Established 1946 Price : Rupees Five

Vol. 66 No. 38 Alarm Bells Sound Again October 23, 2011 S.Viswam

Alarm Bells Sound Again S.Viswam By-election results are seldom Progressive Alliance as a whole accurate barometers of political if not the specific ruling cliques realities. They do not generally tend in the four states where the by- Movement Going Astray to overthrow elected or established elections were held to dismiss the Kuldip Nayar governments. It would be imprudent results, or the implications, lightly if not downright unwise, therefore, to or as of little consequence. That the read too much political meaning into Congress at least is not doing so can Islam and Family Planning the outcome of the four by-elections be inferred from Finance Minister Asghar Ali Engineer in four states last week. The results do Pranab Mukherjee’s reaction to the provide an opportunity to the political setback suffered by his party in all parties to analyse the voting patterns the four constituencies. “The party’s Memorandum on critically in order to update their loss,” he has said, “is always a sad Land Acquisition Bill respective databanks and to shore up thing. And we shall have to analyse their assessments of their following why we have lost.” Quite so. The or lack of it in specific assembly Congress has good reason to feel Demand for International or constituencies. Team that the results are saddening. For Price Control on Oil Hazare in particular needs to resist the Congress to fare so badly as the temptation to over-evaluate the to lose deposits is sad enough, but popular response on the basis of the to lose even in places it has every Repeal AFSPA Now! voting trends since it will again be reason to win is heart-breaking for imprudent to conclude that the results its workers. Voters in Hissar were reflect the popular mood in regard to certainly swayed in some measure to Feature on the burning issue of corruption in the the anti-Congress campaign of Team Yusuf Meherally Centre nation. Actually, for serious students Hazare. In other constituencies, the of Indian elections, the outcome may Congress setback can be attributed Editor : not have come as a surprise because to purely local influences, like that the results can be seen to reflect by in Khadakwasla where the Congress G. G. Parikh and large the prevailing popular and the NCP, who are partners in D-15, Ganesh Prasad, mood in the four constituencies which government chose to sabotage each was largely adversarial to the ruling other’s electoral fortunes at the Naushir Bharucha Marg, dispensations. hustings. In Banasawada, where the - 400 007. Telengana issue dominated the run Nonetheless, it would also be up to the by-poll, a Congress win Email : [email protected] imprudent for the ruling United would have been surprising. The 2 JANATA, October 23, 2011

Janata Dal(United) maintained its lucky streak demonstrated in the Movement Going Astray last Assembly polls where Nitish Kumar crushed the Kuldip Nayar Congress-RJD opposition. It is always a problem for the than Anna’s demands. People stayed Had the Congress managed to people’s movement to stay within behind him because as a Gandhian register at least one triumph, the the contours of its original purpose. he led an austere, simple life and totality of the rout suffered by it Too many hands join to bask in spoke about values, an idiom which would have been less intense. But the glory and like too many cooks, the political parties had forsaken. since the party has been trounced they spoil the broth. I had such an He did prick the nation’s conscience badly, the lessons it needs to learn apprehension when Anna Hazare’s which was appalled over the system are that much harsher. For one thing, stir against corruption, more that seethed with corruption. Even the Congress needs to note that every specifically for the appointment of single political development in the when Anna praised chief Lokpal (ombudsman) to eliminate country in the last two years has left minister , he was it, began. impressions adverse to it. This has forgiven because the people’s eyes been so specially after UPA II took So many marches ended at the were fixed only on the agenda of over for its second innings. Leave Jantar Mantar at New Delhi and so eliminating corruption. He too alone the corruption issue, which, of many people sat on hunger strike realized his make and withdrew the course, is the common fodder for all at the same place. But nothing remark. This once again underlined its opponents, there are other issues happened beyond creating a ripple or point that the movement was meant that do not flatter the Congress- two. Suddenly, Anna’s call brought only for eliminating corruption. UPA governance record. Inflation thousands of people on the streets. He The BJP-cum-RSS owned him is already casting a grim shadow gave a face to the general resentment and gave him all the support through over Pranab Mukerjee’s pre-budget which needed ventilation. The nation its cadres and leaders. Liberals did exercises. Agitations are building up got a cause. not like it. The Congress indulged over price rises. Good governance I wish the movement had stayed in “we-told-you-so” attitude. Still is at a discount but alarmingly the on course. It was a call against Anna’s candid statement that if the Cabinet is acting like a divided corruption and was apolitical. In BJP or the RSS supported him, it did house. Ministers do not see eye to fact, intellectuals from different not mean that he had asked them for eye with one another and with the backgrounds and leaders from support allayed most fears on his tilt Prime Minister who, poor man, different movements came on one towards the saffron brigade. Both the seems isolated. platform and they had just one BJP and the RSS did not like this purpose before them: to fight against but continued their support. Yet the Hard days are ahead of the corruption. A few dissenting voices movement stayed on course, more UPA, no doubt. A word to the were rudely brushed aside because or less apolitical. wise is enough, it is said. With they were seen raising doubts alarm bells sounding everywhere, I think that the biggest mistake expressed about the movement. the Congress must be expected to was made when Anna and his The government was forced to invite set about earnestly and pronto to 26-member team announced that Anna to discuss his suggestions to re-galvanise the moribund party. they would oppose the Congress curb corruption. After nine rounds of We have cautioned the Congress candidate in the Hissar by-election. talks, the two found that they were often earlier and do so again to I did not know till then that Arvind not on the same page. Both went digress from its current suicidal Kejriwal, the right hand man of their own way but promised that the path and regain its cohesiveness. Anna, was from Hissar. There would end result, elimination of corruption, A word to Team Hazare is also in have been some kind of defence if would be met. order. Encouraged by the Hissar they had said that corrupt candidates poll outcome, its members have The government and the ruling should be defeated. In fact, the call Congress party gave an undertaking was to defeat the Congress candidate. (Continued on Page 3) that the Lokpal bill would be stricter An apolitical body began to acquire JANATA, October 23, 2011 3 political colour. The complexion their regimes are before the people anti-movement elements. The team changed from then onward. to see. My worry is that Anna’s has to adhere to the original purpose. platform which had opened a Where it was said that the persons As for Anna, I draw his attention window of opportunity and hope is from different backgrounds had come to the words recorded about Isaac beginning to shake. And there are together on one platform to fight Newton: “He lived the life of a doubts about its credentials. against corruption, it began a trend solitary, and like all men who are of thought whether most of them The two members, Rajinder occupied with profound meditation, were pursuing their own agenda. Singh and P.V. Rajagopal, who he acted strangely. Sometimes, in This impression got strengthened have dissociated from Anna’s team, getting out of bed, an idea would when Prashant Bhushan made are well respected. They found the come to him, and he would sit on certain remarks on Kashmir. I am original purpose of fighting against the edge of the bed, half dressed, for not commenting on their merit but corruption without being political hours at a time.” I am surprised that he made them going awry. This is where persons when as Anna’s top man he had to like Medha Patkar and Swami (Continued from Page 2) be discreet. Agnivesh, however critical, have to begun challenging the Congress to intervene to reassemble the elements This unnecessarily clouded the a duel in the coming UP elections which met first under the leadership real purpose. I condemn the physical if the party does not pass the Jan of Anna to draft the Lokpal bill. At attacks on him. This only indicates Lokpal Bill in Parliament’s winter that meeting, it was enunciated many how the society is increasingly session. Are such intimidatory a time that the movement would not taken over by lumpen elements. tactics really necessary? Anna resile from its determination to stay Yet his remarks were bound to take Hazare has assurances from the away from politics. away attention from Anna’s original government’s top echelons that purpose to fight against corruption People are still awaiting the dust every attempt will be made to push because they were political. It was to settle down so that the campaign through the enactment. It is not that not surprising, the BJP jumping to eliminate corruption has the we are opposed to the Jan Lokpal into the arena and pointing towards centre-stage once again. Anna or Bill or supportive of any dilatory the L.K. Advani’s rath yatra against his team cannot change the goalpost strategies by officialdom. The draft corruption as if his was the real because they got the public support bills are being considered by the movement. Even former Karnataka on that understanding. Going to UP Standing Committee relating to chief minister B.S. Yediyurappa was to oppose the Congress or to even the legislation. Should we not wait mildly criticised. cleanse politics will be a mistake. for the process to conclude? The Politics cannot be cleaned if the government is currently on test. If it I was not surprised to find the platform constituted to cleanse it fails the test, then it would deserve Congress making snide remarks. gets politicized itself. punishment. But Team Hazare’s The party is so corrupt from top to latest strategy, of playing politics in bottom, to use its spokesman’s words An alternative to the Congress and with UP elections, suggests that against Anna that anything derisive and the BJP is needed. But first the government has already been against the movement is to its thing first. Anna and his team have tried and held guilty! liking. I still hope that parliament’s to have parliament pass the Lokpal Standing Committee, going through bill which retains most of the things Janata the exercise of drafting a Lokpal bill, demanded: accountability of the Subscription may ultimately come out with a bill judiciary, control over the Central Annual Rs. : 260/- which would aim at silencing the Bureau of investigation (CBI), Three Years : 750/- critics and meet Anna’s aspirations. Enforcement Directorate and other Demand Draft / Cheque on vigilance bodies and the supervision The problem with the two main Mumbai Bank of staff below the under secretary. As political parties, the Congress and in favour of days go by, Anna and his shriveling the BJP, is that both of them are Janata Trust team may be more and more vilified. corrupt and raise dust all the time to Kejeriwal has been attacked. Such D-15, Ganesh Prasad, cloud the real issue. Their dishonesty Naushir Bharucha Marg, instances can increase to meet the in governance and the scams during Mumbai 400 007 4 JANATA, October 23, 2011 Islam and Family Planning

Asghar Ali Engineer

Many people, especially women, First of all we should understand that you do not have large family’. ask me if family planning is that in those days the problem of Qur’an has already mentioned that permissible in Islam. They say family planning did not exist nor ‘if you fear injustice then marry only the imams and ulama say Qur’an that of population control. It is very one’ and so there was no need to prohibits family planning and quote much modern problem which has repeat it. That is why Imam Shafi’I a verse which says, “And kill not arisen in nation states. Most of the feels it should be translated as ‘so your children for fear of poverty nation states in third world do not that you do not have large family’. – We provide for them and for have economic means to support you. Surely the killing of them is large populations and when we say It can be seen that in understanding a great wrong.” (17:31). In no way supporting large population it does Qur’an even very eminent imams this verse refers to family planning not mean only feeding it but it also and great scholars differed from because it is talking of ‘killing’ includes to educate them and also each other. One should not impose and you kill one who exists. No to provide proper health services. one single meaning of a verse on law in the world will permit killing These are basic duties of modern all Muslims. It could be interpreted one who is already born and hence nation states. differently by different people in Qur’an rightly condemns killing of their own context and circumstances. children. In fact in view of paucity of Family planning being a modern resources it has become necessary need one should not reject it out of Some people suggest that it to adopt family planning. When hand and quote Qur’anic verses out refers to the practice of burying Qur’an was being revealed there of context. the girl child alive and when asked were neither any properly organized In fact family planning does not they would say we cannot provide state nor education or health services mean killing children after they are for them and hence Allah says We being provided by any state agency. born but to plan birth of children in provide for them and for you. But, as It is important to note that Qur’an a way that parents can bear all the Imam Razi suggests it refers to both which shows eight ways to spend expenses for their education, health, male and female children being kept zakat, does not include education living space, etc. in a proper manner. ignorant. Thus killing mind is as bad or health which is so essential for Qur’an also suggests that a child be as killing the body. The word used the state to provide today. Thus suckled at least for two years and it here is ‘awlad’ i.e. children which what Imam Razi suggests is not is well known that as long as mother include both male as well as female only very correct and also enhances suckles she would not conceive. - and not only female. importance of family planning in the Thus indirectly Qur’an also suggests modern times as small family can spacing of a child. Imam Razi’s suggestion seems to support better education and health be quite reasonable and in fact large services. Even in hadith literature we find family means children cannot be that the Prophet (PBUH) permitted properly educated by poor parents It would be interesting to note prevention of conceiving in certain and hence parents kill them mentally that as for verse 4:3 (which is used circumstances. When a person by keeping them ignorant. They by Muslims for justification of asked Prophet for permission for cannot even clothe them properly nor polygamy) Imam Shafi’I interprets ‘azl’ (coitus interrupts) as he was can provide proper space for living. it rather differently. It ends with the going for a long journey along with In such circumstances one cannot words alla ta’ulu which is generally his wife and he did not want his have good quality Muslims and translated as ‘you may not do wife to conceive while travelling mere quantity does not matter much. injustice’ i.e. do not marry more than the Messenger of Allah allowed Better quality is more desirable than one so that you may not do injustice. him. In those days ‘azl’ was the mere quantity. But Imam Shafi’I renders it as ‘so (Continued on Page 8) JANATA, October 23, 2011 5

Memorandum on the draft National Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2011, submitted by the () in response to the advertisement by Bharatiya Sansad, Lok Sabha Sachivalaya,New Delhi :

Socialist party welcomes the particularly poorer sections amongst society. Instead of aping the model initiative taken by Shri Jairam them are very much dependent of development of the few highly Ramesh, Minister for Rural on those common rights for their rich countries, we would do well to Development, initiating a national livelihood and wellbeing. As it is, reconsider the whole development debate on a very vital and sensitive these sections are being deprived approach and reformulate issue of land acquisition. of so many of their natural rights. development that would encourage Therefore, great care and caution diffused and decentralized pattern The party puts forth main points be exercised before allowing the of industrialization besides giving for discussion as follows - powerful sections to acquire that due importance to food security, scarce natural resource. It is not maximization of employment 1) In the first para of his foreword, renewable. Once it is appropriated opportunities. the minister has stated, “Infrastructure for one purpose, it gets lost forever across the country must expand for other desirable purposes. Some may feel that this is out of rapidly. Industrialisation, especially the purview of the present exercise. based on manufacturing has also 2) It is to be borne in mind that the But we are drawing attention of the to accelerate. Urbanisation is industrialization and urbanization Standing Committee attached to the inevitable. Land is an essential so far has led to a very imbalanced Department of Rural Development requirement for all these processes.” development of our nation. While a to this point as a background to our few centres are overcrowded, causing main suggestion. Our reflections on this are: (a) great harm to the environment and land has been viewed only as a general health and hygiene of the 4) Enacting laws to add to the requirement for ‘industrialisaion, and people residing there, large tracts armoury of the Central Government urbanisation’. Significant omissions of our country are left devoid of can have another undesirable fall- are that the land is a requirement for minimum infrastructure facilities out. The 73rd and 74th amendments agriculture, fishing (coastal land), required by any civil society. There is to the constitution were heralded mining and forest development. great migration from the countryside as bold step in strengthening the In a balanced development of the to the select urban centres, causing Panchayat Raj institutions so country, all these occupations so many social evils and political that the administration would be must be given due importance. (b) conflicts. attuned to the needs and aspirations ‘Land’ should not be viewed only of the people residing in rural as a topographical surface. Water, 3) Pattern of industrialization, areas. But the experience so far minerals and forest potential are which is being encouraged by our is that neither the Central nor the ingredient parts of it. So while rulers today, should also be put to State Governments are loosening considering its use for putting up incisive scrutiny. The experience their grip over the administration. factories or other urban structures, of the last two decades is that the It has been provided in Art.347 care has to be taken that very scarce industrialization that has taken that the Gram Sabha would be and valuable resources like water, place has contributed significantly entitled to take decisions regarding minerals, etc. are not wasted. (c) to enhancing so-called growth rate the use of land and other natural Viewing land as just a marketable in GDP, but has failed in creating resources within its area. However, commodity is also not proper and employment opportunities for the we find that number of decisions wise. Centuries’ old Commons teeming millions. The products are taken by the Central or State Rights of the communities residing are more or less such as beyond governments, without consulting, on or besides various pieces of reach of the average individual or and at times even by overriding the land should also be honoured and family. They cater to the demands decisions of those bodies. Apart protected. The community and of a handful of affluent sections of from defeating the intentions behind 6 JANATA, October 23, 2011 those Constitutional amendments, We propose that the Land Use Use of Land Acquisition Act, 1894 the decisions taken at the top tend to Policy should incorporate the be put in suspended animation for be exploitative of the poor villagers. following priority list: the period required by the proposed Therefore, it would be better not to a) Residential needs of the deprived National Commission on Land Use. enact laws which would give powers sections be met first. So also all other similar laws alluded to the Central/State governments. b) Rational allocation of lands to by the honourable minister in his Land acquisition for genuinely for other villagers and poorer foreword. public purposes would certainly sections in urban areas be be welcome by the PR institutions incorporated in the development 6) We also suggest that in any and uncooperative owners of land plans of all local authorities. scheme of land transfer or coercive would have to bow before the c) Requirements of agriculture, acquisition, Rehabilitation and collective wishes of the people in fishing, forestry and mining be Resettlement must be mandatorily the surrounding areas. Democratic taken care of. made as a condition precedent to the functioning would certainly help find d) Requirements of genuine public transfer of land and implementation out suitable solutions. Therefore, purpose. Preference must be of the project in question. we submit that while repealing the given to infrastructure facilities archaic Land Acquisition Act of required in the rural areas. 7) We reserve our right to make 1894, a scheme be devised so that e) Industrialisation to be located suggestions about various provisions the PR institutions would be able to preferably in underdeveloped made in the said Draft Bill a little play meaningful role in that process. areas. later. Bhai Vaidya Pannalal Surana 5) Our main suggestion is that A President Chairman, Parliamentary board National Commission to formulate Socialist Party (India) a comprehensive Land Use Policy Pannalal Surana ,P.O.Asu, Tal.Paranda, Dist.Osmanabad, Pin.413502. for the next century or so. It may be [email protected]:09423734089 asked to submit its recommendations within a period of two years or so. For their benefit and guidance, there is a Water Use policy adopted by the Demand for International about a decade back. Claims of agriculture, forestry, Price Control on Oil fishing and Commons rights, be given due importance along with At the Paris meeting of G20 phenomenon. The inflation that is industrialisation and urbanization. Finance Ministers on 16th October. ignited by such increases is taking 2011, Shri Pranab Mukherji, the a heavy toll on the poor and middle We wish to draw attention to the Finance Minister of India, forcefully classes. Shri Mukherji’s demand for plight of the nomadic tribes and said that prices of petroleum oil must international control on oil prices, such other deprived sections who be brought under control because though made belatedly, is totally have no homestead land. They have violent increases in it were adding justified. been arguing that, while authorities fuel to inflation. The oil-producing had accorded top priority to the countries of West Asia in particular A few days back, our Prime rehabilitation of the oustees from are indulging in a cartel type tactics minster, while addressing the U.N. or , their raising prices of the ‘Black gold’ General Assembly, had given vent rehabilitation is not entering into at their whim causing discomfort to his unhappiness at violent ups the minds of the authorities as also to the whole world, more so to the and downs in international financial of other vocal sections of society. developing countries. The cost of transactions. Developing countries Does not equity demand that the production could not have increased like India are made to suffer for no claims of these sections, who had in such a short spell of time. It fault of theirs. Developed countries been deprived of basic amenities is putting all planning of firms like the US and EU should take steps for centuries together, be given and nations in great dislocation. to discipline their financial tycoons, homestead lands on priority basis? It is their greed that is behind this he suggested. Are protagonists of the JANATA, October 23, 2011 7 free trade all over the world listening to these cries? It is obvious that Repeal AFSPA Now! the captains of money and finance are indulging in reckless activities , 1958 Armed Forces and cultural cost including erosion of to extract more and more profits Special Powers Act, a colonial civil administration, lack of access for themselves. They are just not legacy used against Mahatma to education, basic health care, bothered about the plight of the Gandhi, was promulgated initially destruction of properties and sources less wealthy sections of society in the Naga areas of Assam of livelihood, and environmental in the developing countries. Their (later divided between 4 states) destruction and ‘normal’ functioning leadership is not at all beneficial to and later in Mizoram, initially in of democratic institutions in these the latter. Hence the need for putting parts of Manipur and later in all areas. some controls on oil prices as also of Manipur. The Ordinance after a The continued and selective use international finance capital. brief discussion in the Parliament of AFSPA against communities was endorsed and got the status of who have been demanding self- Capitalism is failing humanity. Act on August 18, 1958, despite determinations rights is a cause of It never bothers about equity and stiff resistance from various quarters worry in the context of the increasing wellbeing of the common people. who challenged it as a martial and militarization of the society in the Then why should the latter be thrown draconian law. Since then it has been sub-continent especially after 9/11 to vagaries of the whims of the in force in one part or the other of the and the growing communalisation former? Humanity in general and states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, of the polity in India as a whole and developing countries in particular Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, suppression of people’s democratic will have to resort to rational and Nagaland, and Jammu and rights in the name of national equitable planning of economy. It Kashmir (since 1991). Even though security. does not mean adopting ‘command- continuation of the ‘disturbed area’ and–obey’ type of Soviet model. With status under the AFSPA in many part This law is more draconian than the progress made in democratizing of the country is illegal in view of its predecessor ordinance used by decision-making processes, the the violation of the mandatory six the British to suppress the Quit lacuna in it must be effectively monthly periodic review directed India Movement. In the pretext of plugged. Decision-making bodies by Supreme Court in its 1997 controlling insurgency, this Act has must be made accountable to the Judgement. only intensified the insurgency in people. Great progress achieved the region and legitimised thousands in Information Technology can be AFSPA continues to be the of gross human rights violations harnessed meaningfully for that. most potent repressive tool of the like rape, torture, murder and People will have to be more vigilant. Indian state that empowers even a “disappearances” of innocent people They should rid themselves of the non commissioned officer of the in the North East and J&K. The fear of freedom. They should demand armed forces of union to kill on democratic movements in the North transparency in functioning of the mere suspicion and provide legal East and J&K have consistently decision-making and implementing immunity from prosecution, thereby demanded the repeal of the Act and authorities. Eternal vigilance is the causing untold misery and agony demilitarisation for decades. price of wellbeing and equitable among the peoples of the affected Continuing with our efforts for development. Young people should regions. The imposition of AFSPA is establishing the democratic values in take lead in organizing the masses, synonymous to heavy militarisation the society and in solidarity with the not in the anarchical manner, as in these states leading to gross struggles of democratic movements is happening on the Wall Street civil and political rights violations of North East and J&K National of New York and some European including enforced disappearances, Alliance of People’s Movement countries, but on the basis of well- extra-judicial execution, torture, (NAPM) calls upon the Government defined policies aimed at balanced inhuman and degrading treatment, of India : and equitable development and rape and other forms of sexual management of economy. violence against women, arbitrary 1. To repeal immediately : arrest and detention. All this together • The Armed Forces (Arunachal –Pannalal Surana has meant severe economic, social Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, 8 JANATA, October 23, 2011

M e g h a l a y a , M i z o r a m , has crossed 10 years. She has been and others and resist the increasing Nagaland and Tripura) Special force fed through her nose by the militarization of democratic spaces. Powers Act, 1958 (as amended Government, arrested with charges in 1972), and for attempt to commit suicide, Continuing with various criminalised as a high security initiatives NAPM along with many • The Jammu and Kashmir prisoner, denying her access to other organizations have launched a Armed Forces Special Powers family, friends, supporters and three month campaign from October Act, 1990 the media. It is a shame that in 2 to December 10 for repeal of 2. To refrain from inserting any this land of Gandhi, a non-violent AFSPA. One of such activities is part of the Acts into any other protester has been subjected to to collect 10 lakh signatures to be legislation granting unbridled such humiliation for more than submitted to President of India on powers to the armed forces of the ten years. Even as she continues December 10th. union or the State police. her struggle along with many in the NE and J&K, we appeal to our Sign up demanding the repeal of 3. Immediately work out and AFSPA now, join us ! announce a phased, time-bound comrades in human rights groups demilitarisation plan to withdraw and people’s movements across the For details contact or write the Army and other para military country to demand for repeal of to [email protected] | forces from internal security AFSPA along with other draconian 9818905316 duties in NE States and J&K. laws like UAPA, MCOCA, CSPSA National Alliance of People’s Movements It needs to be noted that AFSPA is National Office : A Wing First Floor, Haji Habib Building, Naigaon Cross Road not only opposed by the movement Dadar (E), Mumbai – 400 014. Phone - 9969363065; groups and the rights bodies but Delhi Office : 6/6 jangpura B, New Delhi – 110 014 . Phone : 9818905316 also by the Government’s own E-mail: [email protected] | Web : www.napm-india.org commissions and committees appointed to look into the matter. For (Continued from Page 4) the verse 23:14 conclude that one example, the Committee to Review can terminate pregnancy up to three the Armed Forces Special Powers only known method for planning months as Qur’an, in this verse Act, headed by Justice B. P. Jeevan of birth of a child. Today there are describes stages of development of Reddy in 2005, the Administrative several methods available like use sperm planted in mother’s womb and Reforms Commission headed by of condoms. it takes three months for life to begin. Dr. Veerappan Moily in 2007 and Imam Ghazzali, a very eminent several others have recommended However, many ulama oppose theologian and philosopher allows damned the use of AFSPA and termination of pregnancy. Whatever even termination of pregnancy if demanded immediate measures the case one cannot declare family mother’s life is in danger and shows towards withdrawal from civil planning as prohibited in Islam as it several methods for termination. areas. Internationally, the UN bodies in no way amounts to killing a child He even allows termination of including the Committee on the already born or even termination of pregnancy on health grounds or Elimination of Racial Discrimination pregnancy but to plan birth of a child if mother’s beauty is in danger and the U N High Commissioner by preventing pregnancy for spacing provided it is in consultation with her for Human Rights and recently the birth of a child according to one’s husband. Some scholars referring to UN Special Rapporteur on Human financial resources. Rights Defenders have consistently Gujarat SP State Committee urged for its repeal. However, all A meeting of the active workers of Socialist Party(India) in Gujarat State was held on September 12, 2011 in . Jayanti Panchal and Dhirubhai these have gone to the deaf ears of Patel ( NationalTreasurer and NationalExecutive Committee Member of the SPI, the Government. respectively) participated in the meeting. About 250 workers from 10 districts of Gujarat were there. The meeting elected Gujarat State Committee consisting of Along with the struggles of 10 members and five permanent invitees with the following office-bearers: 1. millions of people against the P. Chidambaram - President, 2. Shantilal Patel-Vice President, 3. Ravishankar R. militarisation and AFSPA, the Parmar-Vice President, 4. Sanjay G. Vaghela-General Secretary, 5. Anil N. Mehta –Treasurer, 6. Haresh J. Prajapati Secretary, 7. Rajendr B. Joshi- Secretary. hunger fast of Irom Sharmila Chanu JANATA, October 23, 2011 9 ‘Occupy Wall Street’ - America’s Primal Scream?

Nicholas D. Kristof

It’s fascinating that many The top 1 per cent of Americans and Diplomacy at Tufts University. Americans intuitively understood possess more wealth than the entire “Its consequences led to a taint of the the outrage and frustration that drove bottom 90 per cent. entire system of modern enterprise.” Egyptians to protest at Tahrir Square, Economists used to believe that we but don’t comprehend similar In the Bush expansion from 2002 had to hold our noses and put up with resentments that drive disgruntled to 2007, 65 per cent of economic high inequality as the price of robust fellow citizens to “occupy Wall gains went to the richest 1 per cent. growth. But more recent research Street”. suggests the opposite: inequality As my Times colleague Catherine not only stinks, but also damages There are differences, of course: Rampell noted a few days ago, economies. the New York Police Department in 1981, the average salary in the isn’t dispatching camels to run down securities industry in New York In his important new book, protesters. Americans may feel City was twice the average in other The Darwin Economy, Robert H. disenfranchised, but we do live in a private sector jobs. At last count, in Frank of Cornell University cites democracy, a flawed democracy — 2010, it was 5.5 times as much. (In a study showing that among 65 which is the best hope for Egypt’s case you want to gnash your teeth, industrial nations, the more unequal evolution in the coming years. the average is now $361,330.) More ones experience slower growth on average. Likewise, individual Yet my interviews with protesters broadly, there’s a growing sense that countries grow more rapidly in in Manhattan’s Zuccotti Park seemed lopsided outcomes are a result of periods when incomes are more to rhyme with my interviews in tycoons’ manipulating the system, equal, and slow down when incomes Tahrir earlier this year. There’s a lobbying for loopholes and getting are skewed. parallel sense that the political/ away with murder. Of the 100 economic system is tilted against the highest-paid chief executives in the That’s certainly true of the United 99 per cent. Al Gore, who supports US in 2010, 25 took home more pay States. We enjoyed considerable the Wall Street protests, described than their company paid in federal equality from the 1940s through them perfectly as a “primal scream corporate income taxes, according the 1970s, and growth was strong. of democracy.” to the Institute for Policy Studies. Since then inequality has surged, The frustration in America isn’t Living under in and growth has slowed. One reason so much with inequality in the China made me a fervent enthusiast may be that inequality is linked to political and legal worlds, as it was of capitalism. I believe that over financial distress and financial crises. in Arab countries, although those are the last couple of centuries banks There is mounting evidence that inequality leads to bankruptcies and concerns too. Here the critical issue have enormously raised living to financial panics. is economic inequity. According to standards in the West by allocating the CIA’s own ranking of countries capital to more efficient uses. But I don’t know whether the Occupy by income inequality, the United anyone who believes in markets Wall Street movement will survive States is more unequal a society than should be outraged that banks rig either Tunisia or Egypt. once Zuccotti Park fills with snow the system. The banks have gotten and the novelty wears off. But I Three factoids underscore that away with privatising profits and do hope that the protesters have inequality: socialising risks, and that’s just lofted the issue of inequality onto another form of bank robbery. our national agenda to stay — and The 400 wealthiest Americans “We have a catastrophically bad to grapple with in the 2012 election have a greater combined net misregulation of the financial year. worth than the bottom 150 million system,” said Amar Bhidé, a finance Americans. expert at the Fletcher School of Law –The New York Times 10 JANATA, October 23, 2011

Yusuf Meherally Centre

Address by Shri K Sankaranarayanan, Governor of at the Golden Jubilee of the Yusuf Meherally Centre on the occasion of the Yusuf Meherally Memorial Lecture by the Hon’ble Vice President of India at the ’s Convocation Hall, Fort Mumbai at 5 pm on Friday, 23 September 2011

Hon’ble Vice President of India Shri Hamid congratulate all those associated with the Centre on Ansariji, Justice Chandrashekhar Dharmadhikariji, the joyous occasion of its Golden Jubilee. Chairman, Yusuf Meherally Centre Dr G. G. Parikhji, has a long tradition and represents Shri Gaurang Puthli, distinguished invitees, students, a significant part of the country’s historical political ladies and gentlemen. heritage. No one can forget the contribution of- I am indeed delighted to associate myself with the eminent Socialist leaders like Jayprakash Narayan, Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the Yusuf Meherally Rammanohar Lohia, Acharya , J B Centre. Kripalani, A K Gopalan, Barrister Nath Pai, S M Joshi, Madhu Dandavate and many others both in The Yusuf Meherally Centre established 50 years our independence struggle and in the parliamentary ago by the friends and admirers of well known Socialist democracy of India. and Freedom Fighter Yusuf Meherally has rendered invaluable service to the country through its rural The late Shri Yusuf Meherally was one such leaders development initiatives. from the Socialist Movement who left a deep impact on public life with his multifaceted contribution. It is gratifying to note that the Centre has been playing an important role in health care, education, Today, that is, September 23, happens to be the 108th empowerment of women and Adivasis, employment birth anniversary of Yusuf Meherally, and I would like generation, etc. in rural areas and I would like to to pay my respects to the loving memory of this great

³etmegHeÀ cesnsjDeueer ë SkeÀ ¬eÀeefvlekeÀejer J³eefkeÌlelJe ®ebêMesKej Oecee&efOekeÀejer,DeO³e#e, ³egmegHeÀ cesnsjDeueer meWìj mJeCe& pe³ebleer meefceleer

ceneceefnce GHe-je<ì^Heleerpeer, ceneceefnce jep³eHeeuepeer, DeeojCeer³e [e@. ³egmegHeÀYeeF& keÀer mebIe

Yusuf Meherally Centre

patriot son of India. into ‘demographic dividend9 only by providing them skills which are relevant to our economy. Ladies and gentlemen, Recently, while addressing the Vice Chancellors Today India stands at the cross road of development. of all universities in Maharashtra, I mooted the idea On one hand, the country is poised to emerge as a of creating a separate University for Vocational Super Power that is destined to play a significant Training. The proposed university would offer short role in world affairs. But, on the other hand, we still term courses in a large number of trades to our youth, have a large majority of our people who are have not both literate and illiterate. Removing the skill deficit benefited from the fruits of development. of the country is another challenge which needs Our national literacy rate has gone up to 74 per cent to be addressed by our public and private sector and yet we are unable to produce job opportunities organizations. for our youths. I do feel that our banks should play an important Despite best efforts from our planners, we have 41 role in encouraging enterprise and self employment million educated unemployed youth registered with among the youth. the Employment Exchanges in our country. Another I do hope that the Yusuf Meherally Centre will offer 260 million people in the age group 15 to 50 are inputs to the planners and government on making underemployed or unemployed but not registered. our growth inclusive and on generating employment The major challenge before the country is to opportunities in rural areas. provide gainful employment or self employment to I have great expectations from the Centre. I this large group of people. congratulate the Centre on this momentous occasion We cannot afford to have the jobless growth. We and wish it Godspeed in its future endeavours. want job intensive growth. Jai Hind This pool of nearly 300 million people can be turned

1942 keÀer meYee ceW yes®es ie³es Les Deewj efpememes Deevoesueve keÀes DeeefLe&keÀ ceoo GvneWves keÀne Lee efkeÀ efpeme efMe#ee, keÀuee, meeefnl³e Deewj mebmke=Àefle ceW Yeer efceueer Leer~ Jes keÀYeer efkeÀveejs Hej Keæ[s veneR jns, nj Deevoesueve ceW cewoeve otmejeW keÀes uetìves keÀer ³ee otmejeW keÀe Mees

Yusuf Meherally Centre Activities of Yusuf Meherally Centre Yusuf Meherally Centre came into being in deeply inspiring”. the year 1961 to commemorate Yusuf Meherally (Sepetember 23, 1903–July 2, 1950) who was in the Yusuf Meherally Centre is a voluntary organization, vanguard of India's struggle for independence and which is registered under the Societies' Registration was the Mayor of Bombay in 1942. In the words of Act, 1860 and the Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950. late Dr. Zakir Hussain, the then Vice-President of During the first seven years, the Centre's activities India, who formally inaugurated Yusuf Meherally were confined to Mumbai city. Seminars and Symposia Centre in 1966:"It was the primeval sorrow of on diverse topics like education, five-year plans, man, for what men do to each other, knowingly or urbanization and organising relief for victims of natural unknowingly, which moved him and not any idea of calamities, and cultural events were its main activities. a more efficient and more utilitarian organisation of In 1967, the focus of its activities shifted to a rural area. industry and economy. This sorrow could have made We are in health care, education, empowering women him a philosopher, a man of religion or a poet. Yusuf and Adivasis, employment generation and relief. And Meherally was more fortunate. It made him into friend. we have activities in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil His gift for friendship struck all who came into contact Nadu, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, with him and it made his concern for them something , Uttrakhand and .

Education : At Tara and Apta, in taluka, in efyejeojer Deewj ³egJekeÀeW kesÀ efMeefJej, Kesleer Deewj efMe#ee kesÀ #es$e ceW `mesCìj' of Maharashtra, we have two high Denced YetefcekeÀe efveYee jne nw~ cejeþer ceeO³eefcekeÀ mketÀue ner veneR, Got& mketÀue schools: a Marathi medium and an Urdu medium. We Yeer `meWCìj’ ®eueelee nw~ Deejesi³e kesÀ #es$e ceW lees `mesCìj' keÀer mejenvee have another Marathi medium high school at Shirki mejkeÀej Deewj GmekesÀ DeefOekeÀejer Yeer Kegues efoue mes keÀjles nQ~ YetkeÀcHe kesÀ in Pen Taluka, a village about 25 kms from Tara. In the SSC Examination held in March, 2011, our yeeo `mesCìj’ ves keÀ®í ceW pees HegveJee&me keÀe keÀe³e& efkeÀ³ee GmekeÀer mejenvee Marathi medium High school at Tara registered a pass meYeer ves keÀer~ Jewmes ner lmegveeceer kesÀ yeeo veeieHeÆerCeced keÀe keÀe³e&~ Gme mesvìj percentage of 77.33, Urdu Medium High school at Apta ves F&meer meeue 50 meeue Hetjs efkeÀ³es nQ~ Deewj Fme DeJemejHej mesJeeûeece efmLele 100 percent and the Marathi medium High school at `yeeHetkegÀìer’ (ce. ieebOeer keÀer keggÀìer) keÀe ÒeleerkeÀ ieebOeerpeer Deewj ³egmegHeÀYeeF& kesÀ Shirki 97.05 percent. We started a junior college in efJe®eejeskeÀer ³eeo keÀe³ece jns Fmeefue³es yeebOeer nw~ DeeHemes cesjer ÒeeLe&vee nw Deewj Arts at Tara during the academic year 2010-2011. We iegpeeefjMe nw, DeeHe keÀYeer mece³e efveMeyo Jene DeJeM³e Yesì os~ jep³eHeeue lees have a hostel in our Tara School campus for girls from `jepe keÀe HeeuekeÀ' neslee nw~ Gme HeeuekeÀl®e keÀe kegÀí efnmmee mesvìj keÀes Adivasis, , Other Backward Communities, and other poor girls to facilitate their study in our school. Yeer vemeerye nes~ There are 84 girls in the hostel during this academic Dev³ee³e kesÀ efKeueeHeÀ mebIe

Yusuf Meherally Centre

have a Non-Formal Vocational Centre attached with about 30,000 people every years, mainly students and hostel facilities for tribal youths, who are drop outs nature lovers, who come for picnic, rest and recreation, from schools, giving six months training in various seminars, meetings, etc. We have also there a dhaba skills like welding, electrical wiring, home appliance and sales counter to sell our products to the visitors repairs and two wheelers repairs. The training is free, and travelers on the Mumbai - Goa Highway. Both including boarding and lodging. the campus canteen and the dhaba serve good, healthy vegetarian food, at reasonable rates. Agricultural activities: We have a dairy at Tara and have an experimental organic farm. The latter is called Relief and Rehabilitation: The Centre has a big ten guntha experiment. The late Prof. S.A.Dabholkar, component of relief and rehabilitation activities. It a mathematician-turned-agricultural expert, claimed provided relief in the early years in Orissa after a that a family of five can live above poverty line on cyclone, to students in Maharashtra when there was ten guntha (a quarter acre) if they follow certain a drought, to people in Raigad when there were flash agricultural practices. In this no tilling and digging floods in 1989 and to people in Kutch after the cyclone are required and no fertilizers and pesticides are used. and the earthquake and to the refugees in J&K after This is a low external input agriculture, utilizing the the earthquake, in Nagapattinam after the Tsunami and cow dung and urine from the dairy and biomass. in Bhagalpur District in Bihar after the Kosi floods of August 2008. Environmental: We have a strong presence in environmental related activities. In its concern for The rehabilitation activities are continuing in protection of the environment, the Centre took up Nagapattinam, Kutch and J&K. In Kutch, the Centre an afforestation programme on a large scale during constructed 322 permanent houses and handed over the years 1984-1990. The Forest Department allotted them to the victims of the earthquake, promoted to the Centre 11 acres of land for tree planting income generating activities by imparting special in its project area. The Centre had also involved skills to about 550 women in ethnic embroidery, students of nearby schools and farmers, who were among other things. Its programme of non-formal given saplings free of charge. The Centre planted education of the children of fishermen and salt pan trees in its own lands in Tara. In all, about 8,50,000 workers there, who are always on the move in search saplings were planted during the period. As far as the of work, covers about 2000 children. In hostels, food Centre is concerned, the tree planting is a continuing and accommodation too are free. In Nagapattinam programme inasmuch as its schools continued to plant (Tamilnadu), we focus on alternate sustainable trees on special occasions like Environment Day to livelihood for the victims of tsunami. We organized make the children conscious of the need to replenish women of Self Help Groups and gave them training in the ever decreasing tree cover. The activities of the various skills to engage in productive work using the Centre in areas of organic farming and vermiculture, locally available agro products. Many more are sought fight against pollution in the Patalganga river, transfer to be trained. Rehabilitation work is also going on in of rural technology in collaboration with the Bhabha Jammu & Kashmir, but on a modest scale. In Bihar Atomic Research Centre which are eco-friendly, too, we had taken up rehabilitation after the Kosi river Biogas plant for biodegradable solid waste that will floods of August 2008. trap methane which can be used as a fuel source and Extension of Technology developed by Indian Institute In Orissa, we are concentrating on the benefits of Technology, Powai, to make diesel from oil waste accrued under the Right To Information Act and have are all environment related activities of the Centre. an excellent group of workers. The local branch of the Centre in Bhubaneshwar is active in 40 districts of the Urban-Rural interaction: We have a camping Orissa State under the RTI awareness programme and facility with two dormitories, three cottages, a lecture runs two schools. Thanks to what we did, about 600 hall and a canteen, to accommodate 150 at a time with Adivasis got homestead lands in Kalahandi. boarding and lodging. This facilities is availed of by 14 JANATA, October 23, 2011

Yusuf Meherally Centre

Golden Jubilee: would have disastrous consequences in many ways. Yusuf Meherally Centre completed 50 years of its existence on May 1, 2011. To mark the occasion, there It is our belief and our vision that reducing the are several programmes. One of them was to build a rate of urbanization can be done by all concerned replica of Bapu Kuti at the Madhu-Pramila Dandavate by deliberately deciding to invest much more than Sankul, Yusuf Meherally Centre, Khairat , Karnala at present in rural development. Many groups Panchayat, Tara. The Golden Jubilee Celebrations and voluntary agencies are doing this. So are were launched and the Bapu Kuti was inaugurated and philanthropists and civic groups. Yusuf Meherally dedicated to the people at a function held on May 01, Centre is one such group. 2011, at the Madhu Pramila Dandavate Sankul. Other important programmes for the jubilee celebration In addition to the usual activities, it is concentrating include raising of a corpus of twenty five crores to on non farm employment generation and finding ensure survival and stability of the Centre, building markets for their produce. We are appealing to all our of Apta (Urdu medium) and Shirki (Marathi medium) friends to buy some khadi (hand spun hand woven high school buildings, establishment of an office and cloth) every year and give preference to village training cum production centre for village industries manufactures. We also appeal to them to use organic at Nagrotta (J&K), Betul (MP), Dhenkanal (Orissa), foods. And we tell our friends in the corporate sector to Bihapur (Bihar), Bhadreshwar (Kutch) and Khandahal use hand made paper on important occasions. All this (Uttrakhand), etc. will generate rural employment and that will create not only rural prosperity but also reduce exodus to cities. Bapu Kuti: It is a replica of the Bapu Kuti of Sewagram, Yusuf Meherally Centre is a voluntary organization, Wardha, Maharashtra, where Gandhiji spent his which is registered under the Societies Registration later years of life. The purpose of making a replica Act, 1860 and the Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950. of Bapu Kuti is to spread certain values that were popular during freedom movement and continued to Donations to the Centre are tax exempt under the be relevant for creating a better world, namely, Satya provisions of Sections 80G and 35 AC of the Income and Ahimsa (truth & non-violence), Samata and Tax Act. Samyam (equality & self-control), Shrampratishtha and Shramdan (dignity of labour & voluntary labour), Shanti (peace) and Ethics in Politics & Business, and in the context of global warming, Aparigriha (non-possessiveness). The Centre, as it happens, gets 50,000 visitors annually, largely from Mumbai, , Panvel and New Panvel. We have decided to raise a corpus of a crore to maintain the Kuti, which is included in the twenty five crores corpus mentioned above.

Basic thinking: The Centre is trying to see that rural development becomes a mainstream economic development activity. Our reasoning is simple. 70% of our population still lives in rural areas and even if the government’s prediction comes true that soon 50% population will live in cities, the number of people living in villages would be around sixty crores if not more. Neglecting such a big number of our population JANATA, October 23, 2011 15

Yusuf Meherally Centre R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, October 23, 2011 P.R. No. MH/MR/WEST/275/2010-2011 Posted at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1

GANNON DUNKERLEY & CO., LTD. (An ISO 9001 – 2000 Company)

REGISTERED OFFICE

NEW EXCELSIOR BUILDING, 3RD FLOOR, A.K. NAYAK MARG, FORT, MUMBAI – 400 001

TEL: 91-22-22051231, FAX: 91-22-22051232

Website: gannondunkerley.com

E-mail: [email protected]

GANNONS ARE SPECIALISTS IN INDUSTRIAL STRUCTURES, ROADS, BRIDGES (RCC AND PRESTRESSED CONCRETE), RAILWAY TRACKS, THERMAL POWER, FERTILIZER, CHEMICAL, PAPER AND CEMENT PLANTS, WATER & WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANTS, PILING FOUNDATION & FOUNDATION ENGINEERING.

GANNONS ARE ALSO PIONEERS IN MATERIAL HANDELING WORKS, MANUFACTURE OF PRESTRESSED CONCRETE SLEEPERS, ERECTION OF MECHANICAL EQUIPMENTS & PIPING AND SUPPLY OF TEXTILE MACHINERY AND LIGHT ENGINEERING ITEMS.

OFFICES AT:

AHMEDABAD - CHENNAI - COIMBATORE - - MUMBAI - NEW DELHI

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. 66 No. 39 Combating Negativism October 30, 2011 S.Viswam

At the End of Tether It has taken just two years for India percent rate of growth during the Kuldip Nayar to shed its erstwhile all-pervasive 12th Five-Year Plan (2012 to 2017) mood of optimism induced by the does not go hand in hand with the Truth of Gujarat impressive performance of UPA prevailing mood of negativism in the Electoral Reform One and embrace what the Prime country. While conceptually, India Rajindar Sachar Minister has appropriately described may be able to touch that higher rate as negativism. Undoubtedly, cynicism (we are hoping to achieve 8.2 per Remembering Acharyaji has become all-pervasive. Optimism cent during the ongoing 11th Plan), Waryam Singh has morphed into pessimism and the it cannot be without enormous hard nation seems to be losing faith in and honest work. Gandhi and Socialism itself while in fact what it has already R J Kochar lost faith in is the capacity of the The Prime Minister hinted that ruling UPA Two to deliver the goods. hopes can turn into disappointments R T I National Convention Seldom in the post-independence era in case the nation lost its unity and Ravindran P M has the national mood and temper cohesiveness. In case the current so downcast as they are now, albeit global economic slowdown ceases Asoka Mehta Centenary several indicators are positive enough to be what world economists hope to persuade the citizenry that things will be a short-term phenomenon, Save Academic Freedom are not as hopeless as they seem. there will be real cause for concern Formula 1 car rally However, even while juxtaposing for developing economies like India. Excuse me, are you the PM? the hopeful factors against the failing Leave global influences aside, the or failed ones, it seems difficult situation can be aggravated if nations to sustain hope in a good future. lose their internal cohesiveness and The Prime Minister used the term common purpose. In this context, “negativism” to highlight the fact Dr. appealed to Editor : that political parties in the country are “parliamentary parties to strike a adding to cynicism by only focusing G. G. Parikh difficult balance between maintaining on the negative factors and ignoring adversarial political positions on D-15, Ganesh Prasad, the positive ones. It is a noteworthy many issues while also cooperating point, but it is the government that Naushir Bharucha Marg, to advance longer term national has contributed the most through non- agenda.” Mumbai - 400 007. performance and non-governance to shake the faith of the citizen in the It is really the sign of the times that Email : [email protected] system. Pinning hope and faith in after six decades of parliamentary the nation’s capacity to attain a nine democracy the political class in India 2 JANATA, October 30, 2011 has to be taught this fundamental Between the lines democratic principle that all parties are enjoined by a common purpose At the End of Tether of nation-building. The role of the opposition parties transcends the Kuldip Nayar purely adversarial. In a federal set-up like ours, the Centre and the States are committed to jointly In the midst of L.K.Advani’s Capitalism looked progressive work towards national development. rath yatra to polarize the country when it replaced feudalism. But However, it has become the rule and the agitation to today it is stifling the common rather than the exception that states articulate local chauvinism, India is man because it is as exploitative under the control of the so-called oblivious to the ‘Occupy Wall Street’ as feudalism. Those at the top are “opposition parties” tend to work movement against capitalism which appropriating the gains of growth at cross purposes with the party or has given shape to what the West is and developing such technology coalition of parties that controls the today. Demonstrations are all over which lessens jobs to increase the Centre. Under the circumstances, it America and Europe against the margin of profit. Without taking is no wonder that the one institution grasping bankers, corrupt politicians into consideration the public, the that was set up to act as a buffer and misgoverning administrations. corporate sector and the banks are between the Centre and the States, It is a revolt against the capitalist making their own institutions solid. namely the National Development system. What do the people do? They are rightly up in arms. Council (NDC), as a monitor But things are no better for of national economic progress, communism. Former India should have learnt the as the supervisor of plan target Chief Minister Buddhadeb lesson. But it is doing exactly what implementation, and as an over-all Bhattacharya has remarked at the West did and failed. The National co-ordinator ensuring co-operation Kolkata that communism must Statistical Survey Organisation between the Centre and the States either ‘change or perish’. He belongs has reported the growth stagnant has become a redundant institution. to the at around eight per cent, with zero The functioning of the NDC over the (Marxist) which has been thrown per cent increase in employment. years has by itself contributed to the out of power from the state after its Obviously, the rich have become spread of cynicism in the country. inadequate rule of nearly 35 years. richer and the poor poorer. Since He has underlined the phenomenon most of the burden falls on the Even at the height of its the world over that the communist countryside, there is dismal poverty effectiveness, the NDC was not the ideology does not meet the people’s in villages. Strange, the rulers have sole determinant of economic policy. needs. The main communist prop closed their eyes to the thousands of But it definitely served the purpose of collapsed in 1990 when the Soviet mutinies, small movements all over a common platform where the States Union caved in and let the West win the country, directed against those could articulate their grievances, the . who have dispossessed people of land, water, job or jungle. demands, hopes and aspirations China is making ‘progress’, and exchange thoughts with those not because it is following the The fact is that the two ideologies, making policy at the Centre. The communist ideology but because capitalism and communism, have NDC’s usefulness ceased to be felt it is treading the path of capitalism outlived their utility. They do not after the Nehru era, but even more which means growth by any means meet the aspirations of the people so after liberalisation in the early and at any cost, a sort of laissez who want bread, without losing their nineties when the term private sector faire. Yet the glue to keep this system right to say. True, the communists ceased to be a dirty word and market together in China is the dictatorial in India have joined the democratic economy a popular concept. Now, rule by the communist party and the stream and adopted the parliamentary when there is so much talk of PPP armed forces. No disobedience or system but it is more of a strategy. (Public-Private-Partnership), the dissent is tolerated, as was seen at the Otherwise they have remained five-year plans have virtually lost Tiananmen Square in Beijing when stuck in the Marxist slogans and their importance while the demand hundreds of protesting students were shibboleths. The CPI(M) politburo (Continued on Page 6) crushed under the army tanks. office at Kolkata still hangs on walls JANATA, October 30, 2011 3 life-size portraits of Marx, Engels, communist party—knows the best. We in India have to think of an Stalin and Lenin. The communists ideology which is suited to our The real problem with continue to live in a make-belief genius. The starting point may well communism is that it has become world with the hope that the people be the advice by another religion. Ideology and would return to them some day. The to cut one’s needs. India cannot religion help us in our journey up to collapse of the shook afford the standard of living which a point, but subsequently we must them and they swore to change. a few enjoy. We are at the end of the come to have faith in the method But they continued to prefer their tether. There is no leeway available. that our demands for employment doctrinaire approach and rigid ways. We have to think of ways to curb as well as free choice will be met. consumerism and divert those funds This does not mean that capitalism, Somnath Chatterjee was thrown to the measures to remove poverty. more specifically market economy, out of the party because he acted is better. One ugly example is that independently as the Lok Sabha of America which has left even Corruption Speaker when the CPI(M) wanted Roosevelt’s new deal far behind. him to be a partisan. The party This is with reference to the letter has not even bothered to find out is the only of P. Chidambaram saying that why Buddhadeb does not attend alternative. It gives freedom and still corruption has to be fought at home meetings of the politburo. This allows the majority to prevail. There and wherever it is to be found. moribund attitude is no different is some type of egalitarianism also. from that of the communists in other But the problem which has dogged An advertisement appeared in countries which have been thrown the system is that the people are The Hindu a few years ago saying into the dustbin of history. The then jealous about their rights but care that any one could lodge a complaint President of the little for their duties. And because with the Chief Vigilance Officer, Soviet Union explained his failure of ever-improving technology, Room No: 54, Old Secretariat, on the ground that he could not hold the employment sector goes on Delhi against any department of the country together. But he did not shrinking to the detriment of people. Municipal Corporation of Delhi and realize that the people could not be Delhi Government officials. I went Although we have a top economist held together if they are shackled and to lodge a complaint with the CVO as the Prime Minister, we have never have no freedom to choose. armed with a written complaint. faced such a financial crisis as we are facing today when inflation and The Chief Vigilance Officer, I still think that the communists deficit financing have been galloping Pradip Hota, was sleeping in his would, some day, self-examine unbridled. Finance Minister Pranab room at 10AM. His staff did not themselves and round off the edges. Mukherjee has no clue how to tackle allow me to talk to him on phone or They would have done so by this the situation except to express his peep into his room. I waited there time, but unfortunately they won concern every week over food price for two hours but the sleeping officer 60 Lok Sabha seats in 2004 and rise. The difficulty with him and did not wake up. His staff did not got lost in the vicarious satisfaction his government is that they are still accept my complaint saying that of enjoying power by joining the following the World Bank model only `Sahib' will take it. Congress-led alliance. which may be impressive on paper Next day I submitted my but a disaster when implemented. Karl Marx, a signal influence complaint with the office of Police in the development of economic We must realize that capitalism, Commissioner, Delhi. thoughts, is still relevant. Through communism or, for that matter, any What is the use of such officers his theory one comes to understand other ism has failed to deliver the and offices if they do the opposite the historical and social changes. goods. India does not have to hanker of what they are supposed to do? But that understanding is of little after sterile philosophies. We have It seemed that the officer had been consequence when his philosophy to learn from Mahatma Gandhi who asked by all the departments of the ceases to be an engine for the was not dazzled by machines. This Delhi Government and MCD not to changes. Communism is too isolated is not to suggest that the technology accept any complaint against any from the aspirations and sensitivities should not be used. The challenge of them. of the people and believes that a is how to sustain the growth rate small revolutionary minority—a without lessening jobs. -Amrit Lal Rawal 4 JANATA, October 30, 2011 Truth of Gujarat • Electoral Reform

Rajindar Sachar

I The fasts by Modi got an excessive The media though somewhat As for Right to Education, a coverage, which defies logic. The critical of Modi’s Sadbhavana fundamental right, the Gujarat critics have rightly projected it as pretensions have unfortunately government is ironically closing self-image building by Modi to swallowed the propaganda of 3000 primary schools on the project himself as Prime Ministerial development oriented programmes alleged unacceptable plea of lack of candidate and under the cover of in Gujarat ignoring its perversions attendance and the plan is in fact to slogan of Sadbhavna as an attempt to which have in fact led to greater lease them to private bodies. wash off his sinful conduct in post- pauperization of masses, possibly Godhra period. I am clear in my mind because those policies coincide One of the biggest scandals that in the matter of governments’ with the neo-liberal and anti-farmer highlighted was the land allotment complicity in the gory happenings policies of the corporate sector. All at throwaway rate to private like the 1984 genocide in Delhi this information uncomplimentary industrialists in the capital - Gandhi and the 2002 genocide in Gujarat, to Modi was placed in a public Nagar, without holding public there can never be a question of hearing when Anna Hazare visited auction. The beneficiaries are big forgiveness. There are certain crimes Gujarat in May 2011 (in a report builders, construction companies and human rights violations which prepared amongst others by PUCL- and other corporate houses with not can never be forgiven or forgotten Gujarat, Socialist Party and other so good public acceptability. This though no doubt we must learn from concerned citizens of Gujarat.) has resulted in a loss to the Gujarat them and so modulate our political State, as per market allotment rate, and social programming, that such Thus 30,000 farmers walked of Rs. 5197, 1622, 317/- . nearly 350 km to protest against like events never shame us again. The labour disputes have the cement plant being set up at But that process can start only if increased by 600 percent in the last Mahuva, which if it happens will the perpetrator of the crime is seen five years, but instead of 100 percent lead to a total loss of 25,000 bigha as genuinely contrite which alone increase in the labour machinery land on which 1,25,000 people can create confidence in those who staff, the Government has reduced survive. The cement factory would suffered untold miseries. That has the staff by 40-60 percent. not yet happened. provide direct employment to only 498 persons. Regarding expenditure for social One is sad and amused at the sector by 18 large States of India, carnival response of the Congress One of the biggest scandal and Gujarat embarrassingly stands at in purporting to observe fast at the Human Rights violation is taking 17th (Monthly Bulletin of Reserve same time. I wish the Congress place in the much touted boast of Bank of India, February, 2007). instead had programmed and brought Narmada Dam. Even at present out the unspeakable condition in hundreds of families are still Gujarat stands 14th in Infant Gujarat camps where large number displaced though even the award Mortality Rate (IMR) for 0-1 year of Muslims are still living in misery. postulated complete rehabilitation of and 13th for 0-5 years, with 47 Also Vaghela would have done the oustees. The boast of Modi that percent malnourishment among 0-5 well if he and his colleagues had Narmada was to supply water to the years old children. About 67 percent chalked out a definite programme farmers is belied by the established women are anemic. to create conducive atmosphere so fact that only 29 percent of the canal Global index on hunger reports that hundreds of Muslim families work has been done. As recently as India with 66th rank, Gujarat is who are afraid to go back to their 2009 Rs. 260 crore scam pertaining ranking 69th, which is actually as villages could go back with dignity to National Rural Employment low as Haiti in Africa (International and assured safety. Guarantee Scheme was exposed. JANATA, October 30, 2011 5

Food Policy Research Institute, to Gujarat of which 53,000 are to Modi that our Constitution as 2008. be given to the deserving Muslims, interpreted by the Supreme Court but Gujarat has not even cared to has loudly proclaimed that: “The While I unreservedly accept implement this programme. purpose of law in plural societies some positive features of Gujarat, is not the progressive assimilation like it has 90 percent paved roads Modi proudly proclaimed at his of the minorities in the majoritarian to villages, 98 percent electrified alleged Sadbavana Jamboree that milieu. This would not solve the villages with 80 percent electrified he did not recognize doing anything problem; but would vainly seek to homes and 18 hours of electricity especially for the minorities but dissolve it.” everyday, 86 percent piped water that they are to be treated only as supply compared to other states, but Gujaratis. Modi apparently has not It is axiomatic that in any country unfortunately it cannot be overlooked been properly coached about the the faith and the confidence of the that amidst all this, poverty, hunger Indian Constitution. Of course all minorities in the impartial and even and lack of sense of security amongst residents (6 crores) living in Gujarat functioning of the State is the acid minority community thrive. To are Gujaratis. That is their one test of being a civilized State – give an instance: to overcome the identity. But the people belonging this is accepted wisdom, and was Muslim deficit in different levels of to the Minority have also other expressed succinctly by Lord Acton education, the central government identities – they are Indians and thus; “A state which is incompetent has launched a nationwide Muslims just as the people belonging to satisfy Minorities condemns scholarship scheme with effect to the Majority community – they itself; a state which labours to from April 1, 2008. All states have are Gujaratis, Hindus and Indians. neutralize, to absorb or to expel them responded favorably, with the sole As emphasized by Noble laureate is destitute of the chief basis of self- exception of Gujarat which has not Amartya Sen, each one of us has government”. Can one hope Modi to implemented even the pre-matric multiple identities and each of it so modulate his future policies in the scholarships for minorities. There deserves equal recognition and light of these constitutional and wise are 55,000 scholarships allocated protection. Somebody must tell pronouncements?

II

Anna Hazare when he gave up are to be cast, and the precaution to of by ballot paper. This procedure his fast announced that the next maintain the secrecy of voting which is also illegal because by this the movement is for electoral reform is absolutely necessary for a healthy identity of the voter who decides and especially prioritised “Right to democracy. not to vote will be disclosed thus Reject candidate” at the elections violating the fundamental right of and the right to recall a legislator Prior to the introduction of voting in secrecy. earlier than the end of his term. Electronic Voting Machine (EVM), voting was by means of ballot paper. Realising this anomaly and Central government is seeking to Rule 49 M provides for maintaining lacuna the Election Commission project itself as responsive to public of secrecy and voting procedure by of India as far back as 2001 and opinion. Here then is an opportunity EVM, whereby the voter presses ever since has been writing to to do so. I say this because the public the button against the name of the the Central Government to make demand for effectuating right to candidate for whom he intends to necessary modification in the rules reject vote or more clearly “None vote. Rule 49(O) further provides by providing a slot of NOTA in of the Above” (NOTA) is very easy that if an elector decides not to EVM. to effectuate. The Representation record his vote, a remark will be of People Act.1951 and its rules made by presiding officer on Form Finding the inaction of the provide a detailed mechanism for 17 and signature of the voter shall Government, Peoples Union of Civil standing and voting at elections. also be taken. But this procedure Liberties, filed a writ petition in 2004 Government of India has framed is faulty and outdated, because it in the Supreme Court asking for Conduct of Election Rules 1961 to does not take into account mode of direction to the Central government provide the manner as to how votes change of voting by EVM instead to suitably amend Rule 49 (0). The 6 JANATA, October 30, 2011 writ petition was heard by a two- at home and sulk, but are not able to the world including the most well judge Bench which referred it to convey their resentment effectually. known Ralph Nader, the consumer a larger Bench in 2009 – because But in the changed position the voter activist. U.S.A. Australia, Norway of the congestion in the Supreme will be assured of secrecy and will and other countries have a very Court, the matter has not yet come exercise his right which will send a strong constituency favouring up for hearing. But notwithstanding strong message to the smug political NOTA. the pendency, in law there is no bosses against their manipulation prohibition to make the necessary and force them to listen to the small Of course legislation would need change by amending rule 49(o) by man/woman who in fact have the to be enacted to provide that if providing “NOTA”. power with his/her little finger on the NOTA votes exceed the maximum button to decide the fate of so-called cast for the highest vote getting I believe that by introduction of tallest of them. candidate, the election will be NOTA in EVM a radical change countermanded and a fresh election will be brought about in political Thus NOTA can be effectuated ordered. This change will be warning arena. At present the voter is treated immediately by the Central to the political parties that decision as dumb, driven cattle, who must Government by amending the rule, about the choice of candidate is choose one or the other from the provided it is genuinely concerned not the sole prerogative of a clique candidate, even if he finds all of them with clean polities. The principles within the party. It must involve the to be thoroughly undesirable. A voter justifying NOTA are self- evident, voters at the initial stage of selection. at present has no role in selecting the namely: all legitimate consent A wrong choice will result in fresh candidate, as in U.S.A. Primaries requires the ability to withhold elections. and even in Britain by constituency consent; would end the farce where I feel the Central Government members. Here selection of a voters are often forced to vote for the can redeem its self-damaging candidate is done by a small cabal least unacceptable candidate, the all conduct during Anna Hazare Fast of party leaders and in some parties too familiar “lesser evil.” even by one or two so-called super (as even some of the Ministers leaders. The provision of NOTA Voters would decide the fate have said it openly) by immediately voting will make a sea change in the of the political parties’ choices, amending Rule 49(O), as demanded power equation in favour of the small instead of the parties deciding the by Election Commission since 2001 voter as against the monster of a big voters’ choices. Many voters and and by providing a slot of NOTA in political party. Such a provision will non-voters, who now register their the voting machine straight away for enable the voter to exercise his right disapproval of all candidates for an all future elections, thus recognizing in secrecy and to send a message office by not voting, could cast a the supremacy of the voters. of his anger at the unsuitability meaningful vote. It would improve of contesting candidates and their checks and balances between voters (Continued from Page 2) political mentors. and political parties. for reforms has grown more strident. Policies are being made and decided It is not as if at present many In any election when “NOTA” in different forums, and there is no voters will not like to record their will be put on EVM, the list of relation between yesterday’s and disapprobation of the contesting candidates would be followed by today’s economic motivators. The candidates but they are afraid the button of “NOTA”. If NOTA NDC has therefore been reduced to to do so because of the unholy gets more votes than any of the a talking shop where chief ministers alliance of mafia crowd with many candidates, then no one is declared come with prepared speeches which of the contesting candidates. But elected, instead, a follow-up by- they read out to non-listening NOTA being available in the voting election with new candidates, old benches and the government offers machine, the voter will be able to being ineligible, would be held to non-committal replies. No one will speak his mind without fear and thus fill the seat, until a candidate wins miss the NDC if it is wound up, defeat politicalisation of criminals. a plurality of votes over all other even the many chief ministers who candidates including “NOTA”. At the present, when voters feel treat it as a forum only to demand disgusted at the nomination of NOTA has many thoughtful more from the Centre than it is in a undesirable candidates, they just sit advocates in various countries in position to give! JANATA, October 30, 2011 7 Remembering Acharyaji

Waryam Singh

The 122nd birth anniversary that he was leaving the University – leva bhi na rahe (it is not eary; of Acharya Narendra Deva, the to take over as Vice Chancellor it is quite likely that we are left in doyen of the Democratic Socialist of Benarse Hindu University! A wilderness). It was reported that Movement in India, falls on delegation of the B. H. U. students an uneasy silence became very October 31. came to Lucknow to persuade the vocal as the delegates realized the Lucknow students not to deprive gravity of the situation. Narendra It will really be difficult for the them of the opportunity to have the Deva brought them back to reality present generation to comprehend Acharya as their Vice Chancellor. by reminding them of their duty that there ever lived a man like It is said that in the history of towards the people and the Party of him. He was an erudite scholar, a Benarse (Varanasi now) no one Socialism. freedom fighter, a socialist thinker, else except Gandhiji ever got such an educationist who was respected a warm reception as Acharyaji did. History is witness to what by the youth of the country, a It is hard to think of another name happened afterwards. scholar of Buddhist philosophy and who was as adored and respected a linguist who knew Hindi, Urdu, by the youth as the Acharya. After the 1952 general elections Bangla, Sanskrit, Pali besides when the Socialist Party and English, German and French – he After Independence when the Acharya Kripalani’s KMP Party translated one of the rarest books AICC amended the Constitution decided to work under the banner of on Buddhist Philosophy that was of the , the Narendra available only in French. not allowing any political group Deva personally was opposed to function under its umbrella, to the merger but as a democrat He was a great orator who could Narendra Deva decided to leave accepted the decision. The events hold the audience spell-bound for the Congress – earlier he was which followed weakened the hours. opposed to the idea. He declared party. Narendra Deva, despite his at the Nasik Conference of the failing health, tried – at the cost The youth of the country looked Socialist Party that so far he had of his health – to save the Party to him as an ideal. It is a well been opposed to the idea of leaving of Socialism, with little success. known fact that he was persuaded, the Congress but now he thought it In those days of bitter strife he among others, by was time for them to quit the parent made one last effort to salvage the – they were to-gether in Jail during organization as it had slammed its situation by holding a camp of the the struggle for independence doors on the Socialists and it was party leaders at Jaipur. But history for many years – to take over as just right and proper for them to and cirenmstances had conspired Vice Chancellor of the Lucknow leave. The delegates and all those otherwise. University which was passing present at the venue applauded the through a difficult phase as the Acharya when he declared that he Narendra Deva was one of students would often go on strike was opposed to the idea of quitting those rarest of Indians who gave and the university would remain the Congress at Allahabad session all they had to the society but in closed for quite some time. of the Party but now he himself return accepted very little, almost presented the resolution to quit the nothing. After Narendra Deva took over Congress. As the applause subsided as Vice Chancellor (and he held the Acharya chose to apprise them It is hoped the new era that has the office for about four and a half of the reality of the situation by begun with the emergence of the years) there were no strikes. Yes, warning them in his own inimitable Socialist Party (India) shall be a the students once did threaten to go style : Dekhiye, luqma aasan step in the direction of realization on strike – when it became known nahin, ho sakta hai kal koi naam of his dream. 8 JANATA, October 30, 2011 Asoka Mehta Centenary

Bangalore Centenary editions of books his association with Asoka and The spacious Senate hall of written by Asoka Mehta titled his unflinching commitment to the Central college, Bangalore Democratic Socialism and Studies democratic socialism. university became a historical venue in Socialism as well as a biography once again to recollect the glorious of Asoka and centenary souvenir The one hundredth screening of chapter of Indian socialist movement were released on the occasion. a twenty-minute AV programme during the freedom struggle and introducing socialism to college after the Independence. It was at this S.M Krishna in his speech went students and youth was screened on venue in 2009 that a function to mark down the memory lane of his the occasion. This programme has the 75 years of the Indian socialist baptism in politics through PSP. He been designed by Prof. Hanumanthu movement was held in which veteran said that the socialist stalwarts were and Bapu Heddursetti of Centre for socialists like the late Surendra men of sterling qualities and honest Socialist Studies . Mohan, Mulka Govinda Reddy and to the core. Their commitment An open house discussion on others participated. to socialism, democracy and nationalism was of the highest the life and works of Asoka Mehta On Sunday, 23 October, 2011, the order. There used to be highly was also held. A pictorial exhibition same senate hall became a witness charged debates, discussions among on socialist movement drew the to yet another memorable occasion. themselves. Shri Krishna felt sad attention of the visitors. Many The celebration of the birth centenary about ego clashes among the leaders. veteran socialists who were closely of the veteran socialist leader, Asoka He described Asoka as a great associated with Asoka Mehta and a Mehta, was organized by the Centre leader with indomitable spirit and a fairly good number of youngsters for Socialist Studies. The External socialist visionary. He recollected took part in the programme. Affairs minister, S.M. Krishna, who -Khadri S Achyuthan had started his political career in the Praja Socialist Party, inaugurated the Trivandrum produced by the Centre for Socialist centenary programme. The Birth Centenary of Asoka Studies, Bangalore. Books of Asoka The programme was unique in Mehta, the late Socialist stalwart Mehta, reprinted by Centre for the sense that a huge portrait of and humanist, was celebrated in Socialist Studies, and a Centenary Asoka Mehta was displayed on the Trivandrum on 24 October 2011. Souvenir, released in Bangalore dais and all participants including Janata Forum, Kerala, organised on the previous day, were also the guests sat around as part of the a grand public function, at the on display. B.S. Nagaraj, from audience. S.M Krishna inaugurated Press Club Hall in Trivandrum, Bangalore, was also present. The the programme by pressing the which was presided over by the function was well attended by a cross laptop button and reeled out the Forum's President, and the veteran section of people from different audiovisual presentation on life socialist leader, P. Viswambharan, walks of life. In his Presidential and message of Asoka Mehta, the Ex-M.P. Bapu Heddurshetti, Prof. B. Address, P. Viswambharan recalled pioneer of the Indian democratic Vivekanandan, and C.K. Nanu spoke his association with Asoka Mehta socialist movement. The 20-minute on the occasion. The commencement from 1946, when the latter visited presentation traced the story of Indian of the public function was preceded Kerala, for the first time, to address socialist movement with special by the release of the Malayalam a meeting of the Students Congress reference to Asoka’s contribution in translation of a short biography of in Trivandrum. He was present in furthering the cause of democratic Asoka Mehta, authored by Bapu the Lok Sabha in 1968 when Asoka socialism and also his multifaceted Heddurshetti and the screening of Mehta, still a Cabinet Minister, personality as an ideologue, trade two short documentary films - one made a historic speech in support unionist, parliamentarian, an on Asoka Mehta's life, and the other of a resolution moved by the veteran intellectual among politicians and on the fundamentals of Democratic socialist opposition leader from politician among intellectuals. Socialism and their great exponents - Orissa, Surendra Nath Dwivedy, JANATA, October 30, 2011 9 to condemn the Soviet intervention the non-cooperation movement, had a passion, which led him to accept in Czechoslovakia. But, since resigned his economics lecturer's job the position of the Deputy Chairman the government in Bombay's Wilson College in 1931, of the Planning Commission, under refused to condemn the Soviet to be followed by Gandhiji's calls for Jawaharlal Nehru, for which the intervention, Asoka Mehta tendered individual satyagraha movement and Praja Socialist Party terminated his his resignation from the Cabinet, the , for joining membership of the Party. Later, he he said. He recalled many other which he was arrested every time, became a Planning Minister too, incidents in Asoka Mehta's political and was imprisoned for periods of which he resigned after two years life, including his highly loaded fiery two-and-a-half years, one-and-a-half on the issue of the Government's speeches, the vocabulary of which years, and three years respectively (in attitude to the Soviet intervention often baffled even experienced all seven years), during the freedom in Czechoslovakia in 1968. Shri translators, the commendable role struggle. Later, in 1953, he was Heddurshetti pointed out that he played as a front line socialist, a again arrested for leading a peasant long before , former freedom fighter, a trade union leader, movement for land in Pardi village in West German Social Democratic a great parliamentarian, a peasant Gujarat against a Zamindar, and was Chancellor, conceived the North- leader and so on. He mentioned about imprisoned for one-and-half years. South dialogue in his famous Brandt Asoka Mehta's classic report on In addition, he was imprisoned also Commission Report in 1980, Asoka democratic decentralisation, during during from 1975 Mehta had already proposed it in his the Janata regime, which gave a big to 1977, he said. Shri Heddurshetti speech at the United Nations way boost to Panchayati Raj institutions explained how Asoka Mehta, along back in 1963. That was the range of in the country. Delivering Asoka with , Acharya Asoka Mehta's farsightedness and Mehta Centenary Lecture, Bapu Narendra Dev, Yusuf Meherally and vision on global changes, he said. Heddurshetti, President, Centre for others, had founded the Congress Socialist Studies in Bangalore, gave Socialist Party in 1934. After the Prof. B. Vivekanandan, in a graphic acount of Asoka Mehta's establishment of the Socialist his speech reminisced about his eventful life, and his endeavour Party and the Praja Socialist Party association with Asoka Mehta ever to promote democratic socialist in the post-independent period, since he reached New Delhi for ideas and movement in India. He Asoka Mehta became their General higher studies. That association said that, unlike other veteran Secretary and Chairman respectively, remained intact till Asoka Mehta socialist leaders like Jayaprakash he said. For a brief period, from passed away in January 1984. He Narayan and Acharya Narendra January to May 1977, he was the said that Asoka Mehta remained Dev, who had a stint as Marxists interim President of the Janata Party genuinely serious all the time in before they became democratic also. He said that Asoka Mehta was dealing with issues, big or small. socialists, Asoka Mehta remained mainly instrumental in the adoption 'Smileless devotion' is the nearest a staunch democratic socialist of democratic socialism as the basic term which could be used to depict from the beginning to the end. His ideology of the Socialist Party, and his style of functioning. He said that adoption of Gandhian methodology also of the Praja Socialist Party. He in the advancement of democratic during the freedom struggle did commended the poetic-prose style socialist ideology in India, both in not make him to deviate even a bit Asoka used in his fiery speeches theory and practice, few socialists from his convictions as a democratic and in the writing of his 70 odd in the country can match the rich socialist. He was emphatic that if books which he published on various contribution which Asoka Mehta has democratic socialism remains a issues during his eventful life. Shri made in this context. He mind worked forceful ideology in India today, Heddurshetti said that Asoka Mehta invariably in a constructive manner it is largely due to the clarity and was moved by a conviction that for the betterment of the people. precision, and the vision too, which larger issues like India's economic It has been found that he formed Asoka Mehta gave to it through development should be kept above his ideas after deep study. This is his consistent espousal of it. Shri party politics and that on such clear from the fact that, for writing Heddurshetti focussed also on Asoka matters leaders belonging to various his three classics on democratic Mehta's role as a patriotic freedom political parties should cooperate socialism - 'Democratic Socialism', fighter who, in response to a call across party lines. Moreover, for him 'Studies in Asian Socialism', given by Mahatma Gandhi to join planning for India's development was and 'Reflections on the Socialist 10 JANATA, October 30, 2011

Era' - Asoka Mehta had churned classic works alone have earned Mehta was a unique personality. the ocean of the world socialist Asoka a glorious position in the He was a leader with rare qualities literature. There is ample evidence galaxy of great socialists of the who had a clear understanding of to it in those three books which, world. Asoka Mehta's standing people's problems, and stood for together, encapsulate brilliantly as a glorious legend in the Indian larger interests of the country and the global socialist movement, and socialist movement will be cherished its people, he said. S.R. Thankaraj, the socialist movements in India for centuries to come, he said. Ex-MLA, proposed a vote of thanks. and Asia. He said that, these three C.K. Nanu, MLA, said that Asoka –A Correspondent Save Academic Freedom

The All India Forum for the the BJP’s student organization, the fact they emphasized the fact that the Right to Education (AIFRTE) is Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad, demand for dropping the text from the alarmed and shocked by the recent attacked the office of the head of reading list was contrary to academic case of an erudite, well-researched the History department. The office concerns and, if acceded to, would essay by A.K. Ramanujan being was vandalized and the then head of be damaging to the University’s removed from the reading list of the department fortunately escaped character and functioning as an the con-current course offered by the assault. Although the history academic institution. Only one the History Department for under- department and other members of member apparently claimed that 2nd graduate students at the prestigious the academic community strongly year students would not be able `to Delhi University. The essay, entitled condemned the attack as being both cope’ with the text and teachers may “Three Hundred Ramayanas: Five fascist and anti-academic in nature, have difficulty in teaching it! Examples and Three Thoughts on the BJP and the rest of the Hindutva Translation”, has been withdrawn brigade vociferously supported the This is a common, unsubstantiated on the grounds that it has “hurt the action. The University authorities opinion frequently doled out when sentiments of Hindus”. The academic failed to act decisively against attempts to improve, upgrade or merit of the essay has never been the attackers and to send a clear alter syllabi, are made. The academic in question as it has been widely signal to those supporting them community and the authorities recognized by historians and other that such vigilante attacks in one of deal with such complaints in the academicians. This makes it even the premier institutions of higher routine course. So what made the more atrocious that it should have education in the country would not present case so different? Why removed through a resolution of be tolerated. was an erudite text on the varied the University’s Academic Council interpretations of the Ram katha and that only nine members of the Unable to drum up support within across centuries, different regions Council opposed the resolution. the University community, the and cultures, targeted in this fashion, The abolition of the essay from Hindutva brigade then approached and why did the members of the the history curriculam amounts to the Delhi High Court with the `hurt Academic Council buckle down negation of the very idea of cohesive sentiments’ plea. The Supreme Court before this threat? The answer is India with diversity that emerged took up the case and in its ruling to be found in the attitude of the from our freedom struggle and was asserted that academic issues should authorities who are constitutionally enshrined in the constitution. be settled within the University and institutionally required to and an expert committee should protect free and frank opinion and The facts leading up to this go into the matter. Accordingly a research from being subjected to shameful conclusion, however, four-member committee took up the attack. We increasingly find that on make it clear that this is no `innocent’ matter and submitted a report to the the contrary these very authorities academic affair. The issue first Vice-Chancellor. Three of the four steam-roller democratic protests came up in 2008 when lumpen members dismissed the argument of while at the same time they buckle elements unleashed by religious hurting sentiments as frivolous and down before the fascist, vigilante fundamentalist forces affiliated to with no evidence to support it. In groups. The functioning of the JANATA, October 30, 2011 11 present Vice- Chancellor of Delhi vigilante groups who enforce these In particular, we have to stand up University has been true to form in dictates in the absence of stern action against the fascist brigades of the the manner in which the debate in on the part of the authorities. majoritarian Hindutva forces who the academic council was fixed by grow more strident every time they an official as relating to the “interest The academic community and are allowed to `get away with it’ of the University and the V-C”. democratic forces across the country and are not held accountable for This interest was clearly served not must urgently take up the battle violating both constitutional and by enlarging the space of critical against all attempts to curtail freedom democratic norms. They represent enquiry as one would have expected, of expression which threaten our the biggest threat to the plural culture but by pandering to the dictates of democratic, plural society and seek and polity of India without which no self-styled `protectors of the Hindu to keep our academic enquiry within academic debate and no civilized faith’ and bowing down before the the confines of narrow conformism. society can possibly survive

