some fanatic Hindu pocketing money on behalf of fake being included in the Forbes elements were communalizing the rural employees. Fortune, while shamefully omitting atmosphere. Nehru didn’t succeed to mention that even in Delhi which and the masjid was locked so that A November 2010 report from the is supposed to have the highest it was not available to both the Washington-based Global Financial per capita income in the country, communities. Integrity estimates that over a 60-year the ugly reality is that 70 percent period, India lost US$213 billion in of its population are able to spend After Nehru, a consensus was illicit financial flows beginning in only Rs. 50 per day, which is now seldom attempted. Indira Gandhi 1948; adjusted for inflation, this is accepted as the poverty level, by was not the person who would estimated to be 462 billion dollars the Government itself. Such horrible talk about the middle path. For in 2010 or about $8 billion per year inequality in the country is only her, it was black or white, nothing The report also estimated the size possible by the ill-gotten wealth, grey. The governments which of India’s underground economy at made possible by corrupt polices by followed her were the coalitions approximately US$ 640 billion at the the political parties in power. of convenience. Most were for end of 2008 or roughly 50 percent of making quick money and they had the nation’s GDP. Thus we have the corruption no patience for a compromise like scandals of India Coal Mining to the consensus. Chandra Shekhar is If corruption levels in India were the extent of Rs. 186,000 crore and (Continued on Page 4) reduced to levels in the developed Rs. 176,000 crore of 2G spectrum 4 JANATA, December 2, 2012 scam. Not to be left out the other caustically ruled thus, “Kairon’s even if such conduct had not been major party has scam of Rs. 200,000 case was that the alleged misconduct proved to be true. But, as his own crore, from Karnataka illegal mining and misdeeds of his sons had not affidavit shows, he made no inquiry, scams. been brought to his notice, else he gave no warning to anybody and would have warned them. This was took no step whatever to prevent It is a truism that maximum a patent absurdity. The Commission its recurrence but let things drift corruption is done by close friends is free to concede that a father can in the way they had been going, and relatives like son, son-in-law, of not legally or morally prevent his assuming he had no hand in it. The politicians because of their closeness sons from carrying on business, but allegations stared him in the face; to the powers that be. But then the exploitation of the influence of he paid no heed to them. He cannot instead of finding honest answers, the father who happens to be the now plead ignorance of facts. In the Congress leader Digvijaya Chief Minister of the State cannot view of his inaction in the fact of Singh has unabashedly propounded be permitted to be made a business self-serving formula – namely that of. Such exploitation cannot possibly the circumstances hereinbefore political parties should not even refer be a legitimate business and the alluded to, he must be held to have to the acts of corruption purportedly father’s influence and powers cannot connived at the doings of his sons indulged in by relations of opposite be permitted to be traded in. Even and relatives, his colleagues and the political leaders much less to their assuming he personally had not Government officers”. In face of this own on the patently allacious plea lent a helping hand in relation to findings Kairon had to resign. that parents or parents-in-law cannot them, the least he could do was to be held responsible give a stern warning, in private and Do political parties need any if necessary publicly, to his sons, other precedent for action if they for the corruption done by their relatives, colleagues and subordinate are genuine in eradicating corruption relations. How very convenient for officers against their alleged conduct from public life? political parties. But this unashamed, unacceptable plea by politicians was (Continued from Page 3) although Prime Minister Manmohan the worst example. In 40 days of his rejected as far back as 1964 by S.R. Singh has gone to the extent of saying government, ministers made more Das (Chief Justice of India) Enquire that the country’s development is money than those who had enjoyed Commission which held against linked with the political consensus the power even for 40 years. the conduct of S. Pratap Singh within the country. The BJP is Kairon, the then Chief Minister spoiling for a fight all the time. It is Prime Minister V. P. Singh did not of Punjab. I appeared as a lawyer so anti-Congress that it even resorts even try for a consensus on the Mandal for the memorialists before the to such tactics which are against the Commission’s recommendations to Commission. The Commission in country’s interest. The party stalled give reservations to Other Backward its report trashed Kairon defense the entire session of Parliament last Classes (OBC) as had been done and observed; “The main charges time to focus attention on corruption. for the dalits. Smt. Gandhi could related to the sons of Kairon in Protest or exposure should not hold foresee that there would be no enriching themselves by misusing the nation to ransom as the BJP did. compromise on reservations for the State Machinery – the complicity A debate would have brought all OBC. She pigeonholed the Mandal of Kairon being established by his points of view before the nation. Commission’s recommendations. remaining silent and not taking any But V.P. Singh could see the political With the eyes fixed on political steps to prevent it”. (On Digvijaya advantage and implemented them, gains, the parties cannot afford to Singh philosophy Kairon would knowing well that his government give up opposition. Yet the fact have been blameless). But the would get divided. It was a political remains that the country badly needs Commission exploded the self- battle which he thought he had to a meeting point on certain issues serving excuse put forth by Kairon fight because his rival, deputy prime which transcend political contours. that it would be unfair and unjust minister Devi Lal, had thrown down India may not be in the midst of a not to permit a person to do business the gauntlet which he had to pick up. war. Still the challenge before the simply because he happens to be country is equally demanding—how son or son-in-law of a person in The present scene is too dismal to extract itself from the poverty in authority; To this Das Commission to be conducive for a consensus, which it is hopelessly stuck. JANATA, December 2, 2012 5 Gujarat: whose state is it anyway?

K .S. Chalam

The state of Gujarat is going got their father figures in Mahatma in India. In fact, an expert while to polls during the second week Gandhi and Quaid-I Azad working with an institute in Delhi of December 2012. Everyone is Mohammed Ali Jinnah from this has produced a study eulogizing curious to know about the state state. We all know how L.K. Advani Modi government who sometime ago beyond Narendra Modi. Formerly, was humbled in expressing his was strained to leave, to popularize parts of the state were constituents admiration for his compatriot from the corporate agenda. The huge of Bombay presidency till 1960, the Gujarat on his visit to the tomb expansion that has taken place in year in which Gujarat was formed. It of Jinnah in Pakistan. Though Gujarat is due to the liberalization had an incredible history as part of Gujarat gave to the nation leaders agenda of P. V. Narasimha Rao and ancient Indus valley civilization. It like Gandhiji, Sardar Patel, Morarji Manmohan Singh. Though Modi is said that the state is named after Desai and few others, the state is has coined the “Gujarat Khamir” the so-called clan of Gujjars (Huns). known mainly for its acumen in (resilience) to create a brand image The Somanth temple, the spirit of business. It is reported that the top for the state, the development was vibrant Hinduism was demolished business houses such as Ambanis, not entirely due to his or the earlier six times and rebuilt again six times, Tatas, Kotak Mahindra, Dilip successive governments of the state. unlike in other places of worship, is Sighania, Azim Premji, Tulasi Tanti, There is no evidence to show that located in this state. Nonetheless, Godrej, Ness Wadia and several the state has introduced innovative the state has large presence of billionaires hail from Gujarat. programmes of its own except the minorities, Adivasis, Dalits and Gujarat is not only known for its ones given by the centre. There is also the dominant industrial houses business community throughout no doubt that Modi has sincerely of the country. Gujarat is known the world, but is recognized in implemented schemes like SEZs for its outward looking trade and modern history for the benevolent in 60 areas and seems to have it built the first dry-dock in human and reform oriented king Sayajirao introduced a scheme known as history at Lothal indicating its long Maharaj of Baroda (Vadodra). Special Investment Regions (SIRs). experience with trade and business. Baroda as an independent princely It is an extension of the concept of It is recorded by scholars that the state during the British rule was SEZ with huge enclosures covering business caravans of Gujarat had responsible for a reform agenda and 100 KMs radius in 13 places given entered important trade routes of employed C. R. Reddy as Principal to each Industrial Zamindar. The Africa even during the mediaeval of Baroda College, sponsored B.R state is blessed with the largest coast period. The Gujarati businessmen Ambedkar to study abroad and so on. of 1600 Kms with around 35 river including Hindu and Muslim traders The traditions of liberal democracy, systems to provide sufficient water are spread in different parts of North secularism and all modern trends of and has abundant soda ash, bauxite, America, Africa and other countries. a civilized society were inherited by lignite and other minerals. It is a low It is a known fact that Gujaratis do the people of Gujarat when Baroda density state with 234 persons per carry their traditional identity and became a part of the state. sq KM compared to 325 all India practices wherever they are and figure(2001) and a large number of would like to visit their ancestral Narendra Modi came to limelight NRIs are ever willing to invest in homeland at least once. Thus, the for a dubious reason and would have the state. rich culture and customs of Gujaratis remained only as a great organizer are distinctly different from other of business and economic activities The tale of development of regions of the country. in the state had he not sported his Gujarat has been written by several ambition for a national leadership. scholars and found that the highest Gujarat came into prominence The Gujarat economy had been rate was observed during the tenure when the two ‘nations’ in the under the growth trajectory ever of Madhav Singh Solanki and it was subcontinent, India and Pakistan, since liberalization was introduced around 25.32 per cent in 1981-82, 6 JANATA, December 2, 2012

12.6 in 190-91 and is around 9-10 percent during the Modi years. No talisman anymore Thus, the rapid growth in Gujarat as noted by some scholars is not Harsh Mander due to any single politician but, is due to the favorable economic The soil of Gujarat once nurtured A recent report of a research conditions that prevailed in the state. the inclusive, ethical, non-violent wing of the US Congress portrays Nevertheless, there are states like Gujarat as “perhaps India’s best Tamil Nadu, Haryana and Kerala politics of Mahatma Gandhi. Today whose development is considered it is in the grip of another entirely example of effective governance to be much faster and inclusive than different kind of politics, aptly and impressive development … Gujarat (Planning Commission). An described by commentator Tridip where controversial chief minister important fact of social structure of Suhrud as ‘hyper-masculine’: Narendra Modi has streamlined Gujarat is not publicly discussed. It divisive, pugnacious, authoritarian economic processes, removing red- is the only state in the fifth schedule and surgically efficient. tape and curtailing corruption in where the largest percent of Adivasis ways that have made the state a key inhabit in three fourth of the districts. The fate of this brand of politics driver of national economic growth”. There are seven districts where the will determine not just the destiny Mukesh Ambani describes Modi’s Adivasi population is more than of its practitioner, Narendra Modi, leadership as “visionary, effective 30 percent and in the district of but its success also can alter the and passionate”. His brother Anil Dangs , the population is 93.76 destinies of the people of India. sees in him a “role model” for other per cent . The grave issue is that in There are some who believe that states to emulate, and hyperbolically districts like Baruch, Valsad, Dahej Modi is India’s most capable claims he is the best leader Gujarat where SEZs and SIRS are located leader; his influential cheerleaders has had after Gandhi. Ratan Tata are in Adivasi areas without much include several captains of India regards him to be an “exemplary” protection to the locals. Though, Inc, senior serving civil servants, leader who efficiently delivers the Modi government claims that professionals and traders. There are what he promises. Sunil Mittal they have devoted around Rs. 4000 others who are equally convinced is convinced that Modi is prime crores for tribal sub-plan during the that his continuing ascendancy ministerial material. current year, it is not reflected in the is profoundly dangerous for fall of poverty levels or atrocities on democracy, pluralism and social If the yardstick of good Adivasis. On the contrary, NGOs and economic equity. governance is of success in creating claim that 96 percent of the accused an investment-friendly environment, in the cases are acquitted. Further, It is extraordinary that the same Modi’s government seems, at least the irrigation water through mega administration is evaluated in such on the surface, to have performed projects like Sardar Sarovar seems irreconcilably divergent ways. These creditably. Gujarat has achieved to have not been used for agriculture oppositional assessments reflect double-digit growth at rates higher in terms of its contribution to SDP two diametrically opposite ideas than most other states. With just being only 10 percent. The huge of good government. One view is 5 percent f India’s population, it investments in infrastructure like that primarily governments must contributed 21 percent to India’s roads, subsidized water, and power effectively facilitate market-led exports and 13 percent to its (one of the surplus states) are only economic growth. The contrary industrial production in 2009. Yet, as benefitting the industrial houses as view is that the performance of Surendra in Frontline observes, even anticipated by scholars long ago. governments should be evaluated more than 21 years before Modi’s by what they deliver for most dispensation, in 1980, Gujarat was The impact of the rapid growth disadvantaged citizens. For among the three fastest-growing in sectors like petrochemicals people who adhere to the former states. Since then it has more or less (26.26 percent), pharmaceuticals imagination of government, Modi occupied that position. and chemicals (21.33 percent), ship is the most successful administrator breaking are contributing more in the country; whereas for the latter, Its investment-friendly reputation (Continued on Page 7) he is the most failed of our leaders. was further minted because of the JANATA, December 2, 2012 7 ease with which it delivered land national average of 940. Hirway government which cares, which for the Tata small car project in concludes that ‘the growth story of affirms her dignity, which partners 2008, contrasting with the chaos Gujarat is not inclusive, sustainable, her efforts to find for herself and her and paralysis of two years of bitter equitable or environment-friendly,” loved ones food, work, healthcare public protest in Singur in West and “there is a disconnect between and education? Bengal. But much of this land was economic growth and developmental already controlled by the Gujarat growth”. Her choice, if she can make Industrial Development Corporation it, could determine our collective while a small chunk owned by From the benchmark of social destinies. farmers was bought at above-market equity, the gravest culpability (Continued from Page 2) of the Modi government is its rates with little opposition. The campaign, in which Kejriwal played openly hostile relationship with government gifted unprecedented a dominant role for a while, was also its minorities. The slaughter of tax concessions to the Tatas and other embroiled in some controversy on Muslims in 2002 with unrepentant big industries, an inverse subsidising the issue of maintaining an account state complicity, the refusal to of big industry by ordinary people. of the public donations. All the set up relief camps, the reluctant Leading economist Indira Hirway major parties have found some ways observes that “government is and meagre compensation, the to counter charges of sustaining on spending more on incentives than extensive subversion of legal justice, ill-gotten funds. Kejriwal’s party on development”, which she regards the proved engagement of senior obviously is already well-funded. to be a kind of “crony capitalism”, members of the Modi government in He or his colleagues do not speak in which industries set up bases in the massacre, extrajudicial killings at all of their need for funds. And Gujarat because of the concessions by senior police officials, are all as if to confirm that funds are not an given to them. Besides, under the relatively better known. What is less issue with the new party, one of its hype, only a quarter of the promised noticed is the administration’s refusal well-wishers, Shanti Bhushan, has investments have actually been to extend development services to rushed in with a personal donation realised. the minorities. Muslim ghettoes are of Rs. one crore. Thus, the AAP conspicuously under-serviced with truly has much going for it. It only By the alternative yardstick of roads, sanitation, drinking water has to establish its credibility as a assessing a government’s worth and electricity, compared to their formation that focuses on public by its success in battling poverty, glittering neighbours. Gujarat is service rather than on political discrimination and want, the Gujarat the only state in the country which opportunism. administration dramatically slips refused to contribute its share to from leading the country, to a a centrally sponsored scheme of (Continued from Page 6) surprising laggard. Between 2005 scholarships for minority children, than half of the income but has and 2010, poverty in Gujarat fell by thereby denying minority children resulted in the increasing incidence 8.6 percehnt; well behind states like scholarships, although 36 percent of Silicosis, respiratory diseases, Orissa (19.2 percent), Maharashtra Muslim children are out of school. etc in the state. It is reported by (13.7 percent) and Tamil Nadu Hirway (Ahmadabad) that the share (13. percent). The International Gandhi, nearly forgotten in of wages as percent of net value Food Policy Research Institute Gujarat, was guided by a talisman added declined by 3.5 percent per (IFPRI) found the Hunger Index in moments of confusion. He would year from 11.8 in 1998-2000 to 8.5 of Gujarat ‘alarming’, the lowest remember the weakest person he percent in 2008. “Another important among all high-income states, and knew. In Gujarat today, she would development under the reform in below even Orissa and UP. Nearly almost certainly be female: maybe Gujarat has been the increase in 45 percent children below five are a girl without food, a riot victim, rising of subsidies, incentives and malnourished. Infant mortality a displaced tribal, or a saltpan favors to the corporate sector, with among girls at 51 per 1,000 is higher worker. Would her expectation the result that not much revenue is than the national average of 49. from government be of a muscular, left to redistribute for the purpose The sex ratio fell from 920 to 918 business friendly, authoritarian of including the excluded”. Is it not females for 1,000 males between administration, violently suppressive clear now whose Gujarat is pitched 2001 and 2011, well below the of minorities? Or would she seek a for elections next month? 8 JANATA, December 2, 2012 Maharashtra Irrigation Scam Extracts from an Open Letter to the Prime Minister of India, The Chief Minister of Maharashtra and other Concerned Authorities (October 4, 2012) for Urgent Probe by an Independent Credible Agency

The Water Resources Department projects whose safety is questioned through pressure by politicians. (WRD) in Maharashtra is facing by the official persons/agencies. All the officials of WRD work very serious crisis, the charges under tremendous pressure from of scam substantiated by official Chief Engineer exposes huge politicians as well as contractors. documents, the civil society, media Safety issues, Engineer-Politician- The officials who protest against this and also top officials within the Contractor Nexus are transferred in no time.” WRD. This issue has ramifications beyond the specific schemes, We would specifically like At every administrative clearance, specific department, and specific to draw your attention to letters new aspects get internalised in state and also involves large number written by Shri Vijay Pandhare, the estimate, any projects drag of central government agencies. Chief Engineer (Design, Training, on for 20-25 years and are never We are writing this letter to you Research and Quality Control), completed, while cost keeps on seeking your urgent intervention. Maharashtra Engineering Training escalating. Farmers get no benefit We are a group of civil society Academy (META), Nashik. META out of this.” organisations and inviduals who is a nodal organisation that includes have been involved in policy issues, Dam Safety Organisation, Quality Common irregularities seen social and environmental impact Control Organisation and Central are: Useless gigantic lift irrigation of large dams in Maharashtra and Design Organisation under its schemes, unrealistic estimates, India, some of us have also been purview. He has been a Member of managing tenders, changing layout, involved in exposing the current State Technical Advisory Committee designs, sections, heights, irrigated scam. to look at estimates prepared by the area, etc. to keep the project going.” WRD on Dam projects. The issues involved includes Quality control of WRD dams massive irregularities and Following unearthing of the has become a big issue. 23 kms corruption, which have a serious huge Scam, Shri Pandhare wrote of Gosikhurd canal (A National bearing on the governance of the a detailed letter on May 5, 2012 to Project) has developed cracks in the sector, as well as wellbeing and Chief Minister, Governor, Secretary first year itself.” Parts of that canal safety of millions of people residing and Principal Secretary Water had to be demolished even before downstream of dams and farmers Resource Department about the being tested. who have been waiting for benefit severe problems plaguing all aspects from the projects, despite society of dams in Maharashtra. On 21st In 2012, when he was the paying huge social, environmental September, 2012, Shri Pandhare Executive Engineer Quality Control and economic price for the projects. addressed a letter to the Engineers Dept in Dhule, he had sent a 600 We are urgently writing to you to Mahasangh, elucidating these points page report on how the construction look into these issues in detail, of the Lower Tapi Dam was of Scrutiny of estimates and Quality poor quality. “But government appoint an independent scrutiny of Control for projects exposes: all major and medium projects in constituted a committee of corrupt Maharashtra since the last 17 years Many serious mistakes, unviable officials on this and killed the issue.” (the scam has origins going back at projects made viable, projects which least to 1995 as shown below) and should not have been taken up in It will be better not to imagine immediately stop work on and use of the first place, unnecessary projects, what would be the scale of the etc., sanctioned by officials of WRD calamity if this dam breaks, there JANATA, December 2, 2012 9 are 3 large dams downstream of this of these letters an attempt has been whole of the decade and particularly one. 25-30 villages will be washed on to describe him insane. the bottom graph which include away. Who will be responsible for irrigation by Major and Medium the deaths of thousands of people? Maharashtra’s poor track record irrigation projects for which an Secretary of WRD himself has been of Major and Medium Projects expenditure of Rs 72 000 crores protecting these works.” Maharashtra has the highest number have been incurred in this period, of large dams in the country (1821 that there has indeed been hardly Tarali Dam in Satara is a 74 mts as per the latest issue of Register of 0.1% increase in irrigated area for high dam. When he went to check it Large Dams from the Central Water the state as even the Maharashtra in his official capacity, the register Commission). In fact the second government has said. containing the materials used for the ranked state in the country in terms dam, when asked for, was not shown of number of dams does not have In just five out of this ten year to him by the contractor. “As per the even have half the number of large period (i.e. 2005-06 to 2010-11), tender, the compressive strength of dams that Maharashtra has. This the same economic survey says, cores should be 117 kg/cm. But in shows the domination of big dam subsidies have been doled out to reality, the cores have strength at agenda in Maharashtra. provide drip irrigation in 1.95 lakh around 40 kg/sq cm. Construction ha and for sprinkler irrigation in has been of extremely poor quality. However, the performance of 4.17 lakh ha, thus covering a total All the 66 cores have strength of these dams is very poor even as per area of 6.12 lakh ha in these five 58% and not 100% as required by official documents. For Example, years at an expense of Rs 1134.82 the tender. In dam works, even a the Economic Survey of the state crores. difference of 4-6 % is taken very for the year 2011-12 said, “The seriously. This construction with ratio of gross irrigated area to gross Compare this with the figure of quality a huge 42% lower than cropped area for 2008-09 in the 11.62 lakh ha that was irrigated by required is poorest of the poor. State was 17.7 per cent, which was all other sources (including Major CBI enquiry should be undertaken much below the National level ratio and Medium Irrigation Projects) against this as our 'bogus' committee of 45.3 per cent.” This was in a year in 2009-10, so area equal to more members are well known to submit (2011 monsoon) when rainfall was than half the area irrigated by all 'bogus’ “ok” reports to the govt. above average. The survey goes other sources also got subsidy for Even imagining the destruction that on to say that 65.1% of the net drip or sprinkler irrigation in just will happen if Tarali breaks makes irrigation in Maharashtra is based last five years. But even the huge me uneasy. Only god can save on groundwater. expense involved in this water this department. Same is the case saving technique has not lead to with Hathnur project in Jalgaon”. It may be noted here that these commensurate increase in irrigation (Hathnur dam and Lower Tapi, both figures from agriculture department in Maharashtra. on Tapi River, are just upstream of are closest to the ground realities the massive Ukai Dam in Gujarat, among all the figures about irrigation It is not that the lack of progress in upstream of the Surat city). that are available. The figures from irrigation is due to lack of funds. On the water resources department the contrary, as the Hon. Governor Playing with public money about irrigation potential created and of Maharashtra in his address in may be still a smaller offence, but utilised are no more than claims that March 2012 said, “The WRD has the WRD should not play with have little reflection of the ground communicated that the unspent people's lives. This address by the realities. sources (this category balance with the Corporations was Chief Engineer, at his own peril includes major, medium, minor Rs. 2438 crore at the end of the itself underlines the urgent need (state and local level as classified 2009-10 and Rs. 3496 crore at the of enquiry in Maharashtra’s Water in Maharashtra)) and also total net end of 2010-11. These balances Resources Sector, even if one may and gross irrigated area in the state. are of the tune of 35% and 45% of not agree with everything that he has It is clear from the flat graphs for the total plan size of the respective said. Instead of taking serious note all the four sets of figures and for years.” The Governor expressed 10 JANATA, December 2, 2012 concern that “the balance cost of A Petition on Kalu Dam in the escalation from Rs 56 crores to ongoing projects being executed by Mumbai High Court has led to the Rs 328 crores and height increase the Irrigation Corporations in the court asking for stoppage of work from 39 meters to 71 meters within State as on 1.4.2011 is Rs. 75,366 and also asking why the officials one month of tender approval. crore”. responsible for sanctioning release The entire tender clearance was of contracts and money to contractors done in a single day and technical This makes it clear that should not be prosecuted. clearance was also given in a single Maharashtra has not faced paucity day. The contract for this dam has of funds for water resources A Petition on Kondhane dam in been cancelled following a PIL in development, has spent a huge the Mumbai High Court is ongoing Bombay High Court and Governor’s amount and yet, the actual picture in which the Govt has submitted explicit orders. No action was taken on ground is dismal. More than 747 that the contracts and permissions by the WRD, despite huge outcry irrigation projects are incomplete. for the projects have been cancelled, by civil society organisations and One of these projects, Gosi Khurd but already large sums of money media till the HC and Governor is national project (which means were already spent. The cancellation orders. 90% of the money would come from happened because of the Governor the centre), but has been described asking the govt report on the dam According to tender conditions as white elephant. Maharashtra following petitions from RTI laid by Government of Maharashtra, has also been getting large sums activists. one contractor can work on under Accelerated Irrigation maximum three projects in a circle. Benefits Scheme from the centre. This aspect may need a separate However, bypassing this, the same All this highlights the need for an investigation as this massive contractor is working on 7 on-going independent scrutiny of the entire subsidy has benefited one particular projects in Konkan, for example. sector. corporation and to check how This has been made possible by credible are these figures of floating another company just for Petitions in High coverage. the namesake (FA Construction Court A petition has been filed in and FA Enterprises in this case), the Nagpur Bench of the Mumbai Blatant illegalities and with same registered office, same High Court by Jan Manch, which Irregularities in on-going projects board members and even using the raises a number of issues including The Projects coming up in Vidarbha same projects to show their proven the fact that 30 major irrigation and also around Mumbai are capacity). Everyone including projects were granted hurried shrouded with illegalities and a clear media can see through this ploy, approval in just four days: June 24, contractorpolitician-bureaucrat it is clear that this is going on 2009 (10 projects); July 7, 2009 (5 nexus. hand in glove with the government projects); Aug 14, 2009 (11 projects) including ministers, bureaucrats and and Aug 18, 2009 (4 projects) Examples: engineers. Balganga Dam, coming up near As per another report not Pen and is 90% complete. However, In Vidarbha, similar irregularity contradicted by anyone, during his its proposal for forest clearance has is being practiced by a company stint as water resources minister, still not reached the MoEF, when belonging to BJP Member of Mr Ajit Pawar 'hurriedly' granted the dam is about to submerge 260 Parliament, known to the close to project approvals totalling Rs hectares of forests in Western Ghats, the President of that party. In this 20,000 crore during an eight-month a World Heritage Site. Nor is the case, Shakti Kumar M Sancheti Ltd period in 2009 (32 of them worth Rehabilitation and Resettlement ceased to exist in Nov 2005 when it Rs 17 700 crores in three months Plan ready. Cost of this dam has was renamed as SMS infrastructure. during in June-Aug 2009), without been hiked 150% post tendering. But this defunct name of the firm the mandatory clearance of the was used later on to get several governing council of Vidarbha Kondhane Dam, coming up contracts amounting to Rs 1350 Irrigation Development Corporation near Karjat saw post tender cost crores JANATA, December 2, 2012 11

In some of these projects, to-contractors-somesee-kickbacks- Forest Clearance reaching the shockingly, the design finalization 275047Mumbai Metropolitan MoEF. Assessment and settlement was done after the issue of tender Region development Authority of individual and community forest documents, violating basic norms (MMRDA) made clear statements rights according to the FRA (2006) of irrigation projects. that funds should not be released has not been completed. to this project without Forest This also shows the involvement Clearance, MMRDA released the Huge Social and Ecological of politicians across the parties. funds to the tune of at least Rs 400 Impacts of illegal projects: Crores. However, the project was Planned, Ongoing and proposed Non-existent Environmental denied Forest Clearance by the dams around Mumbai alone are Governance In the entire discussion Forest Advisory Committee in its set to submerge more than 6000 and recent political controversy meeting on 2nd April, 2012. The hectares of Forests in Western Ghats, surrounding large dams in work on this dam has been stayed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. No Maharashtra, the very crucial angle by the Bombay High Court in Environmental Impact Assessment, of huge social and ecological impacts response to a PIL filed by Shramik Social Impact Assessment, of these projects is being sidelined. Mukti Sangathana. Assessment Environment Management Plan, Environment Governance seems and settlement of individual and Public Hearings are mandatory for to be non-existent in Maharashtra community forest rights according these dams as they are for Drinking today and the MoEF is taking no to the FRA (2006) has not been and Industrial water supply. The steps to correct this as statutorily completed. assumption that such dams are required as per the Environment environmentally and socially and forest clearance conditions In case of Kondhane Dam, work benign is seriously flawed, shows and Environmental Management started before applying for Forest bankruptcy of thinking on the part Plans of projects. Projects are Clearance, which is completely of MoEF. In all, these dams will sanctioned, work orders are given illegal. Assessment and settlement displace more than 25000 tribals. and work proceeds before getting of individual and community forest Many of these dams are shrouded in any mandatory clearances from rights according to the FRA (2006) illegalities and corruption charges. MoEF or State Forest Department has not been completed. and the MoEF has taken no action. Chief Engineer Thane, has Projects requiring clearances from In case of Barvi Dam, height has himself given a written undertaking the National Wildlife Board are been increased three times without that after Shai Dam,no other dams going ahead without the same and seeking any environment Clearance, will be needed for Mumbai for at the MoEF is happy to watch. the 4th height increase is now on least a decade. So it is clear that going, again without any Clearance. many ofthese are unnecessary dams, Some Examples: Assessment and settlement of having serious negative impact on In the case of Kalu Dam coming individual and community forest each sector: from governance to up near Murbad in Thane district, rights according to the FRA (2006) social and environmental wellbeing work on the dam started without has not been completed. Even in as also unnecessary expenses. Forest Clearance either applied cases where Forest Clearances have or granted. Even as the Chief been considered, the MoEF does Delay in bringing out White Secretary and not display the project proposal Paper While a White Paper on documents, the clearance letters or Irrigation sector in the state by Newer aspects of illegalities seem compliance reports, in violation of itself will not solve almost any of to be surfacing almost everyday, the orders of the Central Information these serious problems, but even here is a story about how advances Commission. to bring out a white paper, there were illegally given to contractors, has been huge delay, possibly with allegations of kickbacks: ttp:// As stated above, work on because some people are not happy www.ndtv.com/article/india/the- Balganga dam is nearly complete to see that real facts come out. 70-000-crore-scam-in-advances- without even the proposal for The Chief Minister announced on 12 JANATA, December 2, 2012

May 5, 2012, following meeting formation of Maharashtra Krishna will only be a statement of facts. with a delegation of civil society Valley Development Corporation What is required is much more, organisations the previous day, that (MKVDC) in 1995, involving including a credible independent a white paper on “irrigation projects manipulation of tenders, costs commission of enquiry and fixing in the past ten years” will be made and project parameters. In 2007, responsibility for those who are public soon, Maharashtra’s former inspector responsible for any wrong doing. general of police SM Mushrif had What is narrated above is only No White paper arrived for the told media that while he was posted a part of the story. The extent of next ten days. Eleven days later, in a as the Superintendent of Police, the actual problem is huge and all statement on May 16, 2012, “soon” Anti-Corruption Bureau in 1998, these irregularities have been going changed to “within 15 days” since he had sought permission to probe on for over a decade and a half at “the public needed to be informed into a bid by irrigation contractor P. least. In view of these serious issues about the status of irrigation”, Venku Reddy from Andhra Pradesh relating to irregularities, corruption, said the Chief Minister. The Chief and Avinash Bhosale for a Rs 100 dam safety, governance, social and Minister, significantly, was talking crore Dhom Balakwadi project in ecological impacts, we urgently to the media after a cabinet meeting Satara, where a renowned contractor request you to: where this was discussed, see: R.M. Mohite was disqualified only http://www.businessstandard. to favour Pradhana Constructions of 1. Order an Independent scrutiny com/generalnews/news/white- P. Venku Reddy, of which Avinash of Water Resource Development paperirrigation-in-15-days- Bhosale was also a partner. Projects in Maharashtra for at chavan/9542/ and http://www. least the last seventeen years, dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_ Mushrif's report, which was sent including Major, Medium white-paper-on-irrigation-in-15- to the then additional DGP, ACB, and Lift Irrigation projects, days-prithvirajchavan_1689726. in Mumbai sought permission Hydropower, Drinking water and from the state government "for Industrial water supply projects. Again no white paper came for an open inquiry into the affairs The scrutiny should look at the not only next fifteen days, but for of the MKVDC so that many design of the project, the current two whole months. Almost two more irregularities can be exposed status, the projected and actual months latter, on July 14, 2012, and offence registered against the costs, the quality of work, dam the then deputy Chief Minister Ajit defaulting officers and officer- safety requirements, the intended Pawar said in Legislative Council bearers." That permission was and actual benefits, the intended meeting that, “a white paper on denied by the Maharashtra and actual environmental irrigation projects will be tabled government, said Mushrif. In 2002, impacts, the intended and actual before the commencement of the Ajit Pawar, as irrigation minister for environmental management plan winter session of the council in MKVDC had taken the decision of and its progress, rehabilitation Nagpur”. This means that what was approving a 30-year lease agreement and resettlement plan and its supposed to soon and than in fifteen between the MKVDC and the Lake current status. The scrutiny days, would not come for six months City Corporation (the previous should also look into the as the winter session happens only avatar of Lavasa Corporation) alternative proposals given by in December, see: http://articles. for constructing mini-dams in people’s organizations (wherever timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012- the backwaters of the Varasgaon applicable) to make these schemes 07-14/mumbai/32673963_1_ dam in Pune, the deal had future more equitable, sustainable and irrigation-projects-white-paper- ramifications as it came to light in democratic and how to make the deputy-cm-ajit-pawar. Even at this 2005-06. decision making responsive to stage, the deputy CM did not find such alternative proposals from it fit to resign. Urgent Minimum Next Steps people’s organisations. What all this means is that there Scam origin dates back to 1995 is significant resistance to even 2. Immediately stop filling of The scam, it seems, started with the a white paper, which at the most Lower Tapi, Hathnur and Tarali JANATA, December 2, 2012 13

Dams and conduct a CBI enquiry action taken. Central Water Commission, as suggested by Chief Engr. Planning Commission, among Pandhare on the material used 5. Allow no further finances and cost others. All these agencies are for these dams. escalations to upcoming projects supposed to ensure proper in Maharashtra until the above environment impact assessment 3. Conduct immediate enquiry mentioned scrutiny is complete, and governance, dam safety, into the safety of Lower Tapi, and more necessary action, proper cost and benefit appraisal, Hathnur and Tarali Dams by including more participatory, among other aspects. That all credible independent team. Here transparent and accountable these aspects are under question it should be noted that Central system of governance of this in this scam underlines the need Water Commission, which is sector is in place. to include all these agencies supposed to ensure safety of the under the scrutiny since all these dams along with the state WRD, 6. Amend the EIA notification agencies have clearly failed to has failed this respect and hence to ensure that (i). all large perform their role both before and it is a responsible agency. dams, irrespective of purpose, after the clearances. are included for Environment Issue no further Technical, Clearance, EIA and Public In the interest of safety of Financial, Forest, Environment hearings. (ii). If a project requires livelihood, food and water security or Wildlife clearances to dams forest land, than an environment of millions, safety of downstream in Maharashtra unless the clearance should be mandatory. population, irrigation benefits to above mentioned scrutiny of farmers, drinking water supply to existing and ongoing projects is 7. All major irrigation projects need villages and urban areas and clean completed and made available clearances from Union Ministry governance, the above mentioned in public domain, and necessary of Environment and Forests, points are minimum requirements.