–All IndiaForum for Right to Education Gandhi and Socialism

R J Kochar

I was very happy to read the two in the context of the Indian society. personality and not objective and articles on the above topic by Bapu The learned author does not even like intelligent decisions of our own. This Heddurshetti. I have always been an the prefix ‘Dr’ put before the name is another tragedy of the socialist admirer of the intellectual acumen of Rammanohar Lohia. I had read movement. of the great democratic socialist of his article some months back in the 20th century, the late Asoka Mehta. I columns of Janata condemning all Instead of making merely had read and studied his classic work those who called this great socialist a passing reference to Dr Lohia ‘Democratic Socialism’ when I was by the prefix ‘Dr’ by trying to tell the author should have critically a college student in the year 1963- us that Lohia was never conferred appreciated the treatise of Dr Lohia, 64. I must thank Shri Heddurshetti the honor of doctorate. He appears ‘Marx Gandhi and socialism’. In for having given me an opportunity to have raised this unwarranted that case these two articles would to revise my knowledge on the controversy after almost 44 years have been a complete and classic subject of democratic socialism and of Lohia’s death in 1967. I wonder research paper worthy of conferring the Gandhian philosophy which the whether he had questioned Dr Lohia a doctorate. Let us at least at this learned author has skillfully and in his life time on this issue. Dr stage and age shed our unintelligent beautifully woven in his two articles Lohia would have perhaps cleared prejudices against our stalwart, self- published in Janata (October 2 and the doubt of Shri Heddurshetti. Of less and veteran socialist leaders, 9 of 2011). He has also given us course, even if there is no prefix of including Dr Rammanohar Lohia. comparative aspects of the other Dr, the height of that great socialist veteran socialists like Jayaprakarsh is not reduced even by an inch! Janata Narayana and other stalwarts of his Subscription times. It appears that the learned Such personality haters were Annual Rs. : 260/- author has unfortunately, surely wholly responsible for deepening Three Years : 750/- not inadvertently, missed to refer the splits and cracks in the socialist to a great treatise written by Dr movement in India. I must also say Demand Draft / Cheque on Rammanohar Lohia, ‘Marx Gandhi that the hollow ego and feeble sense Mumbai Bank and socialism’. It appears to me that of prestige of our leaders continued in favour of the learned author has deliberately to break the socialist unity vertically Janata Trust tried to avoid discussing the classic and horizontally. We, the rank and D-15, Ganesh Prasad, work of this great socialist of the file were only mute followers of Naushir Bharucha Marg, 20th century on the theories of Marx such leaders. We were carried away Mumbai 400 007 and Gandhi in relation to socialism by our subjective attachment to the 12 JANATA, October 30, 2011 Formula 1 car rally is slap of capitalism on face of farmers

The Socialist Party held one-day This is an insult to Gandhi. The Rajinder Sachar, senior socialist protest dharna at Gandhi Samadhi, ruling elite, who has fully embraced leaders Dr. Raj Kumar Jain, Shyam Rajghat, New Delhi on 30 October corporate capitalism, must stop this Gambhir, Dr. Mohammad Yunus, 2011 against the Formula 1 car double speak. The protest dharna Ravindra Mishra, Ramgopal Sisodia, rally at Greater Noida, U.P. In the was organised to make deprived Kedarnath, Nathu singh, DUTA party's view, this event is a slap of sections aware against the designs Vice President Dr. Harish Khanna, insult on the face of farmers who of the corporate capitalism and Secretary of Samajwadi Shikshak are struggling against acquisition its beneficiaries in India. Dharna Manch Dr. Bikram Singh, Secretary of their lands in Noida and other was attended by SPI's General of Gandhi Peace Foundation parts of the country. It is a vulgar Secretary Dr. Prem Singh, Delhi unit Surendra Kumar and activists of entertainment on the dead bodies Convener Renu Gambhir, Justice Socialist Yuvjan Sabha (SYS). of farmers who have committed suicide as a result of neo-liberal –Dr. Prem Singh, General Secretary, Socialist Party policies. Claims that the organisers and sponsors are making that this event has graduated India from a Excuse me, are you the PM? developing to the developed nation; India has come up strongly on the “Excuse me, are you the Prime poor India could not afford to house world map; the sin of corruption in Minister?” a stunned 27-year-old its Governor General in a 300 acre Common Wealth Games has been Indian woman inquired from David estate. Mountbatten was ready to washed away etc. only indicates Cameron, who chose to travel in move out; but Jawaharlal Nehru their insensitive and narrow mind. a tube train during the rush hour. stopped him with the bogus plea that The idea of having Formula 1 rally Sanyogita Mayer, who has featured such pomp and show were needed in India had entered with the entry of in eight Bollywood films, told to maintain the prestige of the post. new economic policies two decades Cameron that politicians in her native About 15 years later, Rammanohar ago. The organisers kept trying to India would never travel by public Lohia stunned the nation with the hold this event in different cities transport, the Daily Mail reported. news that an average Indian earned of like Kolkata, Hyderabad, Delhi, This will not make headlines in any three annas a day while the country’s Bengaluru and Chennai. Finally, matured democracy. But India is too PM spent Rs 25,000 of people’s they got permission and facility in exceptional a democracy to believe money each day to maintain himself Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, which such happenings. (Ratio 1: 1,33,333). Our rulers never has become a battle field between the land hungry corporate and the faced such irksome queries since the Mahatma Gandhi, having fed up farmers. This clearly states that last five decades. Mayawati, Chief Minister of U.P., with the public nuisance created by who achieved her political clout in the security people in 1916 told In this age of RTI, if someone the name of dalits and their messiah bluntly in Benares Hindu University, makes a study to compare the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, is in full support “Why this distrust? Is it not better that average earning of an Indian (Rs 20 of capitalism along with other even Lord Hardinge should die than according to late Arjun Sengupta) mainstream parties and leaders. live a living death?” He questioned with the money this nation spends Lord Irwin in 1930 (before the Salt each day to maintain its VIPs, even The Socialist Party has no March) why should the Viceroy be the 27-storey unoccupied mansion in strength to stop the car rally. But paid a salary of Rs 700 a day when Mumbai will become a peanut. The the party would like to convey an average Indian earned two annas ratio may well be 1: Infinity! Just a the message from the Samadhi of per day (Ratio-1:5600). Immediately sample: The obscenity made out in Mahatma Gandhi that the nexus of after Independence, he requested Bangalore for an accused Jaya to governments, corporate houses and Lord Mountbatten to move out of turn up at the court after eight years, so-called civil society is reinforcing the palatial residence at Reisina that too with the blessings of the SC. capitalist-consumerist ideology Hills to a moderate residence as the Are we a democracy? and system in the name of Gandhi. –Sankara Narayanan JANATA, October 30, 2011 13 R T I National Convention

Ravindran P M

The 6th national convention on The inaugural address of Man subject to a maximum of Rs 25,000/- RTI was organised by the national RTI Mohan Singh, as was mentioned . Simple mathematics tells one that watchdog - The Central Information earlier, set the tone for the shrinking the penalty will keep increasing for Commission - at Vigyan Bhavan on of horizons for right to information. every day of delay up to 100 days. 14th and 15th October, 2011. The His comment that the RTI Act will So if the 1st appellate authority theme of the convention was Right to have to be revisited to ensure that acts diligently, information can be Information- Expanding Horizons. there is a balance between public provided within, say, 60 days. That But right from the moment the Prime interest and burden on the public is with a delay of just 30 days. But Minister delivered the inaugural authority was shocking. But it if the 1st appellate authority misses address the doubt arose whether the definitely was not unexpected given the bus and the matter goes to the horizon was expanding or shrinking. the efforts by the 'government' to information commissioners by the Administratively well organised, the amend the Act to deny file notings time the 2nd appeal is considered convention was, at the end of the and make the applicant provide and orders issued the delay will day, devoid of any substance worth reasons for seeking the information invariably exceed 100 days and mentioning. - a sure shot method to dump the law the penalty will definitely hit the into the nearest garbage bin! roof! When this issue came up for The security instructions received discussion and a question was raised along with the invitation was in itself The Right to Information Act is what is the relevance of asking if a an irritant - forbidding the invitees definitely one law that is unique competent authority can prescribe from even taking their mobile because of its simplicity, unambiguity a fee more than what is prescribed phones and cameras to the venue! and citizen friendly nature. But it by the government when the high Though as a matter of personal does require amendments to remove courts have done it the response of choice I do not use a mobile phone some difficulties - for example the moderator - a vice chancellor of a myself I can vouch for the horror of delegation of authority to 'competent law university - was: you are asking those who get out of their homes and authorities' to frame rules specifying this because you presume that the realise that they have not taken their the fees, cost etc without insisting high courts are right! mobile phones! But the PM being on a cap for these which under the VVIP (whatever that means in normal course would be the fees, But the lack of credibility of the a social, democratic republic!) and cost etc prescribed by the central government was bluntly driven home his security being ensured by those government. In fact this delegation of by Prof Jagdeep Chhokar who said over whom he himself apparently authority has resulted in many high that if the government was allowed does not have any control, it was courts introducing exorbitant fees, to amend the Act, in the name of a fait accompli situation for those cost and even fees for 1st appeal. the three or four amendments that who had come from far and wide It needs to be reiterated that the 1st are required what will be made will to hear their PM in person. But the appeal is only an opportunity given be a dozen amendments that are not first shock was administered by the to the public authority to correct required and which dilute the Act! 1st man on security duty that one any mistakes committed by its own confronted - he refused even the public information officers and limit One note that was struck day's newspaper to be taken inside! the damages that s/he may have to throughout was the burden on the His argument: it could be rolled and suffer if available and disclosable public information officers but used to attack the VVIP! The second information has been denied or not the response was also struck with shock came later when one saw provided in time. To illustrate this equal steadfastness on the need almost everybody in there having further, the Act mandates that the to comply with the provisions for their mobiles and walking in and information commissioners shall proactive disclosures. Needless to out of the hall whenever they had to impose penalty at the rate of Rs say a lot of time was wasted by the receive or make a call! 250/- per day for every day of delay representatives of various public 14 JANATA, October 30, 2011 authorities harping on this issue in when he made tall claims of application to the CIC for spite of the simple solution inherent conducting hearings in various documents related to the consultation in the law itself. district headquarters to facilitate got the reply that there were no participation by the public authorities such documents available! It is While it is true that every public and the complainants/appellants. An presumed that the Chief Information information officer is designated as activist from his state confronted Commissioner of the CIC, who was such and has to perform these duties him and demanded to know which present, would have taken note of in addition to his regular duties it is were the districts where the last three this deplorable effort of the DoPT to equally true that this additional task hearings were conducted and which encouragae public authorites to flout is not such an overwhelming burden are the districts where the next three the law and misusing the CIC's name as they had tried to make it out to are scheduled. When there was no for that purpose. He is expected to be. Particularly the claim that it is reply the activist bluntly told him bring the perpetuators of the crime the PIO who is punished even if the not to mislead the audience! before the law. custodian of the information fails to part with the available information in The issue of the Department of But it needs to be placed on record time was either due to the deplorable Personnel and Training, the nodal that the credibility of the Chief level of awareness of the law even department for implementing the RTI Information Commissioner of the after 6 years of its existence or an Act throughout the country, trying to Central Information Commission is outright effort to mislead the less subvert the law also figured in the itself questionable beginning with knowledgeable among the audience. discussions. Apart from the idiotic his own appointment. The activists participating in the order issued that every complaint discussions were never carried away or appeal to the central information Documents accessed by activists by these gimmicks. commission should be heard by about the spadework done by the all the information commissioners DoPT for selection of the central The concern expressed by the together, the latest was an office information commissioners by activists was on the willful flouting memorandum directing the public the committee headed by the PM, of the law by the information authorities to provide only that indicates more of manipulation commissioners when it came to information that was available with than a fair and transparent process imposing the penalties mandated them and not to forward applications that is warranted. It would not be for delay in providing information. to those public authorities who out of context to suggest that the would be holding them. When observations made by the apex This was a factor that not only took an information commissioner court in the matter of appointment the tooth off the law but also caused from one of the states sought of CVC should apply equally to immense loss to the exchequer. clarification on the legal validity of not only the appointment of the While in private discussions at least this office memorandum, the central information commissioners but to all one information commissioner information commissioner on the appointments to every quasi judicial admitted that he had imposed panel rightly expressed surprise organisation in the whole country. penalty for non-compliance with It is pertinent to mention here that the law on proactive disclosure, most that such a clarification was being the present CIC of the CIC was the maintained that it could not be done! sought at all. He rightly added that Secretary of DoPT before his present Again it was left to Prof Chhokar while considering complaints and assignment. It was probably during to drive home the point that all was appeals the only things that mattered his tenure that the DoPT put up on not well with the selection process were the Act and the relevant rules its website that there was no need to of the information commissioners promulgated by disclose file notings and it continued themselves and this was affecting to mislead public authorities for a the implementation of the law and the competant authorities! One long time even after the then CIC had in letter and spirit and adversely of the participants added fuel to repeatedly directed DoPT to remove affecting its effectiveness. the fire by stating that the OM it forthwith! But it was during a also stated that it was being issued private conversation on the sides of At least one chief information after consultation with the central the deliberations that another facet commissioner got exposed information commission and of his attitude to transparency was JANATA, October 30, 2011 15 revealed. This was in the context of reason provided is valid or not. But to serve longer. This author was the information sought by citizens whatever the outcome, there is no reminded of a quip: a person who is from the BPL category. His query doubt that this is a retrograde step not an idealist at 20 has no heart, s/ what will these people do with the that needs to be opposed tooth and he who is not a pragmatist at 40 has information obtained and whether nail! no head. We all agree that the Right it will substitute for food proves to Information Act is a path breaking him to be an immense misfit for The chief guest for the valedictory law. In fact it is the only law that we his present assignment! During function was the very honourable have till date that puts the citizen the very welcome speech he had Nitish Kumar, Chief Minister of where he should be in a democracy cribbed about the 'problems' of the Bihar. He did wax, with justifiable - at the centre of things like the ring Commission not having a permanent eloquence, on the Jaankaari scheme master in a circus! It would certainly office building for itself and working - a model appreciated by everyone, have been better if we had younger from two locations. I do not know if including the Chairperson of UPA blood, unpolluted with misplaced the burden of information provided - and the newly introduced Right senses of loyalty and comaraderie, by the information commissioner to Service Bill. The call centre to enforce this new generation law, model of obtaining information which many speakers had openly from Maharashtra about it about and under the RTI Act was claimed during the convention itself working from five locations really to be adopted even by the UPA as the most important document after got registered with the Central CIC. government but seems to have made the Constitution itself! To my mind a It also needs to be asked why the no headway in the last two years! person around 30 years with enough Central Information Commission But to prove that he was also not of both heart and pragmatism in should not establish 10 benches in beyond human frailties Nitish also him/her would have been a better faltered by claiming that 65 years bet to enforce this law in its letter different parts of the country is no age to retire and information and spirit! to facilitate participation in commissioners should be allowed hearings by the PIOs/FAAs and complainants/appellants. Even when public authorities are not ordered For Inclusive Capitalism to compensate the citizens there is Economic activity gets a boost when the income pie is evenly immense loss to the exchequer when distributed, not in the pristine Marxist sense of from one's ability to the PIOs/FAAs are made to travel all one's needs,but in the fair sense of rewards being in proportion to what the way from nooks and corners of one brings to the table or workplace. the country to the national capital for hearings at the only location of It is in this context that Infosys founder Mr Narayana Murthy's the CIC! fervent appeal, a couple of years ago, from the CII pulpit to industrialists to ensure that the salary differential between the highest paid and the This report would be incomplete lowest paid employee in the same organisation should not be more than if I fail to mention about the only 15 times, resonates. A billion dollars in the hands of 10, 000 people can new bit of information gained during propel an economy from its comatose state and keep it going. the convention - that a personal member's bill has been introduced in Instead of then gloating over islands of prosperity, which we often the Parliament to amend Sec 6 and do in India as well by drooling over dollar billionaires in this country, 7 of the RTI Act. If the amendments the accent must be on inclusive growth, because in the absence of come through every applicant will purchasing power in the hands of the masses, goods would remain have to give reasons why s/he is unsold and services unused. seeking the information and if the reason(s) is/are not given s/he can The point is excessive cash in the hands of a few takes to speculative be denied information on that ground and non-productive activities with alacrity, whereas the same cash if alone! It is not known if the public dispersed creates purchasing power crucial to all round growth. information officer is being given any discretion also to decide if the -S Murlidharan, Hindu Business Line R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, October 30, 2011 P.R. No. MH/MR/WEST/275/2010-2011 Posted at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1

GANNON DUNKERLEY & CO., LTD. (An ISO 9001 – 2000 Company)

REGISTERED OFFICE

NEW EXCELSIOR BUILDING, 3RD FLOOR, A.K. NAYAK MARG, FORT, MUMBAI – 400 001

TEL: 91-22-22051231, FAX: 91-22-22051232

Website: gannondunkerley.com

E-mail: [email protected]

GANNONS ARE SPECIALISTS IN INDUSTRIAL STRUCTURES, ROADS, BRIDGES (RCC AND PRESTRESSED CONCRETE), RAILWAY TRACKS, THERMAL POWER, FERTILIZER, CHEMICAL, PAPER AND CEMENT PLANTS, WATER & WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANTS, PILING FOUNDATION & FOUNDATION ENGINEERING.

GANNONS ARE ALSO PIONEERS IN MATERIAL HANDELING WORKS, MANUFACTURE OF PRESTRESSED CONCRETE SLEEPERS, ERECTION OF MECHANICAL EQUIPMENTS & PIPING AND SUPPLY OF TEXTILE MACHINERY AND LIGHT ENGINEERING ITEMS.

OFFICES AT:

AHMEDABAD - CHENNAI - COIMBATORE - HYDERABAD KOLKATA - MUMBAI - NEW DELHI

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. 66 No. 40 Welcome Nargis Yadav, but… November 6, 2011 S.Viswam

After Manmohan Singh Who? Kuldip Nayar India, and the rest of the world, is global spotlight this time and decided bound to welcome the birth in Uttar to mark as many births as take place Pradesh of the “symbolic” seven on October 31 as equally significant. Home Ministry Delayed billionth person, but the welcome is Well, any new-born infant Plachimada bill also bound to be laced with a touch anywhere is equally welcome but is Ankur Paliwal of deep concern for the new arrival’s the occasion of the world’s population Savvy Soumya Misra future in these trouble-torn times. Along with Baby Nargis were also rising to seven billion a cause for born half a million babies around the celebration? Certainly not. Rather, Holding Government to world helping the global population it is an occasion for all those who Account to peak at the mind-boggling figure of control the destinies of the billions Wajahat Habibullah seven billion. All the babies are thus already around to introspect. Good entitled to the privilege of being the old Malhus was a real visionary. He seven billionth children. Baby Nargis warned us of this day, and true to his Our Media will be seen to symbolise both the fears, the world has become even Markandey Katju hopes and fears of India, just as the more crowded than he was around. nations where other babies have been Also consider a few other figures. born will expect better times ahead for Before the century ends (2100), the Land Acquisition...Act the respective new-born. What kind of global population may cross the NAPM a world is in store for all these babies? billion mark. No standing room then! Just consider. The world’s six billionth When India became free in 1947, inhabitant was a Bosnian child, Adnan we were only between 33 and 34 Unravelling corruption Mevic, whose birth was greeted by million. Now we are at 1.21 billion the then UN Secretary-General Kofi and threatening to overtake China Annan in a Sarajevo hospital on (now at 1.34 billion) by 2025—not Editor : October 12,1999. Between that day all that far off given that 51 babies and October 31, 2011 a billion more G. G. Parikh are born every minute in our country! babies have been born—one billion in The older generation in the world still D-15, Ganesh Prasad, twelve years! And how fares Adnan remembers the time when the global Mevic, the six billionth baby, whose Naushir Bharucha Marg, population was just 36 billion. It is 13th birthday fell just a fortnight still galloping ahead, unstoppable. Mumbai - 400 007. ago? Believe it or not, the family is living in poverty, which, we are told, The problem of feeding seven Email : [email protected] is the reason why United Nations did billion mouths is gargantuan. The not single out a single baby for the world seems to be coping. But not 2 JANATA, November 6, 2011 fully, since hunger and starvation Between the lines stalk many parts of the world, particularly in vast regions of Africa After Manmohan Singh Who? where the population explosion is even more frightful than in China Kuldip Nayar and India. More babies are likely to be born in Africa in the coming two decades than in any other region. After Manmohan Singh who? in the Prime Minister’s gaddi. No Despite the world having grown The political parties and the people doubt, Antony is honest, humble smaller in the last four decades with are prying into the affairs of the and measures his words before the advent of modern technology ruling Congress to make a guess. uttering them. But he has not yet and communication breakthroughs, It is not that Manmohan Singh is attained the stature of an all-India poverty in many countries is making indispensable. Nor has he been out leader, particularly in the Hindi- little impact on the rest of the of step with the pace set by Congress speaking states. Mukherjee is the world. But this is bound to change. president Sonia Gandhi, the real best troubleshooter the Congress Mahatma Gandhi famously said power. It is merely her calculation has and he has been entrusted with that there is enough in the world when to anoint her son, Rahul some thorny problems which he has for everyone’s need but not for Gandhi. sorted out. Yet he is not considered everyone’s greed. And Indian poet trustworthy by the dynasty which Subramania Bharati threatened that True, lately Manmohan Singh’s lost confidence in him when he threw even if there is a single hungry soul stock has plummeted and even as his hat for the Prime Ministership on the face of the earth, we will an economist he has been found after the assassination of Indira burn the whole world! Both may out of depth. But these are only Gandhi. As for Chidambaram, it is well have spoken too soon or too aggravating factors. The real reason unconceivable that Sonia Gandhi hopefully. The population boom can is Rahul Gandhi, who unfortunately will supersede Mukherjee to put him disprove many sound theories. has not revived the Nehru-Gandhi at the top if and when the time comes charisma. for choosing Manmohan Singh’s Consider. The world is already successor. short of water, land, minerals, oil, One question before Smt. Gandhi is that the President of India, Pratibha energy and forests-greenery. Global Manmohan Singh who has Patil, retires in the middle of next warming is a chilling reality. The ice matured politically in the seven and year and should Manmohan Singh is melting from atop glaciers. Nearer a half years of Prime Ministership be elevated then? Even otherwise, home, the Himalayan foothills knows about crisscrossing and Manmohan Singh will be almost are getting flooded unseasonally. dissensions in his party. Sonia 80-year old in 2014 when the new Even with modern technology Gandhi has been his great teacher Lok Sabha is elected. helping to exploit available natural and he has learnt from her when resources, we are energy shy, and What ails the Congress is that to tick off whom. Before going suffer blackouts in all the highly it has very few leaders who are of abroad this time, the Prime Minister populated cities. There is no water Prime Ministerial timber. Names of had the cabinet secretariat to issue to drink. Subterranean water bodies Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, a communiqué to make it clear are drying up. There is lesser supply Defence Minister A.K. Antony and that there was no No. 2 in the of coal to burn, of land to develop, of Home Minister P. Chidambaram government. Manmohan Singh forests to cut and grounds to drill. In come straight to one’s mind. Yet all himself remained in control even short, in the race to capture natural the three do not make the top position when he was out of the country. resources and use them for the larger for one reason or the other. At least, However during his absence, either good of humankind, man is losing Mukherjee and Chidambaram are the Home Minister or the Finance out. A time is coming when there not in the reckoning of Sonia Gandhi Minister can preside over the cabinet will be a much smaller pie to share, whose say is beyond doubt. committee on political affairs. and that can give rise to conflicts Antony may be her choice if Apparently, their feud was in (Continued on Page 3) she ever decides not to put her son the Prime Minister’s mind and JANATA, November 6, 2011 3 he therefore, did not nominate Jagjivan Ram and Nehru’s own and academicians or those who are either of them as ‘No. 2.’ However, daughter, Indira Gandhi, were returning from abroad without old Mukherjee will preside when there is popular among the public. Anyone rigidities. a meeting of the cabinet committee. of them was eligible to be Nehru’s Chidambaram gets the chance if and successor. The economic growth that when Mukherjee is not available. Manmohan Singh has initiated in The vagueness in the arrangement The real challenge, which the the country is impressive but it has has been kept purposely so as to keep Western media had hyped, was not curbed parochial tendencies. His both on the best of their behaviour. whether the democratic system in policies have yawned the distance the country would stay after Nehru. between the haves and the have-nots. Understandably, Antony does Journalists from the UK and the In Nehru’s days, the ratio between not figure in the communiqué. I US, particularly from the former, the top and the lowest was 10:1. have a feeling that both Mukherjee predicted that democracy would end Now it is thousand times more. The and Chidambaram may be ignored once Nehru breathed his last. An pertinent question which needs to and Antony can be the dark horse. American journalist Wells Hangen be posed is: What after Manmohan But this depends on whether Rahul wrote a book, After Nehru Who?, Singh, not after Manmohan Singh Gandhi can still make the waves. UP and listed among the claimants who? His wasteful policies, although can be his Waterloo. If the result in two army officers, General K.S. populist, have had an emaciating the state election early next year does Thimmaya, a popular commander, effect on 80 per cent of people. They not favour the Congress - it wants to and General B.M. Kaul, close to are hardly bothered about the debate occupy the second position, next to the dynasty. after Manmohan Singh who? They Mayawati’s What it conveyed was that the want bread. - Sonia Gandhi may not nominate army might take over the country (Continued from Page 2) him. after Nehru’s death. The West never hitherto not imagined. The state of understood - it still does not - Senior most Agricultural Minister the world today marks the failure of that the diversity in India would Sharad Pawr who has expressed his mankind to husband the god-given not allow any system other than frustration might have been in the natural resources constructively. It democracy to stay. This only ensures reckoning if he had stayed with the is a failure for which the coming the different communities and Congress. But he left it to protest generations will pay a heavy price their freedom as well as identity. against a foreigner, the Italian-born indeed. India is democratic, not because it Sonia Gandhi, becoming the party is competing with China, which is president. How can she tolerate In short, a drab and dreary world communist, but because it is the only him occupying the top position? is on the cusp of growing more drab system which is suited to its genius. His grouse has found expression in and dreary. It is not a world to which we can welcome the likes of Baby the remark that the present situation The problem which faces India is Nargis with open arms. But, alas, it in the country is because of the trivialization of the society. Elections is the only world we have, and we weakness of the government which have refurbished the sectarian have to make do with it, like it or not. he also represents. His Nationalist or even sub-caste. Even religion Congress Party has not enough has begun to play some role. That Janata strength to rebel even if Rahul Mamohan Singh has inveighed Gandhi is made the Prime Minister. Subscription against these tendencies is not Annual Rs. : 260/- enough. Had he been politically Three Years : 750/- Many years ago, the Congress popular he might have countered faced a similar problem on the them. Nehru at one time got the Demand Draft / Cheque on selection of successor when Prime columns of caste and religion in Mumbai Bank Minister Jawaharlal Nehru fell sick application forms to government in favour of JANATA TRUST a few months before his death. Yet jobs or admissions to schools the challenges were different at that deleted. Manmohan Singh’s success D-15, Ganesh Prasad, time. There was no dearth of leaders. could be in unleashing new forces Naushir Bharucha Marg, Lal Bahadur Shastri, , like engineers, doctors, lawyers Mumbai 400 007 4 JANATA, November 6, 2011 Land Acquisition...Act

Parliamentary Standing (we want land rights and oppose land the food security of the nation and Committee on Rural Development acquisitions) is not only a slogan hence there has to be a moratorium started its hearing on the Land but the philosophy and essence on any further acquisitions of any Acquisition, Rehabilitation and of the struggle of thousands of kind of agricultural land. Resettlement 2011 on November 2 movements engaged in opposing the and NAPM and other constituents of destruction being caused in the name Dr. Rupesh Verma said that land Sangharsh made their presentation of development in the country today. for land has to be the basis of any before them. The submission The whole framework of eminent land acquisition till date and there was made by Medha Patkar, domain based land acquisition need can’t be any compromise on it. In Dr. Sunilam (Kisan Sangharsh to be replaced with the legislation the name of urbanisation if it is not Samiti, MP), Devram Kanera focussing on development planning possible (like in case of NCR) then (Narmada Bachao Andolan), Dr. ensuring consensus of those who let the government give 50 per cent Rupesh Verma (Kisan Sangharsh are going to part with their land. of the developed plot back to the Samiti, UP), Vimal Bhai (Matu There is a need to recognise them farmers. If the land is not used within Jan Sangathan, Uttarakhand), as an investor in the development two years then let it be returned back Vijayan M J (Sangharsh), Arun process and not only as a victim and to the farmers and other affected Das (Sangharsh Vahini Manch, once that framework changes the people and the mandate of land Bihar) and Madhuresh Kumar justice to all those project affected reforms be fulfilled rather than it (NAPM). The submission lasted people will be done. It is extremely going back to the government land for an hour and half and detailed unfortunate that the land acquisition bank. In every project the project presentation on the political for the private companies for their affected people have to be given importance of this legislation and its profit, not allowed in the 1894 act, employment so that their standard impact on the millions of farmers and is now being allowed in this Bill.” of living is better than what it was nature resource based communities before. was made. Dr. Sunilam emphasised that till date nearly 10 crore people have Vimal Bhai added that the The delegation welcomed the been displaced in this country by fact that Land Acquisition Act, 1894 various projects since independence definition of project affected people was being repealed and after the but where is the data on what has even though is comprehensive, struggle of social movements across happened to those families. Let the misses those who continue to suffer the country now displacement, government come out with a white after the project has been completed, resettlement and rehabilitation has paper on the status of rehabilitation like those affected due to tunnels been included on any plan dealing of those displaced till date. He in the run of the river project and with the land use change. However, further added that for the first time those living around the reservoirs the Bill in its current form is not there is a recognition of the need in Bhakra Nangal, Tehri or Narmada acceptable to us which legitimises for R&R then let this cover and who face numerous health related for the first time the profit making provide justice to all those who are issues due to water logging and motives of the private companies still awaiting justice. There has to otherwise. in the name of public purpose. be a retrospective application of Even though it is being projected the Bill to all those who have not Vijayan M J added that there as a response to the on-going land accepted award, compensation or has to be a National Development, conflicts in the country it will not challenged it and where projects are Resettlement and Rehabilitation provide relief and justice to the on-going and the R&R has remained Commission, a statutory body, struggling people and will only incomplete. He further submitted which will address the concerns of further the land conflict. that a large amount of prime all those displaced and also consider agricultural land has been diverted the grievances and challenges to Medha Patkar submitted, “Bhu for the industrial purposes and if the the declared public purpose of the Adhigrahan nahi bhu adhikar chahiye trend continued then it would impact projects. JANATA, November 6, 2011 5

The team also submitted that minimising displacement has to be Home Ministry Delayed Plachimada bill the key objective and it can achieved by exploring alternative options Ankur Paliwal, Savvy Soumya Misra to the proposals, limiting excess land and ensuring the true public RTI response reveals why bill Ministry of Environment and development purposes. The strongly meant to secure compensation Forests, Ministry of Law and Justice, suggested that Highways has to be from Coca-Cola has not received Ministry of Rural Development and brought within the purview of this president’s assent till now Ministry of Water Resources in mid- Bill and can’t be left out of it since April for comments. Subsequently, they are going to cause major havoc The victims of groundwater comments were also invited from the and require huge amount of land depletion and environmental Central Ground Water Board under and the struggle around Ganga and pollution in Plachimada village in the Ministry of Water Resources Yamuna Expressway is a testimony Kerala’s district will have and the Ministry of Food Processing to that. to wait longer for compensation Industries. from the Hindustan Coca Cola We can no longer continue Beverage Company. This is because forcible acquisitions, which is the Ministry of Home Affairs first Plachimada bill’s journey completely undemocratic and any sat on the Plachimada Coca-Cola February 23, 2011: The development plan has to be based Victims Relief and Compensation Plachimada Coca-Cola Victims on the free prior informed consent Claims Special Tribunal Bill of Relief and Compensation Claims of the project affected communities 2011for nearly four months and Special Tribunal Bill 2011 is passed and in line with the provisions then sent it back to the Kerala contained in 243 D (rural areas) and government. The bill should have April 1, 2011: The Ministry of 243 F (urban areas) which emphasise been sent to the president, instead, Home Affairs (MHA) receives the the role of Gram Sabha and Basti for her assent. bill Sabha. The precious minerals and other resources attached to the The Bill, once enacted, would April 13, 2011: MHA sends the land are being handed over to the legitimise the constitution of a bill to other ministries concerned for corporations there has to be a way special tribunal for securing comments, specifying a deadline of to compensate the communities who compensation of 216.25 crore from six weeks are the real owners. the soft drink giant. May 4 to May 18, 2011:Ministry In short, some of the key concerns A RTI response received by of Rural development, Ministry of on the Bill under consideration Delhi-based non profit, Centre for Agriculture and Ministry of Law with the Parliamentary Standing Science and Environment (CSE), and Justice (legislative department) Committee are: reveals that the Bill was stuck earlier reply, saying they have no objections between ministries and later with the - The Bill should be titled state. The Ministry of Home Affairs, May 25, 2011: Deadline to receive as 'Development Planning, which was coordinating the bill at comments on the Bill expires Resettlement and Rehabilitation the Centre, was supposed to send Bill' ensuring no forcible the bill for feedback to concerned July 8, 2011: Overlooking Cabinet acquisition and protecting the ministries and later forward it to the guidelines, MHA chooses not to go rights of the communities over president. ahead with the processing of the the land and everything attached bill and waits for comments from to it including the mineral, The Bill was passed by the Kerala remaining ministries aquatic and forest cover. Any Assembly in February and was sent acquisition should be done to the Union home ministry on April July 12, 2011: Ministry of Water only in accordance with the 1, which later forwarded it to other Resources replies, saying it has no democratically developed ministries—Ministry of Agriculture, objection and gave a few suggestions (Continued on Page 10) 6 JANATA, November 6, 2011

July 12, 2011: MHA sends Justice (department of justice) and company on a bill passed by a state the bill with the legal opinion of Ministry of Agriculture. None of assembly,” wrote S Faizi, member Coca Cola India Private Limited, them objected to the bill. of the Plachimada High Powered received during July, to the state for Committee, which suggested that a explanations The home ministry, instead of tribunal be formed. He has raised his proceeding with the bill at the end of objections in an open letter to Union July 29, 2011: Ministry of Food six weeks, kept sending reminders to home minister P Chidambaram, Processing Industries replies and ministries and in some cases waited challenging Coca-Cola’s legal says it has no objections for almost one –and-a-half months, opinion in the matter. after the end of the six week period, The ministries were supposed to before sending a reminder to MoEF He stated in his letter that the revert to the home ministry on the and Ministry of Law and Justice legal opinion filed by Coca-Cola constitutional validity of the bill, (legislative department), Ministry claimed that there was no evidence whether it was in conflict with any of Water Resources and Ministry of of excessive extraction and pollution existing Central law or deviated Food Processing. caused by the operation of its plant in from any existing national policy. Plachimada. The damage, however, The Ministry of Water Resources has already been proven by several The documents received under suggested grounds on which relief studies. RTI from the home ministry and compensation claims could be reveal that the Union Ministry of made by the Plachimada victims. It is interesting to note here Environment and Forests (MoEF), It added that expenditure incurred that though the ministry sent the despite receiving several reminders on deepening of wells, tube wells, bill back to Kerala, based on the from the former, had not submitted replacement of existing pumps by legal opinion from the company, its comments as late as October 20. high capacity pumps for lifting it refused to disclose the same in While MoEF is still mulling over the the water from deeper levels and the RTI filed by CSE. Officials also bill, the home ministry, too, failed to deteriorating socio-economic refused to give information on the follow Cabinet guidelines. condition owing to the loss of communication from the company. revenue should be recovered from The ministry explained it couldn't the cola company. part with the information since it was Home ministry defied Cabinet not the originator of the documents. guidelines The ministry had been secretive An official memorandum the Home ministry heeded Coca- about other information as well. The home ministry, issued to all the Cola’s legal opinion information that was disclosed, that ministries, mentioned that the On the one hand the home ministry too after filing an appeal, related Cabinet guidelines for disposal of sat on the Bill instead of processing only to the communications between state Legislative Assembly matters it, on the other it acted promptly on the ministries. say that the ministries should submit a legal opinion sent by Coca Cola their observations with six weeks. India Pvt Ltd and sent the bill back It added that if the feedback was to Kerala seeking explanation. The ‘Green tribunal not the right not received within the six week Ministry of Home Affairs received forum’ deadline, the bill would be processed a legal opinion on the constitutional C P Ramaraja Prema Prasad, law without waiting for further comments validity of the Bill from senior secretary of Kerala informed that the and if there were any inconsistencies advocate Fali S Nariman on behalf objections in the legal opinion were at a later stage, the concerned of the company. This was followed primarily on legislative competence ministry or department would be by another opinion by another senior of the state to set up a tribunal held responsible. advocate, K K Venugopal. when National Green Tribunal was present. Coca-Cola has objected to Within the six weeks, the home “In the presidential assent issuing the Bill, earlier as well, saying that ministry received comments process, there is no provision for the compensation should be paid only from the Ministry of Rural the Central government to entertain through the National Green Tribunal. development, Ministry of Law and the legal opinion of a private sector (Continued on Page 13) JANATA, November 6, 2011 7 Holding Government to Account

Wajahat Habibullah former Chief Information Commissioner to the Government of Idia

As the Right to Information Act secretary general: still to be developed; access to (RTI) celebrated the sixth year of justice is not universal despite its coming, there has been much “The great democratising power the rise of panchayati raj. Finally, heated discussion, often emotional, of information has given us all because of the demands of national of the benefits that it has brought the chance to effect change and security versus social security and and also the challenges with which alleviate poverty in ways we cannot individual freedom, the essence it has confronted government. This even imagine today. Our task, - your of democracy, which respects the debate came to a head with the task - is to make that change real sovereignty of individual liberty, prime minister’s inaugural address for those in need, wherever they is vague at best. Some of these to the Annual Convention of the may be. With information on our challenges, specifically the need to Central Information Commission side, with knowledge of a potential address threat to whistle-blowers, on October 14. for all, the path to poverty can be were cited by Dr Manmohan Singh reversed.” in his address. It is accepted in all circles that the essence of government in a This thought found resonance In this context, it is important democracy must be transparency in the prime minister’s speech to dwell on the definition with every organ of government — introducing the bill in Parliament of “information” in the Act. on May 11, 2005: executive, judiciary and legislature Information means any material - being answerable to the citizen. in any form including records, “I believe that the passage of this Hence the father of the nation, documents, memos, emails, bill will see the dawn of a new era in when describing his vision of self- our processes of governance, an era opinions, advice, press releases, governance for India, described it of performance and efficiency, an circulars, orders, logbooks, as follows: era which will ensure that benefits contracts, reports, papers, samples, of growth flow to all sections of our models, data material held in any “The real will come people, an era which will eliminate electronic form and “information not by the acquisition of authority the scourge of corruption, an era relating to any private body by a few but by the acquisition of which will bring the common man’s which can be accessed by a public capacity by all to resist authority concern to the heart of all processes authority under any other law for when abused” of governance, an era which will the time being in force”. As the PM truly fulfil the hopes of the founding mentioned in his address, this will India’s Right to Information fathers of our republic.” clearly bring under the Act almost Act, 2005 therefore, asserts that the entire scope of the economic democracy requires an informed But for whom are the benefits firmament, which, thanks to the citizenry and transparency of intended? We know that heritage of our “welfare state”, information, which are vital to its infrastructure in India is woefully is answerable to government in a functioning and also to contain inadequate despite privatisation; wide host of sectors. Key concepts corruption and to hold governments employment growth of 2.1 per under the right to information, then, and their instrumentalities cent in 1983 had in fact declined include the following: accountable to the governed. This to 1.84 per cent in 2004; in the is a universal truth of particular health sector there are regional, * Transparency and accountability relevance to us as a country, the socio-economic, caste and gender- in the working of every public government of which has, at least based disparities; Centre-state authority. since the ‘70s, remained committed fiscal relations are a matter of to “garibi hatao” . In the words concern; an institutional framework * The right of any citizen of India of Kofi Annan, the former UN for public-private partnership is to request access to information 8 JANATA, November 6, 2011

and the corresponding duty of * by notification issued or order secrets or intellectual property, the government to meet the made by the appropriate the disclosure of which would request, except the exempted government, and includes any harm the competitive position information. body owned, controlled or of a third party, unless the substantially financed; non- competent authority is satisfied * The duty of the government to government organisation that larger public interest proactively make available key substantially financed, directly warrants the disclosure of such information to all. or indirectly by funds provided information. by the appropriate government. Clearly then, this law places a * Information available to a person responsibility on all sections of the The right to information in his fiduciary relationship, national fabric: citizenry, NGOs includes the right to inspect unless the competent authority and the media. The responsibility is works, documents, records, take is satisfied that the larger public not that of government alone. This notes, extracts or certified copies interest warrants the disclosure brings into context the PM’s call, of documents or records, take of such information. on October 14, to all participants certified samples of material, obtain in the process to flag the challenges information in form of printouts, * Information received in that government and the citizenry diskettes, floppies, tapes, video confidence from foreign face in applying the law. What must cassettes or in any other electronic governments. follow then is the obligation so mode or through printouts. It does * Information which would impede clearly enunciated in Section 4 (1) not extend to information not held the process of investigation or of the Act. in material form. apprehension or prosecution of offenders. “ Every public authority shall The following are exempt from - a) maintain all its records duly disclosure under Section 8 of the * Cabinet papers including records catalogued and indexed in a Right to Information Act: of deliberations of the council of manner and form which facilitates ministers, secretaries and other * Information, disclosure of which the right to information under this officers. Act and ensure that all records that would prejudicially affect the are appropriate to be computerised sovereignty and integrity of * Information which relates are, within a reasonable time and India, the security, strategic, to personal information, the subject to availability of resources, scientific or economic interests disclosure of which has no computerised and connected of the state, relation with foreign relationship to any public activity through a network all over the state or lead to incitement of an or interest, or which would country on different systems so that offence. cause unwarranted invasion of access to such records is facilitated” the privacy of the individual; * Information which has been infringes copyright, except of And what then is a “public expressly forbidden to be the state. authority”? This covers any published by any court of law authority or body or institution or tribunal or the disclosure of * Where practicable, part of record of self-government established or which may constitute contempt can be released. constituted - of court. * Intelligence and security * by or under the Constitution; * Information, the disclosure of agencies are exempt - except which would cause a breach of cases of corruption and human * by any other law made by privilege of Parliament or the rights violation. Parliament; state legislature. * Third-party information to be * by any other law made by state * Information including released after giving notice to legislature; commercial confidence, trade third party. JANATA, November 6, 2011 9

It needs, however, to be noted There is provision for damages. a scheme for e-governance. It is that under the proviso contained in agreed that for the success of this Section 8(2), notwithstanding any This placed a host of initiative, RTI is essential. Here of these exemptions or indeed the responsibilities on public there has been progress, but only at Official Secrets Act 1923, a public authorities, who were required to the level of the Centre. authority may still allow access to appoint PIOs/assistant PIOs within information, if public interest in 100 days of the RTI enactment and Key to the effective functioning disclosure is deemed to outweigh to begin maintaining, cataloguing, of the Act is the Gram Panchayat, the harm to the protected interests. and indexing, computerising and which can be the repository for And most exempt information is, networking records in accordance scheme information, citizen at any rate, to be released after with Section 4(1) (a). surveys, fiscal information, etc. 20 years, with some exceptions, But this will happen only with the although also provided that the If this has not happened to the devolution of functions, funds and information, which cannot be extent required, the government, functionaries. denied to Parliament or a state which appoints CPIOs from legislature shall not be denied officers at a relatively junior level, This body can then become to any person. Unfortunately, on has only itself to blame. These the service provider for over- this provision there has been no authorities were to publish, within the-counter services, certificates, endeavour by government despite 120 days of enactment, a whole set taxation, billing, licences, ration pronouncements of the Central of information, and update it every cards, and a host of such services Information Commission, thus year. at the grassroots, working to keep making more complicated for itself the citizenry informed as a group government’s responsibility in This was to include publishing (Gram Sabhas) and as individuals, keeping information secret. suo moto all relevant facts while whose concerns and questions can formulating important policies or also be appropriately addressed by What is noteworthy is that this announcing the decisions which reference to the relevant authority. law specifically seeks universal affect the public, and also providing This would ensure better feedback access, especially to the poor. It reasons for its administrative or and accountability. is, of course, open only to citizens quasi-judicial decisions to all of India, as per Section 3, but affected persons. Authorities were In reviewing the enforcement the fee is also required to be at made primarily responsible for of the RTI Act, it would be wise to a reasonable level, although the raising awareness, educating and bear in mind the remarks of Justice quantum is specified only by rule, training officials and the public. Mathew on behalf of the bench in and there is no fee for BPL persons. Every department was expected to State of UP v (1975), Assistant public information develop and organise educational oft-quoted in judicial circles while officers are required at sub-district programmes to advance the debating the law: levels to facilitate the filing of understanding of the public, applications and appeals. Hence, particularly the disadvantaged, to “In a government of heads of post offices have been exercise the right to information. responsibility like ours, where given this authority by the Central Not having done so, the government all agents of the public must be government. can hardly blame the public for responsible for their conduct, there misuse. can be but few secrets. The people There is no need to specify a of this country have a right to know reason for seeking information Government was thus to every public act, everything that is or to provide any other personal encourage public authorities to done in a public way, by their public details. There is a provision that participate in programmes, promote functionaries... to cover with a veil the PIO reduce oral requests into timely and effective dissemination of secrecy the common routine writing and for the PIO to provide of accurate information, train business, is not in the interest of the all required assistance, including PIOs and produce relevant public.” to disabled persons. Information is training materials. To achieve to be provided in local languages. this, government has developed –Courtesy The Indian Express 10 JANATA, November 6, 2011

(Continued from Page 5) and rehabilitation benefits. - The law must address the claims plans as per the provisions of of those already displaced by Art 243 and PESA norms by - We reject market value for the various projects and address the involvement of Gram Sabha land approach since neither historical injustice meted to them and Basti Sabha. market value is fully worked out in the name of Development. nor that automatically ensures - Public Purpose definition attainment of alternative Finally, the team submitted should be limited to core sources of livelihood especially that the hearings by some of the functions of the government for the least marketised and social movement representatives, that are performed with the monetised community such as lawyers, researchers and others in public money and in no case Adivasis and Dalits. So, without Delhi is not enough and Committee acquisition should be made any ifs and buts appropriate members must hold at least regional for the private corporations provisions for alternative hearings so that the affected people where they get benefits due to livelihood or mandatory on the ground actually can give any forcible acquisition of land employment be made for project their feedback on such an important or any other natural wealth under affected people. legislation. this act. Any project drawing private profit can't be considered –Madhuresh public purpose. We reiterate this and only this can deal with the unjustified inequity in the country Unravelling corruption today leading to injustice for millions. Even as the whole country seems across the spectrum. gripped by Anna Hazare's crusade - Given the low level playing against corruption, one man who "The idea to publish this book field existing till date between started it all in 1996, senior journalist was to ensure that the real faces different parties in the process of Vineet Narain, is all but forgotten and of the politicians and the murky land acquisition, it is necessary to the case itself has been refrigerated deeds they engage in are thoroughly ensure that even if it is market for good. exposed to cleanse the body-politic," based purchase of land or other Narain said. resources by the private parties, Vineet is still struggling with his including builders, the state unfinished agenda to seek justice in Narain used the provisions of the should be duty bound to regulate the hawala racket. The CBI charge- existing legal framework to take the market price of resources and sheet is still there, but the case has corrupt politicians to task during his ensuring availability of optimum virtually been closed for want of single-handed war against corruption resources of livelihoods for political will, though public uproar from 1993 to 2000. The legal battle every family especially those caused quite a few politicians named targeted dozens of central ministers, belonging to vulnerable section. in the Jain diaries to resign. chief ministers of states, governors, Thus corporations should also opposition leaders and top honchos be made liable for the R&R In his latest book, "Bhrastachar, of big enterprises, and ensured that provisions of this bill, which also Atankvad aur Hawala Karobar", they were charge-sheeted and forced goes well with the principle of fair (Author: Vineet Jain; Publisher: to resign. play and competitiveness. Kalchakra Samachar Trust; Pages: 340 pages; Price: Rs.200) Narain His book, Narain says, would - Any arbitrary benchmark sequences the developments before help modern-day crusaders for the application of R&R and after the biggest scam was against corruption understand the provisions should be done away exposed. The list of beneficiaries, dimensions of the problem and the with and every single family from the same sources from which clout the mighty and the powerful directly or indirectly affected by the terrorists were being funded, enjoyed to scuttle any move to make any kind of acquisition should be includes virtually politicians from society corruption-free. provided with the resettlement (Continued on Page 13) JANATA, November 6, 2011 11 Our Media

Markandey Katju*

To understand the role which the the print media became known as parades, pop music, disco dancing, media should be playing in India we the “fourth estate.” In Europe and astrology, cricket, reality shows and have to first understand the historical America it represented the voice so on. context. India is presently passing of the future, as contrasted to the through a transitional period in its established feudal organs, which There can be no objection to history: a transition from a feudal wanted to preserve the status quo. the media providing entertainment agricultural society to a modern The media thus played an important to the people, provided this is not industrial society. role in transforming feudal Europe overdone. But if 90 per cent of its to modern Europe. coverage is related to entertainment, This is a very painful and and only 10 per cent to the real agonising period. The old feudal In my opinion the Indian media issues mentioned above, then society is being uprooted and should be playing a role similar something is seriously wrong. Its torn apart; but the new, modern, to the progressive role played by sense of proportion has gone crazy. industrial society has not yet been the media in Europe during its Entertainment may get as much as entirely established. Old values are transitional period. This it can do by nine times the coverage that health, crumbling, everything is in turmoil. attacking backward, feudal ideas and education, labour, agriculture and Recollect Shakespeare’s Macbeth: practices — casteism, communalism environment together get. Does a “Fair is foul and foul is fair” — and superstition — while promoting hungry or unemployed man want what was regarded good earlier, modern scientific and rational ideas. entertainment — or food and a job? for example the caste system, is But is it doing so? regarded bad today (at least by the To give an example, I switched enlightened section of society), and In my opinion, a large section of on the TV recently, and what did I what was regarded bad earlier, such the Indian media (particularly the see? Lady Gaga has come to India; as marriage for love, is acceptable electronic media) does not serve Kareena Kapoor standing next to today (at least to the modern- the interest of the people; in fact, her statue in Madame Tussauds; minded). some of it is positively anti-people. a tourism award being given to a There are three major defects in the business house; Formula One racing, It is the duty of all patriotic Indian media which I would like to etc, etc. What has all this to do with people, including the media, to help highlight. the problems of the people? our society get over this transition period quickly and with less pain. First, the media often diverts the Many channels show cricket day The media has a very important role attention of the people from the real in and day out. The Roman emperors to play in this transition period, as it issues to non-issues. used to say: “If you cannot give the deals with ideas, not commodities. people bread, give them circuses.” So by its very nature the media The real issues in India are socio- This is precisely the approach of cannot be like an ordinary business. economic — the terrible poverty the Indian establishment, duly in which 80 per cent of our people supported by our media. Keep the Historically, the print media live, inflation, the lack of medical people involved in cricket, so that emerged in Europe as an organ of care, education and backward they forget their social and economic the people against feudal oppression. social practices like honour-killing, plight. What is important is not At that time the established organs caste oppression and religious poverty or unemployment, what were all in the hands of despotic fundamentalism. Instead of devoting is important is whether India has feudal authorities. Hence, the people most of its coverage to these issues, beaten New Zealand (or better still had to create new organs which the media focuses on non-issues — Pakistan), or whether Tendulkar or could represent them. That is why like film stars and their lives, fashion Yuvraj Singh have scored a century. 12 JANATA, November 6, 2011

Recently, The Hindu published Second, the media often divides should it should go down to that low that a quarter of a million farmers the people. Whenever a bomb blast level and seek to perpetuate it? committed suicide in the last 15 takes place anywhere in India, within years. The Lakme Fashion Week a few hours TV channels start saying In Europe, during the Age of was covered by 512 accredited an e-mail or SMS has been received Enlightenment, the media (which journalists. In that fashion week, from Indian Mujahideen or Jaish- was only the print medium at that women were wearing cotton e-Muhammad or Harkat-ul-Jihad- time) sought to uplift the mental garments, while the men and women e-Islam claiming responsibility. level of the people and change their who grew that cotton were killing The name will always be a Muslim mindset by propagating ideas of themselves an hour’s flight from name. Now an e-mail or SMS can liberty, equality and fraternity and Nagpur. Nobody told that story, be sent by any mischievous person rational thinking. Voltaire attacked except one or two journalists locally. who wants communal hatred. Why superstition and Dickens criticised should they be shown on TV screens, the horrible conditions in jails, In Europe, displaced peasants and next day in print? The subtle schools, orphanages, courts etc. got jobs in the factories created by message being sent by showing this Should not our media be doing the the Industrial Revolution. In India, is that all Muslims are terrorists or same? on the other hand, industrial jobs bomb-throwers. are now hard to come by. Many At one time, courageous people mills have closed down and have About 92 to 93 per cent of the like Raja Ram Mohun Roy wrote become real estate. The job trend people living in India today are against sati, child marriage and the in manufacturing has seen a sharp descendants of immigrants. Thus, purdah system in his newspapers decline over the last 15 years. there is tremendous diversity in Miratul Akhbar and Sambad For instance, TISCO employed India: so many religions, castes, Kaumudi. Nikhil Chakravartty 85,000 workers in 1991 in its steel languages, ethnic groups. It is wrote about the horrors of the Bengal plant, which then manufactured 1 absolutely essential that if we wish to Famine of 1943. Munshi Premchand million tonnes of steel. In 2005, it keep united and prosper, there must and Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay manufactured 5 million tonnes — be tolerance and equal respect to all wrote against feudal practices and but with only 44,000 workers. In communities. Those who sow the women’s oppression. Saadat Hasan the mid ’90s, Bajaj was producing seeds of discord among our people, Manto wrote about the horrors of a million two-wheelers with 24,000 whether on religious or caste or Partition. workers. By 2004, it was producing linguistic or regional lines, are really 2.4 million units, with 10,500 enemies of our people. But what do we see in the media workers. today? As I have already mentioned, in Where then do these millions this transitional age, the media should Many TV channels show of displaced peasants go? They help our people move forward into astrology-based programmes. go to cities — where they become the modern, scientific age. For this Astrology is not to be confused with domestic servants, street hawkers, purpose the media should propagate astronomy. While astronomy is a or even criminals. It is estimated that rational and scientific ideas, but science, astrology is pure superstition there are one to two lakh adolescent instead of doing so, a large section of and humbug. Even a little common girls from Jharkhand working as our media propagates superstitions sense can tell us that there is no maids in Delhi. Prostitution is of various kinds. rational connection between the rampant in all cities, due to abject movements of the stars and planets, poverty. It is true that the intellectual level and whether a person will die at the of the vast majority of Indians is very age of 50 or 80, or whether he will All this is largely ignored by our low — they are steeped in casteism, be a doctor or engineer or lawyer. media, which turns a Nelson’s eye to communalism and superstition. The No doubt most people in our country the harsh economic realities facing question, however, is: Should the believe in astrology, but that is up to 80 per cent of our people, media try to lift up the intellectual because their mental level is very instead concentrating on some level of our people by propagating low. The media should try to bring glamorous Potemkin villages. rational and scientific ideas, or up that level, rather than to descend JANATA, November 6, 2011 13 to it and perpetuate it. extreme cases, even the licence of To sum up: The Indian media the media houses for some time. As must now introspect and develop a Many channels mention and show Goswami Tulsidas said: “Bin bhaya sense of responsibility and maturity. the place where a Hindu god was hot na preet.” This, however, will That does not mean that it cannot born, where he lived, etc. Is this is be resorted to only in extreme cases be reformed. My belief is that 80 not spreading superstition? and after the democratic method per cent of those who are doing the has failed. wrong thing can be made good people I am not saying that there are no by patient persuasion, pointing out good journalists at all in the media. It may be objected that this is their errors and gently leading them There are many excellent journalists. interfering with the freedom of the to the honourable path which the P. Sainath is one such, whose name media. There is no freedom which is print media in Europe in the Age of should be written in letters of gold absolute. All freedoms are subject to Enlightenment was following. in the history of Indian journalism. reasonable restrictions, and are also Had it not been for his highlighting coupled with responsibilities. In a of farmers’ suicides in certain states, democracy everyone is accountable * Chairman of the Press Council of the story (which was suppressed for to the people, and so is the media. India several years) may never have been told. But such good journalists are (Continued from Page 6) the exceptions. The majority consists "The interesting fact was not the of people who do not seem to have "The issue cannot be debated in amount of Rs.65 crore involved, but the desire to serve the public interest. National Green Tribunal because the the names of all top leaders," he says National Green Tribunal Act requires in the book. To remedy this defect in the the petitions for compensations media, I have done two things. to be filed within a period of five In his first book, "Hawala ke First, I propose to have regular years, with a grace period of six Deshdrohi", published in 1999, meetings with the media (including months. But the most critical Narain first gave full details of the the electronic media) every two damage to groundwater and toxic case and the intricate judicial process months or so. These will not be contamination caused by Coca-Cola that stalled followup at every stage. regular meetings of the entire Press company at Plachimada occurred Council, but informal get-togethers between 2000 and 2004. It is more This book, Narain says, is where we will discuss issues relating than five years and so the National dedicated to all crusaders fighting to the media and try to resolve Green Tribunal cannot be used to against corruption and to free the them in a democratic way, that is, redress the problem," explains Faizi. country of the cancer of corruption. by discussion, consultation and Coca-Cola India Pvt Ltd could not dialogue. I believe 90 per cent be contacted for comments. "The details given in a of the problems can be resolved chronological order, describing all in this way. Second, in extreme At present the bill is with Kerala. the complexities and hurdles, will be cases, where a section of the media “We are working on the comments an eye opener and perhaps a guide proves incorrigible despite trying and are expected to send it to Union to activists," he hopes. the democratic method mentioned home ministry in a week. We believe above, harsher measures may be we have legislative competence,” In his long struggle, when it required. In this connection, I says Prasad. appeared to him that the legal battle have written to the prime minister was not leading to any fruitful requesting him to amend the conclusion and that the judiciary Press Council Act by bringing the (Continued from Page 10) itself was seen aligning with the electronic media also under the accused, Narain turned deeply purview of the Press Council (which In 1993, Narain exposed the links spiritual in utter desperation and may be renamed the Media Council) of 115 top people with terrorist shifted his base to Vrindavan and and by giving it more teeth — for outfits and channels that regularly the Braj Mandal. example, the power to suspend funded anti-national activities of government advertisements or in various groups. –Brij Khandelwal 14 JANATA, November 6, 2011 BitterTruth

Over half of India is poor with 46 increased from 0.344 to 0.547 — 4.9 years of school as compared to percent living on less than a dollar an increase of 59 percent or an India's 4.4 years. a day, says UNDP. Contrary to the average annual increase of about government's claims, which put the 1.5 percent - when adjusted for Gender equality: The old story number of poor people in India to inequality, India's HDI falls to gets worse be around 37.5 percent (as per the 0.392, that is, a loss of 28.3 percent We may celebrate the birth of Tendulkar committee), the latest due to inequality. This is slightly a girl as the seventh billion baby, report by the United Nations has lower than the average for South but UNDP's report 2011 finds that claimed that 41.6 percent of Indians Asia (28.4 percent). India needs to work hard to give live for less than a dollar a day. its women equal share as men. In the Gender Inequality Index We lag behind even Pakistan and The report - Sustainability and (GII), Indian women were found Bangladesh when it comes to Equity: A Better Future for All - said to lag significantly behind men gender equality. India has the world's largest number in education, parliamentary of multi-dimensionally poor — representation and labour force India has a Gender Inequality 612 million. The UNDP calculates participation. India is ranked at an Index (GII) value of 0.617, ranking poverty on a multidimensional unimpressive 129 out of 146 nations it 129 out of 146 countries in vector such as access to health in the GII. the 2011 index. In comparison, services, clean water, cooking fuels, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan basic household goods and home The report released in Denmark are ranked at 112, 113 and 115 construction standards. Which points out inequality in the respectively on this index. GII is means over half India's population distribution of human development measured on three parameters - is abysmally poor. (income, education and health) reproductive health, empowerment is more pronounced in India than India also slipped down in the and economic activity. elsewhere. This is despite the fact Human Development Index (HDI) that the Government has been Mass of poverty ranking announced by the UNDP. concerned about uneven distribution India has come down from its last According to UNDP, income of the benefits of growth for couple year ranking of 119 (out of 169 poverty only tells part of the story. countries) to 134 (out of 187) this of years. Accordingly 11th Five- The multidimensional poverty year. This despite the fact that life Year Plan (2007-12) was based on is 12.1 percentage points higher expectancy at birth in the country inclusive growth. 12th Plan is also than income poverty. This implies has increased by 10.1 percent a expected to focus on inequalities. that individuals living above the year over the last two decades, and This is the second year when income poverty line may still suffer mean year of schooling increased UNDP calculated HDI after deprivations in education, health by 3.9 years between 1980 and 2011 adjusting inequalities. India, with and other living conditions. and expected years of schooling HDI value of 0.547, falls in the increased by 3.9 years. As per UNDP report 2011, category of countries with 'Medium 53.7 percent of the population The 2011 Global HDI ranks Human Development'. It falls short suffer multiple deprivations while countries on their progress on the of the world average, which is an additional 16.4 per cent are three key dimensions of human 0.624. vulnerable to multiple deprivations. development - education, health and The Multidimensional Poverty Our record is worse than income. India's HDI value for 2011 Index (MPI) of India is 0.283. Bangladesh in mean year of was 0.547 positioning the country Bangladesh and Pakistan have MPIs schooling and life expectancy at in the medium human development of 0.292 and 0.264 respectively. birth. The gap between rich and category. China has 0.056 MPI which is very poor is also wider in India as less as compared to India. And even though between compared to Bangladesh. Even 1980 and 2011, India's HDI value Pakistani children are attending –DNA JANATA, November 6, 2011 15 R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, November 6, 2011 P.R. No. MH/MR/WEST/275/2010-2011 Posted at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1

GANNON DUNKERLEY & CO., LTD. (An ISO 9001 – 2000 Company)

REGISTERED OFFICE

NEW EXCELSIOR BUILDING, 3RD FLOOR, A.K. NAYAK MARG, FORT, MUMBAI – 400 001

TEL: 91-22-22051231, FAX: 91-22-22051232

Website: gannondunkerley.com

E-mail: [email protected]

GANNONS ARE SPECIALISTS IN INDUSTRIAL STRUCTURES, ROADS, BRIDGES (RCC AND PRESTRESSED CONCRETE), RAILWAY TRACKS, THERMAL POWER, FERTILIZER, CHEMICAL, PAPER AND CEMENT PLANTS, WATER & WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANTS, PILING FOUNDATION & FOUNDATION ENGINEERING.

GANNONS ARE ALSO PIONEERS IN MATERIAL HANDELING WORKS, MANUFACTURE OF PRESTRESSED CONCRETE SLEEPERS, ERECTION OF MECHANICAL EQUIPMENTS & PIPING AND SUPPLY OF TEXTILE MACHINERY AND LIGHT ENGINEERING ITEMS.

OFFICES AT:

AHMEDABAD - CHENNAI - COIMBATORE - HYDERABAD KOLKATA - MUMBAI - NEW DELHI

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 Fifteen

Vol. 66 No. 41 Asoka Mehta November 13, 2011

The Life and Times of Asoka Mehta

Indian Agriculture and Asoka Mehta T.N. Prakash Kammardi

Asoka Mehta’s Vision on Democratic Decentralization S.S. Meenakshisundaram

Asoka Mehta: Legendary Economic Visionary R S Deshpande

Asoka Mehta on The Politics of Poverty The Challenge of the Development Decade Democratic Socialism in a Developing Society Towards Equality of Opportunity

Division of Big States S. Viswam

Guest Editor : Bapu Heddurshetti

Editor : G.G. Parikh

D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Naushir Bharucha Marg, Mumbai - 400 007.

Email : [email protected] October 24, 1911 - January 17, 1985 2 JANATA, November 13, 2011

With best compliments from

GAD LOGISTIC (I) Pvt. Ltd. A leading company in Transportation of Port Containers

Corp. Office : A203/204, Shree Nand Dham Sector-11, CBD Belapur (E) Navi Mumbai 400 614 Tel. (0) : 02241029999 • Fax : 02227562789 JANATA, November 13, 2011 3 editorial

For Asoka Mehta, one of the founding fathers and tallest leaders of the Indian socialist movement, democratic socialism was the precept and the praxis, its normative ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity, the beacon lights of his life, from its dawn to dusk. Asoka Mehta was a democratic socialist from the cells of the Nasik Jail to the cellars of the New Mehrauli, residence of his last days, from natalis to mortis. If Jayaprakash Narayan journeyed from the fountain of civil disobedience to the sea of Sarvodaya through the straits of and democratic socialism, in the pursuit of the ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity, Asoka journeyed through the length and breadth of democratic socialism exploring its deep and dearthless dimensions, in pursuit of the very same ideals. Even Nanasaheb Goray who remained in the socialist ship through the turbulent crests and troughs of the socialist movement and was neither a prodigus nor a cleaver, must plead guilty to the charge of graduating from Marxism to democratic socialism. So if consistency is the virtue of an ass, as Mahatma Gandhi once said, Asoka would rather ride it than hop trees in his denouement. He yearned for positive politics with a rare courage of conviction rather than stray into the dreary deserts of negativism.

Asoka had brain and brawn and a beating heart. While he spoke of North and South long before Willy Brandt’s Report on the subject, he also led more than a thousand farmers against a Zamindar and more than two lakhs of textile workers in strike for more than two months. But while his intellectual prose and his powerful praxis hid his poetic heart, his dreamy eyes hid his intellectual insights and the prowess of his praxis. Asoka has written an ocean of prose but in its every nook, every corner, one can gleam an oyster with a poetic pearl.

Erudition was only a byproduct of his brain for which Asoka was awarded LL.D., and D.Litt. degrees, honoris causa, while it remains a puzzle, at least for me, as to who was more honoured. A gentle intellectual giant, his name stands tall in the history of the Indian socialist movement. Perhaps his baptism as Asoka was, after all, not an accident–but a prelude to the greatness to come.

It has been my privilege to have been invited to edit the special issue of Janata, the voice of democratic socialism for more than half a century, on eminence like Asoka Mehta. The task was daunting and yet pleasurable. I am grateful to Dr. S.S.Meenakshisundaram, Dr. T.N.Prakash and Dr. R.S.Deshpande for ably reflecting on Asoka’s ideas in the articles that they have contributed for this special issue.

–Bapu Heddurshetti 4 JANATA, November 13, 2011 The Life and Times of Asoka Mehta

Bapu Heddurshetti

The Indian socialist movement that began with It was in the Nasik jail that Asoka met JP, Minoo the formation of the (CSP) Masani, Nanasaheb Goray, M. L. Dantwala and in 1934 has thrown up many a great leader. Asoka others and planned the launching of a socialist Mehta was one of them. If there is a democratic party within the Indian National Congress. After the socialist movement in India today, it is largely due to release of these leaders from jail, when the Congress him. He was a democratic socialist ab initio and par Socialist Party was formed in 1934, Asoka naturally excellence. He was an intellectual, an organiser, an became one of the founder members. He was chosen ideologue, a parliamentarian and a trade unionist - all to edit the Congress Socialist, a journal that was rolled into one. A politician among intellectuals and adopted as the mouthpiece of the party. He edited an intellectual among politicians, equally at home the journal from 1934 to 1939. Asoka was inducted in academic and professional groups is how Prof. in the National Executive of the CSP in the Lahore Verinder Grover describes him. One who reads his conference held on 12th and 13th of April 1938. writings would be tempted to say that he was also a poet who wrote in prose. Perhaps Asoka had read Karl Marx, Frederick Engels, Robert Owen, Saint Simon and many Born on 24th October 1911 in of other socialist writers and thinkers when he was a Saurashtra, Asoka inherited an educated home. student. His very first booklet entitled Socialism and His grandfather was the Chief Engineer of the written in 1934, when Asoka was hardly Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation and his 24 years old, bears the stamp of his erudition. That father, Ranjitram was an educationist. During his may be one of the reasons why Asoka, in spite of the student days he came under the influence of Yusuf company of Marxist stalwarts like JP in the Nasik Meherally, who was then the leader of the socialists Jail, remained a democratic socialist. in Bombay. Asoka graduated from Wilson College, Mumbai, in 1931 and briefly taught in the University Being a democratic socialist, Asoka naturally School of Economics. It was a good fortune of the was opposed to the communists. The Communist socialist movement that Asoka Mehta, responding International had branded the social democratic to the call of Mahatma Gandhi, left his job and parties of Europe as parties of the social fascists. plunged into the Civil Disobedience movement of Toeing the line the Indian communists branded the 1932, was arrested and lodged in the Nasik Jail for Indian National Congress as the movement of the two and a half years. national and condemned the CSP as a party of social fascists. That was the reason why the A leaf in the storm CSP had decided not to admit the communists in the party. However, in 1934, the British Government Those were the days of the ferment of freedom banned the Communist Party of India whereupon struggle. About his involvement in the freedom the communists started infiltrating the CSP. Around movement Jayaprakash Narayan says “Gandhiji’s the same time, the changed … movement swept over the land as a strangely its tactics and called for forming united fronts with uplifting hurricane. I too, was one of the thousands social democrats. JP, who was a Marxist and wanting of young men of those days, who, like the leaves in the to have unity of the progressive forces, advocated storm, were swept away and momentarily lifted up to admission of the communists in the CSP. Another the skies. That brief experience of soaring up with Marxist leader of the party, Acharya Narendra Deva the winds of a great idea left imprints on the inner opposed the move. However, the move was endorsed being that time and much familiarity with ugliness by the National Executive of the party. As a result of reality have not removed. It was then that freedom many communists like E.M.S.Namboodiripad, became one of the beacon lights of my life, and it A.K.Gopalan, Sajjad Zahir, P.Sundarayya, has remained so ever since.” Asoka was another leaf P.Jivananda were admitted in the CSP, and were like JP. given important positions also. JANATA, November 13, 2011 5

However, communists believed in what Lenin had writing before Independence and completed in 1950. said that they should support the united fronts like In the pamphlet he demonstrated that it was not the the rope supports a man hanged. Hence they tried to ownership that mattered but the control. He said take over the CSP. A confidential circular issued by that “Indian capitalism without having materially the CPI to the communists in the CSP to take over expanded production or improved the standard of the party was exposed by Minoo Masani. Thereafter life of the people, has reached the same degree of Minoo Masani, Asoka Mehta, Rammanohar Lohia concentration as is seen in say, Canada. …India on and Achyut Patwardhan resigned from the national a lower level of economic development has reached executive of the party protesting the continuation of the same high degree of concentration. …The crux the communists in the party. It took two more years of an economy, it is now realised, resides in control for the CSP to realise its mistake and the party in its rather than ownership. Whatever be the situation as Ramgad conference held in 1940 decided to expel regards ownership of industrial enterprise, control the communists. is securely gathered in a few hands”. The pamphlet made such an impression that within the year of In 1941, Mahatma Gandhi announced that instead its publication, The New International, a journal of mass satyagraha campaign he would launch published in the , reprinted it with a satyagraha by select individuals. He nominated commendation. Vinoba as the first Satyagrahi. Asoka was one such satyagrahi and was sentenced to undergo About the book Asoka later wrote “I have tried imprisonment for one and a half years. It is during there to describe the details of concentration of this incarceration that Asoka wrote his book The capital and concentration of control. These are two Communal Triangle along with his co-prisoner different things, because with the development of Achyut Patwardhan. Joint Stock Company, it is possible to have control without ownership. Capitalism has discovered a It is interesting that while JP, who was later method whereby control has been divorced from converted to Gandhi’s Sarvodaya, had opposed ownership. You may own a share, but you don’t the individual satyagraha movement and Asoka control the factory. You may control a mill but you Mehta, who was not attracted to Gandhism, offered need not own all the shares. The divorce between individual satyagraha on Gandhi’s call. Asoka also control and ownership is, you might say, one of the participated in the 1942 Quit India movement and magical achievements of capitalism. And, as a matter was again incarcerated for three years. of fact, it was the development of the joint stock In 1947 the Indian National Congress adopted a companies that led Bernstein and others to indulge rule that its members could not be members of any in their revisionist dreams....Such a divorce is the other political party. Socialists, who had formed the essence of modern capitalism and it also becomes CSP within the Congress, were presented with the the raison d’ etre of socialism.” choice of either dissolving the CSP and remaining in the Congress or leaving the Congress and When the Socialist Party accepted democratic retaining the CSP. While Acharya Narendra Deva, socialism as its creed, many of the party cadre, Rammanohar Lohia and some others were in favour who were used to Marxism, started asking what of remaining in the Congress, Asoka favoured leaving democratic socialism was. It was once again for the Congress and forming a separate party. The party Asoka Mehta, the democratic socialist of the party, met in conference from 28th February to 1st March to explain the ideology. He gave a series of lectures 1947 at and took two historical decisions. on democratic socialism which were later published The party decided to drop the word ‘Congress’ from as a book entitled Democratic Socialism, the first in its name thereby leaving the Congress and becoming the trilogy on socialism that he wrote. In this book an independent party and declared that socialism was of about 180 pages, which is a standing proof of his not possible without democracy thereby jettisoning erudition, Asoka refers to the ideas of 112 thinkers Marxism and accepting democratic socialism as its and refers to 70 books. About the book, JP wrote creed. Asoka had won on both counts. “...the democratic socialist movement not only in India, but also abroad, would be indebted to Asoka Ascendant Asoka Mehta for these lectures into which he has packed Asoka was an incisive writer. One of his early so much fundamental thinking seasoned with such pamphlets was Who Owns India, which he started conspicuous scholarship. As I read through these 6 JANATA, November 13, 2011 lectures I wondered how Asoka Mehta, so busy as a When the General Elections were announced for leader and organiser, could find the time for such wide the first time in independent India, Asoka was the reading and quiet thinking.” True to JP’s words, the General Secretary of the SP. He analysed the trends book did evoke much interest in the socialist circles in public opinion as revealed by the bye-elections all over the world. Asoka himself acknowledged it held before the General Elections, in an article when he wrote in the preface to the third edition “book which he called “Straws in the Wind”, and showed … has evoked wide interest in many countries of the in which direction the wind of public opinion was world. Not only in the Socialist circles but among blowing. Asoka very cautiously analysed the results nationalist leaders in various countries, e.g., Egypt, and came to the conclusion that the SP was the , the book has received considerable attention”. second biggest and the principal opposition party in India, that it enjoyed more support than all other Asoka then felt that “For countries of Asia opposition parties put together, that it was the only there is both need and opportunity to think afresh organized nation-wide alternative to the Congress and articulate our socialist future in terms of a party. He also concluded that the adult franchise comprehensive understanding of socialism and the favoured the SP, but if only other opposition parties specific conditions of our countries. While socialism could leave 2000 seats to the SP and contest in the has to be a universal philosophy, its reinterpretation remaining constituencies, the Congress was likely to in the light of Asian conditions entitles us to speak be defeated. While the SP heeded his advice, other in a general way of Asian Socialism”. And hence opposition parties would not heed his analysis. he rounded off his study of socialism by writing a sequel to the book Democratic Socialism, entitled Asoka wrote to the party activists that if the Party Studies in Asian Socialism, the second of the worked as a team, it could emerge as an alternative to socialist trilogy, wherein he examined the contours the Congress. He said that unless the party contested of socialism as applicable to Asian conditions. The a large number of seats, it could not impress on the two books together give a comprehensive picture of electorate that it could emerge as an alternative to democratic socialism. the Congress. He also said that the single member constituencies buttressed the emergence of a two Socialists had, along with other Congressmen, party system and recapitulated how in England in the nurtured the All India Trade Union Congress. After 1945 elections some parties like the Commonwealth leaving the Congress, Asoka felt the need to establish Party were defeated and later merged into the Labour a trade union centre that was committed to the ideology Party thereby strengthening the two-party system. of democratic socialism but was not controlled by The party also tried to have electoral alliance with any political party including the SP. He along with the Scheduled Castes Federation led by Dr. B. R. stalwarts like Basawan Sinha, R.S.Ruikar, Maniben Ambedkar, but then it could not be done in time for Kara, Shibnath Banerjee, V.S.Mathur founded the the elections. Asoka Mehta put his heart and soul Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS) at Howrah, Calcutta, in the campaign. As a result of his efforts, the party on 24th December 1948. R.S.Ruikar was elected contested 254 out of 489 Lok Sabha seats i.e., 52 the President and Asoka, the General Secretary of per cent of seats and 1799 out of 3283 seats in the HMS. Later Asoka led the strike of 2,20,000 Textile legislative assemblies of various states i.e. 55 per Workers in Mumbai for two months. cent of the seats.

Socialist Party held its eighth conference at Madras Most of the leaders of the party like Acharya from 8th to 12th July 1950, presided over by Asoka. Narendra Deva, JP. Lohia and others decided not to Even while criticizing the content of his Presidential contest in the elections but help the party win more address, Acharya J.B.Kripalani, a Congress leader seats. But the essence of democratic socialism is then, said, “…the style superbly ornate is almost to contest in the elections, win a majority, form a Tagorean in its conceits. Nothing of this nature government and use the State power to bring in the has been heard for many years from the political socialist transformation of the society. Hence, Asoka, platform in India or elsewhere”. Till now the party who already had a stint as a member of the Bombay had only a General Secretary and no Chairman. The Municipal Corporation, and who was a democratic Madras convention elected Acharya Narendra Deva socialist, contested from Bombay North and polled as the Chairman and Asoka as the General Secretary 1,39,741 votes, i.e., 16,165 votes more than Dr. of the party. B.R.Ambedkar of the Scheduled Castes Federation JANATA, November 13, 2011 7 and 42,986 more votes than weekly mouthpiece of the PSP, in which he spoke of the Communist Party of India, but lost to the of the political compulsions of a backward economy Congress by a narrow margin of 9,397 votes i.e., and the need to search for areas of agreement with only 1.33 per cent of votes polled. the ruling party.

While Asoka missed victory narrowly, the The Congress Controversy Socialist Party missed it widely. The party’s performance was dismal. It could secure only 12 In the meanwhile, when JP met Nehru during the seats in the Lok Sabha though it got 10.59 per cent of first week of February 1953, Nehru suggested that the votes polled whereas the Congress contested 479 the Congress and the PSP should cooperate with each seats and secured 364 seats and polled 44.99 per cent other at the party and the government levels. After of the votes. In the elections to the State Assemblies, discussion with other party leaders JP suggested a the party could secure just 122 seats and only 9.7 14-point programme to Nehru which would form the per cent of the votes polled. Obviously the voters basis of co-operation. However, Nehru did not want did not retain the pattern of voting which they had to be bound by such definite programmes and was established in the bye-elections prior to the general more particular about identity of views. Hence the elections. talks of co-operation failed.

The defeat of the party and its failure to emerge However, the Nehru-JP talks generated so much as an alternative to the Congress set in motion the controversy in the party that, a special convention of process of rethinking on the part of the party leaders the party had to be convened at Betul, in Madhya about its future. Talks were held with the Kisan Pradesh, from 14th to 18th of June 1953. Asoka Mehta Mazdoor Praja Party of Acharya J.B.Kripalani with as the General Secretary of the party presented a a view to merge the two parties and build a larger report to the convention, in which he again spoke opposition party. While Acharya Narendra Deva was of the political compulsions of backward economy against the merger of the two parties, JP, Asoka Mehta and the need for searching areas of agreement. and Rammanohar Lohia were in favour. Ultimately Asoka wanted only what Alexander Hopkins the two parties merged on 25-27 September 1952 Mcdonald calls “discriminating cooperation” with at Bombay to form the Praja Socialist Party (PSP). the Congress. But the Nehru-JP talks coupled with Later on the Forward Bloc of Subhash Chandra Bose Asoka’s thesis created a lot of controversy in the also merged with the PSP. Acharya Kripalani was conference between those who wanted to cooperate named the Chairman and Asoka Mehta, the General with the Congress and those who wanted to oppose Secretary of the new party. the Congress.

Thereafter, Asoka contested in a bye-election In view of the controversy Asoka Mehta resigned from Bhandara in Madhya Pradesh, a double as the General Secretary of the party. Even while member constituency, as a candidate of the PSP resigning he said that his resignation does not mean while Dr. B.R.Ambedkar contested as a candidate of that he will not work for the party. Nanasaheb Goray the Schedule Castes Federation. Asoka Mehta polled was appointed General Secretary in his place. In the 1,49,636 votes and got elected and entered the first Panchamadhi Conference of the PSP, when Lohia Lok Sabha, became the General Secretary, Asoka’s commitment to the party made him accept the position of a Joint Though the Socialists had parted with the Congress, Secretary. they had said in the Nasik conference held from 19th to 21st March 1948 that the SP hoped that because However, when elections were held to the then of the common political ideals, commitments and -Cochin assembly in 1954, the PSP entered experiences, the Congress would partner with the SP into electoral adjustments with the Communists with and will remain a progressive organisation. So when a view to defeat the Congress. However, when no Jawaharlal Nehru, who was the Prime Minister and party could secure a clear majority in the assembly, had distinctly socialist views, became the President Madhu Limaye, who was one of the Joint Secretaries of the Congress in 1951, Asoka thought that the of the party, wrote to the communists, that either the Congress and the PSP could cooperate in building communists should form a minority government a socialist India. He wrote an article in Janata, the or the socialists and the other should support the 8 JANATA, November 13, 2011 government from outside. The communists did not reiteration of the rejection of Marxist methods and respond. Then the Congress came forward to support acceptance of democratic socialism was a triumph a minority PSP government. Thus the first-ever PSP for Asoka’s views, he and Purushottam Tricumdas government came into existence with Pattom Thanu opposed the draft for its rejection of Asoka’s thesis Pillai as the Chief Minister. of search for areas of agreement.

This looked like a triumph of Asoka’s views of The conference decided to bar electoral co-operation with the Congress. Lohia, who had by adjustments with the Congress, the Communist and then become very anti-Nehru and anti-Congress, the communalist parties. However, an amendment perhaps felt that if the PSP government continued, was moved to delete the reference to the communist it would widen the areas of agreement between the and communalist parties restricting the bar only to Congress and the PSP. So when the police opened the Congress. It was defeated by 189 votes in favour fire on a restive crowd in Travancore-Cochin and and 260 votes against it. Though the defeat of the four people died, Lohia sent a telegram to the Chief amendment was a triumph for Asoka, the policy on Minister asking him to resign. Asoka resented this adjustments itself was against his views. Democrat unilateral act of Lohia. He said that only the National that Asoka was, he accepted the decision gracefully. Executive Committee of the party could seek the Chief Minister’s resignation. A party convention However, in 1956 JP issued a statement calling for was called in Nagpur to decide the issue. The party the opposition parties to have electoral adjustments rejected Lohia’s stand by a majority and endorsed between themselves with a view to reduce the Asoka’s stand. majority of the Congress. He opined that though he believed in party-less democracy he wanted Very soon another controversy arose in the parliamentary democracy to survive because in party. In its Avadi session, the Congress resolved its absence one party rule will become inevitable. to advance towards a socialistic pattern of society However he explained that he wanted only electoral through planning aimed at social ownership of the adjustments and not alliances. Asoka reacted by basic means of production and equitable distribution writing an article which was published in The Hindu of national wealth. Asoka wrote an article in the of 26th September 1956. He argued that though the party mouthpiece Janata that the Avadi resolution recipe may help the opposition parties to increase had expanded the area of agreement between the their strength in the Parliament, it may not benefit Congress and the PSP. However Madhu Limaye the PSP. issued a press note that the Avadi Resolution was a fraud on the people of the country. This led to a In the second general elections held in 1957, controversy which ultimately led to the suspension of Asoka contested once again from Bhandara, which Madhu Limaye from the party. When Lohia incited was a double member constituency, but this time he the party units to invite Madhu Limaye to speak in lost. He polled 1,05,613 votes and his party colleague party functions despite his suspension, party had to Sakhare polled 1,04,954 votes as against the 2,27,373 suspend Lohia also. and 1,98,202 votes polled by the two candidates of the Congress. But he once again bounced back in After Lohia launched his own Socialist Party at a bye-election held on 12th December 1957 from Hyderabad, the PSP met at Gaya from 26th to 30th of Muzaffarpur in Bihar and became a member of the December 1955. Acharya Narendra Deva who was second Lok Sabha. He polled 50,783 votes as against the Chairman could not attend the conference as he 36,341 votes polled by the communist candidate. was not well. However he had written a draft of the policy statement of the party which was read out in He contested the third general elections held in the conference. The statement admitted that armed 1962 from Deoria in Uttar Pradesh but lost. He polled insurrection was neither possible nor advisable 60,954 votes as against the successful Congress and hence the socialists should use democratic and candidate’s 80,195 votes. peaceful means to usher in socialism. In an obvious reference to Asoka’s stand, the statement further said Asoka chooses the Congress that the party will not let itself to be deluded by the calls for national unity and will not waste its time Failure of the socialists to emerge as a viable in useless talks of need for cooperation. Though the alternative to the Congress, or at least as an effective JANATA, November 13, 2011 9 opposition party, disheartened Asoka. He came to of a planning commission taking over the functions the conclusion that the PSP could not become an of the market, is one of the concrete contributions effective opposition party. He expressed his views made by socialist thinkers to economic science in a meeting of the leaders of the PSP held in Patna and that the planned economy, was the solution in April 1962. Asoka said that if the socialists had evolved by socialists for achieving rapid economic to play an effective role in Indian politics, they had development. Asoka was invited to discuss the First only two alternatives: one, that they should join the Five Year Plan with the Planning Commission. Congress and strengthen the socialist tendencies About his discussions Asoka writes “The First Plan developing in that party or two, they should form was not a well thought out plan. We were new to a united front of all opposition parties in order to the technique of planning, statistical material was defeat the Congress. It was quite natural for Asoka limited. I remember that when I was called to discuss to choose the first alternative because he was a the draft plan with the Planning Commission, and I democratic socialist and the Congress party was at had the good fortune to do that for two whole days. least speaking about socialism, but not the second I had drawn the attention of the Commission to the alternative because according to him, communists absence of employment aspect in the Plan. Hastily a did not believe in democracy and the communalists, chapter was put together and it was tagged on to the who were becoming strong, did not believe in either Plan at the end. What should have been integral was democracy or socialism. While Asoka took the first made an adjunct and no one felt the difference.” In alternative, Lohia and his party took the second 1966, he was asked to write a Graduate Program of alternative in their Calcutta conference held in 1963 Planning for the University of Puerto Rico. and tried to bring together all opposition parties to defeat the Congress. But the PSP conference held On 3rd December 1963 Nehru appointed Asoka as at Bhopal between 8th and 10th of June 1963, over the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission. which Asoka, himself presided, rejected his theses. Asoka accepted the position. This was viewed as his The party still elected him its Chairman. attempt to force the party on the path of cooperation with the Congress. When the National Executive of At one time Nehru had asked Achyut Patwardhan the PSP debated whether Asoka’s acceptance of the to be a member of the Indian delegation to the Deputy Chairmanship was against the policies of the General Assembly of the United Nations. However, party, Nath Pai, Farid Ansari, Ishwarlal Desai and Achyut had declined the offer. Thereafter, Nehru had Mulka Govinda Reddy supported Asoka’s stand. chosen Purushottam Tricumdas as a member, and he When it was proposed at the National Executive had accepted the offer and had represented India in to seek Asoka’s resignation from the party, Nath the United Nation’s General Assembly. Nehru now Pai, Farid Ansari, Ishwarlal Desai and Genda chose Asoka Mehta as the Deputy Leader of the Indian Singh opposed the move while Ganga Sharan delegation to the United Nation’s General Assembly Sinha, Nanasaheb Goray, Surendranath Dwivedi, which held its session in September–December 1963. H.V.Kamath, Niranjan Singh and Sanat Mehta chose Asoka accepted the assignment. Asoka addressed to be neutral. In order to avoid the controversy, the General Assembly on 14th October 1963 on ‘The S.M.Joshi, requested Asoka not to renew his Challege of the Development Decade’ in which membership of the party. Asoka did not oblige and he spoke of the ‘stubborn differences between the the party took the historical decision of suspending affluent North and the poverty-ridden South’. its Chairman from the membership of the party.

Interestingly, a decade later, in 1977, Willy Thereafter, Asoka joined the Congress with his Brandt, the former (Social Democrat) Chancellor followers including, Triloki Singh, Genda Singh, of was appointed as the chairman Narayan Dutt Tiwari, , of the Independent Commission for International and M.S.Gurupadaswamy. He was appointed Union Developmental Issues which produced a Report Minister of Planning in January, 1966, even though known as “North South Dialogue” which spoke of he was not a Member of Parliament, and took over the need to reduce the differences between the rich additional portfolio of the Department of Social North and the poor South. Welfare in February, 1966. He was elected to the from Maharashtra as a Congress Planning was Asoka’s passion. According to candidate and was a member of the Rajya Sabha from Asoka, the concept of centrally planned economy, 3rd April 1966 to 26th February 1967. In the general 10 JANATA, November 13, 2011 elections held in 1967 he again won from Bhandara in 1899 joined in that fashion the Waldeck-Rousseau in Maharashtra by securing 1,52,206 votes, i.e., Cabinet. Such step can have no sanction of the 44.41 per cent of votes polled. socialist movement. Participation in a non-socialist government not at the instance of the party or the He was once again appointed as a Cabinet movement but on one’s own would be a betrayal of Minister in the Union Government by Prime socialism.” Minister Indira Gandhi. However, his stint as a Minister was to end soon. On 21st August 1968 Was Asoka an Indian version of Millerand? Did Soviet tanks rolled into Prague, the capital of Asoka betray socialism by joining the Congress Czechoslovakia. USSR occupied the country. Soviet government? Having searched and found areas of President Leonid Brezhnev enunciated his doctrine agreement with the Congress, Asoka did not believe of limited sovereignty of Socialist States and said that the Congress was a non-socialist party and hence that intervention in Czechoslovakia was vital to the felt that his joining the Congress Government was not preservation of the Soviet Socialist system and that a betrayal of socialism. His fight against totalitarian he would intervene in any state that sought to replace attempt in India during the emergency once again Communism with Capitalism. proved his commitment to the ideal of democratic socialism. Asoka had always been a staunch anti-communist. He had once earlier resigned from the National In defence of democracy Executive of the CSP in protest against admission of Communists in the party. During the Cold War In 1969 Indira Gandhi split the Congress party. years, when the USSR sponsored front organisations Her faction came to be called Congress (R) and to promote its interests around the world, an the other faction Congress (O). Indira Gandhi was international organisation called the Congress becoming authoritarian. How could a democratic for Cultural Freedom (CCF) was set up with its socialist like Asoka Mehta be with an authoritarian headquarters in Paris to counter the Communist person like Indira Gandhi? It was an irony of fate that propaganda. In India Asoka Mehta with JP, Minoo Asoka joined the Congress (O) whose top leaders Masani and others established the Indian Committee were generally perceived as conservatives, if not for Cultural Freedom with the objective of defending capitalists, and opposed Indira Gandhi who initiated intellectual liberty and to cultivate the spirit of free some progressive measures like the nationalisation of enquiry, and got it affiliated to the CCF. It was a non- banks and abolition of privy purses. Asoka contested political organisation consisting of scholars, writers, the 1971 elections again from Bhandara as a Congress scientists, etc. (O) candidate but polled only 16.88 per cent of votes cast and lost to Indira Gandhi’s Congress candidate Hence in 1968, Asoka wanted the Government who polled 76.58 per cent of votes. and the Congress party to condemn the occupation of Czechoslovakia. Both did not oblige him. Asoka Soon Indira Gandhi’s authoritarian storm spoke in favour of the resolution tabled by PSP overwhelmed the Indian polity. Indira Gandhi leader in the Lok Sabha, Surendranath Dwivedi, became more and more authoritarian. In an editorial condemning the aggression and did not hesitate to of Janata weekly, of 22nd July 1973 Nanasaheb resign from the Cabinet on the issue. When he had Goray wrote “The difference between a dictator of accepted the Deputy Chairmanship of the Planning admittedly totalitarian country and the head of a Commission he had been accused by some of being democratic federal union, whose federating units power hungry. His resignation proved that he had have ceased to function, can be only notional. In a strong commitment to the democratic socialist fact when major States like and ideology and opposition to the Communists and that U.P. have come under President’s rule and so many he was certainly not power hungry. other States are rapidly qualifying for it, is not Smt. Indira Gandhi already functioning like a dictator? Asoka had said in 1951 that “Socialists, even … one fine morning the Indian people will wake up when in a minority, might agree to participate in a to learn that they are under a dictatorship”. Asoka non-socialist government, nay—they might do so in said that Smt. Gandhi was not well disposed to the their individual capacity. In France, Millerand, who process of decentralisation, her predilection was in was one of the leaders of the French Socialist party, favour of sucking up power to the apex, both in the JANATA, November 13, 2011 11 government and the party. of political parties. The West Bengal and the Karnataka Governments enacted new Panchayat Raj Corruption became rampant. JP responded by Acts implementing the recommendations. However, launching the campaign for ‘‘Total Revolution”. it is a pity that the subsequent Congress government Asoka and his party, the Congress (O) and the once again opted for a three tier system. Socialists joined forces with JP. True to Nanasaheb’s prophesy, on the morning of 25th June 1974 people *** of India woke up to learn that they were under a dictatorship. Indira Gandhi imposed Emergency and Asoka’s concern for the farmers made him lead the jailed thousands of leaders and imposed censorship agitation of farmers of Pardi in Gujarat in the 1950s. on the media. Asoka was also arrested and jailed. The agitation was unique in the sense that while other agitations of farmers were for ameliorating Asoka took his incarceration as a blessing in their woes and even land grab movements were disguise. In the confines of the Rohtak Jail, Asoka directed against the land owned by the Government, penned his master piece in socialist literature, the this agitation was aimed at structural changes in third of his socialist trilogy, Reflections on Socialist the pattern of land holdings by occupying the land Era. In the apologia to the book he wrote: “Writing owned by a Zamindar. On 1st September 1953 he it (the book) helped to fill the empty hours with led 1054 members of the Pardi Kisan Panchayat, of purposeful activity. I must thank the Prime Minister whom 97 were women in ploughing and digging in for inadvertently providing me with an opportunity to the 1000 acres of land owned by the local Zamindar make a modest contribution to the prison literature of Piari village near Pardi and on a complaint by of our time”. the Zamindar, Asoka, Amul Desai, and Bombay Municipal Corporator Vasanti Shroff and many other After his release from the prison Asoka, as the socialists were taken into custody by the police. Later President of the Congress (O) party, got busy with JP Asoka was sentenced to undergo imprisonment for in bringing the various opposition parties together to one year and lodged in Yerawada Jail, from where he defeat the Congress which was now the torch bearer wrote an acknolwdgement for his book Democratic of totalitarianism. Asoka took the second alternative Socialism. He later wrote his book Indian Peasants. that he had suggested in the Patna meeting of the PSP held in April 1962 but under very different *** circumstances. He was not, like Lohia, trying to bring together all opposition parties to defeat the Congress Along with Jayaprakash Narayan, he led the Indian party, but was trying to bring together all political delegation to the first Asian Socialist Conference held forces to defeat the totalitarian threat to the Indian at Rangoon between 6th and 15th of January 1953 and polity and to restore democracy. When Indira Gandhi the second conference held in Mumbai in November announced elections to the Lok Sabha, Janata Party 1956. He also addressed the Council Meeting of the was formed and it romped home with victory in the held at Haifa, on ‘The elections and the first ever non-Congress Government tasks of Social Democracy in Asia’. at the Centre came into existence. However, it is a pity that Asoka, who had contested in all the general The ideology of Asoka elections held till then, did not contest the elections in 1977. Asoka’s first tryst with ideology was with Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian Freedom Movement. Freedom It was most appropriate that in December 1977, the struggle filled the air then. A young man of21, Janata Government appointed him as the Chairman Asoka plunged in the Civil Disobedience Movement of a committee to recommend rejuvenation of launched by Mahatma Gandhi. Freedom hence was the Panchayat Raj institutions in the country. The the first beacon light that beckoned young Asoka. Committee submitted its report in august 1978 and And it remained a beacon light that guided him in his made 132 recommendations to revive and strengthen political life throughout. the Panchayat Raj System. It recommended among other things, a two tier system with Mandal Though Asoka participated in the movement Panchayats at the bottom acting as growth centres, launched by Mahatma Gandhi and courted arrest and and all tiers with powers of taxation and participation was jailed, unlike all other socialists of the time, he 12 JANATA, November 13, 2011 was a sympathetic critic of Gandhi’s ideas. His very that a group of men understands the march of history first publication, which was as early as in 1934, was, better than the people themselves, this belief in a Socialism and Gandhism in which he characterised totalitarian philosophy is responsible for the splitting Gandhism as a reactionary strain of romanticism. up of the socialist movement. The little Marxes that However, after a better understanding of Gandhi, strut about the world, in their megalomania, fritter Asoka had the intellectual honesty to admit that such away the strength of socialism”. characterisation was a mistake. He later characterised Gandhism as conservative classicism. He admits that For Asoka, democracy was the very heart of it took twenty years for him to unlearn his mistake. socialism. He said “We cannot conceive of socialism He came to consider Gandhi as the greatest Indian outside the framework of democracy. Democracy and utopian and said that in Gandhi, utopianism was Socialism together, and only as two together, make epitomised at its highest and the best. In Gandhi and that ideal that we all seek to realise. The two cannot Vinoba, Asoka saw the utopian socialist thought in be divorced.” Then he went on to say that “economic India reaching its highest watermark. But then Asoka equality is the necessary link that joins socialism counted Gandhi in the Proudhon-Kropotkin tradition with democracy”. “Socialism”, he said, “was the of anarchism while he considered Nehru as having culmination of political equality that democracy opted for social democracy. prescribed... Hence, till 1914, the socialists prided on calling themselves social democrats thereby viewing Asoka’s second tryst with ideology was in the socialism as the crowning attribute of democracy..... Nasik Jail. There he met Marxists like JP, Nanasaheb It was only after the World War 1… that adherents Goray and others. All these men were fired with of social democracy hastened to rechristen their Marxism and the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia. It movement democratic socialism, thereby making is interesting that in spite of spending two and a half democracy an attribute of socialism, rather than the years with them in the Nasik Jail, Asoka emerged other way about under social democracy” from the prison a democratic socialist who was not enamoured of Marxism but of democracy and For Asoka, democracy was not merely a parliament socialism which made him a thorough democratic elected once in five years. Here he borrowed a leaf socialist. Thus Equality became his second guiding from the anarchists. His vision of democracy was beacon light. This conviction in, and commitment to, one of decentralisation. For him decentralisation the ideology of democratic socialism also remained with him throughout his political life. was also a precondition of liberty. His concept of decentralisation was not limited to geographical It was the love for freedom of staunch Marxists decentralisation like some other socialist leaders like JP and Acharya Narendra Deva and the sought to advocate. He said “There may be the democratic spirit of Asoka which made him work in Parliament at the centre, but below it there must harmony with them in the CSP in spite of ideological be State Assemblies, District Boards, Village differences. His harmonious relations with Marxists Panchayats, Co-operatives, Ward Committees, and in the CSP and his staunch opposition to the Community Centres. Their respective powers have communists, was the realisation in him of the third to be allotted and satisfactorily dovetailed. Such is normative ideal of democratic socialism, Fraternity. the pulsating fabric of a democratic state”. Thus Soon, Minoo Masani who had connections with Asoka’s concept of decentralisation had both vertical the Communist Party and was also in the Nasik jail and horizontal dimensions. It was multi-dimensional. joined Asoka’s ideology of democratic socialism. That the CSP, which called itself a Marxist party in He dovetailed this decentralised democracy with 1934, abandoned Marxism and accepted democratic development. He conceived panchayats not only as socialism as its creed in a span of about a decade is a decentralised units of governance but also as catalysts tribute to Asoka Mehta. of growth and development. He conceived ‘mandal panchayats’ as the rural growth centres. According Though he worked with Marxists inside the to him “A nucleus of villages with the central village Congress Socialist Party, he was very critical of emerging as the focal point, to which surrounding Marxism and the Communists. He blamed them for villages respond and react and from which modern the split in the socialist movement. He said “The fond facilities would radiate, would provide a better belief that a group of men has a patent in revolution, model for development and growth”. JANATA, November 13, 2011 13

Political compulsions of a backward economy However, though this equation was based on ideology and not on power, a section of the socialists Soon after attaining independence, Asoka realized whose political equation was based on power were that the task of uplifting India was a stupendous very critical of Asoka’s views. They argued that the one. He said that developing a backward economy parties in opposition ought to get together and defeat required mobilisation of resources through the party in power whatever the respective ideologies. augmenting of savings at a high rate. Asoka gave This logic gave birth to the anti-Congressism of the example of taxation to prove his point. He said Lohia in which the Socialists were called upon to “Taxation in India absorbs between seven to eight per join forces with the communists, communalists and cent of the national income. For adequate expansion the capitalists who were in the opposition ranks, to of development and welfare activities, it has been oust the Congress from power. Thus while Asoka’s calculated that 35 per cent of the gross national political beliefs led him to the Congress party, the income has to be in the hands of the government. political beliefs of his opponents among socialists Would any government dare to raise, in its tenure of led them into the lap of the communalist forces and power, taxation four to five fold?” resulted in strengthening of such forces and their coming to power with Lohia's followers as the dumb The opposition parties, to strengthen themselves, spectators on the fringe.. tend to oppose the moves by government. Afraid of the opposition and for want of commitment, Development oriented democratic the ruling party hesitates to take bold steps. The decentralisation existence of communists and communalists in the form of parliamentary and political opposition Asoka had said “because economics of socialism compels the people to believe that the only choice tends to be centralising, its politics must be is between conservatism and chaos which endangers democratic and decentralised and culture liberating, the very concept of social change through democratic if the tensions between freedom and organisation are processes. Then people start believing that only to achieve a vital equipoise.” But then could not the a dictatorship can bring about social changes in a economics of socialism also tend to be decentralised. backward economy. Asoka set about the task of decentralising the economics of socialism. Asoka’s solution to this dilemma was: by pushing the opposition to the fringes the base of If India lived in villages, the rural development the government should be widened so that it could assumed urgent importance. But which was the move forward and strengthen the pluralist forces in agency to bring about rural development? Gram the government. We should ensure that, even if not Panchayats with participation of the people in the by law, at least by convention, a government lasts developmental process were the obvious choice. But longer. Criticism should be confined to the normal then they were weak administratively and financially. democratic methods and opposition different from criticism would be confined to the few who are The total receipts of Gram Panchayats in India opposed to the very fundamental principles of the even in 1976-77 were of the order of about Rs. 113 state. crores – on an average Rs. 5000 per panchayat. The average however is a deceptive figure hiding wide Hence Asoka said: we cannot co-operate with disparities. The average for Kerala was over Rs. the communists and communalists, only because 1,10,000 while that for Uttar Pradesh was Rs. 640. they are also in the opposition like us. If so, the The income of all panchayats from all sources works logic demands that we should co-operate with a out to 61 paise per capita per annum in Uttar Pradesh. party which is nearer to us in ideology, even if that The 5300 block centres were too few and far and party were to be in power and the socialists in the the 2,40,000 panchayats were totally uneconomic opposition. Hence Asoka’s insistence on searching and impractical. The appropriate level would be for areas of agreement with the Congress party. somewhere in between. These, he said, were the political compulsions of a backward economy. This thinking gave birth to the concept of 14 JANATA, November 13, 2011

Mandal Panchayats which would not only be viable institutions but will also act as rural growth centres. A nucleus of villages with the central village emerging as the focal point, to which surrounding villages respond and react and from which modern facilities would radiate, would provide a better model for development and growth. And to strengthen these institutions Asoka wanted them to have powers of taxation to mobilise their own resources.

People’s participation required that the Panchayat Raj Institutions should be democratic, that they should be elected by the people. Hence Asoka wanted elections to the Panchayat Raj Institutions. He said “Elections constitute a process of social churning. They help to break down, in some measure, the hold of traditional decision makers. They progressively enable the poor to make use of their numbers to exert influence on developmental process. Some people are fond of fostering unanimous choices. to twine some of my significant impressions into It is fondly assumed that such unanimity would a wreath’, ‘though long was the night of slavery, strengthen community spirit in the village and help and arduous the twilight of the struggle’, ‘cultural developmental work. Unanimity circumscribes discontinuity converted social rhythms into jerks and the power of the poor that resides in their number, cut circles into segments’, ‘cut lanes of lucidity into unfettered elections are likely to enable the poor to the labyrinthine corridors of customs and habits’, come into their own”. ‘turn the single tomed beads of irritation into a rosary of despair’, ‘fluidity in the meaning of words He said “More the number of persons that creates a crisis in communication’, ‘the pot of gold at find themselves in positions of responsibility, the foot of the rainbow’, ‘life’s lotus is many layered less irresponsible will politics become. Political and every petal is precious’, ‘the connoisseurs of workers would find places where they can earn their misery exploit cynically the hungers and frustrations spurs and make a mark in constructive as distinct in men and adorn reason with cap and bells’. This from agitational politics. By democratising local poetic prose induced Acharya himself to write government we would be strengthening the roots of poetically: “These are but a few fragrant flowers we democracy in the country also”. have ventured to cull from a garden full of them”. What better tribute could one expect than that from a The Poet who wrote in prose person of the stature of Acharya Kripalani. Perhaps in Asoka, what the socialist movement gained, the In addition to having the brain of a theoretician literary field lost. Asoka also had the heart of a poet - a rare combination. His prose writings had glimmers of poetry. Referring Asoka contested the general elections held in 1980 to Asoka’s presidential address to the Socialist from Surat constituency but could not win. Calling Party’s annual conference held at Madras, Acharya it a day, Asoka retired from active politics. He was Kripalani, wrote: “Sri Asoka Mehta’s presidential conferred the degrees of Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) and address makes delightful reading. The style, superbly Doctor of Literature (D.Litt.), (honoris causa) for his ornate, is almost Tagorean in its conceits. It is full erudition and scholarship by many Universities. of unusual similes and metaphors. In the use of alliteration it is oriental. It has plenty of, to borrow Carrying a fragile body afflicted with asthma, but its own language, ‘mirrors in cadenced prose’... a fecund mind, all his life, Asoka Mehta silently ..Here are some beautiful gems: ‘I have laboured disappeared from the Indian socialist firmament ….in the vineyard of Socialism and I would like on 17th January 1985. JANATA, November 13, 2011 15

Books and Report by Asoka Mehta 1. Socialism & Gandhism : Congress Socialist Pub. Co., 1935 2. The Communal Triangle in India : with Achyut Patwardhan : Kitabistan, 1942 3. The Simla Triangle: A projection of the Communal Triangle, with Kusum Mair : Padma Publications, 1945. 4. 1857 - The Great Rebellion : Hind Kitabs, 1946 5. Our Shipping : with C.G.K.Reddy, : Padmaja Publications, 1947. 6. The Revolt in Indonesia : with Pinakin Patel, Indonesia (Republic, 1947-1949) 7. Towards Socialism : Socialist Party (India), 1949 8. We accuse the INTUC : Hind Mazdoor Sabha, 1949 9. Piper and the Tune : Socialist Party, 1949 10. Scheme prepared by Asoka Mehta - Labour Research Bureau: 1949 : Victory Printing Press, 1949 11. Economic Consequences of Sardar Patel : 1949 12. China, the Pathfinder? : Socialist Party, 1949: 13. India and Pakistan : with Jayaprakash Narayan and Rammanohar Lohia : Socialist Party, 1950 14. Who owns India? : Chetana Prakashan, 1950 15. Straws In The Wind - An analysis of trends of public opinion as revealed by recent by- elections : Socialist Party, 1951 16. Foreign Policy - A Socialist View : Socialist Party, 1951 17. Democratic Socialism : (1951) 18. The Political Mind of India - An analysis of the results of the general elections – 1952. 19. Politics of Planned Economy : Chetana Prakashan, 1953 20. Socialism and Peasantry : Praja Socialist Party, 1953 21. Inside Lok Sabha : Socialist Book Centre, 1955 22. Studies in Socialism : (1956). 23. Report of the Foodgrains Enquiry Committee : 1957 24. Problems of Planning : Socialist Book Centre, 1959 25. Soviet Aid to India : NATO letters. 1961 26. Tasks of Social Democracy in Asia : Praja Socialist Party, 1961 27. The Future of Indian Cities : National issues and goals :1962 28. Report of the Powerloom Enquiry Committee : May 1964 29. The Politics of Poverty - Planning Commission, 1965 30. The Indian Experiment : Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, 1965 31. The Plan: Perspective and Problems: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, 1966. 32. Ideological and Political Framework of India : University of Hawaii, 1966 33. Fifty Years of Social Change : University of Puerto Rico, Graduate Program of Planning, 1966 34. The Economic Revolution of Our Time : Panjab University, Publication Bureau, 1966 35. Khadi and Village Industries Committee Report, February 1968 36. Economic Planning in India : Young India Publication, 1970 37. Non-alignment Today : University of Poona, 1971 38. India in the Changing World : Servants of the People Society, 1973 39. India Today : Lala Lajpatirai Memorial Lecture, S.Chand. 1974 40. Perception of Asian Personality : S.Chand. 1978 41. A Decade of Indian Politics - 1966-77 : S.Chand. 1979. 42. Rural Development and Democratic Decentralisation : Bangalore University, 1979. 43. Rural Development and Rural Poor : Commerce Publications Ltd., 1980 44. Changing Alignments in Asia : Banyan Publications,1986 45. Struggle for Independence : 1996 46. Indian Shipping : A case study of the working of imperialism : N.T.Shroff. 47. Need to Reshape the Plan : National House, 48. Reflections on Socialist Era : S.Chand & Co. 49. The C.S.P., the “Reds” & Roy : Congress Socialist Party 50. You and the Vote : Socialist Party 16 JANATA, November 13, 2011

GANNON DUNKERLEY & CO., LTD. (An ISO 9001 – 2000 Company)

REGISTERED OFFICE

NEW EXCELSIOR BUILDING, 3RD FLOOR, A.K. NAYAK MARG, FORT, MUMBAI – 400 001

TEL: 91-22-22051231, FAX: 91-22-22051232

Website: gannondunkerley.com

E-mail: [email protected]

GANNONS ARE SPECIALISTS IN INDUSTRIAL STRUCTURES, ROADS, BRIDGES (RCC AND PRESTRESSED CONCRETE), RAILWAY TRACKS, THERMAL POWER, FERTILIZER, CHEMICAL, PAPER AND CEMENT PLANTS, WATER & WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANTS, PILING FOUNDATION & FOUNDATION ENGINEERING.

GANNONS ARE ALSO PIONEERS IN MATERIAL HANDELING WORKS, MANUFACTURE OF PRESTRESSED CONCRETE SLEEPERS, ERECTION OF MECHANICAL EQUIPMENTS & PIPING AND SUPPLY OF TEXTILE MACHINERY AND LIGHT ENGINEERING ITEMS.

OFFICES AT:

AHMEDABAD - CHENNAI - COIMBATORE - HYDERABAD KOLKATA - MUMBAI - NEW DELHI JANATA, November 13, 2011 17 The Politics of Poverty

Asoka Mehta

It is not often that the words of the poor, emerging history, have fattened on the misery of the poor. The out of the bowels of their poverty, are captured in poor have only one vested interest; it is the vested their glowing authenticity. Recently, however, I interest in change. came across a book, Child of the Dark, written by a slum-dweller in Sao Paulo. In that opulent city, the The Jeffersonian vision of a rural democracy, articulate outcaste cries out in her despair: of self-sufficient agriculturists, owning their homesteads, has often inspired national leaders. “Brazil needs to be led by a person who has But such a society implies a vast expanse of arable known hunger. Hunger is also a teacher . . . . land capable of taking care of not just the existing Those who govern our country are those who population, but also of its future growth. Where land have money, who do not know what hunger is, is limited, diminutive farms, even if they could be or pain or poverty.” carved out, would not open up any dimension of change. Growth potential has to be coaxed out of the This searing prayer of Carolina Maria de Jesus economy, if social transformation is to be ensured. has been answered in our country: we have as Prime Minister a person who has known hunger The thrusts of technological change cannot be and poverty, who has had them as his teachers. We held back; even in Jefferson’s America, arcadian may therefore, talk with some confidence about the life faded before it bloomed. Where the pressure politics of poverty. of population on land was heavy and kept growing, and technological possibilities leading to economic In fact, concern with poverty has been at the diversification had not yet opened, ideal communities heart of our politics ever since the days of Dadabhai were thought of in terms of the immense out-pouring Naoroji. A principal justification of our national of moral energy of men. Today, it seems possible to liberation movement had been the aggravation of poverty that foreign rule brought about by the drain work out social and economic transformation without of our resources and its inability to remove the demanding abiding presence of moral incandescence squalor and want of centuries. in every person.

Our poverty, however, is not merely of the body. It Karl Marx saw the emancipation of man at the is at once a poverty of spirit, body and mind, having end of the road travelled by industrial growth and its roots in our social system, our economic apparatus economic change. Where these changes had already and our culture. Our situation borders on desperation occurred, he demanded socio-political changes, and because these three different roots of poverty have where they were yet to occur, he sought political interacted and reinforced one another. upheavals that would sponsor the missing economic growth. In the former case, it could be a dictatorship The poor have rarely found entry in the corridors of the proletariat involving the dominance of the of power. In the Old World, the poor, for countless many over the few; in the latter case, it has invariably centuries, were totally excluded from the processes proved to be the tutelage of the many by the few. of power. In the New World, the expanding frontier was the one escape available to the energetic among Reweaving the fabric of existence the poor. The vast mass of the people in any country, before industrial transformation is brought about, are When the poor are given democratic powers, will the rural poor. They naturally hunger for land and they end up with the accent on distributive justice have often turned against the landlords; they have and acquiescence in economic stagnation? Or will yearned for expanding credit and distrust bankers they trigger growth with the other changes that they and merchants. The money changers, throughout seek?

Feroze Gandhi Memorial lecture delivered in 1965 18 JANATA, November 13, 2011

If politics of poverty has any potency it would we have already exhausted. These possibilities leap seek to narrow the gulf between the rich and the poor forth only when the traditional bounds are overcome, - always wider in underdeveloped countries than in that is when new tools and techniques, new skills and the developed countries. Will it also strive for the scientific understanding, are brought to agriculture. accumulation of capital (always painful) to initiate It means constantly altering and improving the and push through structural changes in the processes human element in agriculture, as also improving and of production themselves? Are the poor solely altering the material bases provided by land, water concerned with the relations of production, or, also, and other inputs in agriculture. and even more, with the forces of production, whose suppression in the world of today is a greater crime Every Indian cannot be assured the simple bread against the poor than the embedded inequalities? and rough cloth that he seeks to appease his hunger and cover his nakedness with, unless we strive to Very few nations are willing to face these bring to him a modicum of education, a deepening elemental challenges. Ours is among the select of industrialisation and a host of associated changes and the most exposed. Through our action and our in transport, credit, marketing and other institutions. understanding we are weaving new patterns in the If it is foolish to juxtapose bread against freedom, tapestry of history. it is equally futile to counterpose a basket of bread against a basket of wider achievements . There is no escaping for any country from the stress and thrust of transformation. That requires Twin requirements conscious and determined leadership, whether the process is democratic or otherwise. The main task Even where politics of the poor focuses on food is to correct the imbalances - for example, between alone, it will be still necessary to produce enough population and resources, between educated men food grains - there is a great deal of unsatisfied and the jobs available to them - and that requires hunger in our land - and to provide employment and the assertion of will and capacity in the society. It earnings to the hungry to enable them to secure their further demands activisation and energisation of the share of food. These twin requirements demand a people. Where the process is democratic - if it is not great amount of development efforts and transfer of another name for apathy - the leadership will have resources from the better off to the under-privileged to evince deeper dedication and the people greater and needy, which is complicated social engineering. understanding, in brief, profounder commitment. Nation after nation has faced the task of Even granting that there are many routes to transformation with varying degrees of awareness economic welfare, certain critical tasks remain and purpose. As years have gone, what could have constant. These challenges - or dilemmas, if you been attempted through incremental changes, that is prefer that word - can be reduced to four inter- accelerated changes, but along the same lines, have related problems: First, the people must somehow given place to structural or fundamental changes - accumulate capital, saved from the rigours of where the known dimensions themselves have to be subsistence economy; a surplus that needs to be altered. We have now reached a further stage, where invested to energise productive activities. Secondly, constant changes have to be accepted and absorbed. agriculture has to be revolutionised. Without that The whole concept of stability is thus revolutionised. neither man nor materials needed for further growth That society alone is stable that develops capacity to can come nor can the basic needs of the many live with change. millions be met. Thirdly, the nation has to encourage alterations in men and institutions; in cultural mores Bread and other things too and the folkways. Fourthly, these changes have to be channelled into the process of industrialisation It might be argued that politics of the poor is simple because that way alone new tools and techniques - theirs is the quest for bread. In our conditions, the emerge to augment and diversify production, that is, ineluctable fact is that either we do not get bread improve productivity and thus, lift levels of living. at all, or we get bread and other things too. Bread, to use a convenient symbol, is plentiful only when There is an inescapable relationship between agriculture is bountiful. Within the traditional improvement in life and augmentation in investment confines of agricultural production, the possibilities in the economy. Professor Colin Clark has offered a of growth are limited, and a considerable part of them workable rule of thumb: JANATA, November 13, 2011 19

“It is only insofar as the rate of investment we accept austere standards for the elite, our exceeds the rate of population increase consumption claims will eat into savings, abridge multiplied by four that anything will be left for and erode investments and multiply the miseries of industrialisation or for raising standards of real the poor. There is nothing more unsettling for the income.” submerged people as they seek openings of progress than the “demonstration effect” of ostentatious In India, today, our population increases at almost living. Non-basic consumption, which embraces in 2.5 percent per year. The rate of saving in our our country today not just the luxuries and frivolities economy, today, is 10.5 per cent. This means that we of the rich but the comforts and convenience of the are still hovering at the edge of stagnation. We have middle classes, has not just an unsettling effect on to lower our birth rate - shall we attempt to halve it in the poor, but also weakens the surge of growth and a little over a decade? On the other side, we have to slackens the efficiency of those whom we want to step up our savings and investment to 20 per cent in a draw into more productive pursuits. Politics of the decade or so. Such a two-pronged attack would open poor, from any rational point of view, cannot seek a up possibilities wherein the people would experience flat sharing of poverty but has to work for the priority the glow of change, and improvement in their living of investment over non-basic consumption which conditions. Politics of poverty that overlooks these eats into the possibilities of employment, together basic efforts are, in reality, ineffective, shadow with the provision of basic consumption to the politics. millions. Men who wish to avoid becoming victims of uncontrolled social change must consciously Food for all involves, if not for production, organise the change themselves. certainly for the possibilities of consumption, universal employment. These simple objectives The ultimate solvent demand far-reaching developmental efforts and social changes. A recent survey has confirmed that Economic growth is the ultimate solvent of our the pattern of distribution of income in the rural poverty, want, and gross misery. The growth, in our households is such that the bottom 30 per cent of them conditions, remains impeded without the widening have an income (10.58 per cent) which is almost that social changes. Welfare of the people, I would like of the top one per cent (8.87 per cent). Half the rural to emphasise, is the end result of growth and change households have an income (22.48 per cent) that is and not a substitute for either of the two. Shall we almost the same as that accruing to the top 5 per cent deny education to our young people, shall we evade (19.50 per cent). Even when agricultural production provision of productive skills to them, because we goes up, the marketable surpluses are apt to accrue resent imposts to finance those activities? Should to the larger holders of land. If these surpluses are provision of drinking water for the people be put off to be made available to the poorer sections of the to permit us our comforts? Can India of our dreams villages, they must be assured of earnings. Those emerge where each one seeks an island of security in earnings - arising from investments - have to be the whirling sea of deepening want? Can the islands balanced by savings if inflation is to be avoided. remain safe against the irresistible waves of change? Our rural sector is large, almost half of our national income comes from it, and experience the world over We have been depending on external assistance shows that economic transformation does involve for reaching a 13 per cent rate of investment in our imposts on the rural people, hence the outlays will economy even when our savings account for only have to be balanced by savings from the top layers of 10.5 per cent of the national income. I believe that as agricultural households. Half the agricultural income the poor have a claim over the resources of the rich, flows to 20 per cent of the rural households. Surely so also poor nations can seek aid from rich nations, the rest, 80 per cent, cannot experience change unless if the concept of world community has any meaning the burdens are adjusted - whether in terms of a grain and world peace is to abide. There is another reason tax or other forms of imposts upon the better placed. also, which we may not emphasise but that we should not ignore. The reason is crisply stated by William In the urban industrial sector inequalities are McCord in his book, The Springtime of Freedom: sharper. Again, the managerial elite insists upon having standards comparable to those in the West. “In essence, the developing nation of today At the stage of development where we are today, in subsidised Europe as it began its economic no country were these comforts provided. Unless advance (through the Colonial Drain); surely, 20 JANATA, November 13, 2011

this fact alone indicates that Western aid today is to achieve sustained momentum, it will have to should be regarded not as a sentimental gift, but be stoked by social change. It is not ideology that a just return on investment.” leads us to lay accent on social change - that is, hewing down of economic inequalities and of social As international peace cannot survive if rich privileges - but the demographic and sociological nations ignore the needs of poor nations: ultimately, facts that are stubborn and intractable. they would have to spend far more of their resources in money and men in combating wars and disturbances In some countries economic growth opens up than is needed for fostering economic change; so a margin of welfare and so permits muffing or also within our country, if the upper sections of the delaying of social change. In India, the growth itself society resent the demands of development on their is a function of the change - the latter enables and earnings, the resources they will ultimately have to triggers the former. Our conditions, compared to the find to maintain civil peace will be perhaps more. general run of things the world over, are far from Tragically, the resources diverted to peace-keeping, normal. They are in fact critical, because we have no international or social, add little to the progress of margin of tolerance. We are, because of our abject man. By resisting the worthwhile, often one is driven poverty and massive numbers, the world’s ultimate to succumb to the worthless. proletariat.

It is the logic of development that those that This then is my answer to a nagging question in have tend to get more. The rich nations will be able you - whether I plead for national politics or class to use constantly new technology and augment politics. For me the two are one. We need community their resources faster than poorer countries. In the consciousness and community solidarity to salvage developing countries, regions that have moved ourselves. It is not enough to have an open society forward will progress faster than the sluggish and that we claim to build, it is necessary to have the stagnant. The existing industrial corporate communitarian attitude and approach. A century concerns in our country, for instance, will have about of experience has made obsolete the controversy Rs.1,050 crores of depreciation funds and Rs.900 between national politics and class politics even in crores of retained profits, etc., during the Fourth the wider world. Each has to inform the other. Even Plan period. They will thus expand and proliferate. if we opt for class politics, a ruling stratum will It is this characteristic of growth that validates the principle of redistribution, of transfer of resources emerge. That stratum will get panoplied in privileges from the better placed to the badly set. This is the unless it retains its sense of purpose and dedication. raison de’etre of welfare economics everywhere. In Only that leadership will be able to lift our grinding a country like India, just the elementary needs of the poverty that has luminous purpose and dedication. people - food and work - require stringent transfers The objective constraints that operate on us will of resources. Even when one reduces the content of permit escape to none. Subjective response that has welfare to the bare minimum and consciously links it come cannot be confined to politics alone; it has to be with growth activities, the need for transfers remains a product of the ethos as a whole. massive, because the humanity to be reclaimed from utter morass of want is staggering in its numbers. In no country did new forces stir and burgeoning follow until there was intellectual unrest and cultural Accent on social change efflorescence. To challenge the old and articulate the new, is the essential intellectual prerequisite Elsewhere it was possible to choose between of economic and social growth. In our inherited economic growth and social change. It was also culture there are many elements that enrich us and possible to arrange them in some sequential must abide. But to seek the fruits of science and relationship. In India, if growth is pursued by itself, technology one has to adjust oneself to the structure it will never gather strength. Its ambit will remain of modernity. These cultural stirrings have to reach narrow and precarious. For a short while enclaves out to the poor if they are to become active agents, of development and prosperity will emerge, but and not passive objects of history. It is necessary they, lacking spread-effect, will remain insecure. to impart freshness and fecundity to their cultural The modern sector of the economy will reach limits awareness. To paraphrase Marx, it is not necessary of expansion if the traditional sectors do not grow, for the culture of the poor to suffer from poverty of that is, expand and modernise. If economic growth culture! JANATA, November 13, 2011 21

Penumbra of politics India, have a long row to hoe, before the dead crust of centuries is transformed into soil that laughs with You are by now, I know, probably thoroughly golden harvest. Given the key role of leadership in outraged. What has this hocus-pocus of planning to economic growth process, political change itself do with politics, whose substance we know is drawn becomes an area of conscious action. Development from caste and community, from local grievances that would enable poverty to be overcome requires and regional peculiarities, from personal frustrations interaction among political, cultural and economic and group antipathies? I plead guilty to the charge factors. Even the narrow question of mobilising - but only partially. Politics always operates in its additional capital for economic growth is made peculiar penumbra. Intransigence and intractability possible only by a determined leadership. It is clear of limited loyalties are among the operational media that what development needs is not only consensus, of political action. That is so not just in India but the nor pure coercion, but a consensus-coercion- world over. Again, it is not a bane of politics alone, continuum: a widespread consensus that does not it is inherent, instinct, in all group life: Lord Buddha hesitate to coerce the intransigent when necessary. had to expel a close disciple from his nascent Sangh, Jesus Christ was betrayed with a kiss to the Roman The poor have to continuously precipitate the legions by his immediate associate. Socrates was crisis - of conscience and of politics. Once Gandhiji given hemlock by his fellow citizens. made it impossible for us to acquiesce in subjection. Likewise, the meaningful politics of today has to Group affiliations and aspirations will always make it impossible to acquiesce in mass poverty operate politics. But they have to be suffused with and gross inequalities. As those who sought to understanding, endowed with purpose and direction. escape from the crisis that Gandhiji precipitated lost That is the real essence of politics. A voter votes on significance in the land, so must those who escape to myriad differing considerations, but when the votes their islands of security forfeit the confidence of the are counted a certain pattern of opinion is revealed. It people. It took nearly thirty years of determination is that pattern of opinion and understanding one has and dedication to achieve political freedom; given to influence and shape, though none can organise the the same determination, it should not take more than wayward impulses behind every vote. India’s politics twenty years to ensure for us economic freedom. is “of scarcity,” as Myron Weiner has aptly described it. Politics of scarcity can easily degenerate into The lever of development politics of scramble. Such politics can only damage the poor; scramble would aggravate the difficulties Those who accept these insights and and it is the weak and the vulnerable who would understanding as crucial and vital for the nation suffer the backlash. The poor have a greater need for will turn their energies to institutional innovations planning than the privileged because without such and constructive politics that would give the needed efforts economic growth, to the extent there is, will direction and dimension to the poor man’s unfolding tend to be beneficial to the latter. When scarcity rules understanding and efforts. Politics will then mean not the lives of the people, the need for a clear focus, playing musical chairs in stagnation, but activising deeper understanding and collective discipline is the escalator of development and change. Austerity inescapable. and Egality will be viewed not as irksome burdens but as expressions of community solidarity and Politics of poverty implies a deeper understanding adjuncts of development. We shall be then not lost and specific orientation. It requires involvement in in weaving the cocoon of frustration around us, but social change by closest association with those whom in discovering in shared efforts the satisfaction of Gurudev Tagore called, “the lowliest and the lost.” It creative transformation. Politics of poverty can mean is the return to the worship of God as poor as Gandhiji merely messing about in the morass of stagnation, it envisioned it. Any lesser politics is shadow boxing can also mean occasional explosions of mass anger. on the brink of a precipice. The poor, just because But we can, if we only will, make it the decisive of their poverty, will not automatically discover the hammer of history that can shape for our people the path to transformation. Pandering to their prejudices, destiny that we dream of. A nation cannot be built even those emanating from injustice and raw wants, on unproductive toil, parochial loyalties, and misery will not release the dynamism required for effective that has come to be realised as remediable injustice. deliverance. The effort needed is not brief and The leaders that have left us have given us the vision. dramatic but sustained and purposive. The poor, in It is for us to enshrine it in our life. 22 JANATA, November 13, 2011 JANATA, November 13, 2011 23 Indian Agriculture and Asoka Mehta

T.N. Prakash Kammardi

Indian Growth brides for their marriage alliance ! -Paradigms and Contradictions It is not in terms of mere socio-economic As its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has crossed parameters that our agriculture is lagging behind, Rupees 45 lakh crores, India has joined the startling but as a sector it is facing severe crisis. The agrarian club of trillion dollar economies that comprise a crisis in India is so deep that the peasantry, unable to few countries such as USA, China and Japan. With bear with it, have been resorting to most unfortunate a comfortable annual growth rate of around 8-9 and tragic decision of ending their precious lives. percent in GDP, it is being described as one of the According to the National Crime Records Bureau, fastest growing economies in the world. While the around two lakhs of Indian farmers have ended their developed world is caught up deeply with the woes lives since 1997, or roughly 46 Indian farmers kill of financial meltdown and recession, India is not only themselves every day or one suicide almost every 30 sustaining its growth momentum, but also helping minutes! What is equally sad is the occurrence of the world economy to recover from its present crisis. more suicides in the case of farmers who are socio- Even in terms of plain economic indicators such as culturally forward, market oriented and growing number of High Net-worth Individuals, billionaires commercial crops with assured irrigation rather than to concrete macro economic parameters such as the by the traditional farmers in the dry regions growing growth of share market, inflow of FDI to export food crops. For instance, in Karnataka more suicides earnings, India’s achievement is equally striking. occurred in districts such as Coorg, Shimoga, Chickamagulore and Hassan which are ranked But, let us get into the agriculture to know what very high in terms of health, education and human is happening to the core component of the economy development indices. And hence these districts in India. No dearth of facts to prove how backward are included under Prime Minister’s Vidharbha is our agriculture. Productivity of our major crops package assistance to mitigate the problems of is abysmally low compared not only with that of farmers’ suicides during 2006. It may be a mismatch developed countries but also with the comparable between socio-cultural forwardness and economic neighbor like China. In spite of continued policy backwardness, in terms of low crop productivity, low supports and recurrent program initiatives, the so- income and indebtedness that might have pushed the called four percent growth in the agriculture is as farmers in to the deep crises and compelled them to elusive as anything. Government reports in recent take this unfortunate decision. years have admitted, without any hesitation, that agriculture in a state like Karnataka is not at all Our intelligentsia is so handicapped that it is unable remunerative. This has not only exacerbated the even to comprehend this paradox of phenomenal perennial problem of urban migration but has also growth in the economy and the pathetic situation in given rise to peculiar social problems in the country- agriculture, let alone find a way out of this situation. side. As the men folk migrate to the cities, the responsibility of cultivating the land falls on women. Overloaded Considerations and Obligations This gave rise to a curious situation, which noted agriculture and food policy analyst, Dr. Devender There is a still larger mismatch which is Sharma describes as ‘feminization of agriculture’ in fundamental and needs to be understood critically India. The socio-economic status of the agriculture here. The so-called growth in the industry and community has so regressed that the youth from service sectors, predominately belonging to private rural background find it difficult even to get suitable segment and corporate bodies is totally ‘market led’ Dr. T.N. Prakash Kammardi is Professor of Agricultural Economics, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore. 24 JANATA, November 13, 2011 rather than government sponsored. The motivating situation, as the price of a produce, at best, could factor behind the market led growth is the economic reflect its cost of production and a normal margin, if efficiency, with the sole aim of profit maximization at all possible. And the consumer, being sovereign, and higher return. The growth in agriculture, on the enjoys the benefit of cheapest possible price for that other hand is being pursued under the mercy of the product. Though farm population forms major chunk State that too with overriding equity considerations of the consumers in a country like India, peasantry and social obligations. as a whole is disadvantaged on two counts. Firstly, their benefit of getting cheap product is netted out The agricultural land, the basic means of by being the producers of the same products that production, is under the ‘ceiling limit’, and hence receive the lowest possible price. Secondly, and distribution of land is governed by the broader rules more importantly, the markets for all products other of Land Reforms in India. Secondly, the prices than agricultural products, operate under ‘imperfect’ of the majority of agricultural commodities are situation. Under such a situation, the producers can ‘administered’ in the forms of Minimum Support exercise more power in pricing of the products and Price, Issue Price, Procurement Price and so on, in derive maximum possible profit. In such a peculiar order to ‘control’ their violent fluctuations and to and dichotomous market structure, an industrialist, a safeguard the larger interests of the consumers. And businessman, a barber and a cobbler, all are capable hence, the so-called profit or ‘surplus’, unlike in other of ‘making’ the prices of the product or service they sectors, has to pass through the rigorous scrutiny of provide, whereas the farmer is downgraded to the these considerations and obligations, constraining hopeless situation of absolute ‘price taker’. It is severely the magnitude of farm income in a country precisely for this reason, that those interventions like India. Equity considerations like MRTP to by the governments, from administered pricing to urban land ceiling that were prevalent earlier in centralized distribution of agricultural products, other sectors have been either diluted considerably however ill conceived and faulty may be, are or removed totally in order to facilitate unfettered designed to safeguard the interests of the farmers! growth of these sectors. Hence, the mismatch is more serious that highlights It is not the case that the market led growth the market led growth in secondary and tertiary didn’t enter Indian agriculture. In fact it has entered sectors at a phenomenal geometric proportion vis a in a somewhat perverse form. Take the case of vis the government sponsored growth in agriculture the commodity market, that rests on the wicked that is happening at a limping arithmetic proportion speculative trading, registered a massive growth in in India - the analogy that Prof. Malthus once used to value of around 14.56 lakh crore Rupees in 2010- describe the growth in population vis a vis sluggish 11 in India ! On the other hand, the share of the food production, long ago. poor Indian farmer in the booming economy is so minimal that he could not even keep his body and To make the situation worse, an additional soul together. Here again is the operation of another ‘obligation’, to supply not only cheaper food but form of cruel dichotomy. also healthy food through organic/natural method of farming has been imposed on our peasantry, Another peculiar feature of the market, though irrespective of whether it is profitable or not. desirable in the larger context, turns into a deterrent Recently, for instance, the farmers in Karnataka when the interest of the farmer is concerned. were asked to pledge that they woould not pollute Theoretically, the market for agricultural products the food and ecosystem, in front of none other than operates under more or less ‘perfectly competitive’ Dr. Abdul J Kalam, former President of India, in a situation. Under such a condition, the price is mammoth gathering at Bangalore, a couple of years determined by none other than the free operation of ago. Surprisingly, such impositions have come more demand and supply forces. And hence, in a perfectly from the civil society groups, communities and the competitive market the actual producer is relegated movements representing the farmers themselves in to the position of absolute ‘price taker’ for the the name of conservation (of soil, biodiversity and produce he or she produces. And again, from the ecosystem) rather than from the government or the point of view of society as a whole, this is a good markets ! Hence, the organic farming is, in a way, JANATA, November 13, 2011 25 a self-imposed compulsion for the cause of ‘others’ the texture of simple life in agriculture”. He strongly who live not only in the present but also in the future subscribes to the belief that ‘work is for life’ rather - who are not yet born ! The people’s movements and than to the inverted belief of ‘life is for work’. civil society agents are so deeply obsessed with the objective of long run sustainability, that they tend to Surprisingly, Mehta advocates that people should pursue it even at the cost of immediate social equity move from occupation to occupation rather than and the very survivability of the majority of farmers, confining to a single occupation. According to him, let alone giving adequate focus on their economic “satisfying work, variety of occupation, simple well being. wants amply met and deep friendship made through community of work, would be obvious results of It is not the purpose of this article to cast doubt associative life”. To assert this, he quotes a typical on the equity considerations and social obligations traditional farmer of a country none other than United that are inflicted on agriculture, nor to support such States of America! “The American farmer of today is an unfettered growth of industry and service sectors altogether a different sort of man from his ancestor in a country like India. Rather, it is intended to of fifty or hundred years ago. A great many men and evolve a heuristic framework wherein the market led women now living remember when farmers were growth occurs in agriculture too without diluting the largely manufacturers; that is to say, they made great equity considerations and social obligations. Such a many implements for their own use. Every farmer had system should also take care in the long run of the an assortment of tools with which he made wooden environmental sustainability objective. It is also implements, as forks and rakes, handles for his hoes equally important to visualize the ways and means and ploughs, spokes for his wagon, and various to make agriculture to imbibe the cherished values other implements made wholly out of wood. Then of socialism; freedom, equality and fraternity, by the farmer produces flax and hemp and wool and amicably balancing their trade off with the economic cotton. These fibers were prepared upon the farm; goals and the development objectives. An interplay they were spun into yarn, woven into cloth, made into and interactions of the government and market, the garments, and worn at home. Every farm had upon two most powerful institutions of modern democratic it a little shop for wood and iron work, and in the society, buttressed by strongly emerging civil dwelling were cards and looms; carpets were woven, society movements that represent the groups and the bed-clothing of different sort was prepared; upon communities, are very much required here. A fresh every farm geese were kept, their feathers used for approach, not swayed by either protagonist of free supplying the home-demand with beds and pillows, market economy or ideological fundamentalism of the surplus being disposed of at the nearest market left and socialists, is essential to break the deadlock town. During the winter season wheat and flour and of the contradictions and mismatches discussed corn meal were carried in large wagons drawn by above. This epistle is a modest attempt to address teams of six to eight horses a hundred or two hundred these issues by reflecting upon the thinking of the miles to market, and traded for farm supplies for the veteran socialist ideologue, Asoka Mehta with next year - groceries and dry goods. When winter renewed focus on co-operation and state planning, approached, the butchering season was at hand; meat that were ardently advocated by him. for family use during the next year was prepared and preserved in the smoke house. Wheat was threshed, Refreshing Thoughts a little at a time, just enough to supply the needs of the family for ready money and not enough to make Though Asoka Mehta did not deal in detail on it necessary to waste one stalk of straw. Everything agrarian issues, the way in which he had focused was saved and put to use. All these things were done on agriculture vis a vis industry is noteworthy here. among the farmers, and a large part of the expenses He clearly asserts, under the banner of ‘culture of was paid with products of the farm to others whose soil’, that “for wholesome life man defiantly needs assistance were sought. One of the results of that contact of soil”. By quoting eloquently the writings sort of economy was that comparatively a very small of Charles Fourier, he expresses his aversion to large amount of money was required to conduct the business scale industry and sees happiness that “inextricably of farming. A hundred dollars average probably was mixed with the soil of agriculture and woven in to as much as the largest farmers of that day needed in 26 JANATA, November 13, 2011 the way of cash to meet the demands of their farm “the most elaborate and exquisite pattern that is work, paying for hired help, repair of tools, and all being woven into the fabric of life stretched on the other incidental expenses” (Mehta, 1964). Mehta loom of time” (Mehta, 1951) He gives a call, in his ascertains that “not only a family should be engaged small but sweet book; ‘Studies in Socialism’. that in multiple productive activities, but the entire the “students of socialism can be fertile only if they village community must provide a whole complex of renew themselves continuously”, that “they have to services needed to peasant households”. be constantly enriched by fresh understandings”. He continues with an emphatic reminder that the Though it appears that he has advocated self “fruitful source of analysis is to be found in studying sufficient village communities, Mehta never hesitates the saga of socialism in terms of certain impulses, to acknowledge that “the picture drawn above their challenges and responses”. is ‘idealized’ which never existed except, for a fortunate few”. He also admits that such a self- Mehta, taking sufficient clues from both Robert sufficient village system would face the hardship of Owen and Fourier, constructs his thesis forcibly isolation. Elsewhere, as a pragmatic politician and on co-operative farming not only as a means of policy maker, he also admits the imperative of a emancipation of rural life but also to find the very village to produce more (surplus) for the market, in meaning and purpose of life by engaging in such an order to thwart a crisis that can confront the urban associative agriculture. Mehta, like other democratic people. This has been highlighted in a recent article socialists emphasized on associative life against by Heddurshetti (2011), while contrasting Gandhi’s rugged individualism, on co-operation against stand on self-sufficient village vis a vis that of Asoka competitive struggle among men for the means Mehta. Such a discussion centers around the core of of living. He goes to the extent of abandonment vital truth, that the “life of a peasant unites various of unregulated competition. His advocacy on activities together”. Nevertheless, such an insight co-operative association was empirically drawn into the traditional agriculture of a country like USA rather than speculatively formulated. He states that would definitely provide useful hints to understand, “socially healthy and psychologically satisfying if not to resolve, the crisis that has crept deeply into life can be developed in ‘associative’ agricultural the Indian agriculture. Such an assessment can also community that is neither so small as to restrict provide much needed moral boost to the desperate the range of occupation nor so large as to exceed farming community to seek a true agricultural way of man’s power of associative work”. He fixes the size life not only in India but also elsewhere in the world. at about 1600 persons cultivating 5000 acres of land As Minster of Planning, while initiating the debate under his scheme of an ideal co-operative farming on the Third Five Year Plan, Mehta also speaks association. However, Mehta was extremely careful of the challenges of achieving the development of forcible ‘collectivization’ of agricultural lands as without disrupting the continuity of the 5000 year was done in erstwhile USSR. He clearly sees that the old culture! At the end, he asserts that, in addition to small ownership (of land) is a source of satisfaction modernization of productive forces, productivisation and pride. To disrupt the umbilical cord that unites of traditional elements is also essential to achieve a a peasant with his land is to invite social tension. genuine development of a country like India. Through appropriate incentives and consensus, he believes that a genuine participative co-operative The Crusader of Co-operation association in agriculture can be established. And finally, Mehta, by looking at Israel-model of collective Asoka Mehta was a well read, genuine socialist farming, visualizes a new entrepreneurial type; called scholar with vast knowledge of the history of socialist ‘institutional entrepreneur’ to maximize societal movements and struggles across the world. In spite, welfare by manipulating the market possibilities on he confined himself mainly as a thinker and analyst the one hand and by drawing sufficient governmental rather than an advocate of socialist philosophy support on the other, so as to build a strong co- either through preaching or writing. Though he has operative agrarian system in a country like India. not written much, his writings, like that of Lohia, never lacked passion, rigor and romantism. For In addition to co-operative, Mehta strongly him, socialism was not a dry mass of ideology but advocated autonomous and self-sufficient villages JANATA, November 13, 2011 27 not only as basic units of administration to foster arrangement’. The majority of poor peasantry whose the development but also as building blocks at the holding-size is very small and uneconomical, and grassroots to revive the much needed community who lack irrigation and adequate resources could not spirit and solidarity, so as to usher the face-to- participate in the green revolution individually. So a face, genuine democracy. According to him, “the break through not only to enhance the agricultural village and craft must become the smallest social production but also to garner the legitimate share in organisms in which a person begins to learn the the market led economic growth, requires a strategy liberating lessons of society without oppressive for creating an effective ‘institutional reforms’ in weight of custom or cadres”. Mehta strongly asserts continuation of the ‘Land Reforms’. The desired that restructuring of village community alone can structural change can be achieved through ‘co- generate co-operation and the spirit of obligation operativisation of existing individual holdings’ in and consensus that would eventually help traditional line with what has been advocated by Asoka Mehta. elements to get productivised. In the Indian context, the term co-operative With these ideological deliberations and farming evokes the idea of broadly four different discourses, Asoka Mehta has demonstrated an types, namely, the Tenant Farming, the Better amazing capacity to delve deep into the human Farming, the Joint Farming and the Collective aspirations and the very purpose for which we all Farming societies. But from the Second Plan tend to live. For him “man is not an ill made machine onwards, the term cooperative farming was officially to be set right by an engineer, but a person with used to include only the latter two types. A joint vagrant desire, who in a well organized society can farming society is one which involves pooling and be the means of both wealth and weal”. And then, joint allocation of land, labour and other resources of he aptly recapitulates that “the innovating impulse the members, though they are entitled to retain their in man represented by the passion cabaliste, the individual ‘property right’. The gains from such a co- desire for intrigue and contriving, and the passion operative are distributed mostly in proportion to the papillone, the love for change is balanced by the share of resources - land and labor, of the members. passion composite, the desire for union” (with soil A ‘collective farming society’ is one which either and society). ‘leases-in’ land for joint cultivation or pools the land holdings of its members where their individual land Nothing can provide a better preamble than ownership titles are surrendered to the society. Such churning over the thoughts of Asoka Mehta not only a farm may also be initiated on government waste to find the way out for the present agrarian crisis land or vested or surplus land distributed by the but also to seek a means for happy and prosperous government. Members of collective farm are entitled agricultural way of life, in line with the socialist to product shares as ‘wage earners’. ideology. From the analysis of a few sporadic attempts on co- Co-operation in Agriculture operative farming societies since independence, it is - A Pragmatic Approach evident that the performance of co-operative societies with more or less ‘homogeneous’ membership; in In trying to resolve several basic problems terms of class, caste, creed, religion etc, was better confronted by many developing countries including than those with relatively heterogeneous groups. India, the form of ‘institutional arrangement’ in (Sarkar 1986). However no serious attempts were agriculture is brought into forefront (Peter Dorned made to study the progress of Land Reforms in terms and Don Kenel 1977). The approach of land of strengthening the collective bargaining capacity in reforms, introduced with much expectation in this the market arena, let alone to focus on the scope of regard, though demolished the evil of feudalism in enhancement of social cohesiveness and community agriculture, could not take the reform forward to solidarity within the co-operative organization. resolve the problems like rural unemployment and poverty effectively in India (Dandekar and Rath Collective farming arrangements, with an element 1971). The progress of green revolution too was of compulsion, by providing economic incentives limited by the inadequate focus on the ‘institutional and educating the members about the virtues of 28 JANATA, November 13, 2011 associative values may be useful not only for the ecological problems also in the long run. But, with poor land owning members but also for the landless cooperative farming, farm worker and village poor members within the lowest stratum. This will be gain greater control over the type of technology that possible if the members are convinced that their will be used and they are more likely to preserve family incomes from the collective will be greater and enhance the employment opportunities as well than the income under the individualistic set up. as environmental sustainability for the benefit of They may have even larger benefit by joining community as a whole. collective farming, in the form of reduction in risks and uncertainties in production as well as income. A co-operative farming system can provide It can also promise to open up future prospects of wide spread opportunity for the development of increasing employment and income throughout the entrepreneurial talents and can have important positive year. This expected income at collective farming is consequences for the future economic development dependent upon expected wage rate and expected of the country as a whole. Hence, it may become the employment at the proposed collective farming. The instrument of developing what Shri Mehta described stipulation regarding wage and employment have to as ‘social entrepreneurship’. Where there is true and be based on a tentative calculation of the production wide spread participation, in such process, many and employment potentials of the collective under individuals will gain experience and be able to test specific numerical assumptions relating to land area and develop their managerial capacity. In fact such and labour force commanded by the collective, the experience may be of a broader and more significant productivity of the land and techniques of cultivation. nature than that developed in a family farm system, Such evaluation of the possible collective farming in that it provides opportunities for dealing both with oragnisation may be undertaken effectively by a resource use and allocation questions as well as with Planning Authority, provided that the process is human and social organizational issues. It will be sufficiently decentralized by involving the farmers, easier for a government to provide support services laborers, women and all others concerned. of all kinds, credit, inputs, extension, marketing etc - to a small number of large units under cooperation, For middle and big farmers, cooperative joint with centralized management, especially once the farming may be much more desirable alternative, government has all the appropriate machinery in even though some amount of compulsion may be place. Moreover large units are frequently capable, necessary. From the equity point of view, this may be either alone or in combination with other units, of temporary arrangement, since inequality still persists mobilizing capital, technology and required labour between the collective farming societies of the poor force for establishing handicraft, cottage and rural and the joint farming societies of the middle and big agro-industries which is next to impossible for an farmers. Economic incentives and policy supports uncoordinated group of small farmers. These are great such as credits, higher prices for the produces and pluses for Government like ours. One has to study other incentives should be given liberally to the thoroughly the case of AMUL, the most successful collective farming societies of the poor to make co-operative experimentation at the macro level and them profitable. At the same time, by putting a Koppa Transport Co-operative, at the micro level ceiling limit on individual holdings and giving other and seriously ponder over the issue of establishing ‘disincentives’ to the joint farming societies of the the genuine co-operative farming system through out middle and big farmers, the inequality can be narrowed India. This is possible only for those who are capable down gradually. If the agricultural labourers are also of thinking beyond the obvious by shedding their included under the collective farming systems, this rhetoric and negativism. may limit the supply of labour to the big farmers. All these would indirectly encourage the ‘big holdings’ And, then, this provides ample scope not only for to break and join the co-operative system. agri-economists to envisage ways and means to garner the emerging market opportunities but also The continued existence of large private farms for committed socialists to inculcate the cherished creates the danger of development based on capital values of socialism within such associative farming intensive inappropriate technologies which may pose organizations. JANATA, November 13, 2011 29

Pro-active State Interventions The contribution of Asoka Mehta, in not only conceptualizing but also in attempting to make such Intervention by the Governments, from production a system an operational reality is huge. To delve and pricing to distribution, is a must for agriculture as further deep in this regard, one can think about the it faces several inherent peculiarities and weaknesses following strategies seriously: mentioned above that make the farmers vulnerable in the free market transactions. In fact no country; I. State Interventions on Market led Growth: rich or poor, is free from such interventions by the As explained earlier, equity considerations and State on matters related to agricultural pricing and environmental concerns are all inflicted on marketing. The rich, developed countries give huge agriculture, allowing the industry and service sectors supports, subsidies and various forms of incentives to grow unabated. This will not only thwart any to make agriculture remunerative so as to keep genuine process of installing a just, equitable and farmers in farming. Planning can be the most socialist society but also hinder the very progress effective means of intervention by the State in the of agriculture toward such an end. Hence, such matter related to agriculture not only to address those obligations and concerns need to be imposed on peculiarities and ‘inherent obstacles’ that hinder the industry and service sectors also without impinging progress of agriculture but also to infuse the ethos of upon their market led economic growth. Rigorous socialism within it. Here again, getting an overview monetary and fiscal measures to redistribute the of the thinking of Asoka Mehta on State Planning, profit, preferential treatments for disadvantaged that emerged from him not only from being a true sections not only in employment but also in socialist ideologue but also from being an able investment and ownership, promotion of share administrator, during his brief tenure as the Planning holders’ democracy and so on are needed to augment Minster of free India, is immensely useful here. the equity obligations and social concerns within the Though co-operative association of the people and corporate set up in India today. the planning by the State appear to have an element of contradiction and inconsistency, the credit must go II. Agriculture to Capture Emerging Markets: to Asoka Mehta for not only resolving them but also It is imperative to envisage ways and means to capture for providing an avenue to establish cohesiveness the booming market so as to pass its legitimate share between the two. In the context of erstwhile USSR, the to our peasantry. Associative agriculture through co- planning was always equated with a system of over- operative farming or any other means is beneficial centralization of decision making power with the State for farmers to undertake cultivation and to produce leading to a totalitarian regime. This obviously curbs commodities in efficient ways. However, to negotiate the emergence of genuine, autonomous, co-operative in the market, farmers need much stronger means. associations, which naturally take away their share Interventions such as the complete nationalization of power from the State. According to Asoka Mehta, of procurement and trade of essential agricultural the planning under a democratic set up presupposes commodities and the establishment of massive a constant effort of learning and it demands not decentralized distribution network involving the only territorial (administration) decentralization rural youth in line with the distribution of petroleum but also a ‘functional decentralization’. He strongly products, promotion of commodity specific co- vouches that the co-operation can be the key stone operatives like AMUL to famers’ corporations (!) of the arch of planning in India. In a democratic set would go a long way in this regard. up, he strongly urges that the Government should not be asked to do every thing, there has to be the III. Ideological Orientation to Civil Society and involvement of the largest number people in the Mass Movements: As mentioned earlier, between processes of planning and development. the government and the market, the mass movements and civil society representing the people and Mehta asserts emphatically that co-operation and communities at the grass roots, have been actively the decentralization are the essential ingredients of involved in shaping the modern democratic states the planned economic development under the system like India. Unlike in the earlier days of independence, of democratic socialism that suits the situation of these mass movements and civil society are not led India well. by the people with background of left and socialist 30 JANATA, November 13, 2011 ideologies. Hence their ideological position is very Gandhi”, JANATA, Vol. 66 No. 23, July, 10, ambiguous, or at best liberal, in a few cases. They, not only derive their source of support but also 3. Mehta, Asoka (1964), “The Peasant and inspiration and direction from the West. A thorough Socialism” in Studies in Socialism, Bharatiya orientation in line with the social democratic ideology Vidya Bhavan, Bombay. is very much needed today. 4. Mehta, Asoka (1977), Reflections on Socialist The mass movements and civil society engaged Era, S.Chand & Company Ltd, New Delhi. in the rural reconstruction and agrarian development have a strong adherence to the environmental 5. Peter Dorner and Don Kanel 1977, - “Some sustainability objective. They are seriously economic and administrative issues in group involved in the conservation of soil, water, forest, farming”, in Cooperative and Commune, Etd by biodiversity, eco-system and so on and hence Peter Borner, The University of Wisconsin Press, subscribe strongly to the emerging ideology of U.S.A. environmentalism. Surprisingly, behind the modern day’s environmentalism, there exists a strong equity 6. Sarkar, Suman 1986 – “India’s Agricultural concern towards future unborn generations and non- Development - An Alternative Path”, Economic human beings inter alia plants, animals, bees, birds and Political Weekly, Vol. XXI. No. 19. May 10. and so on.

Hence, the environmentalism comprehends the socialist ideology in a most dynamic and comprehensive way. With best compliments The Environmentalism is dynamic in the sense, it is capable of taking the equity concerns across from generations, it is comprehensive in the sense it is capable of breaking the anthropocentric (human centric) approach of the current progressive ideologies including democratic socialism, as they are concerned mostly with the welfare of the present generation. However, as mentioned earlier, in their anxiety to over-emphasise the objective of MGM Hospital & Research Centre conservation, the present day civil society agents and the mass movements give scanty attention towards the day to day needs and hence welfare of the current generation, especially the peasantry. Hence, a thorough engagement, by focusing the ideological semblance with them is a ‘win win’ situation for the Democratic Socialists that needs to be undertaken with utmost priority for the larger purpose of development of agriculture and transformation of rural India.

References: CBD - Belapur 1. Dandekar V.M. and Rath, Nilakantha 1971 – “Poverty in India” Economic and Political Navi Mumbai 400 614 Weekly, Vol. VI, No.2 Jan.9.