Signatories : 1. Dr Suhas Kolhekar, National Alliance of People’s Movements (Mah), Pune, [email protected] 2. Anjali Damania, India Against Corruption, Mumbai, [email protected] 3. Suhas Paranjpe, Society for Promoting Participative Ecosystem Management (SOPPECOM), Mumbai,suhas.paranjape@gmail. com 4. K J Joy, SOPPECOM and Forum for Policy Dialogue on Water Conflicts in India, Pune, [email protected] 5. Seema Kulkarni, SOPPECOM, Pune [email protected] 6. Vijay Diwan, Nisarg Mitra Mandal, Aurangabad, [email protected] 7. Pradeep Purandare, former Prof, Water and Land Management Institute, Aurangabad, pradeeppurandare 8. Sujit Patwardhan, Trustee, Parisar, Pune [email protected] 9. Shripad Dharmadhikary, Manthan Adhyayan Kendra, Pune, manthan. [email protected] 10. Debi Goenka, Conservation Action Trust, Mumbai, [email protected] 11. Samir Mehta, River Basin Friends, Mumbai, [email protected] 12. Eshwer Kale, Ph D Scholar, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, [email protected] 13. Ramaswamy R Iyer, Former Secretary, Govt of India, Delhi [email protected] 14. Shramik Adivasi Sangathan, Betul, Madhya Pradesh, [email protected] 15. Samajwadi Jan Parishad, Pune, Maharashtra 16. Jan Sangharsh Morcha, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 17. Jairkrishna Ranganathan, Greenpeace India, Bangalore, [email protected] 18. Manoj Mishra, Convener, Yamuna Jiye Abhiyan, Delhi, [email protected] 19. Dr Brij Gopal, Jaipur [email protected] 20. Dr Bharat Jhunjhunwala, former professor, IIM Bangalore, Dist Tehri, Uttarakhand [email protected] 21. Latha Anantha, River Research Centre, Kerala [email protected] 22. Suniti S R, NAPM, Pune, [email protected] 23. Indavi Tulpule, Shramik Mukti Sangathana, Thane, [email protected] 24. Dr. Anupam Saraph, Jalbiradari, Pune ([email protected]) 25. Dr. Bhalchandra Kango, Member, Communist Party ([email protected]) 26. Himanshu Thakkar, South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers & People (www.sandrp.in), 86-D, AD block, Shalimar Bagh, Delhi 110088, [email protected], 0996824279827. Parineeta Dandekar, SANDRP, Pune, [email protected] 14 JANATA, December 2, 2012 Partnership with Private for Public Loot

Sandeep Pandey

Under the economic policies benefit from this irrigation scheme. their land. They have now realised of globalisation, privatisation The company is constructing an that the company is taking them for and liberalisation the government intake well in the reservoir of a ride. has projected the Public Private this dam to ensure year round Partnership (PPP) as a great model supply of water for its power plant. The company is worth Rs. 450 for development. It has been made Presently the reservoir goes dry crores but the 2640 MW power to appear as if the government by for four months of a year. The act plant it wishes to set up in the Siriya attracting investors is able to get of constructing the intake well by village will require an investment things done for the benefit of people causing explosion in the bed of the of Rs. 11,000 crores. The company without itself having to bear the reservoir is a threat to the 40 years has borrowed this money from cost. But it turns out that this was a old dam structure. bank. Once it invests the money mirage. The companies outsmarted and the plant doesn’t take off the the government and had a gala time The company is also using government may have to waive the in making profits over resources unscrupulous ways of acquiring land loan. Hence the bank may also be which belonged to the public. The from the farmers. It is threatening left high and dry. companies agreed to this model only and deceiving the farmers forcing after ensuring guaranteed profits for them to sell their lands at a price This is a model of public private themselves. In the end people paid much below the government rate. partnership and as all such projects the price. The present central government have shown it involves loot of natural thinking is to offer many times more and public resources by a private An example of PPP where the than the market value to farmers company and complete abdication company is out to hoodwink the as part of the amendments being of its duties by the government government as well as the people considered in the Land Acquisition which conveniently chooses to look is that of an under construction Act. However in Banka in some the other way. To allow a private thermal power plant in Banka cases the farmers are being cheated company to become the owner of an District of Bihar. of their land without receiving any irrigation project on which lives and money at all. 23 farmers of the livelihood of lakhs of people depend The plant being built by Jas marginalised Laiya community and to let the company use illegal Infrastructure Capital Private have made such a complaint. In one means to usurp land and to continue Limited, a Abhijeet Group company case the company forcibly tried to supporting the company is criminal headed by Manoj Jayaswal which build a road on a farmer’s land from negligence by the government and was recently in news because of its Bandhuakura village to the plant administration. The anti-people involvement in corrupt coal block site. A brave woman had to stand nature of the project is perceptible in allocations, is facing opposition in front of the machine ready to the anger felt by people towards the from local farmers on two counts. bury herself under the earth. It was company and in the former MP of only when other women came out in the area and presently MLA from the The company proposes to use protest that the company withdrew neighbouring constituency Giridhari water from the 132 feet high its machine. Yadav has been forced to join the Chandan Dam which has been a movement against the wishes of source of water for irrigation for Hence the company is snatching his Chief Minister. A number of the farmers of the area. It is claimed the water and land of people, former people’s representatives are by the locals that 16,000 hectares who initially bought the idea of also supporting the movement of and ten lakh farmers of eight to ten development and the promise of farmers. Nitish Kumar is obviously Blocks of Banka and Bhagalpur company to provide job to each an unhappy man who has allowed districts, depending on the rains, member of the family giving up the company to sell only 25 percent JANATA, December 2, 2012 15 of the electricity to the state when company decides to pack up and Moreover, with increasing it will be produced as against 50 leave. It is quite clear that people awareness about global warming, a percent requirement for NTPC don’t agree with government’s idea thinking Chief Minister also needs plants. Quite clearly electricity of development. The government to explore the renewable energy doesn’t seem to be his priority. must rethink its strategy. If it really option, like the European Union and wanted electricity it would have built Japan are doing, to meets the energy The farmers of the area have the plant in public sector without needs of his state. Nitish Kumar decided to launch an indefinite cheating the people in the manner has to decide what is his priority – agitation in January, 2013, until the in which Abhijeet group is doing. politics or power? Uttar Bharat Samata Sammelan

More than 4500 boys and girls would extend full cooperation for president of Bihar branch of the (7th to 12th standard classes) from expanding and strengthening the RSD. Bihar, U.P., M.P., Jharkhand, Odisha RSD in Bihar. Earlier, he released and Maharashtra had assembled, the Souvenir, Sunahara Samatawadi Next day, Dwarakoji Sudarani under the auspices of Rashtra Bharat, edited by veteran socialist of Samanvaya Ashram, Bodhgaya Seva Dal, in Samata Sammelan at Prof. Vinodanand Prasad Singh, distributed prizes to the best Rajgir(Nalanda) in Bihar on 7-8 while Koushalendra Kumar, M.P., performer teams in the tournaments. November,2012. They participated had released a book, Shodha Yatra Many socialist activists from in mass demonstrations of Physical by Raja Shirguppe. Among those various states had participated in the Training, Aerobics, Jhanj and four present on the dais were Ram Sudar Sammelan. A number of activists like tournaments of Lezim, Dandia, Das, former Chief Minister of Bihar, Dharmendra of Rajgir, Sachidanand Chorus singing and Street plays. Shravankumar, MLA as well as Prof. Singh, Mithilesh Prasad, Nand Lal, Aravind Kapole, president, other Madhav Karande, Raja Awasak, The participants also listened trustees and office bearers of the Prof. Girish Walimbe, Chandulal to the lectures : Sudha Verghese, RSD; Rajesh Shukla co-editor of the Savaj had put in great efforts to make social worker, and Dr. Razi Ahmed souvenir, Indira Raman Upadhyaya, the Sammelan a success. of Patna on the topic of “How to become a good citizen”; Sudha - P.S. Varde on “Annihilation of caste” and Pannalal Surana on” Navnirman in agriculture”. Bhai Vaidya presided over the lecture series. Biajaa Choudhary, the Irrigation Minister of Bihar , who inaugurated the Sammelan (as Nitish Kumar, the Chief Minister, was ill), said that the founders of Rashtra Seva Dal must be congratulated for their foresight in placing secular nationalism and social as well as economic equality as the objectives because "those ideological principles are much more relevant today. Character building of the teen-agers is also Price: Rs. 20/- a laudable objective for which the RSD has been carrying on various Janata Trust D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Naushir Bharucha Marg, activities all over India." He assured Grant Road (W), Mumbai 400 007. that political activists like him R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, December 2, 2012 P.R. No. MH/MR/WEST/275/2010-2012. Posted on every Wednesday at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1

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Vol. 67 No. 46 Liberate sports from politics December 9, 2012 S. Viswam No compromise on injustice Kuldip Nayar What was anticipated in certain What was IOC’s immediate sports circles has come to pass. India provocation for such a drastic step Inequality widened today stands completely isolated against the Indian organization? through trade from international sports. Indeed, the Although the IOC has not officially K. S. Chalam crisis that has overtaken the Indian said so, it would appear that the Olympic Association may well push suspension of the IOA was by way of punishing it for holding its Privatization of Water - Indian sportspersons to participate A Failed Venture in the next Olympics under the organizational elections under the Rajindar Sachar patronage and banner not of the Indian Government’s Sports Code Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and not the Olympic Charter. The but under that of the International IOC has been warning the IOA not Some stray thoughts on to follows the Sports Code but stick ‘Liberty under Socialism’ Olympic Committee (IOC). The suspension of IOA by the IOC is an to the Charter. A warning, that IOA Bapu Heddurshetti ignored. This was interpreted by the unfortunate but serious development IOC as the Indian Government’s that may impact directly and interference in international sports. A Secret and Shameful Execution adversely on the careers of thousands Yug Mohit Chaudhry of our sportspersons and athletes. The reaction among Indian No more funds for our national sportspersons has been predictable. Strengthening the sports bodies. Indian officials cannot On the one side, the development has Market Forces attend Olympic meetings and events. shocked and stunned them as well as Prem Sinh India could even be barred from the the entire nation. On the other side, it Olympics. How did this happen? The has also been welcomed by sections Editor : short answer is that the root cause of sports activists and enthusiasts as G. G. Parikh of the current crisis is the continued a “wake-up” call to the government dominance of our national sports by to take sports administration more Managing Editor : Guddi politics and politicians. The solution? seriously. “Everyone needed a D-15, Ganesh Prasad, To begin with liberate sports from shake-up,” was a typical comment. Naushir Bharucha Marg, politics and politicians. Then, ensure However, the suspension has meant Mumbai - 400 007. that national sports management little to the IOA which is determined vests in the hands of sportspersons to proceed ahead with the elections, Email : [email protected] keen to promote Indian sports and scheduled for December 5, to elect not themselves. its office-bearers. 2 JANATA, December 9, 2012

The IOA is not the only national Between the lines sports body that is controlled by politicians. One can actually count on finger tips the organizations that No compromise on injustice are not controlled by politics. It is not that the control of sports bodies Kuldip Nayar is under politicians for a brief time or because the politician concerned is What message do Muslims get Congress stooge and his statements more of a sportsman than a politician. when neither the civil society nor the against Modi are at the party’s The contrary is true. Sports bodies Election Commission does anything instance. At least some leaders in become the politician’s fiefdom for to stop Amit Shah, a former Gujarat the Congress should have realised life. Suresh Kalmadi, for instance, minister, from contesting the state that the candidature of Bhatt’s wife has headed the IOA for 16 years. assembly seat this December? He is would give Modi an ammunition Other politicians have headed other accused of being an instigator of fake which he would use. institutions for even longer periods. encounters against Shourabbudin And the politics-sports nexus exists Sheikh and Tulsiram Prajapat during Smt. Bhatt probably tells the and has continued to thrive because the anti-Muslim riots in Gujarat in truth when she says that she was of and not in spite of government 2002. waiting for the election so that she support. would have a platform to expose That the BJP has fielded Shah the dictatorial rule that prevails in The government ought to have as a candidate only confirms the Gujarat. Many would corroborate been more alert. If it had its pulse allegation that chief minister her charge because they have gone on the IOA’s affairs, the current Narendra Modi and his ministers through harassment and have even national humiliation might have were part of the plan to effect ethnic been roughed up because of their been avoided. The IOC’s ethical cleansing. Maybe the party is not criticism of Modi. I feel that she commission asked the IOA to suspend shy of playing the Hindu card and would have been on a stronger IOA president Suresh Kalmadi, the it is testing the waters in Gujarat. wicket if she had not accepted the CGOC secretary general Lalit The BJP’s image has already been Congress ticket. She would have Bhanot and former Badminton damaged by the open rebellion of also carried greater credibility as an Association of India president V. K. top leaders like Ram Jethmalani, independent candidate. Verma. Shri Kalmadi faces charges Yashwant Sinha and Shatrughan On top of it her husband, Sanjiv for alleged irregularities during Sinha against party president Nitin Gadkari alleged to be mixed up with Bhatt, a serving police officer the Commonwealth Games, Shri dubious business companies. although suspended, accompanies Bhanot and Shri Verma also do not her to the returning officer to file her have flattering records. The IOA has Shah’s nomination could have nomination. An independent officer become a haven of power-hungry favoured the Congress but the with an outstanding service record, self-seekers, which probably is why party is apt in scoring a self-goal. seen on television screens, sitting it never incorporated the Sports It has adopted Shweta Bhatt as its next to her wife when she files her Code into its constitution. Of course, candidate in the Gujarat polls. She is nomination papers is bound to cost if it had done so, all those making a the wife of Sanjiv Bhatt, the police him his unsoiled reputation. name and fame from their links with officer who spilled the beans on the the IOA would have been shown the riots by admitting in public that he The reason why the Congress door. The IOA and the government and other officers were instructed by offered Sheweta Bhatt the party failed to assess the IOC reaction, the chief minister not to take action ticket is not difficult to understand. and took the international body for against those who were murdering The party wants to bring the anti- granted. The IOC seems a body with Muslims and looting and burning Muslim riots in the state to the fore. good clout and strong teeth. Its bite their houses and shops. The stock For some reasons, the Congress is as good as its bark, even sharper. defence of the BJP, more so of Modi itself had pushed the carnage to the (Continued on Page 3) supporters, has been that Bhatt is the background. The party should never JANATA, December 9, 2012 3 have allowed the killings to go out Even otherwise, Muslims have Ahmedabad-based Jesuit said in his of focus. never been so demoralised as they letter to the British envoy, “Morality are today after partition. There is can never be compromised by Whether the party ultimately gets despondency and lack of hope. any other consideration. This was more voters or not is difficult to The Sachar committee report on something which Mahatma Gandhi predict, but it would be doing some improving their lot remains mostly resolutely fought for and ultimately justice to thousands of Muslims who unimplemented. Still what evokes sacrificed his life for.” Renewed live in Gujarat in fear and have little hope and confidence is that there opposition in America to Modi’s visa scope for their development. A re- is overall communal harmony. It is understandable because it does run of the killings and other excesses means that pluralism is asserting not want to give the impression that committed with the blessings of the itself. The fact that there was no Washington will follow London’s Modi government may arouse the repercussion in the rest of India, example. This message should go conscience of the Gujaratis who after the Mumbai attacks in 2008, to all countries in the world. gave Mahatma Gandhi to the nation. shows that both Hindus and Muslims Their support to the people whose have learnt to live in harmony. (Continued from Page 2) hands are tainted with blood is Where do we go from here? pathetic. I am optimistic that the day is not Well, India is not the only country far when Muslims would be able to have been targeted by the IOC Modi and a large retinue of the to rent a house in posh localities in in the past. But the ban against the BJP leaders would try to polarise the big cities. No doubt, some Muslims countries have been lifted after the state—their only agenda—but it is have been desperate and adopted victims pleaded their cause and for the Gujaratis to reject them. The terrorism for their expression. But made amends. The government nation remains secular but how odd the answer to this problem is not must now take the issue in its hands, it is that their ideological stance has counter-terrorism as some fanatic free itself first from the influence been quite the opposite. They should Hindu organisations are doing. Both and pressure of the likes of Kalmadi communities should understand that know that the constitution enjoins and Randir Singh (who wants to killing begets killing. upon us not to differentiate between seize power in the IOA) and others the Indians on the basis of religion who are deeply entrenched and then Despite all this, the opposition or caste. Were the Gujaratis to return project the cause of Indian sports. leader in the Lok Sabha, Sushma Let not IOA politics, and politics to the mainstream they would give Swaraj, wants to anoint Modi as the confidence not only to Muslims but in other sports bodies, hold Indian next prime minister of India. Her sports to ransom. The careers and the entire nation which has put the loyalty to the BJP is understandable. question mark against them. lives of thousands of young men But how can she inflict on the and women are involved. The nation nation a person who was a party Not only in Gujarat but all over appeals to the government to protect to the killing of more than 2,000 their interests. the country, the Muslim community Muslims? If the Supreme Court feels insecure and helpless. It has had not transferred the cases of Janata been seen that young Muslims have “encounter” and other crimes to Subscription been picked up by the police on courts outside Gujarat, Modi and Annual Rs. : 260/- mere suspicion. Some have been set his team would have got away with Three Years : 750/- free and some still await justice. The their cover-up job. law courts are responsible for their Demand Draft / Cheque on detention and the years they have The call by British envoy Mumbai Bank spent in jail. Worse is that none has Sir James Bewan on Modi at in favour of been held accountable. Mohammad Ahmedabad amounted to mocking Amir Khan, after being in jail for 14 at the critics of the chief minister. Janata Trust years, was found not guilty by the Bewan’s explanation was that the Delhi High Court. He should at least UK wants to have more trade with D-15, Ganesh Prasad, be given some financial assistance Gujarat. He is the envoy at New Naushir Bharucha Marg, as a rehabilitation gesture. Delhi, not Ahmedabad. As the Mumbai 400 007 4 JANATA, December 9, 2012 Inequality widened through trade

K. S. Chalam

The striking feature of the that league). This was emphasized unlike the public elation of our UNCTAD report on Trade and by Rammanohar Lohia about half a corrupt. Development for 2012 is that it is decade ago. dedicated to “policies for inclusive Against this background, the 2102 and balanced growth” and a separate Frederick List, the German report has implications for India. It is chapter devoted to how international economist, had underscored the infant reported that the merchandise trade trade has widened inequalities, in industry argument for protection of the world has declined from 5.5 general, and in developing countries, without contradicting Ricardo‘s percent in 2011 to 3.5 percent in in particular. Those who are familiar comparative cost advantage with 2012. The growth rate has declined with the promotion of liberalization his emphasis on long-term market sharply from 4.1 percent in 2010 policies in India around 1990s do failure. It is a technical subject that to 2.7 per cent in 2012, mostly due remember how vigorously free was adopted by the Latin American to the growth rates of developing trade was championed by some. scholars to elucidate the import countries and China (developed Interestingly, neither the supporters substitution theory for developing countries confined to less than 2.5 nor the admirers have ever looked at countries. percent). Financial scams and weak the experiences in our neighboring demand in developed countries have South-East and Far East. In fact, we The point is that Germany has lowered exports from developing had better historical and traditional never followed the Anglo-Saxon countries, including India. Except contacts with these countries than approaches of development; they did gold, all mineral exports have with the colonial Anglo-Saxons. But, not boast of any colonies to rely upon declined during the period. for reasons better known to the elites for their domestic development. They of the political and bureaucratic used nationalism and developed The report has analyzed the so- executive, we have continued to science and technology of their called Kuznets curve indicating follow the prescriptions of the West own and contributed 2.5 times that in the beginning inequalities since the 1980s. more scientific discoveries than increase and after some time, with England. Similarly, Japan, another increase in productivity, disparities An impression has been given giant in industrial development, has decline - it seems to have failed. that globalization means contacts used State support for expansion of On the contrary, Dani Rodrik and with a dozen countries, mostly education and infrastructure with Alesina have proved that inequalities English-speaking, and the cultural little rent seeking activities by the in primary income would hamper goods packaged and popularized bureaucrats. growth. It is supported by historical through the media. Unfortunately, data that the share of wages in the we know very little about Japan, Of course, both nations were national income of the UK, the USA Korea and other countries whose isolated during the Second World and Japan was around 60 percent for manufacturing goods are used by War (due to parochialism) and have a long period to sustain growth. us every day. reemerged as the most advanced countries with independent models This went against the rhetoric Strangely, the younger generation of development. Scholars like Yujiro that liberalization of labor laws are not aware of the development Hayami say that corruption in to reduce wage rigidities in models used in Germany and Japan has entered only the political the Third World would impact being broadly pursued in Japan, executive, as demonstrated by the development. After a review of the are different from those of the Tanaka episode of Lockheed aircraft theories and the empirical data, the Anglo-Saxons ( though Saxons bribery, and it seems such persons report has concluded that “these are from ancient German descent, shun public appearance due to the alternative views, by challenging Germany as a nation is not put in value system of “Public Shame”, the conventional wisdom that rising JANATA, December 9, 2012 5 inequality is the normal result of development within market Privatization of Water - A Failed Venture economies, may contribute to a new understanding of the functioning of Rajindar Sachar a market economy, and can lead to a paradigm shift towards a pattern of India is governed by a written to the affluent at the cost of poor, economic development that is both constitution and any policy decision namely 70 percent of households more equitable and more efficient”. and programme by the Central or the of Delhi with a monthly per capita The report has noted that the State government must be within the expenditure of less than Rs. 1500, trade between advanced and the parameters of the constitution. the poverty line accepted by the developing countries has caused Planning Commission. inequalities in the latter. The estimates The State, under our constitution, of proportion of top quintile share is mandated to protect human rights. The whole exercise by the Delhi of income to the bottom quintile Any Government policy which government is to give exploitative show that inequalities are higher seeks to shift this responsibility profits to the private party. According in developing countries than in from the State to the private sector to public information it costs Delhi developed countries like the UK. would be unconstitutional and hence Jal Board Rs. 15 per litre to obtain It is supported by the Gini ratios impermissible. water – but it has agreed to supply (measure of inequality) ranging from the water to the private company 35 percent in the USA to 50 percent The United Nations, since its at about Rs. 1.50 per litre. There is in Malaysia and India coming in inception, has accepted that water is then further benefit to the Company between with 32.5 percent. a ‘human right’. In 2010, the General by permitting an automatic annual Assembly adopted a resolution increase by 10 percent in water The report notes that inequality declaring the Right to Water and billing by the private company. In the of personal income distribution Sanitation a human right. new tariff apart from water charges is generally more pronounced a sewage charge of 60 percent is in developing countries than in The Supreme Court has held also imposed, notwithstanding that developed or transition economies. that Article 21 of the constitution the replacement, if any of pipes As in developed countries, the includes the human right of citizen will be by Delhi Jal Board. But income gap narrowed during the to water and sanitation. In that most astounding is the introduction first three decades after the Second view of the matter per see any of service charges in addition to World War, but between 1980 and proposal to privatize water would be billing for water consumption. This 2000 there was a general increase in unconstitutional. Is it not therefore service charge is a shamefaced inequality in all developing regions. a matter of concern that Indian attempt to give extra money because The observations of the report on State should be working towards the consumer is paying separately FDI are mixed. privatising the water supply, which for consumption anyway. For an really amounts to abdicating its duty example, on a consumption charge The prescriptions proposed to enforce human rights. Ever since of, say Rs. 170 per month there will by UNCTAD are radical and go the National Water Policy 2002 be added a service charge of Rs. 320 against the fundamentalist ideas was formulated, there have been per month There is no explanation of the neoliberals: “Since the attempts in India to privatize and of what and how service charge can turn of the millennium, trends in commoditize water. be imposed apart from consumption income distribution have diverged charges. among developing regions. Greater Water problem and its taxation of wealth and inheritance peculiarities in distributions are Another unabashed provision to is a potential source of public misdirected against the supply to favor private company is to divide revenue that can be tapped in many the poor. I am however highlighting colonies into District Metered Areas developed and developing countries the position in Delhi, which is (DMAs), on the pretext that water to reduce inequality of both income enforcing privatization of water would be provided to the DMAs by (Continued on Page 6) supply policy which is meant to cater private companies at all times/days 6 JANATA, December 9, 2012

(24x7). But there is an ill-conceived them and instead to benefit the Big back door’ – a clear message of catch so as to benefit private Corporation has unleashed a world ‘Hands Off Water.’ Why is it being companies, as the performance of movement of re-municipalisation revived now – is the forthcoming the water company will be assessed of the water supply in several election in Delhi and the urgent need not on the basis of whether water cities, most notably Paris (which for getting big donations the real was received 24x7 in every house re-commenced with public water secret? Any continuance of water or not, but on the basis of whether management in January 2010) privatization policy will remain the water company provided 24x7 due to cost-saving potential. The suspect. water at the input of each DMA or re-municipalisation got off to a not. The water company can also promising start – water tariffs were (Continued from Page 5) divert water from one area to another reduced by 8 percent in 2011. and wealth distribution and enlarge within the same DMA. This would Two countries are making water the government’s fiscal space. neither affect the performance of the privatization illegal: Uruguay, and company nor be treated as a violation the Netherlands. In both cases, “For example, taxes on real of any of the license conditions. The the new laws prohibit not only the estate, large landholdings, luxury water company will try to maximize sale of water systems but also the durable goods and financial assets revenues by diverting water to big delegating of the operation of water are normally easier to collect than hotels, industries , etc, who would supply to private companies. taxes on personal income, and purchase water in bulk at higher can represent an important source revenues. As recently as October, 2012 of revenue in countries that have many civil society organizations high inequality of income and The Delhi Jal Board should have protested to the President wealth distribution. In resource-rich be looking into more worthwhile of European Commission to stop developing countries, incomes from function. It supplies 850 million imposing the policy of privatization exploitation of natural resources gallons of drinking water per day of Water. and gains resulting from rising more than its installed capacity. Its international commodity prices are treatment facility provides for only The newly formed municipal another important source of public 5.4 million gallons a day – the rest of corporations in Delhi have also revenue. By appropriating their fair the untreated water is one of major demanded that water supply be share of commodity rents, especially sources of the pollution of Yamuna. handed over to them. It should be in the oil and mining sectors, impermissible for Delhi Government governments in such developing The Delhi government is inspired to ignore the global trend towards countries can ensure that their by the World Bank-supported 24x7 re-municipalisation and to invite natural resources wealth benefits the water supply pilot projects as, for private companies to play a larger entire population and not just a few example, in Hubli-Dharwad. But role in so essential a public utility as domestic and foreign actors”. Indian the Report of the Working Group on the supply and distribution of water. governments of the future should Urban Water Supply and Sanitation The so-called PPPs are a hardly take this advice in right earnest. for the 12th Plan has pointed out concealed cover for public-private that the initial project period was sharing of risk and profit such that 2004-08 and was then extended to there would be predominantly public Madhu Dandavate 2011. Reaching 10 per cent of the risk and predominantly private By twin cities’ existing connections took profit. B. Vivekanandan seven years. A pervious attempt to privatize Price: Rs. 20/- Water privatization and other water was made in 2005. At that Janata Trust similar schemes to benefit Big time, in August, 2005 when World D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Corporations are the brain child of Bank President Paul Wolfowitz Naushir Bharucha Marg, World Bank. Though initially the visited Delhi, he was confronted Grant Road (W), countries succumbed to its pressure, with vociferous protests against ‘the Mumbai 400 007. the anger of the masses at the Bank’s policies and conditionalities deprivation of life giving water to of water privatization through the JANATA, December 9, 2012 7 Strengthening the Market Forces