2. Heddurshetti, Bapu (2011) “Asoka Mehta and JANATA, November 13, 2011 31 The Challenge of the Development Decade

Asoka Mehta

Year after year we have been accustomed to meet climate changes, the points of the compass move under the shadow of some crisis or other. We have towards development. Wisdom and foresight demand been living with occasional clashes of arm and that no new polarization takes place, that there is no constant clashes of might and power. The last year, confrontation but only co-operation between these this time, the world was aquiver with disaster. My points of the compass. own country had to face an unprovoked and sudden aggression on its far-flung Himalayan frontiers, If the world is not to be destroyed by nuclear while the world watched with dismay the rocket- weapons, it has also to be preserved from the rattlings in the Carribean Sea. While my country still explosions that hunger can cause. The fission of labours under the heavy burden that countering of hunger and privations, in conjunction with the fusion the aggression has thrown on us, the wider world, of two billion persons suffering from them in the happily, breaths a new atmosphere of emerging world, can throw up clouds no less menacing than understanding between great powers. the mushroom clouds that we seem to have bottled at last. We have, today, the means, if we can evoke the The partial test-ban treaty is being welcomed not wisdom, to master the storms of hunger too. just on its own account, significant as it is to the health, well-being and the future of mankind, but We all know that two-thirds of the world’s also because it heralds the coming of spring, ending population has only 17 per cent of the world’s annual the long, excruciatingly long, winter of the cold war. income. But among the two-thirds, there are many The sky catches the first radiance of peace and the millions, in my country and in my region in Asia, dark night of terror and fear is behind us. who are poorer still; there the ultimate cesspool of poverty lies, the last un-emancipated proletariat The coming of peace, like the bestowal of of the world reside. It is not an accident that the freedom, helps to turn their thoughts and energies to claimant calls for class war and the barricades are development. Decolonisation has already unfolded emerging in those very areas. It is the understanding itself into development, détente will, or should and amelioration of the teeming millions of Asia that likewise, help that process further. If the assertion of will provide the keystone to the arch of peace. freedom led to the quest for bread, the emergence of peace must lead to the search for a richer and fuller We are all familiar with the relevant statistics and life. The task of development, at last, achieves its I shall not tire you with more of them. Behind these primacy among men’s purposes. We do not know faceless figures, there is human misery, blood that when the 190 billion dollars spent every year on the has started boiling, flesh that will not countenance weapons and material of war, with their curse of shriveling. Half the world’s population, living in over-rapid obsolescence, will be diverted to irrigate the region of Asia, has just a quarter of the world’s the channels of peace, but we can now think and plan food supplies. More than 70 per cent of the people in about it without being dismissed as utopians! India would avidly consume more and more food if only their income could rise. It is, therefore, not just East-West conflict the pressure of population, but the pressure of raw, unappeased hunger itself that we have to face and The conflict between the West and the East eases. satisfy. But even as confrontation yields place to dialogues of increasing meaningfulness between them, the Between 1891 and 1921, India’s population basic, stubborn differences between the affluent increased by just 5 per cent. That is to say, in thirty North and the poverty-ridden South in the world years, in undivided India, including areas that now are unveiling themselves. As the world’s political constitute Pakistan, the population growth was just

Speech at the U.N. General Assembly on 14th October, 1963 32 JANATA, November 13, 2011

5 per cent! Famines and epidemics mowed down and maintain an annual growth rate of 7 per cent, the natural growth in population. Since 1921, which means a 20 per cent rate of investment. Can some health measures have been taken, but as the we, can anyone, attempt this unaided? The grapes of economy remained neglected, a serious backlog of wrath will not always wilt in the vineyards of Asia, food shortage survives. Since independence, we, as and it is on that assurance that the present masters other countries in our region, have labored hard, but of Peking operate. It is not just the armed thrust of we cannot overcome quickly the neglect of the long Communist China that my country repulses, it is this years of colonial rule. deeper thrust that we are engaged in checking with constructive approaches and efforts. Foreign economic aid Every nation increasingly realizes that it needs a We are not unaware, nor unappreciative, of the policy for the growth of national income. Is it then valuable assistance that the developed countries have too much to ask that at the margin of such a policy, been giving, in recent years, to the poor countries. in penumbral way, some definite policy of outflow We, however, cannot overlook the fact that in a of income from the rich to the poor countries be recent year, 1961 for instance, while the commercial decided upon? There has been a considerable amount flow of international finance amounted to $ 4,367 of discussion on the need to transfer one per cent of million, for the same year, the reverse flow in the income for that purpose. The delegate of my country payment of interest, profit and dividends from the had pointed out in 1960, the urgent necessity for the underdeveloped countries to the rich countries totaled Secretaty General to prepare annually estimates of up to $ 3,393 million. While the rich countries may the gross national product, the net national income, not heed the Biblical advice to give the cloak when the gross outflow of funds from the rich countries a coat is asked for, is it really necessary for them to during the year, divided into public and private out scrupulously adhere to the injunction of the left hand flows, itemizing each kind of flow, the gross inflow not knowing what the right hand is doing? of funds, whether in cash or in kind, from the poor countries, the net outflow of funds, a deduction The poor countries undoubtedly need external from this net outflow for that portion of the funds assistance. We are told that in seeking aid we should which does not provide resources for economic not seek to reduce the highest standards of living in development, a net figure for the net outflow of funds the world. We have never sought that. The economy provided for this purpose, and the percentage which of the United States, even when it grows sluggishly, this last figure bears to the gross national product increases annually its per capita income by the total, and the net national income of the rich country (repeat) total, per capita income of the Indian. In concerned. Only when such a statistical clarity is less than ten weeks, the United States invests more introduced in the annual report will we know whether than what India plans to do in its entire third Five the self-imposed burden of “one per cent” is in fact Year Plan, and reaps also an equivalent harvest in the being borne by the rich countries. Even though the same ten weeks. If we seek a small fraction from the “tax” is wholly voluntary it is necessary to plug the absolutely significant amount of growth in the rich loopholes. countries, is it an importunity? We are not unaware of the strain and the difficulty In the United States the poorest ten per cent of experienced by the rich countries in giving away one the people are undoubtedly in difficulties and rightly per cent or more, and it will have to be more of their evoke considerable interest in sympathy for their national incomes every year, to the poor countries. plight. It, however, needs to be realized that the All the arguments about “good business” or about share of the United States’ national income accruing the solidarity of the “human family” cannot snuff to that last ten per cent of its population is almost out disagreeableness from having to give foreign the same as the total national income of India, and aid. But we would like it to be noted that for the that there are 21 times more numerous Indians. In poor country, it is no less irksome to seek aid. The order to provide the poorest 20 per cent of the people commercial morality that sanctifies loans has yet in India – and they will number some 100 million – to become the folkways of our people. The tree with a per head income of just one dollar per week, of growth, we would love to dig round and dig in even by 1975, our economy as a whole must achieve with our own sweat and tears. From our own pitiful JANATA, November 13, 2011 33 incomes we scrape and save and invest and grow. It of the national income? The private sector has to is only because we find that development demands make the major contribution to the savings effort, essential imports that cannot obtain for us, that we and experience shows that such contribution is not think of economic aid. If the wit of man could device inimical to its own long-term interests. a means of realizing economic development without the import of goods from rich countries, we from the In the poor countries socialism has an instinctive poor countries would thank Allah and adjure all aid, appeal. It is not because we want to load the dice in except of knowledge and knowhow. Unfortunately, favour or against anyone in the game of ideological in the early stages of growth and industrialization, co-existence. The reasons for its appeal are: one, as one mounts the escalator of development, the the poorer a people, the greater is the need for critical need for imports grows, and it is not easy philosophy, and, two, the poorer a country, the to meet these needs with exports, because there are sharper are the inequalities, and greater the need few surpluses for export and there are also difficult to approximate towards some equality. Socialist barriers to overcome in stepping up exports to the ideas play a functional role in the early processes of developed countries. In this phase of development, development. foreign economic aid alone can overcome the lag in savings inevitable in poor countries in a state of International trade gross under-development. The bread that we ask to be scattered on water will surely multiply manifold. We are told that we cannot expect the people of With the Pharisees shall we deny the possibility of the rich countries, free and prosperous as they are, that certain, assured miracle of growth? to change their habits and attitudes. We cannot be unsympathetic to this traditionalist outlook of the Domestic savings modernists. But do they realize how great a strain the developing countries have to bear in the process The poor countries are constantly advised to of transformation? In the course of a generation the cajole private investments. These investors, we are habits of centuries have to be completely changed. told, seek profit, and it is for the poor countries to The psychological and social strain involved has to create a climate of profitability. There is no other be imagined. Conventional wisdom warns us that climate that we would like to create more. The “no man puts the new wine into old wine-skins; else difficulty, however, is that we have simultaneously the new wine will burst the skins, and be spilled, and to raise large resources internally, to step up quickly the skins shall perish.” But what does the record of the rate of savings from 5 to 20 per cent or more of the developing countries show? Has not the new, the national income annually, involving a far greater heady wine of science and technology been slowly draft on the marginal increments of income in the poured into the old skins of traditional society, and early years of growth. But a sharp stepping up in the the wine has not spilled, the old skins are changing, rate of savings and investments inevitably erodes the not bursting? The social tour de force is not easy to margin of profitability. We would like to lower taxes, accomplish. Let us look back for a moment at the early but until the tax base adequately expands, such a period of development of the highly industrialized lowering would mean abridging our development. countries. Did they not, even though their time span These, as we know well, are the cruel horns of the of development was much longer, and even though dilemma of development. When everyone tightens the emergence and assimilation of the fruits of science the belt in hungry lands, is it too much to ask of the and technology were much slower than today, pay the men of capital to modify, for a while, their familiar price of transformation in slums and terror, in reeking ways? corruption and in periodical coups d’etat ? When we seek a far-reaching and rapid social transformation, I do no want to be misunderstood. My country has while honouring the rights of man, are we not entitled a system of mixed economy. We have given a variety to claim a little fraternity in the task of bearing the of incentives and facilities to the private sector to strains of transformation? When the developing make a significant contribution to the growth of the countries ask for favourable opportunities for the economy. But when the nation has to step up the export of manufactured goods, of simply processed rate of savings, can it be done by the public sector articles, the highly industrialized countries object, alone, which accounts for only a small fraction even though all that we seek is to supply just one 34 JANATA, November 13, 2011 per cent of their expanding production of goods. We to the heresy of seeking the dynamism of growth are told that, when already technological changes through internal markets, of sustaining high growth require an adjustment of three per cent every year, rates through the affluence of the mass consumption how can they add on an additional burden of one alone. per cent to it? Unfortunately, no one has similarly quantified the rate of social transformation in the However, trite the observation might appear, the developing countries. Is it too much to ask for a fact remains that the full blossoming of the economy, fraternal sharing of strains through easier terms of the fullest lifting of even the highest standards of trade or through economic aid, but please, not in the living, as also the unfolding of culture and human ways of Penelope, taking out the knots in the night, spirit in the rich countries, whether of the West or that have been woven in the day ? the East, will not be possible unless the quickening impulse is provided to the poor countries, through Now that science and technology need no longer adequate terms of trade and facilities for increased remain harnessed to the chariot of war, has not the trade, financial aid, technical assistance and sharing time come to attach them to the coach of development, the strains of transformation. For this gathering of so that technology may be trained to balance the the partisans of peace a new programme is already sociological needs of the developing countries, waiting! where the ratio of manpower to resources is often so different from those of the affluent societies? As While many millions in the poor countries labour peace dawns and wider horizons become visible, we to forge a new future for themselves, to deny them are invited to embark on new voyages of thought and essential aid while unused capacity of production discovery. remain in some of the highly industrialized countries is a reversal of reason and humanity. In the war against May I be permitted to address a few words to the hunger and raw wants, we in the poor countries are countries with centrally planned economics, and now fully engaged. Here, as on an earlier famous particularly to the foremost among them? We in occasion, we ask for tools, and we promise to do the the developing countries admire at once the liberal job. The rich nations, whether from the West or the political institutions of the West and the austere East, are invited to join the peaceful competition to economic discipline of the East. It is that discipline become the great arsenals of development. It is not that we seek to make our own. In that task many of us aid, or even trade, that encompasses our vision, it is have received from the Socialist countries the kind the quickening of mutual aid and co-operation. Poor of help and co-operation that we greatly value. We as my country is, our contribution to the U.N. Special rejoice at the rapid growth of the socialist economies, Fund is the seventh largest. Not India alone, but every indeed of all economies. We are not unaware of developing country is anxious to contribute to the the emerging and welcome pressures inside these common pool as they are to benefit from it. But this countries, of the implications and consequences of requires the blasting of the inhibiting influences in the dismantling of the system associated with the the rich countries that prompt them to view political “cult of personality”. These very pressures demand boundaries as of equal significance in economic life that the centrally planned economy countries review too. Here at least the truth is that we grow only by their plans of development with a view to providing sharing. an even larger scope for imports from developing countries; they demand that the prices at which I am not unaware of the many shortcomings in production from the developing countries can be the developing countries; that is our responsibility to sold in the internal market be adjusted with a view overcome. The developing countries cannot afford to stimulating the demand for those goods and to be sensitive towards well-meant and sympathetic commodities. Socialist countries should also include comments in this regard from all quarters. in their forward planning significant projects of those developing countries that are nearing the critical U.N. trade conference stage of the “take-off.” It is towards a rationalization, maximizing It would be a tragedy if at this fate-laden hour welfare and happiness in the rich as well as the poor these centrally planned economies were to fall victim countries, of economic policies, and of economic JANATA, November 13, 2011 35 theories if need be, that, in our view, the forthcoming will enable India to assist other developing countries U.N. Conference on Trade and Development must too. principally address itself. When confrontation between the West and the East changes into an New organisational initiatives encounter, leading to journeying together, when the thesis and anti-thesis of the cold war resolve into The various Specialised Agencies and other an emerging synthesis, a creative leap forward in organizations of the U.N. have been rendering thought and endeavour is obviously indicated. In valuable assistance to the developing countries, some this Decade of Development we can, if only we will, of them, in fact, have been doing pioneering work in witness, once again, “the whole earth (being) of one social and economic engineering. The one common language and one speech” – the language of growth, handicap from which all suffer is the inadequacy of the speech of welfare. resources. The member-nations, particularly from the developing world, rightly desired to diversify and Meaningful discussions will not proceed if sincere expand the agencies and organizations and thereby efforts at reviewing the many problems of trade augment multilateral and institutional assistance in the and development by the developing countries are complex task of economic and social transformation. construed by some of the highly developed countries It is, however, important to balance such expansion as attempts to “externalise” our problems. with adequacy of resources made available for their varied tasks. The complex of majestic mills satisfy Every industrialised country charted its only when there is all the corn needed to grind in development through protective aids to its industries. them. The poor in many lands are concerned with Even the doyen of all the industrialised nations, the what flows out of the mills, and not so much with United Kingdom, had ultimately to surrender the their rationalization and expansion. In our search for virtue of free trade. The arguments that applied to ample institutional foliation, we cannot afford to lose infant industries then are equally relevant to infant sight of the overarching significance of the adequacy economies today. They too need protection and aid. If or otherwise of finances available. the highly industrialised countries tie their loans with the export of their manufactures, are the developing The institutional approaches are important but far countries wholly wide off the mark when they raise more important is a sense of urgency, overpowering the question of the possibility of tying up repayment urgency. In the work of development, the scarcest of their loans with the exports of their agricultural, resource today is Time. Capital can be loaned mineral, and industrial output? The highly developed to us, or supplied otherwise, but who can arrest skills, capital-intensive methods, and constantly the inexorable flow of Time? The awakening of rising labour costs in the more developed countries require that they move out of the simple, less millions in the depressed regions of the world is a sophisticated, processes of manufacture and enable phenomenon heavy with history. This awakening, the developing countries to produce and trade in such if quickly responded to and thereby harnessed, can products. carry the world to expanding paths of peace and progress, but if it remains ignored it is capable of Every developing country can bring up glowing overturning the whole fabric of civilization. The pages from its recent records which would show choice before us is clear and insistent: either we the remarkable implications of international co- dynamise our economies or we get dynamited. operation. My own country, India, set up three steel The United Nations, we are aware, is dedicated to plants with the help of friendly countries. We now the task of urgent transformation. What we jointly hope to fabricate or establish new mills with, to a acknowledge, it is necessary for each member-nation considerable extent, our own resources, material as to individually accept. Here it is obvious that the well as technical. We are just now engaged in setting strength of our determination depends on the strength up, as a part of the national electrification plan, three of the weakest resolve amongst us. Let us solemnly nuclear power plants. Our know-how and capacity affirm that none of us gathered here will be that weak will enable us to design and construct future plants link. That and that alone can be our pledge to the with our own resources. This self-sustaining growth Decade of Development. 36 JANATA, November 13, 2011 Asoka Mehta’s Vision on Democratic Decentralization

S.S. Meenakshisundaram

When I joined the Government of Karnataka as distributed by this Panchayat which also collected the Secretary in charge of Rural Development and taxes out of the produce and paid the government’s Panchayati Raj department during the summer of share on behalf of the village. Over a number of 1986, Ramakrishna Hegde, the then Chief Minister these village councils there was a larger Panchayat or told me that my main responsibility would be to council to supervise and interfere if necessary”. Sir facilitate the process of democratic decentralization Charles Metcalfe, a British Governor in India during in the State. While entrusting to me the daunting the 19th century, called them the “little republics task of establishing the Panchayati Raj Institutions having nearly everything they want within themselves (PRIs) on ground and assigning to them resources, and almost independent of foreign relations. They functions and personnel, he also told me that I must seem to last where nothing else lasts”. fall back on the Asoka Mehta Committee report on decentralization whenever I needed any guidance. Under the British rule in India the autonomy of As the ruling party in the State had by then taken a the Panchayats gradually disappeared owing to the decision to introduce a two-tier system of panchayats establishment of local civil and criminal courts, as recommended by the Asoka Mehta Committee, I revenue and police organisations, the increase in had no other option but to start my assignment with communications, the growth of individualism and a thorough study of the report. That is how I got operation of the individual Ryotwari (landholder- to know of Asoka Mehta. I have known him more wise) System. The British, however, attempted through his lectures, reports and writings rather than to establish an alternative system of local self- through direct interaction. I regret even now that I government in India. Lord Ripon, a British Viceroy, could not get the opportunity of personally meeting took the policy initiative in 1882 of establishing him and knowing his views on decentralization popularly elected institutions, at local levels, across the table, as he had passed away by then. presided over by non-official chairmen to look after specified functions delegated to them by the The Asoka Mehta Committee Report and the print provincial governments in their areas. The idea outs of the several lectures delivered by him more was to provide opportunities at Self-governance than reveal the man, his clarity of thoughts and vision. to peoples’ representatives at the local level as the This paper looking at his contribution to democratic British Administration found it difficult to operate at decentralization consists of three parts, the first, that level effectively. Thereafter, village panchayats, a quick recapitulation of the events that preceded district boards, town municipalities and city the constitution of the Asoka Mehta Committee; corporations came into existence in different parts the second, Asoka Mehta’s views on democratic of the country. These institutions, however, lacked decentralization and the third, the relevance of his resources as well as autonomy. In addition, the caste- thoughts and vision in the present context. ridden feudal structure had an overriding influence on these local bodies. Village communities common to most agrarian economies have been in existence in India for over During the freedom movement, Gandhiji centuries. They were represented by “Panchayats” propounded the concept of village swaraj under - councils of five persons, one in every village. which the village would be “a complete republic Jawaharlal Nehru points out in ‘The Discovery of independent of its neighbours for its own vital wants India’ that, in olden days “the Village Panchayat and yet inter-dependent for many others in which or elected council had large powers both executive dependence is a necessity. The government of the and judicial and its members were treated with the village will be conducted by the Panchayat of five greatest of respect by the King’s officers. Lands were persons annually elected by the adult villagers,

Dr. S.S. Meenakshisundaram, IAS, is with the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore. JANATA, November 13, 2011 37 male and female, possessing minimum prescribed The advent of national planning during the fifties qualifications. These will have all the authority and broadened the scope of rural extension. The First Five jurisdiction required. Since there will be no system of Year Plan visualized Panchayats at the village level, punishment in the accepted sense, the Panchayat will mainly as agencies for development, public welfare be the legislature, judiciary and executive combined and land reforms. It wished that the Panchayats to operate for its year of office. Here there is perfect at the village level were so organized as to enable democracy based upon individual freedom. The them to assume the agency functions of the higher individual is the architect of his own government.” authorities. “The Second Five-Year Plan went a step further and specifically recommended a network of Unfortunately, these views of the Father of active Panchayats for securing (a) comprehensive the Nation had not been shared by many, most village planning; (b) a more just and integrated social notably by Dr. Ambedkar - the legal luminary structure in rural areas; (c) development of a new whose contribution to the drafting of the Indian type of leadership in order to facilitate the process Constitution has been the most significant - who in of rapid transition of the rural society; and (d) a the Constituent Assembly said, “what is the village, complete pattern of development administration but a sink of localism, a den of ignorance, narrow- in the districts envisaged in the programmes of mindedness and communalism?”. He believed that community development and national extension these village republics have been the ruination of services”. India. The condition of the caste-ridden Indian village at that time was such that one can easily understand Alongside these recommendations, the elected why Dr. Ambedkar thought this way. His strong governments in independent India also realized opposition to the concept of village as the basic unit the urgency to have a comprehensive programme of administration had resulted in the Panchayats not of rural development even to improve agricultural even finding a mention in the first draft of independent production which was the first desperate need of the India’s Constitution. While Gandhiji considered it people. For instance, expansion of educational and as “an omission calling for immediate attention if health facilities and rural roads and communications our independence is to reflect the people’s voice”, have to be integrated not only to facilitate better some others felt that “Dr. Ambedkar’s attitude was agricultural production but also to meet the basic typical of the urban high-brow”’ and that “without social needs of the people. To foster such wider socio- the foundation stone of village Panchayats in our production programme, the community development country how would it be possible for our masses to programme came to be launched. In pursuance of play their rightful part in our democracy?” that movement, community development blocks were carved out all over the country covering a rural These criticisms persuaded the President of the population of 60,000 to 1,00,000. At the block level Constituent Assembly Dr. Rajendra Prasad to write various social and service facilities were sought to be to the constitutional adviser, asking him whether provided by appointing the required staff. the whole thing could be re-examined and the Constitution re-drafted from that point of view. But, Balwantrai Mehta Committee it was then too late in the process of constitution making to re-draft the whole Constitution having With the inauguration of the community the Panchayats as its base. It was, therefore, thought development programme in October 1952, the blocks better to incorporate the Panchayats in the Directive (consisting of about 150 to 200 villages on an average) Principles of State Policy and retain the framework had become units of development administration of parliamentary government based on direct popular within the existing districts. Shortly thereafter, those elections both at the Centre and in the States of the at the helm of affairs realized that without an agency Indian Union. The compromise arrived at in the form at the village level, which could represent the entire of Article 40 of the Constitution merely states that “the community, assume responsibility and provide the State shall take steps to organize village Panchayats necessary leadership for implementing development and endow them with such powers and authority programmes, real progress in rural development as may be necessary to enable them to function as could not come about. This led to the appointment units of self-government”. This left little obligation of a team for the study of Community Projects and to implement Panchayati Raj in independent India. National Extension Services headed by Balwantrai 38 JANATA, November 13, 2011

G. Mehta in January 1957. included village roads, community wells, maintenance of public parks, tanks, irrigation works, public The team was expected to review the economy hygiene, drainage, and other civic services. In some and efficiency of community development projects States the ZPs were made responsible for primary and national extension services and assess the extent education and were entrusted with functions relating to which the movement had succeeded in utilizing to rural industries, primary health care, medical local initiative and creating institutions to ensure relief, women and child welfare, maintenance of continuity in the process of improving economic and common grazing grounds and other community lands social conditions in rural areas. and properties and provision of inputs for agricultural The study team came to the conclusion that: production. The extent and tempo of the involvement “Admittedly one of the least successful aspects of of PRIs in the basic planning and implementation community development and national extension of development projects was also subject to wide service work is its attempt to evoke popular variations from State to State and even within the initiative. So long as we do not discover or create States. a representative and democratic institution which The Decline of PRIs will supply the local interest, supervision and care necessary to ensure that expenditure of money upon With the passing away of the first Prime Minister local objects conforms with the needs and wishes of of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the commitment the locality, invest it with adequate power and assign to democratic values weakened. The flow of funds to it appropriate finances, we will never be able to for block development slowed down to a trickle, after evoke local interest and excite local initiative in the the closure of the intensive stages of the Community field of development”. Therefore, it recommended Development Programme. Where the party in power the establishment of a three-tier Panchayati Raj, apprehended that their performance in the polls to the the middle tier, namely, the Panchayat Samiti at the PRIs may not be good, the tendency was to postpone block level playing the pivotal role in the scheme of elections indefinitely. The decline was conspicuous decentralization. The Samiti’s jurisdiction was to be in every State except Maharashtra and Gujarat, coterminous with that of the community development where the primacy was with the top tier, namely the block, the members being directly elected. The ZPs, which had considerable administrative powers. recommendations of the Balwantrai Mehta study Even in these States, Ministers and Members of team ignited Panchayati Raj in independent India. Legislative Assembly (MLAs) felt threatened by The elected chairmen of the Panchayat Samitis the rising political power and influence of the ZP together with the members of the State Legislature presidents and there was a kind of backlash. The and of the Parliament representing a part or whole Government of Maharashtra, for instance, set up of the district and key officers of the development separate district planning committees with the State departments at the district level, the Committee minister in charge of that district as chairman: the suggested, would constitute the Zilla Parishad planning responsibility which was one of the major (ZP) for the district with the District Collector/ functions of the ZP was taken over by this committee Deputy Commissioner as the Chairman. The ZP and the stature of the ZP was deliberately curtailed. was visualized essentially as an advisory body. The The same situation occurred in Gujarat also almost village or Gram Panchayat would constitute the simultaneously. lowest level in the three-tier hierarchy. Each level of this structure would have the power to require the Several causes contributed to the decline of the lower level to function as its agent. The budget of PRIs. Firstly, the bureaucracy, local vested interests the Village Panchayat was to be approved by the and the elected representatives in the State Legislature Panchayat Samiti and that of the Samiti by the ZP. By and in the Parliament did not take kindly to the 1959, all the States had passed their Panchayati Raj PRIs, whose ascendancy they feared. In 1966-67 the Acts and by the mid-1960s Panchayats had reached Ministry of Community Development was reduced all parts of the country. to the status of a department and brought under the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. In 1971 the very Though there were variations from State to State, name “Community Development” was dropped and broadly the functions entrusted to the Panchayats replaced by “Rural Development”. JANATA, November 13, 2011 39

Secondly, the political leadership, planners and benefits through these institutions had gone largely bureaucracy considered the PRIs mostly as agencies to the economically well-off, socially high-ups in of development and not as little republics. This stratification, and politically advantaged sections was a serious conceptual flaw. While the rationale of the rural communities; and the weaker sections for the creation of the PRIs was that “development were either deprived in the process or marginally cannot progress without responsibility and power”, benefited. the thrust in the five-year plans had been to establish statutory Panchayats more as vehicles for National And, finally, notwithstanding the unwillingness of Extension and Community Development projects the State-level politicians to part with their power, than as units of self-government, with the result, the even the people themselves were not sufficiently PRIs had no autonomy and were under the mercy of educated to understand the political implications of the State Governments and their bureaucracy. the PRIs. If the challenge from the grass-roots was effective, probably the PRIs would have put up a Thirdly, there was a strong tendency in India, as in better show. many other parts of the world, to concentrate power at the centre to an excessive degree and hand over Asoka Mehta Committee “the levers of power in the hands of an elite which manages private industry and trade through giant This was the scenario when Asoka Mehta was commercial companies, runs nationalized industries invited by the Janatha Government which came through public corporation and public administration to power at the national level in 1977 to take a through a civil service working in the shadow of the fresh look at decentralization. He was made the ministers whose powers they exercise”. Even the Chairman of a Committee with twelve other eminent Ford Foundation team of experts, while enquiring personalities including E.M.S Namboodripad, into India’s acute food shortage came to the Karpoori Thakur, M.G. Ramachandran, Prof. conclusion that local autonomy would be a luxury Iqbal Narain and S.K. Dey. The Cabinet resolution in India’s case and recommended for a single line constituting the committee read: “The Government of command and obedience. The net result of all accords the highest priority to rural development, this was the creation of parallel agencies to execute so as to increase agricultural production, create special development programmes such as the Small employment, eradicate poverty and bring about Farmers Development Agency, Drought Prone Area an all round improvement in the rural economy. Programme, Intensive Tribal Development Project, The Government considers that the maximum etc., which were kept outside the purview of the degree of decentralization, both in planning and in PRIs, which in turn resulted in further weakening of implementation, is necessary for the attainment of these nascent institutions. these objectives. It has accordingly been decided, in consultation with the State Governments and Union Fourthly, most of the State Governments would Territories, to set up a Committee to inquire into the not hold elections to the PRIs for years together, working of the Panchayati Raj Institutions, and to under one pretext or the other. Elected chairmen were suggest measures to strengthen them, so as to enable suspended or removed in many cases; and some PRIs a decentralized system of planning and development were superseded on flimsy political considerations. to be effective”. There was also the phenomenon of the tapering-off of resources to these bodies, both by the Central This Committee re-emphasized the importance of and State Governments. This lack of political will Panchayati Raj, but recommended a two-tier structure hastened the decline of the PRIs. - ZP at the district level and Mandal Panchayat (MP) for a group of villages, with a population of Fifthly, there was also a feeling that the PRIs are 15,000-20,000 (i.e. below the block level), the key dominated by economically or socially privileged level being the ZP. It also recommended that the sections of society and have as such facilitated the district should be the first point of decentralization emergence of oligarchic forces yielding no benefits under popular supervision below the State level and to weaker sections. Even though the PRIs cannot be favoured the official recognition of the participation singled out in this connection, a number of research of political parties at all levels of Panchayat elections. studies have in fact indicated that development As an interim measure, the Committee suggested 40 JANATA, November 13, 2011 that “the block level panchayat samitis where they flows. Crop planning will have to be undertaken to exist now, would be converted into non-statutory get the best value out of land. That led him to a few executive committees of Zilla Parishads and when key questions: who will undertake this stupendous the Mandal Panchayats become active, most of task? Can the existing panchayats be entrusted their functions would be taken up by the Mandal with these responsibilities? Can this task be done Panchayats. As a transitional structure, the Block without popular supervisions at different levels can, therefore, continue as per the convenience of of administration? Can the intricate and minute the States keeping in view their requirements and planning needed, be carried out without effective the stage of development”. The process through participation of the people? which the Committee and Asoka Mehta in particular arrived at the recommendations made in this report While the State Government can provide the clearly reveals the wisdom and foresight of the framework, offer guidelines and high level support, people involved in the exercise. he realized that, the work has to be executed at a level above the gram panchayat but below the block Asoka Mehta’s Views level. A nucleus of villages, with the central village emerging as the focal point, to which surrounding Asoka Mehta firmly believed that decentralization villages respond and react and from which modern of political power is inherent in a democracy. The facilities radiate would provide a better model for question therefore was how to decentralize and what growth. While these base level developments will kind of a structure would suit India. He was very take time to come into their own, reform at the district clear in his mind that the development opportunities level can brook no delay. Historically the district has that have emerged in India are largely due to the been the pivot of local administration and hence the contributions made by science and technology in popular supervision should start at this level. It was farming, animal husbandry, etc. While upgrading of this thinking that led Asoka Mehta to recommend a research must, therefore, receive high priority in the two-tier system of panchayats – one called the Zilla Universities and laboratories, the findings of research Parishad at the District Level and the other called have to be brought to the farms through well trained Mandal Panchayat for a cluster of villages. extension workers. The extension network has to be thicker and better qualified. That means, the subject What is amazing is the clarity with which Asoka matter specialists at the district level working in close Mehta approached certain intricate problems touch with the research scientists will have to be of in designing rural administration with popular a high caliber. Their subordinates must be frequently supervision in the context of the institutions that refreshed with new knowledge and capacities to were already in existence in the development sector. throw up field problems for solutions to the scientists. In his view, cooperatives form a distinct democratic For that, the latter would have to be brought closer structure by themselves. While there will be links to the farmers, at a level lower than the Block. The between the panchayats and the cooperatives, neither cluster of specialists, service organizations and can be subordinated to the other. To mount an assault marketing facilities will have to be made available on rural poverty the PRIs and the cooperatives within farmers’ reach. Just 5300 block centres would will have to work in close harmony; but, the two be too few. But utilizing 2,40,000 gram panchayats structures must remain independent of each other. for this purpose would be totally uneconomical The role envisaged by him for the State Government and impractical. The appropriate level will have to was equally clear. The State Government will have be somewhere in between. Restructuring of rural to divest itself of executing micro-level programmes administration will therefore be necessary to cope of production and employment and devote its with these emerging factors. attention to bigger tasks such as improving the level of research, refining technology and developing a Asoka Mehta also realized that administrative methodology of planning whereby the disadvantaged changes will not by themselves carry the sections are enabled to participate as co-sharers in the developmental thrust to the disadvantaged sections development programmes. The State Government who, will have to be nursed through careful micro- should profitably transfer to the district much of the planning so as to benefit from the increasing cash work connected with rural development. JANATA, November 13, 2011 41

In his view, the district council and the mandal from the council or panchayat. The work of the panchayat will have to be elected bodies. To transact Committees would be subject to the overall decision business effectively their size must be small, but of the district council/mandal panchayat as a whole. not so small as not to be representative. A district Such an arrangement, he thought, would give the council, depending upon the size of the district, benefit of participation by the political parties may have a membership between 40 and 60 and a without fracturing the rural community. Mandal panchayat about one third of it. Each of them would elect its President from among its members Asoka Mehta also had a specific plan for the who would preside over the meeting, conduct its district collector who was always the key functionary deliberations and be its spokesperson. The Principal in district administration even prior to independence. administrative officer at the appropriate level would He recommended that the collector should be relieved be the Chief Officer of the district or the mandal of his/her developmental responsibilities which and all other government personnel working in would now go over to the district council and its that unit would be under his/her control. While the officers. Since the collector would be left with only administrative control would reside with the chief regulatory functions mainly preservation of law and officer, the overall political control would reside order, Asoka Mehta felt that he/she should be given with the elected president. That would insulate day- the responsibility of organizing the social audit, as to-day work from political interference and yet keep he/she will be outside the decentralized structure the administration under democratic control. of administration but still functioning as “eyes and ears” of the State Government. His/her reports Asoka Mehta’s views on elections are also clear would enable the State Government to assess the and emphatic. He was not in favour of fostering development work in the district in depth and issue unanimous choices. He felt that unanimity directives where necessary, to see that the claims circumscribed the power of the poor which resides of the poor do not get overlooked. Asoka Mehta in their numbers and only unfettered elections apparently had in mind, the observations made by can enable the poor to come into their own. In his Dr. Ambedkar in the Constituent Assembly. He was opinion, elections cannot be kept free of participation not very sure whether the PRIs would by themselves by political parties. In a democratic polity, it would be able to protect the interests of the poor and the be futile to expect to keep political parties out of such down-trodden. He therefore preferred the State areas of power and influence. Secondly it is better Government to function as the ‘institutionalized to let the panchayat elections be fought by political conscience’ of these communities. parties overtly rather than covertly. Thirdly, open participation by political parties will make them State Government freed from the responsibility accountable and more penetrable by the poor. Finally, of day-to-day administration in rural development more the number of persons that find themselves in would be able to advise not only the PRIs but positions of responsibilities, less irresponsible will also the cooperatives, banks etc., to give adequate politics become. Political workers would find places attention to the needs of the weaker sections. Besides where they can earn some spurs and still make a mark that, the State authorities can devote attention to in constructive as distinct from agitational politics. strengthening the infrastructure for rural development By democratizing local governance, we would be such as provisions of more power, better irrigation strengthening the roots of democracy in the country. facilitates, more sophisticated agricultural research, better marketing facilities for inputs and outputs of Recognizing the fear expressed by some that with agriculture, refining of the tools and techniques of political parties contesting the elections, village planning , sharpening the skills of the administrative communities would get divided and fragmented, he staff and of elected personnel by providing adequately recommended provisions to get them united once high training facilities, pooling experiences from the elections are over. He suggested that different different districts and disseminating valuable lessons activities like agriculture, education, health, etc. that might emerge, above all acting as the watch dog would be handled in the district council/mandal of the interests of the weaker sections. panchayat not by any individual member who would belong to the majority party but by a committee Regarding the finances of the local bodies, elected on the basis of proportional representation Asoka Mehta felt that while the local bodies must 42 JANATA, November 13, 2011 be encouraged to raise their own finances and build spirit.The panchayats that came into existence in up remunerative assets, the bulk of resources needed 1987 under this pattern completed a full five-year for rural development will have to come from the term, though at the end of which they came to be State, initially tied to various schemes transferred replaced, albeit a short break, by the universal three to ZP and later progressively as block grants, as tier system enforced through the Constitution 73rd the ZP gathers experience in purposeful planning Amendment. of development activities. Recognizing the nexus that had persisted between provision of finance The performance of the PRIs in Karnataka during and elaborate official control, he recommended the this five year period has been well evaluated. Some snapping off of the umbilical cord between provision evaluation reports mention significant achievements of finance and minute scrutiny by accepting during this short period, such as “attendance of school democratic decentralization in its true sense. He teachers, medical officers, paramedical staff in rural would prefer social watch by the people as against institutions improved remarkably; revenues from rigid supervision by the bureaucracy. assets transferred to these bodies, such as auction of finishing rights in tanks have jumped up; financial On the dispensation of justice at the local rural improprieties by Mandal Panchayat office-bearers levels, Asoka Mehta acknowledged the merits have been exposed in Gram Sabhas and culprits have of Nyaya Panchayats administering justice on a made good the losses caused or gains wrongfully decentralized basis. However, he was of the view obtained”. Some others felt that the process of election that Nyaya Panchayats should be kept as separate on party basis had deepened the polarizations already bodies and should not be mixed with the people existing within the village community endangering elected for development panchayats. The members peace in some cases. There was also a feeling that the of development panchayats wield executive powers social and political consequences of decentralization and there are chances that justice may suffer if the could be to strengthen vested interests in rural areas, two functions are combined. He therefore preferred a promote exploitation of the weaker sections and qualified judge to preside over a bench of separately further enhance corruption at the local level. elected Nyaya Panchas. The elected Nyaya Panchas will not be entitled to seek re-election; they should On the positive side, one could notice that public serve in an area other than that from which they awareness of the developmental programmes created have been elected. This still remains in debate and by these institutions was phenomenal. A geographical no concrete view could emerge on Nyaya Panchayats area consisting of about 2000 households have even at the time of the enactment of the Constitution elected 25 members who constituted the Mandal 73rd Amendment. Panchayat of that area. Since the selection of beneficiaries in respect of self-employment schemes The Karnataka Experience and the location of the infrastructural facilities were decided finally by the Mandal Panchayat, all A discerning reader would appreciate the depth its member per force were well conversant with the and clarity exhibited in the Asoka Mehta Committee different developmental activities of the State that Report. The recommendations were precise and are going on within their Mandal. The operation of to the point, meeting all the issues referred to schools and health facilities had vastly improved, the Committee. The report deserved a faithful as the panchayats took a personal interest in those implementation, at least for a period of time, to fine areas. Performance in the fields of inland fisheries, tune the recommendations, if felt necessary. But this horticulture, forests and distribution of house-sites could not happen. The Morarji Desai Government for the needy was also significant. The management at the centre went out of office before any action of the assets transferred to the PRIs was much better could be considered on the Asoka Mehta Committee than what it use to be under the State Departments. recommendations. However, three States – West There were several instances of a quantum jump Bengal, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh attempted in the revenues through increased output of fish in to put into practice at least some recommendations the small tanks, horticulture and forest produce etc. of the Asoka Mehta Committee with changes and Generally development works were being executed modifications suited to their tradition and context. more speedily and there was better control over Karnataka adopted the two-tier model in letter and the field staff. The people generally felt that the JANATA, November 13, 2011 43

Chairman of the Mandal Panchayat and the members have a population exceeding two million. This was of the ZP were available to them more frequently and accepted by the Parliament and the three tier system there was no constraint of time which they used to has become part of the Constitution. Elected local feel when they had to meet government functionaries governments are now in position throughout India. for redressal of their grievances. The structure is well set even though many States have started questioning the need for a three-tier system One grey area however had been the lack of of elected rural local bodies. While some States like interest noticed among the citizens in attending Kerala would like to dispense with the intermediate the gram sabhas. Since the resources available to tier, would prefer not to have the district the Mandal Panchayats were extremely poor when tier at all. Some experts also raise a basic question as compared to the functions entrusted to them, the to why should a multi-tier system be prescribed for tendency appeared to be to treat only the ZP as rural governance in countries which always have a the effective local government that can deliver the single tier of governance in urban areas. goods. This was to be set right over time, by suitably allocating funds and functionaries among different Asoka Mehta in the current context tiers of the system. As rightly felt by Asoka Mehta, the institutional Developments in the Government of India design for decentralization should take into account not only the developmental thrusts built upon the The success of implementation of the pattern capabilities at the local levels but also the need of decentralization in Karnataka as suggested by to ensure local participation in decision-making. the Asoka Mehta Committee, clearly underscores The dynamics of development necessitates that the deep thought and wisdom that went behind the the technical expertise of a high order be made recommendations. This caught the eye of Prime available at levels below the Province to sustain the Minister Rajiv Gandhi who made up his mind to momentum of development which, in many cases, introduce this system throughout the country. The has been already administratively decentralized at recommendation made by the Singhvi Committee the district level. Undoubtedly the district has to seeking Constitutional recognition for the local be the first point of decentralization, under popular government institutions came in handy. While the supervision, below the provincial level. Constitution 64th Amendment introduced by the Rajiv Gandhi Government in 1989 proposed a three The problem of striking a balance between tier system for local governance (as proposed by technological requirements and possibilities Balwantrai Mehta Committee), the composite bill for meaningful participation by the people in covering both the Panchayats and Municipalities development management recurs at levels below moved by the successor V.P. Singh Government in the district. The question of adequate area for a unit 1990 had left the pattern of decentralization to the of administration is quite complicated in any State, State Governments thereby giving them an option owing to unevenness in terms of economic resources, to choose between three-tier model proposed by the communication facilities, population density, level of Balwantrai Mehta Committee and the two-tier model social integration, civic commitment, etc. It would, of Asoka Mehta. Though both these amendments fell therefore, seem appropriate to leave the exact pattern through for different reasons, most of the political of local government below the district level to the parties in India had by then agreed in principle to the States. The Central Government could at best lay establishment of viable PRIs all over India despite down the general criteria for their guidance. their differences over details and procedures. More recently two criteria have been suggested Even though the Constitution Amendment Bill for determining the size of a local government unit. moved by the Narasimha Rao Government in 1991 These are access and service. If service is taken had also left the pattern of decentralization to the as the prime determinant of size, an important discretion of the States, the Joint Select Committee consideration has to be the population, because the of the Parliament to which the bill was referred took cost of the service is a function of the population a firm stand in favour of an uniform three-tier system requiring that service, although at some point, of rural governance in all the States of India, which when the population reaches a certain level, the 44 JANATA, November 13, 2011 unit cost of the service would reduce. It means, physical distance between the district head quarters therefore, a minimum and a maximum population and the panchayat is substantial, establishment of de- can be established — a minimum to guarantee that concentrated offices of the district government under the service is not too expensive and consequently public supervision at convenient locations can bridge inaccessible to the people and a maximum to ensure this gap and bring the district government nearer to quality and promptness in service. the people. It was unfortunate that this view could not get the acceptance of the JPC when they finalized Access to government in terms of influencing public their recommendations to the Parliament on the policy decisions and enhancing both responsible and Constitution 73rd Amendment, possibly on political responsive administration is a prime requirement for considerations overlooking the logical approach any democratic government. If access is an important adopted by the Asoka Mehta Committee. prerequisite of size, then, in addition to population, one has to look at the communication network, level A closely related question is whether there should of political awareness, and also the area. While the be separate urban and rural local governments as is service criteria will take care of the economic viability the practice in India. The rationale for parallel systems and administrative efficiency, the access criteria of urban and rural local self-governments could be should serve the political and democratic needs of that the character of the two communities being the people. Should the application of these criteria different, the problems to be managed by these local lead to divergent views, one has to raise the basic government institutions are altogether different. The query, whether the functions of local government can rural areas depend on primary production activities be or should be performed for profit. whereas the urban areas thrive on secondary and tertiary activities. Asoka Mehta committee could not Insisting on viability for local government and deal with this question as it was outside the mandate not for other levels of government would amount to given to them by the Government of India. Still the an obvious discrimination against local government Committee did make a reference to it while dealing since the local government provides an instrument with urban-rural issues. Recognising the need to for democracy or at least provides an extra avenue prepare comprehensive and integrated development for democratic participation. The ‘access’ criteria plans reflecting the potentials and requirements of should therefore precede the ‘service’ criteria in the rural and urban areas, the committee felt that determining the structure of PRIs in any State. for administrative convenience the district should be treated as the regional unit for planning and It must, however, be added that the lowest development and rural and urban areas falling within tier should not be so small in size as to make it it should be treated as integral parts of the area for insignificant or incapable of discharging its legitimate the purpose of over all planning and implementation duties as a local government. For instance, the of development projects. Asoka Mehta had strongly Village Panchayats in most parts of India, covering felt that the district plan must encompass the a population of about 2,500 cannot perform any developmental aspects of urban areas and the civil functions on their own and hence do not command aspects of rural areas. the respect a local government deserves. The Mandal Panchayats proposed by Asoka Mehta appear to As of now, a single local government at the satisfy both the access and service criteria and have district level may perhaps be better suited to look the potential of becoming the growth centres which after the needs of its urban and rural components, if can discharge the duties of a local government, necessary with a set of safeguards built in, to ensure closer to the people, fairly effectively. Since the just development of the entire area. Such a district average population of a village in Kerala is around government can also plan for the entire district 30,000, the Gram Panchayat can as well be the as suggested by Asoka Mehta, obviating the need lowest tier in that State. In other States, neighbouring to have a separate district planning committee to villages can be grouped to form a Mandal, satisfying coordinate action by various implementing agencies this population criterion. If the lowest tier can at the district level, including the ZPs and city/town satisfactorily meet the criteria of access and service, municipalities. This view propounded by the second there may not be any need for an intermediate tier Administrative Reforms Commission appears to be at all between the district and the village. If the a logical consequence of Asoka Mehta’s views on JANATA, November 13, 2011 45

urban rural relationships. An ideal structure of local Lagos Press, 1988. governance in the current Indian context appears to be what is shown in the figure below. 2. Constituent Assembly Debates, November-1948. 3. Gandhiji, “My idea of village swaraj”, Harijan, The country has passed through a quarter 26-7-1942. of a century since the demise of Asoka Mehta. Several changes have taken place during this 4. Gandhiji, Harijan, 21-12-1947. period carrying forward his ideas on democratic decentralization. The panchayats have now become 5. Imperial Gazetteer of India (1909), Vol. 4, p. constitutionally recognized basic tier of our federal 278. system of governance. As a process, democratic decentralization right down to the village level 6. Jawaharlal Nehru, The Discovery of India, has come to stay and future governments can at Signet Press, Calcutta, 1964. p. 288. best make only cosmetic changes to the structure. 7. Meenakshisundaram, S.S., Decentralization Can we say that Asoka Mehta’s dreams have now in Developing Countries, Concept Publishing been realilzed? Unfortunately, no. What has been Company, New Delhi, 1994. provided is only the skeleton. Life has not been injected into this skeleton in several States even 8. Report of the Royal Commission on today. Implementing the vision of Asoka Mehta not Decentralization, 1907. only in letter but also in its true spirit can only result in genuine democratic decentalization in our country. 9. Report of the Team for the Study of Community As Prime Minister Narasimha Rao had rightly felt, if Projects and National Extension Services, 1959. the Constitution can be amended for the 74th time to 10. Sivaramakrishnan, K.C., Power to the People: bring some form of decentralization, it can as well be Process and Progress of Decentralization, amended for the 150th time to bring in a better form Konark Publishers, New Delhi, 2000. of decentralization. Let us hope for the best. 11. The First Five Year Plan, Planning Commission, References: Government of India, 1953. 1. Asoka Mehta Committee Report, 1978.Asoka 12. The Karnataka Zilla Parishads, Taluk Panchayat Mehta, Rural Development and Democratic Samits, Mandal Panchayats and Nyaya Decentralization, Sri Kengal Hanumanthaiya Panchayats Act, 1983. Endowment Lecture, Bangalore University, Bangalore, 1979.Ayoade, J., Area and 13. The Second Five Year Plan, Planning Administration Viability Revisited, University of Commission, Government of India, 1956. 46 JANATA, November 13, 2011 Democratic Socialism in a Developing Society

Asoka Mehta

The annals of India are scattered with records distributive justice, of profound technological of varying attempts at people’s participation in transformation and cultural change that we seek administration. Our history can boast of republics and to establish. To that framework we shall of course democratic experiments. In the same way, our people add many things that are distinctive to us and also over the centuries have refined many ethical concepts; selectively draw upon the experiences of others, the pantheistic and monistic philosophies that we have particularly the Communist countries. The basic evolved undoubtedly carry undertones of equality. framework in socialism, as in democracy, however, Fellowship and community-consciousness cannot be remains limited by the recent experiences of the unfamiliar to a civilization that has survived the many West. vicissitudes and challenges over countless centuries. We can draw sustenance from the past for our vision In articulating democracy or socialism there of democratic socialism; we can trace the roots deep is little room for chauvinism. The talk of Hindu of the fruits and foliage that we seek. socialism or Dravidian socialism is to stultify the concepts and negate the content. Both the ideas It would be wrong, however, to equate the implicit in democracy and socialism and more so early achievements of our forefathers with our their achievements, are modernist; they denote own precise and contemporaneous aspirations. In a world-wide fraternity of the future, not some our long history, many centuries were aglow with exclusive groupings of the past. freedom, and only a few centuries were darkened by subjection. But when we struggled to free ourselves In Western countries, democracy did not flower from British rule, we defined independence afresh. till the economy had considerably diversified and We drew strength from our rich past, but future we modernized itself. Socialism with its cry for social sought was more in keeping with modern trends. In justice and democracy with its political pressures judging the value of the changes that both preceded to that end gained effectiveness, more or less, at the and followed our political independence in 1947, same time. In less developed countries where the we used the touchstone of democratic institutions, Communists, emerged at the top, they concentrated as shaped not in ancient Bihar but in modern on diversification and modernization of the Britain. By democracy we mean the Rule of Law, economy - often through social revolution - before the independence and supremacy of the judiciary, advancing towards democratic liberties. In India, the civil liberties and fundamental freedoms, periodical diversification and modernization of the economy elections and representative government. The have to be brought about under the press and pull content of democracy is modern, largely shaped by of democratic functioning. It is this juxtaposition, the experiences of the West. It is such an institutional at once critical and creative, that makes the Indian structure that we have enshrined in our Constitution, experiment unique in many ways. though in seeking to enlarge democratic functioning, we may seek strength from the past, as in the The meaning and relevance of democratic resuscitation of the panchayat, and also turn to socialism have to unfold themselves through unfamiliar yet attractive achievements in foreigh economic development and social change. countries, like the setting up of an Ombudsman. Economic development entails both accretion and In understanding and delineating socialism a differentiation. At any given point of time there may similar logic applies; essentially, its concepts and be said to exist a population inclusive of a labour content are derived from the experiences of the West force, together with a stock of man-made equipment, of over a century. When we speak of socialism, it a natural environment that has been more or less is that framework of productive relationships and modified by man’s past activities, a set of ideas,

Address delivered in Madras on July 18, 1964, at a function held to honour Shri K. Kamraj JANATA, November 13, 2011 47 concepts and aspirations and a variety of institutions When population increases and aspirations grow, that determine what use is made of the combination when the needs of defence or other national interests of equipment, environment and ideas. assert themselves, simple reproduction becomes an integument that has burst asunder. In the past when the pressure of people on natural resources was low, man experienced both That change spells a process involving input the benevolence and the brutality of Nature. In a transformation. Stated simply, at any point of time sparsely settled world there was a certain freedom of there are available quantities of disposable inputs movement, but Nature also exposed its red tooth and (labour, capital, equipment, land, etc.) which may be claws. Anyway, the demographic data from 1891 to transformed into products for current use or which 1921 show that in India a precarious balance between may simply be allowed to remain idle. Inevitably, natural resources and population had emerged and it some of these inputs will remain idle and 80 to 99 per was being maintained by constant ravages of famines cent of these will be transformed into consumable and pestilence. From the twenties onwards, when the goods and services. These are essential to existence, national movement leapt forth with new intensity, it but they contribute little to the subsequent flow of also had to accept the responsibility of achieving a inputs and the possibility of lifting the per capita dynamic balance between the material and human income. The balance (1 to 20 per cent of the inputs), factors in the country. will be transformed into income-generating or future-oriented goods and services, that is, into goods To achieve that new balance the labour force has and services that make for increase of total output. to be acted upon, that is, it has to be energized and Whether or not there will be economic growth and educated, the stock of man-made equipment has to be development turns on whether an adequate part of vastly enriched, and the natural environment quickly the available inputs are transformed into income- acted upon. All these sudden and decisive changes producing goods and services. depend upon the imparting of development-affecting dynamism to current ideas, concepts and aspirations. In any economy of stationary reproduction there To conquer poverty, to provide varied opportunities is no possibility of accommodating increase in to the people - this task has to begin with a revolution population, as our experience from 1891 to 1921 in thought, in culture. showed. Secondly, there is little chance of responding It has been said that the processes underlying to the emerging aspirations of the depressed sections economic development are ultimately reducible of the people, because the reproduction of wealth to two: the selection of ends or objectives that does not expand. Thirdly, in the stationary conditions, entail or are associated with development, and the established inequalities cannot be easily altered. transformation of inputs into outputs in such ways as In an expanding economy there are both economic to materialize these objectives. surpluses and an atmosphere of easy optimism that facilitates modifications. Societies with stationary It is obvious that the process will be furthered to reproduction confronted by new pressures, including the extent the dynamising ideas and impulses are those of democracy, will experience mounting widely shared. Development can be democratically tensions resulting in social explosions and political organized if the urge to growth and change is upheavals. widespread. If those seeking change constitute only a small group, either the desired transformation will not Democratic Socialism averts such consequences emerge, or the minority will seek to dominate, that is, by seeking to dynamise the economy, that is, by short-circuit the democratic process. Many countries constantly augmenting the reproduction of wealth of Asia and Africa testify to such a denouement. through channeling fractions of national income, not for immediate consumption but for income- A stationary society reproduces more or less generating efforts. what it consumes. Its inputs and outgoings broadly balance and there is limited differentiation. If in It is often argued that primacy, nay, immediacy, India for many centuries millions remained socially be accorded to the urgent needs of the people; food, outcast and economically depressed, it was because clothing and shelter. Diversion of income-generating the social structure was stationary, perhaps stagnant. inputs to consumption can improve the immediate 48 JANATA, November 13, 2011 position, but the short-term gains would be obtained with stationary reproduction. It requires expanded by greatly upsetting the future position. It means an reproduction, and that will bring in involvement in invitation to increasing misery. technological changes. The technological factor is the element, but it is a creative element. It is, perhaps, paradoxical but true that the mass of men will be assured of food, clothing and shelter The tools of planning are sufficiently sophisticated in the prevailing conditions only when they are also to tell us how much of technology developed deprived of many other things, may be steel mills activities will be needed to ensure minimum living and power stations. The latter, as it were, become not standards and assurance of reasonable employment the destroyer but the guarantor of the former. Must to our people. With the help of modern aids, like events brand this truth on our consciousness? the computers, it is possible to work out, with a fair degree of approximation, the needs of various Let us try and resolve the paradox: our soil, sectors of the economy. It will be found that many yielding harvest year after year, is considerably investments not directly concerned with the basic exhausted and eroded. Unless varied nutrients are needs of the common people are necessary. If they given to it, its sound texture restored and maintained are not made, either economic growth will slump and better agricultural practices developed, our land down or demands for imports will shoot up. Imports cannot yield the food our people need nor produce have to be paid for by exports. Exports from an the raw material to clothe them. The restructuring economy engaged in simple reproduction must result of the soil requires many modern, industry-based in shortages that hurt. inputs, such as chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Even water cannot irrigate large areas or achieve Development means substituting expanded intensive dosage of application unless electricity is reproduction for stationary reproduction that means wedded to agriculture. We must realize that where a deployment of resources or inputs in a manner population keeps increasing and popular expectations different from past experience as well as immediate needs. It means operating on a time horizon. grow there is no stable balance between production Needless to add that the greater the attention paid and requirements. The demands keep growing and to simple reproduction, the easier will it be to find changing - in food, for instance, there will be a shift the resources for attempting expanded reproduction. from millets, from inferior to superior varieties of Our ability to embark on income-generating projects grain. These demands on agriculture can be met only depends upon how well we are doing in our normal by constantly raising modern, industry-based inputs. economic work. That is what is meant when it is said For just food alone, in the dynamic conditions of that long-maturating projects have to be balanced by today, we get caught in the technological toils. quickly yielding schemes.

Not just in food, but for meeting almost every What is particularly socialistic about the process elementary need, development in the wider context of transformation sketched above? What are its has to be considered. The objective of any effort at implications for democracy? development is obviously to lift the levels of living of the depressed sections of our people, that is, to The transformation we have discussed was first meet their basic needs and open to them, through attempted and accomplished by capitalists in Western education and employment, avenues of advancement. countries. It was the ravages of that transformation Meaningful employment has to be found for millions that evoked socialist reaction. In the developing of our people who are today workless, overtly or in countries today the socialists have an opportunity not a disguised manner. These simple changes involve just to react to happenings, but to shape the course of a considerable transformation of the economy, that action itself. Herein lies the main difference. is, accretions and differentiations in the process of production. A high rate of growth is needed to achieve Other differences can be broadly listed. the desired social goals. The growth rates have a certain inescapable relationship to organization of The process of transformation involves changes, inputs in the economy in terms of techno-economic tensions, conflicts. There is the danger of either a considerations. Food, clothing and shelter cannot nihilist or an aggressive attitude emerging in such a be provided to our vast and growing population context. In fact, the greater the flux, the greater is the JANATA, November 13, 2011 49 need to adhere to social values and ethical norms. the developmental process. That involves, as we Socialism as a political creed that induces a person have indicated, economic, social and cultural to think of the social good as distinct from individual transformation. To attempt it democratically requires gain is apt to foster such an adherence. considerable political effort also. These multiple changes have to be kept within a well-defined focus The mainspring of capitalism is pursuit of of development. The clarity of understanding and profit. Profit provides both the indication for and moral fervor that have to infuse the community’s vindication of economic activities. Profit has efforts have to emanate from the socialists. Their its place in economic life, but if it is made the dedication and intellectual insight will determine the cardinal element in development many difficulties nature of the community’s output and understanding. arise. During a generation or two needed to get A number of social forces have to be drawn towards the economy diversified and differentiated, the development, particularly those who stand to benefit polarization between the rich and the poor would from it. That means turning the social soil that become extreme. Why should the mass of the people has remained unchanged for generations. Without accept social discipline in such a situation? The considerable upturn of that top soil, the harvest of recognition of equality, economic as well as social, as development cannot be reaped. Socialists are better a keenly desired objective facilitates the emergence equipped for these “ploughing operations” than and acceptance of the needed social discipline. If others. inputs are to be diverted from current consumption to investments whose ultimate output must take time, If this great change, often elemental, occasionally an ethic of austerity is needed. Such an ethic will cataclysmic, is to be brought about in a decade or come easier with objective-oriented socialists than so the socialists have to function unitedly and in with incentive-obsessed capitalists. an inspired way. Our success in shaping the future we seek depends upon the sense of unity and the Economic development involves and results in spirit of dedication that move us, or can be evoked significant social changes. Here again, socialists with in us. To think in lesser terms than of granite unity their loyalty and source of strength firmly planted and incandescence of will is to be unworthy of the in the working people are likely to understand and historic responsibility that beckons and challenges organize the varied forces in the bowels of society our generation. better than those who operate on the crest of social life.

The social discipline needed in development, the FOR CONTINUOUS PROSPERTY OF strength to adhere to its objectives against the ebbs OUR MOTHERLAND BHARAT, we should and flows in the economy, the recognition of the value destroy laziness from our lives. I give you an to the community of building the sinews of growth example of laziness prevailing in Government in the economy - all these and much more depend Departments. One Government official issued upon an informed and responsive public opinion. a certain order to us on 24/08/2011. We That is the value of democracy in development. If have been waiting for this order. However the necessary involvement in development can be we received a true copy of this order after 32 brought about, democracy can provide direction and days on 26/09/2011. Mumbai to Mumbai Time dynamism to it. If democratic forces remain isolated taken is 32 days. My dear fellow Indians, our or, worse still, estranged from the purposes and Computer, Internet, etc will give no benefit to processes of development, one or the other must lose us if we do not remove laziness from the lives out. of our people. Please remember that laziness plus liquor can lead a person to poverty It is time to sum up the discussion. K.K. Krishnan Democratic Socialism in a developed, affluent C-3 Sujata Apartment, society cannot be the same as in a developing Manipada, society. There, possibilities of social security, of Mumbai 400 098 varied amenities, can engage immediate attention. With us the main tasks are of initiating and furthering 50 JANATA, November 13, 2011 Asoka Mehta: Legendary Economic Visionary

R S Deshpande

India owes its development to many of those Ideological Debates visionaries who have given their original thinking Asoka Mehta was a committed Socialist and and led to build modern India. Often these unsung throughout his life remained attached to the Socialistic contributions are masked in the current day’s principles. In his address delivered at Madras in 1964 debates due to our engagement in different issues. he elaborated his views about the need of democratic At times we do ponder over some of their ideas Socialism in a developing nation. He emphasised that and then increasingly one gets an uneasy feeling socialism is that framework of production relations that our policy makers failed to enliven some of and distributive justice along with a profound the important ideals. List of these visionaries is technological transformation. Democratic Socialism quite long but I would like to mention a few. There in an affluent society is to be viewed differently was a lot of similarity between three such legends and therefore he was arguing for socialism suitable namely, Sir M Visvesvaraya, J C Kumarappa and to our needs and situations. Arguing for a new Asoka Mehta. It was Sir Visvesvaraya who gave thinking in socialism in India he said “That means the initial ideas for planning and something that he turning the social soil that has remained unchanged wrote in 1938 still stands to be one of our needs in for generations. Without considerable upturn of that planning. He wrote his book on Reconstructing India top soil, the harvest cannot be reaped. Socialists way back in 1920s and had some of the visionary are better equipped for these ploughing operations thinking incorporated therein. He discussed federal than others.” He reviewed different experiences of organisation and relationship between Central socialism world over and especially what he wrote and Provincial Governments and their financial about Chinese expansionary policy is worth looking relationship. Economic reconstruction and shaping at from his visionary words. the future of India are also discussed and one gets a lot to learn for the current phase. He wanted planning His ideas on Socialism and the concepts he from below and partnered by the villages and that illustrated are really new and make us to think would bring meaning to the word. His conviction was further. He writes “ In countries like ours, socialism similar to Gandhian village Swarjya and he wished has varied tasks; its alpha and omega cannot be that the development has to be built from villages redistribution of income. It has to reorient the upwards. The Village was considered as a basic unit generation of income. The structure of production of development and planning. Similarly the writings cannot remain as it is, because then we have only of another legendary writer J C Kumarappa also stagnation. It must not change under the stress of need to be considered. Kumarappa wrote a volume development towards greater lopsidedness and on Economy of Permanence, where he argued the aggravation of disparities. Development efforts must primacy of sustainability and illustrates economy help a better distribution of incomes.” Writing on of Gregation and economy of service. Asoka the process of industrialisation of independent India Mehta lived through the years of the formation of he separated the concept of “creating an industrial Independent India and his ideas were shaped during power’ versus “Creating Commercial power’. He those turbulent years, initially with the focus on illustrates the point by bringing many references to independence and later in shaping and correcting the industrial houses and their increasing commercial every sphere of the country’s political movements power and wealth as against the contributions to and economic policy. His participation in the the national economy by many of them. He was movement of independence was a clear indication of influenced by the writings of the Polish economist his process of thinking, which shaped after he was Morris Dobb with an eye on long term investment elected as the President of the Socialist Party during that yield sustainable results. Those were the days of its annual meet in 1950. dependence on foreign and the international politics

Dr. R.S. Deshpande is the director, Institute for Social and Economic Change, Bangalore. JANATA, November 13, 2011 51 and aid was very much in play. Asoka Mehta in no on the industrial economy of the country. What was uncertain words denounced the dependence on aid needed according to him was the industrialisation as a tool of development but at the same time he was of the small kind where many could participate and not opposed to technological transformation. He was that would put the rural areas on the industrial map. committed to socialistic principles throughout his He brought forth a point that a small but powerful life and never negotiated with what he believed. group of finance capitalists and the trusts controlled India’s expanding industrial sector. In his design of Economic Development industrialisation the big industries should be managed by the state whereas small scale sector could be During the wee years of independence the political handed over to the small industrialists. He believed leadership were confronted with the then existing that industries cannot be left to the unchecked control development models. On one side we had a choice of private citizens, but will have to be democratically of the socialistic pattern of development model orgnised and socially controlled to serve interest of spearheaded by the USSR and China with their own people. Apart from these, he also warned against variants, and on the other side we had the industrial growing industrial oligarchs. He cautioned the development model of the west. Asoka Mehta was Government that the financial support provided aware of major weaknesses of capitalist as well by the state to the private sector must not help as centralized models of development. He argued expanding monopolistic position of a few business that these methods often fail to serve development houses but, must ensure to what extent the support is aspirations of large number people as juggernaut serving the growth of new entrepreneurship, making of capitalism works like chariot of Jagannath, and industrial scenario more democratic and removing centralized dictatorship lay down many curtains regional disparities. Asoka Mehta’s views on the to prevent people either from knowing what is development of industrialisation in the country happening or at least from openly coming forward may not be easily palatable today, but one needs to and criticizing or opposing it. He strongly believed visualise the situation prevailing then in the country in economic development with political democracy, where even the availability of capital was scarce, where aspirations of large number of people could abundant unemployment and the economy depended be served more effectively. He had commented largely on agriculture. extensively on the approach and issues before the third five year plan of India. Creation of employment Agriculture and Peasantry and labour intensive industrialisation was the strategy he preferred for the plan and at that time it was the Agricultural sector was a prime mover of the most appropriate strategy. While commenting on economy during those days and even today despite the third plan and planning as a process he touches its share in the GDP has touched down to about the most important failures of planning that dog the 17 per cent, still if the sector fails to perform GDP Plans even now. He was a democrat and wanted the growth takes a dip due to the strong spill over planning process to be democratically decided and effects. The policy issues, growth and development not so much in favour of a sector. He brought forth of agriculture and peasantry in India were of much the relative neglect of agriculture in the investment interest to Mehta. He argued that investment planning. In those days mobilisation of resources decisions of the state must not only be restricted for plan was an essential debating point while many to large scale industrialisation but encompass argued in favour of borrowing from international agriculture and infrastructural facilities supporting market, Mehta stood his grounds firm to raise agriculture. While highlighting policy decisions resources from the surplus generated in the economy, of the state needed towards increasing marketable an important point that draws parallel between Sir surplus from agriculture, he pointed out that efforts Visveswaraya, Kumarappa and Mehta. towards increasing food production from incremental yield must not be at the cost of peasantry, paying Industrialization of India them lower price for their hard work. Along with this, he also raised serious question on the neglect As a committed socialist he had emphasized of development of transportation sector and its employment creating industrial strategy and role in bringing agricultural surplus to the markets. criticized commercial oriented industrialization. He He strongly favoured developmental efforts that also brought forth the hold of a few giant industrialists involved interest of peasantry. In his writings, issues 52 JANATA, November 13, 2011 like introduction of new technologies in agriculture, the development process towards the quickest decentralization of administration in rural areas, and realization of the objectives postulated. It is constant investment in deepening tanks, strengthening wells, process of looking forward for improving and building lands, cutting channels and afforesting maturing ideas about the dimensions, dynamics and eroded areas figured quite often. interdependence of factors of growth. He believed that plans of development must have a certain One of the important areas that is common to both periodicity and these can be drawn up for different J C Kumarappa and Asoka Mehta is land reforms. durations as well as, different, yet inter-related Both recognized the importance of land and land purposes. The planning process must be structured concentration in the hands of a small group. Largely on the cycle of maturation of different kinds of the the peasants were at receiving end. He discussed the activities. The activities which mature quickly must issues confronted in the process of implementation be treated as short-term plans and medium-term and in his presidential address to the Indian Society plans for those taking longer periods to show results. of Agricultural Economics at Vallabh Vidyanagar Moreover, he also believed that a medium term plan in 1964 (well before the setting of the Green should be able to strike a proper balance between Revolution), he emphasised “(a) the development short-term maturing schemes and programmes with of a package of improved agricultural practices for a longer gestation period. To pull backward regions each important crop based on the latest research into full focus of development, he advocated the findings, and (b) assistance to cultivators to develop need for a long-term plan, which in character will be farm production plans.” He further stated that “the a perspective plan for 15 to 20 years. agricultural revolution which we conceive today will depend for its success in our ability to adapt In his book on Politics and Planning he stressed ourselves to the different techniques best suited for on the responsibility of the political parties to create different regions and different crops.” The major consensus in favour of change and to devise a problem that we confronted in the second generation proper code of conduct to strive and reach the pre- problems of the technological change of mid sixties decided goals. His concept of planning went beyond is the selective application of the technology and economics and the purpose of politics included consequent ill effects. Here he stood as a visionary activism towards change in the livelihood of the who pleaded for a uniformity and local applicability poor. He was of the opinion that India’s “Five Year of the technology. Plan’ always overemphasized the medium-term Asoka Mehta’s thinking on land reforms was aspects of planning and grossly underrated the short- significantly parallel to that of J C Kumarappa term plans and efforts. Moreover, he viewed that and there too he was ahead of time. Being one of perspective plan also gives recognition to the felt the members of the Panel constituted for Land needs, but it is rarely taken seriously. He aggrieved at Reforms by Government of India, he recognized the the negligence of the Planning Commission towards importance of proper implementation of land reforms perspective plan. Even after 60 years of planning for increasing food production and reducing income experience, his critics on planning hold true as the inequalities in the Indian society. He was aware of entire process of perspective planning failed to get lop-sided distribution of land in India and therefore thrust on structural transformation and its unfolding suggested measures like enforcement of ceiling on of logic, which Asoka Mehta considered are the holdings and pooling of surplus lands from larger essence and implications of fundamentally altering owners. But he was not in favour of distributing the occupational and production structure of the small pieces of lands to landless labourers and petty economy. cultivators as he did not believe that the strategy will serve the purpose of land reforms. Instead he Poverty suggested effective measure of pooling surplus lands Throughout his speeches and interventions in the into cooperatives where these resource-poor groups Parliament as well as the Deputy Chairman of the come together, develop strategic resources and avail Planning Commission, he had always argued for assistance from the government. creating respectful livelihood system for the poor. Asoka Mehta had a better understanding of the existing Planning Process dimensions of poverty and without emphasising on Asoka Mehta considered economic planning as an modern theories, he argued for a practical and down elaborative growth strategy, devising and directing to earth solution. According to him, the nature of JANATA, November 13, 2011 53 poverty in India exists not merely in the form of deprived sections of the society. body, but also in spirit and mind. He identified their roots in India’s social system, economic apparatus Corruption and Governance and its culture. More importantly, he also brought to Corruption during fifties, sixties and till probably notice how these different roots of poverty interact early seventies was not as blatant as it surfaced in the and reinforce one another. later years. Even then the hood of the evil was visible and Asoka Mehta in no uncertain words warned the Panchayat Raj country of this evil. He writes “Even more frustrating Grass root democracy was one of Asoka is the stink of corruption from which it seems no Mehta’s most cherished dreams. He believed that nook and corner is free.” Large share of development if development has to take place the participation expenditure percolates to the corrupt hands and goes in planning and implementation must begin from into the shady black economy. He wanted some the bottom and villages have to participate in this competent authority would conscientiously assess the entire process. Centralised Planning will not meet incidence of corruption and take steps to arrest that. the aspirations of the masses as these are varied Something which we are talking today and the neglect and need differential treatment. His report on the of the words of warning given by these visionaries implementation of Panchayat Raj system in India cost the nation billions worth foreign exchange (that is a historical milestone and an excellent treatise on got stacked in Swiss Banks) and number of rags to development. He was fully convinced that district riches stories that evacuated the country’s treasury should be the first point for decentralisation under systematically. One finds parallels in writings of Sir popular supervision below the state level and Zilla Visvesvaraya as well as J C Kumarappa. Parishad should be the executive body and made responsible for planning at the district level. The Conclusions Panchayat Raj institutions should have compulsory Remembering Asoka Mehta during these turbulent powers of taxation to mobilise their own financial years in the country seems to me a natural outcome. resources. There should be a regular social audit by a There were these few leaders who visualised the district level agency and by a committee of legislators problems of the nation beyond their lifetime. They to check whether the funds allotted for the vulnerable not only expounded the issues surfaced during their social and economic groups are actually spent on life time but also provided quite a few solutions. In them. A dream that received attention only in 1993 that context we find the writings and views expressed through the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments by the visionary Asoka Mehta quite aptly picked and the implementation is still tardy. the nerve. He expressed what he expected from the common Indian for the country. He writes “To Asoka Mehta’s scheme of Panchayat Raj had give one’s best and to seek the least in return, is some important and unique features such as the the definition of dedication (to the nation). History requirement that the state government should not testifies that beleaguered nations storming to victory supersede the Panchayat Raj institutions. In case of against adverse forces have sought their real sword an imperative supersession, elections should be held and shield in this spirit of dedication. Can we sustain within 6 months from the date of supersession. This this spirit for some years? Then we would move to is one of the necessary conditions for democratisation the sunlit plateau of rewarding endeavours; we will of the grass roots and empowerment of the village escape the dark valleys of despair. institutions. He also argued for establishing Nyaya Panchayats as separate bodies from that of References development Panchayats and recommended that these should be presided over by a qualified judge. 1. Grover, Verinder (eds) (1998). Asoka Mehta: A He believed that if the development functions are Biography of his Vision and Ideas, Deep and Deep transferred to the district level and all development Publications , Delhi. staff works under the control and supervision of the District level elected institution, then the delivery 2. Kumarappa, J C (1945). Economy of Permanence, of development initiatives could be ensured. He Sarva Seva Sangh Prakashan, Varanasi. also recognised the role of voluntary agencies in the process of grass root development and also social 3. Visvesvaraya, M (1920). Reconstructing India, P responsibility by providing representation to the S King and Son, . 54 JANATA, November 13, 2011 Towards Equality of Opportunity

Asoka Mehta

The cardinal feature of our new State, that of any socially and educationally backward distinguishes it from its predecessors, either in the classes of citizens or for the Scheduled Castes and immediate or in the remote past, is its demand for Scheduled Tribes. (Article 15(4)). The Constitution the political involvement of the citizen in the affairs also provides for reservation of appointments for of the State. Adult franchise, which confers on him backward classes, although it guarantees equality this privilege, implies dispersion in the exercise of of opportunity in public employment and prohibits power, and the pace of our economic development discrimination (Article 16(4)). The extent and nature will determine its gravitation away from its of State initiative in promoting change is, therefore, traditional focus to a multiplicity of new foci in defined by these considerations. society. Another equally profound decision which we took, as a logical extension of our adoption of adult The social import of these provisions in the franchise, was to commit the State, constitutionally, context of our traditional social order reveals itself to provide equal opportunity to its citizens to aspire in the judgments of a number of cases that came up for the highest reaches of society. This has enlarged before the Supreme Court. There is, for instance, the horizons of the individual’s aspirations. the decision in the case of The State of Madras v. Champakam Dorairajan, wherein an order of the These are the new features of our polity that set Madras Government fixing admission to educational the mould of our future social development. They institutions on a communal basis was declared void assume a change in our traditional social order because of its discriminatory nature. It was as a which with its unique correlation between birth, consequence of this decision that the Constitution wealth, status and rank resulted in a social milieu was amended and Clause 4 was inserted in Article of ‘cumulative inequalities”. Such a milieu, as an 15 permitting special provision being made for American political sociologist has pointed out, the advancement of ‘socially and educationally implied that inequality in one sphere determined backward classes’. Subsequently, the issue of ipso facto, inequalities in others. The alternative defining the category of citizens who could attract poised by our political infrastructure is one with a the provisions of this clause came up before the built-in feed-back mechanism, as it were, to enable Supreme Court. In this case, M.R.Balaji and others society to reinforce itself with the creative faculty v. The State of Mysore, the Court held that special which the State is expected to foster in every citizen, provisions under Clause 4, Article 15, explicitly irrespective of caste, creed, rank or privilege. pertained to those classes who were ‘socially and educationally’ backward and laid down that both Let me review the nature of authority vested these factors together were relevant in considering in the State to stimulate change in this direction. the validity of provisions. The judgement also dealt The Directive Principles of State Policy, as you with the attributes of social backwardness and know, define a series of principles to promote ‘the adjudged that caste was not its sole determinant. welfare of the people by securing and protecting as effectively as it may, a social order in which The judgement is significant for more than one justice, social, economic and political, shall inform reason. It determines the attitude of the State to all the institutions of the national life’ (Article one of the major factors of stratified inequality in 38). The application of this principle is, however, our society and, in as much as the Supreme Court subject to the observance of justiciable fundamental has recognised transient variables contributing to rights, which, inter alia, prohibit discrimination inequality, it has broken the traditions of the land. but permit ‘special provision for the advancement The State in the remote past, ideologically upheld

Walchand Memorial lecture under the auspices of the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Bombay, April. 8, 1964. JANATA, November 13, 2011 55 an unequal social structure; in the recent past, it channeled to various strata of society. It is, however, remained, by and large, indifferent to it; today, to the incontrovertible that changes in the flow of the fruits extent it has recognised the other causative factors of of labour would be of limited value unless there was backwardness, it is emerging as a positive force for substantial increase in the quantum of the product the dissolution of the inequality ordained by social to be distributed and attention was also given to the tradition. process of generation of income.