The UPA government has come welfare character while obeying schemes aimed in this direction, the out with the direct cash transfer the dictates of the World Bank would-be beneficiaries are forced scheme with a great fanfare. As (WB), International Monetary Fund to bribe officials to get a part of per this scheme the money will be (IMF), World Trade Organisation the amount. Also, only Adhar card transferred directly into the bank (WTO) and various foreign and holder will get cash transfer. As of accounts of the beneficiaries i.e. poor India multinational companies and now, only 21 crore of the 120 crore of the country. Food grains, kerosene, corporate houses. The government is people have Adhar cards. Most BPL LPG subsidies, pension payments, not at all motivated by the Directive families don’t have bank accounts scholarship and employment Principles of the Constitution, nor and a large number of villages don’t guarantee scheme payments as by the socialist goal enshrined in have bank branches. The argument well as benefits under other welfare the Constitution that would benefit that the scheme will spread financial programs will be made directly to the Gandhi’s last man. literacy among rural folks and equip intended people. The cash provided them with management skills is a under this scheme can then be used Thus, the erstwhile welfare far fetched dream. The scheme is to buy goods/services directly from schemes such as PDS are being designed to deny the dues of the the market. For example, in case the replaced by market friendly/oriented hard working masses so that the government abolishes the subsidy schemes such as the direct cash rich-oriented growth could flourish on LPG or kerosene and still wants transfer scheme. The present day without any protest and challenge. to give some subsidy to the poor, the government is inspired by the subsidised amount will be transferred philosophy – of the corporate, by The government’s decision seems as cash into the bank account of the the corporate and for the corporate. to be impelled by two goals, one, beneficiaries. winning over the poor voters and The Prime Minister has stated two, to put an end to subsidy. The The Socialist party terms this time and again that inflation and first goal is detrimental to the spirit scheme of the UPA government as price rise are inevitable to achieve of democracy and second is in tune ‘go to market’ scheme. By the logic a higher growth rate. According to with the dictates of the WB. In other of ‘market socialism’, the rich keep this theory how is it possible that a words, the scheme is a ‘land mark rushing to the market, so should certain fixed amount of cash would step’ but in the direction of market the poor!! The government, under help the beneficiary in purchasing forces. It could prove to be a ‘game- the neoliberal reforms has put a goods like grains, Kerosene, LPG changer’ but for the UPA II in the lot of thought, effort and money to etc. in inflation conditions and ever next general elections to be held in envisage this scheme. Naturally, rising prices? Again, there is no 2014 or earlier. plenty of money will also be spent in certainty that the beneficiary would its implementation. But the ‘reform- buy the same goods for which money The parties opposed to this loving’ Government is not ready to is given. They may purchase liqure scheme should also realise the threats reform and re-strengthen the existing or sub standard consumerist items at presented by the neo-liberal regime PDS scheme which would be in the the cost of hunger and malnutrition of which this scheme is a by-product. best interest of the needy. There is of family members, particularly The Socialist Party is opposed to this reason behind this choice. For the last children and women. In other words, scheme because it is opposed to the two decades or more, the government it would enhance consumerism, thus ideology/system of neo-liberalism of India has been blindly imposing strengthening the market forces. and supports socialism. the neo-liberal reforms without caring about its disastrous impact The argument that this scheme –Dr. Prem Sing on the vulnerable sections of society. will stop leakage is also not tenable. General Secretary The Indian state has abandoned its Even in the existing governmental Socialist Party (India) 8 JANATA, December 9, 2012 Some stray thoughts on ‘Liberty under Socialism’

Bapu Heddurshetti

Liberty, equality and fraternity are concept of slavery, i.e., the absence distinction between, the positive the universally accepted normative of liberty as restrictions were placed connotation of liberty as the freedom or core values of social democracy or by his master on the slave on living to live or act as one likes and the democratic socialism. Though prima as he liked. negative connotation of absence of facie they appear to be a harmonious restrictions or coercion. Simply put, triad, a deeper investigation would Though Magna Carta of 1215 liberty is either ‘liberty from’ or/and reveal subtle contradictions between can be said to be the precursor of ‘liberty to’. them. Democratic socialists will the movement towards liberty, it have to resolve the contradictions was restricted to the liberty of the However, it can still be argued not only at the philosophical level barons as against King John of that ‘rights’ have to be defined but also at the mundane level to England. The concept of liberty and definitions are by definition achieve the kind of society they as something applicable to even ‘restrictions’ on the meaning on would like to build. common people manifested the words defined, i.e., confining a during the French revolution and concept within certain limits. This is The triad appeared during the particularly in the ‘conspiracy of in addition to the restrictions placed French revolution. These core the equals’ by Babeuf (1760-1797). even on the ‘freedom to’ like that the values have assumed subtly different Babeuf begins his ‘Manifesto of freedom of speech cannot extend to connotations during different the Equals’ by saying ‘For fifteen slander. However it is possible to periods. Since the human society centuries you lived as a slave..’. investigate the modern implications has undergone changes there is This reference to slavery was not to of liberty without going into these need to redefine them in the modern slavery per se but to the extent of philosophical intricacies. context and if contradictions persist, absence of liberty of the commoners. they will have to be harmoniously Thus the slogan of liberty during In modern times does liberty blended. the French revolution meant liberty have both negative and positive or freedom from serfdom and connotations? Do we have to answer What is the meaning of liberty feudal oppression. The concept of both the questions ‘freedom from in the modern context? Though liberty acquired the connotation of whom or from what’ and ‘freedom there are subtle shades of difference freedom from exploitation after the to do or to be what’? between the concept of liberty and industrial revolution and the advent freedom, I would like to use the two of Marxism. First let us investigate liberty terms as interchangeable. as ‘freedom from’. Here one will Is liberty a negative concept, have to negotiate anarchism, as To understand its modern because all these connotations had anarchism is also considered as connotation it may be useful to a negative meaning of absence of ‘libertarian socialism’ posited briefly recapitulate its historical restrictions, coercion duress etc.? against ‘communism’ considered evolution. The word has assumed Some political philosophers have as ‘authoritarian socialism’. different connotations at different tried to give a positive content to Asoka Mehta considers that the ages. The Greeks had their own the concept of liberty as distinct “philosophic anarchy is the ultimate connotation. Aristotle says in his from ‘absence of coercion’. They objective of all socialists, utopian as ‘Politics’ that liberty means the have attempted to attribute and well as scientific”. Any organisation ability to live as one likes. Not to equate liberty with the various socio- is a limitation on ‘liberty’. Bakunin, be able to live as one likes was a economic and political rights like the the Anarchist, believed that the sign of slavery. Thus the Greek as right to free speech and association belief in God and belief in the State also the Roman concepts of liberty and religion. It was John Stuart Mill are the two great obstacles to human were dialectically posited against the who in his ‘On Liberty’ made the liberty. JANATA, December 9, 2012 9

Aristotle tried to derive democracy which states that it is enough if a democratic socialists. as an expression of liberty. He says theory guides us to either enhance “This is the second characteristic of justice or reduce injustice could also ‘Freedom from arbitrary arrest’, democracy, whence has arisen the be employed in understanding the ‘right to trial’ etc., were the claim of men to be ruled by none, if modern implications of the concept ‘freedoms from’ in the context of possible, or, if this is impossible, to of liberty. Enhancing the field feudal society. These freedoms in rule and be ruled in turns.” But even occupied by liberty and reducing effect were the restrictions placed a democratic form of government, in the field occupied by ‘organisation’ on the powers of the king – ‘the spite of Aristotelian interpretation, or ‘lack of liberty’ should suffice in organisation personified’. ‘Freedom is a limitation on liberty. Hence gradually shaping a society that is of speech’, ‘freedom of association’, the Anarchists’ concept of liberty permeated by an ever higher level ‘freedom of religion’, etc. were the goes to the extent of terming even of liberty. What is applicable to ‘freedoms to’ in the context of the democracy as the ‘tyranny of the the political organisation of society emergence of nation states. Even majority’ which appears to be more applies equally to socio-economic these in effect were the restrictions an appropriate description of the and cultural organisation of society. placed on the powers of the nation ‘dictatorship of the proletariat’ of states. Even the fundamental rights Marxist variety than democracy. As Bertrand Russel puts it, enshrined in our constitution are in Anarchism as understood in modern the form of injunctions against the While considering the terms, ‘recognizes that all actually state. Liberty was thus sought to be philosophical implications of existing political and authoritarian advanced by placing restrictions on ‘justice’ John Rawls in his ‘A States, reducing themselves more the organisation since ‘organisation’ theory of Justice’ has developed and more to the mere administrative was a restriction on liberty. the ‘enlightenment – contractarian functions of the public services theory’ and Amartya Sen, in his in their respective countries, must For investigating the liberty ‘The Idea of Justice’ has developed disappear in the universal union of as ‘freedom to’ we will have to the ‘comparative theory’. Once free associations, both agricultural deal with the new challenges again it may be useful to consider and industrial’. Though he calls it thrown up by the globalisation the application of both the theories an enchanting dream, Asoka Mehta regime. The nation states are slowly in understanding of the modern still says “As a matter of fact, all withering away giving way to the concept of liberty. socialists aspire to achieve stateless huge corporations. We are slowly society. State, as an instrument of transiting from an ‘industrial society’ Rawlsian twin principles on compulsion, must ‘wither away’. All to an ‘information society’. We are ‘justice’ concern, and can be applied socialists, from the days of Saint- witnessing an ‘information and to, liberty also. Rawls says, “Each Simon to those of our times, have knowledge’ revolution. The Socialist person has an equal right to a fully believed in, and worked for, the International, the international adequate scheme of equal basic time when the governance of men organisation of more than 170 liberties which is compatible with will yield place to administration socialist parties all over the world has a similar scheme of liberties for of things: where there will be no the following to say: “Humankind all” and “Social and economic police, no bureaucracy, no judiciary, is witnessing a new change of era inequalities are to satisfy two no army, where by spontaneous marked by the phenomenon of conditions: First, they must be co-operation, by the flow of human globalization. The transformation attached to offices and positions goodwill the social life will be kept of an industrial society into one open to all under conditions of fair free from friction”. So do we need dominated by information and equality of opportunity; Second, to reduce the role of the organisation knowledge is taking place at a they must be to the greatest benefit in order to enhance liberty, the pace and extent hitherto unknown of the least advantaged members Senian way, or can we evolve in history. .. So far, however, the of society”. So it is a tacit social an organisation that will enhance more visible results have been contract that prompts individuals liberty, the Rawlsian way, though it extreme increases in inequality, to ‘limit’ or ‘extend’ their liberties may appear to be a contradiction in within nations and throughout the in order to satisfy the two Rawlsian terms. These are the questions that different regions of the world. .. it principles. Even comparative theory will confront the new generation of is our resolve to reverse the trend 10 JANATA, December 9, 2012 and thus put globalization to work in the service of human progress. Nazi impulse in Indian politics (emphasis added).. The effects of the revolution of technology, economic Praveen Swami and financial globalization and the disappearance of opposing power “Fascism”, wrote the great In 1967, Thackeray told the blocs are transforming the role of Nation State, as the focus of Marxist intellectual Antonio newspaper Navakal: “It is a Hitler democracy and sovereignty. .. The Gramsci, in a treatise Balasaheb that is needed in India today”. very structure of Nation State is Keshav Thackeray likely never read This is the legacy India’s reliably changing. .. it can no longer fully but demonstrated a robust grasp of anti-republican elite has joined in represent the public interests. It has through his lifetime, “has presented mourning. lost its capacity to respond to the itself as the anti-party; has opened transnational phenomena resulting its gates to all applicants; has with Thackeray will be remembered from the process of globalization. its promise of impunity enabled a for many things, including the The year 2000 symbolises for us formless multitude to cover over savage communal violence of 1992- the start of a renewed commitment the savage outpourings of passions, 1993. He was not, however, the to give a social dimension to the hatreds and desires with a varnish of inventor of such mass killing, nor current process of globalization and vague and nebulous political ideals. its most able practitioner. Instead, to place it at the service of humanity. Fascism has thus become a question Thackeray’s genius was giving .. We recognize and respect the of social mores: it has become shape to an authentically Indian creative and productive function of identified with the barbaric and anti- Fascism. the market. Democracy has always social psychology of certain strata developed in free market societies. .. of the Italian people which have not His fascism was a utopian We propose Global Progress to face yet been modified by a new tradition, enterprise — but not in the the challenges of globalization.” by education, by living together in a commonly-understood sense. The well-ordered and well-administered Left, a powerful force in the world The diagnosis of the Socialist state”. where Thackeray’s project was International even if not ‘a nail on born, held out the prospect of a new, the head’ is not far off the mark. Ever since Thackeray’s passing, egalitarian world. The Congress Democratic Socialists had taken many of India’s most influential held the keys to a more mundane, a similar view of the ‘state’ that it but perhaps more real, earthly could be made to work in the service voices have joined in the kind of of human progress when Marxists lamentation normally reserved paradise: the small-time municipal and Anarchists had attacked it with for saints and movie stars. Ajay racket; even the greater ones that a view to destroy it. Today the results Devgn described him as “a man of led to apartments on Marine Drive. are before anyone to see. But how vision”; Ram Gopal Varma as “the Thackeray’s Shiv Sena wore many do we “put globalization to work true epitome of power”. Amitabh veneers: in its time, it was anti- in the service of human progress”? Bachchan “admired his grit”; Lata south Indian, anti-north Indian, One way is by enhancing the liberty Mangeshkar felt “orphaned”. Even anti-Muslim. It offered no kind of in the changed context and the President Pranab Mukherjee felt paradise, though. It seduced mainly other is by enhancing equality. The compelled to describe Thackeray’s by promising the opportunity to kick main interests of the corporations death as an “irreparable loss”. The someone’s head in. are bound to be commercial and harshest word grovelling television financial in spite of the CSR – reporters seemed able to summon Nostalgic accounts of Mumbai Corporate Social Responsibility. was “divisive”. in the 1960s and 1970s represent it Will the ‘freedoms to’ of the feudal as a cultural melting pot; a place of and ‘nation states’ era still be relevant It is tempting to attribute opportunity. It was also a living hell. in the ‘information age’ and if yes to this nauseous chorus to fear or Half of Mumbai’s population, S. obsequiousness. Yet, there Geetha and Madhura Swaminathan (Continued on Page 14) is a deeper pathology at work. recorded in 1995, is packed into JANATA, December 9, 2012 11 slums that occupy only 6 per cent zeitgeist; its recruits cheered, like so rise in some of India’s most fragile of its land-area. Three-quarters of many other young Indians, for the polities — among them, Bihar, Uttar girls, and more than two-thirds of Bad Mr. Bachchan. Pradesh, Haryana, Maharashtra, and boys, are undernourished. Three- Jammu & Kashmir. quarters of the city’s formal housing Like the mafia of Dawood stock, Mike Davies has noted, Ibrahim Kaskar — which, it ought In a path-breaking 1968 essay, consisted of one-room tenements to be remembered, flourished in the Herbert Moller noted how the where households of six people or same Mumbai — the Sena offered emergence of children born more were crammed “in 15 square patronage, profit and power. Its between 1900 and 1914 on the job meters; the latrine is usually shared core business, though, was the market — “a cohort”, he noted, with six other families”. provision of masculinity. There are “more numerous than any earlier no great Sena-run schools, hospitals ones” — helped propel the Nazi From the 1970s, Girangaon — or charities; good works were not rise in Germany. Historian Paul Mumbai’s “village of factories” — part of its language. Madden, in a 1983 study of the early entered a state of terminal decline, membership of the Nazi party, found further aiding the Sena project. In Fascism, Gramsci understood, that it “was a young, overwhelmingly 1982, when trade union leader Datta was the excrement of a dysfunctional masculine movement which drew a Samant led the great textile strike, polity: its consequence, not its cause. disproportionately large percentage over 240,000 people worked in Liberal India’s great failure has been of its membership from the lower Girangaon. Inside of a decade, few of its effort to seek accommodation with middle class and from the Mittelstand them had jobs. The land on which the fascism: neither Thackeray’s movie- [small businesses]”. mills stood had become fabulously industry fans, nor Mr. Mukherjee are, expensive, and owners simply after all, ideological reactionaries. For years now, as economic allowed their enterprises to turn The Congress, the epicentre of change has made it ever-harder for terminally ill until the government liberal Indian political culture, has masses of people to build lives of allowed them to sell. consistently compromised with dignity and civic participation, we communalism; indeed, it is no have seen the inexorable rise of Thackeray mined gold in these coincidence that it benignly presided an as-yet inchoate youth reaction. sewers — building a politics that over Thackeray’s rise, all the way to From the gangs of violent predators gave voice to the rage of educated carnage in 1992-1993 and after. who have raped women in Haryana, young men without prospects, and to the young Hindu and Muslim offering violence as liberation. It This historic failure has bigots who have spearheaded the mattered little to the rank and file been mitigated by the country’s recent waves of communal violence, Shiv Sena cadre precisely who the enormous diversity. The fascisms street politics is ever more driven targets of their rage were: south of Thackeray, of Kashmiri Islamists, by a dysfunctional masculinity. Indian and Gujarati small-business of Khalistanis, of Bihar’s Ranvir Thackeray’s successes in tapping owners; Left-wing trade union Sena: all these remained provincial, this generation’s rage will, without activists; Muslims; north Indian or municipal. Even the great rise doubt, be drawn on in years to come economic migrants. of Hindutva fascism in 1992-1993 by other purveyors of violence. eventually crashed in the face of The intimate relationship between Indian electoral diversity. India desperately needs a political Mr. Bachchan and Thackeray is project that makes possible another, thus no surprise. In the 1975 Yash Yet, we cannot take this success progressive masculinity, built around Chopra-directed hit Deewar, Mr. for granted. Fascism is a politics of new visions for everything from Bachchan rejects his trade-union the young: it is no coincidence that culture, the family and economic heritage, and rebels by turning to Thackeray, until almost the end, dyed justice. No vanguard for such a crime. He is killed, in the end, by his hair and wore make-up to conceal project, though, is yet in sight. his good-cop brother. The Shiv his wrinkles. From now until 2026, Sena was a product of precisely this youth populations will continue to –The Hindu 12 JANATA, December 9, 2012

Book review

The Meadow

Iftikhar Gilani

A few years ago, Wajahat book Deception. Their latest book in Kashmir. The authors also disclose Habibullah, a senior IAS officer under review, The Meadow, has rivalries between the Indian army, and the current chairman of the surpassed the confines of journalistic intelligence and police outfits. They National Commission for Minorities investigations. It not only explicates reveal the reluctance of New Delhi to made a chilling disclosure about the the nuances of the al Faran case, but allow either the Jammu and Kashmir assassination of senior cardiologist it also reveals how Indian security Police or Scotland Yard or FBI to and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation forces and their agents had scripted pursue investigations that could have Front (JKLF) ideologue Dr Abdul a ceasefire with a dreaded Pakistani ended the hostage crisis. Levy and Ahad Guru. Habibullah was the outfit Harkat-ul-Ansar to jointly Scott-Clark write, “Anywhere else divisional commissioner of the wipe out Hizbul Mujahideen from in the world, the fraternity of police Kashmir Valley in 1993, the year the region. would have shared intelligence in which Guru was killed, and in his book My Kashmir Conflict And The al Faran episode is an apt and war stories. Here (in Kashmir) The Prospects Of Enduring Peace, prism that helps one see India’s everything was infused by politics, Habibullah has claimed that Guru’s handling of Kashmir, and the West’s shrouded in secrecy and predicated assassination was orchestrated by response to the conflict. It is also clear by control.” The brutal kidnapping the Jammu and Kashmir Police, that after the kidnapping, the West of the Western hostages is clearly the who were in league with a detained took a different view of Kashmir, tip of an iceberg. The region waits Hizbul Mujahideen militant. seeing it no longer as a struggle for for more storytellers like Levy and self-determination, but as a theatre Scott-Clark. “The Police made an arrangement for terrorism with potential global with Zulqarnain, then in custody, consequences. The militants are said It is also in the interest of justice and who agreed to kill Guru in exchange to have carried out their atrocities to New Delhi’s democratic credentials for his release. But to ensure that secure the release of some of their that it should institute impartial this collusion remained a secret, more hardcore counterparts, but for inquiries into such incidents. The Zulqarnain was killed shortly the Narasimha Rao government, trust of the Kashmiri people needs thereafter,” Habibullah wrote in his this incident was an opportunity to to be restored and getting them by book. As peace returns to Kashmir, maximise an infliction of pain on their balls will never translate into the locked lips of sleuths, officers and Pakistan, fulfilling a key plank of peace. Over the past four centuries, informers are opening up, revealing the Rao doctrine: to frame Pakistan Kashmir has been ruled through chilling accounts of cases that have as a state sponsor of terror. Finally a lethal combination of force and dogged media and diplomats. One the end of the western backpackers fear. The outpouring of resentment such case is the kidnapping of six came not in a terrorist hole, but with in 2008 and 2010 has conveyed western tourists by the militant government forces, claims the book. that the fear may have dissipated, group al Faran from the South Though it pays lip service to ‘finding Kashmir Mountains. a political solution’, in practice but force still remains. We need to the counter-insurgency doctrine in build a combination of democracy, The award winning British India has been to “get them by the compassion and understanding to journalists Adrian Levy and Cathy balls, and the hearts and minds will settle the issue of Kashmir. We need Scott-Clark have already earned follow”. to take into account people and not fame by investigating United States’ territory. secret assistance to Pakistan’s nuclear Though voluminous and detailed, programme, exposing scientist AQ the 500-page book is a gripping (The Meadow by Adrian Levy Khan’s nuclear network and routes real-life thriller, unveiling the games and Cathy Scott-Clark; Publisher: of proliferation in their earlier sleuths and security agencies played Penguin) JANATA, December 9, 2012 13 A Secret and Shameful Execution

Yug Mohit Chaudhry

The Ministry of Home Affairs by many people, the Government al have taken the additional ground and the office of the President have of India’s rules require that at least of discrimination, namely that hitherto informed the public on the first signatory be informed of the the mercy plea of Nalini who was a real-time basis about decisions rejection. Similarly, the Maharastra accused of having played an equal taken on pending mercy petitions, Prison Manual stipulates that once role was allowed whilst theirs was especially of rejections. When the State Government has fixed the rejected. Each of these prisoners have the President rejected the mercy date of execution, the date must be established a prima facie violation of petitions of Mahendra Nath Das communicated to the prisoner and their rights, and the Supreme Court (8.5.2011), Devender Pal Singh his relatives. There is no provision stayed their executions. Dhananjoy Bhullar (25.5.2011) and Murugan, allowing the prisoner to meet his Chatterjee succeeded in having the Santhan and Perarivalan (3.8.2011), relatives after the scheduling of the rejection of his mercy petition set and then thereafter when each of execution, so the purpose behind aside on the grounds of fettering these prisoners was informed about informing the prisoner’s family of of discretion and non-application their scheduled dates of executions, the scheduled date is to enable them of mind, and the Supreme Court this information was communicated to act quickly in availing of judicial directed the President to reconsider to the public, and widely covered in remedies if they wish to. It is well the petition. Other possible grounds the media. This is as it should be. We settled in law that the President’s available to prisoners at this stage live in a democracy governed by the decision is subject to judicial review, are non-availability of legal aid rule of law where transparency and and therefore the prisoner and those in the preparation of the mercy accountability in decision making who petitioned on his behalf have petition in violation of vested rights, require the free flow of information a right to challenge the rejection of error apparent on the face of the to the public. Section 4 (c) of the the mercy petition. Apart from this, record, ignoring of relevant material Right to Information Act also a prisoner may also have various and/or considering irrelevant requires all public authorities to keep other grounds to challenge the material in decision making, etc. the public informed of all important government’s decision to execute the Moreover, reasonable time must decisions. However, in Kasab’s case, prisoner. For rights to be meaningful, be given to the prisoner and others the government deemed it fit to keep they have to be accompanied by to avail of judicial remedies open this information secret. The mercy facilities that make those rights to them once the mercy petitions petitions of Kasab and others who accessible. Unless the prisoner, his are rejected and the execution is wrote on his behalf were rejected on family and others who petitioned the scheduled. Therefore, a reasonable 5th November 2012 by the President, President for mercy are informed time gap is necessary between the but the public was only informed about the rejection of the mercy communication of the rejection to about this on 21st November 2012, petition, and the scheduled date the prisoner, his family and those after he was executed. The reasons of execution, they cannot avail of who petitioned the President for for, and implications of this delayed judicial remedies and challenge mercy, and the scheduled date of disclosure need to be examined either the rejection of the petition execution. In the records compiled closely. or the proposed execution of the by Bikramjeet Batra of all known prisoner. These challenges do not cases of execution in India – which Once a mercy petition is in any way question the correctness run into hundreds – the shortest gap rejected, the prisoner and those of the judicial verdict, but are based hitherto was 11 days (Dhananjoy who petitioned the President for on subsequent events. For example, Chatterjee) and thereafter 15 days mercy on behalf of the prisoner in the cases of Das and Bhullar, the (Suresh Bahari). have to be informed about the judicial challenge to the execution rejection. If a single petition sent was posited mainly on the delay in The mere fact that a particular on behalf of the prisoner is signed deciding the mercy plea. Murugan et procedure has been stipulated in 14 JANATA, December 9, 2012 the rules is not enough to justify admitting that it deliberately violated countrymen and embassy - the right it: that procedure has to pass the the rule of law and executed a person to challenge a decision which oft further test of being fair, just and in a manner contrary to established has been challenged successfully reasonable. In the present case, procedure because it wanted to in the past, portrays a callousness even the procedure set out in prevent recourse to lawful remedies. that is deeply disturbing. Even if the the government’s own rules and Plainly speaking, since they had no judicial reprieve was forthcoming, established through its own practice faith in the law, the judiciary and many would say, it would only be was ignored. Though Kasab’s their own citizenry, they slunk under short lived, and merely delay the mercy petition was rejected on 5th the cover of darkness and secrecy to inevitable, but at least it would have November, and the Maharashtra do the dirty deed. Is this how we want upheld the rule of law. This action government was informed about our government to behave when of the state cannot be accepted this on 8th November, the prisoner it executes a human being? Such in a democratic society which himself was only informed about deliberate defiance of the rule of law, supposedly holds the rule of law in this on 20th November, i.e. the day such blatant exclusion of the judicial high esteem, demands transparency before his execution. Was this fair? power to enforce due process, and in government, and enacts laws such The government’s responsibility to the shamelessly flouted disrespect as the Right to Information Act. inform the prisoner’s family was for human rights by a government purportedly discharged by sending a confident of mass support in its It would have been the ultimate fax to the Pakistan embassy on 20th execution of Kasab has enough of gesture of magnanimity to grant November, even though Kasab’s a tinge of authoritarianism to make mercy to Ajmal Kasab, the full village address was available us all uncomfortable. To deny a perpetrator of an unpardonable act with the police and jail authorities. condemned death-row prisoner - a who showed no mercy to others. If Was this just? Those who petitioned foreigner in this land abandoned not mercy, then at least due process the President for mercy to Kasab by everybody, including his own was to be expected. learnt about the rejection of their (Continued from Page 10) petitions through the media only centralised economic power? These after Kasab had been executed. what extent and if no what will be are some of the questions the new Was this reasonable? The violation the ‘freedoms to’ in the ‘new age? generation of democratic socialists of established procedure, and such In these circumstances, what may will have to grapple with in future haste and secrecy in executing a be the forms the impingement by and find solutions. human being at its mercy are hardly these corporations on the liberties of befitting a democratic government, their citizens, i.e., the share holders and do not do us credit. Unless, of may take? Will the CSR nudge the course, the government had good corporations into becoming ‘Welfare reasons for such conduct. Corporations’ a la ‘Welfare States’? What restrictions may have to be The government has indeed given placed on the corporations – the its reasons. Confident of popular organisations – to enhance the support, it chose to brazen it out. In liberty of their share holders? Will separate interviews to the NDTV the Memorandums of Association on 21st November 2012, the Home replace the Political Constitutions? Minister of India, Sushilkumar If democracy is an expression of Shinde, and the Chief Minister of liberty then how to ‘democratise’ or Maharashtra, Prithviraj Chavan, ‘liberate’ the corporations? If power have stated that that the rejection of in a corporation has centripetal the mercy petition and the date of tendencies, then how to reverse execution were kept secret because them into centrifugal tendencies? Price: Rs. 20/- they did not want human rights Or is decentralisation a necessary Janata Trust activists to move the courts and concomitant of democracy? Will D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Naushir obtain injunctory relief. Here, we the laws of economics evolve totally Bharucha Marg, have a lawfully elected government different shackles to reign in the Grant Road (W), Mumbai 400 007. JANATA, December 9, 2012 15 Gujarat Election Watch has analyzed affidavits of 482 candidates out of 846 candidates who are contesting in the 1st phase of Gujarat 2012 Assembly Elections.