The judgement of the Supreme Court is significant The process of income generation, which is in yet another respect. In ruling that the clause in essentially one of the absorption of material inputs for dispute was not exclusive in character and could the exploitation of the natural endowments available not be used in a manner which denied the rest of to the community, brings on the agenda of planning the citizens their right to opportunity, the Supreme a whole gamut of human factors. Implementation Court has in effect laid a limitation on political of plans, in this sense, is an exercise in substituting privilege. In other words, if the Constitution contains custom-blessed skills with science-tempered a special provision to prevent privileged sections of technology. Since acquisition of skills is a function society from perpetuating inherited advantages, it of motivation, one comes up against the problem of also provides for checks on an unjust application of stimulating, in fate-obsessed attitudes, initiative for political resources. the acquisition of skills and accomplishments which determine, or would determine, a man’s station in the There is no doubt that a wide consensus in society life of a modern community. Efforts in this direction, accepts not only the role that we assigned to the consequently, imply not only a radical change in State to shape our society, but also the contours the stereotype of a man’s role and of his status in along which it has to be fashioned. The emergence society, as conditioned by centuries of tradition, but of this consensus is, however, the culmination of a also an actual change in social relationship on a basis process that began at the turn of the century when a consistent with those assumed by our Constitution. few highly placed Indians agitated for their rights of Let me, in this context, draw attention to some of the appointment to the Indian Civil Service. The Indian factors that are emerging in the country to help this Administrative Service today draws into its fold process of change and pose some of the problems elements from the diverse strata of society. A study, involved in shaping the instruments of change. for instance, has revealed that while in the ICS, over 75 per cent came from the top income groups in the The impact of change is perhaps at its optimum case of the IAS less than a third belonged to this group, in metropolitan cities and, consequently, intelligible the rest being drawn from categories of families with in rather a dramatic manner. In fact some of us who incomes of less than Rs. 800 a month. Again, in have had the privilege of a close acquaintance with 1961, the Scheduled Castes formed 18 per cent of the city of Bombay over the period of a generation the total number of candidates appointed to the IAS will readily recognise from personal experience the on the results of the competitive examination. The new social mores that have begun to replace those issues for the assertion of equality of opportunity are current in earlier decades. We find a new social thus obviously different in the present stage of our ethos, free of old inhibitions but with its own unique social development. scale of social distances, emerging to accommodate the demands of industrial development and urban In judging policies appropriate to foster egalitarian growth. A little reflection will reveal, however, the trends, emphasis is necessary on two of its main distinct difference between the social landscape that determinants, viz., growth of net national product and obtains in the city of Bombay and that which obtains change in the structure of its distribution. The impact in the heartlands of the country. of planning over the last decade has largely projected itself in increase in the net national product. A more One would notice, for instance, a more intimate rapid rate of growth in the net national product contact, laterally, between class-groups of caste alone would not necessarily secure progressively categories which is only extremely functional and greater equality; it would be necessary to influence perfunctory in rural areas. Again industry, with its its flow and devise a mechanism by which itis inexorable propensity to convert human beings 56 JANATA, November 13, 2011 into economic units, determines a set of variables Organized effort is necessary for the conversion of for the identification of individuals which are on a this potential of change and this is the new dimension plane very different from those that obtain in the that is imparted to the role of trade unions in shaping agriculture-dominated countryside. The nexus of our society. Fortunately, some of the undesirable social relationships that sets the pattern of society is, pressures of a stratified society have not affected to be sure, not entirely outside the pale of influences our trade union movement in a marked manner and, dominant in the country as a whole, but the trend unlike in some other countries, it is relatively free is noticeable towards the development of a new of elements which distort its inherent social and social milieu. This milieu permits, relatively, a much economic perspectives. The awareness of a creative greater opportunity for the recognition of status social role will enable trade unions not only to which does not depend entirely on the individual’s protect the immigrant rural labour force, unaware of wisdom in the choice of his parents’ caste. the nature of social and economic forces operating in urban areas, but also help it to acquire, not Bombay is no index of change for the country entirely without tears, the discipline of urban culture. as a whole, but the forces that confer a new social Leadership in this direction will also engender a significance to the individual and provide him with better appreciation of some of the healthier aspects motivation for change are in operation with lesser of urban social values and equality of opportunity intensity in other industry-based cities or are in an would be certainly more meaningful in this context. embryonic stage of growth in some of the larger towns. It should be obvious too that this change in The relevance of this element of change is perhaps status does not abridge social distances but the index most significant to the depressed sections of our of change is that it does not altogether place a taboo society. Some 10.7 per cent of the total population on such an abridgement. Matrimony is not perhaps of scheduled castes lives in urban areas. There are the best illustration and is also somewhat a banal one, wide regional variations from this all India average. but let me cite public reaction to any deviation from For instance, 79.7 per cent, 24.4 per cent and 21.2 the normal. An inter-caste marriage causes no more per cent of the scheduled caste populations of Delhi, than, perhaps, a comment in a small, close circle in Gujaraj and Maharashtra respectively live in urban this city today, but in rural areas it still can be a major centres. These sizable proportions of scheduled scandal, involving the entire village community and caste populations are open to the experiences of affecting the fate and fortune of the involved parties, a non-discriminatory nature of social contacts at as it did here a couple of decades ago. various points in urban communal life, although they continue to be distinct social islands. Slums dramatise the leeway we have to make up before equality of opportunity becomes a reality The influence of urbanization has its obvious in urban life. Although our rate of urbanization is limitations in the process of transforming our society relatively modest, it is more than evident that our and, for a long time to come urban-rural differentials urban resources have yet to be mobilized adequately will continue to be disparate. The focus of our effort and utilized wisely before the city begins to exercise a will have to rest on rural India where institutional wholesome influence and before it can communicate compulsions continue to bear their weight against to the rest of society some of the more desirable any meaningful re-fashioning of the pattern of social values of which it is the matrix. Migration society. The correlation between privilege, status and from rural areas is a major cause of urbanization, as a influence appears to remain unchanged, welfare and result of which sizable sectors of the rural population reform legislation make no more than a dent in the are exposed to urban influences which are relatively hard crust of what Bagehot once called the ‘cake of better equality-oriented. The linkage between urban custom’. Efforts to induce change in this background and rural cultures, which this migrant population either run into direct opposition or run dry in the face effects, is one of the important leavening agents to of mass apathy. It is evident also that, until solvents hasten the process of change in rural areas. Perhaps are applied to overcome social-cultural resistances an even greater influence, both in extent and degree, that impede change, no socio-economic development is one that is exerted by the industrial complexes that of any meaningful magnitude will occur. are being developed in the heartlands of the country. JANATA, November 13, 2011 57

In following up to its logical conclusion the type assert a scale of egalitarian values in stratified society. of society envisaged in our Constitution and creating Inasmuch as it is a unique experience in the history a rural base consistent with its ethos, our success of our society, its consequences ripple through each rests today on the leadership available at the grass and every aspect of social existence. In fact a new roots. This leadership can and has to emerge from creed, with its own ethic, has to emerge. There are the intellectually perceptive elements which are few precedents to help us shape this creed because widespread. A National Sample Survey conducted the cultural soil in which it is emerging is uniquely in 1958 has estimated that about 30 per cent of its own. Only a deliberate effort to understand its our villages are at a distance of less than ten miles nature will enable us to build this creed as our modest from high schools. These schools can and should contribution to the heritage of this land. become cultural centres radiating influence to initiate a renaissance in the rural areas. A similar but More than a century ago the nation’s Grand Old a greater degree of responsibility lies on the small- Man, Dadabhai Naoroji, went about the streets of town colleges, now numbering hundreds, which dot this great city, lantern in hand, to spread literacy. different parts of the countryside. That lantern is now in our hands. Let us protect it against the storm which change generates and use it I have only touched the mere fringes of a few of to ignite the lamps all around. the problems that arise inevitably from our efforts to

With best compliments from

AMRIT ENTERPRISES LIMITED

SCO 18-19, 1ST Floor, Sector 8-C, Madhya Marg Chandigarh 160009 58 JANATA, November 13, 2011 Division of Big States

S. Viswam

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister comprises 75 districts presently. her own political advantage. This Mayawati’s proposal to divide the The state is a behemoth, with leads one to suspect that the idea sprawling state into four “parts” the second largest land mass of dividing Uttar Pradesh is a kite may well pose a new challenge to among all states (surprisingly it that she has flown to test the waters the UPA government at the Centre is Madhya Pradesh which is the before the coming assembly polls. ahead of the assembly elections largest state area-wise), and it She may want to play electoral in early 2012. A division of the is difficult to administer. Before politics with the proposal before large UP into some economically parting with Uttarakhand it used and during the polls, and abandon and politically viable smaller to send 85 members to the Lok the thought after the polls if she states has been mooted often Sabha, not a mean advantage if does not succeed in selling the idea enough in the past. The erstwhile you calculate the nexus between to the nation at large and her NDA government of Atal Behari numbers of MPs and their impact constituency in particular. Vajpayee did bite the bullet a on national politics. Even without However, these are early days decade ago and boldly managed Uttarakhand, it sends a substantial yet, and the UP is yet to go into the creation of Jharkhand (out of number. Mayawati would like to the poll mode in the real sense of Bihar), Uttaranchal, ie. Uttarakhand allot 32 districts in eastern UP the term. The fever will set in soon (out of UP) and Chhatisgarh(out of to a “part” called Poorvanchal, though, and with Rahul Gandhi Madhya Pradesh). However, that 22 districts in western region on the warpath in the whole state government missed the opportunity to Harit Pradesh (Green State), rather than confining his campaign to tackle the entire controversial seven districts to Bundelkhand only to Amethi and Rae Bareilly issue of reorganisation of states and the remaining 14 to Central Lok Sabh constituencies, the in one go.. It left the task half UP. Thus, the outrageously large, battle will be joined soon enough. undone. Splitting large states into unmanageable and complicated When it does, what role will a smaller states has the potential state will divide itself into four proposal for dividing the state of bringing political dividends smaller states, which may be into four new states play? How for whichever party or group of easier to administer. Even so, not will UP’s political class react as parties that opts for a division. all the new states will be of the a whole? The Samajwadi Party While the BJP benefited to some same size in terms of both area has thrown cold water on the idea extent initially by the creation of and population. It seems rather already, but the BJP may have to the three new states, it is gaining odd that a state evolved out of be more cautious, partly because it no special political advantage out seven administrative districts will championed the cause of division of its boldness now. Mayawati co-exist with another which had all these years and has supported now proposes to divide UP into had as many as 32 districts. But, the Telengana movement. The four “parts”. The news report then, the objective is to make the BJP can hardly afford to criticise from Lucknow is rather vague vast UP more manageable, easier Mayawati for hunting for political on this aspect of her proposal. to govern, and less complicate to dividends. Does she want to go in for an develop economically The Congress may be more administrative division of the state interested in checking Mayawati’s by realigning the states or does she It is not clear why Mayawati influence than in encouraging any want new states to be carved out finds the idea of dividing UP of her fads, although in the long of UP? Whatever her options, even appealing.Once the state is divided run four smaller states in place of administrative division is bound to into four new parts, Mayawati a huge single state will offer both lead eventually to the conversion will cease to be as powerful and opportunities and challenges to the of the “part” into a state. important as she is now,heading Congress. as she does 75 districts and in a The Chief Minister’s idea is position to exploit the politics The Telengana movement has not entirely without merit. UP and economics of each district to left the Congress at the state and JANATA, November 13, 2011 59 national levels much bruised. the other for too long a time to clamouring for separate states It is now caught in an awkward retain credibility. Hence, it may here, there and everywhere. The situation where it can go neither be wise for it to heed the warning sooner the Centre sets up another forward nor back nor afford to implicit in Mayawati’s proposal. States Reorganisation Commission maintain the status quo. It has The best way of tackling the idea and deals with all the demands in to blame itself largely for its of states’ reorganisation is to face one go, disputes will linger and predicament. It did not take the the challenge boldly and settle fester in local levels.The time to campaign seriously to begin with, the controversies once and for all. act is now. and played one group against There are many political groups

Yusuf Meherally Centre

Buy Village Products & Generate Rural Employment Soap: Kutir, Sarvodaya Ghani oil: Til, Kardi Massage oil Coconut oil Pottery items

Available at :

Price: Rs. 20/- YMC Shop Janata Trust NCG Consumers’ Cooperative Society, Chowpatty Market, D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Naushir Behind Babulnath Temple, Bharucha Marg, Grant Road (W), Mumbai 400 007. Mumbai - 400 007. Tel.: 2367 6822 R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 60 JANATA, November 13, 2011 P.R. No. MH/MR/WEST/275/2010-2011 Posted at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1

With best compliments from

ELECON ENGINEERING COMPANY LTD.–MHE Division

P.B. No. 6, Anand Sojitra Road, Vallabh Vidyanagar - 388 120, Gujarat, India Ph. : 02692-237016, 230017, 236521 Fax : 02692-236457, 236527

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. 66 No. 42 A Long-awaited Breakthrough November 20, 2011 Kuldip Nayar Manmohan’s Successor S.Viswam We are back full circle to a proposal normalization of relations between long familiar to the people in India India and Pakistan. Prime Minister and Pakistan: keep business separate Manmohan Singh’s decision not to Good Governance and from Kashmir. There was a time when link trade with the sentence to the the Welfare State System Pakistan would refuse to have any terrorists, who are being tried in trade with India until Kashmir was Pakistan for the attack on Mumbai B. Vivekanandan solved. New Delhi would say that three years ago, is courageous at a it was not opposed to a solution of time when his own stock is not high. Maulana Azad Kashmir, but the starting point should be business. The Indian media is mostly critical Asghar Ali Engineer and the hawks are even abusive. But The meeting between Prime they represent a minority which sees Ministers Manmohan Singh and everything in Pakistan negative. They Indian Musharaffs Yousuf Reza Gilani broke the deadlock do not want Pakistan to fall apart but and Kayanis and Pakistan did not underline they continue talking about punishing Sankara Narayanan Kashmir as the core problem. As Islamabad. Their outlook tallies with Pakistan foreign minister Hina India’s main opposition party, the Rabbani Kher said after returning BJP. And left to both, the criticism of An Independent Judiciary from Maldives that Pakistan would any breakthrough with Pakistan will Ruma Pal “bend backwards” to be friendly with be considered anti-national. India. The Pakistan media may be a RTI Route This is a welcome development, shade better. But it too does not Ravindran P M not only for the two countries but rise from the parochial angle it has also for the South Asia. Nothing in followed for decades. Nor are of any the region would move because the help the books still preaching that Editor : estrangement between India and Hindus are enemies or incidents like G. G. Parikh Pakistan cast its shadow on any joint the killing of four Hindu doctors in step forward. Islamabad should be Sindh. Civil society there appears to D-15, Ganesh Prasad, complemented because it went away have given up even the semblance Naushir Bharucha Marg, from its old beaten path. of resistance. The murder of former Mumbai - 400 007. Punjab governor Salman Taseer at the W h a t e v e r P a k i s t a n ’ s hands of fanatics has silenced even Email : [email protected] compulsions—the army is on board— the boldest liberals, not realizing that it is a bold step which can lead to the they are a target. 2 JANATA, November 20, 2011

The bureaucracy and the also visit the sites where terrorists stalled the solution. The remark intelligence agencies on both sides are reportedly trained and armed. by the then Prime Minister, Atal do not see the development at Behari Vajpayee, was: “We were Maldives as an opportunity to shed When it comes to trade, New almost there.” The second time when the baggage of history of last six Delhi will have to ensure that there Musharraf brokered a solution and decades and start from clean slate. is a level playing field for Pakistan. was on the verge of inviting Prime I concede that all will not change at The balance of trade will be one Minister Manmohan Singh for one sweep. Relations between India indication. If Pakistan’s exports signing the agreement on Kashmir, and Pakistan have to be evolved and are too small compared to Indian the lawyers’ agitation changed the tended carefully. The path the two exports, doubts may surface about scenario. governments have taken will have to New Delhi’s bona fides. True, the scale the mountains before they hit list of items would be prepared. But I realize that it is difficult for a sunny valley. It requires patience India can ask Pakistan which goods both sides to rub off the history. But and perseverance. it can conveniently export to India so there is no alternative to peace. They that there is no room for grievance cannot change their geography and India’s grievance of Pakistan or discrimination. Maybe, some of have to accept each other as they not yet punishing the perpetrators the tariff concession New Delhi has are, not as they want them to be. If of the Mumbai attacks is genuine. offered to Dhaka can be extended to Germany and France could become No explanation by Islamabad is Islamabad. friends after years of war why can’t convincing. Yet it has a point when India and Pakistan? it says that the evidence which India India’s aim should be how to has provided is too weak to get develop Pakistan economically so My advice to civil society in favourable verdict in court. Now that it is not dependent on America or Pakistan is that it should speak out that Pakistan’s judicial committee Saudi Arabia for assistance. This will in public. At present its criticism is coming to India, it should be ultimately stop foreign interference is confined to drawing rooms collecting as much evidence as it in the affairs concerning the region. and it remains pathetically quiet wants. The case must move forward. Pakistan, on its part, should open even when its sees the truth being Once it happens, doubts on this end the country to India’s investors. If attacked. I have not seen a single would be assuaged to a large extent. they can buy large concerns in the voice of concern for the judge who And Prime Minister Manmohan UK or the US, they should be able sentenced the killer of late Punjab Singh is quite right when he says to do so in Pakistan as well. There governor Salman Taseer. The judge that another Mumbai may lead to may be joint ventures between India had to disappear after doing his duty unforeseen consequences. New and Pakistan. Economic ties in due because he knew that neither civil Delhi will expect that Islamabad course will become the sinews for society nor the government would does not allow cross-border terrorism friendship and then the gun will come to his rescue. from its soil. become superfluous. Yet I do not think that the case It is understandable that the Janata is the only hitch. Both countries Pakistan government is under great do not have trust in each other and pressure not to keep Kashmir apart. Subscription refuse to rely on the facts even when But there is no doubt that trade Annual Rs. : 260/- placed on the table. They are prey to between the two countries will Three Years : 750/- a mindset and see to it that they stall generate so much goodwill that a Demand Draft / Cheque on the people’s desire to live as good solution of Kashmir may become Mumbai Bank neighbours. So long as terrorism is easy. After all, the governments in favour of there no argument against mistrust on both sides did arrive at some JANATA TRUST will work. Joint mechanism to understanding on Kashmir. eliminate terrorism was supposed D-15, Ganesh Prasad, to be set up a few months ago. But Once when Nawaz Sharif was Naushir Bharucha Marg, the proposal remains on paper. The the Prime Minister in Pakistan, the Mumbai 400 007 mechanism when established should coup by General Pervez Musharraf JANATA, November 20, 2011 3 Manmohan’s Successor

S.Viswam

Rahul Gandhi, the heir-apparent Bahujan Samaj Party, the Samajwadi from the more controversial issues and Prince Charming, has hitherto Party and the . that have brought considerable been, like his father, a reluctant Rahul may well dream of outclassing vulnerability to Mayawati’s politician. After avoiding the all the three rival parties in one go politics and performance. In the limelight for some years, he recently and convert the Congress into the name of development, Mayawati came into the open and began ruling party with a majority if his has squandered state funds into cultivating political connections magic works. It is unlikely to, but unproductive channels. She has and constituencies even while then dreams are par for the course in made political corruption a fine art, proclaiming often that he was not the dynasty-afflicted Congress Party. and virtually institutionalised caste yet ready for politics. With each politics. Indeed, under Mayawati, year after the installation of UPA II The Congress did not do all that UP politics has amassed casteist and in power, Rahul has been nearing badly in the 2009 Lok Sabha polls. communal overtones and undertones. the political mainstream, with focus It bagged 21 seats (out of 80) at a However, the proposal for dividing on UP politics. Involvement in his time when it was expected not to the state deserves to be fully debated, own Amethi and his mother Sonia win even a single seat. Rahul is but in the atmosphere in which it Gandhi’s Rae Bareilly constituencies entitled to a great part of the credit has been unraveled, it is unlikely to gave him the excuse to break out for this impressive achievement. receive the attention it deserves. The in confrontation against UP Chief History can repeat itself in the Congress will fight shy of supporting Minister Mayawati. Now, with just assembly round with even a more it one hundred per cent since it has a few months left for assembly polls remarkable performance if all those the Telengana albatross around its in Uttar Pradesh, the prince is not dalits, Muslims, kisans and upper neck. It cannot go hammer and ashamed of eyeing the state throne middle classes voters Rahul has been tong against Mayawati’s corruption with clear hints that he will be eyeing cultivating for the last five years since it itself is vulnerable to Anna the Big Throne in New Delhi in direct deliver. Mayawati has demonstrated Hazare-inspired campaigns on succession to Manmohan Singh her capacity to convert goodwill central government scams. in 2014 parliamentary elections. into votes and none in the country Another scene in the race for power has excelled her in this art so far. But all this is not to say that at the Centre 2014 onwards now Rahul has possibly done enough Rahul’s battle is lost even before it unfolds with the spotlight turned on to push the Samajwadi Party-BJP has begun. There is a long way to go the Prince. opposition to the background and to before UP gets divided. Rahul as a treat only Mayawati and the Bahujan chief minister-aspirant is definitely The reluctant politician is no Samaj Party as the main targets of a new factor in UP politics and more so. He has declared that (a) he the Congress. That Mayawati has polls. So, much depends on how is ready to involve himself deeper been somewhat rattled by both that factor works in the voters’ in the March 2012 assembly polls Rahul’s strategy and challenge is minds. After all, the state rejected (2) he will head the campaign (3) fully reflected in her decision to much stronger parties in successive he is ready to become UP’s chief recommend the division of the assembly polls to give a chance to minister if the voters want him to sprawling Uttar Pradesh into four the BSP. The BSP’s record is not (4) he intends not only to improve new and smaller states. remarkable enough to distort the the Congress’ fortunes in the coming voters’ perspective firmly against polls but, if he can help, make it This is a shrewd political move the Congress. On the other hand, the the largest single party in order to ahead of the assembly polls. It idea of Rahul as chief minister who have a stake in power in the largest is based on the belief that the is a potential contender in the prime state of the country. The Congress is proposal for the new states will ministerial race in 2014 may work currently the fourth party in the state help divert the attention of the wonders. Indian elections always which it once ruled, after the ruling political as well as the voting class throw up surprises. 4 JANATA, November 20, 2011 About Lohia statement that Marx did not know anything about the caste system Bapu Kaldate This has reference to the in India and that Marx advocated Veteran socialist leader Bapu article ‘Gandhi and Socialism’ by equality of opportunity. As for Kaldate expired at 12.10 am on R.J.Kochar (Janata, October 30, Gandhi, I have wondered why he November17, 2011. Bapu had 2011). He says that I am trying to did not mention to Gandhi that been a relentless crusader against tell that Lohia was not conferred he was not conferred Doctorate? injustice and inequality in his the doctorate, that the controversy Why he did not refute when he was long political career. He was is “unwarranted”, and “after Lohia’s introduced to the American people as elected a Member of Maharashtra death” and that Lohia could have having served Gandhi as his private Legislative Assembly from Latur clarified the doubt in his lifetime. secretary? Was he ever the private constituency. Later on he was I had only raised a doubt as to how secretary to Gandhi? It is time elected to the Lok Sabha from Lohia could do his doctorate, in Lohia followers decide whether they and thereafter to the my letter published in Janata dated belong to, to use Yogendra Yadav’s Rajya Sabha. September 5, 2010. My doubt that words, “the dwindling band of Lohia was not conferred doctorate Lohia’s blind admirers who are still Hailing from a small village has been confirmed by a German too dazzled to see anything beyond in Marathwada region, Bapu Scholar Joachim Oesterheld in her ‘doctor sahib’ . reached on/the zenith of national article published in the October 2-8, politics. His upbringing in 2010 issue of the Economic and –Bapu Heddurshetti 'warkari' tradition and grooming Political Weekly which contained in Rashtra Seva Dal made a special issue on Lohia edited by Karya Karta him a special kind of doyen of Yogendra Yadav. Does Shri Kochar Indian socialist movement. His insist that even though Lohia was Rashtra Seva Dal Karya Karta transparent integrity and oratory not conferred Doctorate he should Puraskar, an award to honour best held large audiences spellbound be addressed as Doctor? Does Shri performing worker of Rashtra Seva and earned him respect from Kochar mean that after some one’s Dalat at the national level has been various shades of political death his actions and views should instituted by the family of Bhai spectrum all over India. He sent not be subjected to analysis but Vaidya, a veteran socialist leader an inspiring message on the should be accepted at face value? and a former president of the RSD. formation of the Socialist Party Who has “unintelligent prejudice”? The award consists of Rs 10,000/-, a certficate and a memento. The at Hyderabad in May this year. When Shri Kochar speaks of first award was presented to George His demise is a great loss for “personality haters”, is he referring Jacob of Kerala for his outstanding Gandhian socialist movement in to me or to Lohia? I have not contributions to the organisation and India. Strengthening socialist called names to Lohia as he did to the socialist movement in general. movement and Rashtra Seva Dal to his colleagues in the Socialist will be a befitting tribute to the movement. Lohia had called Acharya George Jacob has been working memory of Bapu Kaldate. Narendra Deva, Acharya Kripalani with the RSD since 2002 and has been instrumental in starting the and Jayaprakash Narayan not to – Pannalal Surana, mention lesser leaders as partisans organisational activities in Kerala which have spread to many districts Chairman, Parliamentary of “paralysed socialism”, called Board, Socialist Party(Jndia) Gandhians like Acharya Kripalani, of the state. He has also started RSD work in some parts of Karnataka as “decoits”, and “Saras bird”, . In the well attended meeting Jayaprakash Narayan as a “madari” and Andhra, as the National General Secretary of the Seva Dal. Dr Abhijit Vaidya, Chief of Arogya and an “Agent” of Nehru. He called Sena and Trustee of Rashtra Seva parliament members “impotent”. The award was presented on Dal, presented the award and October 15th in a special function Sudhatai Varde, senior trustee of About Lohia’s understanding Seva Dal, honoured his family of Marx, I have wondered at his organised at Barrister Nath Pai auditorium in Sane Guruji Smarak of (Continued on Page 8) JANATA, November 20, 2011 5 Good Governance and the Welfare State System

B. Vivekanandan

In a broad sense, the term It is in this context that the authorities, for channelling the good governance is used to construction of a welfare state welfare state benefits to the people. measure how public institutions system becomes imperative. This Adoption of a welfare system is also and their functionaries conduct is mainly because the welfare state a recognition of the social rights public affairs, and how truthfully system would engender the needed of every person in the state to get and fairly they discharge their stimuli and psyche among all a fair share of the fruits of growth responsibilities toward the people functionaries in the public domain in society, and is also a stimulus for and the society. Transparency of the for ensuring good governance. promotion of a mentality among decision-making process, honesty, Therefore, it is my conviction the people, to share a part of their efficiency and accountability of the that establishment of a welfare earnings with fellow human beings, decision-makers and implementors state system in India is essential without heartburn, in a spirit of of decisions, their responsibility for ensuring sustainable good solidarity. Indeed, it is also a and responsiveness, the rule of law, governance in our country. civilised democratic solution to the democratic methods, etc., are all problem of inequality prevalent in integral parts of it. Efficient service When we talk about the welfare today’s world. state system, it is important to provision, a guaranteed system of understand: what does it mean? A Today, a highly advanced welfare distributive justice, provision of welfare state system implies that state system exists in Scandinavian gainful employment, elimination a benign democratic state would countries like , Norway, of poverty, deterrence against assume the main responsibility of Denmark and Finland. I am more corruption and criminalisation of the welfare of the whole population, familiar with their system since politics and administration, are also through appropriate, public funded, I had many opportunities to visit components of good governance. institutionalised mechanisms. them repeatedly during the last three The presence of an active civil In effect, the government would decades and stayed in them for long society, a free press, and an assume the direct responsibility periods to study their system. The independent judiciary, composed of for the provision of social welfare state system in Scandinavia persons of high integrity, are also security, health care, medical care, is anchored in a full-employment integral parts of it. Cumulatively, education, housing, social services, policy, complemented by a steeply the main objective is to establish unemployment allowances, family progressive Income-tax system. and preserve a good, democratic allowances, child allowances, They sustain the welfare state society, based on equity, justice and pensions, and so on, for everyone system there without any problem. peace. The Right to Information in the state. And all these provisions would give a robust support for would be funded largely from state If we look at the texture of the good governance. revennues. Scandinavian welfare state system, its most outstanding feature is what However, we must understand A welfare state system accepts is popularly known as “from cradle- that it is not enough to pass the role of the state as a regulator as to-the-grave” welfare state system. legislations regarding good well as a provider. It concedes that In fact, calling it “from cradle-to- governance. For making good a judicious and benign intervention the-grave” welfare state system governance meaningful in the of a democratic state in the economy is an understatement, because a lives of people, it is also essential and social life is necessary, since person begins to get the welfare to create and sustain a general the system entails a huge transfer of state’s protection when he/she is in environment favourable to it. funds from the government to local the womb of his/her mother. Under

Keynote address at the national seminar on Right to Information and Good Governance held at S.N. College, Quilon on October20, 2011 6 JANATA, November 20, 2011 the system, a pregnant woman, to compensation for industrial I went to in 1985 to after 14 weeks of pregnancy, injury. All mothers receive study the changes the welfare begins to get a special allowance maternity grants. Under a family state system has brought about in from the government to take extra- law, either the mother or father is Sweden. At that time, the then Prime nutritional food for feeding the entitled to seven months maternity Minister ’s Economic foetus. From then onwards, the or paternity leave, with full pay, Adviser, Dr Klaus Eklund, a Ph.D state’s responsibility for the child’s after the birth of a child, to take care from the famous Stockholm School wellbeing remains unabated all of the newborn. Every housewife of Economics, showed me some though its life. When a child is born, is entitled to an annual vacation, charts which he prepared for the the mother receives a box instantly anywhere in the country, at the Prime Minister. First, he showed from the government, stamped governmental expenditure. me a chart which showed the gross with government’s official seal, salary levels of the lowest paid containing baby clothes and other Similarly, the welfare state and the highest paid employees newborn baby items for the child. system has established a highly in Sweden. I found the disparity After the child’s birth, the parents developed pension scheme in between the two quite big. Then he begin to get a child allowance Scandinavia. Under an old-age showed me another chart, which for the upkeep of the child, till pension scheme, all old people are showed the take-home pays of all it reaches 17 years old. Every entitled to a pension. Similarly, all those wage-earners in Sweden, after child gets free education. After disabled people, after the age of 16, applying the steeply progressive education, the state is responsible are entitled to a disability pension. income-tax. That chart showed that for the provision of gainful job If a person is fully disabled, he after the deduction of the income- for the person, failing which, till would get full disability pension, tax, the income ratio between the such time, it has to provide an which is equal to old-age pension. lowest paid and the highest paid unemployment allowance for him/ Similarly, parents are entitled employees in Sweden came down her. When the person becomes a to child care allowances, if they to 1:4. Then he showed me a third wage-earner, he becomes a tax- themselves nurse their disabled chart, showing the comparative payer, and thus becomes a regular children at home. position of family incomes in financier of the welfare state till Sweden, The income difference his retirement. When a person In Sweden, medical care is free, between families in Sweden was retires he/she gets two-thirds of except a nominal prescription found to be astonishingly low. The his/her salary as pension, which fee. Under the sickness benefit income ratio between the low- is adequate to maintain a good insurance system, those who suffer income and high-income families quality of life after retirement, from income loss due to illness, was only 1:2. We must note that in addition to free medical care. injury or disability, are entitled to no other country, no other system And, finally, when a person dies, compensation. The quantum of in the world, has achieved such a his/her burial expenditure is also sickness benefit is 90 percent of the high level of income equality which met by the state. That is how the person’s salary prior to his illness, has been achieved in Sweden and “cradle-to-the-grave” welfare state injury or disability. The cost of other Scandinavian countries. This system operates in all Scandinavian health insurance is shared between has been achieved democratically countries. the state, employers, and self- through the means of Parliamentary employed people. reforms. It blurred the class Social security in Scandinavia distinctions in Scandinavia. Now, encompasses the right to work, The welfare state system in due to the negative impact of right to education, a decent place to Scandinavia is attuned to promote globalisation, and of the activities live, and so on. Under the scheme, equality and solidarity in society. of the multi-national companies, the entire population is insured A steeply progressive income-tax there are some changes in these against illness. Everyone gets system, and the solidarity wage ratios in recent years, but not any equal educational opportunities. structuring have radically curtailed big change. The scheme protects all employees the income disparity between the from work related accidents and take-home pays of the low-paid and Though the initial objective of sickness. All employees are entitled high-paid employees in the country. the construction of welfare state JANATA, November 20, 2011 7 was alleviation of poverty, the has virtually freed people, from Fundamental Rights and Directive Scandinavian Welfare States have worrying about their own security, Principles of State Policy, for gone for beyond that agenda, and or about the future security of transforming India into a welfare infused in it larger objectives their children and grandchildren, state. Articles 38, 39, 41, 42, 43, like reduction of inequality, and as they are sure that the welfare 45, and so on, are all pertinent promotion of social justice, which state system would take care of provisions, aimed to construct a means distributive justice, and all of them when time comes. As welfare state system to India. But, human solidarity. The agenda a result, the people in Scandinavia despite these provisions made in the of social justice, or distributive are generally free from stress-based constitution, the progress India has justice, has been pursued both diseases, which are increasingly made in the direction of building vertically and horizontally. becoming a phenomenon in most a welfare state in the country Vertically from the rich to the of the non-welfare state societies. remains negligible. The lack of will poor, through a steeply progressive Another notable point is that the and the absence of a political party, taxation system. And horizontally, system has made all these societies like Social Democratic Party, fully through the establishment of a totally free from corruption. Indeed, committed to build up a welfare cradle-to-the-grave welfare state people in these countries have no state system in India are the main system for the entire population, incentive, nor any compulsion, to reasons. An index of where India without exception. As a result, in become dishonest or corrupt. Their stands in this context could be the global Human Development solidarity approach has radically seen in our annual budgets. While Index, all these countries – Sweden, changed their general psyche. It a country like Sweden spends Denmark, Norway and Finland – has enhanced people’s respect for about 37 percent of its national occupy top positions. each other, which is demonstrated budget for public welfare, India in their day-to-day conduct. No spends just about four percent of its Since matters affecting the one would venture to look down budget for the purpose. That speaks vital interests of the people, like upon a colleague or a neighbour volumes about our track record education, health, employment, with derision. Good governance in this context during the last 60 social security etc, are taken care of has become a natual corollary years. This dismal record of India by the welfare state system, popular of the welfare state system of all calls for radical change. However, support for it remains strong in all these countries. People and public this is not the occasion to go into these countries. Governmental functionaries are provided with a details of all these matters. I hope, changes in these countries have healthy transparent enviornment, to some of you will pay attention to not brought about any significant enable them to overcome the traits of this aspect, in your studies and change in the welfare state system pettiness, greed and acquisitiveness, research. which the social democratic parties which breed craftiness, corruption, have systematically established and dishonesty in persons. However, I would like to make during the last 75 years. one more pertinent point. A week In India, if we really want to ago, my good friend Prof. Arun What are the effects of the ensure good governance, we have Kumar, a famous economist of welfare state system from the point to build up a welfare state system Jawaharlal Nehru University, has of view of good governance in these which should engender good human published an article in The Hindu, countries? We have to recognise qualifies which would promote which has revealed that the black that the welfare state system has good governance. Infusion of fear economy in India accounts for brought about a remarkable change in the minds of potential offenders 50 percent of the country’s GDP. in the psyche and attitudes of the – whether they are in policies or Needless to say how serious is people in all these Scandinavian in administration – alone cannot this problem for good governance countries. The preventive policies ensure good governance in our in India. It is well-known that this pursued by the welfare state system society, unless it is backed by a black economy is controlled by a have forestalled many potential strong welfare state system. small number of corrupting wizards social problems, and influenced of private enterprises, spanning the development of healthy, stress- The Indian Constitution contains greedy businessmen and traders, free societies in Scandinavia. It many provisions in Chapters on and unscrupulous contractors and 8 JANATA, November 20, 2011 commission agents. Equally well- known is their unlimited capacity Maulana Azad to throw all kinds of temptations around our decisions – whether they Asghar Ali Engineer are politicians of administrators. The evidence which has surfaced in Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was a from Mecca and Maulana was born the 2-G Spectrum Scandal is only unique Islamic personality of great there during Maulana Khairuddins a tip of the ice-berg. Therefore, Islamic scholarship, patriotism and stay there. Thus in a way Arabic since the black economy, and its passion for communal harmony. was his mother tongue and Maulana accompaniments too, pose serious However, it is highly regrettable had great command over it. He was challenge to good governance, they that his services to the country brought up in orthodox Islamic should also receive simultaneous have almost been forgotten. From tradition and his father wanted him attention of the Indian leadership. among the new generation, school to succeed him. If he had accepted or even college going students, this offer he also would have had In conclusion, I would say that I doubt even one percent would large number of disciples and would legislations and administrative fiats know him and his achievements. I, have been highly influential like his alone cannot ensure a stable system therefore, heartily welcomed when father. of good governance in India. It is my in a recent meeting of General conviction that in order to establish body of Institute of Advanced But the Maulana came under a sustainable good governance Studies, Simla whose chairman is the influence of Sir Syed Ahmed system in India, it is imperative currently Prof. Mungekar, also a Khan and read his writings avidly. for us to move fast in the direction Rajya Sabha member, suggested However, he was highly independent- of transforming the country into that like Ambedkar a summer school minded and soon distanced himself a welfare state, and build a stable be held for Maulana Azad also from Sir Syed’s emphasis on loyalty overall environment to stabilise for college teachers so that they to the British Empire though he it. Otherwise, good governance may be acquainted with Maulana’s accepted his views on modernity in India will present the picture personality and achievements. and modern education. Maulana of an arena of perpetual cat and In fact such summer schools for was passionately committed to mouse game. The Scandinavian leaders like Maulana Azad, Khan India’s freedom and tried to join the experience of the welfare state Abdul Ghaffar Khan and others underground movement in Bengal system, which I have explained to are overdue, particularly about but unfortunately those underground you, gives us that clear message. Maulana Azad whose sacrifices leaders thought a Muslim was not fit India should take benefit of that for the country and its freedom are for joining it. great experience in Scandinavia. second to none. For Maulana patriotism was an (Continued from Page 4) Eleventh November 2011 was Islamic duty as the Prophet (PBUH) the Maulana’s birthday and this is reported to have said that love of members. Prin. Aravind Kapole , year Government of India also one’s country is part of one’s faith National President of RSD prsedied remembered him and schools (iman). And this love of country over the function. Prof Subhash were asked to celebrate Maulana’s demanded its freedom from foreign Ware, Managing Trustee, Adv birthday as it was also education day. slavery and thus he considered Dilawar Khan and Vinay Sawant However, due to Diwali vacations it his duty to free his country General Secretaries of RSD. also students had not returned from their from the British slavery. Thus he spoke in the meeting about about native places and hence response plunged into freedom movement Shri Jacob’s contributions and was rather poor. from the very young age. He became members of Samajwadi Adhyapak Congress President at a very young Sabha, Samajwadi Mahila Sabha, Maulana was the son of Maulana age. Perhaps he was the youngest Socialist Yuvajan Sabha, Arogya Khairuddin of Calcutta (now president of the Congress. Sena and socialist movements, apart Kolkatta) who was highly respected from the RSD, participated in the alim and had thousands of disciples. He, like Gandhiji, knew Hindu- function. He had married an Arab woman Muslim unity was very necessary JANATA, November 20, 2011 9 for freedom of India. Thus when declared the institution of khilafat as Nehru and Azad were not merely he became President of the Indian an outdated one. He also welcomed good friends but had deep respect National Congress in Ramgarh modern reforms of Ata Turk and for each other. Nehru has paid session of the Congress, he advised Muslims to give up efforts glorious tributes to Maulana for his concluded his presidential address for protecting institution of khilafat scholarship and mastery over several by saying that “even if an angel which Turkish leaders themselves languages. Maulana’s knowledge of descends from heaven with a gift had disowned. other religions was also very deep of freedom for India from Allah and profound. His commitment to I would not accept it until there Maulana also opposed Jinnah’s women’s rights was as if he lived is Hindu-Muslim unity as loss of demand for one-third representation today. It is well known that Muslim India’s freedom is loss of India but for Muslims in parliament when theologians generally do not support loss of Hindu-Muslim unity is loss the Nehru Committee Report came gender equality and want women to of entire humanity”. for discussion before the Congress be confined to home. Maulana was Session of 1928. He argued that in one of the exceptions. These are very profound words democracy no community can be and for Maulana this was not given over-representation and as He translated the book published mere rhetoric but was his deep for minority rights, Constitution in Arabic in Egypt Al-Mir’at al- commitment on the basis of his can take care of them through Muslimah i.e. The Muslim Woman understanding of the Quran. special provisions - as the Indian which stands for gender equality and Maulana’s tafsir (commentary) Constitution did by providing for summarises the debate which was of the Qur’an, which he wrote Articles 25 to 30. Maulana always taking place in Egypt on women’s in the early nineteentwenties took long term vision and never fell rights and Azad chose to translate during his Ranchi incarceration, for cheap popularity. this book as he was in favour of is considered as great contribution gender equality. It is important to to tafsir literature from the Indian Azad did not agree with note that he commented on the verse subcontinent. Jawaharlal Nehru on denying two 2:228 that “this is revolutionary cabinet seats to Muslim League declaration of gender equality more He has devoted the first volume in 1937 in U.P. as Muslim League than 1300 years ago” (Maulana was of his tafsir (he could not complete had lost in that election very badly. writing in 1920s). it due to his highly busy political Maulana Azad advised Nehru to take schedule and he had to write it all two ministers nominated by Muslim The only two other noted over again as the British police League as refusal to take them theologians who stood for gender destroyed his earlier manuscript) would have long term adverse fall equality from Indian sub-continent to what he calls wahdat-e-din i.e. out; and the Maulana proved right. were Maulavi Mumtaz Ali Khan who unity of religion. Maulana had Jinnah became furious and began to was a colleague of Sir Syed Ahmed deep conviction, as we find from denounce the Congress government Khan and Maulana Umar Ahmed his tafsir about unity of all religions as the ‘Hindu’ Government which Usmani who died recently in Karachi. and he has shown achievements of would never give justice to Muslims. Both were eminent theologians and his scholarship on expanding this were uncompromising in upholding concept in his tafsir and that is why If Nehru had accepted Maulana’s gender equality. Maulavi Mumtaz his pronouncement about Hindu- advice perhaps country could have Ali Khan wrote a book Huquq al- Muslim unity was not mere political been saved from the partition though Niswan (Rights of women) and rhetoric, much less opportunism, but Nehru had his own reasons to deny Maulana Umar Ahmed Usmani a deep religious conviction. two cabinet seats to Muslim League wrote Fiqh al-Qur’an (Qur’anic as he wanted to give the Congress Jurisprudence) in 8 volumes Maulana was a great statesman Muslims more representation. elaborately arguing for gender and though he was great supporter But Maulana thought otherwise equality in Qur’an. of the Khilafat movement he was on the basis of practical politics. the first to discard it when Kamal Maulana always thought of future Maulana also had clearly predicted Pasha staged a coup in Turkey and implications and not mere immediate about what is happening today in removed the khalifa from power and consequences. Pakistan. First, it is important to 10 JANATA, November 20, 2011 note that like his conviction about Hindu-Muslim unity, it was also Indian Musharaffs and Kayanis Maulana’s strong conviction that it would be wrong to divide India on Sankara Narayanan religious ground. One who loves one’s country can never divide it. The Army as well as the necessary to ensure that where Also, he knew that when democracy Defence ministry has opposed they knowingly abuse or misuse begins functional it has to take care Omar Abdullah’s demand for the their powers they must be held of rights of minorities and Muslims withdrawal of the Armed Forces accountable and must be dealt with were no mean minority. They were Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from the law applicable to them”. The more than 25 per cent before partition four districts of J&K. The Army Second Administrative Reforms and today, if the country would not chief has stated that it will be Commission also recommended that have been divided, they would have impossible for the Army to operate the Act should be repealed. In April been more than 33 per cent. without the cover of the Act as the 2007 a working group in Jammu and force will get bogged down in legal Kashmir appointed by the Prime Maulana had predicted that “today battles. CG’s DGP Viswaranjan also Minister suggested that the Act be if Muslims think Hindus are their grumbled that his SP in Dantewada revoked. Jeevan Reddy Committee enemy tomorrow when Pakistan was always dragged to civil courts also recommended the creation of comes into existence, and there upsetting the anti-Naxal operations. grievance cells. will be no Hindus they would fight AFSPA was enacted in 1958 as among themselves along regional, a ‘short-term measure’ to allow However, the Union cabinet did ethnic and sectarian lines”. He had deployment of the Army against not act on these recommendations clearly told this to some members of separatists. It has been enforced in the face of objections from the Muslim League who came to meet in J&K since 1990. Section 6 of armed forces. Since 2002, Sharmila him before leaving for Pakistan. the Act gives the armed forces an activist in Manipur has been on immunity from prosecution and hunger-strike demanding repeal of This is what is happening today in other legal proceedings without ‘the the Act. There have been many cases Pakistan. Not only sectarianism has consent of the central government’. of disappearance of those picked up grown, religious is at its without warrants. There are indeed apex. Killing has become common Human rights activists and civil serious human rights violations in and everyday affair. When religion society groups contend that the Act the enforcement of the Act but these is associated with politics, history of has been grossly misused. Human are often justified as necessary. all religions show, power becomes Rights Watch, an internationally far more important than religion and recognized NGO, has said that Omar Abdullah’s demand may religious values. Power becomes “abuses facilitated by the AFSPA or may not be politically motivated, goal and religion a mere instrument. have led to anger and disillusionment but the issue raised by him calls Maulana knew this very well and against the Indian State. Justice for consideration. The decision that is why he was far more inclined Jeevan Reddy Committee, which regarding withdrawal has to be a towards a secular democratic polity examined the provisions of the political one. Crucial is the stand of than religious one. Act after ascertaining the views of the army and the Defence ministry, various stakeholders, observed that but the government has to take However, Maulana could not the Act should be repealed. It held its own decision and if necessary prevail and save the country from that the Act “has become an object overrule the objections of the army. partition as powerful vested interests and instrument of discrimination like feudal lords from U.P. and Bihar and high-handedness”. The The Army’s top commander in and Muslim middle classes (afraid committee also said that while J&K has said the country could that they may not get services or providing protection against civil be compelled to grant the State quick promotions) on one hand, and, or criminal proceedings in respect independence by 2016 if government the British imperial interests, on the of the acts or deeds done by such plans to lift the controversial AFSPA other, were bent upon dividing the forces while carrying out the duties from some areas go ahead. The country. entrusted to them, “it is equally (Continued on Page 14) JANATA, November 20, 2011 11 An Independent Judiciary

Ruma Pal

The usual platitudes are hare. As India’s economy develops, and institutional integrity. I would inadequate to describe the honour these ‘soft’ advantages, such as an like to borrow that phrase and draw a conferred on me today by asking independent judiciary and a free distinction between the institutional me to deliver a talk in memory of media, are likely to generate ever- independence of the judiciary and such an outstanding and multi- greater returns. But is the judiciary the independence of a judge. faceted personality as Justice V.M. in India really independent? A Tarkunde. Unfortunately I never complete answer to the question Institutional Independence knew him personally but by all warrants a doctoral thesis and a The independence of the judiciary accounts his life reflected his deep short discourse like of today is which, to use the language of the commitment to ethical values: a necessarily selective and therefore Supreme Court, the Constitution so commitment which he brought incomplete. I have tried to maintain ‘copiously’, protects, is institutional into every role he played in his life a balance between legalistic and lay independence with institutional including those of a judge and a approaches while making it clear immunity, insulation and autonomy lawyer. In keeping with his strong which side of the fence I stand. [primarily from the Executive] principles, in 1981 he fought for the guaranteed under the Constitution. It independence of the judiciary (as a Any attempt at an answer must be is a facet of the separation of powers petitioner before the Supreme Court prefaced with two questions both of which underlies the Constitution on behalf of three Additional Judges which I seek to briefly answer: The and is a part of its basic structure. of the Delhi High Court. Incidentally first question is: Who do we include To ensure freedom from Executive one of those judges, Justice S.B. within the term “judiciary”? Is it and Legislative control, the pay Wad, was my professor when I read limited to Constitutional Courts or and pension due to judges in the for a law degree at Nagpur. This does it also include those tribunals superior courts are charged on the however is not the reason for my which decide rights and have the Consolidated Funds of the States in choosing to speak on an Independent trappings of a court? Second: What the case of High Court judges and Judiciary and what it means today. I does ‘independent’ mean? I will the Consolidated Fund of India in chose the topic for several reasons: answer the second question first. the case of Supreme Court judges the issue is one which was close to and are not subject to the vote of the Mr. Tarkunde’s heart, it is of topical Different dictionaries have given Legislative Assembly in the case of interest and it is also a subject which as many as 12 different meanings the former or Parliament in the latter has bothered me greatly both during to the word ‘independent’. Of case10. Salaries are specified in the my career as a lawyer and as a judge. the twelve I have chosen three - Second Schedule to the Constitution So I welcome this opportunity to ‘freedom from outside control’; and cannot be varied without an speak my mind on the subject from ‘not influenced or affected by amendment of the Constitution. the safe haven of retirement. others’; ‘impartial’ and ‘capable’ No discussion can take place in the of thinking or acting for oneself. legislature of a State with respect Independence Independence in all these senses to the conduct of any Judge of a In writing of India’s chances of must be complete, unimpaired and High Court in the discharge of his ascending the international rankings uncorrupted and that means first duties. Nevertheless the Constitution in the coming years, Edward Luce in - that independence is antithetical apparently allowed a serious inroad his book ‘In spite of the Gods’ says: to corruption and second - that it is into this freedom by virtually giving “India also possesses institutional ensured by accountability. The Chief the Executive the final say in the advantages that have convinced Justice of India has recently spoken appointment, transfer and promotion some people that the Indian tortoise of “institutional integrity”3 and he of a judge as the Chief Justice of will eventually overtake the Chinese drew a distinction between personal a State High Court or as the Chief

5th V.M. Tarkunde Memorial Lecture delivered by Justice Pal in New Delhi on November 10, 2011 12 JANATA, November 20, 2011

Justice of India. All that is required transferred to other High Courts by normally within the jurisdiction of the Executive is to exercise the the Executive ostensibly with a view of the High Courts. Incidentally power in consultation with the to strengthening national integration. before the Amendment was carried Chief Justice and such judges of The reason was rejected by the out Justice Tarkunde formed the the Supreme Court or High Courts Supreme Court saying: “It is indeed People’s Union for Civil Liberties as the President thinks necessary. strange that the Government of India to stem the political onslaughts In practice the opinion of the Chief should have selected for transfer, by on the judiciary and ‘to strive for Justice of India on the suitability for and large, those High Court Judges the restoration and strengthening appointment was given weight but who had decided cases against the of civil liberties and democratic not finality. Political considerations Government during the emergency”. rights which the 42nd Amendment would on occasion trump merit. For In 1977 the Executive again used sought to affect. Unfortunately like the first 25 years after Independence the ‘punishment’ of supersession to King Canute he was not successful apart from some aberrations the bypass the then senior-most judge in stopping the political tide then. Executive left the judiciary alone in the Supreme Court, Justice H.R. Fortunes changed after there was in the matter of appointments to the Khanna, a politically ‘inconvenient’ a change in government and the judiciary. Again although there is no judge, for appointment as the Chief Emergency was lifted. Many of Constitutional provision prescribing Justice of India. Justice Khanna the changes brought about by the the mode of appointment of the resigned. 42nd Constitutional Amendment Chief Justice either of a High Court including the restrictions on the or of the Supreme Court there was The year 1976 also saw the jurisdictions of the judiciary were a convention that the senior most Executive deliver what they must done away with. However Articles would become the Chief Justice. have perceived as the coup de grace 323A and B were retained. With This state of affairs continued till the against a stubbornly independent a second change of Government seventies when the Executive began judiciary, by the enactment of the coercive steps to curb the judiciary a sustained campaign to weaken 42nd Constitutional Amendment were again resorted to in the matter the judiciary because judgments which introduced Articles 323-A of the transfer of newly appointed delivered by the judges did not and 323-B. Article 323-A authorizes judges. suit the party then in power at the Parliament and Article 323-B the Centre and because of the growing State Legislatures to create tribunals Small wonder then that after perception of the Executive that the to which the power of adjudication this, a battered judiciary (after Judiciary was an ‘impediment’ to its of disputes on various subjects can an initial regrettable hiccup in political functioning. be transferred while excluding the the form of the decision in S.P. jurisdiction of the courts in respect Gupta’s case18) picked itself up It has been said of Britain by a of those subjects. The power of and with all the interpretative British Judge that “the reputation of adjudication so transferred included tools at its command - termed by the judiciary for independence and the power of judicial review which many as an unacceptable feat of impartiality is a national asset of allows judges of the higher courts to judicial activism - by a composite such richness that one government determine the legality of executive judgment in several public interest after another tries to plunder it. action and the validity of legislation litigations virtually wrested the The same could be said of the passed by the legislature. These two powers of appointment, confirmation Indian Judiciary. The first assault Articles were intended to allow and and transfer of judges from the as far as the Supreme Court was in fact did allow the Executive to take Executive. Their reason for doing concerned, was the supersession of over the powers of adjudication from so was to secure the independence senior judges and the ‘rewarding’ the courts because an independent of the judiciary from Executive of the dissenter with the high office judiciary was perceived as a thorn control or interference. Procedural of the Chief Justice of India. The in the flesh of political parties in norms were judicially prescribed superseded judges resigned in power. Both Parliament and several for transfer and appointment of protest. In 1975 Emergency was States have been prompt in enacting judges. At present every proposal for declared when the powers of judicial legislation setting up Tribunals appointment or transfer of a judge review were severely curtailed. In manned by members of the Executive can only be initiated by a collegium 1976, 16 High Court judges were to deal with a variety of subjects of senior judges together with the JANATA, November 20, 2011 13

Chief Justice of the High Court or transfer of judges. As I have said also of the opinion that a National Supreme Court as the case may elsewhere ‘the process by which Judicial Commission should be set be. From being a mere consultant, a judge is appointed to a superior up for recommending appointments the Chief Justice of India and the court is one of the best kept secrets of all judges of High Courts and the Supreme Court collegium now in this country’. The very secrecy of Supreme Court with a composition have the final word. As the Supreme the process leads to an inadequate different from that proposed by the Court put it “No appointment of any input of information as to the Law Commission. Others including Judge to the Supreme Court or any abilities and suitability of a possible retired judges have expressed the High Court can be made, unless it candidate for appointment as a need for such a Commission but is in conformity with the opinion judge. A chance remark, a rumour have differed as to its composition. of the Chief Justice of India” and or even third-hand information Whatever the composition, unless “The opinion of the Chief Justice may be sufficient to damn a judge’s there are non-partisan members, of India has not mere primacy, but prospects. Contrariwise a personal well-defined objective criteria, with is determinative in the matter of friendship or unspoken obligation the possibility of choosing judges transfers of High Court Judges/Chief may colour a recommendation. from a wider source than at present Justices.” Consensus within the collegium is and that proceedings are open or at sometimes resolved through a trade- least recorded - the likelihood of The insulation of the judiciary off resulting in dubious appointments not getting the best as judges and from executive interference in with disastrous consequences for of arbitrariness in making judicial the matter of appointment and the litigants and the credibility appointments will remain. transfer of judges is now almost of the judicial system. Besides, complete. But the question remains, institutional independence has also And now to answer the first has this almost complete insulation been compromised by growing question posed by me at the outset achieved the object for which the sycophancy and ‘lobbying’ within as to who composes the “judiciary”. constitutional interpretation was the system. Historically and semantically all strained to an extent never witnessed bodies form part of the judiciary before or after? In my opinion it has The solution as I see it lies not which are vested (a) with the power not. It has just changed the actors in a reversal to a status quo ante of resolving disputes between without any change either in the but in the setting up of a judicial litigants, (b) empowered to oversee roles or the method of acting. One commission with all the powers the application and implementation of the criticisms of the earlier law, to now vested with the Chief Justice of of the law by the Executive and (c) quote the Supreme Court was: India and the collegium of Supreme empowered to determine whether Court judges. This is at present the executive and legislative actions “The mystique of this process subject matter of intense public are constitutionally valid. This (of appointments) is kept secret debate but the suggestion is not definition includes in particular and confidential between just a new. In 1981 the Supreme Court those tribunals who have, post-the few individuals, not more than two itself after noting the setting up of 42nd Constitutional Amendment, or four as the case may be, and judicial Commissions by Australia been vested with the jurisdiction the possibility cannot therefore be and New Zealand to consider all earlier exercised by courts. ruled out that howsoever highly judicial appointments including placed may be these individuals, the appointments of High Court Judges Although the Supreme Court process may on occasions (sic) result said: “This is a matter which may intrepidly asserted the independence in making of wrong appointments well receive serious attention of of the judiciary to justify virtually and transfers and may also at times, the Government of India.” In 1987 excluding the Executive from having though fortunately very rare, lend the Law Commission in its 121st any real say in the appointment of itself to nepotism, political as well as Report suggested the setting up of judges, it was timorous in defending personal and even trade-off”. a National Judicial Commission the same independence when it was and suggested its composition. The most needed namely in answering The same criticism may be made National Commission to Review the question whether the powers of with equal justification of the present the Working of the Constitution in adjudication can be shared with the procedure for appointments and its Report submitted in 2002 was Executive. Under the Constitutional 14 JANATA, November 20, 2011 scheme in keeping with the separation copy of the slide behind, so that he As a matter of fact, calls for never of powers judicial functions are could “see where I fit in.” lifting the AFSPA were coming from to be performed by the judiciary six categories: Pakistan, the ISI, alone and not by the Executive. Justice Jeevan Reddy and members terrorists, secessionists, RSS Inc. The Supreme Court declared that of the Second Administrative and the Indian Army. “The competence of Parliament to Reforms Commission called for Will the Musharaffs and Kayanis make a law creating tribunals to ‘repeal’ of AFSPA. Will Lieutenant- in the Indian army understand that deal with disputes arising under General Hasnain include these India is not a military dictatorship or relating to a particular statute people in the august company so that the army officers can dictate or statutes cannot be disputed”.25 of “Pakistan, the Inter-Services terms with the democratically If the Tribunals are manned by Intelligence Directorate, terrorists elected governments at the state and judicial officers one could have no and secessionists’? the centre? quarrel with the declaration. In my view, the curtailment and transfer of judicial powers of a particular court RTI Route by Parliament or a State legislature can only be to another judicial forum Ravindran P M whether called a Tribunal or by any other name. This was the situation The case relates to an RTI and Programme Implementation is prior to the 42nd Amendment. There application filed by one Kailash the concerned Ministry. Therefore were Rent Tribunals, Labour Courts, Kanwar of Bhilwara in Point 3 and 4 of the RTI application Motor Claims Tribunals which were who sought to know about the (related with the visits) is transferred all manned by judges or former foreign visits undertaken by the to them under section 6(3)(ii) of the judges. It was for the first time UPA and National Advisory Council RTI Act for necessary action.” post-1976 that the jurisdiction of the Chairperson during the last two judiciary was sought to be curtailed years. Ministry of Statistics forwarded by transferring the powers of court the application to National Advisory to the Executive. He had also sought information Council with remarks that it is “not (To be concluded) about recent visit of Sonia Gandhi involved in any matter related to for her reported treatment in the tour or trips taken by the members (Continued from Page 10) United States of America through the of the NAC or by Smt Sonia Gandhi application under the transparency as UPA Chairperson at any point of assertion was made on 9th November law. time.” in an over hour-long presentation The NAC said it has “no to the unified Headquarters, the The application sent to External information on the said matter” Affairs Ministry was transferred State’s top coordination body for and forwarded it to Prime Minister’s to Parliamentary Affairs Ministry security, by Lieutenant-General Office “since the PMO is the and Ministry of Statistics and Syed Ata Hasnain, who commands custodian of information relating Programme Implementation under the Srinagar-based XV Corps. to all the expenditure incurred in the the provisions of RTI Act. The presentation also included a functioning of the NAC.” slide, which asserted that while the State people were seeking While transferring, the Ministry The Prime Minister’s Office in bijli, sadak, paani (electricity, said, “The Ministry of Parliamentary its reply dated October 20 said, “No Affairs is the concerned department roads, water), calls for lifting the information is held with the records for providing information on foreign AFSPA were coming from four held by the office.” visits undertaken by Smt Sonia categories: Pakistan, the Inter- Gandhi as Member of Parliament. The Ministry of Parliamentary Services Intelligence Directorate, Affairs to which MEA has transferred terrorists and secessionists’’. CM “Regarding foreign visits the application has said as per its Omar Abdullah, who chairs the undertaken by Smt Sonia Gandhi records it has “zero information” Unified Headquarters, interjected as Chairperson of National Advisory about the foreign tours undertaken to ask Lt. Gen. Hasnain to leave a Council, the Ministry of Statistics by Sonia Gandhi. JANATA,R.N.I. NO. November 1855/1957 20, 2011 60 JANATA, November 13, 201115 P.R. No. MH/MR/WEST/275/2010-2011 Posted at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1

With best compliments from

ELECON ENGINEERING COMPANY LTD.–MHE Division

P.B. No. 6, Anand Sojitra Road, Vallabh Vidyanagar - 388 120, Gujarat, India Ph. : 02692-237016, 230017, 236521 Fax : 02692-236457, 236527

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. R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, November 20, 2011 P.R. No. MH/MR/WEST/275/2010-2011 Posted at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1

GANNON DUNKERLEY & CO., LTD. (An ISO 9001 – 2000 Company)

REGISTERED OFFICE

NEW EXCELSIOR BUILDING, 3RD FLOOR, A.K. NAYAK MARG, FORT, MUMBAI – 400 001

TEL: 91-22-22051231, FAX: 91-22-22051232

Website: gannondunkerley.com

E-mail: [email protected]

GANNONS ARE SPECIALISTS IN INDUSTRIAL STRUCTURES, ROADS, BRIDGES (RCC AND PRESTRESSED CONCRETE), RAILWAY TRACKS, THERMAL POWER, FERTILIZER, CHEMICAL, PAPER AND CEMENT PLANTS, WATER & WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANTS, PILING FOUNDATION & FOUNDATION ENGINEERING.

GANNONS ARE ALSO PIONEERS IN MATERIAL HANDELING WORKS, MANUFACTURE OF PRESTRESSED CONCRETE SLEEPERS, ERECTION OF MECHANICAL EQUIPMENTS & PIPING AND SUPPLY OF TEXTILE MACHINERY AND LIGHT ENGINEERING ITEMS.

OFFICES AT:

AHMEDABAD - CHENNAI - COIMBATORE - HYDERABAD KOLKATA - MUMBAI - NEW DELHI

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. 66 No. 43 Hasten slowly November 27, 2011 S. Viswam

Home Ministry Stalling Plachimada Compensation Bill Unsurprisingly, and possibly shifted away from her misgovernance P. Viswambharan much to the disappointment of Uttar and fiscal profligacy. It is doubtful if Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, the second intention will be fulfilled her proposal for the division of the but the political rivals were certainly Hasina, India in bind state into four smaller states has not caught off guard. Kuldip Nayar attracted the kind of controversial, animated and heated debate that she Again unsurprisingly, the reaction had obviously banked upon. The idea to the proposal within the state, An Independent Judiciary - II has not yet converted itself into an has been predictable. All the main Ruma Pal election issue. It has had no takers political players have dismissed it as so far among the political parties an election gimmick. Even the BJP, barring the ruling Bahujan Samaj which in principle has always been What is Inclusive Growth ? Party. Thanks to its massive majority in favour of smaller states, has poured D.K.Giri in the state assembly, the party could cold waters on it. The Samajwadi bamboozle the House into adopting Party is opposed to the division as an enabling resolution for the it feels that a large and united Uttar Once upon a time water… division of the state by a voice vote. Pradesh reflects the cultural traditions V.N.Sharma That a motion of such importance of the state more authentically. The for the state’s politics, economics Congress, caught as it is by its and social(caste-community) ambivalence and its pathetic record Unending Agenda environment was thought good of flip-flops on Telengana, is hoping Harsh Mander enough to be adopted only by a voice that the issue of UP’s division will vote speaks of the haste the chief just go away. As for the public at minister has been displaying on the large in UP, the idea has evoked issue. Mayawati now claims long neither sympathy nor opposition, probably because the people believe Editor : and dedicated commitment to the state’s division in the interest of good that Mayawati is playing yet another G. G. Parikh (better) governance. However, the one of her political games. Also, there is a fair amount of cynicism where D-15, Ganesh Prasad, declaration of such a commitment in public for the first time came as much issues of Centre-State relations come Naushir Bharucha Marg, as a surprise as her recommendation up in Uttar Pradesh. The people quite Mumbai - 400 007. for the division. She intended to likely, and possibly quite rightly, feel upstage her political rivals on the eve that the division idea will eventually Email : [email protected] of the polls and she wanted the focus prove a non-starter. 2 JANATA, November 27, 2011

They may well have a case because the very manner in which Home Ministry Stalling the division proposal has been Plachimada Compensation Bill mooted evokes more cynicism than enthusiasm. Even if the proposal P. Viswambharan proves a non-starter after if not during and before the elections, the seed once sown is bound to Remember Plachimada, the Act. etc. It may be remembered that germinate some time or the other. remote village in Palakkad district a single bench of the High Court Leave aside Telengana. There are of Kerala state whose valiant fighters had earlier upheld the Panchayat’s many other demands which now lie have forced the multinational giant decision to terminate the license. dormant because its sponsors think Cocoa-Cola Company to close It was on the Company’s appeal the time to agitate over them is not down their factory in their village? against this single bench verdict that yet come. But these demands are The non-violent agitation of the the division bench passed the above no secret. They will keep surfacing villagers, mostly belonging to the mentioned order. But, the Panchayat from time to time depending on tribal communities, entered the while filing an appeal before the which party or politician seeks tenth year on April 22, 2011. The Apex Court stuck to its guns and political benefit out of raising it and factory which was producing soft refused to renew the license on the demanding its or his pound of flesh. drinks and bottled water ceased ground that the Company had not to function in 2004. But, it has fulfilled the conditions stipulated by If only for this reason, the Centre not been formally declared closed the division bench. needs to proceed ahead in speed and the Company occasionally with the constitution of a second threatens that it would resume The other appeal in the Supreme states reorganisation commission. work at any moment. Since the Court is the one filed by the Kerala BJP leader Advani’s point is well beginning of the people’s struggle, Government (LDF) against another taken that dividing bigger states into production in the factory steadily judgement of the High Court smaller ones must be preceded by decreased and the complete stoppage striking down a Government Order careful consideration of all related of work happened in 2004 when the prohibiting production and sale issues with special reference to the Perumatti Gram Panchayat, within of Cocoa-cola soft drink in the concerned state’s future. The first whose jurisdiction lies Plachimada Plachimada factory under certain commissiom (SRC) dealt the issue village, terminated the license issued provisions of the Pollution Control from the linguistic motivation. The to the factory invoking provisions Act. The Gram Panchayat has got second commission may not find of the Panchayati Raj Act. The impleaded as an interested party language to be the sole motivation Gram Panchayat led by the Janata in this case. These cases are now behind the demand for separation. Dal(S) has been supporting the pending in the Supreme Court. The global situation demands a shift agitation from the very beginning of accent from politics and language facing severe opposition from the In the meanwhile responding to to economics. The more viable a Congress-led United Democratic the demand of the Plachimada Anti state is economically, the greater its Front (UDF) government and Cocoa-cola Agitation Committee potential to benefit its people. There adverse directions from the Kerala seeking adequate compensation to are other arguments as well. Overall High Court. Now, it is actually the local people for the damages economic development aimed fighting two appeal cases in the caused by the factory, the state at delivery of maximum public Supreme Court. The first case is an Government (LDF) appointed a welfare and with a size conducive appeal filed by the Panchayat itself High Powered Committee headed for an effective administrative against the judgement of a division by K. Jayakumar, Additional Chief management may be preferable bench of the High Court directing the Secretary to Government to assess objectives today with an emotive Panchayat to issue license to Cocoa- the damages and suggest ways to content as strong as language was cola factory if the Company fulfilled make available the compensation. once upon a time. the statutory conditions under the The Committee came to the other relevant enactments like the conclusion that the total damages (Continued on Page 8) Factories Act, Pollution Control amounted to Rs.216.5 Crore and JANATA, November 27, 2011 3 suggested constitution of a tribunal its own machinery to examine state Chandy who claims to be always with statutory support to realise this legislative matters and the Law on the fast track has not yet replied compensation from the Company and Ministry is the most competent to the Central Home Ministry’s distribute the same to the deserving authority for this. In this case Law letter even though four months have villagers. Accepting the High Power Ministry has already scrutinized the passed since it was received, in spite Committees recommendations, Bill and has given its clearance. And, of the fact that he as the then Leader Irrigation Minister in the LDF no Ministry in the Government of of the Opposition and the UDF Government, N.K. Premchandran India has raised any objection. In legislators supported the Bill in the (RSP) piloted a bill in the Assembly these circumstances, one is at a loss Assembly. called the Plachimada Cocoa-cola to understand why MHA gave such Victims Relief and Compensation credence to a private company’s The latest development is that Claims Special Tribunal Bill, 2011. legal opinion, and that too the the Plachimada Anti Cocoa-Cola This Bill was unanimously passed opposite party’s views ignoring Struggle Committee led by the in the last session of the previous the opinion of the Law Ministry former Sarvodaya activist Vilayode Assembly. The Kerala Governor to . It may also be noted that all the Venugopal, having got fed up whom this Bill was submitted for above mentioned facts were kept with knocking at the doors of the assent forwarded it to the President a guarded secret until MPs from Government authorities, courts, of India on March 30. The Bill Kerala belonging to the Left parties and political parties, has announced reached the Ministry of Home Affairs met Rastrapathi towards the end of an aggressive form of agitation (MHA) in the first week of April. On the last session of Parliament when viz. taking possession of the land April 13, MHA sent the Bill to the they were told that the Bill had not owned by the Cocoa-Cola Company other concerned ministries such as reached her and until some diligent at Plachimada if the Governments Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of NGOs succeeded in securing the both at the state and the Centre Environment and Forests, Ministry information with the help of the further delayed constitution of the of Law and Justice, etc for their Right to Information Act . Compensation Tribunal. They have comments specifying a deadline of given notice to this effect to the state six weeks. Within this six week time On the other side, the present UDF Government . ending with May 25, the Ministries Government headed by Oomman of Rural Development, Agriculture and Law replied saying they had no Letter to the Editor objection to the Bill . Subsequently Thanks for publishing my comment on the letter of P.Chidmabaram. on in July the Ministries of Rural the issue of corruption. I went to the office of the MCD, Raghubir Nagar, Development and Food processing Delhi to obtain a death certificate for the death of our maid servant. She had Industries also sent their no-objection spent 900 rupees to get it but could not. My wife asked me to get her one comments. The Cabinet guidelines because the maid had to lay her claim to her husband's property in Bihar. for disposal of State Legislative The Panchayat of her village had asked her to produce the death certificate matters say that the ministries should of her husband if she wanted to claim it. She had also to get the PF of her submit their observations within six late husband from a factory in Nepal where he worked. So it was very weeks and if they fail to send the important for her to get it. feedback within this period the Bill would be processed without waiting When I went to the office I was asked to get a token from the window for further comments. Strangely, which would tell me when my turn would come. I was given token No: 59. defying this Cabinet guideline the But the man standing just ahead of me was given token No: 3. I asked him Home Ministry sat on the Bill for how come he had been given token No. 3 while I was given token No: 59. six weeks more and then on July The man offered to sell his token to me for Rs.100. He said that my turn 12 sent back the Bill with the legal would come early if I bought it. I refused and waited for my turn. opinions received from Cocoa- This explains why our maid servant had been fooled to shell out Rs.900 cola India Private Limited to the for a death certificate which is available for Rs.10/- per copy. This happened Kerala Government asking for their in July-August, 2011 when Anna Movement was in full swing. explanation. This is a very strange step. The Central Government has – Amrit Lal Rawal 4 JANATA, November 27, 2011

Between the lines Hasina, India in bind

Kuldip Nayar

Popularity is a rare quality which Secularism is her commitment and too dependent on her Lok Sabha begins to elude the rulers, when she pursues it relentlessly. She has members for survival to put pressure they need it the most. Bangladesh retrieved the ground her opponent, on the Teesta issue. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is in Khalida Zia, president of Bangladesh a similar situation. Her stock has Nationalist Party (BNP) had lost, The blow was somewhat losing its shrunk at a time when she requires knowingly and purposely. The credit impact when the reported signing by it badly. People had returned her also goes to Hasina that anti-India India of a contract for building the with a sweeping majority. Yet they sentiment which the BNP fostered Tipaimukh dam on the Barak river in increasingly feel, three years after has more or less disappeared. And Manipur, a northeastern state, came her being in power, that her non- she has taken unilateral steps like to light. It was a BBC story which governance, if not mis-governance, transit which gives quick access to lacked confirmation first but was has only made their life miserable. India to its northeastern states. But later supported by other sources. The has New Delhi reciprocated to the contract was signed by Delhi and the After staying in Bangladesh for extent she has gone worries even Manipur government on October five days I find that she has not only the pro-India elements? The loan 23, one month after Manmohan lost her sheen but also the trust she offered is all tied with Indian imports Singh’s visit to Dhaka. What has enjoyed once. People expected her to and technical know-how. The border hurt Bangladesh is the violation of deliver but there is nothing they can between the countries has not been understanding given by Delhi not to recognize as her achievement. For demarcated and there is no move to do anything that would affect Dhaka. example, she promised electricity transfer the enclaves when Prime and substantially supplied it at Minister Manmohan Singh agreed The explanation given by New great cost by borrowing from to do during his visit to Dhaka a few Delhi after 72 hours is that the dam overstretched banks. But people weeks ago. (Assam is already up in is meant to check flood and will not wanted to see large power stations arms on the enclaves). divert water. This has not assuaged to come up since their demand is the feeling of Bangladeshis. The very ever rising. What India promised is The biggest disappointment signing of contract without telling yet nowhere in the horizon. against India is the denial of sharing was a breach of confidence. That the of Teesta river water. They feel dam may destroy the environment Alleviating poverty with limited they lost it because of political is a separate point of complaint. As resources is always a challenge, wrangling between New Delhi many as 52 rivers from India flow but she does not appear to be and Kolkata. (West Bengal chief into Bangladesh. I think that on the even trying to meet it. She looks minister , who was major ones New Delhi should give content with whatever she has done on board on the formula of sharing a clear understanding to Dhaka that and runs down the critics. “Cut the water changed her mind at the they will not be in any way touched electricity of those who complain eleventh hour and appointed a River without consulting it. about its shortage sitting in their air- Commission to look into the matter). conditioned rooms,” she said when Some quarters believe that the The beleaguered Hasina has newspapers and television networks Teesta water would eventually come further lost in prestige. Her efforts pointed out about the shortage. just as the flow from the Farakka to befriend India have got rebuffed. barrage did through the enlightened There is no doubt that the Teesta No doubt, Hasina has contained approach of the then West Bengal water and Tipaimukh will cut into terrorism and there is a sense of relief chief minister . Again it her votes when Bangladesh goes to that the nation is not at the mercy of depends on Mamata because the polls two years later. The fallout will fundamentalists like Bangla Bhai. Manmohan Singh government is benefit Khalida Zia who is sitting JANATA, November 27, 2011 5 pretty and not issuing statement after statement as she did in the past. But An Independent Judiciary - II are the Bangladeshis a shuttlecock to be tossed from one side to another— Ruma Pal from Hasina to Khalida? This has happened to them more In a Kalidas-like action of cutting judicial action”. Nevertheless these or less from the time when they freed the branch of the Constitutional tree Tribunals continue to have members themselves from distant Pakistan, 40 on which the judiciary is sitting and of the Executive discharging judicial years ago. They feel exasperated and what in less picturesque language functions and all members including helpless. They openly talk about the one can describe as a judicial sell- the judicial members remain subject military takeover. It too is far from out to the Executive, the Supreme to the administrative and financial happy by the capricious postings and Court has upheld the legislations control of the Executive. transfers by the Hasina government. establishing tribunals in a number But the chances of any coup are of decisions subject to certain A recent judgment of the Supreme very few. The military support to ‘adjustments’ in the law which are Court says “The constitutional trade- the caretaker government more than more in the nature of sops to the off for independence is that judges three years ago was of no avail. The concept of judicial independence must restrain themselves from the armed forces could neither clean up rather than an assertion of it. areas reserved to the other separate the administration nor build up an branches”. That being so then why alternative to the two begums. To maintain the ‘independence’ or indeed how, having regard to the of the judicial process needed to principle of separation of powers, can Friendship with India was a straw be followed by these tribunals to the power of adjudication be shared to which the people in Bangladesh reach a decision, the Supreme Court with or be transferred to or be subject have clung. Today they wonder if has insisted on the appointment of to the control of the Executive which they have any future with India. ‘judicial officers’ such as former is what tribunalisation has come to China which is trying its best to judges to head the tribunals. Judicial mean in this country? woo the country is not to their independence has also been the liking because Beijing is neither reason for excluding executive power Besides it would be too much to democratic nor pluralistic, the two in the matter of the appointment of expect a Government Official who principles to which they have stuck even former judges as heads of has represented and been and in since the founding of Bangladesh tribunals. The exclusion of the some cases continues to be part of the by Banga Bandhu Sheikh Mujib-ur High Courts’ powers of judicial Executive machinery and who has Rahman. They would want to build review has also been held to be been committed to give effect to the their country according to their own unconstitutional and decisions of policies framed by his/her political genius. Do they have time? And Tribunals have been made subject masters throughout his/her career would they be allowed to do so? to “scrutiny by the High Courts”. (as every good Government official Decisions taken by the Executive is expected to do), to suddenly be Bangladesh, like India, is also Members in Tribunals are required asked to discharge judicial functions reeking with corruption. And there to be taken ‘in a judicial manner’ or which often requires a decision to be too the nation has been appalled like a judge i.e. impartially. All this is taken against the Government. to find the top, the , not enough. To borrow the language hobnobbing with the rulers for more of the United States Supreme Court: Why is this at all necessary? concessions and more concealment “the legitimacy of the judicial Delay, arrears of cases, specialized of their misdeeds. Even the World branch depends on its reputation for knowledge etc. have been usually Bank has threatened to withdraw impartiality and non-partisanship. cited as reasons for the creation its assistance for constructing the That reputation may not be borrowed of such tribunals. If the work of Padma Bridge fearing corruption. by the political branches to cloak the judiciary is being hampered Things may yet sort out now that the their work in the neutral colours of because of the litigation explosion, Prime Minister’s office has taken the matter in its own hand. But this only 5th V.M. Tarkunde Memorial Lecture delivered by Justice Pal in New Delhi on (Continued on Page 15) November 10, 2011 6 JANATA, November 27, 2011 the Constitution envisages more for example, having the Secretary Several brave High Court judges judges being appointed and courts of the Ministry of Finance sitting have tried with faultless reasoning set up which can function with on a Bench of the Supreme Court to set right this Constitutional all the safeguards of insulation, or High Court to decide income-tax anomaly in their decisions but have independence and autonomy as matters. A more serious in-road into unfortunately failed to convince the part of the judicial system. The institutional judicial independence Supreme Court up till now. Constitution also allows the would be hard to find. appointment of additional and acting There is another seemingly minor judges to deal with an increase in Besides the ‘tribunalisation’ exception to judicial independence the business or the arrears of work of justice has not worked in contained in the Foreign Contribution of the High Courts and the Supreme India. In 1997 the Supreme Court (Regulation) Act, 1976. Apart from Court. It was not envisaged under the acknowledged “Tribunals have other restrictions, the Act initially Constitution as originally framed that been functioning inefficiently ... The forbade, except with the permission the lacunae, if any, in the functioning situation at present is that different of the Central Government, the of the judiciary at whichever level, tribunals constituted under different acceptance of foreign hospitality would be filled by the Executive. As enactments are administered by by members of Legislatures, office Chief Justice Subba Rao speaking different administrative departments bearers of political parties and for a Bench of five judges said in of the Central and the State employees of corporations. 1966: “It is unreasonable to attribute Governments. The problem is to the makers of the Constitution) compounded by the fact that some In 1985, when the Law Ministry who had so carefully provided for tribunals have been created pursuant was headed by an eminent lawyer, the independence of the judiciary) to the Central legislations and some the Act was amended to include an intention to destroy the same by others have been created by State judges (thus proving my theory an indirect method. What can be legislations.” More than a decade that sometimes the worst enemies more deleterious to the good name later, if one is to go by the Report of of Judges are those lawyers who of the judiciary than to permit at the the Chairperson of the Intellectual while being members of the Bar also level of district Judges (and now Property Appellate Board submitted serve in the capacity of politicians). at the level of High Court judges), to the Madras High Court recently, At present no judge, whether of the recruitment from the executive the situation has not improved. Supreme Court or the High Courts departments?” can accept any invitation from any The litigant, in whose apparent foreign person or organization or But according to a recent interest tribunalisation has and is indeed even visit a foreign country pronouncement of the Supreme taking place has been the worst out of his/her personal funds, unless Court “The presence of a technical sufferer. When most of the rights an application is made to the State member ensures the availability of are claimed by citizens against the and Central Governments with expertise and experience related to Government how can people have the approval of the Chief Justice the field of adjudication for which faith in a body if even one member two months ahead of the date of the special Tribunal is created, is perceived as being part of the departure and the application is thereby improving the quality of Government? The credibility of vetted by different Ministries and adjudication and decision making”. the judicial process “comes from ultimately allowed or disallowed By that token all courts should the office of the judge and his or by an executive order which may or have technical members to improve her individual and institutional may not be received before the date the ‘quality of decision making’. reputation for independence”. fixed for leaving! Even if permission Traditionally if technical expertise is granted by the Government to is required it is open to courts to Additionally every decision of a accept an invitation it is subject to seek the opinion of an expert as a tribunal is subject either to appeal the air-fare being agreed to be paid witness but not as a colleague on the before the High Court or Supreme by the Government. Clearly the Bench. To have technical members Court and subject to judicial review. Government considers that being (meaning officers of the Executive) This has only meant further delay accommodated, wined and dined by on a Tribunal is as repugnant to the and expense for a litigant because a foreigner do not come within the independence of the judiciary as, of additional rounds of litigation. word ‘hospitality’! It also overlooks JANATA, November 27, 2011 7 the fact that a judge would be long list of these. I have chosen logical connection between judicial obliged to various Joint Secretaries seven. independence and secrecy. of the Government for exercising their discretion in favour of the judge The first is the sin of “brushing If ‘independence’ is taken to not only in granting permission but under the carpet” or turning a mean ‘capable of thinking for also agreeing to bear the air-fare Nelsonian eye. Many judges are oneself’ then the fourth sin is -- a dangerous situation since the aware of injudicious conduct of a plagiarism and prolixity. I club largest litigant before any court is colleague but have either ignored the two together because the root the Government. Besides if the Chief it or refused to confront the judge cause is often the same namely the Justice as the administrative head concerned and suppressed any prolific and often unnecessary use of the judiciary in each High Court public discussion on the issue often of passages from text-books and and the Chief Justice of India in the through the great silencer - The Law decisions of other judges - without Supreme Court approve, to subject of Contempt. acknowledgment in the first case and the judge to Executive control does, with acknowledgment in the latter. in my opinion, interfere with the The second sin is that of Many judgments are in fact mere institutional independence of the “hypocrisy”. A favourite rather compendia or digests of decisions judiciary. To complete the insulation pompous phrase in judgments is on a particular issue with very little of the judiciary the mischief created “Be you ever so high, the law is original reasoning in support of the in 1985 must be undone. above you” or words to similar conclusion. effect. And yet judges who enforce the law for others often break that Often judges misconstrue judicial An Independent Judge law with impunity. This includes independence as judicial and The independence of the judiciary traffic regulations and any other administrative indiscipline. Both and of the judicial system of course regulation to which the “ordinary” of these in fact stem from judicial ultimately depends on the personal citizens are subject. Some in fact arrogance as to one's intellectual integrity of each judge. It goes get offended if their cars are held up ability and status. A judge's status without saying and I do not intend to by the police at all while controlling like other holders of public posts is dwell on the fact that judges have to the flow of traffic - the feeling of derived from the office or the chair. be above corruption in the monetary offence sometimes being translated One has to merely occupy that chair sense. But it needs restating just into action by issuance of a rule of during one's tenure with dignity and as it needed stating in 1988 when contempt against the hapless police remember that each time a lawyer judges of 37 countries gathered in constable all in the name of judicial bows and says “Deeply obliged” - Bangalore and formulated what independence. the bow is addressed to the office and have come to be known as the not to the person. The Supreme Court Bangalore Principles. The principles The third sin is that of secrecy. has laid down standards of judicial are intended to establish standards The normal response of Courts to behaviour for the sub-ordinate for the ethical conduct of judges. any enquiry as to its functioning judiciary such as “He should be Detailed guidelines have been is to temporize, stonewall and conscientious, studious, thorough, classified under six heads termed: prevaricate. As I have said elsewhere courteous, patient, punctual, just, values: Independence, Integrity, that the process by which a judge impartial, and fearless of public Impartiality, Propriety, Equality, is appointed to the High Court or clamour, regardless of public praise Competence and Diligence. In fact elevated to the Supreme Court is but sadly some members of the all six values are facets of the first one of the best-kept secrets in the higher judiciary exempt themselves and cardinal one of ‘independence’. country. The issue whether the from the need to comply with these Judges are fierce in using the word records relating to appointments standards. as a sword to take action in contempt of judges to the Supreme Court against critics. But the word is also can be directed to be produced Intellectual arrogance or what used as a shield to cover a multitude under the Right to Information Act some may call intellectual dishonesty of sins some venal and others not so is now pending decision before is manifest when judges decide venal. Any lawyer practising before the Supreme Court after which without being bound by principles a court will I am sure have a rather perhaps we will come to learn of the of stare decisis or precedent. 8 JANATA, November 27, 2011

Independence no doubt connotes impression that anyone is in a special V. Ramaswamy failed for political freedom to decide but the freedom position improperly to influence the reasons. Sometimes Chief Justices is not absolute. It is bound to be in judge in the performance of judicial control a recalcitrant judge by accordance with law. Otherwise we duties”. ensuring that the judge concerned have lawyers and the sub-ordinate sits with the Chief Justice or with a judiciary baffled while “mastering And here I would like to pay ‘strong’ judge until he or she retires. the lawless science of our law” tribute to the great majority of judges faced with "that codeless myriad of who are, to quote N.A. Palkhiwala, The situation becomes more precedent, that wilderness of single men (and women) of integrity, difficult if the allegations are against instances.” Independence implies combining character with calibre the Chief Justice. Solutions evolved discipline to decide objectively and who are holding the fort against have proved inadequate and ad hoc. with intellectual integrity and as ‘enemies’ both within and outside the There is a need for an effective the judicial oath of office requires, system by discharging their duties mechanism for enforcing judicial without fear, favour, affection or ill with courage and independence. accountability50. The Judicial will. Most importantly judges must Standards and Accountability Bill be perceived as so deciding or to I will conclude with the 2010 now under consideration use Lord Hewart’s classic dicta that most important facet of judicial before Parliament provides for a “Justice should not only be done, but independence. Judicial independence mechanism for enforcing judicial should manifestly and undoubtedly cannot exist without accountability. discipline under a National be seen to be done,” because the At present the only disciplinary Judicial Oversight Committee. But belief of corruption is as damaging to power over judges is vested in I would add a Caveat using the the credibility in the independence of Parliament which provides for the language of a Resource Document the judiciary as the act of corruption. extreme punishment of removal for for the establishment of judicial acts of proven misbehaviour by or accountability mechanisms in South This brings me to the seventh incapacity of a judge. Disciplinary Africa51: that “accountability and final sin of nepotism or what methods include the Chief Justice mechanisms” [must be] “embedded the oath of office calls ‘favour’ and advising a dishonest judge to resign in the judiciary and satisfy the ‘affection’. What is required of a or recommending a judge’s name to appropriate standards for judicial judge is a degree of aloofness and the Chief Justice of India for transfer autonomy, respect the separation reclusiveness not only vis a vis to another High Court. of powers framework, and are litigants but also vis a vis lawyers. transparent and publicly known”. Litigants include the Executive. Deprivation of jurisdiction or This would be in keeping with that Injudicious conduct includes known the non-allocation of work to a “independence” which as I said examples such as judges using a dishonest judge was resorted to by at the outset the Constitution so guesthouse of a Private Company Chief Justice Sabyasachi Mukharji ‘copiously’ protects. or a Public Sector Undertaking - when the impeachment of Justice for a holiday or accepting benefits (Continued from Page 2) like the allocation of land from For all these reasons, the idea Janata the discretionary quota of a Chief of dividing states ought not to be Minister. abandoned if it does not take off in Subscription UP. The states certainly need to be Annual Rs. : 260/- I can only emphasise again that reorganized, and once and for all the Three Years : 750/- nothing destroys a judge’s credibility times. Redrawing boundaries does Demand Draft / Cheque on more than a perception that he/she not call for haste, true, but it is not Mumbai Bank decides according to closeness to prudence either to leave the issue in favour of one of the parties to the litigation or of larger states yielding to smaller JANATA TRUST what has come to be described in the states fester and exercise its nuisance corridors of courts as ‘face value’. As value off and on. So, better hasten, D-15, Ganesh Prasad, the Bangalore Principles succinctly but hasten slowly so that the issue Naushir Bharucha Marg, puts it: “A judge shall not ...convey will receive the fullest consideration Mumbai 400 007 or permit others to convey the possible. JANATA, November 27, 2011 9 What is Inclusive Growth ?

D.K.Giri

This article draws from the speech Never before in human history, But public sector is where people made by Hakan Juholt, the leader has the material progress been so are looked after and cared for, people of the Social Democratic party, fast. But everyone should be able who cannot afford to buy care or Sweden, in the Constitution club, to benefit from the growth. The services at their own cost. Public New Delhi on 3rd November”. fruits of development should touch sector which is the main instrument everyone. That is why perhaps, for building and maintaining a India’s economic growth is stable our government is talking about welfare state, must be modernised with around 8 percent promising “inclusive growth”. But what does and made more effective. The to touch the double digit. That is inclusive growth mean in practical working conditions of those in the impressive and encouraging seen terms? public sector organisations must be against 3 percent in the 1970s and improved. What one could do for early 1980s, which the eminent Education those who look after others? The economist Professor Raj Krishna Children do not choose their public sector should provide for had termed “Hindu rate of growth”. parents. No single child should the poor, and needy, give the best India is producing many billionaires suffer because he or she is born care possible for the ones that could being listed in Forbes magazine that to poor parents or in a backward not care for themselves. The public announces the rich men’s club from place. There is no second chance to sector must be efficient in service- time to time. experience childhood. No country providing and attractive as employer can be called progressive, if it does and accountable as institutions. The new economic growth is the not take care of its young generation. story of many countries in the world, There are so many children out of Security vs Competition mainly in Asia though. Many are school who are all actually child In the context of economic well-off in material terms. People labour, whether working at home growth, there is more talk about have flat screen TVs on the wall, can to help their parents, or working competition and incentives than of draw money instantly from the ATM, for wages. There are many children social security and solidarity. There have iPads and iPhones in their who cannot complete their schools; is a strong body of literature that hands, and can travel around the there are many young people who suggest that security and solidarity world. But there are many who are have no employment, no home of are the best drivers for improved worried about what happens if they their own, and no opportunities for competitiveness. Everyone in his or fall ill, or lose their jobs. In India, self-fulfilment. There are many parts her way contributes to the growth and there are many, whichever way one of the country where young people development; likewise, everyone counts, ‘who are below the poverty have no faith in their future and are can disturb the process of progress. line’. Why is this dichotomy or drawn into violence, and extremism. Also in an inclusive society, there is contradiction? Why is not everyone The economic growth as it is today is room for everyone to live peacefully. benefitting from the growth? There increasing this alienation. This needs Solidarity benefits everyone and are at least two opinions on this: to be corrected. Child labour and even those who are well-off. But one is that if growth has to happen, child poverty are unacceptable and some politicians, decision-makers some people will be marginalised unworthy of any growing economy do not believe that equality or and left behind, and the other is or a modern society. solidarity is a necessary condition growth and distribution or social for growth. Market should follow justice can go together. Although The Public Sector its own logic of growth unhindered both the positions are contested by With the economic growth, the tilt by ideational politics. But then economists, pragmatism requires towards privatisation is also growing. market divides the people with the that growth addresses the issues of Public sector institutions remain support of politicians according to social justice. neglected, ignored or undermined. their spending power, label people 10 JANATA, November 27, 2011 as productive or unproductive, American households based on in their lonely fear of being profitable or unprofitable. This huge risks and large profits for one of the many losers in the leads to division and disruption in the banks. This attempt heavily winner’s paradise. We are drawn the society. Majority of the people backfired. So while market economy to the light and the good. Time are left out of the modern market is appreciated and embraced for the and energy are freed in order to system. Social investments are growth and development, capitalism discover other people, to build up neglected, ignoring education, skill with profit-anyhow should be no- a positive depend only on each building and health. This inevitably go. In that sense, one must accept other in the form of comradeship, leads to poor economic growth for that financial sector needs better care and co-operation. Secure and everyone. Equality and solidarity regulation. free from the paralysis of fear and are not only for a good society, to worry, we can allow our lust for be sure, they are essential for long The way forward life to grow and spread within us term sustainable growth. One must To end, I would like to quote and form person to person”. examine the blind faith that market August Palm the man who brought will automatically solve everything. Social Democracy to Sweden 130 It is the essence of social People’s right to a secure and decent years ago. He wanted to abolish Democracy that can promote life is more important than the profit unearned income. No one could inclusive growth and build an of the private enterprise. Any “good make money on profit out of work inclusive society. Social Democracy governance’ has to put profit before of others, either through interest is both social and democratic, the people. The good of the society payment or profit. which are prerequisite for a strong has to override the demand for economy and a viable society. continued deregulation and focus This is not unrealistic today. Without building the values and on the market. But this idea has been made principles into economic and social contemporary by stipulating structures, we cannot a build an Capitalism and market economy that certain things could be done inclusive society. Only an Inclusive While reiterating the need for without financial gain as the primary society based on care, compassion, economic growth for a country motivation. Society should decide and above all solidarity can ensure like India, it is in order that we for what is good for its entire people. inclusive growth. touch upon the common confusion Some things are done not because between the capitalism and market someone must gain from it. We Inclusive growth has become economy. To quote a few lines from are all human beings, and together a slogan, rhetoric like many the Swedish Social Democratic we constitute the society. Some governmental strategies. In order Party programme, “The market is things cannot be measured in to actualise it, we need to plan an needed for the efficient production economic terms allocated as per inclusive society, not a divided one. that creates and recreates resources the spending power; they should Let us remember that the values for the welfare system. Capitalism be integral parts of common rights like solidarity are not patronising and the market should be regarded in a modern society. In a speech on by the rich for the poor, or the by as two different things. The market 5 February 1986, the former social the strong for weak, it is in common economy is distribution system in Democratic Prime Minister Olof interest of all. Given the rise or which goods and services change Palme expressed this approach consciousness in the civil society, owners with money as the currency to economic and society most people are aware of their rights and of exchanges. Capitalism is a power elegantly: that inequality is not preordained, system with return on capital as the it is wo(man) made. So there is overriding norm”. “What we want is a society and will be resistance in various with secure people, who are forms to persisting inequalities in One view of the recent world able to share good things with opportunities if not is possessions. financial crisis is that return on each other. The tough, egotistical It is prudent for any planner to take capital became the overriding society that is the answer to the into account these emerging social norm causing cracks in the global right-wins parties’ questions forces and co-opt them into the economy. Cheap and easy credits creates insecure people who mainstream or else, no growth is were given to the poor economic turn their claws on each other inclusive or sustainable. JANATA, November 27, 2011 11 Once upon a time water…

V.N.Sharma

Water is called the elixir of life freed countries various UN agencies, generation respectively. As an effect on this Planet. But this resource the World Bank, the IMF etc. were industrialisation created a side show is dwindling very fast due to given physical shape to play greater of environmental issues - damages variety of reasons which include role in shaping the emrging world to all aspects of life on this planet accelerated pace of industrialisation based on overexploitation of natural through massive air, water and noise causing immense damage to the resources and converting the then pollution, increased consumerism ecology and environment leading to existing monarchies and empires to causing enormous domestic and Climate Change and overpopulation corporate monarchies via a defective industrial waste generation. Various causing ever increasing load on democracy route. All this led to the reports talked about in different fora water resources and agriculture. accetance of ‘Development through indicate that water bankruptcy is But a closer look at the water Industrialisation mode’ world over. going to be worse than the financial issue indicates additional causes Though there were basic differences meltdown now destabilising the like mismanagement of this between capitalist and communist global economy, and there will be resource, rather lack of intention systems of governance, yet this no way of bailing the earth out of for its harvesting where it drops, mode of development was accepted water scarcity. conservation and control on its and retained by both as panacea misuse. for all the ills of their people. the Studies revealed that the world same became true of those who has not been as warm as it is now Until recently ‘water water were known as non-aligned nations. for a millennium or more. The everywhere, not a drop to drink’ However, by the turn of the last three warmest years on record have remained only as a forecast for the century even communism lost its all occurred since 1998; 19 of the coming times. Many never believed grip in many countries and the world warmest 20 since 1980. And the that this would ever happen. But got definite tilt to capitalism. The earth has probably never warmed as the water crisis world over is to field was left open for the only world fast as in the past 30 years - a period the fore and has come sooner than power, the US of A, to make the rules when natural influences on global later is The most important impact of the game unilaterally and play as temperatures, such as solar cycles of non-availability of this resource per its wishes. and volcanoes should have cooled increasing food insecurity. us down. By mid-nineteeneighties D e v e l o p m e n t t h r o u g h Global Warming followed by Genesis Industrialisation resulted in setting Climate Change took the front seat With the onset of the 20th century up of high capital and high energy and IPCC got created to suggest variety of changes the world over intensive industries all around. ways and means to counter the fear began - entry of communism, However, this gave desired output of these two evils. Like the other growing tension between powerful - mass production of consumer and world bodies, IPCC also had the European nations and emergence non-consumer goods, availability same objective – transfer of ‘clean of the US and USSR as big global of more jobs in industry, growth technologies’ from developed to players. By mid-century the two of towns and cities, good roads, developing nations and money world wars were fought and population transfer from rural to flow in the reverse direction. This European nations, especially the newly created urban and industrial enriched the already rich ones - British, were forced to withdraw centers and improved quality of life domestic as well as the foreign from their never-sunsetting empire for a small part of the population. variety. and allow new powers to share the As expected this also created booty. The US and the USSR got to more destitutes, have-nots and Increased population, on the other play major role with world bodies downtroddens all around. Burning of hand, caused increase in the input like the UN and its subordinate fossil fuel and felling of trees coupled of chemical dose in agricultural organisations. For the spread of with dam building activities gave sector increasing, in turn, water capitalism and subjugating the newly way to the thermal and hydro power pollution. By 1970 the US came 12 JANATA, November 27, 2011 up with National Environment shows and print media with bottled system administrators could not Protection Act and the UN created a water in front of them on the dais. match their planning and execution body under its arm known as United Such pictures spoke more than steps with these demands of times. Nations Environment Programme millions of words - that water was (UNEP). This was followed by a scare resource and it would be Conversion of traditional water most of the countries making laws available to a limited few, that too sources - ponds, lakes etc - in the for protection of the environment. for a payment. Water distribution urban areas for raising multi-storied But many, including the protestors in India has the pattern : Irrigation buildings and concreting the open in the on-going worldwide Occupy - 69 percent, Industry - 23 percent space in the cities are causing low Movement, have identified the t, Domestic/Municipal - 8 percent. rate of ground water recharging. 1 percent as the real source of The government has failed to Overexploitation of water leads to environmental destruction which provide drinking water to about 20 further lowering of ground water includes water also in the ultimate percent urban and about 50 percent tables and salinisation in both urban analysis, not the 7 billion. rural population. Attitude of high and rural areas. Silting of natural and profit making by money-makers artificial lakes, dams and reservoirs Scenario in India through increased consumerist are causing less water availability Many academic and field studies culture leads to overexploitation, especially in lean seasons. attempted to develop alternative pollution of water and depletion of routes of development to counter other resources. Polluted water from Water is considered a Government industrialisation as the only mode industries, automobiles, chemical responsibility but lack of will and to better the life of the people. They uses in agriculture and 80 per cent planning, financial allocation and simply got rebuffed by the money of urban waste water discharged engineering intervention reveal power of the money makers. India daily into the country’s rivers leads  Lack of interest/awareness already had its nature worshipping to disability of large part of the towards conservation and scriptures with low consumption of population due to health reasons retention of rain water where it resources and less waste generation ending in loss of man/woman-days falls, Govt. inaction and negative themes. Mahatma Gandhi added to in work place, loss of life of more attitude the same. But none of this could than 2.2 million people per year  Government at the Centre and influence the Indian political leaders which is more than the number most of the States/UTs failed to sufficiently to follow the traditional of people killed from all forms of take wake up calls provided by route of living without massive violence, including wars, making low rainfalls in recent years and industrialisation. most water bodies unfit for human initiate corrective steps/ action use. All this culminates into an  Lack of vision for utilizing Looking at the seriousness of the additional expenditure in Health collective wisdom of all sections issue water was chosen as the first care which is helping in wealth of the stakeholders and mobilizing major resource for protection. India generation for very few. them. had its first water Act in 1974 which was revised and improved with the It is claimed that population has It is wrongly assumed that more passage of time. But none of these gone up also because of improved investments in water treatment, showed a turn around. Water issue health delivery system leading to ignoring the existing traditional took global shape and rich people increase in longevity and decrease water sources and creation of took the first step to make money out in infant mortality rate. Whatever be dams or newer schemes with profit of the crisis through bottled water the reason the population increase in motives will solve the problem. schemes, and energy and chemical last 60 years is reported to be 850 Interlinking of rivers in India is intensive water treatment and million whereas the figure for 150 wrongly proposed as a solution to recycling route. All the sources of years from 1801 AD was 150 million water problem. In fact it is a proposal water including municipal supplies only. Change in irrigation pattern for privatisation of water resources for domestic uses were declared needing 500 km3 water in 1900 ending with money making for a unsafe. To provide e impetus to this AD to 2000 km3 in 2000 AD - an few. business the members of the elite increase of four times in a hundred group who were responsible for years. Quite natural that it led to Suggestions making drinking water available exponential increase in food and In addition to the improvement to the populace were shown in TV water demand. On the other hand in surface water management like JANATA, November 27, 2011 13 desilting and periodical maintenance Conclusion other lives on the planet. By the turn of rivers, dams, ponds, lakes etc. Water has been considered thus of the century academic curricula and building new reservoirs and far a free and unlimited resource and Granny’s fiction stories may check dams extensive awareness - this is not true anymore. The include “once upon a time water programmes like communicating the situation is tending towards ‘water used to be available for free in water agenda in the right perspective water everywhere, not a drop to open wells, tanks, ponds and rivers to the people added by community- drink’. Therefore, if policy makers, flowing near each and every village driven or community-owned/ administrators and social activists do and city with no private ownership, people’s participation approach not honour the wake-up call provided no control by the governments or has better chance to succeed. Using by nature in the last few years and their appointed private agents, no more local wisdom (succeeds) take immediate steps to rectify the water bottling plants and no price rather than technology oriented situation it may lead to disastrous to be paid for its use in whatever programmes (invariably fail) has consequences for humanity and manner”. already been established as better result giving approach to solve the SP(I) Committee formed in West Bengal problem.

Post-Gandhi Indian political “The nation is faced with three challenges - unemployment and economic leaders must be reminded of nature inequality caused by the implementation of Corporate-led globalization worshipping scriptures and tradition policies, communalism and rampant corruption from top to bottom. Neither of low consumption of resources, the ruling Congress nor the main opposition, BJP, nor the Communist less waste generation themes and parties are poised to take up these challenges and lead the nation to just Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings of low and egalitarian order. So more than six hundred socialist activists from cost, more distributed employment seventeen states assembled at Hyderabad on 28th May, 2011 decided to generating village industries with revive the Socialiost Party of JP and Lohia. We are pleased to witness such a better wealth distribution strategies. large gathering of West Bengal socialists assembled here to elect their State office-bearers and executive committee. We are sure you will build strong “Catch where it (rain) falls” Socialist Party in this part of the country” stated Bhai Vaidya, President of the Socialist Party(India). strategy is expected to increase in extensive rain-water harvesting Senior socialist leader and champion of the civil liberties, Justice in both rural and urban areas by Rajinder Sachar, while addressing the gathering, observed that “socialists extensive ground water recharging. spread all over the country seem to be determined to pull up the nation from A simple calculation says that half the rot and usher in an era of liberty, equality and fraternity in this old and of average annual rainfall of 1170 great nation of ours”. mm captured on 1.12 ha of land Tributs were paid to the memory of late Dr.Bapu Kaldate. in each of 5,87,226 villages, 6.57 million litres of rain water in each Prof. Dwijesh Dutta Majumdar was in the chair. Other national office- village will meet the cooking and bearers like Pannalal Surana, Onkar Singh, Nurul Ameen and Jaya Vidhiyala drinking needs of 1200 people. So also addressed the State Convention. The following ad hoc State Committee far no approach has been made to was unanimously elected: tap 135 million ha meter (mham) of • President- Prof. Dwijesh Dutta Majumdar ; Working President- available precipitation Tilok Ganguly ; Vice-President- Benod Debnath; General Secretaries- Bhupen Paul Roy and Samir Bhathrjee; Secretaries-1- Sikha Mitra Watershed management schemes 2- Sagarika Banerjee 3-Sumit Dhar Chowadhary; Treasurer- Ashif Basu; must include socio-economic Chirman State Partliamentary Board- M.P. Singh. development, economic benefits of • State Committee Members : 1- Dr. Sanmathanath Ghosh 2- Nirmal local population as well as people/ Ghoshal 3-Sujit Kumar Das 4- Gautam Chand Chandra 5- Laltha Prasad life downstream, crop planning/ Asthana 6- Dilip Das 7- Samarjit Banarjee 8- Tarun Banarjee 9- Chittas rotation, livestock and animal Day 10- Sushant Banarjee 11- Govind Das 12- Sowpan Sinha Roy 13- husbandry, weather modification, Uma Shankar Singh 14- Viduyut Das 15- S.M. Das 16- Subrata Karmakar coastal water management and 17- Chandi Dey 18-Chandradip Giri 19- Awani Kumar Singh 20- Amal aggressive yet positive to all round bhowamik 21- Dilip Hui 22- Tapas Mama water managemen.t – PS 14 JANATA, November 27, 2011 Unending Agenda

Harsh Mander

Millions of our children still There are encouraging reports 1981, headed by Gurupadaswamy, labour today, in factories, farms, of growing numbers of children in declared that ‘as long as poverty kilns, mines, homes and city waste school, and declining child workers continued, it would be difficult to dumps, when they should be in during the last decade. But we need totally eliminate child labour and school or in a playground. We to view these figures with caution, hence, any attempt to abolish it profoundly fail these children, because there is growing evidence of through legal recourse would not collectively depriving them of the informalisation of the work force be a practical proposition’. This education, play, rest, healthy growth with rapid economic growth. Work ‘pragmatism’ continues to dominate and childhood. Despite democracy is often sub-contracted to home- government’s stand on working and glittering economic growth, it based workers by big companies children. is unconscionable that we continue to evade labour protection to tolerate child work, socially and regulations and responsibilities, There remains a live and important legally. and work is transferred also to the debate about whether poverty causes children working from home; as child labour, or is it also the other The law in India treats much of a consequence, children may be way round. Many poverty experts child labour as legally permissible. inducted into labour sometimes as argue that for poor families, sending For children up to 14 years, only a early as five or six years of age. children out to work is the only way small set of vocations designated Such child labour is often invisible they can survive. Many children are ‘hazardous’ are prohibited. Only to the census enumerator. also engaged in unpaid household work and as a result cannot go in 2006 was employing children as Legislation has been unsuccessful to school: on farms, taking care domestic help declared illegal, and in stopping child labour, even in of cattle, cleaning and cooking, just five years earlier, rag-picking hazardous industries. A third of fetching water and fuel and caring was prohibited among children. all acknowledged child workers for their younger siblings. Just There are weak penalties and few are found to be in hazardous providing full day child-care would prosecutions, barely a few thousand occupations. About 53 per cent result in the majority of older siblings in the whole country every year. of the total number of children entering school for the first time. There is no prohibition of any kind working in hazardous occupations Children also drop out and work of work for children who cross the is employed in the pan, bidi, and instead because schools in many age of 14 years. cigarette industry, in construction, states are in bad shape. Children feel and as domestic help. Seventy-two demoralised and learn little in these Latest official estimates report per cent recorded child workers are schools, and over time refuse to around five million children in agriculture and constitute almost attend school. If laws guaranteeing economically active in the labour nine per cent of all agricultural minimum wages are enforced, with market, which is two per cent of the workers. These children work long greater employment security for total child population of India in the hours on farms and face the harmful parents, child labour would decline age group 5–14 years. Child rights effects of inhaling pesticides and and cease. activists, however, argue that the other chemicals. Many girls are actual numbers of child workers are subject to hazards of physical and Many child rights activists, on much larger, because children not sexual abuse even at a young age the other hand, maintain that the in school are hidden child workers, of 10 or 12 years at work. only chance for a child to escape rearing younger siblings, tending the the poverty of her parents is to go home, or helping parents earn in the The official tolerance of child to school. This alone opens new fields, home-based work or vending. labour is grounded in the belief that avenues for a child to advance Their numbers are four times as child labour is an inevitable product economically and socially when many as enumerated child workers. of poverty. An official committee in she grows to adulthood. Child JANATA, November 27, 2011 15 labour causes significant life-long discriminatory education, enforce declarations and labels. School and irreversible psychological labour laws, provide child-care children themselves would be most and physiological damage. Since services and social protection, effective in a campaign against child children’s bodies, minds and and above all, battle poverty in labour, including as domestic help judgment are still developing, even the household to which the child and in eateries. up to their late teens, entering the belongs. world of work at a young age causes The debate on child labour early ageing, low energy, stunted Some government officials justify should have been settled with and wasted growth, occupational child labour because this gives the the Constitutional amendment diseases, the crushing of spirit, and country a comparative advantage recognising the right to education as the permanent loss of the joys of in trade and exports, because of the a fundamental right of all children. If carefree childhood. lower prices and alleged efficiencies the law demands that a child must be of employing children (the ‘nimble in a mainstream school, she cannot All contemporary experience fingers’ theory). Even these alleged simultaneously be at work. There has shown that when children are economic advantages are contested. need be no bar on children helping withdrawn from work and sent to But even if there are growth their families after school hours and schools, wages for adults, both dividends, there can be no ethical in vacations, in fields, home-based male and female work goes up justification to argue that we will work, forest gathering and vending, substantially’, Shantha Sinha, who continue to engage children in work but none of this can be at the expense successfully led a movement to pull which damages them physically, of schooling and the protection of 50,000 child labourers out of work psychologically and deprives them the child. and into regular school, passionately of their future prospects of breaking argues. ‘One of the reasons for low out of poverty through mainstream Today, despite the legal right adult wages is because child labour education, for the sake of boosting to education, many children who is rampant, especially in the informal economic growth. are the most vulnerable remain sector. Child labour depresses adult unreached by State efforts. These wages. In most countries, early Existing penalties for employing include children of migrant labour, child-care got strengthened and prohibited child labour is not children subjected to bondage and institutionalised when girls were deterrent: imprisonment for three trafficking, and street children and no longer available for domestic months to two years and a fine child workers. To ensure their right work. In a child rights perspective, between 10 and 20,000 rupees is to education and childhood remains children’s rights must come first, a mere rap on the knuckles. These a paramount unfinished agenda for and every right attained for children offences should be cognisable and freedom. has profound economic, social and non-bailable, with much more –Aman Biradari even cultural impacts on the larger stringent punishments. But it is (Continued from Page 5) economy and society’. wrong to penalise or criminalise parents in any way for dealing with underlines the general impression It is true that children work their difficult situations and sending that some ministers are more than because of a variety of State failures their children to work. The penal equal. — such as to combat poverty, to provisions of the law should target implement the rights of unorganised only employers, and impose legal Hasina bothers little because the workers, to provide social protection, duties on governments. heady wine of popularity has not to provide day child-care services, yet awakened her to the reality. She and to provide quality and relevant Much greater sensitivity is also believes that a few newspapers are education in schools. But this does required in planning the rehabilitation tarnishing her good name. She does not justify the legalisation of child of released child workers. not realize that the papers’ circulation work. The State would need to take a Governments need to do more by is in proportion to their credibility. holistic approach in eliminating child way of creating mass awareness and They could not be leading papers labour: enforcing legal prohibitions influencing consumers. There could if they had reported or interpreted are imperative but admittedly not be campaigns to discourage people the situation wrongly. But then, like enough. Governments would need from buying products that use child the communists, she forgives the to ensure quality, relevant and non- labour, for instance, through certified renegades but not critics. R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, November 27, 2011 P.R. No. MH/MR/WEST/275/2010-2011 Posted at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1

GANNON DUNKERLEY & CO., LTD. (An ISO 9001 – 2000 Company)

REGISTERED OFFICE

NEW EXCELSIOR BUILDING, 3RD FLOOR, A.K. NAYAK MARG, FORT, MUMBAI – 400 001

TEL: 91-22-22051231, FAX: 91-22-22051232

Website: gannondunkerley.com

E-mail: [email protected]

GANNONS ARE SPECIALISTS IN INDUSTRIAL STRUCTURES, ROADS, BRIDGES (RCC AND PRESTRESSED CONCRETE), RAILWAY TRACKS, THERMAL POWER, FERTILIZER, CHEMICAL, PAPER AND CEMENT PLANTS, WATER & WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANTS, PILING FOUNDATION & FOUNDATION ENGINEERING.

GANNONS ARE ALSO PIONEERS IN MATERIAL HANDELING WORKS, MANUFACTURE OF PRESTRESSED CONCRETE SLEEPERS, ERECTION OF MECHANICAL EQUIPMENTS & PIPING AND SUPPLY OF TEXTILE MACHINERY AND LIGHT ENGINEERING ITEMS.

OFFICES AT:

AHMEDABAD - CHENNAI - COIMBATORE - HYDERABAD KOLKATA - MUMBAI - NEW DELHI

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. 66 No. 44 Better drop it December 4, 2011 S. Viswam Non-functioning Parliament Kuldip Nayar Much has been said and is being the idea of a FDI in retail was never written in favour of opening up the contemplated and was always a No- Poverty of Leadership retail trade sector to foreign direct no. But such an impression would be in Odisha! investment. Much has been said wrong. Political parties have toyed D.K. Giri and is being written, and done, with the idea not so deep in the against the FDI. Indeed, while the recent past of a 100 per cent equity critics of the entry of foreign trade holding to a 26 per cent holding. The Project of Hope giants in Indian retail had formerly objection this time is not to the size Asghar Ali Engineer opposed the foreign investors holding of the equity, it is to the very idea a large equity, now the mood is to of opening up the retail sector. The oppose the very concept of FDI in government, and the supporters of The Colour of Arab Spring is Pink retail trade. Why the government the measure, including experts in Kausar Fatima chose this particular time and hour, trade matters,veteran economists, especially while it is facing pressure researchers and serious students of the simultaneously from various sources, Indian economy and the corporates are Journey to Imphal is not easy to understand. It could being dubbed as anti-national, anti- Pannalal Surana certainly have waited for a more people, anti-progress. Those opposing opportune moment to unleash the the measure, including partners of retail FDI cat among the Indian the UPA coalition, members of the Divisions of UP pigeons. Whatever the government ruling Congress, and the range of Brij Khandelwal had thought and felt a week ago anti-Congress opposition, including inducing it to get the Cabinet to those who have not understood the approve of a 51 per cent cap in the implications of opening the sector Pradip Bose (1928-2011) FDI, its eyes must have opened to the to foreign investment are against ground realties by now. Parliament the measure. So much so, the debate Editor : is under siege and for a week now, has been well and truly joined, and no business has been transacted. The it would seem, by any objective G. G. Parikh FDI issue has added fuel to the fire. reckoning, the anti-government, D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Indian political class is known for the anti-FDI and the anti-Congress its flip-flops. Looking at the furore groups are winning. The UPA is losing Naushir Bharucha Marg, all the opposition parties, barring the the battle even before it was joined. Mumbai - 400 007. Congress, the NCP and the National It is now faced with a hard option: Conference have raised against the persist with the measure and bring all Email : [email protected] FDI proposal, it would seem that political activity to a stop, or abandon 2 JANATA, December 4, 2011 the idea for the moment, and pursue it at a more opportune time. The Pradip Bose second seems to be an easy way out, an all-too easy way out, but it is the (1928-2011) government itself that has pushed Socialist thinker, writer and activist, Pradip Bose passed away on itself into a corner. Now, there is 30th November, 2011 in New Delhi at the age of 83.He was born at no point in offering concessions, Cuttack (Orissa) in 1928. His father was in the Indian Civil Service. diluting the measure, and winning The influence of his uncle, Subhas Chandra Bose, appears to have been friends thereby. The truth is that the tremendous on Pradip Bose and he plunged in the freedom struggle at FDI has become suspect, and it will an early age. He helped the INA whenever he could and participated in be counter-productive for the UPA the demonstrations. He was educated in Calcutta and was a journalist dispensation to persist with it. Few and author by profession. government-inspired measures in India have evoked such massive Pradip Bose first met Acharya Narendra Deva in 1954 and joined opposition as this FDI deal. Only a the Socialist movement by enrolling in the Praja Socialist Party. He handful of chief ministers support it. was General Secretary, all-India Samajwadi Yuvak Sabha and Assistant Most states, among them those under Secretary, International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY). He was also Congress control, are also against it. General Secretary of the Indian Center for Democratic Socialism. He has written more than fifteen books relating to Communism and As we said in the beginning, Socialism. there are as many opposing the FDI as there are supporting it and His book 'Communism and Communist Systems: Some reflections', wanting it. Both the sides have is a collection of articles and essays contributed by him to a number of advanced eminently logical and journals. The volume is organized into four parts: Ideological: European fairly cogent arguments sustaining Communism: Asian Communism: Indian Communism. Pradip Bose their respective cases. The truth visited a number of East European countries and also the Soviet Union. perhaps lies somewhere in between the two positions. The wise course His another book ‘Growing up in India’, is a story of man's search would be for the measure to be for the truth about himself and the world around him and thereby to subjected to a more comprehensive evolve a philosophy of life and intense debate, and the points for and against it thrashed out keeping He has written some other interesting books - An Outline of the interests of the producers, traders Democratic Socialism; The Indian Communist Movement and Euro- and customers on the one side and communism: a study in revolutionary rhetoric, revisionist doctrine the foreign investors on the other. and reformist practice; Social Democracy in Practice: Socialist But the opportunity and the ideal International, 1951-2001. setting for such a debate was before the proposal went to the Cabinet Pradip Bose, He was at the IUSY headquarters in Vienna in the early and came out with a green signal. 1960s. He represented the IUSY on the Socialist International’s (SI) Now tempers are on the boil, and the Subcommittee for Developing Areas, beginning his interaction with the rights and wrongs of the legislation SI. In the 1980s he founded the Indian Centre for Democratic Socialism are not high priority issues. The (ICDS) in New Delhi, with which SI developed friendly relations in high priority issue is, from the the 1990s. Pradip Bose represented the ICDS at the meetings of the government’s point of view, to ram it Council of the SI in Tokyo and served on the SI Committee for Asia down the throat of the country on the and the Pacific Region in Kathmandu. He also attended its Congress in strength of the belief that it is good Berlin. The absence of any comprehensive book on the SI in English for the country. The high priority persuaded him to write the book Socialist International. Being an Indian, issue, from the opposition’s point of his book has been written from a Third World perspective. view, is to embarrass the government as much as possible, and ensure that - Qurban Ali (Continued on Page 9) JANATA, December 4, 2011 3 Non-functioning Parliament

Kuldip Nayar

India is the only country in South downhill. They may be more to in doing anything to get what it Asia where democracy has survived blame than others like the judiciary, wants, through peaceful methods in its classical form. It has got the government and the media. All if possible or the use of violence, if disfigured in Pakistan because the are naked in the bath. The point necessary. The Lakshman rekha does military, not the elected government, to find out is why a nation which not exist anymore and the tendency has the last word. In Bangladesh, the has largely followed democratic to hit below the belt is not only perpetual boycott by the opposition, methods, since 1950 when the common but considered permissible. this time by the Bangladesh constitution was adopted, is turning Nationalist Party, has lessened violent in its action and the language Had the rot been confined only parliament’s credibility and, in Sri that people use. to the politicians the nation might Lanka, the confused opposition has have saved its equilibrium. Every affected its representative character. A slap on the face of Agriculture activity has been affected. The Nepal is yet to settle down to face Minister Sharad Pawar remains as media, puffed up by a sense of self- the basic norms of parliamentary unacceptable as was the shoe thrown righteousness, has deteriorated to the democracy. at Home Minister P. Chidambaram. extent that you can publish anything Both are violent expressions on any page in the news columns Unfortunately, the political parties which neither the constitution nor by giving a price (paid news). But in India have come to believe that the country’s ethos allow. The this does not call for any control stalling parliament is the best way ‘Shining India’ suddenly appears over the media. India’s first Prime of expressing their opposition to a to be receding into shadows. The Minister Jawaharlal Nehru said: “I government legislation or action. economy continues to register a would have a completely free press The Congress party did it in the slowdown and the governance is with all the dangers involved in the late 90s and early 2000 when the practically non-existent. wrong use of that freedom than a Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) was suppressed or a regulated press.” in power. The BJP has adopted the No official wants to take any same methods today. The Congress is decision, much less quickly. HRD The judiciary, thumping its repenting over what it did then as the Minister Kapil Sibal rationalizes back for independence, can be BJP would do if and when it comes that officials are afraid because generally “managed” according to power. Not allowing parliament to they would be taken to task if the to eminent lawyers and former function has somehow become part decision turned out to be wrong. judges. It is an open secret that the of their political lexicon. Officials would have to get over clients know which judge has what such an apprehension because they type of predilection and the price Since the proceedings of both are not to blame if the decision is involved. Cases are accordingly houses are watched throughout not motivated. All this does not help preferred before a particular bench. the country, the non-functioning much about the country’s health. So Some judgments astound you and of parliament is having its effect, much so, it looks as if it is coming they suggest that there is something which is generally negative. Many apart from the seams. that does not meet the eye. No one wonder the utility of parliament and criticizes the judges fearing the some suggest the Presidential form If I were to point out one lapse, contempt laws. Thus the veneer of of government prevailing in the US I would say that politics or, for that respectability stays. and France. The worst fallout is the matter, every segment of the society mood of uncertainty that is sweeping has shed morality. The realization The bureaucracy which runs the country. that some things are not done or that the administration is so divided wrong methods are not employed is hierarchically that the right hand I do not want to make politicians not there anymore. Therefore, no does not know what the left is doing. a whipping boy for India going political party has any compunction Joint secretaries and above cannot 4 JANATA, December 4, 2011 be touched without the permission of ministers who are mostly corrupt. Poverty of Leadership in Odisha! The Supreme Court gave a judgment to stop the practice, called single D.K. Giri directive, but parliament restored it. An appeal against the new law After the unopposed election of strong and entrepreneurial leader is awaiting the court’s verdict. All Sonia Gandhi to the office of the there is scope for development. parties know from their experience Congress President, the feverish Although I hold no brief for their how handy these joint secretaries race for state presidents of the politics, Nitish Kumar in Bihar, and secretaries are. Congress party had begun all over Chandra Babu Naidu in Andhra, Take the Foreign Direct the country. Oscar Fernandez, Narendra Modi in Gujurat and to Investment (FDI) in retail. Ministers the cool and composed General some extent Manmohan Singh in and bureaucrats decided on the Secretary of the Congress party had the Centre are examples of such step, worked out on the details and put the election schedule in place. leadership. The Prime Minister announced its introduction to India So accordingly, the state of Odisha although perceived to be weak and without consulting anyone outside should have got a new president under the shadow of Sonia Gandhi, the government. The pronouncement on 17th September 2010. But this has remained uncorrupt, free of was made when parliament was was not to be. Given the Congress’ any scandal, and has the tallest in session, not in any house, but disgusting tradition of nomination intellectual personality, even if one through a press statement. Rightly, by the High Command, a surprise may not agree with him. No wonder, all parties, including the Congress’s candidate was nominated as the he was voted the most educated ruling allies, were up in arms. president of the party, In my article and informed Prime Minister of in Janata in September last year, I the world, by the popular media. The Prime Minister consented to had discussed Sonia’s presidentship The Prime Minister seems to have have an all-party meeting to explain of the Congress in the context of equivocated on political issues, but the FDI in retail but this was like dynasty and democracy in Indian on matters of development, he has adding insult to the injury. Nothing politics. In this essay, the Odisha stood firm. He has, from his days came out of it. Why couldn’t the Congress leadership is discussed as the Finance Minister, pushed meeting be convened earlier even in the context of leadership, the economic reforms resulting in if the government was determined governance and development of a steady economic growth of our not to brook any opposition? And Odisha. In fact, Odisha is a test case country, which in turn, is drawing how does the government’s prestige for such a debate. world attention and is providing suffer if the FDI takes precedence the country with a platform to solve over discussion on price rise or the Why is this so important for the may chronic developmental issues. black money? What havoc the FDI state? One does not have to labour His focus on building the skills of in retail would cause is another story. for an answer. Odisha remains the the Indians to make it “the skill poorest state in the country in terms capital of the world” gives India a A senior Congress minister’s of number of BPL families which competitive edge. Let us not forget remark that “Where is India going?’ are 50 percent of its population. his firm position on the nuclear deal, is pertinent. But his party is more Odisha is richer than many other on which the Communists withdrew responsible than the opposition states in natural and social capital. their support from the government, because it is ruling the country. The Again, this begs the question: why of course at their own political peril. minister, used by the party to sort there is this contradiction in the out knotty problems, will concede development of the state? And a sure Coming back to Odisha, the that a consensus is the only way answer is that it is because of the leadership in the state leaves to govern. The ruling Congress weak and unimaginative leadership a lot to desire. Out of 64 years has to lessen the distance from the across the political parties. There of Odisha’s post-independence opposition. When the rightist BJP can be no denying the fact that politics, more than half, nearly and the leftist Communists are on the the development in our country 40 years, the leadership has been is leadership driven, if we have a with the Pattanaik family, Janaki (Continued on Page 9) JANATA, December 4, 2011 5

Pattanaik, Biju Pattnaik and now that he is Karunanidhi’s son. leadership alone? There are other his son, Nabin Pattanaik. Again, I two sectors - business and larger have nothing against the Pattanaiks Let us deal with a few concerns. civil society - which could throw up as a community, but the fact remains One, why is one worried about strong and imaginative leadership. these two families have heavily the Congress party, when Oriyas Much vaunted Biju Pattanaik was influenced the fate of Odisha state, seem to be happy with their present also a businessman who cleverly and the results are for everyone to government? Second, who should mixed business with politics. Is see. Janaki regime was tainted with lead the Congress party? One is there no scope for the civil society corruption and scandals; Naveen’s concerned that in Odisha state or to produce a leader who could draw rule is marked by inefficiency in any democracy, we need a viable national or international attention and now industrial corruption and and credible opposition, and at the and influence the leadership of the manipulation. Here I am referring to moment we do not have one. Third, state, or even the bureaucracy that several mining scams, for example, one has become very uncomfortable draws brilliant students into civil Vedanta Alumina which violated with Naveen Babu’s excessive service to give the lead? Of course, most guidelines, environmental support for a corrupt company like one such bureaucrat is supposed to and legal, quietly usurped tribal and Vedanta. Fourth, who should be run the affairs of BJD and another forest land, sought to grab thousands the leader of the party to put up a who took voluntary retirement of acres of land in the name of an credible and formidable opposition from Indian civil service from the international standard university, to the ruling party? Clearly, the neighboring state of Andhra Pradesh which Odisha does not need. Naveen Congress needs a serious and a new to build a prosperous Odisha ( Pattanaik’s government went all out brand of politics in Odisha if ever Samrudha Odisha) , the name of to support the Company - even the they wish to come back to power, his political party, is yet to make a Chief Minister went personally to or else they will have to wait for the dent in the politics of the state. He meet the Prime Minister to bail “law of average” to work against is making very desirable promises Vedanta out. But Naveen Babu Naveen Pattnaik which means, in his manifesto, such as removing retains the clean image and is seen Naveen Babu has to loose the 4th poverty from Odisha in five years of to be pro-poor, pro-growth and term or wait for a wave created by his election to the government. It is pro-development. That is why he Rahul Gandhi as most Congressmen one thing to intellectually articulate has been voted to power for three hope. a proposition, but it is quite another consecutive terms, no one can to be able to politically mobilize dispute his democratic legitimacy The new brand of politics will the people behind it. A successful and I do not wish to join issue with be good for Congress as well as the political leadership is based on that. But, one is free to argue that state. It has to consist of a serious twin pillars of “power of ideas” Naveen Babu has a greater image image change-over for the party, and and the “capacity for mobilization” than the Congress leadership and ‘the politics of development’ not of behind that idea. Civil society is he has reaped huge benefit from power, privilege and patronage, so caught in its own logic of operation. the negative image of the Congress the Congress needs a leader who Most civil society organizations party. Also, there is no doubt that has a clean and uncorrupt image (CSOs) are fully engaged in small Congress leadership of the state is and who could draw a development development projects sponsored weak, divided, factionalized and path for the state. Also politically by foreign donors, or in limited has no credible standing even with speaking, the leader should have campaigns against denial of human their High Command in Delhi. That the ability to reach out to the rank rights and social justice, mainly is why, in the last UPA government, and file of BJD and outgrow Naveen for “the displaced’ in the mining Odisha had one Minister of State. Babu’s personality and politics. projects. No CSO is worried about For a year Odisha had no Minister There are such leaders in the party. the overall development of the state in the Centre in UPA-II, the High The Congress has to do a thorough - its institutions, processes, growth, Command has put a veteran like check on these qualities and take employment, equality and so on. Srikant Jena, twice a Union Minister a judicious decision in their own and four times a Parliamentarian, as collective interest in Odisha. Big Businesses, even the a Minister of State under a first-timer indigenous ones, are focused on the Azagiri, whose only qualification is Need we focus on political “returns on their investment” and in 6 JANATA, December 4, 2011 their area of operation. To illustrate, I was speaking to the managers of Project of Hope Tata Steel in Kalinganagar on a possible way out of the logjam they Asghar Ali Engineer are caught in. When they wanted my opinion as their potential consultant, I was invited to visit Austria from Unfortunately in English speaking among other things, I suggested that 16-20th November 2011 to deliver world only Nobel Prize is rated very they should shift the discussion even a few lectures to schools students high and even Magsaysay award is thematically from Kalinganagar to and citizens, activists and politicians more known than Right Livelihood Bhuabaneswar. I suggested them to as Right Livelihood Awardee – the award. initiate a dialogue with the people of award is also known as Alternate Odisha through various instruments Nobel - by sponsors of an interesting Actually Nobel Prize is given on “how industrialization as it is project called “Projects of Hope” either to pro-establishment activists being legislated and carried out along with two other awardees Alyn (even Obama got this award for his will bring development for all in Ware, an anti-nuclear activist and empty rhetoric and for not being the state. I thought that it would member of New Zealand Parliament, able to stop Iraq or Afghanistan war not cost them much to launch such and Tony Clarke from Ottawa, and rushing to intervene in Libya an information and sensitization Canada, who had received this Right like Bush would have done). But campaign. But, they shied away Livelihood Award for his work Alternate Nobel is given in Swedish from taking such an initiative. for environment. I had received Parliament for those activists who this award for my work for inter- are pronouncedly anti-establishment So we are back to political religious peace and communal and for challenging powerful people. leadership. In a representative harmony and also my contribution democracy like India’s, the political for human rights, along with Swami When I went to Sweden to receive leadership is the front-runner Agnivesh. This programme was this award a member of Socialist whereas leaders from other sectors held in Bregenz, a beautiful city in Party who taught political science act like pressure groups, catalysts, the valley and surrounded by Alps in the invited innovators, even partners and so on Mountains. me for tea and congratulated me - the onus is always on the political for receiving this award saying this leader. In that sense, the choice of The main organizers of this award was a ‘good kick on the back the Congress leadership to provide programme are Marrielle Manhal, of Nobel Prize´. Also, Nobel Prize is an alternative platform for the Oriyas Christian Hore and Sanjya, all three financed by the profit earned Alfred to rally around is pretty dismal. The deeply committed to social causes Nobel by selling arms and that is Congress High Command has fallen and they have started this project why Jean Paul Sartre, the famous back on JB Pattanaik’s group for which is very interesting. They invite French writer, refused to accept expediency or compromise is not every year three Laureates (Right it saying it was money earned by clear. For the High Command to Livelihood recipients) to narrate selling of arms. Whereas as Right shunt JB Pattanaik out of the state their life story – what motivated Livelihood is financed by money to Assam as its Governor, and then them to work for the cause and Jakob Von Uexkull received by to appoint the elder brother of his what odds they faced and how they auctioning his old stamp collection. son-in-law is quite inexplicable. overcame these odds and sustained their work. Now Coming back to the Projects At any rate, Odisha continues to of Hope and its activities. This is suffer from the poverty of leadership. The main idea is to give hope to extremely interesting project being It is time that a leader, Odisha so young students and motivate them run by deeply committed people desperately needs, with a clean to work for a better, cleaner and who want a healthy society which image and strong developmental peaceful society along with social makes it possible to spiritual and perspective emerges to take the activists, citizens and politicians. right kind of livelihood and not state out of the governance crisis it It will be interesting to say a few corrupt and materialist one. The is mired in. words for Right Livelihood Award over-consuming, globalized and for those who do not know about it. capitalist society has distorted all JANATA, December 4, 2011 7 the values and over-armed certain there are about 10 per cent Muslims Someone asked me, when I was countries and over-consumption has who are more unemployed and less emphasizing truth as a value, as to not only polluted our environment educated. what was the difference between fact but also is fast exhausting our and value. It was very good question limited resources. I was told by Marrialle that there and many eyebrows were raised. I is a lot of tension between Muslims said fact is mere conformity with I told the audience in this regard and Christians as Turks are treated as empirical reality and that is what about how Gandhiji viewed this aliens, of different race and violent, science deals with. Science deals situation. Gandhiji used to say that being Muslims. Like any other with empirical reality whereas truth there is enough on this earth for the country Muslims are considered is more than empirical reality. It is need of entire humanity but there as violent and jihad is the main facts plus values and truth is much is not enough for the greed of one problem. These students also raised more than mere empirical reality person. The modern technology has the question on Jihad. As far as I though it cannot contradict reality. increased our consumption no end could make out from his question, Thus truth is as much spiritual as and our greed has made us blind there was perhaps only one Turkish material. to all healthy values. Gandhiji’s student out of around 60-70 who saying was greatly appreciated by were taking part in the discussion. What religions emphasize is my audience. truth which includes values while I told them that in Qur’an and being in conformity with empirical Tony Clarke narrated a story in Arabic language jihad does not reality. Thus there cannot be any which demonstrates how blind mean war. The word jihad and its confrontation between science modern, advanced countries have derivatives occur 41 times in Qur’an and religion. While both can be of become for satisfying their greed. but not even once for war. For war immense use for humanity both can Canada has lots of oil deposits. The Qur’an uses the word qital and be massively misused by vested sedimented rocks containing these clearly says that fight only those in interests as instruments. A teacher deposits can be blasted easily using the way of Allah who fight against of philosophy liked my definition nuclear weapons. Such proposal you and do not commit excesses as very much and said that he was often would send shock down the spines Allah does not love those who are confused when students asked him of Canada. How harmful is nuclear aggressors. This clearly shows that the difference and thanked me for radiation even a school student Qur’an only permits war of defence, removing his confusion. knows. Yet, the US Government not war of aggression made such suggestion blinded by I also told the students and their greed for over-consumption. In the western countries too teachers: today we have problems education system has become with religion as our priesthood What was most interesting for a powerful tool to spread equates religion only with some me was our lectures before young misinformation and prejudices. routine rituals and totally sidelines students of high school level. It is Thus I indeed admire these ladies values. Thus religion becomes much easier, as all of us know, to Marialle, Sonja and Christine Hore meaningless for today’s educated influence the young students. Their who have taken such good initiative people as they do not find any education system, we came to know to inspire the young generation and meaning in these rituals. All religions through discussions, is mainly, like give them hope. The name - Projects emphasize certain values which we India, career oriented and have of Hope - itself is very important. I never practice. There are seven nothing to draw inspiration from. In addressed students and teachers in values which are common more fact the young students are our hope two schools – one public school and or less to all religions i.e. truth, and this project is mainly targeted one privately run Catholic School. equality, compassion, non-violence, at them. The students heard us Austria is mainly Catholic with 90 love, human dignity and freedom. with rapt attention and raised many percent Catholics but only 11 percent questions during the discussion. are believers with the remaining Truth is emphasized by all It showed their curiosity to know indifferent to religion. Thus the religions so much so that in most of more. Austria is also diverse society school is run by Catholic Church the religious traditions God’s name though its diversity is rather limited but all students are not necessarily is truth and Gandhiji gave so much compared to India. In Bregenze believers. importance to truth that he said 8 JANATA, December 4, 2011

“truth is God”. How can there be God where there is no truth. Today The Colour of Arab Spring is Pink we are so absorbed in materialism and consumerism that we have Kausar Fatima forgotten these values and we no longer respect God’s creation i.e. our universe. We are recklessly violating For almost half a century, the get beaten, let him have some God’s creation to fulfill our greed for Arab pride was in deep slumber. honor and manhood and come with consumerism. It was awakened by a woman’s me on January 25th.” Mahfooz slap in a small Tunisian town of appealed the Egyptians to honor There would have been no Sidi Buziz. A woman’s slap in fact four young men who, following the problem with earth’s environment ignited a revolution which we call example of Mohammad Buazizi, today the Arab spring. No wonder had set themselves afire. The video if we can contain our greed. It is then, if a woman from Yemen, proved to be a wakeup call bringing real jihad for all of us. We can do Tawwakul Kirman, was honored tens of thousands of people to this jihad together – Hindus, Jews, with a Nobel prize; for the Arab Tahrir Square on January 25th, thus Christians, Muslims, Zoroastrians, spring is essentially a movement in causing a popular revolution. In Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains and there which the Arab women have played Libya, things went out of hand and will be marvelous peace on earth. a leading role. the unrest turned into a revolution Kingdom of God or paradise will only when a woman protestor Iman be here on earth, here and now. But Woman has always been good for al-Ubaidi broke into a government we have made our earth a virtual revolution. In the Arab world women press conference in Tripoli to hell by our greed. It is America’s have a history of fighting along with charge that Ghddafi’s troops had greed which has inflicted violence their male counterparts against detained her at the check point on so many countries, killing colonial rulers. That is why when and then raped her. The incident millions of people. Greed is more Benghazi fell to the revolutionaries, provoked popular anger causing dangerous than terrorism which can the people discovered that an an unending protest till the regime be contained but not greed. underground women’s organization, fell. In Yemen, we all know well Mukhtar’s nieces, sprang to give that the first protest against the Tony Clarke and Alyn Ware, logistic and organizational support regime in which some 2,500 people the two other awardees also spoke to the revolution. The more deeply participated was led by Tawwakul excellently well and drew great we dig and try to understand the Kirman, a woman journalist. It applause from the audience on phenomenon we find that those who was she who invented the popular environmental and nuclear threat. led and commanded the movement chant “Ali! Ali! Join your friend Both of them were great human in Tunissia, Egypt, Libya, Yemen Bin Ali”. In Bahrain, women were beings. and Bahrain were women activists literally on the forefront receiving who had a natural talent and skill bullets in Pearl Square. In the early to social media tools. For example, days of revolution when men were take the case of Tunis. Buazizi’s afraid of the regime it were women Janata death might have gone unnoticed in black chador and abaya who had there been no Lina Mhenni, the thronged to the Pearl Square with Subscription blogger whose efforts brought some make-shift tents. In the process Annual Rs. : 260/- five thousand men and women to the Zainab al Khawaja became an icon Three Years : 750/- funeral procession of Buazizi. Soon of resistance. Imagine, in the early Demand Draft / Cheque on the unrest spread to other cities two months of revolution over 100 Mumbai Bank and Bin Ali had to leave. The same women were arrested and some of in favour of happened in Egypt when a young them even disappeared. This is a JANATA TRUST woman Asma Mahfooz uploaded huge number in the tiny kingdom a short video on YouTube and face of Bahrain. D-15, Ganesh Prasad, book invoking the Arab man’s Naushir Bharucha Marg, sleeping pride. She announced, Dear friends! Now let me tell Mumbai 400 007 “Whoever says women shouldn’t you a secret. If the Arab spring is a go to protests because they will success and is still a phenomenon to JANATA, December 4, 2011 9 reckon with, it is because of women. as enshrined in the Quran, the Arab forbidding, I’m afraid, it would turn How? Let me explain. The woman spring will thrive, but, if women are into an Arab winter. brought with her some space for forced to go back to kitchen, God revolution and revolutionaries. The presence of women demanded that (Continued from Page 2) battle. Our advice to the government some space be created for them to lie Parliament gets no chance to review would be to abandon the proposal for down, take rest, and more so, to have the proposal and decide on it purely now, and turn its thoughts to equally a functional command centre. This on the basis of merits. No chance pressing and equally contentious space was instrumental in bringing now or in the near future. issues, in order to make up with the regime to fall. It was symbolic, the opposition. The government as well as crucial, for the revolution Well, the government seems to has already lost face. Let it not lose to survive. Later, when the Arab be weakening a bit. It has already credibility also. spring inspired victims of capitalism agreed to the opposition proposal to in America and a movement called restrict the supply of manufactured (Continued from Page 4) ‘Occupy the Wall Street’ started in or processed products to the level of same page, there is something wrong New York, it realized the symbolic 30 only to the domestic small and in Manmohan Singh’s policies. and pragmatic significance of the medium enterprises. The original Assembly elections in five states tent. The system too, realized how proposal was to allow producers may have influenced the government dangerous it was to have women from all over the world to offer and the opposition not to have a and the tents in any demonstration. supplies and enter the competition. meeting point. Surely, India is more Eventually, the park was vacated There are a handful of other points important than that. by force. on which the government may climb down and water down the proposal, The stalled parliament is not a In the Arab world, as elsewhere, and even reduce the 51 per cent good precedent for the neighbouring the enemies of revolution are trying to 26 per cent. But the question of countries where the democratic hard to get the women and tent out, system is already under sufferance. because a woman is perceived as allowing the proposal as put forward New Delhi feels good when the the agent of change and tent as the by the government originally seems countries in South Asia applaud natural command centre, and to some to have become irrelevant. The extent, also the space for survival and opposition does not want changes or it for certain steps. How would comfort for the revolutionaries. The amendments or softening. It wants the common man on the streets rulers in the Arab-world know it well the proposal killed and buried six of Lahore, Dhaka, Colombo and that once women are off to kitchen, fathoms deep. Kathmandu be feeling when he the revolution will lose its vigor. Ali sees that parliament in the largest Abdullah Saleh, never known for Often, it is more prudent to give democracy in the world does not his Islamic credentials, asked the in than insist on fighting a losing function day after day? Yemeni people that they should not let their women intermingle with Daughters are not for Slaughter men in public demonstrations. This We need to counter those who believe that it is better to kill a female is against our values, he retorted. foetus than to give birth to an unwanted female child. Their logic eliminates In Egypt, to weaken the revolution the victim of male chauvinism, does not empower her. The techno-docs the military regime brought a don’t challenge anti-women practices such as dowry, instead display bunch of salafis, who turned the an advertisement, ‘Better Rs.5000 now than Rs.5 lakhs later’ i.e. better main revolutionary slogan into an spend Rs.5,000 for female foeticide than Rs. 5 lakhs as dowry for a grown anti-woman campaign. This is a up daughter. By this logic, it is better to kill poor people or third world dangerous move. When oppressive masses rather than let them suffer in poverty and deprivation. This logic rulers had their day, they gave us the also presumes that social evils like dowry are God-given and that we impression that they were working cannot do anything about them. Hence victimize the victim. Investing in for women’s liberation. Now, this daughter’s education, health and dignified life to make her self-dependent time, it is the same issue of woman- are far more humane and realistic ways than brutalizing pregnant mother honor and its protection that are and her would be daughter. being raised by the regime. As long –Vibhuti Patel as men and women work together, 10 JANATA, December 4, 2011 Journey to Imphal

Pannalal Surana

We had purchased a bus ticket bus was halted by a group of informed that a huge rally was from Guvahati to Imphal. On it volunteers. Their blockade was in organized two days back by the was the instruction: reporting force. Vehicles were allowed to run Congress party for which meat time–2.30 p.m. Wading through the after 2 p.m. Then, after about an worth more than two lakhs of traffic which was as undisciplined hour, two ladies, after signalling the rupees was purchased. as is found in any major city, we bus to stop, climbed up and checked reached the booking counter at 2.25 our bags to see if some merchandise Sharmila p.m. We were directed to another was being taken to Imphal for sale. place where the departure time was That was not to be permitted - to We tried to meet Irom Sharmila, displayed-5 p.m. The small bus ensure the success of the blockade. who has stopped eating anything started actually at 6 p.m. and took Finally, we reached the destination for the last eleven years to press us to the Assam Road Transport at around 6 p.m. the demand to scrap the AFSPA (as station by 7 p.m. The bus proper recommended by Justice Jeevan was brought to the platform, which We were told that the people of Reddy Commission four years was more than two feet above the Sadar, a part of Senapati district , back) or at least to withdraw it step of the bus. After loading our had observed blockade for more from the North Eastern States. bags in the dicky, we occupied our than 80 days and had got assurance P. Chidambaram, Union Home seats. The bus started at 8.15 p.m. from the State Government that Minister, who had visited Manipur Around 10 p.m. there was a bang. Sadar would be accorded status of a few days earlier, had publicly The bus came to a halt. One inside a district . Now, the Naga people declared that the Government had, tyre had got punctured. All male who did not like the decision in principle, decided to do so. But passengers got down. Some of us were forcing the traffic to observe the Army is not agreeing to it. volunteered to help the driver to blockade. And the government It must be for the first time that fix the stepney. Fortunately, the personnel were standing aside as the Army is openly defying the cold was tolerable. Mothers had mute spectators. decision of civil authorities. This succeeded in putting the babies to is a very bad omen for the largest sleep after serving nourishment. At two villages and a town democracy in the world. The bus again came to a sudden halt nearby, we were told that there was at about 4 a.m. It was the boundary acute shortage of many essential About permission to visit of one State and beginning of goods like diesel, petrol, salt, Sharmila, we were told that the Nagaland. There was checking of potato, etc. The prices had soared Chief Minister had assumed all goods. The bus resumed journey sky high. Petrol was sold at Rs. powers and was not allowing any and after passing through the 200 or 250. Two to three Km. long person to see her. This amounts zigzag turns of Kohima, the capital queues were seen at every pump. to solitary confinement, the worst city. It is a vast conglomeration form of punishment. And what of small and big hills on which “The authorities were allowing is the offence committed by her? were built houses of various size all this because this Government is Actually, she is an undertrial and material. “How can the water of the contractors by the contractors prisoner, arrested and detained in a supply arrangemernt be made and for the contractors. Their hospital where doctors are forcingly for such scattered and uneven henchmen are minting money feeding her through nose. She is habitation?”, wondered Jagdish. which would be suitably shared”, doing it all in the most peaceful “Well, there is no limit to human observed one fellow. “So much manner. And yet the athorities are ingenuity”, I muttered. At 10 a.m., smuggling is taking place on the inflicting such torture on her. What the next morning, we got something borders of Myanmar and China”, a shame. to eat. At about 12 o’clock, our quipped another. Third person JANATA, December 4, 2011 11 12 JANATA, December 4, 2011

WITH BEST WISHES

TO THE YUSUF MEHERALLY CENTRE ON THE OCCASION OF ITS GOLDEN JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS FROM

SMT. USHA BALSAVAR

BEST WISHES BEST WISHES

TO THE YUSUF MEHERALLY CENTRE ON TO THE YUSUF MEHERALLY CENTRE ON THE OCCASION OF ITS GOLDEN JUBILEE THE OCCASION OF ITS GOLDEN JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS CELEBRATIONS

FROM FROM

FINE-FINE CIRCUITS LIMITED ELITE EXECUTIVE CENTRE

HIGH TECHNOLOGY MULTILAYER UNIT ANDHERI-KURLA ROAD, ANDHERI EAST,

MUMBAI 400096 MUMBAI 400093

TELE: (022)-5679 2968 M:9821227580 JANATA, December 4, 2011 13 When God's doors were thrown open to all

A. Srivathsan

November 12, 2011, marks the of struggle. In 1919, T.K. Madhavan, Hindus assembled in Guruvayur 75th anniversary of the momentous a prominent social reformer and to demand that the avarnas be Temple Entry Proclamation in the Editor of Deshabhimani, the allowed inside the temple. The Travancore that enabled Dalits to Malayalam newspaper, took up 10-month-long protest, and fasting enter temples in the State. On this the issue of temple entry with the by K. Kelappan, popularly known as day 75 years ago, on November 12, Travancore government. So did ‘Kerala Gandhi' (which he dropped 1936, the Maharajah of Travancore Kunju Panicker in 1920, and again on Gandhiji's advice on October 2, signed the historic Temple Entry Madhavan in 1921. But none of this 1932), drew national attention to the Proclamation, and “in one bold had any effect on the government. temple entry movement. The call to stroke, the age long injustice of open temples for Dalits grew louder. barring lower castes from entering Gandhiji, who was anguished by temple was removed.” And, a “tidal the ‘very feeble response' of south Shortly afterwards, in November wave of joy and rejoicing passed Indian temples to reform efforts, 1932, the Travancore Government through every nook and corner” of agreed with Madhavan, during a appointed a Temple Entry Enquiry Travancore. The action attracted meeting in 1921, that Kerala was Committee. The committee, which attention and admiration from the ripe for a temple entry agitation. submitted its report after a year, whole country. He insisted on peaceful protest and did not recommend the opening of found there is “no swifter remedy temples, but suggested roads and Travancore may not have been than a real satyagraha properly tanks could be opened for all. The the first State, nor its Maharaja handled.” reformers rejected the report as it the first person, to throw open “did not meet the present need.” temples for Dalits. The northern Precursors They insisted that appropriate action and western parts of India had Before Trivandrum became alone would meet ‘the test of the made a small beginning earlier. the epicentre of the temple entry hour.' But, as the Manchester Guardian campaign, protests had begun in observed then, such a concession Vaikom, in the northern part of On May 9, 1936, an All Kerala had never been made on such a large Travancore, in 1924. Though this Temple Entry conference was scale before. Today marks the 75th struggle did not succeed in lifting held in New Theatre Hall near anniversary of this key moment in the bar to avarnas, or lower castes, the Trivandrum Central Railway the struggle for the rights of the entering the Mahadeva Temple in Station, and it resolved to step socially marginalised. the town, it managed to open the up the agitation. Speakers at the roads around the temple for their use. conference pointed out that of the The impact of the Temple Entry The temple entry movement gained nearly 30 lakh Hindus living in the Proclamation was immediate and momentum after this. State, as many as about 20 lakh far-reaching. Not only were temples were being prevented from entering under the control of the Travancore The action then shifted to temples. They decided to convert Maharaja thrown open, but even Trivandrum. The temple entry “all the passive good-will in the private temples heeded the call for agitation was formally launched in State” into an “irresistible demand,” change. Outside of Travancore, the city on April 3, 1926. However, and simultaneously appointed a temples in Malabar and the rest before the campaign could move committee to take up the issue with of the Madras Presidency felt the on to the next stage, the Guruvayur the Maharaja. cascading effects. Satyagraha started. The people of Travancore did Such an ‘epoch making' event On November 1, 1931, a large not have to wait much longer for was the culmination of two decades number of Dalits and upper caste the historic change. Five months 14 JANATA, December 4, 2011 after the conference was held, on dramatically change for the better step in establishing the rights of the November 12, 1936, a ‘Gazette for Dalits immediately after 1936. lower castes in Kerala, and indeed Extraordinary' was published. In it, But there is no doubt that the the nation as a whole.(Courtesy The “profoundly convinced of the truth,” Proclamation indeed was a big Hindu) the Maharaja proclaimed that the -The Hindu, November 12, 2011 temples under his administration would be opened to all Hindus and that no restrictions would be placed Divisions of UP on those who wanted to worship at the temple. Brij Khandelwal Two months after the Temple Entry Proclamation, Mahatma With the Uttar Pradesh assembly and Purvanchal. Gandhi arrived in Trivandrum on passing a resolution amid bedlam, January 12, 1937, to participate Chief Minister and Bahujan Samaj "From just one now, the BSP can in celebrations over an event Party (BSP) leader Mayawati has rule four states in future," said BSP for which he had exerted much crossed the first hurdle on the path activist Pushkar Arvind. moral pressure. He had come to splitting the country's most “as a humble pilgrim to offer populous state into four smaller It was B.R. Ambedkar who in congratulations to the Maharaja,” states. 1954 advocated splitting bigger Gandhiji told a large, cheering states into smaller units. The theme crowd that had gathered at the Political parties opposed to the was taken up by socialists like Thampanoor Maidan, facing move have been stumped by the Rammanohar Lohia and Acharya the railway station, to receive sudden turn of events. Looking at Kripalani. him. The welcome address was the encouraging response to the presented to him. The next day, he legislative decision, the coming But Jawaharlal Nehru, independent addressed a public meeting at the assembly elections are sure to focus India's first prime minister, supported Military Parade ground. on the issue of Uttar Pradesh's the recommendation of reorganizing division, say political pundits. states on a linguistic basis. In the words of M. Govindan of the All-Kerala Ezhawa Temple- Meetings and conferences have Choudhary , who Entry Celebration Committee, the been held here supporting her action was also India's prime minister for proclamation was received with and to demand that Agra be made the a short while, also favoured smaller feelings of “inexpressible delight, capital of the new proposed state of states. Later, his son and Rashtriya unbounded joy and jubilation.” The Western Uttar Pradesh (Pashchim Lok Dal chief Ajit Singh launched roles of Sree Narayana Guru and K. Pradesh). Mayawati has put both Ajit a movement for Harit Pradesh, Madhavan, the key people who had Singh and the BJP (Bharatiya Janata comprising 22 districts of Western initiated the movement, were duly Party) on the backfoot. Uttar Pradesh. remembered on that momentous day. These two parties have in the K.M. Pannikar, who headed the Predictably, perhaps, there was past supported the demand for a States Reorganisation Commission, some resistance. For instance, the division of Uttar Pradesh but are now had favoured a state of Western trustees of the Koodalmanickam opposing Mayawati along with the Uttar Pradesh. For years, socialist temple at Irinjalakuda were agitated Samajwadi Party and the Congress. leader Hukum Singh Parihar had at the prospect of the temple being campaigned for a Braj Pradesh, with used by everyone. BSP leaders at the local level see Agra as its capital. political opportunities and a broad- The Travancore Proclamation, basing of the party organisation In the 1975-77 Emergency period, as Dr. B.R. Ambedkar cautioned, because of the decision to break up the late Sanjay Gandhi almost was “not the be-all and end-all of Uttar Pradesh into Awadh Pradesh, succeeded in carving out a new social reforms.” Nor did things Pashchim Pradesh, Bundelkhand state of Western UP with Agra as its JANATA, December 4, 2011 15 capital. The new state was to include parts of Haryana too. Displaced Adivasis cultivate Government land at Jobat The issue came into sharper focus when Agra lawyers in the early T h e M a d h y a P r a d e s h oustees are actually asserting their 1980s launched a movement seeking Government and the district long – standing legal rights within a a bench of the Allahabad High Court administration of Alirajpur watched democratic framework. Further the at Agra, home to the Taj Mahal, mutely as the displaced adivasis of authorities are also aware that as per India's best tourist draw. the Sardar Sarovar and Jobat Dam the High Court’s Orders, the State Projects went another step ahead in had to ‘compensate’ the oustees The central government set up their Zameen Haq Satyagraha and for violation of their fundamental Jaswant Singh CommissionVibhuti actually cultivated the government rights, when they had lathi-charged Patel supported the idea. land at Jobat with their own them way back in 2007. Most political parties have at bullocks, which they have occupied. It is notable that there are one point or the other supported the The oustees began cultivation of the hundreds of adivasi families restructuring of the federal polity land under the Jobat Agricultural on a more scientific line, taking into and Seed Production Farm since affected by both the projects in account the area and population, yesterday and have started the first Alirajpur district and Badwani says political analyst Rajeev Saxena. task of sowing the maize crop. district (SSP), but none of them have been rehabilitated till date "Size does make a difference. For The cultivation began yesterday with cultivable and irrigable land as political reasons, the Congress has morning in the traditional adivasi per legal and judicial stipulations. been averse to splitting bigger states style, with the elderly members After 15 years of dialogue with into smaller ones and pointlessly of the community and long-time and agitation before the state and dragging feet on such demands as strugglers, Bava Mahariya of central authorities and utter non- is happening in Andhara Pradesh." village Jalsindhi and Mangliya compliance with binding Tribunal Saxena told IANS. Daya of village Bhadal worshipping Award and Judgements of the the ‘deve daani’, Mother Nature Supreme Court, the SSP oustees Added social scientist Paras have resorted to this satyagraha, Nath Choudhary, formerly of the and Mother Earth. The oustees as a last resort. The oustees have South Asia Institute of Heidelberg are determined and state that they University: "The time has come to will continue with the Satyagraha also given a call and challenge to carry out a comprehensive exercise until they actually receive their the Chief Minister of the State, to redraw the political map of India." share of cultivable, irrigable and Mr. Shivraj Singh Chauhan to suitable land from the Narmada immediately intervene and prove People in the Taj city are excited Valley Development Authority. The his commitment to the adivasis, and look forward to a whole lot of nature-loving women and men have who he claims are his ‘brethren’. new opportunities if a separate state also resolved to nourish the maize All the project-affected families of Western Uttar Pradesh takes crop throughout the coming season realize that the act of cultivation shape. and reap the harvest as their rightful on the government land is only the share. beginning of another long-drawn "With the unwieldy size of struggle with the State, which Uttar Pradesh, the Agra region has Although the farm authorities has deprived them of their basic always got a raw deal, with funds have complained to the local police constitutional and human rights and tax revenues siphoned off to against the oustees for ‘illegally for more than a decade and a half. eastern districts. A new state of encroaching’ on the government Western Uttar Pradesh, whatever its They, however, continue to battle name, will definitely spur growth land, no ‘action’ has come forth thus peacefully with the same grit and and inculcate a sense of pride and far. Evidently, the authorities cannot hope. identity," said K.C. Jain, chief of a easily brush aside the fact that the grouping of real estate developers. – Jamnibai, Nahadriya, Kamla Yadav, Tersing R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, December 4, 2011 P.R. No. MH/MR/WEST/275/2010-2011 Posted at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1

GANNON DUNKERLEY & CO., LTD. (An ISO 9001 – 2000 Company)

REGISTERED OFFICE

NEW EXCELSIOR BUILDING, 3RD FLOOR, A.K. NAYAK MARG, FORT, MUMBAI – 400 001

TEL: 91-22-22051231, FAX: 91-22-22051232

Website: gannondunkerley.com

E-mail: [email protected]

GANNONS ARE SPECIALISTS IN INDUSTRIAL STRUCTURES, ROADS, BRIDGES (RCC AND PRESTRESSED CONCRETE), RAILWAY TRACKS, THERMAL POWER, FERTILIZER, CHEMICAL, PAPER AND CEMENT PLANTS, WATER & WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANTS, PILING FOUNDATION & FOUNDATION ENGINEERING.