• Out of these 482 candidates murder and 1 charge related to • A total of 39 candidates out of analyzed for the 1st phase of Gujarat attempt to murder (3) Patel Altaf 482 analyzed have declared assets Assembly Elections, 104 candidates Gafurbhai (of JD(U) contesting from less than Rs. 1 Lakh. or 22 % declared criminal cases Vagra constituency) has declared 1 against them. In 2007 assembly charges related to murder 4)Somani • The three candidates with elections for the whole of Gujarat, Jitendrabhai Kantilal (BJP) from lowest assets are Mineshbhai 23% candidates had declared Wankaner constituency has declared Maganbhai Patel of GPP from Valsad criminal cases against themselves. two charges relating to attempt to constituency who has declared that murder 5) Arjunbhai Laljibhai Gamit he has zero assets, followed by • Amongst major parties, every (JD(U)) contesting from Nizar (ST) Bismilla Abdulkhan Pathan (IND) party has given tickets to candidates constituency too has declared two from Rajkot South constituency with who have declared criminal charges relating to attempt to murder assets worth Rs. 1000 only. cases. INC has 27 out of 83 (33 %), amongst other charges. BJP has 22 out of 87 (25%) ,BSP has • A total of 47 candidates out 7 out of 78 (9 %), JD(U) has 7 out of of 482 analyzed have declared Candidates with cases under 29 (24 %), SP has 5 out of 19 (26%), liabilities of Rs. 50 lakhs or above. NCP has 2 out of 3 (67%)and GPP Prevention of Corruption Act: 1 has 21 out of 83 (25 %) candidates Candidate have declared that they • The top three candidates with with declared criminal cases. have cases registered against them highest liabilities are Rajguru under the “Prevention of Corruption Indranil Sanjaybhai, an INC • Candidates with Serious Act”, namely Barad Jashabhai candidate from Rajkot East who Criminal Cases: Out of these 104 Bhanabhai (INC) from Somnath has declared the highest liabilities candidates with declared criminal constituency. worth Rs. 27.14 Crores followed by cases, 46 have declared serious Jitendrabhai Kantilal Somani of BJP criminal cases like murder, attempt Highlights of Analysis of from Wankaner constituency with to murder, kidnapping, robbery, Financial Background : liabilities of Rs. 17.69 Crores and extortion etc. GPP has 11, INC has • Gujarat Election Watch (GEW) Kamabhai Gagjibhai Rathod a BJP 8, BJP has 9, JD (U) has 6, NCP has has analyzed affidavits of 482 candidate from Sanand constituency 2 and BSP has 1 such candidates. candidates out of 846 candidates with liabilities of Rs. 12.45 Crores. who are contesting in the first phase • Candidates against whom of the Gujarat 2012 Assembly • Among major parties, the charges have been framed: Out of Elections. average asset per candidate for INC these 104 candidates with declared is Rs 6.40 Crores, for BJP is 4.48 criminal cases, charges have been • A total of 147 candidates out of Crores, for GPP is 1.07 Crores, for framed against 73 candidates with 482 analyzed i.e. 30% are crorepatis. BSP is 75.39 Lakhs, for JD(U) is cases of kidnapping, Murder, dacoity In 2007, there were 21% crorepati 22.61 Lakhs, for SP is 19.54 Lakhs, etc. and for NCP is Rs 10.43 Crores. candidates. • Candidates with Heinous & • 103 out of 482 (21%) candidates Violent Crime Cases:The following • The top three candidates who analyzed in the first phase of the candidates have declared serious have declared the highest assets Gujarat 2012 Assembly Elections criminal cases of murder, kidnapping are Rajguru Indranil Sanjaybhai of have not declared their PAN details. and theft against them: (1) Vasava INC from Rajkot East constituency Chhotubhai Amarsinh (of JD(U) who has declared assets worth Rs. • 6 Crorepati Candidates have not from Jhagadia(ST) constituency) 122 crores, followed by Chavada declared their PAN details. has declared three charges of Javaharbhai Pethalajibhai, of INC murder and 1 charge related to from Manavadar constituency with • 32 out of 78 candidates of BSP attempt to murder.(2) Maheshbhai Rs. 82 crores worth of assets and have not declared their PAN, 15 out chhotubhai Vasava (of JD(U) from Parmar Rajabhai Parbatbhai of BSP of 83 candidates of GPP have not Dediapada (ST) constituency) has from Somnath constituency with declared their PAN and 10 out of 19 declared two charges related to assets worth Rs. 40 crores of SP have not declared PAN details. R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, December 9, 2012 P.R. No. MH/MR/WEST/275/2010-2012. Posted on every Wednesday at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1

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Vol. 67 No. 47 FDI Imponderables December 16, 2012 S. Viswam Lok Sabha needs to be dissolved Kuldip Nayar The Congress party and its alliance Since both the SP and the BSP have partners may pat themselves on the their own axes to grind, their actions Recasting Politics back for managing to snatch a victory on the floor of Parliament have to D. K. Giri from the jaws of defeat in getting be assessed on that basis. Getting Parliament’s approval for FDI in Parliament’s approval for the FDI Reading the future in multi-brand retail. However, strictly was not an issue that would bring Mexico’s malls speaking it was not a victory, and even about the government’s downfall. If Arun Kumar if for the record it was one, it was only its life is threatened, the government a pyrrhic one. In both the Houses, the would not have been foolishly Industrial Chaos government was “rescued” by other adventurous and stake everything Kashinath A. Divecha parties who helped it survive for their on the reform measure. In spite of own interests and not for saving the its own inclinations in the matter, Buddhism and Economic Congress dispensation. which were definitely influenced Transformation by the availability or otherwise of K. S. Chalam In the Lok Sabha, both the SP and numbers, the government’s hands the BSP helped the UPA, ostensibly to were forced. It faced a challenge Why is Bapu so scared? ensure that communalism did not get against its legitimacy, authority and Pannalal Surana the upper hand through a BJP triumph credibility when Mamata Banerjee in the House. By the time the motion pulled the Trinamool out of the We need more play grounds, went up for vote in the Rajya Sabha, coalition. In any other circumstances, not monuments the SP had changed its mind and the government would have sailed Uday Dandavate refused to bail out government, but merrily on without demonstrating Mayawati was there to oblige, and she its political clout, but with the did so as her party’s display of good Opposition in a belligerent mood, Editor : faith in return for the UPA deciding certain risks became inevitable. The G. G. Parikh to push through the constitutional UPA had to establish its credentials Managing Editor : Guddi amendments that would validate all over again by proving that the certain new provisions in the bill on alliance had a functional majority. D-15, Ganesh Prasad, ST and SC promotions. What happens It had also to prove that Mamata’s Naushir Bharucha Marg, to her hopes, and what would be the gesture in jettisoning the Congress Mumbai - 400 007. BSP up to if the UPA lets her down? had had no real impact on the survival This is an imponderable, but we are of the government. The SP and the Email : [email protected] sure the UPA stalwarts are cooking BSP, each in its own way, helped the some recipes to please Mayawati. UPA to establish these two points, 2 JANATA, December 16, 2012 thus enabling the UPA to claim that Between the lines it is in no danger of losing the throne before the 2014 elections. Lok Sabha needs to be dissolved The government feels that it is now in a stronger position to bring forward for Parliament’s Kuldip Nayar clearance a further set of reforms. However, this is a fallacy. The SP I wonder whether the Lok Sabha, them after the opposition’s defeat and the BSP are not all that reliable the lower house, can last its full tenure on FDI that it was in their interests supporters of the government even till May, 2014. The government to have the house dissolved as soon if each of them may feel that the has been in a minority since the as possible and have fresh elections, BJP should not be allowed to wrest Trinamool Congress of West Bengal particularly after their resounding any political benefits out of the withdrew its support a few months victories in UP elections (Mayawati UPA’s embarrassments. The BJP ago. The debate on the government in the Lok Sabha polls and Mulayam may want the UPA to go, but then decision to allow 51 per cent direct Singh in the assembly election) are the party is by no means ready to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in fresh in the voters’ mind. face the electorate. Things have not multi-brand retail showed how close been going well for the party at the was Prime Minister Manmohan True, most of the sitting members States’ level. The fate of the BJP in Singh’s victory—253 against 217 in are opposed to the dissolution Karnataka hangs by the balance, and the house attended by 471 members. because they are not sure whether the party has had the jitters from they would get their party’s tickets the antics of its former strongman, In fact, it is a pyrrhic victory and even if they did, whether they Yeddyyurappa who is now a force because both the Samajwadi Party would win. This may be in their to reckon with. The danger for the and Bahujan Samajwadi Party interests but not that of Mulayam UPA stems not from the strength walked out with their members Singh Yadav and Mayawati who are or weakness of the main opposition before the voting. Both the parties bound to gain from early elections. (the BJP) but from the capricious have between them 41 votes. Had People in the country are sick of and unpredictable behaviour of its even Mulayam Singh Yadav of the present parliament which does not “external supporters”, the SP and Samajwadi Party voted in favour of function. A new Lok Sabha may be the BSP. The FDI has certainly not the motion, the government would a different ballgame. united the two parties with the UPA. not have been defeated as opposition On the contrary, the UPA is set to leader Sushma Swaraj claimed in her Both the Congress and the BJP, dread the Damocles’ Swords of the emotional and well-argued speech in the two main political parties, are two parties. The UPA should not be the house. She was right when she so hostile to each other that the surprised if the two parties drive hard said that some of those who spoke transaction of business after the bargains over any issue on which the in favour of her motion were on the FDI debate has become all the more Congress is seeking favours. How other side when it came to voting. difficult. The country needs growth this UPA versus SP plus BSP triangle so that there are more jobs and more is going to work out is yet another What made the two parties to money in the people’s hands. As for imponderable. walk out to enable the government the Manmohan Singh government is win is already in the public domain. concerned there is a policy paralysis Well, the FDI is in, or will be in The government-controlled Central which would get worse when the due course after some formalities Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has opposition jointly challenges every are out of the way, and foreign registered cases of corruption against decision in parliament and on the supermarkets and retailers and mall the two leaders. They could not streets. owners rush in with applications for afford to annoy the rulers. Mulayam licences. The foreigners have had Singh and Mayawati realise that the Largely, the situation has reached a bad omen already, the WalMart sword of Damocles is hanging over dangerous proportions because bribery scandal is a minus point for their heads as long as this Lok Sabha of corruption by the ruling party lasts. Maybe, it has dawned upon and the ineptness of ministers and (Continued on Page 11) JANATA, December 16, 2012 3 bureaucrats who cannot handle ticklish problems. A simple question Recasting Politics is handling the distribution of food grains. How do you explain that one- D. K. Giri fourth of the population goes to bed without food while some 60,000 tons Among different sectors people country that citizens prefer to re- of food grains are rotting in Punjab engage in, like development, social, elect multiple times the leaders or in the open, some of it as old as 15 cultural and commercial, politics is Chief Ministers, who, according to years? There is no accountability. decidedly the “king of policies”. It them bring in ‘development’”. Yes, The Centre has even ignored the affects the rest of the arenas of life, arguably, the people’s expectation Supreme Court’s order that food more so in a democracy, where, and responses are changing; they grains should be distributed among people through their representatives, seem to be moving away from caste, the poor instead of allowing them who are full-time politicians, are religious and regional sentiments to rot. supposed to decode for themselves. to developmental aspirations. One One may not be active in politics, is aware that a few Ministers in FDI in retail is not going to but cannot escape it. It is said “you the present UPA government are improve the situation. Farmers may not think of politics, but politics using development as a tool for will be hit and small shopkeepers always thinks of you, from cradle to their political gains in addition to may join the larger force of the the grave”. the humanitarian and philosophical unemployed. Mulayam Singh Yadav approach to their work. But, this trend may rue the day when he helped the On the other hand, there is wide is not irreversible. It is not difficult government because his image as a spread disdain for politics. Look at to whip up mob frenzy on caste and socialist is in the mud. Even though some of the sayings about politics religious issues in order to mobilize he said he walked out keeping in and politicians: “politics is the last votes unless development politics is mind the interests of farmers and resort of scoundrels” by George defined, formulated thoughtfully and small shopkeepers, he could have Bernard Shaw, or “politicians are the strategically which benefit both the defended their case by supporting same all over, they promise to build a politicians and the people. Sushma Swaraj’s motion. bridge even when there are no rivers” by Nikita Khruschev, or “politics is a A working definition could be, Probably, he and Mayawati strife of self-interests masquerading “the politics is that which promotes have their eyes fixed on the next as contest of principles”. The irony development of the people and Lok Sabha elections. UP has 80 is even if one detests politicians and their environment.” But, it is not seats in the 545-member house. disdains politics, one will have to as simple; while politics makes Have the two entered into a secret live with them as the predominant developmental interventions; arrangement with the Congress for influence on life. So why not redefine different development schemes participation in government after or recast politics and politicians? have their own political dynamics the elections? Just as they supported and implications at local, national, the Congress to save its skin at the It is assumed that politics divides and global levels. There are several present juncture, they may do so people whereas development unites theoretical and practical concerns in after the results of the Lok Sabha them. It is time that we change the contemporary politics of inequality, polls. Then the Congress would be language and nature of politics. poverty, deprivation and so on. desperately looking for allies to form The former President, APJ Abdul Then there is politics of ‘growth’ the government because the party Kalam had once called on the through production, manufacturing looks like lessening its current tally young parliamentarians to reverse and marketing, service providing, of 207. the trend of engaging in politics etc., which is needed to deliver which is usually for the sake of development. However, in the I am against FDI not because of power, one-upmanship, but, instead, context of developing countries, ideological reasons but because it go for development politics. He there are two aspects of politics will adversely affect my country. referred to the re-election of the of development that need to be Why do the advanced countries want present Bihar Chief Minister and understood: one is that the electoral (Continued on Page 11) said “there is an indication in our politics ought to be conducted on 4 JANATA, December 16, 2012 development issues, not on social Initiatives to tackle poverty and study (i) their political perceptions, composition of voters, and the leaders inequality can have four different calculations, machinations, and spend as much time on development drivers: (i) economic growth which ‘presentations’ of themselves and as on electoral work. The former lifts people out of poverty; (ii) their policies; (ii) their ideological requires a different approach to, enhancing the productive capacity commitments (if any); and their and definition of, politics, a vision, of poor people; (iii) redistributing assessments of (iii) potential a mission with measurable targets, income through taxes and transfers programmes’ political, financial and feedback, mid-course corrections. as it is happening now in India; administrative feasibility, and of (iv) In times to come, development will and (iv) empowering poor people what is politically necessary and/or give greater dividends to politicians and boosting their ‘political advantageous. Political agency and than the conventional politics. The capacity’ (their political awareness, entrepreneurship loom large in all second aspect is devising policies confidence, skills and connections). four countries. that tackle poverty, backwardness There are of course different types and inequality. of initiatives: rights based, demand One must study the ideas and driven and participatory such as actions of bureaucrats/technocrats Some Lessons land reforms, enhanced delivery (including intra-bureaucratic Other countries at similar level of basic services and infrastructure contestation) and the often potent influence of ideas, actors and interests of political development like Brazil, mainly of use to the poor, from outside the executive branch, China and South Africa have made employment guarantee schemes or outside government. Judicial efforts at tackling poverty and (public works), targeted benefits, interventions may drive executive inequality which have paid them subsidies, minimum wages, social insurance, etc. Growth strategies action, as may international debates considerable political dividends. are important. But they have been on economic and social rights. This endorses our point that ‘politics analysed minutely and key actors Except in China, social policy is of development’ could be electorally have increasingly seen that growth a product of frequent interactions popular, and be feasible politically, does not lift enough people out of between government decision- economically and administratively. poverty and that it tends to increase makers and social actors, sometimes And that effort to tackle poverty and inequality. So we need to study the including poor people themselves. inequality enhances the political and other three, less well researched So, one must study both proactive economic sustainability of regimes, drivers above (which interact). initiatives by governments, and growth and development strategies. Driver (ii) entails efforts to improve their reactions to social actors. Even nutrition plus education and health Chinese leaders, with their apparently The political dynamics behind services and efforts to give poor serene, ‘rigorous’ approach to policy developmental programmes, or people access to wages, information experimentation, may have reacted the interface between politics and and infrastructure – electricity, water, to the recent upsurge in collective development has been largely housing, roads, transport, banking protests as much as they have ignored by many researchers and services, telecommunications, operated proactively. commentators who see politics as IT, etc. Driver (iv) entails the invariably destructive and seek creation of rights-and demand- NGOs vs Politics ways of insulating policy from based, participatory programmes to There are people who hold the politics. My contention is that give poor people greater political view that the State and/or politics such approaches and analyses are opportunities/leverage. cannot address developmental issues, inadequate and misguided on two cannot build skills and generate counts. One, such insulation is The process of course needs employment. So it is necessary to impossible as politics is ubiquitous to be anlysed through the build and use alternative forums to and secondly, politics often times political and policy processes do so. Hence the NGOs across the plays a constructive role. One study, through which the full range of country have mushroomed, although a rare exception, which focused government initiatives emerged in there are other motivators for comparatively on the centrality of each country, and their outcomes growth of NGOs. A veteran Social politics, was produced by (UNRISD and implications. Since senior Democrat, who is par excellence 2010). Politics and development can politicians make most key decisions in building institutions, said to me go together. in these processes, One should that he no longer has any faith in JANATA, December 16, 2012 5 the governmental framework. But, this is a self-defeating approach Reading the future in Mexico’s malls as the NGOs can support the government, cannot supplant it. Arun Kumar I am not undermining the role of other agencies like CSOs or business The driver of the taxi that took Many factories have relocated organisations, and have been arguing me from the airport to the hotel in from the U.S. to Northern Mexico for a tri-sector approach where Mexico city was a computer systems to supply the U.S. and Canadian government, civil society and the analyst. He was a cheerful English markets and so on. The city was business sector work in synergy. speaking man who talked about bustling with cars. It is prosperous Any idea to replace government himself and his family’s woes in compared to India with a per capita is unfeasible. Also, the thrust of the hour it took to cover the 30 km. my argument in this essay is to income 10 times ours. There are suggest that politics can thrive in He wanted to know about the global layers of flyovers — one on top developmental role too. If we take economic crisis so that he could of the other — but there are traffic Bihar, for example, Laloo Yadav lost figure out why things were bad in jams. During day time, it takes two out for neglecting it whereas Nitish Mexico for people like him. He to three hours to cover a distance Kumar got re-elected and continues complained about unemployment that takes 25 minutes early in the to retain the confidence of the masses and his inability to get the right job morning. The public transport purely due to better governance without connections — a fate his system consists of rail, buses and driven by development. children also face. He blamed the trams but people are stuck in traffic U.S. and its policies and corruption for a good part of their day. The city It is high time leaders across in society. This was a recurrent has to spread horizontally since it is the country heed this message. theme during my week-long stay in built on landfill and there is a lot of It is time that they encourage Mexico recently. water below the surface, and multi- innovative ideas from any quarter storeyed buildings require expensive No small shops and promote developmental works. deep foundations. So, most buildings One such initiative from the Ministry The taxi passed through many are one or two stories high, forcing of Statistics and Programme commercial and residential areas but the city of 25 million to spread out. Implementation of Government of I saw no small shops. There were India is noteworthy. The Ministry big malls, automobile dealers, petrol Old timers remember that Mexico has started compiling data for stations, restaurants, pharmacy city had small stores until the mid- development. It has also devised an stores and car repair shops. I 1980s. Only the organised sector interesting mechanism for generating wondered if the small stores were stores survive now, like the Sanborn innovative and replicable ideas from in the residential colonies. A friend chain belonging to Carlos Slim, the rural areas. It is called, “one MP- who had been posted in the Indian richest man in the world. Sanborn has one idea” competition. Throughout Embassy in the mid-1980s had a unique model of a restaurant on the the country, in all parliamentary mentioned that there were fruit first floor and a gift shop, pharmacy constituencies there will be a contest stores everywhere and one could and other such conveniences on the for creative ideas for development. make a meal of fruits in the evening ground floor. The young I talked The strategy is to encourage people but such shops were nowhere to to did not remember seeing corner to think of their own development as be seen. I wondered if this was stores in residential colonies. well as to provide them with a local the future that awaited the Indian platform to express those thoughts in metropolises. From my hotel window, perched the name of a competition. There are eight floors up, I could see malls such isolated cases of development The absence of small stores was but no small stores. Sears, Walmart, politics but this approach needs to perplexing but more intriguing McDonalds — they were there like be clearly formulated and widely was the serious unemployment, anywhere in the U.S. In residential pursued in order to bring in a radical given that Mexico has been a part colonies, I did see a few small stores change in the way politics is used of NAFTA since 1994 and which but most of them were American and viewed today. brought in much foreign investment. Seven Elevens. And there are 6 JANATA, December 16, 2012 pavement stalls and markets where The village had rejected the the number of lectures he gives in the poor purchase their necessities. corrupt political parties. Villagers a month. He thought the taxi-driver It was ironical to see workers in ties selected their own leader and did was better off than him. from malls cross the street to eat not recognise the president of the at pavement stalls — perhaps they municipality, a party man. The Crisis in agriculture could not afford to eat in the mall. government sent in troops declaring In Northern Mexico where Alvaro and others terrorists and they investments from the U.S. have On a visit to the charming town had to go underground. There were poured in, the mafia has taken centre, it was refreshing to see protests all over Mexico, especially over and there is lawlessness. The streets lined with small stores. My in the universities. The government state there seems to be withering escort told me that many people was forced to drop the charges and away. Unemployed youth join the came here to shop because it was come to an agreement. The land mafia. There is drug trafficking and cheaper. I went outside Mexico City here belongs to the community and illegal migration of youth into the to Teotihuacan to see the Pyramids. cannot be sold to outsiders. Hearing U.S. It is this migration that has The huge pyramid of the Sun god is that an Indian professor was visiting kept unemployment from getting apparently a few times larger than the village, its leaders came with worse. The migrants send money the biggest Egyptian pyramids. It lunch and cactus products — cooked back home. Remittances along with was part of an ancient city 2,000 as vegetable, turned into pickle income from petroleum exports and years ago, which was over three and marmalade, very delicious. tourism keep the Mexican economy miles long and had more than 1.5 Alvero asked me about Gandhiji, afloat and prevent the crisis from his philosophy of non-violence and lakh people. All this was awe- deepening. inspiring but it was tiring because how it could be applied to a modern it involved hours of walking and society. Gandhiji seems to have a Instead of solving Mexico’s climbing up and down. At the end of special place in Mexico. A chain problems, its proximity to the U.S., of book stores is called ‘Gandhi.’ it, we went to the neighbouring town free trade with it and investments There are parks and roads named to eat. At its entrance was a beautiful from there have led to deepening after Gandhiji. arch which said Teotihuacan Pueblo unemployment, the decline of con Encanto. The streets were lined The farmers are upset with the traditional agriculture and the end with small stores. U.S. and NAFTA. They complained of small retailers in metro cities. I wondered whether what I was seeing Revolutionary village that the free market had enabled subsidised food to come from the in Mexico was India fast forwarded The next day, I visited the U.S. and destroyed their agriculture 20 years, when there will be lots of village Tlalnepantla in Morelos. I which now contributes only four cars and traffic jams in the metros, counted dozens of small shops for per cent of GDP. Thus, the two lots of malls too, but few small retail a population of a few thousand. big employers, agriculture and shops, high unemployment and a This is a revolutionary village. retail trade, have suffered in the crisis in agriculture. Small stores are Alvaro, our host, is an economics last two decades, which is why likely to survive only in small towns graduate who settled down here 40 unemployment is high (5.2 per cent), and villages. years ago. He cultivates Nopal, or and underemployment is at 25 per cactus, with the rest of the villagers. cent. I met a professor who said his Our crisis is likely to be worse His small garden has trees bearing son got a job only because of his than Mexico’s since we do not guava, avacados, lime and lukat. connections and another said his border the largest economy in He has successfully experimented son doing a Ph.D. was worried about the world where our youth could with creating a village republic. It the future. Why is this happening illegally migrate. Nor are we likely was amazing to see the hilly village with so much foreign investment? to get investment in per capita terms surrounded by 4,000 hectares of Unemployment has driven down matching Mexico. We do not have Nopal cultivation. Even more wages. An Assistant Professor at petroleum or tourism income to prop breathtaking was the clear view of the university complained that he us either. So, does Mexico mirror the distant volcano from which a could barely make ends meet with a part of our future, if we continue plume of smoke emanated. his salary, which is determined by with our current policies? JANATA, December 16, 2012 7 Industrial Chaos

Kashinath A. Divecha

It was under compelling Along with survival, there was of to destination, it is compelling not circumstances way back in 1991 that course expectation of consequential only its employees but their families Late Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha progress and prosperity also. as well to run helter-skelter from Rao had to take the inevitable ministry to courts, seeking their decision of restructuring the Indian We have to look at the present intervention to secure payment economy. As it was full 180 degrees situation against this background of their earned and long overdue turn from the four decades old of total transformation in scenario salaries. In one particular tragic policies followed under socialistic in India in respect of economy and instance, the employee must have had regime, it was also venturing into industrial activity brought about two to visit hospital as also to go police unknown realm. decades ago. station, and then to crematorium. No wonder, Kingfisher employees have Yet, for the industries and the Turmoil in Industries lost faith in their employer. services sectors, it was liberation Apart from the stories that from the governmental controls constantly emanate from the It is obvious that the industries that was the prime cause of joy. The political field these days in the are suffering because they are not liberalization that ensued was only media, the other nagging news that able to carry out their functions as an offshoot. It can be said without is consistently flashed is the chaos they should. But then, the labour any fear of contradiction that Indian in the industrial and service sectors. too is suffering as a consequence. industries have mingled and merged Let us look at just three instances It is high time that we accept the with the world economic activities involving high level industries. truism that labour is an integral with ease. This change of direction, Earlier it was an unimaginative part of industry, or one can say, however, was not accepted with man-management, which provoked industry cannot function without open arms by all sections of the uncontrolled mob violence at Maruti, labour. That is, both need each society. Manesar. The tragic result, which other. For this simple reason, it is must be condemned in no uncertain wrong to refer to industrial chaos It was strongly resisted by terms, was the murder of an HR as ‘Labour Trouble”, or pontificate, affected workers and their unions, executive. Second instance involves saying ‘labour is holding the society except where there were established once prestigious Air India. It was and country to ransom’, without unions, which were an integral nothing but total mismanagement looking into the contribution of the part of the industries in which they in dealing with its employees, who managements and employers in were functioning. These pragmatic can never be unaware of or averse exacerbating the chaos. unions understood the inevitability to, technology and/or technological of the impact of liberalization of improvement. Unfortunately, it was Seeking Harsh Remedies the economy on their industries, and the regular bureaucratic diktats In the midst of all this, the therefore, they extended the hand emanating from the Civil Aviation government in Maharashtra in the of co-operation to the employers Ministry of the central government month of August this year, ventured without hesitation so as to secure that grounded the Air India planes. to bring in stringent measures within mutually beneficial economic Curiously, in different context, one the Maharashtra. adjustments for their members. of our Chief Ministers had stressed, “Government has no business to be Essential Services Maintenance In other words, these unions in business”. Act, providing not only for arrest of were aware that the first priority for striking workers but also banning the all concerned was the survival of Similarly, the Kingfisher Airlines strikes. The immediate provocation their own industry, establishment has been earning daily headlines for for this strong measure was the or the work unit itself to be able so obvious, and yet not so clearly protest actions launched by workers to survive against the fierce understandable, reasons. For, instead in the service sectors such as health, competition with the outside world. of flying passengers from destination education and particularly, transport, 8 JANATA, December 16, 2012 and again mainly taxis and rickshaws and inevitably. In any case, the Fortunately, as an open and free in the city of Mumbai. Owing whole episode has exposed the total society, we have the right of freedom to strong opposition voiced by inability of the present government of association and the freedom of union leaders against the envisaged to read the pulse of the people, may speech and expression guaranteed change, no further development has be because it lacks down-to-earth under our constitution. The right taken place in this regard, at least leadership. to protest being concomitant, the so far. authorities – the government and The inevitable consequence was the judiciary - have never denied Let us, for a moment, shift our Bharat Bandh, call for which came our workers and their unions as also attention from exclusive industrial from the political arena. It needs no the sponsors of bandhs their right to field to another recent scenario expertise to know which section of protest. involving not only the workers but our society, or any society for that also the general public, the so-called matter, is always depended upon Protest Organizations aam aadmi - not “mango people” as by the sponsors of such nationwide Broadly speaking, the legitimate one highly placed arrogant individual protests on the one hand, and on activity of the unions is to protect had the temerity to coin the term. It the other, is also capable of lodging the rights, promote the welfare was the sudden waking up of the protest openly, fully knowing the and safeguard the interests of their central government from deep consequences, and yet willing members. The unions basically have slumber to pick up the threads once to suffer. Whatever the cause or to deal with the employers, either again to follow up with impatiently purpose to be upheld or opposed, the individuals or corporate entities awaited economic reforms in a sort success or otherwise of any protest or authorities in order to attend to of hurry. action depends on the response of issues, problems and grievances of the working population only. No their members. Apart from dealing Unfortunately, the very first other section of the society has the with individual grievances, which “reform” to be announced was an capacity to do so. form the bulk of the trade union work increase in the price of household at the grass root levels, and which is LPG as also the cost of diesel One must, however, make the perennial process, there are also with immediate effect. May be distinction between the general collective issues, which impact the this increase was necessary, but it protests launched by the political entire establishment, factory, office, threatened to impact the household parties for their own ends and the industrial plant or service industry. budgets of those very sections of the industrial protests of workers for The unions have to perforce take society which struggle to make both improvement in their working and up these issues forcefully because ends meet every month. Further, the service conditions. In other words, petition-mongering is ignored as a restriction of supply of gas cylinder without the support of workers no rule not only by the managements per household at subsidized price political party would be in a position and employers but also by the ignited fire, so to say, all over India. to launch its agitation ever. That government. For this reason, the The impact was immediate, on is, it is the workers, who always unions have to be, and are, protest the dot and without any gestation spearhead the protest everywhere organizations, the protest being in period! and anywhere. their DNA, so to say.

Nationwide Uproar Yes, anywhere. Even in China. The industrial process or While one cannot deny the need In spite of being a closed and collective activities at any workplace for this unpalatable hike, it could still regimented society, the news has by nature are conflict generating be said that the same need not have been leaking out that the workers activities simply because there are been the very first step of reform to there have been raising their voice chains of work processes at every be announced and should have been for improvement in their conditions, stage and every level, which are imposed at a later stage after taking mainly wages. Similarly, recall the continuous and time-bound. That the trouble of explaining the reasons uprising against the entrenched is, any slowing down or stoppage at for the steps required to be taken Communist regime in Poland years one level affects the work process - something which was done later ago, which was led by a dock down the line. Therefore, there are through coloured advertisements worker, Lech Walesa. It is a different continuous conflicts of interest at in newspapers - so as to mentally matter that he graduated to rise to be each of the said stage and every prepare them to accept it reluctantly the President of the country. work level. In order to accomplish JANATA, December 16, 2012 9 the jobs and tasks at hand, one set strike as an inevitable and desperate conflict and confrontation to the of employees is required to work as action. In this context, it must be mutual satisfaction of both sides. instructed and the other set is called emphasized here that since the strike In turn and with experience, the upon to get the work done. To use is a weapon and that too an important relations processed, maintained appropriate management term, the weapon, it is nothing but deplorable and established in this manner, work is required to extract by the that its frequent, casual and reckless bring about stability in the factory, management by issuing proper use over the years has blunted its establishment, industrial plant or instructions, and providing constant edge and sharpness and resultantly, whatever the work unit. guidance, supervision and leadership its effectiveness. to attain desired production levels Good Faith Necessary In any factory, office, and ensuring better productivity. establishment, industrial plant or And this is normal. The workers go on strike with the any workplace for that matter if objective of bringing the unwilling there is lack of industrial relations A Last Resort employer to the bargaining table. skills on both sides, the situation Considering the overall picture, in Gone are the days when workers overwhelming majority of factories, were subject to the exhortation that goes out of control. Precisely for establishments, offices, industrial an employer is an enemy. Frankly, this purpose and reason, the unions plants or service industries, the on account of their working in an need to have faith and dedication in employers have maintained relations open and free society, even the the collective bargaining process on with established unions and have hardcore Marxists in the trade union the one hand, and on the other, the dealt with them over the years with field at least, seem to have learnt managements and employers also both sides practicing sound and their lessons and given up that must display their willingness to stable, industrial relations, along with ideology. The collective bargaining nurture industrial relations. It seems confrontations also being part of the process if taken recourse to in that is exactly what is not happening relations, including work-stoppages, good faith ensures culmination of in the industrial sector at present. that is, strikes. For employers as (To be concluded) an entity understand and concede the inevitability of protests of their Labour Laws Non-Enforcement Leads to Violence employees and workers through their union organizations. New Delhi - September 28:- The Centre has blamed corporates for recent incidents of workers’ agitation across the country, including the It would be interesting to note that violent flare up at Maruti Suzuki’s Plant in Haryana, claiming that failure unions while undertaking their main to enforce labour laws has led to such situations. activity of securing better terms and conditions, including wages for their “Enforcement of labour laws has to be followed strictly. Failure in members, use the strike weapon only as a last resort, and definitely this area has led to the recent flaring up of incidents like Maruti Suzuki not for the purpose or with the in Haryana, Regency Ceramics, Yanam, Puducherry and Neyveli intention of closing down the factory Liginite Limited in Tamil Nadu,” Union labour and employment minister or establishment permanently. In Mallikarjun Kharge said at the state labour minister’s conference held in fact, workers do not go on strike the capital. with any pleasure. They are fully aware of two most compelling The minister said that employers should not turn a blind eye towards consequences when they resort to labour statutes and at the same time workers, too, should refrain from strike action. One, they have to go taking law in their own hands. “Employers and workers should conduct without wages for the period they are themselves in such a way that they earn the respect of the whole world,” on strike. Two, if the establishment Kharge said. closes down, they could lose their employment itself. This is the selfish Respect for industrial democracy and aiming towards high industrial reason of workers, or the best growth have to go hand in hand. “Our trade union movement has a proud example for their enlightened self- legacy and en-trepreneurs of our country are respected the world over. The interest, whichever way one would need is to ensure a healthy social dialogue,” the minister added. want to look at it, while going on 10 JANATA, December 16, 2012 Buddhism and Economic Transformation

K. S. Chalam

The noted historian Romila prepared Rajkrishna later to coin, dharma but has not shaped his life Thapar in her concluding chapter what is called, a Hindu rate of and thought in accordance with its on ‘Early India’ observed that “the growth. In the case of western spirit is like one who having read a major success of Buddhism, apart or Mediterranean religions like book on cookery imagines that he from periods when they received Christianity, Islam and others, has eaten the sweets described in royal patronage, were in areas of social scientists like Weber, Tawny the book”. The Buddhist precepts existing agrarian societies that and several others have analyzed and practice among the monks and were also developing into centers their role in the development of the laity led societies in East Asia, of exchange or in areas where capitalism. Calvinism promoted Japan, China and other parts of the commerce was the primary activity. values like diligence, authority, world where it had a deep influence The thrust of trade carried it to thrift, punctuality, fulfillment of on the people to experience rapid distant places that in turn made it promises that led to the accumulation development. I. M. D. Little, the attractive to those who wished of capital (Weber). The disregard welfare economist critiqued that to profit by this trade”. The role to Buddhism by scholars seemed Buddhism did not contain the played by Buddhism in breaking to be due to monks’ inability to principles of distributive justice. the otherworldliness of the existing master the English language that has But, the Buddhist scholars like Pryor traditions of India, is considered as limited the spread of their studies. F.C have given a rejoinder saying one of the greatest events in Indian It is in the recent times both in that Buddhism stands for virtues history. Buddhism’s economic Japan and in East Asian economies of compassion and generosity, contributions to India in terms particularly in Thailand some efforts alms giving to the poor etc, are to of making it as one of the richest are forthcoming that might change be interpreted as the principles of countries of the world (with around the situation in future. justice as enunciated in Angutta 50 percent of wealth) by the 11th Nikaya. It is further elucidated by century AD are well known to Buddhism according to Lakshmi scholars that ‘Agganna sutta’ talks economic historians. The world Narasu, one of the greatest Buddhist about the functions of the king to is once again paying attention to scholars from the Telugu country take care of the lowly and poor is a Buddhism after the revival of the who had a profound influence on social contract. The kutadana sutta East Asian economies within a short B. R. Ambedkar has said that “the speaks about the seed corn to be period of time. In fact all the East spirit of Buddhism is essentially given to the farmers free of cost is Asian and Far East including China socialistic, that is to say it teaches an indicator how the role of a ruler is had Buddhist traditions that seem concerted action (samanartha) secured towards the poor. Above all, to have promoted a different model for social ends”. The individual the unique welfare programmes of of development - different from the bhikshu is poor, but the sangha, public works, infrastructure, alms, so- called neo-classical model. the community of aspirants for etc not only for human beings but bodhi all over the world may be even for animals during Asoka is Though economists have studied rich. He whose thought is only one the greatest example one could think the contributions of religion to step above the man who labour of about justice as fairness . Then economic transformation or and plans solely for himself, such what is its impact on the economy development, the attention paid to a man, though often an angel to his as some invidious critiques term eastern religions like Buddhism family, may prove a demon to all the Buddhism that made India a country seems to be lukewarm. It was Vikas rest of the world. Thus, Buddhism of beggars. Is there truth in it? Mishra who studied Hinduism and has imparted the principles of found that it was not conducive for eightfold path as a middle course. Historical data from India proved rapid economic development due Lakshmi Narasu adds that, “he the above as blasphemous. The to several rigidities and perhaps who has merely understood the history of China, Japan, Korea, JANATA, December 16, 2012 11

Myanmar (Burma), Thailand , Bhutan to the market based models. This In fact, the West has imposed strict where Buddhism had developed has facilitated the formulation of a visa restrictions and even students’ different streams of philosophical new paradigm of development based entry is difficult. thought like Mahayana, Hinayana, on impressions of Schumacher and Zen ,Shinto and several other sects club of Rome. They are close to It has become fashionable for the by the first decade of last century Buddhist principles. The paradigm West to downgrade India because it was expanded in to eighteen out of of globalization did not like it, due is a free society, not like China where four Nikayas ( Lakshmi Narasu). to the idea of ‘economic man’ based the forced labour can produce things The Meiji restoration in Japan is the on self-interest as distinguished from cheaper. Even the United Nations turning point to achieve economic Buddhist theory of conditionality Development Programme (UNDP), self-sufficiency and development and dependent origination (praticca supposed to be independent, has based on Buddhist principles of samuppada). The self in Buddhism lectured us not to try to effect “excellent work culture, industrial is connected to other entities rather “inclusive” growth because we and management methods, culture than being isolated on its own is a would come a cropper. The growth of loyalty, whole life employment, rational process that goes beyond which is not inclusive is neither just, consensus decision making, brain individual, society and nature. It is nor fair. The FDI has been imposed storming, quality control circles hoped that it would guide the future on us, we didn’t want it. (QCC), Total Quality management of economic transformation in India (TQM), meditation and constant self- and other developing countries that Nonetheless, I want the debate on examination and self-improvement follow western models. FDI in multi-brand retail to end. The influenced by Zen Buddhism”. entire country has done nothing in Similarly China had accumulated (Continued from Page 2) the last one year except to weigh its capital in the form of gifts to monks the FDI lobby. The US decision to pros and cons. True, the government and temples that were used for lending have WalMart and other American has won. But it has to be vigilant loans, creation of infrastructure companies follow American rules in about the way in which the advanced ,etc to advance the economy and developing their Indian investments countries utilise our markets. Flag welfare of people. In Burma, U Nu is another setback. In a political follows the trade has been India’s supported land nationalization to and commercial environment like experience, starting with the East avoid illusion of private property. the one obtaining in India, bribery India Company and ending with the Thailand is now practicing Samti and corruption are the passports 150 years of British rule. This time Asoke Buddhist reform movement for influencing officialdom. The the rule may not be direct, but they based on spiritual emphasis on foreigners have already been halted may be tempted to pull the wires social and environmental ethics in their path by the American from behind. and recovered from financial shock decision. How will they extricate quickly by using the state power. themselves? Another imponderable. I can understand the exigencies of Above all Bhutan, the Himalayan politics which the ruling Congress Buddhist nation has shown to the Down the line nationally, opinion had to cope with to win in the Lok world what development is about is sharply divided on whether the FDI Sabha. The deals with Mulayam and its ultimate purpose through is good or bad for the country. There Singh Yadav and Mayawati are bad the concept of Gross National are as many supporters, perhaps enough. But what is worse is the Happiness (GNH) consisting of nine more, than there are opponents. So, “concessions” promised to foreign domains and 124 indicators. which States are likely to go for the investors. There may be offers FDI and which States be content which the governments do not easily Buddhism as a way of life had with status quo? As of now, no one concede. The behind-the-scenes a deep influence on the lives of knows. More imponderables on the things are always at the expense people of Asia where major chunk way, as the FDI entry gets tested on of the country’s trade or business. of human population survive devoid the ground. I hope I am wrong. If I am not, it of models of development as of would be a sellout by the Congress (Continued from Page 3) Anglo-Saxons. The West is a small to stay in power. The voters will fraction of the world but would only the markets of ours and not the not take this lightly when they go devour the resources of others due large number of work force we have? to polling booths in 2014 or earlier. 12 JANATA, December 16, 2012 We need more play grounds, not monuments

Uday Dandavate

The current controversy over funeral. The Chief Minister of Installing temples and monuments building a monument at the site Maharashtra did not act in a timely of great leaders in public spaces of Shiv Sena leader Balasaheb and diplomatic manner when Shiv has become a business in India. Thackeray's cremation at Shivaji Sena-controlled Mumbai Municipal In Delhi the bank of river Jamuna Park, a public park in Mumbai Corporation allowed cremation to hosts memorials to host of departed reminds me of another historical take place in a public place that prime ministers, political leaders event. serves as a play ground for a city and Nehru Gandhi family members. gasping for clean air and a place for Precious land is being gifted away The predicament of the Chief its children to play. The importance to keep people bound to history MInister of Maharashtra in this case of Shivaji Park as a play ground can rather than to inspire them to think is similar to the predicament of the be better appreciated if one considers about the future. Great leaders and then Prime Minister Narasimha Rao the fact that Indian cricket team has political institutions will survive when a Rama idol was installed at many of its captains and players in public memory if their ideas are the Babri Masjid site in Ayodhya who spent their childhood playing progressive. There is no place for after hysterical mobs demolished the cricket at Shivaji Park. Now that a regressive symbols in an evolving archeological monument in 1992. temporary monument of Balasaheb democracy. Supporters of political Thackeray is installed at Shivaji leaders should focus on championing In 1992 it was Narasimha Rao Park, the situation begins to resemble their ideas and competing with rival as the Prime Minister of India the installation of Rama idol at the groups through public debates who failed to prevail over the BJP Babri Masjid site. It would become rather than manipulating religious Chief Minister of UP, Kalyan Singh a challenge for the administration to sentiments of people. We need to to control the mobs that led to fight the sensitivities of Marathi and make place in the crowded cities for the installation of a temporary Hindu population of Mumbai who our children to play. Rama temple at the Babri Masjid are very likely to feel offended by site and emergence of a delicate an administrative action in clearing situation where religious sentiments the grounds. of majority population were allowed to be fomented by political interests Does the Chief Minister of for electoral gains. Maharashtra have the political conviction to lead the clearing the Kuldeep Nayyar and Madhu grounds? Does the administration Limaye have commented on have the forces to fight against the Narasimha Rao's tacit connivance religious sensitivities of its citizens? in letting the RSS and Bajaran Dal The Late Shiv Sena chief has become cadres use a site that essentially an idol for Shiv Sainiks and it would was recognized as an archeological be a challenge to face the anger site as a symbol of their religious of the rank and file of the party at politics. this stage. In this case I wonder if Prithviraj Chavan, the Chief Balaaheb Thackeray's funeral Minister of Maharashtra is a tacit Price: Rs. 20/- evoked mass reactions. His life conniver or a failed administrator. was dedicated to championing the Janata Trust Marathi pride and Hindu chauvinism. As a child I have already seen D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Naushir It is therefore no surprise that two a part of the Shivaji Park being Bharucha Marg, Grant Road (W), Mumbai 400 007. million people turned up for the encroached upon by Udyan Ganesh. JANATA, December 16, 2012 13 More Muslims in Maharashtra and Bengal prisons than Gujarat

Aman Sharma

The percentage of Muslims in West Bengal jails are Muslims the latest NCRB report. In West lodged in Gujarat’s jails matches as on December 31, 2011. This is a Bengal as well, the number of the national average, according high proportion of Muslims in jail Muslim under-trials have increased to a data from the National Crime facing trial compared to a Muslim from 5,722 in 2010 to 6,174 as per Records Bureau. There were 2,472 population of their state - around the latest count. Uttar Pradesh, with Muslim under-trials and convicts 10 percent in Maharashtra and 20 its high Muslim population, has in Gujarat jails, against a total of percent in West Bengal as per the the maximum number of Muslim 11,200 prisoners in state’s prisons. 2001 census. The story is exactly the prisoners behind bars with 20,655 same when it comes to the proportion convicts and under-trials. Every This makes it 22 percent Muslim of Muslim convicts in jails of these fourth prisoner in UP is a Muslim. prisoners, almost the national two states - there are 2,513 Muslim average for Muslims in jails, as per convicts in Maharashtra and 2,595 in Another interesting statistic the NCRB report ‘Prisons Statistics West Bengal out of a total of 7,952 emerging from the report is that - 2011’ on the state of the country’s and 5,660 convicts in jails of the two growing number of prisoners on prisons. states, respectively. death row in the country. The present report puts the number at 477, However, the national Muslim The number of Muslims behind including a dozen women, which is population is 14 percent, whereas in bars in Maharashtra has been steadily significantly higher than the number Gujarat it is only 10 percent. Out of rising - from 5,147 under trials in of 402 prisoners facing capital 6,696 under-trials in various Gujarat 2010 to 5,600 Muslim under-trials punishment as in 2010. jails, 1,501 were Muslims. A similar as on December 31, 2011, as per ratio is reflected in the number of – Economic Times Muslim convicts - 971 out of 4504, as per the NCRB. Balasaheb Thackeray I renewed my acquaintance with Balasaheb several years after that dinner. But Congress-ruled Maharashtra Or rather, he did. Uddhav called me, in January 2007, to say that Balasaheb and West Bengal have a higher was turning 80, and would like to give me a freewheeling interview, but proportion of Muslims behind bars wouldn’t walk. Balasaheb took personal care to get the setting right. The as under-trails than any other state in tiger in the back, two glasses of white wine and a bottle too, all the props the country. In Maharashtra, though were there. As Uddhav had promised, he ducked no question, including on Muslims make up only 10 percent of his (then) recently estranged nephew Raj. “What was the difference between population, every third person in jail him and Uddhav”, he asked resignedly. “He used to play in my lap, peeing and facing a trial is a Muslim. Every and wetting me all the time. But if I have to choose one, then one is son second such under-trial in a West and the other nephew.” It was the only time he had shown some emotion. Bengal jail is a Muslim, the NCRB He was back to normal when we spoke of “painter” Hitler, “lazy poet” report shows, though the Muslim Vajpayee, Muslims, Pakistanis and so on. And corruption? I asked why he population there is only 25 percent. had Suresh Prabhu fired when he was so competent and honest. “You say he was honest?” he asked. And then went on to recount a conversation with The NCRB report also indicates Pramod Mahajan on Prabhu refusing to make any “contribution”, claiming where the problem lies: “56.7 percent he was making no money as power or environment minister. “Pramod of convicts belonging to Muslim told me”, he said, “that if anybody in the cabinet (NDA’s) claims he is community were lodged in jails in not able to make any money, he was either a liar or a moron”. So why, he Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar said, “should I have a thief or a moron as a Central minister”. This, by the Pradesh and West Bengal,” says way, was entirely on the record. Now don’t ask me why I call cynicism the the report. 5,600 out of the 16,084 hallmark of his politics. under-trials in Maharashtra and –Shekhar Gupta in the Indian Express 6,174 out of the 13,567 under-trials 14 JANATA, December 16, 2012 Why is Bapu so scared?

Pannalal Surana

In his article “Socialists need not been less than 22 percent. I adduce Regarding our foreign trade we be alarmists” (October 28, 2012) below relevant figures from the have been expressing concern about Bapu Heddurshetti has stated that I Governmentt of India publication, widening gap between imports and have drawn a bleak picture of Indian Economic Survey 2011-12. (page exports and ensuing deficit balance economy by quoting, inter alia, lack A-46). of payments. Half of our imports of public investment in agriculture. consist of oil and gold. Are those In the next paragraph, he has given Agriculture is an important sector commodities indispensable for eco- figures of loans advanced by banks of our economy which produces food friendly and balanced growth of our to the agriculturists. How that can grains and other raw materials for country? Since there are limitations be treated as public investment? industry. Both equity and balanced to increasing exports we have been Farmers have to repay loans with approach of growth demands much urging to curtail import of oil and interest at compound rate higher outlay than what has been gold. Would not Bapu agree to it? allocated, particularly after the Individual farmers cannot policy of globalisation is being He has decried holding Raja undertake large development pursued. and Kalmadi to be corrupt on the schemes like irrigation and roads. spacious ground that no person The state should shoulder that Bapu has stated that exports from should be treated as guilty unless responsibility in adequate proportion. SEZs have been growing; so why so proved in the court of law. Due About 66 percent of our working persons like us oppose SEZ? It is to procedural and social-political population is toiling in agriculture. If common knowledge that opposition constraints, it is extremely difficult not 66 percent, at least 50 percent of to SEZs stems from the worry about to prove corruption there. News development expenditure should be the farmers being looted of their about Walmart bribing political and allotted to it. In actual practice, it has means of livelihood. administrative high-ups is being Outlay on development heads in percentage: discussed, so hotly in Parliament. 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 A few years back, it was officially declared by the functionaries of Enron 1. Agriculture & allied 5.4 5.7 5.6 5.8 that they had spent huge amount on 2. Rural development. 9.3 12.4 11,1 10.4 ‘political education’ ofIndians. 3. Irrigation & flood 10.3 8.6 8.1 7.0 Should we not be concerned about control such corrupt practices?.

India doesn’t need FDI in Retail to grow

One of the few economists In your book you argue that an bad for economy, democracy and who predicted the financial crisis equal society is more efficient and society. Much of the inequality in of 2008, Nobel Laureate Joseph productive. How does inequality the US arises out of rent-seeking- Stiglitz is also credited with starting destroy productivity and creatre monopoly, exploitive practices by the "1% versus 99%" debate. The instability? banks and corporate exploitation of public resources. In the Indian Columbia University professor The title of the book reflects a context, you will call it corruption talks to Shobhan Saxena of Times view that counters the right-wing but we call it corruption American- of India about his latest book, "The argument that inequality may be a style, where you give away natural Price of Inequality", in which he bad thing but to do anything about resources below market prices. India argues that economic inequality inequality is to kill the goose that is doing it now but America has a leads to instability. lays golden eggs. Inequality is long history of doing this. JANATA, December 16, 2012 15

There is a clear association Will the debate over '1% versus they have and will use that power between inequality and instability. 99%' last or is it just a phase? to bring Chinese goods to India People at the top don't spend too It will be a part of America unless to displace Indian production. So much, they save a lot but people at we address inequality. It is just not the worry is not so much about the the bottom spend everything. So you that the top 1% get three to four displacement of the small retail store redistribute income from the bottom times more that what they got in the but displacement further down the to the top and demand goes down. 1980s, but the middle class today supply chain. That makes an economy weak. That is worse off. When you have this But big chains may create is what happened in the US. We degree of stagnation in the middle, More Jobs. would have had a weaker economy, there will be an expression through but the Feds stepped in by creating the political process. a bubble that created more demand Some of the profits of companies to offset the demand that was going like Wal-Mart come from free riding You say that GDP is not the right on our society. They don't provide down. Of course, creating a bubble way to measure a country’s real was creating instability. healthcare benefits and assume strength. In India, we talk too that the spouses of the workers get much about our growing GDP. Is The financial crisis that started healthcare benefits from their other that a mistake? in 2008 is still continuing but it employees or through some other seems nothing is being done to mechanism. They might not be a I haven't looked at India exactly, check ineuality... good employer. but it has strong implication for every Both the IMF and the UN country. In the case of China, if you commission that I chaired came to take into account the environmental the conclusion that inequality was degradation and resource depletion, one of the major causes for the crisis. growth is much less than what it Madhu Dandavate It is not the direct, precipitating seems. You need that debate in cause that bad lending was, but bad India. Your GDP is going up, you By lending was a result of deregulation have per capita highest number of B. Vivekanandan and the interest rates that were billionaires but at the same time you Price: Rs. 20/- itself a result of inequality. If we have many people in poverty. So the Janata Trust don't improve inequality and don't GDP per capita doesn't capture what D-15, Ganesh Prasad, do something else, it is going to be is happening. In India, the progress hard to get back to robust growth in the middle and at the bottom has Naushir Bharucha Marg, and prosperity. We are likely to have been less than what GDP in itself Grant Road (W), another housing bubble. would like you to believe. Mumbai 400 007.

In the US, there is a lot of anger What impact will FDI in retail against Wall Street but in the have on the Indian economy? Presidential debates none of the The advocates of FDI have candidates have mentioned the probably put too much emphasis on Janata word 'inequality’. it. India is in a different position than Subscription American politics is money- a small, developing country. You Annual Rs. : 260/- intensive and money-driven. Each have a large pool of entrepreneurs. Three Years : 750/- of the candidates is expected to They are globally savvy, have access Demand Draft / Cheque on spend a billion dollars. When you to global technology and they have a Mumbai Bank spend so much, you have to go lot of wealth. So, if there were large where the money is, and money in returns to large-scale supermarkets, in favour of America is at the top. Therefore it is the domestic industry would have not a surprise that in the campaign supplied it. Not having access to Janata Trust you don't hear a lot of discussion FDI is not an impediment in India. about inequality and the 1%. You Wal-Mart is able to procure many D-15, Ganesh Prasad, don't bite the hand that is feeding goods at lower prices than others Naushir Bharucha Marg, you in the middle of an election. because of the huge buying power Mumbai 400 007 R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, December 16, 2012 P.R. No. MH/MR/WEST/275/2010-2012. Posted on every Wednesday at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1

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Vol. 67 No. 48 Shocked and stunned December 23, 2012 S. Viswam Gain one, lose one Kuldip Nayar This is not the first time that a in the last few years has shocked helpless woman has been gangraped. and stunned the entire nation in Rape incidents occur with periodic such disbelief and disgust as this regularity all over the country. latest episode. The reaction has been Destruction of Postal system Each time a woman is attacked, the universal and one of wonder that a Niranjan Haldar authorities concerned vow that rape nation such as ours that cherishes incidents would not be tolerated and virtues like tolerance and deep respect that the guilty would be punished. The for women should periodically Growing Bahujan Intolerance episode is conveniently forgotten till have top hang its head in shame K. S. Chalam the next incident when once again at the depredations of a handful of platitudes are voiced and deterrent barbarians calling themselves Indians action against the criminals-rapists and gentlemen. A rape is the most is promised. Delhi has acquired the extreme form of violence towards a Industrial Chaos – II notoriety of being the nation’s rape woman. Gangrape is an unforgivable Kashinath A. Divecha capital, since a rape occurs more crime for which death is the ultimate frequently in Delhi than in other punishment. Parliament for once metropolises. Inexplicably, Delhi has put aside the narrow differences also the distinction of being witness that are regularly aired and loudly Dharmapuri Riots to rape cases in moving buses, not articulated on the floor of the two less than three such incidents having Houses to condemn the incident taken place in as many years. Last and submit a slew of suggestions Problems of Adolscent Girls week-end, a 29-year-old paramedical for the government to act upon in student was gangraped and beaten order to prevent the recurrence of mercilessly by a six-member gang in such shameful episodes. Incidentally, Editor : a moving bus in the night in a busy Derek O’Brien, Trinamool Congress G. G. Parikh locality in the heart of South Delhi. MP spoke for all citizens of the The victim was fighting for her country when he told the Rajya Managing Editor : Guddi life in the Safdarjung Hospital and Sabha that he felt “nervous and D-15, Ganesh Prasad, getting treated for injuries suffered scared as the father of a 17-year-old Naushir Bharucha Marg, at the hands of the gang who used daughter” as Dedlhi was becoming Mumbai - 400 007. an iron rod to attack her.Mid-week, the rape capital of India. Fathers of her condition had deteriorated, and young daughters, and indeed, every the worst was feared. It would be no father and husband, has good cause Email : [email protected] exaggeration to say that no incident to be worried over the continued 2 JANATA, December 23, 2012 occurrence of such heinoius crime. Between the lines In a sense, Parliament was the appropriate forum for a discussion of the follow-up measures in such Gain one, lose one cases. Law and order in the national capital is directly controlled by the Union Home Ministry which Kuldip Nayar implements policy in Delhi through the state government. Law and Gujarat going the way of the religion or caste. Modi cares little order is a state subject, and if Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and about such ideas or values. Parliament offers some guidelines Himachal Pradesh to the Congress to deal with incidents of rape, was expected even before the first True, the middle class, which gangrape and serious crime against vote was cast in the two states. constitutes a majority in Gujarat, women, states would be only too Although Gujarat chief minister wants a polity which enables it to ready to incorporate those into the Narendra Modi has crossed old tally earn more, enjoy more comforts existing laws each state already has. of 117, he must be disappointed that and give it normalcy even though For a change, the government seemed he did not get 145, the figure which on surface. It seldom questions the to have been sensitive to the national the exit polls had projected and he rulers and virtually never challenges sentiment of outrage. Home Minister had begun to cherish. the wisdom of their deeds. Yet, the Sushilkumar Shinde announced middle class does not realise—or that a special task force at the level That the Congress has gained care—that Modi is authoritarian, of the Home Secretary would be four or five seats is not a plus point like the late Prime Minister Indira constituted to look into the safety because the incumbency factor and Gandhi, and his anti-Muslim bias is issues for women in Delhi. Our the revolt by Keshubai Patel, till so strong that he did not field even suggestion is that similar task forces recently a top BJP leader, should a single Muslim candidate. be set up at state levels too in order to have cut into Modi’s strength. That tighten the anti-rapist measures. He he still has two-thirds of a majority I do not grudge Modi and his also said that the government would in the 182-member house does not party, the BJP, the sweep in the ensure that the cases against those speak well of the Congress which state. But is it the kind of India arrested would be tried by a fast- had its top leaders campaigning in we want to build, a society sans track court holding daily hearings. the state and enticing the Muslims secularism? Mahatma Gandhi who Shinde said that the Criminal Law and tribals. led the freedom struggle and who Amendment Bill 2012, had already was himself a Gujarati said that been introduced on December 4 in Indeed, the corruption factor Hindus and Muslims were his two the Lok Sabha for improving the has worked against the BJP in eyes. He would take out prbahat conviction rate in rape cases.The Himachal. Chief minister Prem pheris selling khadi in the morning government may take another look Kumar Dhumal had charges against on Ahmedabad’s streets which had at the measure to see if suggestions him, even though his governance killers and looters walking in 2002. by MPs could be incorporated in it. had wide acclamation. It seems that The British lathi-charged peaceful The demand for the application of Himachal is following the pattern of processions, but in Modi’s regime the death penalty to convicted rapists Tamil Nadu where the DMK and the the police connived at what the was forcefully voiced. The death AIADMK are elected alternately. fanatics did. penalty obtains on the statute book as of now, but there are sections of I fail to comprehend what The same Gujarat saw ethnic opinion in the country that favour the message does Gujarat convey to the cleansing, planned and executed abolition of the provision. However, rest of India by re-electing Modi? by the Hindutva exponents under right now, with the shock of the rape This is his victory and that of his Modi’s guidance. How some 17 crore of the 23-year-old medical students views which are out of tune with the Muslims in the country would have till gripping the nation, there will be 21st century thinking. Democracy felt when Modi’s electoral fight was overwhelming support for hanging also means pluralism. All people are parochial? Gandhiji had a different rapists by the neck till they are dead. equal before the law, whatever their approach and sacrificed his life at the JANATA, December 23, 2012 3 hand of a Hindu fanatic. Granted that Modi’s campaigns never mentioned Destruction of Indian Postal system the Muslim community by name, yet he used mian before the name Niranjan Haldar of Ahmed Patel, Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s political adviser. A major contribution of Pranab But very soon, the speed post lost Modi played the anti-Pakistan card by introducing the Sir Creek dispute Mukherjee as India’s Finance its speed. It could not be accepted two days before polling. Minister was to destroy the Indian even in selected post offices, as postal system, created by the British. there was no staff to operate the He wrote a letter to Prime Minister After independence it was improved computer or else the computer had Manmohan Singh not to hand over by the then Communications become dysfunctional. Those post the Sir Creek, a narrow bay, to Minister, late Rafi Ahmed Kidwai. offices have no staff to deliver the Pakistan and alleged that the visit In his time a letter posted in speed post. If the speed post is not of its Interior Minister, Rehman Calcutta. Bombay or Madras could delivered, one has to go to another Malik, to Delhi during the Gujarat reach Delhi the next day. Now it post office to enquire into the reason polls was in that connection. The has become history, remembered of the non-delivery of his letter. Prime Minister himself made it only by very old people. At present How strange! clear that there was no such move. there are an insufficient number of Finance Minister P. Chidambaram postmen to deliver letters, no sorter The stamp-sellers in the post characterized Modi’s assertion in the post office to sort the mail office are not regular staff. They get ridiculous and a fig of imagination. a commission from the postage they But the harm had been done. The or to put stamps on them. There fence sitters went to the Modi’s is no permanent staff to collect sell. Very often stamps, envelope side to “save” Sir Creek. In fact, the letters from roadside letterboxes. and post cards are not there. Instead Election Commission should look In Kalimpong town in Darjeeling of one PMG in West Bengal Circle, into his tactics to win. district, no letter is collected from now we have one chief PMG and roadside letterboxes, nor is any letter other three PMGs. Still, the service The Gujarat chief minister claims delivered by the postal system. I am is deteriorating. As no postage that he won because of developments a subscriber of the weekly Janata stamps were available in Contai he effected in the state. What kind of published from Mumbai. Very often town in East Medinipur district development is it when the Muslims two or three issues are delivered (WB), the home of the just resigned have become poorer and even the riot at a time by Kolkata 700107 post Union Rural Development Minister victims have not been rehabilitated? office. On August 2012, 1 received Sishir Adhikary, in 2009, weekly There is no drinking water, no roads, five issues of Janata at the same and fortnightly journals could not no municipal facilities in their areas. time, along with other journals after be posted from Contai for one and Also, the adivasis have remained a half months; ultimately they had marginalised and tribals have not a month. There is no staff either benefited in any way. in Kolkata or in the Mumbai post to purchase stamps from Kolkata. office to put a post office seal on the It is the middle class, both in stamp pasted on the journal. One does not know how many cities and countryside, which has weeks would be taken to deliver been the gainer and, therefore, it is The Government of India a newsletter posted in Kolkata not surprising that it has voted en inaugurated the speed post with to Ahmedabad, Ghaziabad or bloc for Modi. In contrast, Dhumal the smiling faces of Sonia Gandhi Thane, Pune and Aurangabad in has been jettisoned by the growing and PM Dr. Manmohan Singh in a Maharashtra. An IRHA Newsletter middle class in Himachal. It is full-page coloured advertisement sent from Kolkata to Ghazipur healthy sign that the middle class is in major dailies with the promise and Fatepur in U.P. did not reach asserting itself. But it is unfortunate that speed post would be delivered the addressees. None of the six that it has not yet risen from its within 24 hours. Speed Post can be issues of the newsletter from (Continued on Page 6) accepted in selected post offices. January onwards reached our donor 4 JANATA, December 23, 2012 in Jhargram (721507) in West for so-called new posts, no new Private courier services are Medinipur district – now the area persons can be appointed in the trying to replace the postal system is known as Junglemhal. Even the already surrendered posts. There is among the well-to-do sections Newsletter sent from Kolkata proper a suspicion that Pranab Mukherjee in cities. Finance Minister Shri to our writer in Mahamayatala agreed to save money for the Mukherjee encouraged the (Kolkata-700084) did not reach his government by reducing the number increasing role of courier services address. One mysterious incident of regular service men in the postal in the communication system by took place in Mizoram. Newsletter department. In place of permanent abolishing permanent posts in the is sent from Kolkata to an addressee staff, the postal department has to postal department because the in Aizawl - four issues of it were appoint casual staff with a minimum Ministry can earn more money by delivered together at a time. Is it daily wage to run the service. Those imposing service tax on courier because, Aizawl post office lacks who joined the postal service as services and can increase the rate sufficient number of postmen or the casual labour are retiring as casual of tax on the items handled by the Intelligence Department scrutinized labour. In many cases, the tenure of private courier services year after the contents of IRHA Newsletters? service of postal staff was increased year. The Finance Ministry has to 65 years provided they agreed to changed its policy from November, In Kolkata, the situation is pretty forgo pension, provident fund and 2012 – it has imposed service tax serious. The GPO remains closed gratuity. This is a horrible situation on speed post. The Government on Sundays, unusual in any other in the country. While the postal of India encourages the use of country. No letter can be posted department cannot recruit new mobile phones because it can earn there. Journals cannot be posted in hands, they can spend money to more money in the form of service the GPO because of the insufficient buy generators for the post offices tax, though mobile towers destroy number of sorters in the GPO. The to be used during load shedding. animal life, plants and trees. department is shifted to a post office Kirloskar company’s middle-sized in Central Avenue which receives generator (Environment Friendly Lack of adequate staff in post book-posts. Genset) was purchased at a cost offices and local head offices of Rs 10 to 15 lakhs for Kolkata’s hinders the small saving scheme Why Pranab Mukherjee is Kasba Post Office (700042) five and the MIS also. responsible for the breakdown years back. But nobody knows of Indian postal system. Shri how to operate the generator. The postal system is our life-line Mukherjee became Finance Minister This year another generator, of in our economic and democratic in 1980, when Indira Gandhi Honda, was purchased by West system. We have to restore the became Prime Minister for the Bengal Circles’ PMG’s office glory of the postal system in our second time. He took a heavy loan before 31 March, 2012 and was economic, political and social from the IMF and the conditions of sent to Bosepukur sub post office the loan remained secret. Frontline under Kasba post office (700042) life. E-mail, MS, Facebook may of Madras published documentary and now it is kept in a corner of the become more important in our evidence of the approval of the post office. Possibly, similar things communication system, but they Indian Budget for 1981-82 from are happening in other post offices. cannot replace the Indian postal the IMF, before Pranab Mukherjee As the PMG’s office is involved in system, which serves the common placed the budget before Parliament. these purchases, Finance Minister people. A new people’s movement Since then, once a postal staff was remained indifferent to the misuse is necessary to restore the abolished retired, the post was abolished and of money by the postal department. posts in the postal system again. no new person was recruited for The money could be used to appoint For this, we have to put pressure on the post. This has been going on temporary hands in the post offices. our MPs to attend parliament and for years and all over India. Unless As the MPs are elected without become active to serve the interests new posts are created in place of meeting their electors, they remain of the common people, for which the abolished posts in the union indifferent to the destruction of they receive fantastic amounts, even budget with necessary allocations Indian Postal System. after their retirement. JANATA, December 23, 2012 5 Growing Bahujan Intolerance