GANNONS ARE ALSO PIONEERS IN MATERIAL HANDELING WORKS, MANUFACTURE OF PRESTRESSED CONCRETE SLEEPERS, ERECTION OF MECHANICAL EQUIPMENTS & PIPING AND SUPPLY OF TEXTILE MACHINERY AND LIGHT ENGINEERING ITEMS.

OFFICES AT:

AHMEDABAD - CHENNAI - COIMBATORE - HYDERABAD KOLKATA - MUMBAI - NEW DELHI

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. 66 No. 45 Timely Retreat December 11, 2011 S. Viswam Is Army in Pakistan a solution? Kuldip Nayar So, the Government has dropped heated debate on the proposal, one the FDI retail proposal for the time ventures to say that the resistance of The Balance sheet of Partition : being—suggesting that it can be the anti-FDI could have been broken Pakistan Syed Shahabuddin revived if a consensus builds up in if the government had displayed some its favour in the interregnum. The adroitness in planning its strategy. FDI and Farmers government must be commended Pannalal Surana for opting to withdraw rather than Who is the ultimate gainer from the force an acrimonious contention government’s decision to suspend the Worlds Apart inside and out of Parliament. The FDI retail. Indeed, we had suggested Harsh Mander Opposition can pat itself on the in these columns last week that there back for forcing the government to was no purchase in hanging on to a Why the Nuclear Liability surrender. However, predictably, the proposal that had evoked across-the- Rules need to be modified suspension of the FDI idea has had, board (barring the corporate sector) A.Gopalakrishnan and will continue to have a mixed resistance. Prudence demanded that reaction in the country. The proposal the government retreat, and the Surendra Mohan Remembered need not have attracted the kind of government has wisely heeded the People’s Struggle in controversy and opposition it did voice of prudence. The first gainer Koodankulam had the government devoted some from the government’s retreat is thought to the mechanics of having democracy, in the sense that the Once land acquisition picks up... its way on the floor of the House government enabled the resumption before taking it to the Cabinet. of parliamentary proceedings after Rajya Sabha Members There were two options available a ten-day deadlock. The days lost to it. First, to consult with its own in contention and conflict represent Manohar Kotwal allies and convince those among a setback to democratic processes, them who had reservations on the and both the government must share the blame for the non-functioning Editor : very concept of opening the retail sector to foreign investors. It could of parliament. The second gainer is G. G. Parikh then, on the strength of the feedback the government which can now push through its legislative programme. D-15, Ganesh Prasad, from its allies, have placed the idea before an all-party meeting. There A number of important measures Naushir Bharucha Marg, is of course no guarantee that these await Parliament’s attention and Mumbai - 400 007. two options would have worked, but imprimatur. Among them is the in the light of the stand the various Lokpal Bill, which by and in itself, Email : [email protected] stake-holders have taken during the is a source of major contention and 2 JANATA, December 11, 2011 controversy. We must watch the Between the lines progress on this measure carefully since even if it is good and welcome Is Army in Pakistan a solution? as the first attempt by the government to institutionalize the fight against Kuldip Nayar corruption the measure may fall short of expectations. Anna Hazare and his team members, who have Had President Barack Obama played tough after the killing adopted the “all or nothing” stand expressed regret over the killing of soldiers and has even got the on the issue are unlikely to yield any of 24 soldiers within Pakistan American drone base vacated. But concessions to the government or immediately, Islamabad’s fears it is bowing to the enraged public even accept that it (the government) might have been assuaged. And opinion in Pakistan. I am still not is capable of demonstrating good probably Pakistan would have sure how long Pakistan Army Chief faith. The stage is being set for attended the meeting on Afghanistan Ashfaq Parvez Kyani would stay taking up the anti-government anti- at Bonn. It is no use shedding tears intractable. The armed forces in corruption agitation from where it over the spilt milk. However, many Pakistan over the years have become was left off two months ago. The in India wonder why Islamabad did so inured to America’s arms as well third gainer is the Opposition which not accept ‘regret’. The regret is as aid that a U-turn does not look can pride itself on its resolute stand not exactly an apology but it comes plausible. Some rationalization against the process of democratic to that. It does mean a feeling of has already started taking place. A debate and dialogue in deciding on sorrow for wrong-doing. Probably, limited cooperation is visible on national issues. However, if one Islamabad would have accepted the ground. A NATO commander analyses deeply and objectively, regret if there had not been a history has said the tragic incident has stalling proceedings and bringing of deliberate violations by the US and not disrupted their operation or parliament to a standstill is not the NATO forces despite Pakistan’s their cooperation with Pakistan. an achievement that any political protests. The fact is that America America’s annoyance does not suit party or group can be proud of. and its allies care too hoots for Islamabad in anyway because China On the other hand, obstructing Pakistan’s sovereignty or sentiments cannot fill the vacuum, nor can India parliamentary proceedings is a form of its people. Right from the 9/11 help because relations between the of violence that hits at the very roots attack on New York, Pakistan has two are nowhere at the stage where of democratic norm and temper. been treated as a country which is New Delhi would assist. at the beck and call of the US. At India’s private and corporate that time, Secretary of State Colin Despite the regret over the sectors are bound to be extraordinarily Powell rang up the then Islamabad’s killings, I do not see Washington disappointed with the government’s Foreign Secretary Abdul Sattar to behaving differently. It is fighting a retreat. Some sections of public inform his government that they war against Taliban who have their opinion may concede that forcing the would begin carpet bombing from headquarters in Pakistan and the US government to withdraw by holding Pakistan instead of Afghanistan if or the NATO forces will continue up parliament work is one form of Islamabad was not on their side. to chastise them, with Islamabad’s upholding democratic values, as cooperation if possible or without it Sushma Swaraj has argued. That, Pakistan could not dare to say ‘no’ if necessary. I do not see the Drone however, will be a short-sighted then. How can it resist the pressure attacks stopping or the supply line view. The proper way for both the now even when the rank and file to American and NATO forces government and the opposition of the army has been permitted to snapping because the two may use would have been to subject the retaliate without awaiting orders the Afghanistan territory for drones FDI proposal to rigorous scrutiny, from the command? It may sound and the old Soviet republics for arrive at an impartial decision as harsh but the Pakistani soldiers supply. The target is Taliban, the to its usefulness or otherwise to the have got used to the bullying of US fundamentalists, who America sees weaker sections of the society, and soldiers after having participated mixed up with certain sections of the in joint operations which are still army. Nonetheless, both sides realize (Continued on Page 3) continuing. True, Pakistan has that they face a situation which they JANATA, December 11, 2011 3 cannot handle singly but cannot go of Afghanistan without seeking region. Bangladesh is celebrating back to the equation which existed a strategic depth. Therefore, the its 40th independence anniversary. before the killing of soldiers. Still American interference even after Although it means the liberation both America and Pakistan may 2014 cannot be ruled out. Willy- from West Pakistan it also means go to the brink—they have done nilly, the Pakistan army, already that Dhaka has not allowed itself to so many a times before—but will overstretched, has to find a common be pawn in the region’s chessboard. not jump. Pakistan Prime Minister ground with India to eliminate at Yousuf Raza Gilani has already said least such Taliban, the terrorists, who The Zardari government can that Pakistan wants to reconstruct its are making the life in the region hell. go down in history if it helps the relations with the US which in turn subcontinent to shed hatred and has welcomed the statement. The Pakistan army is already work for the betterment of the poor having a hard time in sorting out who are concentrated in the region. The problem that confronts the what is called, the Memogate. But first thing first: Islamabad should world is the withdrawal of 130,000 President Asif Zardari, Army Chief offer apology to Bangladesh and troops of America and those of Kyani and ISI head Lt. General start a chapter of friendship. NATO in 2014. The Conference at Ahmed Shuja Pasha have been Bonn for a long term international named respondents in a petition By doing so, the Zardari commitment to Afghanistan should filed by former Prime Minister government will be strengthening have been more categorical. The Nawaz Sharif in the Supreme Court itself against any interference from absence of Pakistan has been like of Pakistan. The petition is based the army. Hamlet without the Prince of on an unsigned memo by the then Denmark. No commitment adds Pakistan’s envoy to the US, Hussain (Continued from Page 2) up to much if Islamabad is not a Haqqani, to the American military reject it if it was found to be anti- signatory. In fact, it may well be command to rescue the Zardari people. As it is, those sections of negotiating with Taliban more government from the army and the public opinion as have supported seriously than before. It does not ISI responsible for dealing with the measure have every right to feel mind if they reoccupy Afghanistan Taliban. The army saw to it that that their interests have not been because when they temporarily did, Haqqani would resign and he did. adequately reflected or safeguarded Islamabad was quick to in the debate on the rights and The problem is bigger than wrongs of the FDI retail. recognize their government. This Haqqani’s exit. It is how to make is when the absence of normalcy Washington repose its faith once A precedent has been set by between India and Pakistan is felt again in the Zardari government the government’s retreat. The all the more. Both could have which America sees completely government brought no glory to asked foreign troops to withdraw under the Pakistan army. Pakistan itself by trying to make the FDR as quickly as possible because they Foreign Minister has herself admitted retail a fait accompli in the hope have only aggravated the situation. in public that the Army is stronger that the UPA coalition would see But then the problem is that Pakistan than the elected government. I have the measure through by virtue of does not want India in Afghanistan no doubt that Haqqani’s successor, its majority in parliament. Two and considers its presence injurious Sherry Rehman, has the ability and coalition partners, the DMK, and to its interests. finesse to reestablish the rapport the Trinamool Congress let the with Washington and also convince Congress party down by refusing On the other hand, New Delhi has it that the elected government cannot co-operation. The Congress tried to signed an agreement to be a ‘strategic be pushed away by the army. She persuade them to fall in line but the partner’ of . It cannot leave is also Islamabad’s trump card for move did not work. The government Afghanistan alone, unaided, if and good relations with India where she had to beat a retreat. One may be when Taliban begin to move into the is trusted. tempted to say that coalition politics country after America’s withdrawal. turned into blackmail politics. Not a Both Delhi and Islamabad can be on In fact, this is the time when the happy development for any party or the same page if Pakistan accepts Zardari government should take the group of parties that hold power at the sovereignty and independence initiative to spread goodwill in the the Centre. 4 JANATA, December 11, 2011 The Balance sheet of Partition after 60 Years : Pakistan

Syed Shahabuddin

Though Iqbal had limited his Pakistan, shouted slogans and voted this was an absolutely impracticable concept of a Muslim homeland in enthusiastically in its favour but proposition considering the lack of the Sub-continent to the NW only, never questioned the leadership of balance between the huge number of Partition was conceived in 1940 for the Muslim League and the Pakistan Muslims in India and the relatively the benefit of the Muslim majority Movement on their status after the small population of non-Muslims living in the northwest as well as country was divided. They behaved in Pakistan. No doubt after the the east of the Sub-continent. The like dumb, driven cattle. barbaric exchanges in the west, Pakistan Resolution, adopted by for some time there was relative the Muslim league in March 1940, They never asked any question freedom of movement between the spoke in terms of ‘Muslim majority and never received any answer. two countries and over the next 10 areas’ in these two regions and the In retrospect, this lack of thinking years saw a few hundred thousand creation of Muslim League states appears to be not only short sighted Muslims crossing the border, largely therein. The Resolution conceived but almost suicidal. Immediately into . that the religious minorities living after Partition, there was almost on the two sides of the border, under total migration of non-Muslims Neither the Muslim League nor a reciprocal arrangement, shall from West Pakistan to India, even the Congress had ever formally be able to safeguard the interest, from East Pakistan, although proposed any exchange of population of Muslims in muti-community Hindus continue to form some 15 as a concomitant of the Partition. All India. But Pakistan Movement percent of the population in the India leadership, including Nehru did receive enthusiastic support then East Pakistan. The theory and Patel, were opposed to it as from the Muslims living in the of reciprocity thus proved to be India was ideologically committed Muslim minority provinces of hollow and ineffective and useless to build a secular state, and the British India, particularly, in the before it could be put to a test, Muslims Pakistan never raised north. It is generally conceded that in protecting the interests of the the issue because it was not in a it was the near unanimous support Muslims of India, even if the rulers position to absorb them and would of the Muslims in Muslim minority of Pakistan so wanted. In any case, have simply collapsed had India provinces in the election of 1945- India and Pakistan had emerged physically forced the Muslims out 46 which created the base for the as independent sovereign nations in Pakistan. Muslim League to claim the ‘sole’ and under international law and as leadership of all the Muslims of members of the UNO they were There is a view that by proposing India to negotiate on equal terms both expected to respect human to partition Punjab and then Bengal with the British government as well rights of the minorities but they and Assam on the basis of religion as the Indian National Congress for were precluded from interference and contiguity, the Congress determining the future set-up. in the internal affairs of the other leadership directly contributed to state. This explains why the Laiqat the partition of community. The prevalent view in Pakistan Ali Khan–Jawahar Nehru pact of is that the Muslims of the minority 1950 which was signed in the wake Another Muslim theory stipulated provinces were expected to sacrifice of communal disturbances in East that Muslim concentration areas in themselves for benefit of the Pakistan remained a dead letter. the north, in Punjab, UP or Bihar Muslims in Pakistan and for the Indeed, the successor state, namely could form a corridor between East glory of Islam, as they in fact did. Bangladesh, has never invoked it and West Pakistan. It was further in relation to the Muslims of India. extended to include the Hyderabad The problem is why did the state which was ruled by Nizam who Muslims of minority provinces Before Partition there were some aspired to independence. All these sign a blank cheque in favour of hints on exchange of population but were illusions. A look at the map will JANATA, December 11, 2011 5 show that the few pockets of Muslim the Muslims living in the majority It is not surprising that after 60 concentration in the north namely provinces or included also those years Pakistan has not been able Mewat or Rohilkhand or Purnea who lived in the minority provinces. to develop a sense of common were far apart from each other and In a global sense, he was totally nationhood, fragmented as it is could not bridge the geographical out of touch with reality. After the among five or six different ethnic gap between and there was no birth of the Pakistan, by virtue of groups neither did Pakistan even reason for India to be generous. numbers Pakistan aspired to lead achieve an Islamic personality Also anyone with a sense of history the Muslim world. The pretension because of sectarian violence or should have known that the Nizam by the Pakistan leadership was build up a viable system of Islamic could not rule for ever, in the age of rejected forthrightly and out of hand laws. Even in the Malakand Division democracy, on his people who were by all important Muslim countries, of FATA including the Swat, the 90 percent non-Muslims. including , Turkey, Egypt and enforcement of Shariat is based Saudi Arabia. The Muslims who live on the British concession in the Partition was thus ill-conceived across international frontiers do not 1930s to the tribals - the civil and and became a bad bargain for the constitute one nation in the political criminal laws that operated in the Muslims in the Muslim minority sense. The only achievement of Sub-continent did not apply to the provinces of British India. It turned the Pakistan Movement was to tribal region. out to be a tragedy. It also continues carve another territorial state with to cast an ominous shadow over a Muslim majority out of the Sub- In Pakistan itself most of the laws their future because the anti-Muslim continent. International law totally now in force are the same as those in forces in India without any rhyme debunks and contradicts the so- India. Not only from the legal point or reason, continue to consider called ‘ideology’ of Pakistan. The of view but even culturally and, to Muslims as responsible for the ideological foundations for Pakistan the extent that Urdu is the language creation of Pakistan and look upon were so weak that Maualan Abul of the elite in Pakistan, linguistically them as Pakistanis or Pakistani Kalam Azad predicted its break up Pakistan is much closer to India than sympathizers and in any situation of between east and west within 25 to any part of the Muslim world. conflict between the two states, they years of its formation. are suspected. What is most important, if 150 In some statements after Pakistan million Muslims continue to be In his negotiations with the was born Jinnah went on to describe equal citizens of India, occasional Congress leadership or the British Muslims in India as ‘our minorities’ violence and endemic discrimination Government, Jinnah used the terms but he never envisaged publicly that notwithstanding the question is ‘Muslim India’ and ‘homeland of the Muslims who would continue to beginning to be asked in Pakistan the Muslims of India’. Particularly, live in India after Partition would be about the rationale for the division after the Resolution adopted by the in any legal sense Pakistan citizens of the Sub-continent. Muslim League National Council at living in India with as much right its last meeting held in Delhi in 1946 of citizenship over Pakistan as the which gave final touch to Pakistan Pakistan-born and living there. Resolution since 1940. Jinnah spoke Realistically Jinnah even if he were Janata of Muslim people as distinct from to acknowledge the role of Muslim Subscription the Hindus and other non-Muslims India in the making of Pakistan, he Annual Rs. : 260/- living in the Sub-continent but could not open the doors of Pakistan, Three Years : 750/- he deliberately ignored the wide except to the selected segments of variation of language, culture and the Pakistan Movement. Demand Draft / Cheque on race as well as social organization Mumbai Bank and economic status among Muslims In the final analysis, as conceived in favour of living in various parts of the Sub- by Iqbal, Pakistan was to be a political JANATA TRUST continent. He loudly proclaimed the laboratory for experimenting with concept of Muslim India but no one an Islamic polity in the modern D-15, Ganesh Prasad, asked him to define the term Muslim world or the evolution of Muslim Naushir Bharucha Marg, India and the concept of homeland jurisprudence to come to term with Mumbai 400 007 and clarify as to whether it meant modern life. 6 JANATA, December 11, 2011 Surendra Mohan Remembered

The renowned socialist leader, Surendra Mohan was a member movement. He appealed to all those writer and thinker, the Late Surendra of the Rajya Sabha from 1978 to who believed in socialist movement Mohan was fondly remembered 1984. He was also the Chairman to unite against the current challenges on the occasion of his 86th birth of the Khadi and Village Industries facing the country. He also called anniversary at a meeting in New Commission 1990-91. As a colleague socialists to launch a movement Delhi December 4. Surendra Mohan against foreign direct investment remembered him, “In this day and had passed away last year on in retail. age of scams, he stood out like a December 17th in his sleep. He was shining beacon.” the editor of Janata Weekly, and Dr Mastram Kapoor remembered founder-national convener of the Surendra Mohan was imprisoned Surendra Mohan as a true socialist in Socialist Front. A true Gandhian in during the Emergency in 1975. spirit and action and a living history practice, he was dedicated to the When the Morarji Desai-led Janata of socialist movement. He said that cause of common man. Party came to power soon after, today Indian politics had become he declined the office of a union by-polar led by either the Congress The meeting was organized by minister, even though he played party or by the BJP. He appealed Surendra Mohan Memorial Socialist a key role behind-the-scenes and all the socialists of the country to Foundation and presided over by was the spokesperson of the party unite and establish a new alternative the senior socialist leader, Prof. in 1977. of progressive forces to establish Vinod Prasad Singh. A large number socialism in the real sense. Born in Ambala, Surendra Mohan of his colleagues, friends and a had been a school teacher, a college group of youths representing Yusuf Prof. Rajkumar Jain said that lecturer, a trade union leader, an Meherally Yuva Biradari from 17 Surendra Mohan was the modern states attended the function. Notable environmental activist, a political link to the old socialist movement. among them were Justice Rajinder columnist, human rights and civil His thoughts and writings were Sacchar, Doctor Mastram Kapoor, liberty activist, and a political a great influence on the new Manju Mohan, Human rights activist functionary. He lent himself to generation. Not only in words, he N D Pancholi, Com. Radheyshyam, several movements, including was a socialist in action and deed. Prof. Shyamdutt Paliwal Ex-MLA the one in recent times against He created no personal wealth and from UP, Prof. Rajkumar Jain, Prof. mega dams. Apart from being the lived a simple life full of sacrifices. Harish Khanna, Prof. Ajeet Jha, Prof editor of Janata, he was a regular He looked like a common man, but Prem Singh of Delhi University and contributor to Mainstream and other when he rose to speak, he stood out General Secretary of the Socialist publications. as an extraordinary person. Party, Doctor Sunilam and Guddi Surendra Mohan was the president of Yusuf Meherally Yuva Biradari. of the Rammanohar Lohia Birth Dr Prem Singh said that Surendra Centenary Programme Committee, Mohan was a perfect example for Speakers after speakers paid 2009-2010. His associates used simple living and high thinking and was very unassuming and close to rich tributes to Surendra Mohan to describe him as a “directory of and hailed him a true socialist. grassroot workers. He suggested that socialists” in India as well as abroad. Justice Rajinder Sachar, while Surendra Mohan’s writings should He had close links with socialists remembering Surendra Mohan be published in book form and a in Nepal and other countries, and said that it was more than a sixty lecture should be organised in his years of friendship with him. Both shared a personal rapport with memory annually. of them had worked together in Gandhians, the Left parties, civil Punjab Socialist Party soon after the society movements and intellectuals. The main organizer of the function formation of Socialist Party in 1948. Till the end, he struggled for the Dr Sunilam, while thanking the Justice Sachar said that Surendra deprived and the downtrodden. He guests, endorsed the suggestion Mohan was an ‘encyclopedia’ of made it a point to participate in all to organize a Surendra Mohan socialist movement and his greatest programmes, big and small, for the Memorial lecture annually and urged contribution was to help the human causes he believed in. the friends of Surendra Mohan to rights movement and trade union establish a trust in his memory to JANATA, December 11, 2011 7 help fulfill his dreams and to work Prof Vinod Prasad Singh described politically, socially or at personal towards establishing a just society. Surendra Mohan a guardian of level. socialist fraternity who was always – Qurban Ali Delivering the presidential speech eager to help everybody be it

least 30 percent of their purchases FDI and Farmers from medium and small industries, not only in India, but from anywhere Shri Deepak Parekh, Chairman, A.P., Maharashtra, U.P. etc., that the in the world because that is the HDFC, in a statement on 3rd traders, who had made purchases at stipulation of WTO. December, labeled the opposition high prices had defaulted in making to FDI in retail as false drama and payment to farmers. How can the Enterprisers in India may come exhorted fellow enterprisers to come farmers believe that the FDI shops out in support of FDI in retail but out in support of that proposal of would behave decently? Would their should not make false claims and the Central Government. What is motive be philanthropy and not deceive the people. They should also interesting, or rather puzzling, is maximization of profits? explain whether the existing retail his claim that FDI in retail will be outlets in large cities are not able to beneficial to farmers and small and I wonder whether Shri Parekh has cater to the needs and demands of medium manufacturers. It is stated learnt that though it is stipulated that the customers. that the former would offer attractive the FDI shops will have to make at –Pannalal Surana prices to the agricultural produce and would also lift the merchandise from farm sites after making full Manohar Kotwal payments to farmers. The veteran trade union leader Bhai Manohar Kotwal expired on 29th It is difficult to take this assurance November, 2011 at 3.30 a.m. at a Hospital at Juhu, Mumbai. At the time at its face value because the of his death he was 96 years old. experience of the last two centuries Bhai Kotwal, as a student, joined the freedom struggle and tells a different story. Wholesale formed‘Loksena’, of which he was the Secretary. In Dharavi, the biggest traders and manufacturers had done slum in Asia, he organized workers who were engaged in taking out the their best to lower the prices of skin of the dead animals and started his trade union career. Thereafter he cotton, jute, groundnut, etc. at the organized Mithagar workers and BPT Railwaymen’s Union of which he time of the harvest right from the was General Secretary. He came into contact with leaders of port and dock middle of 19th century till today. It workers. Following the advice given by N.M. Joshi, he joined the Transport was because of this sad experience and Dock Workers Union as full time office-bearer and remained one of that Socialist Party and other its leaders till his death. progressive elements in the country had to demand state intervention. Shri Kotwal organized Mathadi workers and contract workers all over Since sixth decade of the 20th Maharashtra. He was one of the founders of Hind Mazdoor Sabha in 1948, century, the Central and some of the which is truly independent and free trade union movement in the country State Governments started declaring and was the General Secretary of the HMS for more than seven years. minimum support prices (MSP) for Shri Yashwantrao Chavan, the then Chief Minister of Maharashtra main crops and step in the market consulted Shri Manohar Kotwal for enactment of Mathadi Workers Act and to make purchases at those prices it will not be exaggeration to say that he was the father of the concept of because the traders were offering Mathadi Workers Act and Schemes therein. He was also Member of First prices lower than those MSPs. National Labour Commission and Second National Labour Commission. Monopoly purchase of cotton by the cooperative marketing federation Shri Kotwal was the Chairman of Dockers Section, Asia/Pacific Region and purchases of sugarcane by of International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), London. At the time farmers’ cooperative sugar mills of his death Manohar Kotwal was the Senior Vice-President of Transport have gone a long way in enabling & Dock Workers’ Union, Mumbai. the farmers to get better prices and regular payment of bills. It has been –T & D W Union the experience of many farmers in 8 JANATA, December 11, 2011 People’s Struggle in Koodankulam

• The people of 32 villages earthquake, tsunami leading claimed by pro-nuclear lobby. surrounding Koodankulam to disastrous consequences The struggle of the people of under the name of People’s relating to nuclear plants. Koodankulam is not an isolated Movement Against Nuclear issue of a remote corner of Energy (PMANE) are protesting • The Expert Committee of India but a burning issue of our the Koodankulam Nuclear 15 members appointed by nation which needs immediate Power Project (KKNPP) and government did not answer attention and concern. started their agitation on August the crucial questions of people 16, 2011 and have been sitting on Environmental Assessment • The police have registered 85 on relay fasting since September Report, Seismology Reports, false cases against the leaders 11, 2011. Earth and Soil Report, of this movement and village Plants construction Quality, people under various penal • This struggle is a collective of Equipments and Machinery laws. There is disturbing news the communities of the districts Quality, Nuclear Waste published in the ‘Express ‘ dated of Thirunelveli, Kanyakumari Management. 22nd Nov, 2011 that Police has and Tuticorin; this is supported registered cases against 3015 by the people of Tamilnadu. The • The Department of Atomic fishermen, including the leader various peoples’ movements of Energy and the KKNPP project Sp. Udaykumar, under section Tamilnadu have been showing have not stopped their work but 121 i.e. for ‘Waging of War their solidarity by different announced the scheduled date against the State’ and section agitations and demonstrations. of commercial operation of 124-A i.e. ‘Sedition’ under first plant in March, 2012 the besides under • In the wake of growing second plant in December, 2012. other penal laws for organizing resentment and anger of the These announcements, ignoring their peaceful protests with people of Tamilnadu against the concern and voice of the black flags hoisted on their boats the proposed nuclear plant, people, have further angered on the sea near the plant on 21st the State Government passed them and added momentum to November, 2011 which in fact a resolution on September their struggle. is ‘World Fisheries Day’ and 23, 2011 to halt the works of fishermen decided to observe the Koodankulam nuclear plant in • The struggle of people is not an same as Black Day as nuclear support of the united voices emotional one or not based on plant constitutes serious threat of the Fishing community, any unscientific fears but the to marine wealth. the Nadar community, the culmination of well established Dalit community, the Muslim facts supplied by the Pro-life • Dr. Pugazhenthi, a gold medalist community and all other scientists, environmentalists and medical doctor, who has communities of the southern International awareness about experience as a researcher into half of Tamil Nadu. The Struggle Nuclear Plants. the medical effects of radiation Committee met the Honorable and who has been educating Prime Minister to submit their • The Nuclear Energy is not and treating people around demands. merely an issue of economy Kalpakkam area against such and development but a threat health hazards, was called by the • Former President Dr. A.P.J. to the human existence and local police on 1st December, Abdul Kalam claims KKNPP environment. Studies have 2011 and threatened that if he is 100% safe, but nuclear shown that even nuclear reactors did not stop his work, he might accident liability does not cover functioning in normal course are be booked under the National the responsibility of 100%. associated with higher risks of Security Act or might be done Further no one on earth can ever cancer and unexplained deaths. away in a police encounter. guarantee that there would never Fukushima disaster of Japan be any human or mechanical has shown that risks of nuclear Koodankulam Nuclear Plant is failure or natural calamity like power far outweigh any benefits a Violation of Human Rights JANATA, December 11, 2011 9

• There are many genuine and • The regulation says that there We are alarmed by the aforesaid scientific reasons to oppose the should not be any habitations undemocratic attitude and Koodankulam Nuclear Plant within the radius of 1.6 km repressive mood of the State but the foremost reason for around plant but in Koodankulam authorities in dealing with the people’s struggle is that the habitation begins within peaceful protests of the people Koodankulam Nuclear Project is the radius of .5 km. The norm who are genuinely concerned a bundle of gross violations of the says that the population of the about their future, livelihood rules and regulation set by AERB area within the radius of 3 km and environment. We appeal (Atomic Energy Regulatory should not exceed 5000 but the to the people of India to show Board). population around Koodankulam their solidarity and support to is above 33,000. this struggle and mobilize the • The opinion of people should democratic forces to pressure be assessed before planning • The rule says that to facilitate our state to deal this issue with of any nuclear plants but in the evacuation process during humane approach and protect the Koodankulam there was no any nuclear accidents the population life, livelihood and environment. Public Hearing conducted by the within the radius of 30 km around government. the plant should be lesser than 1, 00,000 but the population of Demands : • There is a norm to share the area around Koodankulam • Central Government should the Environmental Impact is above 30, 00,000. According immediately shut down the Assessment (EIA), Site to the AERB the plant should KKNPP and save life and Evaluation Study and Safety not be located near any city or livelihood of people. Analysis Report with the people, tourist places but very near to but these reports were not shared Koodankulam there are the town • State should immediately with the people of Koodankulam named Nagarcoil and a place withdraw all false cases against since the commencement of the of religious pilgrimage named struggle organizers and village project. Kanyakumari and the world people lodged under various famous Vivekananda Kendra. penal laws. • The site selected for the nuclear project should not be located in • The government of India had • Governments should plan to the earth quake prone area but announced the construction utilize the natural resources like there happened 3 minor tremors of 2 plants in the initial stage sun, air and water of India to in Koodankulam area since 2003. of the project but there is one generate energy more announcement about the • The consequences of any Nuclear construction of 4 more plants (Statement issued in the Press Plants should not create any with US technology. The Conference at Press Club, New damage to the resources of Ministry of Environment did Delhi on 5th December, 2011 and people’s life but the Koodankulam not issue the approval to these addressed by Justice Rajinder Nuclear Plant will damage the new plants under norms of the Sachhar (Retd.), former Chief coastal ecosystem and destroy Costal Regulation Zone (CRZ); Justice of Delhi High Court, Mr. the species of fishes and marine hence it is evident that the 2 Vaiko, General Secretary, M.D.M.K. organisms by its radioactive ongoing plants are also being and Mr. R. Sreedhar, Chairperson, water waste. It will destroy the constructed in violation of CRZ. Mines, Minerals & People and life source of the fisher folk of The new Nuclear Liability Bill formerly employed in the Dept. of this area. Atomic Scientists of exempts the nuclear energy Atomic Energy, Govt. of India.) India do not have alternative to corporate and the operators from this destructive process. And the the liability of nuclear plant – N.D.Pancholi, Convener, emission of radioactive particles accidents which proves that the Malathi Maithri, Secretary of iodine and cesium will create lives and livelihood of people Radhika Krishnan, Secretary cancer and deformations of body are completely ignored by the by genetic mutation to the people Government of India in the name Friends of Koodankulam of this area. of development. Anti-Nuclear Movement 10 JANATA, December 11, 2011 Worlds Apart

Harsh Mander

A red brick wall encloses the they cross distances imposed by most evenings, to ‘chill and hang sprawling, shaded campus of history, class, power, language and out'. They would have passed their India's finest business school, the so much else; they were convinced homeless neighbours literally several Indian Institute of Management, that these were insurmountable. I hundred times these two years. But Ahmedabad. On the pavement just assured them that what was required they never before thought of them as on the other side of this wall live a was no more than one human being people with worthy stories. large cluster of homeless families reaching out to another, and if they — rag pickers, construction workers could approach them with true A homeless rag-picker Anand and beggars. One of my students, respect and empathy, the people they Bhai lives with his family on the Manish Verma, remarks on the irony were trying to learn from would, in pavement adjacent to the walls of that ‘a mere 100 metres separate all probability, reciprocate. IIM Ahmedabad. He shows Manish the lives of those who wage a battle Verma his part of the footpath, which with hunger each day, and those who For each hesitant young woman houses about 50 such families of wage a battle for securing a high- and man in my classroom, this rag-pickers, and says, ‘Whatever paying job out of the best business became a personal adventure of you see within the enclosure of this school in India'. The chasm that reaching out and beyond, into places part of the footpath is mine'. Manish separates life on the two sides of of the heart and mind they had never describes what he sees on those 10 this brick wall seems the distance explored. Each came back to recount feet of pavement, which ‘houses between two planets, separated by the wonder of unsuspected lives, his family, a wooden cart used for light years. of the struggles, dreams, triumphs collecting scrap, four steel utensils, a and the spirit behind every humble, couple of jute bags stitched together I accepted an invitation three years begrimed face. The words of student and a small tent. That is all Anand ago to teach a semester course every Pooja Jayaraman, after her moving Bhai can claim to own under the year on poverty and governance to encounter with Jyoti, a single, sun'. the MBA students in this business widowed construction worker on the school. The challenge of speaking new IIM campus, echoed in many A typical day in his life ‘consists about hunger, homelessness, want student accounts: ‘As I walked away of waking up every morning at 6 and discrimination to a classroom that day I asked myself if I had been a.m. and leaving with his fellow of some of the brightest achievers in the same situation, would I have rag pickers for a day of work that in the country — who, within shown as much courage as she did?' includes picking up bits of paper, months of my course, would be They learnt not pity but respect. plastic bags, empty mineral water recruited to jobs which would easily Many also were astonished by how bottles and pretty much anything place them in the top one per cent hospitable and welcoming these that can be exchanged for money'. income bracket in the country — was dispossessed persons were to the His children are uneducated and beg daunting. But I found my students students who visited them. for money during the day, typically intelligent, engaged and caring, as collecting about Rs. 10 or 20 each young people anywhere are. At the time the students entered after a day's hard work. Describing my classroom, they had spent the uncertainty of what the family Instead of an examination at nearly two years living in the IIM can eat at the end of each day, the end of the course, I asked my campus. On the pavements outside Manish uses a metaphor for hunger students every year to each find one the campus, interspersed between which only a business student could: impoverished person, in Ahmedabad the homeless residents — what ‘The food itself is as unpredictable as or elsewhere, and try to learn about one student aptly called homeless the movements of the BSE Sensex. their lives, write their stories, and homes — are innumerable stalls If the day goes well and Anand Bhai share these with their classmates. selling street food, cigarettes, DVDs, is able to pocket a hundred rupee Their first reaction was usually one magazines, newspapers. It is here note, he comes to the part of the of understandable panic: how could that the students gather long hours footpath he calls home with a piece JANATA, December 11, 2011 11 of chicken, a few tomatoes, onions and coriander to relish what he calls Once land acquisition picks up... a grand feast. On gloomy days when the earnings are restricted to about P. V. Rajagopal is coordinator of Ekta Parishad which features a fifty rupees, the dinner consists of nationwide network of people's movements - including Gandhian struggles for boiled potatoes and onions with protecting the land and livelihoods of the rural poor. After leading peaceful chappatis'. padyatras of tribal and rural marginalized groups, Rajagopal was recently invited by the government to join discussions on land reforms. Rajagopal Before parting, his unusual visitor spoke with Bharat Dogra about the rural landless becoming uprooted - and asks him one last question: ‘What social activists raising concerns feeling threatened: are your ambitions for your children; what do you want them to be when What is your position on the new and social dignity to the poorest they grow up?' He replies: ‘They are land acquisition and rehabilitation households. the children of a rag picker and will legislation being formulated by the become rag pickers'. government? The need for such a minimum landholding law was always there, A similar matter-of-fact absence This policy should be fair and but this has increased even more now of hope marks the life of another just to farmers, but in addition, we as otherwise the rural landless will homeless rag-picker, Abhishek want to bring in the perspective of be uprooted very badly. Gopal and Sougata Basu discover the landless poor people which has that he was born on the streets of been neglected for far too long. The What has been your experience Ahmedabad, and lived all 30 years government had earlier accepted a with the Forest Rights Act? of his life on the same stretch of policy of distribution of farmlands to road. Sanjay Bhai's family consists the landless poor wherever feasible. There are several problems which of his mother, his wife and two But once land acquisition picks up need to be sorted out, but even children, a boy and a girl. He sets and influential outsiders come in, within the existing limitations in out with his entire family early every the claims of the landless poor may our work area, several thousand morning with a hired wooden cart be forgotten. families have clearly benefited. to collect rags, separating them into Whenever the potential beneficiaries different categories like iron, bottles, So we feel strongly that in this are well-organized and articulate glass and so on, and selling them entire debate, the viewpoint of the their concerns, the results are better... to a nearby dealer in exchange for poorest landless people should money. He too believes that nothing be brought in and their interests But again, there is growing will change in their lives, and his protected. concern that social activists son will grow up to be a rag-picker committed to peaceful forms of like him. How do you propose to achieve resistance are being victimized and this? jailed. Some time ago, Sunilam, a Megha Jain evocatively describes social activist and former MLA, the ‘home' of another homeless rag- One specific proposal we have is was attacked brutally in Madhya picker. ‘On the pavement, Kanti for a minimum holding law being Pradesh. has carved out a small space that enacted. This means that all landless he calls home. They have a thin people of a village should receive not Then Ramesh Aggarwal, a cotton mattress and a couple of old just homestead land but, in addition, peaceful campaigner for Adivasi blankets. Some utensils and a large a small plot of additional land as a rights and environmental protection shiny radio-cum-cassette player base for sustainable livelihoods. in Chhittisgarh, was jailed along make up the rest of his movable with another activist, Harihar possessions. The home is defined by The size can vary depending Patel. Even Ekta Parishad feels a tiny earthen chullah on the edge of on the location and availability of increasingly threatened in a state the road and a string hung along the land...but the basic issue is some like Chhattisgarh where there is a wall with some clothes on it. In the form of a livelihood base should be massive onslaught on the natural mornings they defecate in the open available to them in villages. This resource base of the Adivasis. will ensure some economic security (Continued on Page 15) (Continued on Page 12) 12 JANATA, December 11, 2011 Rajya Sabha Members

The Register of Interest was have been declared by Anil Lad Jethmalani (BJP,Rajasthan)(Rs 8.41 mandated for all Rajya Sabha MPs (INC,Karnataka)(27 companies) crore). by the ethics committee in 2005 and followed by Vijay Darda (INC, has been made available for the first Maharashtra)(21 companies) and 7. No declaration of pecuniary time as a result of RTI. Vijay Mallya (IND, Karnataka)(12 7. interest companies). A total of 140 MPs out of the total 1. Based on the declarations 232 MPs have declared that they of Register of Member’s Interest 4. Regular Remunerated Activity have no pecuniary interest. made by 232 MPs of Rajya Sabha, 28 MPs have declared that they 140 MPs have declared on the form have financial interest in the form of The top 3 MPs who have high that they have no business/financial Regular Remunerated Activity and assets with no declaration of interest whatsoever in any of the 204 MPs have no declared financial pecuniary interest are Subbarami mentioned heads and 92 MPs have interest under this head. Reddy (INC,AP)(Rs 258.25 declared that they have financial crore) followed by Karan Singh interest in the mentioned heads. The highest amount received (INC,Delhi)(Rs 57.89 crore) and from Regular Remunerated Activity Rajkumar Dhoot (SS,Maharashtra) 2. Remunerative Directorship has been declared by Shobhana (Rs 29.53 crore). 28 MPs have declared that they Bhartia (Nominated)(Rs 2.67 –ADR have some financial interest in the crore) followed by Vijay Mallya (Continued from Page 11) form of Remunerative Directorship (IND,Karnataka)(Rs 1.85 crore) and of a company and 204 MPs have Satyanarayana Chowdry (TDP, AP) What's been your experience of a declared that they have no financial (Rs 1.68 crore). lifetime of peaceful struggles for the interest under this head. rights of the poor? 5. Paid Consultancy I feel strongly that the government The highest amount received 7 MPs have declared that they needs to be more committed to the from Remunerative Directorship has have financial interest in the form rights of the poor, and ensuring that been declared by Vijay Mallya (IND, of Paid Consultancy and 224 MPs peaceful activists are able to fulfill Karnataka)(Rs 39.45 crore) followed have no declared financial interest their important democratic role of by Naresh Gujral (SAD,Punjab) under this head. mobilizing the poor and landless. (Rs. 4.54 crore) and Vijay Darda (INC,Maharashtra)(Rs. 4.54 crore). The highest amount received The government should take from Paid Consultancy has been a close and honest look at how The maximum number of declared by Parimal Nathwani (Rs many of its own laws for the directorships have been declared 1.29 crore) followed by Amar Singh poor remain unimplemented or by Vijay Mallya (IND, Karnataka) (Rs 54 lac) and Ravi Shankar Prasad poorly implemented - for example, (19) followed by Y.P. Trivedi (NCP, (Rs 37.73 lac). how poorly Panchavat Raj Maharashtra)(11) and Naresh Gujral Extension to Scheduled Areas has 6. Professional Engagement (SAD,Punjab)(4). been implemented. How many 43 MPs have declared that they government promises on land 3. Shareholding of controlling have financial interest in the form 3. nature reforms have been fulfilled? My of Paid Consultancy and 189 MPs earnest appeal to the government 33 MPs have declared that they have no declared financial interest - don't forget the poorest and the have financial interest in the form of under this head. landless. Shareholding of controlling nature and 199 MPs have declared that The highest amount received Also, fertile farmland and forests they have no financial interest under from Professional Engagements are to be protected as the base of this head. has been declared by Abhishek sustainable livelihoods – and the Manu Singhvi (INC,Rajasthan)(Rs democratic rights of those struggling The highest number of 50 crore) followed by Arun Jaitley for such objectives should be shareholdings in companies (BJP,Gujarat) (Rs 10 crore) and Ram respected. JANATA, December 11, 2011 13 Why the Nuclear Liability Rules need to be modified

A.Gopalakrishnan

Both the Civil Liability for the floor of the House, a final Act into the CSC will be held up because Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, and was passed with a slightly higher our National Liability Law does the associated Civil Liability for operator liability of Rs1,500 crore not conform to the mandatory Nuclear Damage Rules, 2011, have for nuclear power reactors and, more stipulations in the CSC Annex, since been gazetted. The provisions of the importantly, included clauses 17(b) it contains Clauses 17(b) and 46. Act came into force on November and 46 that could enable the seeking 11, 2011, but the rules can still be of damage compensation from the Having failed to enact a contested in Parliament within 30 suppliers. Liability Act that could please the days of their introduction. foreign governments and their To claim recourse under 17(b), corporate lobbies, the PM and the During the final discussions on the operator has to prove that the government are under great pressure the India-US Nuclear Deal, the incident occurred because the to amend the Act. However, the prime minister wanted to assure supplied equipment or material government knows it is impossible the governments of the US, France had ‘patent or latent defects or to approach the Parliament for an and Russia, as well as their nuclear the services provided were sub- amendment of the Liability Act corporate lobbies, that India shall standard.’ But, under Section 46, a in the prevailing atmosphere of provide a liability-free regime for victim of a nuclear accident could scams and mismanagement by the them to do nuclear commerce with bring a liability claim against the government and its low credibility. India. It was for this reason that operator in courts under Tort Law Under the circumstances, as a last the PM agreed in 2008 itself to and include the supplier also as co- resort, the government is attempting their demand that India shall take defendant. In this case, the plaintiffs to dilute Parliament’s legislative steps to adhere to the Convention have to merely prove that the product intent in enacting this Act, by on Supplementary Compensation, or service caused the harm, but do cleverly manipulating the rules which will make it mandatory for not have to prove exactly how the under this Act. At first glance, the India to enact a national nuclear product or service was deficient or rules appear to be consistent with liability law that will channel liability that the supplier was negligent. The the Act, in that the Clauses 17(b) and for damages from a nuclear accident damages to be awarded in such cases 46, which were offensive to foreign completely to the operator, namely, are not specifically capped under governments and suppliers, have not the Nuclear Power Corporation of law, and these will be decided by been directly tampered with in any India Limited. This is the backdrop the court, based on circumstances. way. But the government’s sleight in which the government prepared of hand can be seen if one carefully and introduced the Civil Liability for Attempt to Dilute the Act analyses the contents of Chapter Nuclear Damage Bill in Parliament Soon after the Nuclear Liability V of the rules, which explains the in mid-2010. Act was passed, the western operator’s Right of Recourse under governments and the nuclear Clause 17(a) of the Act. Nuclear Liability Act business lobbies made it clear that Accordingly, the Bill that the India has failed to deliver the kind Amount of Supplier’s Liability government introduced in Parliament of liability regime the PM promised. First, Rule 24(1) states: ‘A capped the liability on the Indian To partially assuage these feelings, contract referred to in clause (a) of operator at a very low level, and the PM hastened to have India sign Section 17 of the Act shall include a did not include any provision for the CSC as promised to the US provision for right of recourse for not channeling even part of the damage government in September 2008 and, less than the extent of the operator’s liability to the suppliers. After some in his recent meeting with President liability under Section 6(2) of the of us gave extensive testimonies Barack Obama in Bali, confirmed Act, or the value of the contract to the parliamentary committee that India will soon ratify the CSC itself, whichever is less.’ Further, it is examining the Bill and after the as well. But, even after ratification clarified, under Explanation-2, that opposition had heated debates on of the CSC, India’s eventual entry an operator’s claim under this rule 14 JANATA, December 11, 2011 shall in no case exceed the actual will be valid under Clause 17(a). If or material with patent or latent amount of compensation paid by him we bring in the definition given in defects or sub-standard services.’ up to the date of filing such claim. Rule 24(2)(a) for ‘product liability Except that, under 17(a) and the period’ into the body of Rule 24(2), it associated contract between the The above rule bounds the amount will read as follows: ‘The provision operator and supplier, the quantum of compensation which the operator for right of recourse referred to and time validity of the supplier’s can seek from the supplier through in sub-rule 24(1) shall be for the liability to the operator under right right of recourse under Clause 17(a) duration of initial licence issued of recourse is well-defined and of the Act. Since the maximum under the Atomic Energy (Radiation bounded, whereas for the same liability of the operator is Rs1,500 Protection) Rules, 2004, or ‘the default of the supplier, Section 17(b) crore as per the Act, Rule 24(1) period for which the supplier has of the Act allows recourse without states that the right of recourse from undertaken liability for patent or specifying limits on time period or the supplier in no case can be more latent defects or sub-standard service amount! than that amount, whatever be the under a contract’, whichever is contract value. But, if the contract longer. If an accident occurs within value is lower than that, the right of the applicable time limit as per recourse from the supplier will be The duration of initial licence is the contract mentioned in Section capped at the contract value. In any a stipulation of the Atomic Energy 17(a), the operator can argue for case, certainly Rule 24(1) appears to Regulatory Board, and it is purely recourse under Section 17(a), for the preclude the operator from seeking a time limit to periodically stop quantum of compensation as per that any ‘consequential damages’ from and review the overall operational contract. But, if an accident occurs, the supplier, under Section 17(a) & safety management of a facility as a result of the supply, beyond of the Act, to compensate for the by the operator. It has been set the period of validity mutually larger damage the supplies could at five years for a long time now, agreed in the contract, Section have caused to the public and the and it has no direct connection 17(a) will not help in seeking right environment. with the supplier or his supplies. of recourse, because it will be time- The licensing period is illogically barred through the limitation in the In comparing norms across brought into Rule 24(2), just to contract. Unfortunately, then Section various high risk industries, I find enable an ‘either-or’ provision, with 17(b) can also not be resorted to, that the amount of compensation due one end-point as low as five years. because the supplier will argue under the right for recourse, where that, for the very same deficiency a contract exists, cannot exceed the The legal intent of the Act or default, he has a contract with operator’s own liability or the value was to provide three separate and the operator whose time validity of the contract, whichever is less. stand-alone sub-clauses, viz 17(a), has already expired. In effect, one To this extent, one cannot fault Rule 17(b), and 17(c). In formulating finds that through a clever Rule 24(1) as stated in Chapter V of the the Liability Rules, government manipulation under 17(a), the Rules. This, unfortunately, is the was careful not to interfere with the government has succeeded in linking consequence of Parliament limiting controversial Clause 17(b) of the Clauses 17(a) and 17(b) of the Act, the operator’s liability for nuclear Act, fearing the wrath of Parliament. in contravention of the legal intent reactor accidents at Rs1,500 crore As per the Act, 17(b) reads, ‘The of the Parliament that they should in Section 6(2) of the Liability Act, operator… shall have the right of be independent of each other, and against the repeated pleas at that time recourse where the nuclear incident applicable separately. The serious to substantially increase that cap. In has resulted as ‘a consequence of an consequence of this linkage is that my view, the only option now left is act of the supplier or his employee, the provisions for recourse from to argue for higher compensation, which includes supply of equipment the supplier given in the contract including consequential damages, or material with patent or latent under Section 17(a) and its rules will under Section 46, relying on Tort defects or sub-standard services.’ prevail at all times, thus nullifying Laws. But, if we now compare this with the provisions of Clause 17(b). Clause 17(a), as elaborated through Validity Period for Supplier’s Rules 24(2) and 24(2)(a), it can be Correct the Liability Rules Liability seen that both Sections 17(a) and It is evident from the above Next, let us look at the duration 17(b) now deal with the identical analysis that the modification needed for which the supplier’s liability shortcoming of ‘supply of equipment in the Rules presently before the JANATA, December 11, 2011 15

Parliament is to delink the artificial of recourse referred to in sub-rule stipulations as per contract, the coupling that the government has (1) shall be for the duration of ‘the supplier shall be strictly liable to pay introduced between Clauses 17(a) product guarantee period.’ This rule the mutually agreed compensation and 17(b) of the Act through these is to be read and implemented in as per Clause 17(a) of the Act, read Rules. This can be achieved by conjunction with parts (a) through with Rule 24(1). In such a case, there retaining Clause 17(b) as it is, and (d) of Explanation -I, given below. shall be no onus on the operator to changing Rules 24(2) and 24(2)(a) prove what specific deficiency or to remove any mention of ‘liability Explanation- I : negligence on the part of the supplier for patent or latent defects or sub- has caused the failure or damage of standard services’ from these Rules, a) For the purpose of this rule, the supplied product or service. since such defects and sub-standard the expression ‘product guarantee services are already independently period’ means the safe and assured [Dr. A Gopalkrishnan is a former covered under Clause 17(b). life for the product or service chairman of the Atomic Energy delivered to the operator during Regulatory Board of the Indian In normal product or service which period the supplier confirms government] liability contracts, the supplier it will function as per the mutually guarantees a safe and assured life for agreed performance specifications, (Continued from Page 11) his product or service delivered to the provided the operator diligently operator, a period during which the follows all the stipulations of field about 300 metres away. When supplier confirms it will function as the supplier regarding erection, they leave for work, they roll up all per the mutually agreed performance commissioning, and operation & their possessions and dump them specifications. It shall be the onus maintenance, including the regular behind a wall or some bushes. They of the operator to ensure that the upkeep, inspection, and repairs aren't really worth stealing, so they guarantee period he is agreeing during the guarantee period as have no fear'. with the supplier is adequately high mutually agreed and detailed in the for such supplies and it should be contract at the outset. Marly Diallo, an overseas consistent with the product lifetime Exchange Student, writes about and/or failure probability used in b) In case of a confirmed failure of Sabina, a young mother about 30, the Probabilistic Risk Analysis for the product or the service provided, who recently gave birth to her fourth the system which he has submitted within such a product guarantee boy. She ‘lives on a pavement, in to the safety regulatory agency period, the onus on the operator front of a road that I take almost and got approved. Clause 17(a) will be merely to establish that every day, without really asking then needs to rely on this product he has diligently followed all the myself how these people live there. guarantee period as the time validity stipulations spelt out by the supplier Sabina has been living just behind for the operator’s right of recourse, as part of the contract. the walls of IIMA for years'. She instead of surreptitiously bringing adds, ‘Sabina keeps their belongings in the licensing period which has no c) Such guarantee period shall on a ground protected by a fence; all relevance in this context. be adequately high in the context the families can keep their valuables of the prevailing worldwide nuclear in plastic bags stocked in this area. To translate the above arguments industry norms for such products Otherwise, she keeps her stuff on into a Rule change, Parliament may and services, and consistent with the pavement. At night or when it kindly consider replacing the current the life expectancy and failure rate rains, the family gathers under a thin Rule 24(2) and its Explanation-I for that product or service which the plastic tarpaulin, just like everybody (a) in Chapter V of the Rules with operator has used in the Probabilistic does in this street'. She adds, ‘We the following revised wording of Risk Analysis for the system and asked them if they benefited from Rule 24(2), followed by a revised approved by the nuclear safety the presence of IIMA in terms of Explanation-I consisting of parts regulatory agency. security or help? The answer was (a) through (d), as given below. clear and sad... there is no interaction The current version of Rule 24(2) d) If the failure occurs during with IIMA, just as if these two (b) and Explanation 2 may please the product guarantee period due to worlds co-existed without seeing be retained. no fault of the operator and if the each other'. operator has evidence to establish 24(2): The provision for right that he has faithfully followed all – Aman Biradari R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, December 11, 2011 P.R. No. MH/MR/WEST/275/2010-2011 Posted at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1

GANNON DUNKERLEY & CO., LTD. (An ISO 9001 – 2000 Company)

REGISTERED OFFICE

NEW EXCELSIOR BUILDING, 3RD FLOOR, A.K. NAYAK MARG, FORT, MUMBAI – 400 001

TEL: 91-22-22051231, FAX: 91-22-22051232

Website: gannondunkerley.com

E-mail: [email protected]

GANNONS ARE SPECIALISTS IN INDUSTRIAL STRUCTURES, ROADS, BRIDGES (RCC AND PRESTRESSED CONCRETE), RAILWAY TRACKS, THERMAL POWER, FERTILIZER, CHEMICAL, PAPER AND CEMENT PLANTS, WATER & WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANTS, PILING FOUNDATION & FOUNDATION ENGINEERING.

GANNONS ARE ALSO PIONEERS IN MATERIAL HANDELING WORKS, MANUFACTURE OF PRESTRESSED CONCRETE SLEEPERS, ERECTION OF MECHANICAL EQUIPMENTS & PIPING AND SUPPLY OF TEXTILE MACHINERY AND LIGHT ENGINEERING ITEMS.

OFFICES AT:

AHMEDABAD - CHENNAI - COIMBATORE - HYDERABAD KOLKATA - MUMBAI - NEW DELHI

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. 66 No. 46 State of the Nation December 18, 2011 S.Viswam

Indo-Pak War 1971– The state of the nation causes concern. A despondent mood of cynicism and Some Not So Public Facts frustration seems to have overtaken the country. Unfortunately, that mood seems Rajindar Sachar to be all-pervasive and not selective. The government is in the grip of a crisis of confidence with its credibility touching a new low. The economy is in the Coalitions - Indian Style doldrums. There is an all-round slowdown in evidence, the latest sector to drag its feet being industry. Productivity in the manufacturing sector has suddenly D. K. Giri dropped. Economic growth has shrunk from 7.7 per cent in the first quarter of this fiscal to 6.9 per cent. Economists warn that it may go down progressively An Independent Judiciary– and rest at 6 per cent or even below that figure. Finance Minister Pranab a few more reflections Mukherjee tells Parliament that there is no policy paralysis in the government, Bapu Heddurshetti that the economic slowdown is a passing phase and that recovery will take place sooner than the country expects. Somehow these assurances fail to carry Last letter from conviction. The nation is willing to believe the worst, and does not seem ready Surendra Mohan to expect improvement. The morale, we need not add, is quite low.

True, Parliament in back in business, but there is not much purposefulness in Yogendra Yadav Kuldip Nayyer evidence there. The opposition has ganged up against the Congress which has Qurban Ali been isolated and is seen to be functioning in isolation. It would seem that the on opposition parties are interested only in keeping the Congress perpetually on Surendra Mohan the defensive. By joining Anna Hazare’s token protest fast rally at Jantar Mantar, the opposition has signalled the nation that it means to take the campaign against the UPA government to its logical conclusion. The logical conclusion is a mid- universaliation of free and compulsory education term poll, but the opposition wants to give the impression that it is as much against snap elections as is the Congress. The Congress justified its withdrawal of the proposal to open up retail trade to foreign investors by stating that it did not want mid-term elections. The implication was that the UPA could have Editor : persisted with the FDI in retail only at the cost of risking its survival in office. G. G. Parikh The message that went out to the country was that things are no more under the government’s control and that the ruling coalition, having overnight attracted D-15, Ganesh Prasad, a crisis of confidence, is in death throes. Naushir Bharucha Marg, Mumbai - 400 007. The noteworthy development is that the Prime Minister seems to be fighting a losing battle, whether it was in regard to FDI retail or in regard to the Lokpal Email : [email protected] logjam. Sonia Gandhi has not come to Dr. Manmohan’s Singh’s support, leave 2 JANATA, December 18, 2011 alone rescue. She is allowing, with a Indo-Pak War 1971 – Some Not So cynical element of deliberateness, the Prime Minister to deal with all the Public Facts government’s critics, although she, by virtue of her political stature and Rajindar Sachar presidentship of the Congress, has to carry an equal load of responsibility The recently declassified rightly that she wanted him to come for the rights and wrongs of the documents of 1971 war between in the uniform at the break fast government. If things go wrong, Sonia India and Pakistan have without any because it was naturally a very Gandhi’s cheerleaders will blame Dr. doubt established the fact of absolute strange suggestion. Smt. Gandhi was Singh. If things turn right, the credit tilt of the USA President Nixon and straight forward and told him “yes”. will go to her. This is a game that the Kissinger against India. So, General Manekshaw went for Congress leadership has been playing break fast in full uniform and soon for many years now. The people see This hostile, aggressive stand they were joined by Kissinger. through this game and are not taken by Nixon was sought to be deceived. They are no more gullible. justified by the false premise that At that meeting Indira Gandhi They would have surely noticed that Indira Gandhi was right from the was persistent in asking Kissinger to while all the blame is being heaped beginning determined to attack East plead with Nixon that he should try on poor Dr. Manmohan Singh, Bengal. This however was a lie and to restrain Pakistan for what was Soniaji is staying away from the Nixon, above all the people, knew being done in East Pakistan because spotlight. that, on the other hand she tried her the conditions there were becoming best to avoid confrontation with intolerable and it was almost Dr. Manmohan Singh is being Pakistan. As a matter of fact Indira becoming impossible for India to fielded single-handedly to deal with Gandhi tried her best to persuade remain silent. Kissinger however, the new threat from Team Anna. Dr. Nixon to intervene at an early stage went on prevaricating and would not Singh has convened an all-party to help her do so. really give a straight answer. Rather meeting, but its outcome seems he tried to underplay the situation. foregone. Team Anna has now gained In July 1971 Kissinger had a stop- Smt. Gandhi, however, still insisted, some extra clout by enticing the over in India on his secret visit to but to no avail. Kissinger would not opposition into its camp. How far this China. At that time mass fleeing give any assurance that Nixon would achievement will help Anna Hazare form East Pakistan and terror by do something about it. achieve his objective when Pakistan army were creating havoc Parliament begins debating the in West Bengal and rest of the Obviously rattled, Smt. Gandhi Lokpal Bill remains to be seen. country. Smt. Gandhi, was obviously said if that was the position she may Whatever the opposition leaders may under a big strain. She therefore have to do something herself which have said in Jantar Mantar, they will invited Kissinger for a private she was reluctant to do. At this be expected to don their true colours– breakfast to be able to discuss the Kissinger again expressed his influenced by larger party interests– matter urgently. inability on his and Nixon’s behalf to on the floor of the House. However, do anything and asked her rather the opposition is as interested as Anna However on the evening before, ironically as to what she intended to Hazare himself, in cornering the Indira Gandhi telephoned General do. At that time she stood up and Congress and forcing it to yield ground Manekshaw, the then our Army Chief pointing towards the General (who on certain vital issues of relevance to and told him that she would like him was in full military uniform) told the Lokpal legislation. Any stick is to come and meet her at breakfast Kissinger that if the USA good to beat the Congress. next morning. She did not disclose Government-USA President cannot as to who her other guests were. She control the situation then “I am going The government can meet the further told the General that when to ask him (meaning the General) to situation half way by shedding its he comes for break fast, he should do the same.” rigidity on some, if not all these come in the Army uniform. Naturally, the General felt surprised There was stunning silence for a (Continued on Page 13) and asked whether he had heard minute as the sharp message was JANATA, December 18, 2011 3 conveyed to Kissinger in a very stark Coalitions - Indian Style manner. As a matter of fact, the General was himself surprised and suddenly understood the purpose as D. K. Giri to why he had been asked to come in uniform rather than in civilian clothes at apparently, a harmless function of Just before the UP Assembly Paswan readily comes to mind. Arun break fast. Obviously, Nixon and elections, Ajit Singh’s Rashtriya Shourie, in his book, “The Kissinger had their egos deflated and Lokdal (RLD) joined UPA. The Parliamentary System,” refers to were not going to forgive Smt. Gandhi alliance primarily aims to boost as an “ever-in- for such an attitude. UPA’s (Congress) prospects in UP, office” politician. There is a clear and marginally improves UPA trend. Some politicians like Ajit Smt. Gandhi had no other course majority in the Parliament from 272 Singh and Ram Vilas Paswan have but to create world opinion in favor to 277. RLD is the first party to join a secure and sizeable vote base in of India. She requested J.P., the the UPA coalition after the 2009 the RLD, and Dalit Sena respectively legendary socialist hero of our General Elections. The negotiations and could switch over to any party freedom struggle, to go on world tour between the Congress and RLD or coalition with their vote bank and to explain India’s case, which the were underway for quite some time, secure for themselves a cabinet patriot that he was, he willingly stalled for a while, and got firmed berth. Ideology, principles and undertook. But still the matters were up when the UPA found a Cabinet policies are thrown out of window getting worse, and India could not berth for Ajit Singh. in the name of pragmatism. No one directly intervene. Refugees were now, politicians, commentators or continuing to pour in from East It is interesting to recall that Ajit critics find it abnormal or an Pakistan. Sidharath Shankar Ray Singh has been a member of the aberration in Indian democratic was in charge of borders. On one of Congress Government in the past, politics. the usual visits by Smt. Gandhi to the when Narasimha Rao was the Prime border where a public meeting was Minister. He was the Industry Democratic politics, although a being held to reassure the people that Minister in the Janata Dal universal aspiration now, is practiced the matter was being looked after Government led by V.P Singh in differently in different countries. properly. On this visit to West Bengal 1989-90, and the Minister for Likewise, Indian democracy has she told Ray that after the meeting Agriculture in the NDA Government certain unique features. The she would go back to Delhi, and Ray from 2001 to 2003. So Ajit Singh Austrian author, Anton Pelika wrote should stay for some days in Calcutta has been a Minister in all the three about this in his book called and come to Delhi later. major coalitions in recent times, these “Democracy Indian Style”, which were three clearly different was translated from German to At the public meeting while Smt. ideological groups. Not long ago, English by Renee Shell”. Indian Gandhi was addressing, one of her RLD was in alliance with Samajwadi Politics, given its diversities and aides handed her a small paper, she Party (SP) in UP. When Ajith Singh pluralism, has created a new practice read it, put it in her pocket and snapped the alliance with the SP, called ‘coalition politics”, which has continued with her speech. After the Mulayam Singh, the Chief of SP, had become an established practice now meeting while going to the airport she commented, “RLD Chief Ajit Singh for the last two decades. Even other told Ray that he should come along has changed more parties and broken countries, including those who have with her to Delhi. Ray was a little more alliances than even he would viable two-party system like Britain surprised at this sudden change of care to remember”. He added that are into coalition politics. Most other his programme. But her followers did Ajit Singh’s withdrawal from SP with countries having Parliamentary not ask questions of Indira Gandhi – an eye on a cabinet position in UPA democracies are embracing there was implicit compliance. After Government carried no surprise. coalitions to cobble up majority in about 15 minutes of flight onward to Parliaments. Again, for instance, Delhi Smt. Gandhi leaned back in her It is not only Ajit Singh, there are Sweden which has been dominated other ‘prominent’ leaders who are by the Social Democratic Party for (Continued on Page 6) known for party-hopping. Ram Vilas long has gone for coalitions. 4 JANATA, December 18, 2011

It is important that one social and regional disparities, the The light at the end of the tunnel understands Indian party coalitions political parties seek to represent of politics of egos, personal interests, and Indian exceptionalism, which is groups, communities, and regions. and electoral arithmetic, that arguably the trend-setter in coalition The parties like BSP and TDP are characterize our current coalitions is politics. How has the coalition politics such examples of politics of that the major political parties are come about? How Indian coalitions communities and regions. Even the becoming more accommodative and are so fragile and accommodative at bigger, national parties do not build comradely with other parties. BJP, the same time. Arend Lijphant writes their platform around an ideology one of the two major parties in India in “The Puzzle of Indian which cuts across the communities was known to be ideologically Democracy; a Consociational and regions. We may also note that inflexible when it came to the use of Interpretation” about the specific there are no ideological specificities Hindi as national language or belief characteristics of Indian Democracy, that mark the parties from one in Hindutva as the basis of nation “Due to the very heterogeneity of another. By way of interpretation building, stopped insisting on either Indian Society, which contradicts the of the actions and policies, there are as it reached out for partners in non- sort of nation-state thinking common three broad ideological streams in Hindi speaking states in the South in Europe, Indian democracy cannot Indian politics today. One, the and in the East of India. Likewise, build upon the notion of competition centre-Left, led by the Congress, the the Congress party which was that we find in a competitive other, the Left of the Communist uneasy in sharing power with others democracy”. Indian democracy version, which is currently badly has entered into big coalitions. The celebrates and draws upon its marginalized, and the third one is present UPA consists of 15 partners diversities, and functions by building Centre-right led by the BJP. The including RLD. alliances between them. Like Britain most popular and acceptable and USA, Indian democracy also ideological stream ‘Social At least two more points need to privileges the winner, deriving from Democracy’ which, unfortunately, be considered to complete the story the principle, “winner takes all”. In has no strong party political of Ajith Singh and coalition politics India too, winner calls the shots, but manifestation, is missing from the in India. Every political party is only when someone is able to form equation. Why it is so is beyond the supposed to be a coalition of a majority in a carefully constructed scope of this article. Janata Party, interests, groups and individuals, and coalition of interests and who can which came closest to be a Social is expected to function by giving share the power with other coalition Democratic Party in 1970s everyone space as a part of internal partner when the election is won. As disintegrated for various reasons. democracy in the party. That is referred to earlier, coalition politics The remnants of the party are led what the Congress party in its early is practiced in other democracies as by Social Democrats but they do not days was: a broad-church, catch-all. well, but the manner in which they present any formidable challenge at During the freedom movement, are formed in complexities of Indian national level. However, on Indian National Congress was an politics is uniquely Indian, that may ideological allegiance, there are all-class coalition to fight British not be duplicated elsewhere”. politicians who straddle the entire imperialism. The nature of ideological spectrum like Ajith composition of Congress support, Indian coalitions are made up on Singh, for example. As the Prime and its cosmopolitanism continued the basis of religion, ethnicity, caste, Minister once said, when asked for three decades until Indira Gandhi region and so on. Interestingly, they why he did not restrain A.Raja got politically corrupted by absolute are based not so much on ideology, when the latter was not auctioning power and began to chip away the which is worrying. Parties come the spectrums, one has to make Congress support base, Also, most together in coalition under a curious some compromise as a part of parties in India are dynasty or Common Minimum Program (CMP) compulsions of coalition politics. personality driven, so any single which is a queer mix of the But if fundamentals of a party or party is not structured to give space manifestoes of the parties. Why is politics are compromised too often, to many leaders or several view ideology not so important in coalition then even politics loses its points. In reality, individual political building? Given the situation of sanctity and legitimacy, which parties at the leadership level are no inadequate development in the shifts to civil society leaders like longer a coalition. Hence, in order country, and more important, the Anna Hazare. to gain majority in the Lok Sabha, JANATA, December 18, 2011 5 the parties have to entere in Hinduism. A political commentator minorities of all kinds, who form a coalition. once successfully argued in a political majority through inter-party seminar that everyone in India is in negotiations. Indian democracy The second is the perception of minority depending on the context. therefore is naturally coalitional, majority and minority in Indian So we have a queer case of majority some call it consociational. In the politics. It is believed that India is in the Parliament ruling, but that coalition building, there will be Hindustan where majority Hindus majority is made up of minorities of several entries into and exits from should dominate the democratic all kinds, like 5 MPs of RLD. Ajit coalitions by leaders like Ajit Singh. politics. The BJP sought to mobilize Singh gets a Cabinet position with One hope that time may come sooner Hindus into a political majority and just 5 MPs out of 543 in Lok Sabha. when the coalitions are made around failed. BJP’s construct that everyone Both minority and majority take on causes not caucuses. Admittedly, living in India is Hindu did not layers of meaning in different coalition politics has become a resonate with the people. Hinduism contexts. In fact, in India, contexts practice, but it will be better, healthier is structurally and scripturally plural, are many. Thus Indian democracy if it were to be based on norms, so it is not easy to homogenize is sharing of power between ideals and ideologies. An Independent Judiciary – a few more reflections

Bapu Heddurshetti

Justice Ruma Pal (An However, I must say that her plea The transgression of the judicial Independent Judiciary (Janata- that the judges should be free to field by the executive or the November 20-27, 2011) has done accept invitations from foreign legislature is not the only violation of well in discussing the independence institutions without being vetted by the doctrine of separation of powers. of judiciary in its two aspects: the various departments of the The judiciary has had its own share institutional independence and the Government of India inheres the of such transgressions in the fields independence of individual judges. forebodings of the creation of the of the executive and the legislature. She has described in detail the ‘new class’ of super citizens who If the legislature has hit the judiciary inroads made by the executive in the are as she herself says elsewhere with what she calls ‘tribunalisation’, judicial field, including what she calls guilty of ‘hypocracy’, the second the judiciary has, by giving a go bye ‘tribunalisation’, in violation of the sin. Karnataka has innumerable to the doctrine of locus standi and doctrine of separation of powers examples of the ‘second sinners’ entertaining what it calls ‘public which has adversely affected the since it is becoming increasingly interest litigation’, forayed into the institutional independence, and has difficult to find a ‘clean’ judge who executive field. Its transgression of come to the conclusion that the can become a ‘Lok Ayukta’ as the the legislative field was climactic Indian judiciary does not have three judges whose names were when the Allahabad High Court institutional independence. proposed had the distinction of ordered that the ‘flag code shall having more than one residential stand amended’ by a judicial verdict I must confess that being an site in violation of several provisions when it included the judges in the list advocate myself and having also of several laws, apart from the of persons who are entitled to use forayed into politics, I also reinforce ethics involved. While she says the national flag on their cars. Its Justice Ruma Pal’s theory that that the judges who enforce the direction that the proceedings of a sometimes the worst enemies of law for others often break that state legislature should be video- judges are those lawyers who while law with impunity, it is surprising graphed was an unpardonable being members of the Bar also that she herself pleads for such transgression of the sanctity of the serve in the capacity of politicians, impunity for the judges under the legislature itself. with the only substitution of the word Foreign Contribution (Regulation) ‘judiciary’ for the word ‘judges’. Act, 1976. The power to appoint and transfer 6 JANATA, December 18, 2011 judges wrested by the judiciary were allowed by the judiciary, the legislative and executive powers from the executive, by what she which again in my humble opinion are united in the same person, or in herself calls “with all the was another case of class prejudice. the same body of magistrates, there interpretative tools at its command It is also within the realm of our can be no liberty.. .. Again, there is - termed by many as an knowledge and experience that the no liberty if the judicial power be unacceptable feat of judicial ‘land tribunals’ created in not separated from the legislative activism” has resulted in some form Karnataka for conferring and executive”. However, there of endogamy in the judiciary leading occupancy rights on the tenants appears to be a continuous tinkering to a genre of judges who, even without any ‘judicial’ member on with the doctrine of separation of when dozens of them are the tribunal, could within a span of powers by all the three wings. But superseded by the collegiums of the 10 years implement the policy of at the same time it is also true that Supreme Court, not one of them ‘land to the tiller’ which would not when warned, each of the wings resigns in protest, whereas there have been possible with a ‘judicial’ has tried to retreat into its legitimate are many illustrious examples of member on the tribunal, let alone as sphere of activity. Whether this judges who had resigned when a head of the tribunal. What is process of continuous tinkering and superseded by the executive. needed to make the judiciary retreating would, lead to a newer overcome this class prejudice, and a better or a worse equilibrium However, it would have been Justice Pal was competent and between the three wings, giving rise better if Justice Pal had also capable to elucidate which to a new ethos of governance referred to, and discussed, the unfortunately she has not. rendering the doctrine of separation judgment by the Supreme Court of powers obsolete and demanding which upheld the imposition of Montesquieu had said in his the exposition of a new theory, only Emergency and the suspension of treatise ‘Spirit of Laws’ that “When time can tell. the fundamental rights. The judiciary failed the people of this (Continued from Page 3) country when they needed it most. seat, a bit relaxed, took out the paper Bahini and their volunteers to Indian given to her at the public meeting army whose task was made less Justice Pal should have also dealt and told Ray who was sitting next to difficult (though no doubt India lost with the phenomenon of her, here is the information “Pakistan quite a few thousand of soldiers). ‘independence’ of judiciary from has attacked”. At first blush it would To make matters still easier Indian what Justice Oliver Wendell seem strange that Smt. Gandhi air force had no opposition and Holmes of the United States’ should seem relaxed on knowing bombarded General Niazi’s official Supreme Court calls ‘class about Pak attack. But there was Bangalow. As one of the Air Chiefs prejudices’. The very first obvious logic – India was reeling told me “you can’t imagine the panic, amendment to the Constitution was under refugees’ influx and yet it the utter helplessness at being necessitated by the obstacles dared not attack East Pakistan, bombarded from above by enemy created by the judiciary in bringing because then the world opinion planes, knowing full well that you about institutional changes in the would call it the aggressor. An can’t even send one plane to stop land holding structure in India by excuse was necessary and Pakistan them. It was inevitable that Niazi abolition of Zamindari and Land had now conveniently provided it. surrendered without much delay. Reforms Legislations, which was, Of course, let us be objective war according to my humble on East Pakistan front was all We, both Pakistan and India, have understanding, a case of class weighed in favor of India – as to put, and fortunately have already prejudice. I had been issued a General Arora told me, though to put, those sad memories behind us contempt notice by the High Court start with some hard knocks were and are determined to march of Karnataka for stating that though taken it was smooth march – the together on a common course of the Karnataka Rent Control Act was whole population of was mutual confidence and benefit and enacted to ‘protect’ the tenants against Pakistan. faith in each other to build a bright from arbitrary eviction, an future for both our countries. The overwhelming number of petitions The movements of Pak army past should not control the future by the land lords seeking eviction were conveyed in detail by Mukti of our two countries. JANATA, December 18, 2011 7 universaliation of free and compulsory education

Resolution of the National Council of All India Forum for Right to Education (AIFRTE) held at Yusuf Meherally Centre, Vill. Tara, Distt. Raigad, Maharashtra on 9th, 10th, and 11th December 2011

India has a long and ancient British colonialism eventually compulsory education, to be history of a deeply-rooted resulted in the spread of a -wide- achieved by 1960, was included in exclusionary and discriminatory ranging freedom movement. the Directive Principles of the socio-religious structure. The Demands of all sections of the Constitution. But today, despite oppressive hierarchy and violence of people were raised in the course of sustained protest and critique, we the caste system has dominated all the struggle leading to the overthrow find that a stunted, multi-track and aspects of life and deprived the vast of British rule and the establishment discriminatory scheme of education, majority of the Indian people from of a constitutional republic which which denies the right of all children access to the benefits of their own enshrined values of equality and non- to get education of quality, has been labour and the fruits of the rich discriminatory rights and legitimized by ‘The Right of resources of the land. This opportunities as a goal before the Children to Free and Compulsory framework facilitated other forms of country in its future development. Education Act 2009’. Embedded in oppression – class, communal, the limiting framework of the 86th gender, disability, and dispossession The role of education was Constitutional Amendment Act 2002, of tribes and other marginalized conceived as an essential which denied rights of children communities. The long struggle component for realizing this goal and against the brutal exploitation of hence universalization of free and (Continued on Page 14)

The meeting of the National Council of AIF-RTE was attended by delegates of students’, teachers’ and educational activist organizations and intellectuals, especially educationists, drawn from Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand and West Bengal. The National Council decided to undertake the following programmes during the next one year:

9 organizing a National Protest Day during the Budget Session in February 2012 to seek withdrawal of all the six Higher Education Bills pending in the Parliament designed to fulfill the WTO-GATS agenda of making Indian education a saleable commodity in the global market;

9 organizing conferences and satyagrah at District Headquarters throughout the country on April 1, 2012, the second anniversary of the anti-child, anti-education and anti-Constitutional so-called Right to Education Act, 2009 in order to seek its replacement by a new Act founded in the framework of Common School System based on Neighbourhood Schools;

9 holding a National Conference on Common School System at Chennai in June 2012 under the joint auspices of the State Platform for Common School System, Tamilnadu and All India Forum for Right to Education; and

9 constituting units in all states/UTs of the country in order to build a nation-wide movement for Right to a democratic, egalitarian, secular, just and enlightened education system that guarantees free education from “KG to PG” to all children and youth, in accordance with the .