K. S. Chalam

The media has reported that caste The non-Brahmin self-respect practically prepared. It is alleged Hindus have burnt 268 houses in movement, during the British India that the unenlightened leadership dalit colonies of Dharmapuri district in the South, have projected the from these parties have proved that of Tamil Nadu on the evening of social inequality experienced by dalits did not get protection under 7th November. Again within a some castes as a basic premise to their rule. This is also true in the month there are stories of conflict wage a war against the existing case of Andhra Pradesh where the between Mayavati of Bahujan social order. Periyar EVR, B. R. emergence of shudra rule has created Samaj Party and Mulayam Singh Ambedkar, Rammanohar Lohia, two incidents in Karamchedu and Yadav of Samajvadi Party from Karpoori Thakur and several others Chundur, of course throwing up the the heartland of Aryavarta on the have worked tirelessly to bring leadership of Padmarao, Tharakam, issue of reservation in promotions. change in the outlook of government Krishna, Vinay and several others. It Interestingly, both of them have and brought constitutional seems they are all fragmented by the safeguards both for the socially and time Laksmipeta incident took place. supported the ruling coalition on economically backward and socially FDI symbolizing the enormous and educationally weak ( Iyothi Das An academic analysis of the tolerance of both the groups towards and Phuley were their precursors). events particularly after the non-Bahujan government (as per The constitutional protection helped recent episode in Parliament on their perception). There is lot of some of the groups to politically reservations without any discussion confusion in the public discourse mobilize their numbers first in the on Dharmapuri or such violent relating to the notions of Dalit South and later in some parts of incidents elsewhere with the so- and Bahujan, particularly after the North to replace the traditional called alleged quid -pro -quo of BSP-SP squabble. Some academics dvija rule. By the time the non- possible passing of a constitutional and the civil society organizations dvija rule started yielding returns amendment that is legitimate, and under the influence of the received mostly to those who were in power, granting of disputed Indu Mills land Anglo-Saxon theoretical persuasion two incidents shook the country. costing about Rs 4000 crores to have been using the terms Dalit and The Kilvanmani incident in which Ambedkar memorial in Mumbai and Bahujan simultaneously for quite 42 scheduled castes ( dalits ) were a better package in Andhra Pradesh some time. Bahujan , therefore, is burnt alive in 1969 when DMK through SC/ST sub plan are to be used as an alternative to backward was in power. A few years later scrutinized to find out what is in classes here. It appears that the nine scheduled caste persons were store or emerging for the dalits. term Dalit is used as an expression brutally murdered by bhumihars to represent the sociological reality in Belchi in Bihar during Karpoori The use or abuse of the concepts of untouchables and similarly Thakur (?) government. In both the of Dalit and Bahujan as distinct placed socially deprived groups and incidents, dalits were the victims categories from the very beginning Bahujan as a political potpourri (of while the so-called backward castes either consciously or unconsciously has revealed a fact that the vision BCs, SCs, minorities). The notion of were in power. One may say that they of the social reformers of the 20th Bahujan was picked up by Mahatma are fortuitous incidents as neither of century has not been realized. Jotirao Phuley from the Buddhist the leaders Karunanidhi or Karpoori Dalits are not bahujans and sarvajan ‘bahujan hitaya’ axiom that was Thakur was responsible for the ghastly incidents; the feudal forces experiment remained rhetoric. It later adopted by Kanshiram to form were the culprits. But, this gives appears that one group wanted a political outfit. But, both the terms a message that empty rhetoric of only social reforms so as to achieve seem to have lost their original rigor social solidarity disappears in testing political power and authority, now, leaving some of the academics times if the cadre and the social while the other group really wished in a quandary. Adivasis are neither proletariat are not ideologically and the abolition of the inequitable here nor there. 6 JANATA, December 23, 2012 system through the annihilation of through persecution of dalits .The Kumar, has conceded that the BJP, castes. This dichotomy in the social intolerance of the OBCs who are the NDA’s senior party, has the right movement has not been understood supposed to be part of bahujans to choose the leader but he has to be a properly and resolved by the leaders (in theory) look for easy prey in consensus candidate. Modi may not and its persistence might create dalits to demonstrate their authority. make the choice because apart from problems in the future. In other This would not alter the traditional the NDA allies, the country on the words, the social and economic situation as long as these two groups whole will feel horrified even at the agenda of emancipation project for are made to fight while the wealth mere mention of his name. the dalits and OBCs as bahujans has of nation is amassed by few. Unless surfaced as a split philosophy that both the groups who had common Both Gujarat and Himachal are needs to be revisited by scholars who ancestors in history and in their straws in the wind. It cannot be are in social science research. culture sit together keeping all taken for granted that the states kinds of false pretensions aside, ruled by the BJP would return its The recent incidents involving to arrive at a common minimum party candidates to parliament in the so-called backward castes social and economic programme, it the next election in 2014. It is a pity like Vanniyars in Tamilnadu and is difficult to engage a formation that that the nation has to choose between Yadavs of UP may not necessarily is emerging as a raucous system with the Congress and the BJP in the be representatives of the aspirations international support. absence of an alternative. People’s of majority of the groups that they movements throughout the country (Continued from Page 3) represent. But, it is as dangerous should get together and rescue of an anti-reservation movement parochial moorings. In Himachal, the nation from mis-governance launched by Youth for Equality the distance between the Punjabi and and corruption which has been the against the whole caste-based the indigenous population seems to hallmark of rule by the two parties. reservations during Mandal, as have counted a lot. all non-dalits unite call given by PMK, and an anti- SC reservation in While the defeat of Dhumal will promotion game plan of SP. In both only be registered by the BJP high the cases, they seem to have been command, the victory by Modi is remotely controlled and are trying going to create problems for the to please someone whose ideology party. Already the posters appearing is to divide and rule. in Gujarat suggest that the “state’s sher (lion) will become India’s sher.” There seems to be some kind of an This means that Modi is prepared emerging situation where the dalits for a national role which may not be can bargain with the ruling classes liked by some of the top leaders of as in the past with the dead bodies the party. Not long ago, its president on their laps and the backwards can Nitin Gadkari told me that there were establish their might by arm twisting too many aspirants in his party for the dalits as muscle power of the the prime minister’s post. It is an mainstream social norm. This seems open secret that Gadkari and Modi to be structurally designed in our do not see eye to eye. Since the RSS, social hierarchy where some castes the BJP’s mentor, is backing Modi are given economic concessions he would be a formidable candidate. but not social status and the natives Price: Rs. 20/- are denied both to prolong the Where Modi may be stumped is hegemony of caste order. The recent the dislike for his way of politics incidents involving dalit and OBCs and the categorical anti-Muslim Janata Trust as contending groups is an evidence view that scares away many in D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Naushir Bharucha Marg, that the OBCs in power have utilized the BJP-led National Democratic Grant Road (W), Mumbai 400 007. it to amass wealth for their cronies Alliance (NDA). One of its leaders and exhibited dvija like attributes and chief minister of Bihar, Nitish JANATA, December 23, 2012 7 Industrial Chaos – II No Desire to Nurture Relations

Kashinath A. Divecha

T h e a d v e r s a r i a l a n d and employees, the atmosphere has even severance after due process confrontational position adopted gone haywire at the industrial and of law, arising out of recalcitrant by both, employers and workers work levels on account of no clear behaviour of an individual worker. has resulted in turmoil and chaos understanding of the said concept. But ironically what is happening is in our industrial sector. In this The employers and managements that this ‘human resource’, is calmly regard, we have to point the finger should realize that with the and as a matter of routine got rid of at our outmoded laws. Specifically, engagement of HR professionals as early and as cheaply as possible two laws, namely, the Industrial these days, the so-called human in a casual manner, giving perverted Disputes Act. 1947 and the Contract resource within the factory, meaning to the word “resource” Labour (Regulation & Abolition) establishment, office or the work unit itself! Act, 1970 could be cited and is “managed”, if not mismanaged, faulted. Both these laws deal with but there is no endeavour to establish To put the whole scenario relationship between the employers or maintain relations with workers differently, it is probably the modern and their workers. They were and employees. trend that when divorce is easy and framed when the socialistic fervour quick; no efforts need be wasted was the creed. With the advent of Similarly, the enactment, “The to go through the rigmarole of liberalization, however, these laws Minimum wages Act, 1948, brought reconciliation. Such nonchalant are constricting the possibility on statute book to lay down the and disdainful treatment of our of much needed introduction of bottom limit below which wages workers is reprehensible as it clearly technological improvement in our cannot be paid to workers is amounts to violation of one of the industrial operations. Nonetheless, scrupulously followed, the only fundamental principles espoused the enterprises have to perforce problem being its implementation is and adopted by the International bring in technological improvement as “The Maximum wages Act”. Even Labour Organization (ILO), namely, because they are required to face by profit making and prosperous “Labour is not a commodity”. global competition in respect of establishments! quality of products, price levels, Pathetic Situation efficiency in delivery, and so on. Labour Not a Commodity However, where the employers In fact, with majority of workforce and managements have ensured fair Technological Impact in most of the factories, plants and play, it is to the credit of the unions While the introduction of workplaces being engaged through that they have responded positively. technology is inevitable, it is equally contractors and on contract, there is But for these established unions, true that it Replaces, or reduces, no felt need to maintain, let alone integrated with the industries they dependence on human power. It is for nurture, relations with the constantly are involved in, the situation would this reason that the trade unions find changing set of workers, who can be chaotic with widespread eruptions it difficult to adjust with the changed be discharged the day their term of of conflicts everywhere, creating and unknown scheme of things. It contract is over as if workers are problems for both, employers and should be noted nonetheless that replaceable like spare parts. workers. Here it is necessary to established and integrated unions state that the reference made to accept the reality and carry on with This is the norm at present times “established” unions repeatedly their activities. in respect of engagement, or rather is deliberate. A simple glance at disengagement, of workers and the accompanying table would be However, it is unfortunate that employees. This is not to object or to enlightening. It will be observed with the advent of highbrow concept deny the need for strict enforcement that the figures in the table are more of human ‘resource’ for workers of discipline at the shop floor, or than a decade old. May be the latest 8 JANATA, December 23, 2012

Registered Trade Unions in India - 1927-28 to 2000 government also having displayed Year Number of Number of Registered its helplessness to take action over Registered Trade Unions Submitting such institutions, it was outrageous Trade Annual Returns to witness Maharashtra Unions (Percentage) 1927-28 29 28 = 96.5 Government assuming to bring in strong measure of arresting 1940-41 727 483 = 66.4 striking workers and banning their 1950-51 3766 2002 = 53.1 strikes. That is, where workers resort 1960-61 113l2 6813 = 60.2 to legitimate protest openly, the 1970 20879 8337 = 39.9 government is bold enough to crush 1980 35750 4426 = 12.4 it, but where the parasitic institutions ignore their legal responsibilities, it 1990 52016 8828 = 16.9 has no remedy. 2000 65286 7224 = 11.06 (Source: Trade Union Movement in India - A Brief History, Vasant Gupte, In regard to banning of strikes, 2004) let us revisit our own history to find out how we have been dealing with figures could turn out to be mind- Movement was vibrant and thriving our workers and employees and their boggling. That apart, these figures only till 1960s. But thereafter with unions, only one example should show the unions - not the workers the mushroom growth of trade suffice. It would be interesting - in absolutely poor light. With only unions, only l1 per cent of them truly to recall and go as far back as 7,224 unions out of 65,286 unions represent the Indian Trade Union 1960 when the central government registered, that is, mere 11 per Movement, the rest being parasites employees resorted to countrywide- cent unions submitting the Annual of some variety or the other. strike action. Though it cannot Returns, the state of affairs of our be said that they achieved their trade union movement is pathetic, Unfortunately, the story of objective, they had succeeded in to say the least. political parties is no different displaying their collective might for inasmuch as majority of these the first time. Unfortunately, the then Further, after independence the parties seem to be respectable government could not distinguish number of unions being registered masks for hiding all sorts of dubious between its own twin identities – is going up continuously, but networking, if this term could be one, of course, as the government, overwhelming majority of them used. One probable reason could and the other as an employer. obviously seem to be pocket be that in order to cater to one’s organizations of petty satraps and the own inflated ego each so-called In fact, during the discussion in like, registered probably to acquire “leader” desires to set up personal parliament in August 1960, on the legal status, and may be for purposes fiefdom and floats the union or issue of Government employees’ other than organizing and serving the political party. The problem of strike, the then Prime Minister workers as such. Importantly, mushroom growth of such parasitical Jawaharlal Nehru had argued in these outfits have damaged the institutions demands strong and favour of restricting the right to creditability of unions and the Trade equitable laws for institutions. But protest of government employees on Union Movement. then, it also raises the question of sincerity of our so-called lawmakers, the plea that the authority of the Without meaning any disrespect who refuse to bring in provisions for government could not be questioned. and with due apologies to all the legal action against delinquency of But, it was late Minoo Masani, senior leaders of the Indian Trade parasitic institutions. who maintained that in respect of Union Movement, who have devoted civil servant, that is, government their lifetime in the service of trade Twin Identities of Government employee one cannot deny a man the unions and for betterment of workers, While the laws do not provide right to deny his labour unless he is it needs to be emphasized that as the remedies to deal with misbehaviour given the right to judicial process. figures indicate the Trade Union of such delinquent institutions, with In respect of industrial workers, JANATA, December 23, 2012 9 however, he stressed that he did not on the umbrellas or bailing out scenario at present, which cannot want the banning of strikes. provided by political parties or the be resolved by blaming only the government.” workers and employees, and their In other words, the government/ unions, inasmuch as the fault lies civil servants and industrial workers In regard to established and also with the managements and being distinct categories, the right integrated unions, he added employers for their failure to deal of government employees to strike “Wherever unions have been equitably with their own workers maybe restricted by allowing them pragmatic and have understood the and employees. recourse to judicial process to inevitability of the technological deal with their problems. So far as advance und improvement, the Both employers and unions must industrial workers are concerned, ramifications of liberalization of have desire and ability to sit across their right to strike should not be and the economy and the economy the table and take pains to strive cannot be taken away inasmuch as imperatives of working the industry, and arrive at mutually satisfactory their right to protest is guaranteed. they have worked out very good solutions to the problems that crop And, therefore, the attempt of the economic packages of severance, up day in and day out regularly at Maharashtra government to ban tighter manning, etc. for their the workplace, wherein lies the very strikes is nothing but a futile and members, providing them adequate reason for their coming together. feeble attempt to display authority. cushioning when out of job as Ultimately, it is the task of industrial well as options for independent relations skills on both sides that Labour Movement occupations.” is the problem, which cannot be Owing to mushroom growth of surmounted by condemning the trade unions and its impact in the `In this context, it would be managements and employers or by industrial activity, generally and interesting to know his views on arresting workers or their leaders, on workers, specifically, our trade the capabilities of managements and banning the strikes. The nation union movement is indeed in pitiable also: “The only consolation the will progress and prosper only if condition because as low as only 11 labour movement can have is the the industries and service sectors per cent of unions submit fact that managements are even function on the one hand, and on weaker than the unions, which at the other workers and employees are the Annual Returns. It is in least have an asset of solidarity and enabled to earn their livelihood in an this context that we must look dynamism, both qualities which a equitable manner. for guidance to late S. R. Mohan collective performance system called Das, an acknowledged authority It would be appropriate to industrial organization needs. Both on industrial relations in India. He conclude if we can grasp the deep these qualities are absent in most had observed in his article “Trade meaning of wise words of U.S. managements, and by and large, Unions & Economic Restructuring” President Abraham Lincoln – the unions are able to thrive not in the Souvenir published on the “Labour created Capital”. through their excellence but because occasion of Centenary Celebrations of the weakness and confusion in (Concluded) of National Union of Seafarers of managements of organizational India in 1996 as follows - systems. “ Janata “All the above factors reveal Subscription Conclusion Annual Rs. : 260/- that we do not have a Trade Union Three Years : 750/- Movement but only a generalized Having thus gone through ‘labour movement’’. What a the entire gamut of relationships Demand Draft / Cheque on performing society needs is not just a involving workers, their unions, Mumbai Bank employers of all hues as also ‘movement’ but well-established and in favour of self-reliant organizations which are government not only as an employer financially strong, possess capable but also as authority, it will be Janata Trust realized that the turbulent episodes manpower and have long-term D-15, Ganesh Prasad, business goals. All these are absent in Maruti, Air India and Kingfisher Airlines are mere symbols of the Naushir Bharucha Marg, in the labour movement in India Mumbai 400 007 which is very weak and has to rely actual problems in our industrial 10 JANATA, December 23, 2012 Dharmapuri Riots

Three colonies of Dalits (of According to the police one commitment to the cause of weaker the Adidradar Community) near group of incensed members of sections should monitor the relief Naickenkottai in Dharmapuri district his community protested on the and rehabilitation measures. The of western Tamil Nadu remained Dharmapuri-Thiruppathur road, first bench of the high court ordered benumbed on Thursday 8th November blocking traffic with trees they the authorities to submit a status 2012 by the fury unleashed on them had felled as well as with boulders report and the counter affidavit on by a rampaging mob of 1800 caste and sign boards. At the same the next hearings. In the meanwhile, Hindus on Wednesday. time, another group entered the the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Dalit colonies and set ablaze the has expressed her anguish at the As many as 268 dwelling huts, dwellings. The Dalits alleged that caste violence in Dharmapuri and tiled roof and one or two concrete their houses were looted and the warned that stringent action would houses were torched by the mob valuables taken away. Some vehicles be initiated against those responsible after a caste Hindu man, Nagarajan, of the Dalits too were torched. Most for the incidents, besides sanctioning committed suicide over his daughter of the families lost their documents Rs.50,000/- each to the victims from marrying a Dalit boy from one of the including educational certificates, the Chief Minister relief fund. colonies. Police said there was no Ration cards, and land documents in the fire. The attack started around Naickenkottai village in casualty as occupants of the houses Dharmapuri district was once a had escaped and took shelter in 4.45 PM and went on till 7.O0PM. This spot is only five kilometers Naxal heartland. On the other side of another village. Ninety five persons the Dharmapuri-Tirupathur highway from the mob were arrested and away from Dharmapuri town. When the mob started looting the houses and right opposite Annanagar Dalit cases were registered against another before setting the alight, many Colony in the village stands an 500 unidentified persons. women fled with their children imposing and brightly white washed to nearby agricultural fields and memorial of sickle and hammer, The Prime target of the attack relative’s houses that were farther erected on June 24, 1984 for the was Natham colony whose resident away. slain Naxal leaders Appu and Balan Havrasan (23) had married N. in the police encounters in 1970 and Divyla [20] a Vanniya girl. But the Poda Planiswamy, a former 1980. State committee member of mob’s fury was also directed at the Naxalite, alleged that in spite of CPI [ML] Chandra Mohan wonders adjoining Annanagar colony and prior information to the police that how a village such as Naikkankottai Kondampatti old and new colonies. majority communities had planned where communist ideology was well the attack, only handful of police entrenched would support such a It is said that Havarasan and personnel were initially deployed caste attack. Divya had got married in a temple in the vicinity. If the intelligence a month ago. Fearing attack by input had been acted upon properly, A team of communist party the caste Hindus the couple had the attack could have been averted, of India [Marxist] MLA’s led by approached the deputy inspector he lamented. Coimbatore MP P.R. Natarajan general of police, Salem Range, visited the colonies and consoled An advocate S. Sengodi filed a the affected people told the press Sanjay Kumar only a week ago for public interest litigation petition reporters that the attack could not protection. in the Madras High Court seeking be prevented because of the total direction to the authorities for A kangroo court had directed failure of the intelligence. They providing relief under the alleged that an inflammatory speech Havarasan family to return the girl Scheduled caste and Scheduled by PMK leader J. Guru, a month ago to her family. The girl refused to go tribes, (prevention of atrocities) at a public meeting in Naikkenkottai, with her father who later hanged Act in Natham. Annanagar and encouraged caste Hindus to indulge himself at his house in Sellankottai, Kondampatti old and new colonies in violence against the Dalits. just half a kilometer from the Dalit in Dharmapuri District. He also colonies. And then, the mob went stated that senior officers known P. L. Punia, Chairman of the on rampage. for their integrity, independence and National Commission for the JANATA, December 23, 2012 11

Scheduled Castes visited the three previous enmity. Atrocities on Dalits proper education in this regard colonies in Naickenkottai. After prevailed everywhere across the among backward class people. thorough enquiry he said that the district. The state government and mob attack was not over a single district administrations have failed Some political parties in the incident, the suicide. It was a well to control these. Each household state are fanning bitterness between organized and planned attack, he in the affected colonies should conflicting castes to exploit them for told. be given rupees twenty five lakhs electioneering purposes. Backward and five acres of 1ands. Tamilnadu community people like Vanniyars, Former IAS officer, Founder government has violated the supreme Maravaras should be taught that the President of Tamilnadu Samooha court order to give due protection caste system in India is only 1800 Samathuva Padai Smt. Sivakami for the Inter-caste married couples. years old. It is not Tamil culture. visited the affected colonies, Propaganda against inter-caste Tamil people considered “Yadhum enquired in detail and consoled the marriages by Kongu Vellar Sangam Oorae, Yavarum Kelir” (all are my people. She too said that it was a and Vanniya Kula Sangam should habitations and all people of the well planned, organized attack due to be banned, she insisted. She pleaded world are my relatives) –Narana Natesan, TN State President, Socialist Party (lndia) PM should dare to remove ‘Socialism’ from the Preamble

The Prime Minister is full of a The Socialist Party would like working masses to commit suicide fresh zeal for reforms after winning to tell the PM that he himself is or die in conditions of hunger and the battle on FDI in the parliament. ignorant of global realities. For malnutrition. He has targeted opponents by saying him the world is confined to the that they are either ignorant of US, an epitome of capitalist neo- The Socialist Party has been global realities or are constrained by imperialism and developed capitalist fighting against the anti-poor and out-dated ideology like socialism. countries of the Europe. The profit anti-Constitution decision of FDI The word ‘socialism’ is mentioned hungry MNCs of these countries in retail from the beginning. The in the Preamble of the Indian have played havoc in the poor party will now strengthen its fight by Constitution. Further, the ‘Directive countries. The result is enormous spreading awareness among retailers Principles of the State’ in Part violence, insecurity, fear and hunger. and farmers. Four of the Constitution can be In India, lakhs of farmers have viewed as guiding manifesto for committed suicide; several crore Dr. Prem Singh, General political parties and governments people are suffering from hunger Secretary, Socialist Party (India) to establish social and economic and malnutrition; several crores equality at the earliest. In his attack have been displaced as the result of on opponents, the PM has therefore neo-liberal reforms. Not only will attacked the very fundamentals the 4 crore retailers and around 25 of the Constitution. The PM, who crores of their family members face Madhu Dandavate has imposed the dictatorship of its disastrous effects but farmers will By neo-liberalism on the country by also be badly affected by the entry B. Vivekanandan obeying the dictates of the world of multinational retail chain giants Price: Rs. 20/- bodies like WB, IMF, WTO and like Wal-Mart, Carrefour, Tesco, etc. Janata Trust MNCs, should dare to propose a bill in the parliament to remove the The PM has no concern for this D-15, Ganesh Prasad, word socialism and the Directive world of the poor and hardworking. Naushir Bharucha Marg, Principles from the Constitution. For him the only reality is the Grant Road (W), The Socialist Party also poses this world of the rich. His new push to Mumbai 400 007. challenge to the political parties reforms, in fact, is a push to make who have supported the FDI in the the rich richer. However, he paved parliament. the way for the poor and hard 12 JANATA, December 23, 2012

Book Review

Problems of Adolscent Girls

Vibhuti Patel

''Rights of Adolescent Girls in of social exclusion’ of the book writing essays and poems. One India: A critical Look at Laws and that discusses six crucial issues such poem expresses grim reality Policies'' is a timely publication pertaining to adolescent girls’ rights: faced by thousands of adolescent about the most neglected segment health, education, right to and rights girls in India. of our society namely adolescent in work, age of marriage and agency girls. Perceived as burden by their in marriage, violence against girls Chapter 3 on Law & Policy parents, neglected by policy makers, and juvenile justice. Framework shows the apathy of subordinated by patriarchal system, government towards adolescent crushed before they bloom due to In Chapter 2, while providing girls. Even in the Youth Reports omnipresent misogyny; adolescent situational analysis on the subject, churned out by the Ministry of girls in India have to tread tight the author highlights major indicators Youth Affairs hardly any serious rope walk. for Status of Girls in India. She consideration is given to rights of focuses on the most mind-boggling girls as citizens. Most of the schemes The author rightly avers that in problems faced by adolescent girls and programmes for girls are guided India experiences of adolescence such as decision-making in the day- by stereotypical understanding of for girls are greatly different from to-day life, self-dependence and girls’ role as future wives and home- that for boys. For boys, adolescence career. Dictatorial atmosphere in makers. The author has meticulously is marked by greater autonomy the family, educational institutions described existing provision for in decision making about career, and in the community life, make girls in the law and critically financial independence, enhanced adolescents feel left out of the examined Minimum Legal Age as status and expanded participation in decision-making processes affecting Defined by National Legislation family, community and public life. their lives. Both, in private and in in India Education (including right While for girls it is always the public spheres, we need to give to free and compulsory education differential treatment as compared more space for development to the for ages 6-14, special provisions to their male counterparts. Dr. adolescent girls. for girls), Employment (such as Amartya Sen has highlighted seven labour laws regulating conditions types of inequalities that women The author has given detailed at work, abolition of bonded labour, and girls have to face throughout profile of health status of adolescent prohibition/ regulation of child their life cycle-from womb to tomb. girls. For large majority of Indian labour, maternity benefits, equal pay He states, “Burden of hardship falls girls, the cumulative effect of for equal work, minimum wages), disproportionately on women” due to poverty, under nourishment and Health, food, nutrition, water & seven types of inequality- mortality neglect is reflected by their poor sanitation (health laws including (due to gender bias in health care body size/ growth and narrow pelvis on mental health, disability, and nutrition), natality (sex selective as they grow into adolescence, medical termination of pregnancy, abortion and female infanticide)), making child bearing a risk. Though prohibition of sex-selective basic facility (education and skill child marriages are reducing, still abortions, food security etc.), development), special opportunity nearly one fourth of girls are married Marriage (including religion-based (higher education and professional before they complete 18 years. matrimonial laws addressing issues training), employment (promotion) Ramifications of Early Marriage for of age of marriage, rights during and ownership (home, land and the Girl are devastating. During last marriage and upon its termination, property) and household (division decade, increasing number of girls law prohibiting child marriage), of labour). have been protesting against this Violence (criminal laws, law related evil custom by running away from to juvenile justice, specific laws on Chapter 1 defines the analytical home, approaching government SC/ST atrocities, trafficking, witch perspective informed by ‘theory officers and local police, teachers, hunting, child sexual violence etc.), JANATA, December 23, 2012 13

Land, housing, property rights, age group 5-14 in urban areas were system, all have become the norm. environment (such as laws related found to be working during 1993-94. This is being called an increase to right to residence in matrimonial in ‘efficiency' and ‘productivity'. home, rent, tenancy, ownership of Transnational Corporations and The casual employment of urban land, forest rights). This chapter Multinational Corporations have long working class girls and women reflects an encyclopaedic legal realised that the best way to reduce in the manufacturing industry has knowledge of the author on rights the wage bill and to enhance profits forced thousands of women to eke of adolescent girls. is to move parts of the production out subsistence through parallel process to informal/unorganised petty trading activities (known Adolescent girls struggle for sector of poorer countries like as ‘informal' sector occupations). formal and vocational education India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Adolescent working class girls are is discussed in Chapter 4 Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, multi-tasking. titled “Education as a Tool etc. The cheap labour of Asian for Empowerment”. The most adolescent girls and young women Chapter 6 provides the health challenging issue is drop out of is regarded as the most lucrative profile of adolescent girls. The adolescent girls from school due way to enhance profits. Women in chapter examines factors that to inability to pass in mathematics, developing countries are a ‘flexible' contribute to a healthy life. Health science and English. There is an labour force. Their cheaper labour challenges concerning a girl urgent need for bridge courses, forms the basis for the induction child cover mortality, morbidity, remedial education, distance and IT of women into export industries nutritional status and reproductive enabled courses, vocational training such as electronics, garments, health and linked to these are to be made available to girls from sports goods, food processing, environmental degradations, marginalized sections. Industrial toys, agro-industries, etc. They are violence and occupational hazards, Training Institutes run by GoI forced to work uncomplainingly all of which have implications for her have strong gender-bias and give at any allotted task, however dull, health status. It is intricately related training to girls only for beautician, laborious, physically harmful or to the socio-economic status of the secretarial practice, stenography, badly paid it may be. A large number households to which she belongs. COPA and tailoring, while boys get of poor adolescent girls looking for Due to the competing demands on training for hundreds of courses. work within the narrow confines their time and energy as well as their of a socially imposed, inequitable socialization, girls tend to neglect Chapter 5 : Girls at Work focuses demand for labour have become their health. The lesser access to on both paid and unpaid work ideal workers in the international food coupled with neglect invariably of adolescent girls. In the intra- division of labour. Globalisation is leads to a poor nutritional status household distribution of labour, riding on the back of millions of poor and a state of ill health for most of girls shoulder the major burden of girls and women and child workers the girls. Changing determinants economic, procreative and family in the margins of the economy. in the survival struggles of girls responsibilities. NSSO, 1991 have created an alarming situation revealed that nearly 10 percent of The shift from a stable/organised that prevents India to meet the girls were never enrolled in schools labour force to a flexible workforce Millennium Development Goals. due to paid and unpaid work they has meant hiring women part-time, had to do in homes, fields, factories, and the substitution of better-paid Chapter 7 on Age of Marriage plantations and in the informal sector. male labour by cheap female labour. and Agency in Marriage is Sexual abuse at the work place is The new economic policies provide historiographically illuminating. It a hidden burden that a girl worker State support to corporate houses delineates volatile journey of Indian endures. The child labour policies, that are closing down their big Women from late 19th century when however, do not spell out anything city units and using ancillaries that Age of Consent debate had polarized specific to girl child workers. There employ women and girls on a piece- public opinion between liberal is no implementation of prohibition rate basis. Home-based work by humanists and cultural revivalists in of girls working in hazardous women and girls gets legitimised in the context of death of 11 year old occupations as per Child Labour the context of increasing insecurity Phulmani on the first night of her (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, in the community due to a growth marriage due to forced intercourse 1986. About 6 percent of the boys in crime, riots, displacement and in 1890 in Calcutta Presidency and girls in rural areas and about 3 relocation. Sub-contracting, home- and Rakmabai case in Bombay percent males and 2 percent girls in based production, the family labour Presidency. 14 JANATA, December 23, 2012

In 21st century also many girl traumatic incidents through or “beneficiaries” of pre-defined already in poor health, marry between memory, suicidal attempts, eating rights; they play an important role the ages of 14-16. They bear children disorders, disturbed sleep patterns, in defining the contents of rights.’ while still young and malnourished fear of encountering such situation themselves. An upswing of female once again. It is found that girls who Chapter 11 on “Claiming deaths in the age group 15-19 years undergo extreme sexual violence Ownership of the Future: Some indicates the high mortality rate of experience a loss of self and self- Adolescent Girls’ Visions” brings teenage mothers. Nearly 45 percent esteem following the shock inflicted out voices of girls throough survey of Indian girls are married off on them. research based on a representative before they attain majority. Child sample of 112 adolescent girls from marriages and teenage pregnancy Incidents of child rape and underprivileged communities in with and outside marriage are the abandonment have increased. Major Mumbai conducted by Vacha team major problems faced by girls in the problem in cases of crimes against led by Nischint Hora, Medhavini developing world. girls is that of underreporting. Namjoshi, Yagna Parma and Amrita Over and above crimes against De. The study was conducted in Chapter 8 on violence against girl child punishable under the September-October 2012. The girls in their private and public lives Indian Penal Code (IPC), there main highlights of the study speak shows that adolescent girls account are also special and local laws to volumes about agency of adolescent for more than their share of abortion prevent child labour, child marriage girls who are convinced about related complications and deaths. and immoral traffic prevention. the importance of education for Unwed pregnant girls (victims Pre-Natal Diagnostic Technique empowerment; perceive child/early of rape, incest or seduction), turn (PNDT) Act 1994 has not been able marriages as a major impediment to abortion, whether or not it is to reduce sex-selective abortion of to their growth; aspire to be legal. Faced with unintended female foetuses. economically independent in their pregnancy, they take desperate future life; are extremely concerned measure resulting into health risks Chapter 9 Engaging With The about personal safety and security; of unsafe abortions such as sepsis Juvenile Justice System brings out deplore honour crimes and assert caused by unsanitary instruments or operation of The Juvenile Justice the right of girls to choose their life incomplete abortion, haemorrhage, (Care and Protection of Children) partners; are conscious of societal injuries to genital organs such as Act 2000 that covers functioning discrimination and injustice against cervical laceration and uterine of 5 types of institutions dealing girls, and wish to see it eradicated; perforation and toxic reactions to with adolescents: Observation do not give adequate importance to chemicals or drugs used to induce homes, Children’s Homes, Special aspects of health, food and nutrition; abortion. Domestic violence in Homes, Shelter Homes and After feel positive about government parental and matrimonial home, care organizations. Bureaucratic schemes, but also emphasize battering, physical tears, death due lethargy, political vested interests, the need for increased focus on to bleeding, rape, sexual harassment sexual exploitation of girls, education and personal safety of at home, workplace and public embezzlement of funds earmarked girls; reiterate the need for proper places, eve teasing, kidnapping for food, education, vocational implementation of laws; cherish and abduction, prostitution, sexual training, and lack of transparency spending time with friends, going assault, molestation, rape, child have eroded credibility of the Act. out, playing and studying; wish to sexual abuse, nuisance calls cause NGOs and social work institutions focus on personality development psychological disturbances among are the only conscience keepers. and improving life skills, such as girls and women and throw major acquiring self-confidence and skills health burden on girls. The trauma Chapter 10 on State responsibility in independent decision-making; and of sexual violence sparks off tension locates framework of state believe that self-assertion of rights is and anxiety at a dangerous level. responsibility under international a key to their empowerment. Women counselors working with human rights law. National girls have conveyed that their mental Commission for Children has a Rapid changes in the socio- health problems are manifested in special mandate for girls. The very economic and cultural reality, anxiety, fear, avoidance, guilt, loss first sentence in the chapter aptly parental expectations, values and of efficiency, lack of coordination, projects needs and aspirations norms, rising levels of competition depression, sexual dysfunction, of adolescent girls, ‘Adolescent and pressure during examination substance abuse, relieving the girls are not merely “claimants” time and a breakdown of traditional JANATA, December 23, 2012 15 family structures are factors that This book is a valuable Vacha Publications, Mumbai, accelerate this alarming trend. contribution in terms of its analytical 2012), Price:Rs.300/- Examination related anxiety results rigour, right based perspective into sharp rise in girls hurting and crucial strategic thinking 1. Amartya Sen: “Many Faces of themselves deliberately, leaving for empowerment of adolescent Gender Inequality”, an inauguration homes or killing themselves. Fear of girls. This book is a must-read for Lecture for New Radcliff Institute at failure is a root cause of all qualms. educationists, thinking youth, policy Harvard University, 24-4-2001. Parents who want their children to makers and practitioners dealing develop high self-esteem should with problems and challenges of 2 National Sample Survey make a point of treating them with girls and youth in general. Organization, Table 21-2, Delhi, respect and dignity. Concept of fiscal 1991; s70-s119. hygiene is important for girls to Rights of Adolescent Girls in understand the value of clean money India: A critical Look at Laws and 3 Jawa, R Girl Child Labour, N. Delhi: earned through hard work. Today’s Policies, by Adv. Saumya Uma, Manak Publications, 2002: 157 adolescent girls are at the crossroads. But every crossroad leads to new roads. Information revolution has made adolescent girls more aware and precocious. They have to enhance their knowledge base. Broadening one’s personal horizons is a sure way of tackling the crisis within oneself. Rural India Focus Today’s girls find the values instilled in them since their childhood, hollow in real life. Romance is found PRESENTING THE NATION WITH A REPLICABLE utilitarian and consumerist. The MODEL OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT economic security is bleak, emotional security is becoming a victim of uncertain times. Globalisation has led to the emergence of ADIVASI WEEKLY EYE RUNS THREE apparently homogeneous life-styles, GIRLS CAMPS AT HIGH HOSTEL THE YMC SCHOOLS necessities and comforts through AT TARA, HOSPITAL, media-images, whereas the reality of PANVEL TARA, PANVEL life is pathetically at variance with resources required to maintain such YUSUF MEHERALLY CENTRE FINANCE A CATARACT SURGERY a life. This has further deepened the AND YOU crisis of the adolescent girls. 10 to 15 eye operations are performed There are ways in which you can join the at the weekly eye camp held at the YMC movement in bringing education, Maharashtra State Government funded Let the Girls Bloom healthcare, women empowerment, hospital building. Sponsor a cataract Adolescent girls are surpassing employment generation, relief and growth operation for Rs. 15,000/-. to our rural villages. Visit our Centre, earlier milestones in the area of volunteer your help, buy our products, CONTRIBUTE TO THE SCHOOL education, vocation, sports and become a Life Member. You could also CORPUS support the cause by donating to our various cultural activities by displaying initiatives. YMC runs 3 high schools - 2 Marathi, 1 tremendous grit and hard work. Urdu medium. With only 2 of these on They are setting new benchmarks SPONSOR AN ADIVASI GIRL'S HOSTEL goverment aid, the Centre needs Rs.1 STAY crore as corpus to run the 3rd and in their success stories in spite of maintain, conduct extra-curricular socio-economic and cultural hurdles. It takes Rs.15,000 per year to meet the activities in all 3 and finance its building Now the state and civil society expenses for supporting a girl child's stay at expansion plans. Give generously. the hostel in Tara, Panvel Taluka. need to remove the institutional and cultural constraints so that the Yusuf Meherally Centre Visit www.yusufmeherally.org, adolescent girls can realise their D-15, Ganesh Prasad,1st Floor, Call: (022)-2387 0097, dreams. Providing good and healthy Naushir Barucha Marg, Fax: (022)-2388 9738 or Grant Road (West), E-mail : [email protected] role models for adolescent girls is Mumbai 400 007 very important. R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, December 23, 2012 P.R. No. MH/MR/WEST/275/2010-2012. Posted on every Wednesday at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1

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Vol. 67 No. 49 Run-up for 2014 begins December 30, 2012 S. Viswam Hanging of Kasab – some issues Rajindar Sachar The Congress has lost Gujarat lost because BJP failed to measure ‘I want to live’ once again, and as if to compensate and assess the popular resentment Rajindar Sachar for this, it has won, much to its own against the infighting in the BJP India’s moment of truth surprise, Himachal Pradesh. In any ranks both within and outside the Uday Dandavate other circumstance, one gain could state. We cannot, however, begrudge make up for one loss, thus leaving the Congress win. Virbhadra Singh Fraternalising Democratic the status quo intact. But Gujarat’s returned to the state after falling Socialists loss cannot be made up by Himachal from grace in New Delhi. But being D. K. Giri victory. Narendra Modi’s triumph a leader with grass-root support, he Let us not lose focus this time, his third in a row, takes managed to re-establish rapport with Bapu Heddurshetti the Congress to a new low. Which his supporters and ensure a clear means that the party that ruled Gujarat victory. He deserved to be sworn in Constitution Bill from the year it was bifurcated from for the sixth time as chief minister. Sharad Yadav composite Bombay may never again Which is a record matched only by Caste, religion and Untouchability come to power by unseating the a handful of leaders from any party. Vidya Bhushan Rawat now-deeply entrenched BJP. Unless Virbhadra is not a Jyoti Basu, but his the BJP commits a series of blunders credentials as a top representative The rusted steel frame in the coming years and negates all of Himachal cannot be questioned Harsh Mander the credit that Narendra Modi has or ignored either. Virbhadra Singh Indefinite fast in support of amassed for it in the last two decades, would however have to deliver good demands of farmers-labourers the BJP can hope to stick to power governance to retain the regained till the Congress puts its disarrayed asset. Fortunately, a day before he Fast at Rajghat house in order. That may not happen was sworn in, a local trial court has for another two assembly terms, after acquitted him and his wife of some Editor : which the law of diminishing returns corruption charges in a case filed G. G. Parikh would begin applying to the BJP. some years ago. Some people have all the luck! Managing Editor : Guddi The BJP seems to have lost D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Himachal largely because of the anti- Though held in the last month Naushir Bharucha Marg, incumbency phenomenon working of the fading year, the assembly Mumbai - 400 007. against it. The BJP lost not because polls in Gujarat and Himachal have the Congress overnight turned to be in fact initiated the run-up to the a superior party or chalked up new “election season” of 2013 which will Email : [email protected] roads to the voters’ affection. The BJP culminate in the 2014 Lok Sabha 2 JANATA, December 30, 2012 poll. At least six states (Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Hanging of Kasab – some issues Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Delhi) will elect new assemblies in the Rajindar Sachar year. The fate of the Congress and the BJP in 2014 will in effect be The hanging of Kasab, the lone meet him in his last moment – a decided in the assembly polls even survivor of 26th November, 2008 really human gesture. It would also though the state verdicts do not have complied with requirement always change electors’ opinion for terrorist gang has raised a number the parliamentary contests. But the of questions. The foremost being of law and shown humanitarian verdicts will certainly be a pointer. the refusal of India to abolish considerations. death penalty, notwithstanding that By virtue of its performance, the Gandhiji, Jayaprakash Naryan and It is a settled practice that before Congress, as the dominant partner Dr. Ambedkar were opposed to it. I hanging, the family members are of the UPA coalition, has no reason respectfully follow them. The secret given an opportunity to meet the to expect a great showing in 2014. hanging also seems unexplainable accused. The government claims Indeed, as one looks at the map, in view of sudden realization by that it told the Pakistan government the Congress’ position has very the Home Minister Shinde of the the evening before the execution little to commend itself in any state urgency and public advocacy of date about Kasab’s request to meet you look at. Added to the local rethink on capital punishment. his mother, but the Pak Government shortcomings, the loss of image at refused to receive the information. the Centre is a compounding factor. That Kasab was involved in I find no justification why Indian One of the biggest shortcomings terror attack was an open and shut government itself did not pass this the party suffers from at the local case. He had a fair trial with one of information to Pakistan Press - it levels is the absence of a credible senior Advocates of Supreme Court needs to be remembered that in the local leader. The Gujarat Congress being provided free by state, and it first instance it was Pakistan Press was in fact leaderless when it fought would be a slander to suggest to the which traced the parents and the the polls against an acknowledged contrary. But there are other aspects residence of Kasab in Pakistan. local leader. Thanks to the consistent which show a disturbing trend. I am Even Pak Government does not policy first of Indira Gandhi and not referring to the unusual speed dispute that Kasab and his co- now of her daughter-in-law Sonia with which his mercy petitions has terrorists (who were all killed in Gandhi all power is vested in the been disposed of, but to the manner the encounter) were from Pakistan, hands of the “unquestioned and in which the home ministry acted. it only wants to absolve itself from supreme leader” and state level The press reports quote two officials the charge of I.S.I. involvement leaders are not encouraged to wag who claim to have been present – in fact that is the crucial reason their tails. If any state leader shows giving contrary views, one saying why Kasab should not have been the gumption to stand up and be that he was remembering Allah hung and kept as a continuous counted, he is mercilessly pushed to and expressed his desire to see his illustration of Pak involvement the corner and politically ostracized mother and the other official saying (whether official or non official). A to the extent of conferring an exile that Kasab was sort of dazed and did living Kasab, realizing that Pakistan on him by way of punishment. Under not say anything. All this could have was repudiating him, might have the banyan tree of Sonia Gandhi’s been avoided if lawyers of Kasab disclosed more inside information. presidency, the shade is so dark that in the trial court and High Court As it is, the trial that is being held local leaders become invisible and had been allowed to be present. I in Pakistan against Hafiz Sayeed are seen only when a narrow beacon would even say that a couple of and others for their involvement of light is focused on them by Sonia Indian Press people should have is held up because of the objection Gandhi. And, sad to say, the heir- been allowed which could have by the Pak Government wanting to apparent has shown no inclination scotched any rumour mongering. cross examine those witnesses in or promise of being different. Sonia Above all, genuine effort by should Indian trial, a right which according Gandhi has lost more states than any have been made by our government to press reports India is inclined to (Continued on Page 2) to bring over Kasab’s mother to accept. Why then this gory urgency JANATA, December 30, 2012 3 to hang Kasab who was a live face such personages a more mature, Now that Kasab has been hanged of terror originating from Pakistan? civilized reaction. As against this will the Home Minister give the reaction of father of one of the concrete shape to his publically Why this tearing hurry? Was deceased that hanging is not a cause expressed view by bringing a law it, as some people suggest, that of celebration makes me salute his abolishing death penalty, because as Home Minister being from Mumbai humanism. he himself admits that death penalty wanted to score a personal victory is a violation of human rights? by being able to boast before the Kasab had stubbornly kept silent public on 26th November, 2012 till now. But now knowing that (Continued from Page 2) (the anniversary of this tragic all legal remedies are finished, he event) that he had avenged the might have become less resistant of her predecessors and all pointers barbaric act? If so, one would be to revealing all the details. After suggest that she is unlikely to win sorry if in such important public all the voice samples have got to any in 2014. Rahul has already delicate matters, small personal be matched. That is why I think been a failed vote-getter in this considerations prevail. that the government has acted respect. Luckily for it, the BJP is foolishly in hurrying through with as vulnerable these days as its main Another boast by the Home hanging. The government has adversary. Its stock is rock bottom. Minister that even Sonia Gandhi missed the opportunity to embarrass With a party president involved in or the Prime Minister did not know Pakistan. As it is responsible corruption charges, with leaders beforehand of hanging – not telling opinion and Press, in Pakistan at both national and state levels Sonia Gandhi is understandable, like “Dawn” soundly criticized at loggerheads with each other, because she is not in the government Pakistan government when it wrote with its performance as the main (though I would have thought that “the authorities in Islamabad acted opposition party in parliament none it would have been wiser to seek to establish facts that distanced too flattering, it will be a wonder if her advice, considering that she the state from the work of a few it leads the NDA to power in 2014. had shown admirable humanism fanatic killers. But that doesn’t Its loss will be the Congress’ gain. and lack of revenge sentiment, serve to hide the shortcomings in The stage for the 2014 battle royal when even in opposition she had the working of Pakistan’s anti- is being slowly set. recommended clemency, to Nalini terrorism apparatus and its inability one of the accused in Rajiv Gandhi to keep tabs on organizations.” murder case.) - but to have kept this information away from the Prime “Express – Tribune” of Pakistan Minister is certainly indefensible echoed the same sentiment thus under our Constitution. The Prime “we must show the world that as a Minister is the executive head and country, we are genuinely committed to keep him ignorant of the position to fighting terrorism. For this reason, where India-Pakistan relations are the process of trying the accused in concerned cannot be considered a our country must be expedited….. at correct step. the top of the list of those accused by the Indian government in the I feel that this tearing hurry and Mumbai attacks is leader of the encouragement even by the press to Jamaat-ud-Dawa, Hafiz Muhammad show that people were celebrating Saeed….New Delhi has provided ill befits our civilized culture and I evidence to our government am shocked that even responsible of involvement of Pakistani Price: Rs. 20/- persons like Anna Hazare and individuals in the 2008 attacks the well known director of films but Islamabad denies substantive Janata Trust regretting as to why Kasab had not proof. Such misconceptions need D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Naushir been hung publically or even been to be determinedly resolved if Bharucha Marg, Grant Road (W), Mumbai 400 007. allowed to be publically lynched. militancy is to be brought down in One would have expected from the country.” 4 JANATA, December 30, 2012

Between the lines

‘I want to live’

Kuldip Nayar

Like an individual, the nation The students were angry and The mother of the raped girl too has a limit of tolerance. For there was disconnect between has complained that the police put Delhi and some other cities, the them and the government. They pressure on her, says a letter of the gang rape at the national capital was expected some heads to roll. But magistrate who went to record the the proverbial last straw. Students mere statements could not allay statement of the girl. Sheila Dikshit filled the streets to demonstrate and their mistrust. The general feeling has rightly taken up the matter even had one or two pitched battles was that none would be punished with the home ministry which has with the police. One policeman has and soon it would be business as ordered an inquiry to find out how died and many students have been usual. The government should have far the mother was intimidated injured. Such incidents are bound transferred Police Commissioner by the police, which denied the to happen when anger is sought to Neeraj Kumar straightaway. His allegation. be fought with water canons and explanation was a poor defence of lathi-charge. his failure. If nobody in his force In fact, the entire judicial process was to blame, then who blundered? has no respect in the eyes of the No doubt, the demonstration at To maintain law and order in Delhi people. It takes too long to get the Delhi was ignited by deep anger requires imagination and novel guilty punished. At present, there are over the rape. But it was an outburst ideas, not the outmoded ways to 400 rape cases pending for years to of piled-up resentment against which the police are used. What be adjudged. Even if the Delhi gang the system which neither delivers was also lacking was human touch rape is listed for fast tracking, there justice nor gives jobs. It is a sad or personal contact. are so many loopholes in the law and commentary on non-governance and there are courts of appeal which will Delhi’s Lt. Governor was on a ineptness of administrations which take their own time. Laws have to vacation and according to state chief have been run by rulers of all shades be changed. More importantly, the minister Shiela Dikshit, he was not since independence, particularly legal system requires overhauling. contactable. Why should such a after the early 1970s. Capital punishment does not deter person remain at his post? Even his rapists. Chemical castration is a Prime Minister Indira Gandhi tenure of second term has ended. His must. There is a public demand tried to suppress grievances and drama, after return, of suspending for it. disappointments by authoritarian a few lower functionaries lacked script. Parliament members were up methods although she had swept the on their legs to ventilate their polls on the promise of eliminating The appointment of a judicial importance. Two political parties poverty. Nobody can accuse meek commission has not evoked response demanded immediate and drastic Prime Minister Manmohan Singh because commissions have ceased to measures to deal with the guilty. of authoritarianism but almost have credibility. The one headed by Strange, none asked at least the nine years of his rule shows that B. N. Srikrishna to probe the 1993 resignation of MPs sitting among he is too much of a bureaucrat communal riots in Mumbai and the them with charges of rape. One who knows rules but not how to other by M. S. Liberhan on Babri explanation given is that the Election take drastic steps. Even his belated masjid demolition remain on paper. Commission should take action. address to the nation was bald and The accused in both the reports are Why not parliament itself? (One lacked punch. At least he could people who are politically powerful. third of Gujarat MLAs face criminal have stopped the spectacle of ugly What would the commission on the cases, including rape). controversy among the Delhi chief Delhi gang rape prove when there minister, union home minister and is no faith left in such attempts to All political parties should realize the police commissioner. silence articulate voices? that the youth in the country does JANATA, December 30, 2012 5 not find the existing institutions giving answers to their questions: India’s moment of truth Why so much poverty? Why an increasing gap between the rich and Uday Dandavate the poor? Why the stranglehold of caste and creed? Why the failure th of government to appreciate their On June12 , 1975, the Congress credits Jayaprakash Narayan and aspirations? The Congress leaders government lost Gujarat assembly Mahatma Gandhi as his inspiration, did talk to some students in batches elections to the Janata Morcha. On has stirred the conscience of the but found no leader who could the same day Allahabad High Court nation and appealed to the youth pacify or represent them. The declared Prime Minister Indira of India to pursue a new vision leaderless mob is the worst that can Gandhi’s election to the Parliament for a corruption-free India. Unlike happen in a country. Some lumpen invalid in response to an election Jayaprakash Narayan, Anna Hazare elements were able to introduce petition filed by socialist leader is today wary of approaching the next violence. This means that the youth Late Raj Narain. Indira Gandhi parliamentary election with a half- is a combustible material which can was defiant. She imposed a State of baked political alternative and has be set on fire by some demagogues. Emergency and put all the opposition therefore decided to part ways with leaders in prison for the next two some of his key lieutenants in the Many years ago, alienated years and suspended civil liberties anti-corruption movement, who are students at Osborne in France of citizens in the country. The more eager to fight the system in the almost brought about a revolution. underground movement against the electoral arena in 2014. Anna Hazare But the movement failed because emergency provided the impetus to and his team have expressed greater of ideological differences among the non-Congress opposition parties interest in building a long term grass the students. More recently, the to unite for the first time against the root level cadre of committed youth Arab spring in some Muslim monolithic Congress party rule and for transforming India. Aam Adami countries changed the rulers. Mobs to eventually displace it from power Party, led by Arvind Kejriwal is in came onto the streets and found a in 1977. Due to lack of ideological the meanwhile gearing up to fight common cause: authoritarian rulers cohesion and conflict of personal the next parliamentary election drenched in corruption. In China, ambitions of the top leaders the against both the established parties, the students had gathered at the Janata Party, a by-product of India’s the Bharatiya Janata Party and Tiananmen Square to protest against fight against corruption, splintered the Congress party, terming them the dictatorial regime. But then and India’s electorate brought Indira both as part of the corrupt system. Beijing, with no democracy, crushed Gandhi back to power within a short The enthusiasm generated by the hundreds of them to kill dissent. period of 18 months. Upon the movement for Lok Pal Bill in the disintegration of the Janata Party, country resembled the movement The present rulers have nearly got Jayaprakash Narayan, the architect against corruption in 1974-75, away with all their excesses. This of the “anti-corruption movement” yet the scenario before the 2014 is because India is an open flabby of 1974-75 and the author of the elections to India’s parliament is society. People can express their “Total Revolution”- a dream that radically different from the pre- views freely despite the pressure drove youth to the movement against election scenario of 1977. and price. But it lives under a corruption - lamented, “A garden delusion that the status quo can be (a metaphor for the dream of total In 1977, compulsions of fight for maintained. What has happened revolution) has been destroyed”. civil liberties brought the Congress at Delhi is a warning. The system (O), Jan Sangh (now BJP), Socialist requires overhauling. Even the The situation today in many ways Party and Swatantra Party under election of members has to be is similar to the year 1975, yet the the umbrella of the Janata Party. looked into because money and differences need to be understood. Jagjivan Ram who had only recently musclemen have reduced the polling Congress party finds itself in a similar separated from Indira Gandhi to form to a farce. The police in many states situation - it is today presiding over his own Congress for Democracy have become the private army of the most corrupt edifice and stands merged it into the Janata Party as chief ministers. discredited in the eyes of India’s soon as the Lok Sabha campaign (Continued on Page 6) citizens. Anna Hazare, who often began. The constituents of the Janata 6 JANATA, December 30, 2012

Party could never arrive at a shared Minister due to compulsions of India. Many of them are excited at ideological platform for building a accommodating the secular leaders the prospect of linking the politics of sustained political alternative. into NDA. NDA became a new religious identity and development version of the ideologically disparate and of making deep inroads into The Janata Party was torn between coalition of parties from 1977 era. the religious sensitivities of India the Congress (O) - rejects of the for long term political gains. In Congress culture, Socialists - who In the meanwhile, Narendra Narendra Modi’s leadership they had championed an egalitarian Modi emerged on the scene as the see an opportunity to reverse the society since separating from the voice of the hardliners in the BJP. “pandering of Muslim minority” Congress of pre-independence Narendra Modi tapped into the (a common belief amongst the era, and the Jan Sangh - who had popular anger against Pakistan- conservative majority population relentlessly pursued the dream of sponsored terrorism and global of India) and getting rid of “Pseudo Hindu Rashtra. sentiment against activities of Al Secularism” from the political Qaida to establish a new political discourse. After the collapse of the Janata platform that promised a new Party, Bharatiya Janata Party, brand of politics that combined Narendra Modi’s ascendance formerly Jan Sangh, decided to promise of development with a to the political center stage is a go back to its original agenda of chauvinistic passion. He ruthlessly moment of truth for India and for harnessing the religious sentiments capitalized on the anger against the coalition partners of the National of the Hindu majority as the central Muslim minority and presided Democratic Alliance. It is a time to plank of its political agenda. L.K. over the most heinous genocide of choose between the true beliefs in Advani led the rise of BJP by Muslims in Gujarat in 2002. The democratic system of governance, embarking on a pilgrimage to liberal mask of the Bharatiya Janata in India’s belief in secular principles, Ayodhya in a “chariot”. He led a Party, Prime Minister AtalBihari in the need to maintain religious frenzied crowd of a million people Vajpayee, advised Modi to assume harmony and in tapping into the towards the Babri Masjid, which led responsibility for the riots by cultural diversity as a source of to the destruction of the historical demonstrating his “Raj Dharma”. innovation and development. In the monument and installation of a Vajpayee’s advice was ignored. coming months the youth of India temporary idol of Ram at the site. The opportunity for cashing on the will be faced with a difficult task of The Ram Janmabhoomi movement popular combative passions helped choosing between ascendance to a brought dividends to the Bharatiya BJP gain a foothold in the minds fanatical and autocratic development model or gradual evolution of Janata Party in the next elections. of Hindu majority. Gujarat became a democracy that allows for its Atal Bihari Vajpayee became the a laboratory for Narendra Modi to diversity to be nurtured. Prime Minister of India. Many of the start a new “ revolution” of fanatical progressive and socialist leaders from nationalism. (Continued from Page 2) the former Janata Party/Janata Dal, Overall, the country is peaceful, joined the bandwagon and became Today Gujarat has turned another not because the people are a part of the National Democratic page in the history of India’s political contended but because they still evolution. Narendra Modi has Alliance (NDA) which became have confidence of changing the an alternative to the Congress-led emerged victorious for the third complexion of parliament and state United Progressive Alliance (UPA). time in the assembly election and assemblies through votes. But this has twitted- “its time to move confidence is lessening election While Atal Bihari became the FORWARD”- clearly indicating his after election. More than that, the conciliatory face of the ND, which wider design of taking his approach poor cannot live out in the cold, allowed the parties with secular to the national level. Modi’s pilot hungry and without future, for beliefs an excuse to overlook the project in Gujarat is ready for a another 64 years, the span since communal agenda of the BJP, L.K. national roll out. The people of independence. They want to live. Advani was sidelined due to his Gujarat and many supporters and In another context, the raped girl, overt association with a hardline admirers of Narendra Modi are fighting against death, says: I want religious stance. L.K. Advani had to excited at the prospect of seeing to live. The nation has to decide make way for Atal Bihari as a Prime him as the next prime minister of how? JANATA, December 30, 2012 7 Fraternalising Democratic Socialists

D. K. Giri

A group of forty men and women least defined among the values of the and justice - as well as a facilitator from seven states of India met in Left, whereas a huge literature exists to realise those values. Professor Hyderabad for five days in November on ‘liberty’ and ‘equality’. Even in T. K. Oommen, the renowned this year for an Ideological Retreat. Indian Constitution, in its preamble, sociologist and the president of ADS It was organised by Association for there is the mention of ‘fraternity’. It suggests that ‘fraternity’ (solidarity) Democratic Socialism, New Delhi reads, “To promote among them all recognises group dimension and (ADS) and Centre for Socialist FRATERNITY assuring the dignity community orientation in social life. Studies, Bangalore. The Retreat of the individual and the unity and While individual rights and liberties was the follow-up of a national integrity of the Nation”. But, unlike are to be valued and recognised, camp held in Bangalore early this ‘liberty’ and ‘equality’, there are their realisation is possible only if year on “Clarity of Progressive no provisions in the Constitution to a conducive social milieu exists. He Thoughts, especially, Democratic actualise the value of ‘fraternity’. argues that even in a free, equitous Socialism”. It was realised in the Let us examine if this value then and just society individuals differ camp that Democratic Socialists is simply a moral assertion, or like in motivations, aspirations and needed to reflect on their principles other values, a practical necessity to abilities. Societies consist of both and practices in order to have realise Democratic Socialism. weak and strong. While capitalist greater clarity and unity of thoughts democracy tends to endorse social and actions. The Hyderabad Retreat Defining Fraternity Darwinism, betting for the strong, was to deepen the understanding of What is Fraternity? Before we Democratic Socialism entails and commitment to fundamental define it, and study its application practising fraternity wherein the values of Democratic Socialism. in various contexts, we should note strong extends a helping hand to The next Retreat in Kerala in March that ‘fraternity’ is considered akin the weak. It endorses the notion of 2013 would reflect on policies and to ‘solidarity’, the value in vogue in Aristotle, “ man is a social animal’ practices of Democratic Socialism Marxist vocabulary, and now used and in a political context, Aristotle in India and elsewhere. by Democratic Socialists as well. has said: “From these things it is Some political thinkers would argue evident, that the city belongs among The core values of Democratic that ‘solidarity’ is an extension of the things that exist by nature, and Socialism - liberty, equality, ‘fraternity’. We, however, use it that man is by nature a political fraternity, and justice - were here as a synonym for ‘solidarity’. animal” (1253a1-3). discussed thoroughly in all their The meaning of ‘fraternity’ as dimensions and ramifications. There implied in French Revolution is, Ingredients of Fraternity were long debates on each of the “Fraternity is a word associated What are the elements of values in a spirit of collective with the idea of community, which ‘fraternity’? There are several. learning, for instance, positive is a body of people that share a First, ‘fraternity’ is associated with and negative liberty, equality common interest or purpose, such activity, doing things. It is not just of conditions and equality of as a guild. It is also associated an attitude of mind, an abstract love outcomes, differentiated levels of with brother/sisterhood and for humanity. So it does not mean recognition of justice and so on. It having/working/fitting/producing anything when one says s/he likes was agreed that all the values were something together as a group. him or her, unless one works with interdependent inasmuch as they Also, a fraternity can be recognised either or both in a common task or could not be practiced or secured as a group viewed as a forming a stays with them in harmony, like in isolation of each other. The value distinct segment of society”. But brothers or sisters in a family with which generated interest and a need Democratic Socialists interpret it their differences or independence for further inquiry is “fraternity”. as a product of practising the other as well as bonds of circumstances This was because ‘fraternity’ is the core values - freedom, equality and affection. Second, ‘fraternity’ 8 JANATA, December 30, 2012 recognises differences and 495). Therefore, the ideal situation Fraternalising Indian Socialists diversities in societies. It implies is when liberty and fraternity go Have we not faulted as Indian individuality not sameness. But, together. The worry is if fraternity Democratic Socialists in our neglect in the collective approach, central is hard to find in liberal conditions, of practicing fraternity amongst to the philosophy of Democratic some people may seek fraternity in us? One of the core values of our Socialism, individuals have to violent actions. Fifth, fraternity is political philosophy remained less work together for the realisation better practiced in smaller groups, understood and unpractised, which of the common tasks and for a just on small scale, but it needs to be surely caused disunity and even society. The formula is, “from each extended to large scale, beyond splits amongst us in the past and according to his abilities, to each groups and nations. If it is not does so even now. In commendably according to his needs”. Third, extended to all humanity, it may lead rich contributions made by Indian Fraternity is not incompatible with to deadly rivalries, between East and socialists to the philosophy of inequality as particular groups West, North and South, Developing democratic socialism, there is not practice it when they are in conflict and Developed, etc. But, we have much mention of this value. It is with other groups. Fraternity of to balance the large and small, lest not surprising as Indian society is “struggle and passion” is merely the large should obliterate the small made up of communities, and there temporary unless the pressure scale. One simple example could is quite a bit of intra-community is artificially kept up, like when be when we aim for a multicultural fraternity. But, there is not much Trotsky advocated, “permanent society, we should foster various evidence of fraternity practiced revolution” to ensure the monopoly cultural groups as well. Fifth, at inter-community levels or in of power of the Communist Party (in fraternity is based on sociability, a other occupational or professional the right hands) , or Chairman Mao value which is somewhat a marriage groups. Such groups tend to be argued that every generation must between Marxist ‘class identity’ either hierarchical or competitive. experience the intense comradeship and Rosseaunistic ‘personality’ Indian socialists suffered this social of the revolutionary renewal. Von or libertarian ‘individualism’. and cultural trend, and did not Rauschning, in his once-famous Sociability limits individualism consciously do much to mitigate book, “The Revolution of Nihilism”, it. The clash of personalities, argued the paradox that people did as well as it goes beyond class identity. Personality is good to intellectual and ideological egos not first march along with Nazis between Indian socialists hurts because they shared their values, challenge established conventions or undesirable traditions, but it is us all and hinders the movement. they marched because they wanted Shall we not go deeper into this not good enough for creating new to gain a feeling of brotherhood very important facilitative value of conventions of social justice and and wanted to agree with them. ‘fraternity’, in our understanding, fraternity. Likewise, class in a Thus, camping, drilling, marching, internalise it, in order to revive class-based society is an important demonstrating, rioting, and beating and foster unity amongst us. Shall identity, but it is not sufficient of Jews and Communists together we not practice, what we should account of individual identity. gave them the experience of preach? fraternity they desired so much. Sixth, Democratic Socialists should Democratic Socialists shun such realise that economic planning Janata tendencies and practice of fraternity alone cannot create a fraternal Subscription which cause conflicts among groups society. Social conditions can help Annual Rs. : 260/- of human beings differentiated or hurt fraternity, but cannot create Three Years : 750/- on the bases of class, race, sex, fraternity. No doubt, fraternity Demand Draft / Cheque on nationality, religion, ideology and so goes with friendliness, kindliness, Mumbai Bank forth. Fourth, liberty and fraternity helpfulness, mutual understanding must go together. Human experience and respect, no intellectual or in favour of shows that fraternity without liberty ideological complex or ego, belief Janata Trust is a nightmare; and liberty without in essential oneness of humanity fraternity is competitive cruelty, and above all, willingness to work D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Naushir Bharucha Marg, (Bernard Crick, Socialist Values together for a common task and in Mumbai 400 007 and Time, Fabian Society, No, collective causes. JANATA, December 30, 2012 9 Let us not lose focus

Bapu Heddurshetti

Kindly permit me to respond livelihood because of the SEZs. But perpetuating inequalities. Not that to Pannalal Surana’s response in there is no compulsion on farmers irrigation should not be done, but Janata of 16, December 2012. It to part with their lands in forming that it should be the concern of the is a strange logic and a stranger SEZs. Government does not acquire ‘agricultural scientist’ rather than a economic argument, that since the land compulsorily from farmers socialist. A socialist should be more ‘farmers’ constitute 66 percent of the but the developer has to either concerned with reducing inequalities population so much of development purchase the land or lease it in both existing in the pattern of land expenditure should be allotted to of which cases the farmers part with holdings and integrating the farmer ‘agriculture’. By that logic, since their land voluntarily. Is purchasing and agricultural worker classes teachers and doctors constitute or leasing the land ‘looting’ the into a homogeneous agricultural only 1 percent or even less of the farmers? I think we should steer class thereby enhancing equality population only 1 percent of the clear of emotional arguments. in society leaving the qualitative development expenditure should be and quantitative improvements allotted to ‘education’ and ‘health Even presuming that all the in agriculture to the agricultural care’. notified 583 SEZs are operational scientists. Socialists should not lose and are multi-sector the land use their ‘focus’. If loans advanced by Banks to comes to 583000 hectares which the farmers are to be considered presuming to be all cultivated land That a person accused of an ‘private’ investment by the farmers, comes to .3 percent of the Net Area offence should be presumed innocent by the same logic can we treat Sown in 2007-08. Even presuming till he is proved guilty is not ‘my’ the loans advanced by the Banks that lands of only marginal farmers ‘spacious’ ‘argument’ but a well to the ‘industrialists’ as ‘private’ have been taken for SEZs, since the settled principle of law. Since “Due investment by the industrialists? average land holding is .4 hectares, to procedural and social-political Again farmers are not only advanced 14.5 lakh holdings have been taken constraints, it is extremely difficult loans at very low rates of interest, over. Since 380 SEZs have provided but periodically the interests and employment for 8,15,308 persons, to prove corruption there” are we loans are ‘waived’ off. In Karnataka 583 SEZs can be safely presumed going to decide that people are guilty farmers get ‘free’ electricity for their to provide employment for 12.5 because they are accused of being pump sets. Fertilisers are subsidised lakh persons. This is apart from the guilty and condemn them? This and the minimum support prices man-days employment created for is preposterous jurisprudence. Of increase between Rs. 80 and Rs. the infrastructure development. Is course one is free to either follow the 700 for agricultural produce almost not this kind of shift in employment ‘rule of law’ or rule of the jungle’ And every year. from agriculture to industries being concerned about ‘corruption’ When there is surplus production welcome since agriculture in India is one thing and condemning and of any commodity does ‘equity is over-populated? socially or politically punishing a and balanced approach to growth’ person accused of being corrupt is demand reduction of outlay or At the end of the day, the arguments another. increase? Agriculturists should feel are not ‘socialist’ but ‘agriculturist’. lucky that though their contribution For example, irrigation is not a And pray, where does Shri Surana to the national GDP has been ‘socialist’ program as it does not locate my ‘scare’ in my response to decreasing over the years the outlay ‘reduce’ inequalities but perpetuates his article? has remained constant. them as a farmer with 20 hectares of land will benefit 20 times more We should not reduce socialism Shri Surana worries that farmers than a farmer with one hectare of into an emotional doctrine, it is a are being ‘looted’ of their means of land in the irrigated area thereby rational doctrine. 10 JANATA, December 30, 2012 Indefinite fast in support of demands of farmers-labourers

Dr Sandeep Pandey, Magsaysay respond regarding the demands raised of 25 percent reservation for Awardee and Vice President of by this movement. Although we underprivileged children in Socialist Party and Anil Mishra, have informed Rajendra Chaudhari, all schools should be strictly social activist are on an indefinite fast spokesperson of Samajwadi Party, implemented without delay. along with demonstration in support about our demands and this indefinite 4. Illegal extortion and bribes taken of demands of farmers-labourers fast and demonstration, so far there for appointments should be organized by Socialist Party jointly is no proposal from the government with National Alliance of People’s to hold a dialogue. stopped. Movements (NAPM), Lok Rajniti 5. Anti-farmer Maitreya Project in Manch, Hind Mazdoor Sabha, Demands Kushinagar should be cancelled. Rihai Manch, Special Teachers 1. Unorganized sector should get 6. Innocent Muslim youth who are and Guardians Association since minimum wage of Rs 11,000 jailed in the name of terrorism December 23, 2012. per month or Rs 440 per day. should be released. We demand Minimum wages should be linked The gap between the rich and to make RD Nimesh Investigation to Consumer Price Index. Report’ public. the poor has widened even more, 2. It is a matter of grave concern that with salary scales of service sector during the last wheat purchase 7. Special teachers should be increasing manifold and rising prices very few farmers could get the appointed for differently-abled over the past years. We believe in minimum support price of Rs children (handicapped children). the standard recommended by Dr 1285 per quintal because of 8. Doctors including dental surgeons Ram Manohar Lohia that the gap dominance of middlemen. The between the income of the rich and should be appointed in all primary same situation is now occurring in and community health centres. the poor should not be more than ten the paddy purchase. We demand times. Also in a democracy everyone a CBI probe in this Wheat-Paddy 9. There should be a complete ban should be getting the same income. purchase scam. on tobacco and alcohol. We demand that Wage Board 3. Under the Right of Children to should amend the minimum wage Apart from these, effective Free and Compulsory Education measures should be taken to curb of labourers of unorganized sector to (RTE) Act, 2009, the clause Rs 440 so that these labourers don’t and control inflation and corruption. receive wage less than the minimum –NAPM income given by the government. As we know trade union is demanding a Fast at Rajghat minimum income of Rs 11,000 per Members of the Socialist Party the victim and aguish against the month for contract workers. and Socialist Yuvjan Sabha observed government. He said that it is a Even the election manifesto of one-day fast at Rajghat on December matter of shame on the part of Delhi Samajwadi Party had a promise that 21, 2012 in solidarity of the victim Chief Minister who allowed water Farmers’ Commission will be formed of the gang-rape in a moving bus in canon and lathi charge on women to decide the minimum support price Delhi; and to condemn the callous protesters at her residence. She for farmers that should be no less attitude of the State Chief Minister must resign and an effective inquiry than 1.5 times their investment. Sheila Dixit, the UPA Chairperson and speedy judicial process should But the biggest question related to Sonia Gandhi and the Prime Minister be initiated to punish the culprits, minimum support price is that how Manmohan Singh towards the he added. He expressed heartfelt will it be implemented? Who will gruesome crime. Renu Gambhir, concern for the victim and her family put a clamp on middlemen? The president, Socialist Party, Delhi, led and condemned the dismissive and government should demonstrate the fast. insensitive attitude of the Congress. political will and ban middlemen in matters related to farmers and Speaking on this occasion Justice National General Secretary Dr. extortion from the poor people. Rajindar Sachar said that it gives Prem Singh expressed deep concern me some solace that Socialist Party for the plight of the victim wished This indefinite fast will continue workers hold this fast at Bapu’s her a speedy recovery and healthy till the time government doesn’t Samadhi to show solidarity with future. He said that the members JANATA, December 30, 2012 11 of the Socialist Party understand that the parents/family members Constitution (117th Amendment) Bill of the victim are passing through a nightmare beyond imagination. Sharad Yadav We pray that they may face this crisis with patience and courage. He informed that on the request of As you are aware that the amendments were constitutionally the Socialist Party Justice Rajindar Constitution (117th Amendment) valid, the concerned State will have Sachar has promised to look into Bill, 2012 to provide reservation to show in each case the existence the judicial process of the case for the SCs and STs in Government of the compelling reasons namely personally. He further said that Sonia job promotions, could not be backwardness and inadequacy Gandhi has rubbed salt on the wound discussed and passed in the Lok of representation and overall of the victim and the thousands of Sabha due to disruptions by some administrative efficiency before insecure women in the capital by party members. Reservation has making provision for reservation. merely reaching the hospital. If she were really concerned, she should been available to SCs and STs Since the impugned provision was have asked for the resignation of the in promotions since long. The an enabling provision, the State was Delhi C.M. Sheila Dixit in the first Supreme Court in its judgment not bound to make reservation for place. The gruesome crime is the dated 16.11.1992 in the case of Indra SC/ST in the matter of promotions. result of absolute incompetence and Sawhney had held reservation in insensitivity of the Delhi C.M. Delhi promotion as unconstitutional but However, if they wish to has become a city of rapes, murders allowed its continuation for five exercise their discretion and make and loot under her leadership, not years from the date of judgment such provision, the State has to to speak of the several allegations as a special case. After expiry of collect quantifiable data showing of corruption against her. But Sonia five years, the 77th amendment to backwardness of the class and Gandhi always protects and promotes inadequacy of representation of her as she is a member of her coterie. the Constitution was made in 1995 The regret expressed by the P.M. on which enabled the Government to that class in public employment this heartrending incident is a farce. continue reservation for SCs and in addition to compliance of The security of the citizens is not STs in promotion and Article 16(4A) Article of 335. As such, the Central his worry, even remotely. His first was added in the Constitution. On Government has not made any and last concern is to implement the 10.10.1995 the Supreme Court in change consequent upon Nagaraj neo-imperialist capitalist agenda. the matter of Virpal Singh Chauhan case in its policy regarding By implementing this agenda he held that if an SC/ST candidate is reservation in promotion along has thrown the Indian society in promoted earlier than his senior with consequential seniority to SC/ the gorge of a sub-culture in which general candidate, by virtue of rule ST which was continuing since women, children and old people are of reservation roster, and the senior 2002. Finally, the Supreme Court most vulnerable victims. He also demanded immediate resignation of general candidate is promoted in its judgment on 27.04.2012 in the the Delhi C.M.. later to the said higher grade, the matter of UP Power Corporation V/s general candidate shall regain his Rajesh Kumar, upheld its directions Dr. Raj Kumar Jain, Shiv Mangal seniority over such earlier promoted issued in the case of Nagaraj, and Sidhantkar, Shyam Gambhir, Manju SC/ST candidate. Further, 85th hence the 117th Constitutional Mohan, Dr. A.K. Arun, Ram Gopal amendment to the Constitution Amendment as mentioned above Sisodia, Rakhi Gupta, Dr. Harish was made by amending clause 4A was necessitated in the interest of Khanna, Comrade Narendra Singh, so as to give benefit and retain SCs/STs. Indradev, Abhai Sinha, Anil Nauriya the seniority to SC/ST candidate. and other activists visited the venue Reservation in promotions were If I may say so, the representation to lend their support. challenged in many States. All of reserved classes of the Society At the end, a memorandum was these cases were clubbed and heard in our Courts is negligible and submitted to the President. by Supreme Court in M Nagaraj therefore to understand the agony case. The Supreme Court while and misery of SC/STs and backward –Niraj Singh ruling that the above 77th and 85th class people is not possible for the 12 JANATA, December 30, 2012

Courts. It is a fact that from centuries the SC/STs are the depressed people Caste, religion and Untouchability of the society as they have not been given an environment which other Vidya Bhushan Rawat classes of the society have been enjoying. Being in public life, I am Ashaq Ali Wattal hails from are below the norm at the maximum of the firm opinion that this section a community which has the sole for part time work as sweeper you of the society has been neglected ‘right’ to clean the toilets in Jammu still get Rs 200/- per month in the and their every new generation and Kashmir. Hailing from Doda, government as well as about Rs keeps on suffering in our country. Wattal moans at the continuous 300-Rs 500/- per month in private. It is unfortunate that even after 65 negligence by the state government years of our independence we the and its authorities towards the It is strange that the Jammu politicians could not uplift their community of manual scavengers and Kashmir government has no standard of living due to many in Jammu and Kashmir. His father policy for these people. After much obvious reasons. A large number was a manual scavenger working persuasion they are placed among of people in our society belong with municipality but now has left the Scheduled Caste category and to this class and they are socially the work and does bamboo work. in the sixth place yet when the disadvantaged and generation after Ashaq has passed 10th standard question of reservation comes, they generation and century after century and does electric work in his town. never get any opportunity in the their living conditions have not been He was in Delhi to speak about his government. And therefore despite improved. people and the discrimination they a huge population of about several face in their daily life. According lakhs, it would be a rare site to see Since neither the Government has to Wattal, nobody wants to keep Wattal community person outside centralized data reflecting adequacy/ relations “with us though there is their traditional occupation. inadequacy of representation of no discrimination in the mosque SCs/STs in promotion quota, nor during the Namaz”. Despite, living Ashaq has three sons and he is it has centralized data on cadre in a Muslim dominated Kashmir it determined to educate them. In fact and grade wise representation of is strange that those who talk about two of them are in a university. The this class, I am of the view that nondiscrimination in Islam never fight for social justice and dignity the SCs/STs should be notified in ever thought that this issue needs continues. Shahid Hussain had the schedule under Article 341 and immediate attention. Why has there difficult time. He used to work as 342 of the Constitution. When SCs/ been no movement among the sweeper but never accepted his STs are notified under Article 341 Muslims to fight for the rights of the defeat. He passed his 10th standard and 342, then automatically there Muslim Dalits. A continuous denial and got a job in a nationalized bank. will not be any need to collect will not work in this regard. With his determination he completed quantifiable data showing their his graduation and is now working backwardness of the class and Wattal says that his father used to as an office assistant in the bank. For inadequacy of representation of work part time in the municipality him, it was difficult but he was able that class in public employment. I and could not get more than Rs to get it. “There is no reservation have been visiting backward areas 1,000/- a month when he retired for us” he says, the pain reflects in his eyes as he narrates the story of of various States in the country and from his job. He says his maternal struggle of his family. I know their plight very closely. aunt Misha Begum worked with Therefore, I am sure that unless a government hospital for over 40 years and her daily routine is from According to a report submitted we take immediate measures to early morning till afternoon yet at the to the Supreme Court by Safai safeguard the interests of SCs/STs moment she gets just Rs 700/- per Karmchari Andolan, there are 7.94 like the above 117th Constitutional month. The problem with most of the lakh open latrines in the country Amendment, the society in the Wattals is that they are forced to this and apart from Uttar Pradesh and country will be divided and we work as there is no other opportunity Tamil Nadu, Jammu & Kashmir is will be left with no other remedial available for them. The payments one of the biggest violators in this measures. JANATA, December 30, 2012 13 regard where 1,78,330 households propose to do to eliminate this where the Islamic zealots are ready need manual scavenging but the crime against humanity? Will it to fight for everything in the name latest figures from J&K government rehabilitate the people and provide of their identity but have found suggest that out of total 1,60,804 them alternative employment? Most little time to wage a war against households in the rural areas importantly, what do the ‘thekedars’ untouchability and caste system over 1,49,492 depend on manual of Islam say on this issue? All inside their four walls even when scavenging which shows the status those who suggest we have a better arguments were pushed forward by of ‘development’ in Kashmir. Out alternative in religion must answer many people who felt that religious of total 5,17,168 urban households, these questions. conversion is the best bet to escape 17,768 houses are dependent on caste discrimination. manual scavenging. Dalits remained Dalits in most of the religions though unlike The manual scavenging According to reports, Shopian, brahmanical system, the other communities must be rehabilitated Kupwara, Bandipur, Srinagar, religions opened a little window for without being discriminated on the Kulgaum, Anantnag, Ganderbal and them in terms of their worshipping basis of their religious identities as Pulwama have very large number pattern. They can go to mosque they do not merely exist in Jammu of dry latrines which need manual without being discriminated but and Kashmir but elsewhere also scavengers to clean them. And as the same is not true about Christian including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Ashaq Wattal says, all of them Dalits who face discrimination Bengal, Andhra Pradesh , Karnataka who are engaged in the manual from the upper caste Christians , Punjab, Haryana and Tami Nnadu scavenging task are Muslims. This even in the churches. If the Centre too. It is also important that the exposes the hypocrisy of those so- is making a law against elimination fight for the Pasmanda Muslims called Jehadis who talk so much of manual scavenging practices and their rights must begin at home about fighting against others and or even if a law is enacted for too. It is easier to suggest that there place an ‘Islamic state’ but never reservation in promotion, the is liberation of Dalits in religion but really bothered about the conditions Muslim and Christian dalits would at the end if we investigate their of the Muslim Dalits. Why has such not be able to get any benefit of the socio-cultural conditions, it is open a large population not got any legal reservation. It violates the basic secret that caste virus continues right from the Government of India? principle of equality without any there too and the discrimination religious prejudices; therefore it is level remain the same. Just being It is sad that the elimination important that benefits of reservation proud because your religion allowed of manual scavenging practices or rehabilitation must incorporate all them in Mosque and Churches will bill has not yet come up in the the Dalits in diverse communities. not suffice for their survival and parliament. The political parties The issue of Dalit identity and dignity. War against untouchability can get consensus on everything their discrimination became the transcends nation, state, caste and which they want to get through but tool for religious propagandists too religious boundaries. It is time we all when the question of dignity of the who wish to fight it on the basis of join hands against this crime against manual scavenging communities their ‘religious’ beliefs and provide humanity to eliminate it completely comes, they remain suspect as ‘liberation’ theology for it. from the planet. Jammu and Kashmir they never cared for that. Today, government must come clean on it if the bill is passed and makes the The fact is the brahmanical and take the issue of untouchabiity rehabilitation part of the process practices of discrimination have and manual scavenging on a including alternative job reservation penetrated deeply into the other wider scale so that all of them are for them, how are the Muslim manual religions and beliefs also and made rehabilitated. It is important that scavengers going to be benefitted them more ruthless in their attitude to eliminate manual scavenging from that? Secondly, whether the act towards the Dalits. The conditions the government must provide the would be implemented in Kashmir of Dalit in the Muslim dominated eligible youths employment in the or not as it is always a problem areas remain a matter of great non-sanitary work and rehabilitate that all central acts have to be shame and concern today as the them completely. Why have the separately developed in Kashmir. movements for their ‘azadi’ has not What will the J&K government reached inside the closed quarters (Continued on Page 15) 14 JANATA, December 30, 2012 The rusted steel frame

Harsh Mander

In the early, relatively idealistic services and suggests an imaginative executive power for private gains decades after freedom, there was range of possible prescriptions. has become the norm since then. So significant public faith in the Saxena worked for decades in the Housing Minister thinks that all uprightness and political neutrality the trenches of public service as government houses and shops are her of the higher civil services. It a civil servant, and applies to this private property, and she can allot was elite in social character, but experience the surgical insights of a them to any one she liked, often for a considered sympathetic to minorities razor-sharp mind. price. The Petroleum Minister thinks and the poor. that he can distribute any number Saxena is scathing in his assessment of petrol and kerosene depots at his There was less engagement of the Indian bureaucracy today. It discretion. An impression exists that in development initiatives, but is “a troubled institution” riddled the State of India is an open treasury generally greater fairness in with “a lack of professionalism, that can be looted at will.” situations of communal violence, the creation of redundant posts, and some implementation of unsatisfactory structures of reward Strong words, but Saxena redistributive justice laws such as and punishment, and an inability is not alone in his withering land reforms. to deliver services adequately”. assessment. Even the official Postings are often “dictated by Second Administrative Reforms The image of the higher civil vested interest of mafia gangs, Commission (2008) is no less services plunged in the seventies, organised criminals, builders’ lobby, caustic: “the state apparatus is ... especially because of its supine contractors”. He observes that “over tardy, inefficient and unresponsive” submission to the injustices of the the years, whatever little virtues the with “most functionaries serving no Emergency, but also because of the civil services possessed — integrity, useful purpose.... Corruption is all- continuous erosion of its reputation political neutrality, courage and pervasive, eating into the vitals of for probity. The eighties saw its social high morale — are showing signs our system, undermining economic base broadening, but also its far of decay”. Newer values emphasise growth, distorting competition greater — and open — complicity in “political loyalty, flexibility”, and disproportionately hurting the large communal and caste pogroms, and several senior officials “have poor and marginalised citizens. and plummeting integrity. Since the become a link between politicians Criminalisation of politics continues 1990s, the expectation that loosening and the business class”. unchecked, with money and muscle bureaucratic controls over industry power playing a large role in and trade would curtail corruption Today many civil servants in the elections. ... Abuse of authority at is completely belied. Instead, the course of their career “lose much of all levels in all organs of state has new commitment to globalised their dynamism and innovativeness, become the bane of our democracy.” private markets has spawned an era and end up as mere pen-pushers and of undisguised crony capitalism, cynics, with “stagnation in their Another official paper in 2009 and the ethic of public welfare has intellectual capabilities”, “decline brought out by the Department of been abandoned as outdated and in self-esteem”, “disillusionment, Administrative Reforms in 2009 anachronistic. pliability and corruption”. They agrees, again with remarkable have become agents of exploitation candour, that “the state and its In an important recent monograph in a state structure which now (is)... apparatus, including the bureaucracy by National Social Watch, scholar authoritarian, brutal, directionless, are treated not so much as a means administrator NC Saxena, a public and callous to the needs of the poor”. of generating public goods but as intellectual of great integrity and The Indian State is “being treated as a means of generating benefits for social conscience, diagnoses the a private property of those who are the particular group that controls maladies of India’s higher civil at the top, and this culture of using the state”. JANATA, December 30, 2012 15

Saxena lays blame also on the review some of Saxena’s suggestions sometimes courageously standing people, who “have unfortunately for reforming the civil service. up for justice against their own accepted the position as fait accompli governments who are complicit in and resigned themselves to their fate. But how fair is his comprehensive communal massacres, corruption They too tend to seek short cuts indictment of the civil services today? or forceful dispossession of poor and exploit the system by breaking My work on hunger, homelessness communities. But still there is justice rules or approaching mafia gangs and mass communal violence takes in Saxena’s overall despair about and politicians for favours”. But me to distant corners of the country, the corrosion of India’s steel frame, solutions also lie potentially with where I have encountered many and its betrayal of its duties to the the people: a “free press, judicial idealistic young officers, braving people of India and the Constitution. activism, and civil society action has great odds in impoverished regions, If it does not reclaim its mantle of emerged as a big corrective factor often racked by conflict, trying to defending the public good with on the arbitrary use of executive make a difference. There are among courage, impartiality and integrity, power”. In a later column, I will them unknown unsung heroes, its decline may be terminal. The Hindu (Continued from Page 13)

Jehadis of Islam kept quiet on these issues even when it is a routine to see the Wattals in Kashmir work? They are always worried about Islam in danger; let them raise a Jehad Rural India Focus against untouchability and manual scavenging in Kashmir. We will be PRESENTING THE NATION WITH A REPLICABLE with them in their fight for dignity MODEL OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT of Manual scavengers in Jammu and Kashmir. We cannot leave our Kashmiri friends isolated and hence will definitely join their struggle for ADIVASI WEEKLY EYE RUNS THREE dignity and self-respect. GIRLS CAMPS AT HIGH HOSTEL THE YMC SCHOOLS AT TARA, HOSPITAL, PANVEL TARA, PANVEL

YUSUF MEHERALLY CENTRE FINANCE A CATARACT SURGERY AND YOU Madhu Dandavate 10 to 15 eye operations are performed There are ways in which you can join the at the weekly eye camp held at the By YMC movement in bringing education, Maharashtra State Government funded healthcare, women empowerment, hospital building. Sponsor a cataract employment generation, relief and growth operation for Rs. 15,000/-. B. Vivekanandan to our rural villages. Visit our Centre, volunteer your help, buy our products, CONTRIBUTE TO THE SCHOOL become a Life Member. You could also CORPUS Price: Rs. 20/- support the cause by donating to our various initiatives. YMC runs 3 high schools - 2 Marathi, 1 Urdu medium. With only 2 of these on Janata Trust SPONSOR AN ADIVASI GIRL'S HOSTEL goverment aid, the Centre needs Rs.1 STAY crore as corpus to run the 3rd and D-15, Ganesh Prasad, maintain, conduct extra-curricular It takes Rs.15,000 per year to meet the activities in all 3 and finance its building Naushir Bharucha Marg, expenses for supporting a girl child's stay at expansion plans. Give generously. Grant Road (W), the hostel in Tara, Panvel Taluka. Mumbai 400 007. Yusuf Meherally Centre Visit www.yusufmeherally.org, D-15, Ganesh Prasad,1st Floor, Call: (022)-2387 0097, Naushir Barucha Marg, Fax: (022)-2388 9738 or Grant Road (West), E-mail : [email protected] Mumbai 400 007 R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, December 30, 2012 P.R. No. MH/MR/WEST/275/2010-2012. Posted on every Wednesday at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1

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Printed and Published by G.G. Parikh on behalf of Janata Trust. Printed at Mouj Printing Bureau, Khatau Wadi, Girgaum, Mumbai-400 004 and published at D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Naushir Bharucha Marg (Sleater Road), Mumbai - 400 007. JANATA, December 30, 2012 17 18 JANATA, December 30, 2012 Electoral Reforms for Political Transformation

For the past few days thousands Hyderabad on December 22. system’ of elections. This is of young people have been on necessary for a diverse country like the streets protesting against the Introducing the context of the India with numerous parties existing growing violence against women, consultation Medha Patkar, said, on linguistic, caste, ethnicity and demanding tougher action against “electoral reforms is an important part religious lines. PR system has culprits and making public spaces of the larger agenda of the complete been advocated by Jayaprakash safe for women. However, in Delhi political transformation, leading to Narayan-appointed Justice V M where thousands converged near decentralisation of power and power Tarkunde Commission and also the North Block were greeted with to the people. This is the goal of all by National Law Commission of lathis, barricades and tear gas shells; the struggling people’s groups, who 1999. The current FPTP has served two days earlier the same happened are fighting for power to the lowest its purpose and many of the ills at the Chief Minister’s house too. units of governance for control of current electoral systems can Why is no one from the political over resource use, conservation and be addressed by the PR system.” leadership coming out to talk to them planning in their villages, Bastis or echoed his support the PR system to address their concerns? It seems wards. The current structure doesn’t and said even though it may Former our political representatives are more support that, which has made our Chief Secretary, K Madhav Rao not comfortable in meeting business political representatives completely solve all problems it could be the tycoons but not their own peacefully unaccountable to their constituency most suitable system for a country protesting citizens. Governments and many a times they don’t even like India. today, mostly coalitions, can manage represent the whole constituency, media, buy its way through minority since winning percentage of their Trilochan Shastry, Association of vote in the Parliament or Legislative votes is much less than the majority Democratic Reforms, said, “if we Assemblies but fail to resolve vote. Election Commission of India really want to fix the electoral system demands of social movements is powered with holding fair and then one key issue which needs to be protesting peacefully. This is more peaceful elections in country but fixed is growing influence of money clear than ever before! Another is that enough?” She suggested, over the elections and political growing trend has been the complete there is more to be done by ECI, parties. In Uttar Pradesh elections an control of corporations over the which can check growing influence estimated 10,000 crore black money governments, who can now have of money and criminal presence, was spent, as said by former CEC S Ministers changed as per their funding of elections and functioning Y Querishi, and if we take an average convenience or run their business of party democracy, disqualification then a conservative estimate would smoothly no matter which political of candidates for bribing within the give us a figure of 200,000 crore party comes to power. Politicians given provisions of Representation black money spent in general, state, in opposition, with due exceptions, of People’s Act, 1951. ECI is one of municipal elections all together, way who are crying hoarse over inaction the proactive institutions, but they beyond stipulated limits. This needs of the government are equally guilty need courage to take action against a systemic constitutional change, but themselves since 74 of the sitting the defaulters within the existing it is very difficult, since those sitting MPs have serious criminal charges provisions of the RPA, 1951 and in Parliament are not going to make against them. Criminalisation of other provisions. it happen, as they did with Lokpal the polity is a concern shared by Bill. We have to work to get people everyone but even then the same is M C Raj of Campaign for on the street and use effective legal not reflected when it comes to giving Electoral Reforms in India, said, “the interventions to get these changes, tickets to them. difference between the winning party as ADR did in 1999-2002, when and the opposition in UP elections Supreme Court ordered compulsory These issues came for a discussion was 3 percent and in Gujarat 8 disclosure of criminal charges and during a day-long national percent but a huge difference in the financial assets.” consultation organised by National number of seats. Time has come Alliance of People’s Movements when India need to make a transition Padmanabh Reddy of Forum (NAPM) on electoral reforms at from ‘first past the post system’ for Good Governance said, “the Sundarayya Vigyan Kendaram, to ‘proportionate representation current system is inadequate to JANATA, December 30, 2012 19 check the ills like growing money for election watch and people’s problem and the larger challenge and muscle power“. Narrating forums to be evolved to evaluate remains of turning the tide in favour their efforts in Andhra Pradesh their performance and assess their of people, making people’s issues elections, he said action is not taken actions against the promises in their a political agenda. The current by the concerned departments, even manifestos. economic policies are perpetuating when full information about money the distorted distribution of power seized during elections is available. The meeting agreed that as an and the effort has to be at organising Income tax departments refused to immediate step, there is a need the people to bring systemic change, share action taken on these matters, for concerted campaign to change to change the whole framework of even through RTI. In one case certain things, which are possible rajneeti itself, even though in shorter nearly 280 instances of violation within the current ambit of the term we may be able to mobilise of election code were recorded, but Representation of the People’s Act and bring significant changes within zero conviction. and other electoral provisions and the current governance paradigm. can be done by Election Commission NAPM has decided to hold broader Prof Sridhar, NALSAR, of India with support from others. consultations with other people’s spoke about the whole process Detailed strategies would be finalised groups, social movements, academic of registration, regulation, in the next meeting in Bangalore institutions and then plan a series accountability and democracy within soon and a presentation made to the of actions to bring about these the political parties. He said, “there Election Commission of India. immediate changes and work is a process for registration of parties towards larger goal of power to the with ECI but there is no control The meeting felt the electoral people. over their functioning beyond the process is only one part of the elections time. The complete lack B Ramakrishna Raju, Sarasvathy of opacity in candidate selections, Kavula, Madhuresh Kumar nominations to legislative councils, Rajya Sabha or continued presence of certain families over the top remains a serious cause for concern.” He further added that there is a need for a regulatory institution to regulate political parties and their funding, determine fixed terms for presidents of political parties, ensure democratic decision making, and develop statutory norms which may lead to suspension of their registration on violation. Even there the ECI can play a more proactive role.

Prof. K C Suri and Former Rajya Sabha MP Ramchandra Reddy spoke for the need of fixing accountability of the political parties to what they say in their election manifestos. How can a voter, hold them accountable after the elections, who they vote based on the promises made during the elections? There has to be some mechanism evolved, right to recall, as an option sounds attractive, but can that be a real solution remains doubtful. There is need