Anil Sadgopal, Bhopal Ramesh Patnaik Simantini Dhuru Madhu Prasad Surjit Thokchom Guddi 8 JANATA, December 18, 2011 Last letter from Surendra Mohan

Surendra Mohan wrote a letter to one of his close friends, Raj Kanwar - they studied together at Dehradun- Raj Kanwar sent the letter to Archis, Surendra Mohan’s son, along with a covering note on December 23, 2010 saying “I have received a letter by post from Surendra Mohan dated 15-12-2010 two days before he unexpectedly passed away. This must be his last letter. I had advised Surendra to give up politics which, I consider, a thankless job under the circumstances. I also pointed out his health and the frequent and long travels that he had had to undertake…His letter is perhaps to justify his continuing in politics and contains in the sum total of all his political activities during the past 30 years. His memory is remarkably sharp, which is evident from the various dates that he gave to many events…” The letter is reproduced below. –Editor Date 15.12.2010

Dear Raj,

As an M.P., I had found more time I started to work as a political that is Mandal, and shouldered some for class or section based organization columnist, writing a syndicated responsibility in getting the of socialists like the Hind Mazdoor fortnightly column, since June 1984, Government to accept the Mandal Sabha, the Agricultural Workers’ which I continued till 2005. Owing commission’s recommendations. Federation, Indian Federation of to ill health, I could not maintain its This was also the time when I Building and Woodworkers and Nikhil regularity and it was stopped. refused to accept membership of Bharat Banobasi Panchayat. I was Thereafter, 1 have been writing Rajya Sabha, arguing that the also active in the Peoples Union for exclusive articles, mainly in Hindi. principle of social justice should be Civil Liberties. After I ceased to be applied in selecting candidates for it. M.P., I continued with that work. I got involved in the Modinagar I was a member of the Jammu & Additionally, I got involved in the Textile workers’ struggle in early Kashmir Advisory Committee Bandhua Mukti Morcha led 1980’s and had to resort to five days’ appointed by the Central by Swami Agnivesh and briefly hunger strike in 1984, in Lukhnow. I Government in 1990.1 was appointed with Sharad Joshi’s Shramik was also part of the organisational Chairman of the Land Reforms Sub Sangathana. unity and the agitations of coal Committee of Dr. Ambedkar Birth workers in M.P., Maharashtra and Centenary Celebrations Committee Then, in 1986, the All India West Bengal. in 1990 which continued till 1992. Railwaymen’s Federation, the HMS and the Citizens for Democracy led In 1988, I became active in From 1991 to 1995, I worked as by Justice V.M. Tarkunde launched helping in the unification of the Chairperson of Northern India unit the National Campaign for Right to Janata Party, Lok Dal and V.P. of the Rashtra Sewa Dal. I remained work as a fundamental right. Singh’s Jan Morcha which led to the active in the Janata Dal as well. As I became its National Convener. formation of Janata Dal. I was a strong critic of the New Economic We organised several seminars etc, appointed National Convener of the Reforms introduced by the which culminated in a big rally of Election Manifesto Drafting Government headed by P.V. about 2 lakh persons before Committee and the Publicity Narasihmha Rao, I joined the Azadi Parliament on 25 March, 1988. Committee of the Janata Dal and the bachao Andolan and later the anti- On the same afternoon, Shri Prem National Front. Additionally, it fell to WTO. Bhasin was publicly felicitated and me to enlist the support of the a purse of two lakh rupees was Muslim community despite the In 1991 and again in 1996, I was presented to him. The sum National Front’s electoral adjustment appointed as National convener of was used for helping in the with the BJP. the Election Manifesto Drafting treatment of socialist colleagues and Committee of Janata Dal and encouraging publication of socialist I have been a supporter of National Front (1991) and United books. reservation for backward castes, Front (1996). The United Front JANATA, December 18, 2011 9 comprised of the Left Parties also. Karnataka unit to join a coalition with indigenous people and Manila in 2002 The Front came to power in 1996. I the BJP in order to elevate his son to attend the Asia- Pacific Bureau was appointed Chairman of the to Chief Minister’s office. Then, in meeting of the Socialist International. KVIC in November 1996, but gave February 2009, we launched the Earlier, on the invitation of the up after the Government fell down Socialist Janata Party. Currently, we International Union Socialist Youth, in early 1998. are part of the efforts to unify smaller Manju and I visited Germany in principled socialist groups. 1595. We were in Ghana, Lome and In 1998, I gave full support to a Berkina Faso (as Chairman of the kisan agitation in Multai in Betul I am Director of Acharya KVIC) in 1997. district of Madhya Pradesh where Narendra Deva Samajwadi Sansthan 25 kisans were shot dead by the a Trustee of S.M. Joshi Socialist Three collections of my articles police. In the end of that year, Dr. Foundation, Vice Chairman of the have been published in Hindi. They Sunilam, leader of the agitation, Yusuf Meherally Centre (since are: i. Samajwad, Dharm became independent MLA. 2006) and National Convener of Dr. Nirapekshata aur Samajik Nyay, ii. In 2000, I became actively Birth Vikalp Ka Rasta and iii. Vartaman involved with the National Alliance Centenary Celebrations Committee Rajneeti ki jwalant samasyayen. Two of the people’s Movements led by (since 2009). I am also a Trustee of booklets published are Acharya Medha Patkar and also with Aruna Human Rights and Civil Liberties Narendra Deva aur Unka Yug and Roy’s campaign for the People’s Trust founded by the PUCL. After Dr. Ram Marohar Lohia ki Neetiyan Right to Information, a little later. the sad demise of Dr. Y.P. Chhibbar, In English, booklets ‘Gandhiji’s Time I have been shouldering the and Ours’ and ‘Lok Nayak In 2002, I initiated the founding of responsibility of chairing SNEHA Jayaprakash Narayan’ have been the Socialist Front and acted as its Trust, founded for the education of published. National convener till 2004, but the Chakma tribe. Another continue my association with it as with educational institution in which I am When Madhu Dandavate, then the HMS, PUCL, NAPM and etc. interested is Balika Kanya Vidyalaya Editor of Janata was appointed In 2003, I led the Indian Trade in Kol tribal belt in Mau, near Deputy Chairman of the Planning Union delegation to the South Asia Chitrakoot where Mrs. Manju Commission in August 1996, I had Labour Conference held in Karachi, Mohan is chairperson of the Trust. to accept its editorship along with Dr. Pakistan. GG Parikh. But, since last year, I I visited Pakistan twice (once with have been the sole editor because On 4.12.2004, I was publicly Manju) as a member of the Pakistan of the insistence of the Registrar of felicitated owing to the efforts of India People’s Forum for Peace and Newspapers who wanted only one Prof. Madhu Dandavate who Democracy and once for a editor. collected 17.61 lakh rupees as the preparatory meeting of the people’s purse given me which as per the SAARC. Manju and I visited Nepal Since after the wedding of our consensus of colleagues was given to join in the pro-democracy daughter Anagha in November, 2004 to the Yusuf Meherally Centre. movement in 2005 and to attend a in particular, Manju has However, I got a vehicle, Indica, on meeting of the Bureau of the Asia accompanied me in all travels and that occasion. A large number of Pacific Region of the Socialist meetings etc. This has been of socialist colleagues joined it. Lok International in 2007. Recently in tremendous help. Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterji September, she and I went to presided over the function. Katmandu on the invitation of the I feel sorry that this very detailed Chandrashekhar, V.P. Singh, Deve Nepali Congress Party to address its account of my work during the last Gowda, Sharad Pawar, , National Conference. 30 years or so has taken much of D. Raja of the CPI, Medha Patkar, your valuable time. I hope it meets Aruna Roy and some prominent I was in Bangkok in a small group your expectation. labour leaders joined it. to help the Government and the In 2006, I and other socialist Naga rebels to resume dialogue in With regards to Amber Ji and you colleagues broke with Deve Gowda 2000, in Kota Kinablu, Malaysia in on his decision to allow the 2001 to attend a meeting of –Surendra 10 JANATA, December 18, 2011

Surendra Mohan (1926-2010) Steadfast Socialist

Yogendra Yadav To remember Surendra Mohan is Congress leadership was behind bars During this period Surendra to recall the finest human virtues and and the communists were supporting Mohan completed his master’s political values that the socialist the British war effort. Surendra degree from Dehradun and taught movement in India contributed to the Mohan was one of the thousands of sociology at Kashi Vidyapeeth for country’s public life. He began his young people who were attracted to two years. He also started writing political life as a socialist and the then Congress Socialist Party for the party’s weekly organ, remained so through his more than (CSP). Janata, an association that was to six decades of multifarious persist for half a century as he and involvement in public life. Surendra Mohan’s first contact G.G. Parekh, the two co-editors, kept with the socialist movement, with the the journal alive. Surendra Mohan will be Punjab unit of the CSP, reminds us remembered across the political of a forgotten chapter in the history In June 1958, he quit his job and spectrum for upholding the tradition of this movement. Munshi Ahmed became a party whole-timer at the of personal honesty and political Din, a senior CSP leader, visited request of Prem Bhasin, the then integrity established by the first DAV College, Jullundar, where joint secretary of the PSP. He chose generation of leaders of the socialist Surendra Mohan was a final year low-profile organisational work at the movement. Within what remains of BSc student and a general secretary central office of the party and the socialist movement, he will be of the district unit of the Punjab worked with the Samajwadi Yuvajan remembered as a conscience keeper, Student Congress. Soon after, in Sabha (SYS), the youth wing of the someone who rose above petty May 1946, a CSP unit was formed party. Through the 1960s, he factional disputes, who tried his in Ambala, and Surendra Mohan was remained a key organisation person utmost to keep the movement and elected its district secretary. After for the PSP, which briefly became its core political values alive in the Partition, the CSP came out of the the Samyukta Socialist Party (SSP), face of its political disintegration. In Congress and became the Socialist and was its joint secretary from the wider world of progressive social Party. In June 1950, his participation 1965 to 1971. He was the general movements in the country, he will be in a satyagraha at Karehra village secretary of the Socialist Party, remembered as a trustworthy friend, near Yamunanagar against the reunited with the merger of most of a bridge between politics and social eviction of agricultural workers the streams, from 1972 to 1977, movements and an intellectual guide. earned him two and a half years of when the party merged into the Each facet of his personality rigorous imprisonment. Intervention Janata Party. showcased the best in the socialist by JP and Tilak Raj Chaddha led to movement. his release after seven months. A simple life

Born in 1926 in Ambala, Haryana The first general election (1951- His life as a full-time political (in Punjab until 1967), Surendra 52) was a big setback to the Socialist worker symbolised the virtue of Mohan was attracted to the socialist Party, as the electoral performance aparigraha. He led a frugal life, movement during the popular fell far below its expectations. This remaining a bachelor until he was rebellion of 1942. This was a glorious was followed by a period of nearly 50. He suffered a heart attack moment in the history of the socialist disorientation and finally a split in 1955 while in prison during the Emergency movement. Socialist leaders like when Lohia’s followers left to revive but refused to seek parole on Jayaprakash Narayan (JP) and Ram their own Socialist Party. Much of principle. He was fortunate in finding Manohar Lohia led the popular the Punjab unit of the party remained a political comrade in his wife, Manju resistance during the Quit India with the parent organisation, then the Mohan. Unlike the lifestyle movement since much of the Praja Socialist Party (PSP). associated with the politically high JANATA, December 18, 2011 11 and mighty these days, they led a government, Surendra Mohan stayed organisations. He was associated very simple life. He earned his with the mainstream Janata Dal and with the People’s Union for Civil livelihood by writing for newspapers. then the Janata Dal (Secular), until Liberties ever since it was founded Friends and admirers contributed to Deve Gowda formed a coalition with and was very active in promoting ensuring that the couple had a modest the BJP in Karnataka. human rights. As a member of a flat of their own in Delhi. Despite political party, he could not have obvious financial difficulties, he Until the end of his life, he was accepted any office in the PUCL, donated to public causes the purse engaged in an attempt to bring but those who worked with it fondly that was collected to honour him a together all those socialists who had remembered his contribution to the few years ago. stayed true to the values of the organisation. movement. As president of the He carried the spirit of recently formed Socialist Janata Following the legacy of JP, he was detachment to political power as Party, he was working for its a source of support and inspiration well. Despite playing a key role in foundation conference in May 2011 to movements ranging from the the formation of the Janata when his journey came to an end. Narmada Bachao Andolan and the government, he refused to partake Right to Information to the struggle of any fruits of power. He was A political leader who believed in for human rights in Nagaland and elected to the Rajya Sabha in 1978 the power of ideas, Surendra Mohan Kashmir. He was one of the few and made no compromise to seek was a voracious reader and a prolific leaders that activists from a vast another term. He was a confidant columnist both in Hindi and English. range of ideological backgrounds, of V.P. Singh when the latter was He was a walking encyclopaedia on from naxalites to Gandhians, could Prime Minister but declined the offer the history of the socialist movement. relate to. He was associated with the of the Rajya Sabha ticket and His writings displayed a subtle grasp National Alliance for People’s insisted that it be given to someone of issues in different parts of the Movements, the Socialist Front and from the backward communities. country and an ability to connect the Rashtra Seva Dal. H.D. Deve Gowda persuaded him everyday political developments with to accept the post of Chairman of the larger developments in history. Surendra Mohan’s passing away the Khadi and Village Industries snaps our bond with a glorious Commission in 1996, but he resigned He possessed a rare ability in chapter in our national history. (He on his own as soon as the Janata Dal contemporary political life: he died in his sleep on December 17, government fell in 1998. He thus exercised political judgment. Four 2010 in New Delhi after a cardiac carried forward the highest tradition collections of his essays in Hindi arrest.) of the socialist movement. were published, besides three books authored by him. His writings –in Frontline One of the principal architects of connected India to the larger the Janata Party, Surendra Mohan international context. One of the few upheld the political values of the Indian socialists to keep alive his Janata Subscription socialist movement through the long connection with the Socialist Annual Rs. : 260/- International, Surendra Mohan was history of the splits and unities of the Three Years : 750/- Janata family. Once the Bharatiya active in the Nepalese struggle for Janata Party (BJP) parted ways with democracy and was a source of Demand Draft / Cheque the Janata Party in 1980, Surendra support for Burmese and Tibetan on Mohan consistently opposed any activists in exile. collaboration with communal forces. Mumbai Bank Surendra Mohan was true to the in favour of He remained with the Janata tradition of the socialist movement, JANATA TRUST Party through the 1980s, led then by and his life was not confined to the Chandra Shekhar, which then party political domain. In the last D-15, Ganesh Prasad, merged into the Janata Dal. As the three decades of his life, he spent Naushir Bharucha Marg, disintegration of the Janata Dal much of his energy on the youth, Mumbai 400 007 began after the fall of the social movements and people’s 12 JANATA, December 18, 2011

go well with a freely elected The socialist extraordinary Parliament. He was a Rajya Sabha member and saw from close quarters Kuldip Nayyer how the Communists had an understanding with the Congress, not For some years, Surendra Mohan Surendra Mohan was known to for ideological reasons, but for the and the socialist movement in the Congress leaders because he had vicarious satisfaction of enjoying country have been synonymous. He been working in the field from the power. Surendra Mohan’s would travel by train through the age of 17. Sixty-eight years are too experience with the Communist length and breadth of India to string long a period spent at the grassroots Party of India during Emergency together a trade union here and a to know who is who and prove one’s was shattering. He was detained left-inclined group there to revive the mettle. He could have been a without trial like other Opposition Socialist Party, which was alive and minister in the Morarji Desai leaders for two and a half years. He kicking till 1977 when the Janata government, which was led by the became the Janata Party’s Party was formed. The party’s Janata Party. But an unassuming spokesman, but minced no words founder, Jayaprakash Narayan, was Surendra Mohan preferred to work when he found it quarrelling. It is a himself the leader of the Socialist in the People’s Union for Civil tragedy that he died when he is Party when it parted company with Liberties (PUCL) and sent instead needed the most. After holding the Congress in 1948 and wanted the George Fernandes, a tried trade conclaves in some cities like people to recognise its separate unionist to the government. It is Mumbai to provide the country an identity. another story that Surendra Mohan alternative in the shape of the was annoyed with his old friend Socialist Party, he had fixed 27 May The Socialist Party has gone Fernandes when the latter joined the to launch the party on the day when through many splits and reunions BJP-led government. It shows how 62 years ago JP founded it. leading to the formation of many uncompromising Surendra Mohan parties. These included the Kisan was when it came to joining hands –in Sunday Guardian Mazdoor Praja Party, Praja Socialist with communal forces. Party and the Samyukta Socialist Party. Jayaprakash Narayan, Achyut That he stayed distant from the Patwardhan, Ashok Mehta, Acharya Congress indicates his incisiveness Narendra Dev, Ram Manohar Lohia in spotting the parties that called and S.M. Joshi were among the themselves secular and played the leaders of the Socialist parties. Many minority card for the sake of votes. existing parties, like the Samajwadi Surendra Mohan was known to Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal, Janata Congress leaders because he had Dal (United) and the Janata Dal been working in the field from the (Secular) trace their origin to the age of 17. Sixty-eight years are too Socialist Party. long a period spent at the grassroots to know who is who and prove one’s Surendra Mohan had wanted the mettle, which he did. Yet, he did not groups swearing by the name of go near the Congress despite the socialism to come on the same overtures by the party, because he platform. That he could not do so had before him the example of JP before his death does not minimise who felt cheated by Jawaharlal the cause. In fact, his death should Nehru. Surendra Mohan was as far strengthen the determination to make left as his leader Dr Ram Manohar his dream come true. Not many Lohia — who stood for an socialists have suffered and alternative to the Congress — was. sacrificed as much as Surendra But being a socialist, Surendra Mohan did. He considered no work Mohan was firm in his belief in stupendous enough to put his heart democracy, which has a different and soul in it. He worked to revive connotation for the Communists. the party till his last breath. Dictatorship of the proletariat did not JANATA, December 18, 2011 13 End of an Era Surendra Mohan was elected its was a prolific writer and regular district secretary. columnist in many Hindi and English newspapers. Four collections of his Qurban Ali After the formation of Socialist essays in Hindi were published Party in 1948, he became whole besides three books authored by him. Surendra Mohan was known for timer of the party Ambala and later He was associated with Peoples his intellectual honesty, moral became the district General Union for Civil Liberties ever since uprightness and personal sacrifices. Secretary of the party. In June 1950 its foundation and was very active in He was one of the founding General he participated in a Satyagrah at promoting human rights. During the Secretaries of the Janata Party in Karehra village near Yamunangar last three decades of his life, he spent 1977 and played a vital role in its against evictions of agricultural much of his energy with youth, social historic victory. He was also workers and was arrested and movements and people’s organiza- spokesman of the Janata Party during awarded two and half years of tions like the National Alliance for 1977, general elections and played a rigorous imprisonment. After the Peoples Movements, Socialist Front, crucial role during the elections and intervention by Jayaprakash Rashtra Seva Dal. An internationalist in the formation of the first non- Narayan and Prof. Tilak Raj at heart, he was active with Socialist congress government at the centre. Chaddha and meeting with the then International and supported Nepal’s Punjab Chief Minister Gopi Chand His associates and friends democratic struggle. describe him as a “directory of Bhargava, he was released after Socialists” in India as well as as the seven months’ imprisonment by the –in the Other Side end of January 1951. In July 1952 ‘encyclopedia of socialist (Continued from Page 2) movement’. He had good he was the Chairman of the connections with socialists in other reception committee of the State issues. For instance, it can yield countries and had personal rapport conference of the Punjab Socialist ground on the issue of bringing the with Gandhians, civil society Party held at Ropar (now Roop Prime Minister and the lower movements and intellectuals. He was Nagar) and inaugurated by Dr bureaucracy within the Lokpal’s an ideal socialist. Rammanohar Lohia. gambit. Secondly, it can extricate itself from the CBI contention by For higher education he went to Surendra Mohan was born in agreeing to make that organisation Dehradoon in October 1952, from Ambala (united Punjab) on an autonomous body under nobody’s where he obtained Master’s degree December 4, 1926.His romance with control, like many other autonomous in sociology. In 1955 he joined Kashi socialist movement started in 1942 bodies are functioning in the country. Vidyapeeth as a lecturer of Sociology during the Quit India Movement Above all, what will matter most in for two years and started writing for when he was a student of eleventh the coming days and weeks will be the Janata. In June 1958, Prem standard at Banaras Hindu a positive response from the Bhasin, the then joint Secretary of University when he heard the names government on the Lokpal deadlock Praja Socialist Party (PSP), requested of Jayaprakash Narayan and Dr to offer its cooperation in ending it. him to join Central office of the party. Ramanohar Lohia and their historic The government needs to recognise Surendra Mohan resigned from Kashi role during Quit India Movement. that public opinion has built up solidly Vidyapeeth, and after attending the But his first contact with the leaders around the concept of an effective PSP’s National Conference at Pune of Congress Socialist Party (CSP) Lokpal who would not bend easily in 1958 he joined the PSP’s central was in early 1946 when senior CSP but move forcefully against the office in New Delhi. He proved his leader Munshi Ahmed Din visited the corrupt. As for Team Anna, the mettle in the Praja Socialist Party, DAV College Jullundar where he nation would expect the same Samyukta Socialist Party and Socialist was a final year student of B.Sc and measure of understanding and Party and rose to become first its was working as General Secretary flexibility on its part as it expects Joint Secretary, 1965-71 and later the of the district unit of the Punjab from the government and the General Secretary of the Socialist Student Congress. In May 1946, Congress party. Co-operation is a Party from 1972-77. Sardar Gurbaksh Singh, an organizer two-way process, and dictatorial of Punjab CSP visited Ambala and a A political leader who believed in stances will be of no avail in carrying CSP unit was formed there and the power of ideas, Surendra Mohan objectives forward. 14 JANATA, December 18, 2011

(Continued from Page 7) 1. Repeal RTE Act and hold public close educational institutions hearings at district levels to should be entirely accessed by under six years to early childhood draft a new Bill on the the public system of education. care and pre-primary education, egalitarian principles of the and made education the only Common Neighbourhood Higher Education fundamental right to be exercised School System which draws in as “the State may, by law, all children including the Neo-liberal ‘reforms’ are being determine”, the RTE Act 2009, has disabled; extended over the entire education given legitimacy to the neo-liberal system right up to higher education. multi-track and non-formal reform 2. Amend the Constitution to undo Over the past decade successive schemes already initiated since the the negative impact of 86th governments have promoted 1990’s under World Bank-IMF’s Amendment to ensure free and policies that treat higher education Stuctural Adjustment compulsory education to all from as a ‘private good’ and a tradable conditionalities. Motivated by the Early Childhood Care and pre- commodity although the desire to promote a market in primary stage to Class XII; Constitution envisioned it as the education and dismantling primary vehicle for achieving social government institutions which 3. Impose a complete ban on child justice and equal opportunity. The could be the basis of quality labour; NDA government in 2000 put education for all, this approach led higher education on the WTO to rapid deterioration of the 4. Provide constitutionally for agenda by offering it up for approximately 12 lakh government adequate funding, and ban regulation under the General schools, except the special central privatization and Agreement of Trade in Services and model schools, and paved commercialization of education, (GATS) regime. Since 2004 the the way for a mushrooming including all forms of Private UPA governments have failed to growth of private schools and Public Partnership (PPP). withdraw the offer even though growing commercialization of completion of the DOHA Round education. Until these steps are taken, we trade negotiations would bring it further demand that under GATS in perpetuity, Freeing private schools from 1. No closure or merger of affecting both the character of state regulation, the 2009 Act has government schools should be higher education and national pushed up fees alarmingly and permitted. sovereignty. In fact the Bills already allowed for transfer of public brought before Parliament by the funds to them through 2. School faculty and auxiliary staff present government, and those still development grants and so-called of all government schools should on the anvil, are designed only to ‘re-imbursement’ for admitting 25 be adequately enhanced and create a highly lucrative market, percent EWS pupils. This teacher education and curricular estimated to reach fifty billion scheme, due to almost exclusive reform should be undertaken to dollars by 2015, in education for media attention, has shifted strengthen the system. foreign and domestic capital. the focus completely from the Instead of reforming the 500 State’s abdication of its 3. Necessary steps to adequately universities and over 25,000 Constitutional obligation to train para-teachers and other colleges in dire need of provide free and compulsory teaching personnel be improvement, the lakhs of students education of equitable quality for immediately undertaken to allow enrolled in them will be sacrificed all. The Act has dealt a severe for their regularization; to the aggressive drive towards blow to the existing government privatization and commercialization school system making it totally 4. The trend of diverting public to benefit foreign and domestic dysfunctional and it is even being funds to private managements investors. dismantled. must be stopped forthwith. The bills are undemocratic in Therefore we demand that the 5. Land and other physical assets content and restrict the freedoms Union government, of private managements that of both students and faculty. JANATA, December 18, 2011 15

Motivated by the need to promote democratic space for dissent, quality education which can only be and secure investment in the sector negotiation and consensus without realized through state-funded rather than enriching learning and which society can neither advance common neighbourhood schools that research, they provide ‘single- its knowledge systems, nor can it ensure access for every single child window’ entry points for ‘education further the growth of transparent, to a diverse and pluralist learning providers’ even as they homogenize participative and democratic forms environment right up to university education by imposing highly of governance. The democratic level, requires to be highlighted by centralized governing mechanisms. movement must resist and counter the AIF-RTE. The crisis of neo- The privately borne high costs of these forces and expose their anti- liberalism is already emerging all over education will lead to a decline in people designs. We must also the world and protests are erupting areas of fundamental research and demand that the state and authorities everywhere. In India too, although social critique but market-driven at all levels perform their necessary some sections of the population are courses will be at a premium. function in acting swiftly and firmly still under the illusion of benefits Further, widespread disparities against such forces. We must accruing from neo-liberal among different sections and regions strongly condemn any failure to do developmental strategies, the will be aggravated by the sharp so or any attempt to ‘accomodate’ people’s anger is beginning to find decline in public funding. the actions of such forces for narrow expression and will only grow and so-called political or social ‘gains’. spread. Alternative pro-people The critical, transformational role strategies and democratic ideals of higher education plays a central The need to uphold the banner of must be formulated and promoted to role in strengthening civil society and radical, democratic demands in the inform the inevitable wave of protest democratic processes of struggle for an egalitarian system of which will come. governance. If it comes under the control of market forces and WTO Pradip Bose strictures, the very idea of higher I had met Pradip Bose the day before he was taken into ICU of Holy education as a social good will be Family hospital. His death is a personal loss to me. I knew him over 30 severely undermined. But if this years as we were both founding members of Association for Democratic radical reversal in policy perspective Socialism (ADS). He was my ideological mentor. The best of way learning, is being adopted, why has no national he used to tell me, was meeting people with ideas and drawing them out debate preceded the offer to the with love, respect and comradeship. That is how I learnt from him and WTO and the formulation and from many people we met together in India and abroad. He was a great presentation of the current Bills? listener and a passionate conversationalist. I remember we spent twelve Threat to Democratic Freedoms continuous hours in 1997 in a pub near Victoria station in London, talking about Socialism and its various forms. I will miss him. An equally grave threat facing the system of education in particular and –D.K. Giri democratic freedoms in society in I had the opportunity to meet Pradip Bose in Delhi in March earlier this general is from the rise of right-wing year. He actively participated at our IUSY Asia Pacific Meeting and the vigilante-groups and reactionary meeting of the IUSY Presidium and inspired all of us. I was impressed of fundamentalist, communal and his clear analyses and strong ideological approach. Pradip Bose contributed fascist forces. These violent, anti- to the development of Social Democratic ideas, within IUSY, SI and in democratic forces are not only India as the leading thinker and writer. His work brought ideas from Europe exploited by market forces but they and Asia together and developed the global agenda of Social Democracy. are also succeeding in instilling fear Pradip Bose will stay on in our movement through the effects and results psychosis in democratic institutions of his work, in the same way that he will stay in the loving memory of his (whether elected governments, family and friends. administration, media, and even the –Johan Hassel judiciary), groups and individuals. Secretary General, International Union of Socialis Youth Their actions are leading to a shrinking of that necessary R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, December 18, 2011 P.R. No. MH/MR/WEST/275/2010-2011 Posted on every Wedenesday at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1

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. 66 No. 47 New Year Prospects December 25, 2011 S. Viswam

Fresh Poll Needed No one wishes to be a prophet of doom and gloom. Even so, it seems, as the Kuldip Nayar nation prepares to bid farewell to 2011 and welcome 2012, the new year is likely to be as frustrating as the one we will ring out. All the signs point to an unattractive future on both the political and economic fronts. The Indian economy, like the economies of all countries, is closely linked with the global No Walmart Please economic climate, and as long as global recession lasts, the current slowdown Rajindar Sachar in the Indian economy will persist. It seems highly venturesome at the moment to predict an upturn in the Indian condition, even though those in charge of the nation’s finance and commerce tend to paint an encouraging picture. The important question is whether the year 2012 will create the conditions conducive to a higher rate of growth than the obtaining 6.6 per cent. An answer in either Rebellion in China direction may be premature at this time, but there seems to be greater cynicism D. K. Giri than hope among policy-makers as well as thinkers and analysts. However, it is possible to argue with a greater measure of certainty on the likely political scenario we may expect to be confronted with all through the new year. Signs are not wanting that the political turbulence that marked the second half of 2011 Remembering Pradip Bos will last well into the new year and perhaps even gather greater force and B. Vivekanandan volume.

The year is ending on a rather sombre note. Anna Hazare is to fast for three days in the last week of the year’s last month. The fast is to be followed by a The Relentless Fighter jail bharo movement. There are strong doubts on whether Parliament will be Prem Singh enabled to pass the new Lokpal and Lokayukta bill in the current winter session, which has already been extended by three days. Whatever the government, and its allies, and the parties which were represented in the Lokpal Bill Standing Committee may contend, the fact is that the new legislation has been found unacceptable to Anna Hazare and his Team. It seems unlikely that the bill in the Editor : present form will pass muster even regardless of Team Anna’s adverse reaction. G. G. Parikh This is because the opposition too is a house divided on the provisions of the bill. What is acceptable to one opposition party is unacceptable to another, and the D-15, Ganesh Prasad, ruling coalition is also not a united house, the leading partner Congress itself has Naushir Bharucha Marg, internal differences and conflicts. All this makes one fear that the bill will not get the green signal this year, and circumstances may well be created for Mumbai - 400 007. reconsideration in the next session, a prospect which can send Team Anna into a frenzy of protest. Email : [email protected] (Continued on Page 16) 2 JANATA, December 25, 2011

Between the lines Fresh Poll Needed

Kuldip Nayar

There is not a shred of doubt that the half way mark of 272. Therefore, much information accumulatingat his the Manmohan Singh government thegovernment cannot take bold table that he cannot afford to share would have fallen if it had persisted decision which the situation anything with anyone,including in going ahead with Foreign Direct demands.The Congress is justified in Lokpal because by doing so he may Investment (FDI) in retail. The alleging that the Hazare’s movement harm national interest).It seems that opposition cametogether and the hasgot politicized. The party has also Parliamentary Standing Committee government was reduced to 206 in a point when it says that which gave bones to thebill had the 545-member house. A similar fate suchpressures tell upon the provided for keeping the lower staff can confront the government if it democratic method of achieving the and the PM under Lokpal.But the does not improve upon the diluted bill end.However, I do not accept the last minute intervention by Rahul to set up the institution of charge that Hazare has political Gandhi, son of the Ombudsman (Lokpal) to deal with gains inview. The more the Congress CongressPresident Sonia Gandhi corruption. Once they span their trumps up such allegations the less deleted both the points. Belatedly, differences, the government can willbe its credibility.Yet the Congress theCongress has denied this but only face the same situation as it did on has itself to blame for the after Hazare’s repeated charge FDI. Behind-the-scenes efforts development because theLokpal bill thatRahul had diluted the Lokpal bill. have not stopped to bring down the it has brought before Parliament is The contradiction has no validityuntil government. Permutations and neither fish nor foul.It goes against Rahul himself replies to the combinations are being worked out the assurances the Congress gave charge.Yet the sticking point is the and it looks difficult that the to Anna Hazae (PrimeMinister Central Bureau of Investigation government can lasts the full term endorsed those through a letter). The (CBI).This is an instrument which up to May, 2014. The threat has ‘sense of the house’ asFinance every government has used already affected the functioning of Minister Pranab Mukherjee spelled againstopponents at the Centre and the government. Decisions are taking out in a resolution toenable Hazare in the States. CBI is under the long and there is a paralysis in the to break his fast was : (1) Citizen’s Personneldepartment of Central administration. It looks as if it is the Charter includinghis right to have government that means the ruling momentum which is keeping it water and electricity, (ii) the lower party. Rulershave misused CBI to going. Most political parties, bureaucracyunder Lokpal and (iii) sustain its majority in the Lok Sabha particularly the BJP, have taken the establishment of Lokayuktas in the or the statelegislatures. Even the advantage of Gandhain Anna states. Thebill has conceded only one governments of different colours Hazare’s movement on the Lokpal point that is the appointment of have beendestabilized through CBI. bill which brought once again StateOmbudsman (Lokayukta).Now Sharad Yadav, a leader of Other thousands from civil society on the that the bill is being amended, the BackwardClasses (OBC) has been streets. Except the Nationalist Congress should introspect whyit honest enough to say on the floor of Congress Party (NCP) of could not read the mood of political the housethat they too misused CBI Maharashtra (9), the Trinamul parties and the public. Theparty has when they were in power.In fact, it Congress of West Bengal (19) and lost its face by first insisting to keep is time that all political parties realize the DMK of Tamil Nadu, (16) almost the lower staff aswell as PM out of that thedestabilization of elected allpolitical parties from left to right ambit of Lokpal and then governments does not augur well for commanding the strength of surrendering within 48hours. them orthe country. On the other 201joined Hazare on the same (Former Prime Minister Inder Gujral hand, Finance Minister, Pranab platform. The Congress-led is opposed to having PMunder Mukherjee has warned that without government has248 in tow, missing Lokpal. He says that the PM has so (Continued on Page 15) JANATA, December 25, 2011 3 No Walmart Please

Rajindar Sachar

If the combined opposition had sat variety stores, 158 women apparels million. Prima facie the argument down for weeks so as to find an issue stores and 153 shoe stores, 116 drug may seem attractive. But is to embarrass the UPA Government stores and 111 men and boys and make it a laughing stock before apparels stores. Why would it be Walmart management so stupid the whole country, they could not different in India with lesser capacity that when its present turn-over of have thought of a better issue than for resilience by the small traders. retails is 400 billion Dollars it would the free gift presented to it initially settle for such small gain? No. by the UPA Government by insisting The fact is that since Walmart Obviously, Walmart is proceeding on that it had decided irrevocably to entered the market, 31 super market a maxim of the camel being allowed allow the entry of multi-brand retail chains sought bankruptcy in 15 to put its head inside a tent and the leader super stores like Walmart, years. Of the 1.6 million employees occupant finding thereafter that he USA and then within a few days, of Walmart only 1.2 percent make a is being driven out of it by the camel with a whimper withdrawing the living above the poverty level. The occupying the whole of the tent proposal. Bureau of Labour Statistics, USA is space. One may substitute Walmart on record with its conclusion that for the camel in order to understand As it is even initially this decision Walmart’s prices are not lower than the danger to our millions of retailers. defied logic in view of the Punjab anyone else when compared to a and UP elections and further known typical family’s weekly purchases. The tongue-in-the cheek strong views against it of BJP/left argument by the Government that and many states who had all the time In Thailand supermarkets led to allowing Walmart to set up its opposed the entry of Walmart which 14 percent reduction in the share of business in India would lead to fall would affect the lives of millions in ‘mom and pop’ stores within four in prices and increase in employment the country. years of FDI permission. In India, is unproven. A 2004 Report of a 33-60 percent of the traditional fruit committee of US House of Retail business in India is and vegetable retailers reported 15- Representatives concluded that estimated to be a 400 billion dollars 30 percent decline in footfalls, 10- “Walmart’s success has meant but the share of the corporate sector 30 percent decline in sales and 20- downward pressures on wages and is only 5 percent. There are 50 million 30 percent decline in incomes across benefits, rampant violations of basic retailers in India including hawkers cities of Bangalore, Ahmedabad and workers’ rights and threats to the and pavement sellers. This comes to Chandigarh - the largest impact standard of living in communities one retailer serving eight Indians. In being in Bangalore, which is one of across the country.” By what logic China it is 1 for 100 Chinese. Food the most supermarket-penetrated does the Government say that in India is 63 percent of the retail trade, cities in India. the effect will be the opposite. The according to the information given only explanation could be that it is a out even by FICCI. The average size of the Walmart deliberate mis-statement to help the stores in the United States is about multinationals. The claim by the Government that 10,800 sq. feet employing only 225 Walmart intrusion will not result in people. In that view, is not the Similar anti-consumer effects the closure of small retailers is a Government’s claim of increase in have happened by the working of deliberate mis-statement. Iowa State employment a canard? another Super Market enterprise University study in USA has shown namely Tesco of Britain. that in the first decade after Walmart Governments attempt to soften arrived in Iowa, the state lost 555 the blow by emphasizing that A study carried out by Sunday grocery stores, 298 hardware stores, Walmart is being allowed only 51 Times shows that Tesco has almost 293 building supply stores, 161 percent in investment upto US$ 100 total control of the food market of 4 JANATA, December 25, 2011 108 of Britain’s coastal areas i.e. 7.4 Rebellion in China percent of the country. The Super Markets like Walmart and Tesco have a compulsion to move from the D. K. Giri territory of England and USA because their markets are saturated After the collapse of the “Soviet workers clashed with police in and they are looking for countries Empire” many predicted that China Hunan, and in April, some 20,000 with larger population and low super would follow suit. Journalist, political peasants drove off more than 1000 market presence according to David analyst and veteran Social riot police in Zhegiang. On 4 Hogues, Professor of Agri-Business Democrat, Pradip Bose who recently November, it is reported in the at the Centre for Food Chain passed away was one among those, Western press that Chinese Research at Imperial Collage, who consistently maintained that fall paramilitary troops put down an London, because they have got of Chinese Communist dictatorship uprising of about 100,000 farmers in nowhere else to go and their home was inevitable, just a question of Sichuan Province. These unrests are markets are already full. Similarly a time. The recent mass uprising in the alarming for the stability of Chinese professor of Michigan State Wukan village, in Southern province politics and economics, and the University has pointed out that retail of Guangdong has prompted the powerful western world, both Europe revolution causes serious risks for Nobel laureate commentator, Paul and North America, have a great developing country farmers who Krugman to remark, “will China stake in the sustainability of Chinese traditionally supply to the local street break away?” or “Is the China economy and rest on its politics. market. bubble bursting?” China has several Before one discusses the riots and In Thailand, Tesco the foreign- rural unrests, around 90,000 a year, their repercussions, a quick look owned super market controls more but the mass incident in Wukan again at the growth and strength of than half the Thai market. Though unrest appears much bigger and the Chinese economy today perhaps Tesco when it moved into Thailand more persistent than other will help us understand the gravity promised to employ local people but outbreaks. This has shaken the of the situation in rural China. In fact, it is being accused openly of unfair Communist Party and has woken up China has grown for approximately trading practices and conflict with the rest of the world to the economic at 10 per cent per annum for the last local businesses. As for the claim and political consequence of Chinese two decades since it opened up its that these super market dealers will collapse. economy in 1980s, China has buy local products is belied because Let us take a quick look at the accumulated foreign reserves up to in a case filed against Tesco in July number and extent of the rural riots 2000 billion USD. To know the 2002 the Court found them charging in China. It is of course, hard to get gigantic size of its economy, one could slotting fees to carry manufacturers’ any accurate data as the Chinese compare it to the second largest products, charging entry fee to media is fully censored. Unlike foreign reserve holder, Japan, which suppliers. In Bangkok, grocery Tiananmen Square uprising, which has less than half of that of China. stores’ sales declined by more than was seen in television screens across Our Chief Economic Advisor to the half within four years of Tesco the world, many such protests are Ministry of Finance, Kaushik Basu opening a store. not reported. However, from limited compared the Chinese growth to Jim In Malaysia seeing the damage available sources, it is reported that Corbett’s gun. It is relevant to relate done by the super market Tesco in September this year there were it here as the story has tremendous since January 2004 a freeze on the three days of continuous rioting in parallel to China and the world. Basu building of any new super markets Wukan leading to a stand-off for recollects the story he had heard as was imposed in three major cities and three months till 14 December, when a child, “Jim Corbett was out in the this when Tesco had gone to a villager died suspiciously in the hills of Kumaon in search of a Malaysia only in 2002. police custody. In the first week of dangerous man-eater…. He December, police shot dead number certainly had his gun, cocked in the It is worth noting that 92 percent of protesters in Guangdong. In direction from where he heard a (Continued on Page 12) March this year, around 20,000 rural sound, when he suddenly realized JANATA, December 25, 2011 5 that the tiger was glaring at him from Xue Jinbo died in the police custody. which is now bursting. Krugman a different direction and dangerously Although the police called it a natural explains that consumer spending in close. If he tried to quickly turn his death due to cardiac arrest, the China over the past decade is not gun, the tiger would jump at him villagers refused to trust the police commensurate with overall growth. before he could pull the trigger. So and hundreds of them are locked on It is about 35 per cent of the GDP, Corbett froze in order to lull the cat a stand-off with security forces. The half the level in the United States. into believing that nothing was local authorities in Shanwe having The Chinese products are consumed happening, and then began to turn the jurisdiction of Wukan village had in US and Europe and other parts of his gun slowly, imperceptibly so. The promised to return 404 acres (165 the world. China relies heavily on tiger, thinking nothing was happening, hectares) land as compensation to trade surpluses to keep the stayed still in his crouch. After an the villagers, but it did not quell the manufacturing going. But the real interminable 15 minutes, Corbett’s rebellion. The discontent and distrust story is the growth in investment muzzle was pointing straight at the have sunk so deep that the villagers spending which is half of the Chinese tiger and its game was up”. It is not have vowed to protect their own GDP. With consumer spending low, difficult to link it to China. Basu interests. Although the intensity of what motivates the investment? pointed out, “China perfected the art the rebellion is limited to one village, Obviously, it is fuelled by a real estate of Corbett’s gun. It strengthened its the incident has attracted bubble. The real estate spending has economy and bust global credit with widespread attention and has given increased to more than half of the doggedness and over a long stretch a rebuff to the ruling Communist Chinese GDP and the rest of the of time. The process was on from Party which prides in “Chinese growth is from the companies the time of Nixon, through the political stability”. Another significant expanding to feed the growing Reagan years, Clinton and the point to note is that the protests in construction industries. The credit Bushes.” Now the “most powerful Guangdong province are high profile comes from the underground banking country” in the world, the only super as the factories in the province turn system, similar to USA where the power finds the gun pointed at itself. out one=third of China’s exports. credit was from unsupervised and unprotected shadow banks. The So much has been said on There are two possible consequences are similar. It is Chinese economic strength which it interpretations or consequences of alarming as the crack-ups seen in is using to bully the big and small the protests in Guangdong - recent times had similar causes, powers. Internally though, this economic and political. From the certainly the ones in Japan in 1980s reminds us of Lord Acton’s maxim economic angle, the popular reading and in USA in 2007. Some that “power tends to corrupt, and of the situation is that with a booming commentators believe that Chinese absolute power corrupts absolutely”. economy, the demand of land for leaders can tackle it as they can do This is the crux of the problem in factories and housing complexes will what they want without worrying rural China. The all-powerful soar causing more and more land about democratic processes and Communist Party has become disputes. Conflicts around niceties. corrupt. The protesters in China say Guangdong have become intense as in a chorus that Party officials have it is among China’s most The second consequence of these become corrupt, and are engaged in economically developed regions. But protests is indeed the scope of illegal land grabbing in collusion with on a deeper analysis, taking a cue democracy in China and the fall of builders, in the name of from Krugman who wonders in a Communist dictatorship. Tony Blair, development. The residents of recent article, “Is China breaking the former British Prime Minister Wukan village are protesting against away?”, although, admittedly, such writes in his autobiography, My the officials who are taking their perceptions could be too early and Journey in relation the New Labour, farmland without compensation. The alarmist, he says China is certainly when people secure the basic protest has spread to the nearby emerging as another danger spot in necessities for life, they aspire for villages, for example, to Haiwen, a the world economy. The thesis is that other things in life, career, comfort, town not far from Wukan where China’s recent growth has relied on choice and so on. But in order to be opposition has begun to the land grab a huge construction boom fuelled by able to aspire, one needs freedom, for a power plant. Protests in Wukan surging real estate prices and which is not there in China - the escalated as the protest organiser exhibiting all classic signs of a bubble freedom of thought and action. 6 JANATA, December 25, 2011

Communist dictatorship denies rolling in Tiananmen square to can the Communists in China hold human freedoms, but for how long! suppress the student uprising, one us down, with the rest of the world So long as China was poor and young Chinese lady asked the then watching silently?” The signs of “cry developing, people did not bother British Prime Minister in a public for freedom” are evident in about political freedoms. Now with discussion organised by BBC, “if a Guangdong. It is a question of time - a strong economy, the demands for bird is caged, it flaps its wings to be the Chinese Communist dictatorship freedom will grow. When tanks were free, we are human beings, how long falls. Youth Manifesto Adopted at the national convention of the Socialist Yuvjan Sabha held on December 18, 2011 in Pune, Maharashtra Socialist Yuvjan Sabha(SYS) is a national youth organization which firmly believes in the ideology of democratic socialism, economic equality, social justice and secularism. SYS’s aim is to create a socialist society. SYS believes that socialist society can only be created through Total Revolution i.e. Sampurna Kranti. SYS is abided to bring political change in our country based on socialism. Socialist India only can become a real super power or Balashali Bharat and only youth can achieve this dream. So to achieve the dream of Balashali Bharat SYS declares this Youth manifesto for Indian youth: 1) Oppose Globalization and Millions of youngsters are deprived hurdles. For this government have environmental destruction of higher education. This is bound to to abondon the policies of Economic policy of globalization create ‘21st century caste system’. encouraging big corporate houses has led to liberalization and Education is the basic constitutional and foreign investments. uncontrolled privatization. Due to right. No country can dream to these policies our economy has become a superpower depriving its 4) Support farmers, unorganized become market and profit driven and large population from this basic right. laborers and abolish child has lost morality and human face. It So SYS will fight for ‘KG to PG free, labor has nurtured corporate greed, equal and quality based education for Farmers are the backbone of consumerism, and environmental all’. SYS will also fight against Indian economy. Around 70 percent destruction. Millions of Indian youths corruption in the education field, of our population is dependant on have become ‘21st century slaves’ mainly admission process and agriculture. But today situation is and also become victims of examination system. At the same such that next generation of farmers consumerism. These policies have time SYS opposes the new bill which desperately wants to quit farming led to concentration of wealth with allows foreign universities to capture and new youths do not dare to handful, phenomenal rise in poverty, our educational field. SYS will raise choose this field as their occupation. unemployment, collapse of all social a nationwide agitation against this For this government must support welfare policies and public bill. small and dry farmers in various organizations. So members of SYS ways. Young farmers should be pledge to fight these policies in 3) Unemployment supported from very young age whatever way possible. SYS Rise in unemployment rate in our through farming schools, agricultural believes in sustainable development country is a matter of grave collages and financial institutions. and opposes environmental concern. Even good education or skill Million of unorganized laborers in our destruction enhanced by can not guarantee jobs then what country have no security of pension globalization. about those who can not get neither have they any health education or can not acquire skills ? coverage. Large section of these 2) Free, equal, and quality We believe that it is the duty of state unorganized laborers is below 40 education for all to provide full employement. SYS years of age. SYS demands Education has become a most demands that all should be implementation of security for profitable industry and monopoly of guaranteed jobs and all those who unorganized laborers at the earliest. rich and wealthy. Millions of children choose to be self-employed should At the same time SYS demands are deprived of primary education. be assured small capital without (Continued on Page 15) JANATA, December 25, 2011 7 Remembering Pradip Bos

B. Vivekanandan

An outstanding, internationally peeping through the doors” to have understanding and love and self- renowned, Indian socialist ideologue a glimpse of those illustrious visitors. sacrifice of its followers.” and a nephew of the Indian legend However, as one who had grown Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Pradip under the stirrings of the freedom He started his socialist politics as Bose is no more. He passed away struggle, of which his family itself a youth activist of the Praja Socialist at noon on 30 November 2011, after was a springboard of activities, his Party (PSP). He was the General a week-long hospitalisation in the mind was naturally drawn into Secretary of All India Samajwadi Holy Family Hospital in New Delhi. national politics at a very young age. Yuvak Sabha, the organisation of He was 82. His beloved wife, Joyce The main inspiration obviously was the socialist youth. He was Joint Bose, was on the bedside when the his uncle, Subhas Bose. In due Secretary of the West Bengal unit end came. His mortal remains were course, it got bloomed and he got of the PSP, and was a member of consigned to flames at an electric deeply involved in socialist youth PSP’s International Affairs crematorium in New Delhi. movement. Committee. For some years in 1960s he was Assistant Secretary of the Early Years Socialist Politics International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY) at its headquarters in Born on 13 December 1928 to Pradip Bose was a staunch Vienna (Austria), which hitched him the Suresh Chandra and Arunprabha democratic socialist with deep firmly to the international socialist Bose in Calcutta, Pradip Bose had conviction. In Growing Up In movement. His active involvement his education in the prestigious India, he wrote: “I discovered that in the national socialist politics Scottish Missionary School and the ideas of democratic socialism enabled him to establish and Scottish Church College in Calcutta. were the most fruitful guide in the maintain close contact with top As he was born and brought up in resolving of so many demands Indian socialist leaders like an era of great fermentation of apparently in conflict with each other Jayapraksh Narayan, Asoka Mehta, India’s freedom struggle, and since – between the individual and society, Prem Bhasin, Achyut Patwardhan, his uncle (father’s younger brother) between national interest and Kamaladevi Chattopadhyaya, Nath Subhas Chandra Bose was playing internationalism, between tradition Pai, Madhu Dandavate, Samar a pivotal role in it, Pradip grew up and progress, between democracy Guha, Surendra Mohan, G.G. Parikh in a family atmosphere of intense and rapid development, between and innumerable others from all political activities, especially after ‘East’ and ‘West’ “. He wrote over the country. his uncle became the President of further: “The ideals of democratic the Indian National Congress in socialism satisfy me both emotionally His becoming the Assistant 1938. In his autobiography, and intellectually; they provide a Secretary of the IUSY and his long Growing up in India published in sense of direction in my life, instilling stay in Europe enabled him to 1972, Pradip Bose has narrated it with meaning and purpose. establish and maintain close how as a young child, he curiously Socialism is the true expression of contacts with a large number of watched the visits of innumerable humanism in out time. It does not wellknown European socialists like top national leaders like Gandhiji, exclude anyone. It gives Willy Brandt, Bruno Kreisky, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, opportunities to those who want to, Francois Mitterand, Pierre Mauroy, Abdul Kalam Azad, Rajendra and can go ahead, but does not Niel Kinnock, Michel Foot, Antonio Prasad, Khan Abdul Gafar Khan, create barriers between them, a Guterres, Mario Soares, Felipe J.B. Kripalani, Sarojini Naidu, and Pradip Bose nd those who cannot. Gonzales, Heinz Fisher, Bernt so on, to his family house in Elgin It seeks to crate a human family, not Carlsson, Pentti Vaananen, Luis Road to meet his uncle, and how he with fanaticism and avoidable Ayala, Hans Janitschek, Eberhard “crept softly on the veranda and cruelties but with the power of Dingels, Axel Queval, Thomas 8 JANATA, December 25, 2011

Meyer, and many others. I had Fernandes and withdrawal of the Morarji Desai as Prime Minister many occasions, during my many Emergency. From then onwards, and Charan Singh, Atal Behari visits to Europe, to realise the throughout the Emergency, Pradip Vajpayee, Madhu Dandavate, esteem and affection he enjoyed Bose and I maintained close contacts George Fernandes, L.K. Advani, among them when I met many of and met regularly at different points , and so on, as them with his introduction. in New Delhi for sharing information Ministers, assumed power. Moreover, his long stay in Europe and exchanging views and had deepened his understanding of assessments of the situation. Founding of ICDS the European socialist movement. It was during one of his visits to After Indira Gandhi announced Certain developments after the England that he met Joyce “who her decision in January 1977 to hold victory of Janata Party in the 1977 closely resembled my ideal”, to Parliamentary elections in March elections, and the formation of the quote Pradip Bose. Joyce was an 1977, followed by the release of Janata Party Government in the outstanding teacher of English, and many opposition leaders like Morarji Centre, had caused disquiet among one of the finest human beings, Desai, Asoka Mehta, Madhu many socialists like Pradip Bose hailing from Derby in England. Dandavate, Charan Singh, Atal and me. We had noticed that in the They got married in 1963. As Behari Vajpayee, L.K. Advani, and Janata Party, some leaders like husband and wife, they were an so on (but not George Fernandes), Charan Singh from the erstwhile extra-ordinary couple, mutually they met together and decided to BKD started expressing resentment caring and loving till end. establish Janata Party after merging and intolerance to the very sound of their parties like the Congress(0), the term ‘democratic socialism’. Emergency and After Socialist Party, Jan Sangh, Taking into account the sensitivity of Bharatiya Kranti Dal (BKD) and such leaders, many of our socialist The beginning of my close Congress for Democracy. That friends in the Janata Party and interaction with Pradip Bose was signalled the end of the Socialist Government were found refraining during the dark days of Indira Party as a distinct ideological entity from directly using the term Gandhi’s Emergency in 1975-77. I in the Indian political scene. Though ‘democratic socialism’ in the saw him in the company of my socialists like Pradip Bose and me presence of persons like Charan another socialist friend G.S. had serious reservations regarding Singh at various meetings. We learnt Bhargava, wellknown journalist, the wisdom of the dissolution of the that the situation was not different sometime in 1976, when they were Socialist Party to constitute a in the official meetings as well. As trying together to circulate an nebulous formation like Janata Party, a result, the term ‘socialism’ was anonymous pamphlet, entitled “What when Jayaprakash Narayan, the used less and less in public is to be done?” among the political founder of the Indian Socialist Party, expressions of even Janata Party circles in Delhi. The pamphlet insisted on it as a pre-condition to functionaries who had joined it from indirectly called for the withdrawal his joining active campaign in the the Socialist Party. They too started of Emergency and restoration of forthcoming elections to defeat using diluted substitutes or hazy democracy in India forthwith. That Indira Gandhi’s dictatorship, expressions in place of socialism. was also the time when the Socialist dissenters like us had to give in. International was paying more Form January 1977 we started We must note that among the attention to developments in India, working in the Janata Party Central constituents of the Janata Party, particularly after the arrest and Office at 7 Jantar Mantar Road. Socialist Party was the only party detention of the Chairman of the Incidentally, it was there that Pradip which had a distinct political Indian Socialist Party, George Bose introduced me to his close ideology and a vision of a new Fernandes, in Calcutta on 10 June friend Hans Janitschek, Secretary society based on the fundamental 1976, on criminal charges, which General of the Socialist principles of equality, freedom, provoked top European Socialist International, when he came to see justice, democracy and solidarity. leaders like Willy Brandt, Bruno Pradip Bose there. In the elections And, therefore, in ideological terms, Kreisky and Olof Palme to shoot out Indira Gandhi and her Congress socialists were potentially the main a joint telegram to Indira Gandhi, party were squarely defeated, and losers of this merger, unless demanding the release of George a Janata Party Government, with democratic socialism or social JANATA, December 25, 2011 9 democracy was adopted as the basic came to see me at Jawaharlal Nehru its President and K.K. Panda its ideology of the new Janata Party. University to discuss the situation in Secretary. Subrata Mukherjee, The socialist friends in the Janata which the term ‘democratic Ruddar Dutt, T.K. Oommen, Vinod Party who were responsible for socialism’ got virtually dropped out Choudhuri, Brij Mohan Toofan, organisational matters, like Surendra of the vocabulary of Indian politics, Kishan Kant, Raj Kumar Jain, Mohan for example, gave an initial and its wider implications, and Samarendra Kundu, Balbir Jain, Abu impression that soon the party stressed the need of doing something Baker, G.S. Bhargava, Susheela would launch an ideological to remedy it. We decided that we Ramaswamy, Nirmala Joshi, and educational and training programme should not allow the term innumerable others were active to inculcate principles and values of ‘democratic socialism’, or associates of it. We had organised democratic socialism at all levels of discussions of public policies and ICDS meetings every week in the the party organisation to enable the programmes from a socialist angle, precincts of the Sardar Patel party to adopt democratic socialism to be sidelined, and that we would Memorial Library, to discuss vital as its basic ideology. But those keep public debates on issues and issues. Hardly a contemporary castles in the air came to nothing as policies, from a socialist point of social, political or economic issue most of those leaders were also got view, active, and would not allow had escaped an expert srutiny at sucked in the running of the anyone in Janata Party to ignore it. ICDS meetings. It became a very government. Little attention was For doing that task effectively, popular high profile programme in paid to organisational matters, we decided to establish a new New Delhi. especially in the domain of socialist organisation in New Delhi ideological education and training . on the lines of Fabian Society in Apart from a large number of After the election of Chandrasekhar London. national leaders, many eminent as the first President of the Janata socialist leaders from abroad also Party, at the party’s national That decision was followed up by had addressed ICDS meetings. convention held on 1 May 1977 at extensive consultations with a large Among them were : Willy Brandt, Pragati Maidan in New Delhi (prior number of like minded socialists in Bruno Kreisky, Ralph Mlliband and to that Asoka Mehta was the Delhi, who also had similar Neil Kinnock. ICDS had a branch interim President), the Janata concerns. Pradip Bose shouldered in Calcutta also to do similar Party’s functioning was found the brunt of that exercise. He activities there. The Socialist infected by the Congress style. He reached out to a large number International had accepted ICDS as started running it like another faculty members and students of an observer in its fold and Pradip Congress party, which he had Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi Bose attended several meetings of admitted publicly in an interview University, Jamia Milla Islamia, and the Socialist International as the with the India Today magazine. As IIT in Delhi, besides to a large representative of the ICDS. a result, instead of striving to make number of socialist-minded democratic socialism as the basic professionals, politicians and trade The founding of the ICDS in late ideology of the Janata Party, the union leaders. It was a 1970s to stimulate discussion and party leadership dithered and drifted commendable exercise Pradip Bose debate on public policies from a and the process was the other way had patiently undertaken to stimulate socialist angle in India, at a time when – de-ideologisation of the party at socialist discourse in Indian politics, many other socialists in official all levels. Once in government, the at a critical time of the history of the positions in Janata Party were attention of many party Indian Socialist movement. As a showing reticence to use the socialist functionaries was also got centered result, we could bring together the vocabulary and ideology in political on the nitty-gritty of running cream of the socialist intelligentsia debates, was a salutary contribution the government, sharing the spoils, from all walks of life in Delhi to of Pradip Bose to the Indian Socialist and the like – the usual Congress establish the Indian Centre for movement, for which he will be style! Democratic Socialism (ICDS), as an remembered for long. His organisation to discuss and debate passionate involvement in the ICDS After watching those disturbing national and international questions remains fresh and green in my mind. developments in the Janata Party for from a democratic socialist He wanted re-establishment of a some time, one day Pradip Bose perspective. Pradip Bose was made united all-India Socialist Party as a 10 JANATA, December 25, 2011 credible alternative to the Congress outcome of that visit. Dandavate and Surendra Mohan. politics. Pradip Bose gave enthusiastic Pradip Bose had close relationship Salutary Quality encouragement to undertake studies with the British Labour Party and the on democratic socialists. When I French Socialist Party. Their A salutary quality of Pradip Bose went to Scandinavian countries, like International Secretaries Nick Zigler was that, unlike many of our petty- Sweden, Norway, Denmark and and Axel Queval, on Pradip Bose’s minded leaders, who would not easily Finland, to write a book on the advice, supported my endeavour to introduce a friend or colleague to a system the Social Democratic hold two major international seminars top political brass of his own country Parties of those countries have built – one on “Social Democracy and or abroad, whom they may know up for the people, Pradip Bose the Emerging Global Order” and, the intimately, Pradip Bose was contacted his close socialist friends other on “Welfare State Systems: generous and large-hearted in like Bernt Carlsson in Sweden, and Development and Challenges” – at introducing his colleagues in the Pentti Vaananen in Finland (former Jawaharlal Nehru University, in 1997 socialist movement to his closest Secretary Generals of the Socialist and 2001 respectively. These, path- friends in India and abroad. For International) and requested them to breaking seminars were attended by instance, on one occasion, in order give me all possible assistance during many eminent personalities from to write a book on European Social my visit to Scandinavia. They did Asia, Africa and Europe, including Democrats, I had to visit fifteen what was requested for by Pradip Mr. Kalevi Sorsa, former Prime countries of Europe —from Greece Bose. My book, Pathfinders : Minister of Finland and Mrs. Gun- to and from Finland to Italy. Social Democrats of Scandinavia Britt Anderson, Social Affairs When Pradip Bose knew that I was was the result of that study. Pradip Minister of Sweden. going to all those European countries Bose so pleased with my book— the to make a study of the socialist first book by an Indian on Social Tiff With E.M.S. Naboodiripad parties and governments and their democracy in Scandinavia — that he policies, he prepared a list of all his wrote a scintillating review of that As a political analyst who had a close personal friends in those book in Socialist Affairs, published short-lived fascination for countries and gave it to me before I from London, and gave wide communism in his younger days, left for Europe. The list included publicity to the book among the Pradip Bose was a keen observer sitting and former Chancellors socialists world over. of communist politics in India and the (Prime Ministers), ministers and ex- world. After the publication of his ministers, important socialist party Socialist International significant book on the subject, functionaries, including their Communism and Communist international secretaries, key Pradip Bose had a strong Systems: Some Reflections, there functionaries of the Socialist relationship with the Socialist was an open clash of arguments International and of the IUSY, International (SI). between Pradip Bose and E.M.S. prominent socialist ideologues and Namboodiripad. The well grounded trade union leaders. They were all Its official journal, Socialist analysis and arguments of Pradip valuable contacts for me during my Affairs, regularly carried his reports Bose in the book pricked E.M.S. many visits to Europe. In my on political developments in India. Naboodiripad to an extent that he meetings with them, I found all of He was instrumental in establishing thought it necessary to respond to them very respectful to Pradip Bose. a linkage between the SI and the Pradip Bose’s solid critical evaluation Once he introduced me to Anita Janata Party. It was largely due to of communist politics, through a Bose, daughter of his uncle Netaji his initiative that a meeting of the SI series of his own articles. That was Subhas Chandra Bose, who was a Council was held in New Delhi in the power of Pradip Bose’s writings. Professor of Economics in Germany. November 1977 under the My book, International Concerns Presidentship of Pierre Mauroy, Pradip Bosewas among the of European Social Democrats, former Prime Minister of France, earliest to detect the systematic drift published simultaneously in London which was inaugurated by Prime of CPI(M) politics in West Bengal and New York, by Macmillan Press Minister I.K. Gujral and attended by from the ‘Left’ to the ‘Right’, and St. Martin’s Press, was the Indian socialist leaders like Madhu supportive of rich capitalists, contrary JANATA, December 25, 2011 11 to the party’s professed pro-poor and Socialist Affairs (London). politics. He was sensitive to the approach. He discerned in it a Apart from his autobiography, problems of the downtrodden. The brewing ideological crisis in the State Growing up in India, and second book is an authentic analysis CPI(M), which became more open Communism and Communist of the 50 years’ history of the under the Chief Ministership of Systems: Some Reflections, about activities of the Socialist Buddhadev Bhattacharya. Singur and which references have already been International between 1951 and Nandigram epitomised that new made, Pradip Bose published two 2001. The book testifies beyond ‘Right’ turn of the CPI(M). He classics after doing enormous doubt that apart from having a pointed out the futility of the CPI(M) research, lasting many years, for political mind of a democratic strategy of combining revolutionary writing them – viz., Subhas Bose socialist, Pradip Bose had an rhetoric with reformist practice, which and India Today : A New Tryst With analytical mind of an accomplished kept the CPI(M) in a limbo that the Destiny, published in 1999, and researcher. It is a unique book, party became neither a revolutionary Social Democracy in Practice: which narrates the story of the party nor a reformist party, as it Socialist International (1951- widening and deepening of the continued to eulogise Joseph V. Stalin 2001), published in 2005. Indeed, it activities of the Socialist as a role model for the party is my considered view that Pradip International during the second half leadership. He was of the view that Bose deserved a D. Litt (h.c.) from of the 20th century. Besides, it is a the collapse of the Soviet communism any top university in the world, for mine of information on the SI and its Stalinist structures had so writing those two classics. First one organisation and gives a superb bewildered the communists that they is a scholarly in-depth analysis of his analysis of its working in the post- were groping in the dark to find a uncle Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, war period. It has analysed the credible role for them. To end their unravelling his enigmatic ways, his significance of the SI, and the role it bewilderment, he had pointed a way politics and vision, and the unresolved played in the growth and for them when he wrote: “In the world mystery surrounding his development of international socialist today there are only two clear cut disappearance attached to a movement, by expanding its ideological alternatives: 1) the neo- concocted story of a plane crash on membership to the Asia-Pacific liberal market fundamentalist 18 August 1945, which. on region, Africa, Australia, North approach, which asks to leave all investigation, was found, a total America and Latin America. societal problems to the market to fabrication. It is also a treatise on solve; and 2) the social democratic what India would have been if free Accomplished Speaker approach, which wishes to combine India had followed the path shown the efforts of the state, market and by Subhas Bose, instead of the one Pradip Bose seldom went to civil society in harmonious manner to shown by Jawaharlal Nehru. It is a make a public speech without bring about greater justice, equality, thoughtful work studded with making a thorough homework. In and solidarity in order to create a more comparisons and contrasts between 1997 I invited him, on behalf of the humane society.” According to him, the stalwarts of India’s freedom Jayaprakash Foundation, to deliver in the present context the logical step struggle. In it Pradip Bose has raised the prestigious Jayaprakash for the communists in India would be a fundamental question which will Narayan Memorial Lecture at to move towards social democracy, continue to ring in the ears of every Jawaharlal Nehru University in the path chosen by almost all Indian for a long time: “Why does New Delhi. In the Lecture, he communist parties of Europe in India, potentially one of the richest lauded JP as one of the finest men recent years. In Russia, Mikhail countries in the world, continue to of the twentieth century who had Gorbachev was leading a social remain one of the poorest, most left behind a legacy of honest democratic movement, he had malnourished and most illiterate thinking and action and a spirit of pointed out. regions of the world, after fifty years self-sacrifice, which would be of independence? Why have the remembered forever in the history A Prolific Writer problems of casteism, communalism of India and would inspire future and gender-insensitivity shown no generations. The subject of his Pradip Bose was a regular signs of being solved?” These are lecture that day was: “Netaji contributor to the socialist stirring words of Pradip Bose which Subhas Chandra Bose: The Man publications like Janata (Mumbai), will continue to reverberate in Indian and His Vision”. After explaining 12 JANATA, December 25, 2011 the role played by Subhas Bose and human being. Throughout his life, My last meeting with Pradip Jayaprakash Narayan during the Pradip Bose wielded the torch of Bose was in June this year in New freedom struggle, Pradip Bose told democratic socialism with utmost Delhi while I was on my way back the audience that it was unfortunate devotion. He was a comrade-in-arms to Trivandrum from Finland after that Jayaprakash Narayan, “a leader of many outstanding, internationally receiving an Honorary Doctorate of such outstanding ability could not reputed, democratic socialist from the Helsinki University. Pradip combine his efforts with another statesmen. Bose was delighted over my legendary figure of Indian history - receiving that great honour from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Pradip Bose was an optimist. that top European University. We Looking back it seems that if they Apparent failures never stopped him had a brief chat. I found him hail had acted together, then perhaps from making fresh efforts. Seldom, and hearty, though a little weak and Indian history could have been I saw him losing his temper even fragile. So was Joyce Bose. I written in a different and better under provocations. He was so wished them well and returned. Our way”. That lecture, presided over by gentle that he could absorb any subsequent telephonic conversations the JNU Vice Chancellor Prof. Asis criticism with a smile. For him, the never gave any incling that the end Datta, and attended by a large socialist fraternity was a large was so near. number of JNU faculty and students extended family, bound by the spirit and important public men, was a of solidarity. He was free from all No doubt, socialists will remember hallmark of his erudition, scholarship kinds of narrow loyalties, whether him for long for his exemplary and analytical mind. Throughout the based on caste, religion, region or qualities as a great enlightened lecture, he kept the audience nationality. He was absolutely socialist who had devoted his life to spellbound, by reeling out episodes honest and led a simple life. promote the cause of socialism. For after episodes of the daring giving him whole-hearted support in activities and sacrifices of Subhas Pradip Bose had no doubt about this regard all through his life, his Bose for India’s freedom from the India’s great future. He said: “I am beloved British wife, Joyce Bose, British. convinced that there is enormous whose unfailing courtesy and potentiality in the Indian people and hospitality befitting a highly cultured In India, Pradip Bose maintained that in spite of the complexity of her woman, which I can never forget, an exceptionally warm relationship problems, India with right leadership will also be remembered by socialists with Asoka Mehta, whom he and organisation could forge ahead in India. . regularly used to meet. I remember to take her place among the leading For me, Pradip Bose’s death is an my going with him, off and on to nations of the world.” For achieving irreparable personal loss. For the meet Asoka Mehta in his under- it, he had a vision which said: “I want socialist movement the void which ground farm house in Chhatharpur India to be a land of synthesis in which his death has created is difficult to village near Qutab Minar in Delhi. all the contradictory elements are fill. reconciled in our political, economic A Good Human Being and cultural life. At this stage of (Continued from Page 4) human evolution this will be the of everything Walmart sells comes Pradip Bose was a pleasant greatest challenge, not only in India from Chinese-owned companies. charming personality, a vibrant but all over the world. All countries Indian market is already flooded with conversationalist, a thinker and a man faced with conflict between religious Chinese goods which are capturing of aesthetics. He was a graceful communities, between black and the Indian market with cheap goods gentleman, highly cultured, and white, between rich and poor, and traders are already crying foul trustworthy to whom one could turn between the old ways and the new because of the deplorable labour for advice during critical situations. have to work for their reconciliation practices adopted by China. Can in He was hard working, sincere, helpful or face disaster. If India could all fairness, Indian Government still without expecting reciprocity and achieve such a synthesis she will have persist in keeping retail market open strongly attached to the values and something to give to the world.” to foreign enterprises and thus principles of democratic socialism. endangering the earnings and Indeed, Pradip Bose was an My Last Meeting occupation of millions of our embodiment of what is good in a countrymen and women? JANATA, December 25, 2011 13 The Relentless Fighter

Prem Singh

When he left the world at the age to the world in the manner they opponents. of 84, Surendra Mohan was busy, would really like to. Surendra Mohan absolutely engrossed in his work. never considered death as a Surendra Mohan had thus become During the last few years he had hindrance to ongoing peoples’ synonymous with the movement fought his indifferent health having movements. This was the secret why against neo-liberalism in a positive even fainted on the dais at a public he did not worry too much about and realistic manner in the country. function in Delhi some years ago. health matters. He wanted to die Even the neighboring countries were Manju Mohan tried her utmost to working in the political arena and that influenced by his efforts and make him realize his physical frailty is exactly how it happened. On 16th concerned citizens respected his and be mindful of his health issues December he participated in a sit-in cause. The loud and clear message but he was not the one to listen to dharna at Jantar Mantar against of his life is that all the forces and her protestations. He did have to be judicial corruption and breathed his groups that stand in opposition to neo- hospitalized a few times, to draw his last the next day early morning. liberalism, should not be viewed as attention to his treatment and Earlier, he had gone on a whirlwind competitors but as associates and medication but Surendra Mohan’s tour of various states. Had he lived colleagues. They should come strong zest for life always pulled him to see the day of 17th December, he together, in cooperation and work as back to active public life. Nothing – would have been busy attending associates in a similar goal. His bad roads distances, inclement some programme or the other or comrades included Gandhians on one weather - could hold him back from meeting visitors and discussing issues hand to extreme left leaning activists his commitments. with them at home. This is the closest on the other. He was a constant example one gets of a person figure at every platform that When he was hospitalized on the embracing death on one’s own terms. espoused the cause of marginalized night of 11th December 2010 before groups – Dalits, women. tiibals, the next-day vital meeting in Mumbai Those who do not bother about minorities, peasants. In his all- regarding the formation of the death and focus instead on their encompassing efforts, he virtually Socialist Party, no one was really commitments in the here and now, expanded and intensified the scope surprised to see him reach the are more anxious about how their of the socialist idea. meeting venue on time at 10 in the efforts will be remembered and morning. He dismissed Manjuji’s taken forward. A person who had The media did write about his concerns about his health. His age spent a life time for the poor and passing away but the reports were and health could neither temper the downtrodden is concerned how his usually confined to his achievements energy he directed to his meetings endeavors will go on when he is no in the mainstream political domain. nor dilute his hunger for reading, more. One realizes, through Surendra Mohan’s relevance and information and thought. He was experience, how an individual’s significance lies in his efforts always present at social, cultural and contribution is either dissipated or towards the expansion and educational events despite his political drastically morphed after his death. intensification of the struggle against engagements and struggles. Very Every thinker and activist has a neo-liberalism, not in the fact that he few amongst his generation and also different perspective of his own played a role in the Janata Party or young contemporaries matched his contribution when he or she will be his role in the times of V P Singh and active lifestyle. No wonder he was no more, and is concerned about it in Deve Gowda. The time he spent in one of the most sought after presence one way or another. Surendra Mohan his crusade against liberalization is in public programmes and meetings. lived such a life that he will always viewed in many journalistic circles be remembered as one who fought as a period of his marginalization in People often start pondering about relentlessly for the cause of the poor politics, solely because it is not the last phase of their life after a and unheard masses and against neo- ‘newsworthy’. Politicians who certain age. Few actually bid adieu liberalism and was one of its greatest succeed in the power game of politics 14 JANATA, December 25, 2011 come a dime a dozen. It is sad that to some extent if the founders of It is necessary to mention that the media concentrates on only Samajwadi Jan Parishad (SJP) like Surendra Mohan’s significance those who have succeeded or are Kishan Patnaik, Bhai Vaidya, attains different hues for certain elbowing their way to seats of Pannalal Surana and Vinod Prasad people. The so-called socialists who power. Why is it that the passing Singh along with the leader of sided with or joined BJP and away of Surendra Mohan is not Samajwadi Janata Party, Chandra Congress and helped promote neo- newsworthy to the media for the Shekhar and leader of Janta Dal liberalism as well as communalism efforts he was making without (Secular), Surendra Mohan had and several NGOites find a good seeking political ‘success’ and come together in some sort of an camouflage in Surendra Mohan’s limelight? understanding. Surendra Mohan did association, even if by remote encourage new political workers to connections of history. They are The greatest achievement of the join the Samajwadi Jan Parishad happy to live in the reflected glory JP movement was the rescue and after its formation in 1995 to of his association, howsoever re-establishment of democracy in strengthen the socialist movement, distant. They will, in all probabi1ity, India. But that could, nonetheless, but unfortunately no real efforts for continue to reap this benefit even have been possible by the coming understanding or co-operation could after his death. Surendra Mohan together of all opposition parties emerge between the leading lights never rejected their advances. His against the regime of Indira Gandhi. of the day. belief in the goodness of man and JP himself realized very soon that possibilities of change was Janata Party was an experiment to Surendra Mohan would say that inexhaustible. Hopefully such save democracy. It was not meant he and some others tried to revive people will not break his faith when to benefit the cause of socialism in the S0cialist Party in 1979, but it he is no more. any way and it did not. Had the didn’t find many takers. In the last socialist leaders of the times dug in 2 or 3 decades there has been talk Surendra Mohan was a prolific their feet on this point, JP might have of rebuilding unity amongst the writer and wrote extensively in both had to retract his ‘dictate’ of merging socialists but it has not come to Hindi and English newspapers and the Socialist Party in the newly pass in reality. It leaves serious magazines. Two of his recent books formed Janata Party. In this context doubts, therefore, that the revival are – ‘Vartman Rajniti Ki Jwalant I would like to underline the fact that and reorganization of the Socialist Chunnotiyan’ (Burning Challenges the entire politics of social of 1948 in Hyderabad on of Contemporary Politics) and ‘Dr. espoused by various fragments of 17th May, 2011 would have Ram Manohar Lohia Ki Neetiyan’ ‘Janata Parivar’ is only incidental succeeded where earlier attempts (Policies of Dr. Ram Manohar and remote in its connection to the had failed. The revival of the Lohia). He was the editor of the revolutionary content of the socialist Socialist Party, which is often English weekly ‘Janata’. His philosophy and transformative mentioned as the culmination of editorials in this jornal, launched in politics of Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia. Surendra Mohan’s dream, is a 1946 by socialist stalwarts, have challenging and difficult aim. immense archival value. He Despite the fact that Surendra Surendra Mohan knew this and excelled in editorial work and his Mohan often enumerated the was not in a hurry to step on the knowledge was immense with a positive fallout of the Janata Party gas. Just as it is not possible to sharp memory to match it. He was and the resultant politics of social strengthen the socialist movement a busy political activist, but his justice in its wake the fact cannot by the ‘socialists’ who hobnob involvement did not prevent him be brushed aside that the merger of with neo-liberal and communalist from extensive reading. On his 75th Socialist Party with Janata Party forces, the formation of one more birthday, the committee formed to rang in the demise of the socialist outfit in the presence of several, organize the celebrations had movement in the country. The ease will not result in any forward planned to release his articles in a with which the country sashayed movement. The best way, book form. Two days before the into the arms of neo- liberalism is function, he called me up to enquire due to the absence of the Socialist Initially, would be to simply if it was at all possible for a booklet Party on the political landscape. The learn to work and co-operate to be produced for the program, damage could have been controlled together for some time. given the short notice. My colleague JANATA, December 25, 2011 15

Harimohan Mishra and I spent two Social Justice) and ‘Vikas Ka Rasta’ some time. However, his inspiration nights at the press, gathered together (Path of Development). Surendra will nudge us on and things will go his articles and brought out a booklet Mohan was an open minded person. on, hopefully in the way he would titled ‘Samajwad: Ateet, Vartmaan Ever since I started working with have wanted them to. It is the Aur Bhavishya’ (Socialism : Past, him, I have not known him to be responsibility of all those who Present and Future). Sometime later adverse to criticism or difference of knew and respected him to pledge I planned two other books of his opinion. It was a pleasure to work to work in this direction and ensure writings - ‘Samajwad with him and we often shared many that the torch of his life’s mission Dharmnirpekshta Aur Samajik a humorous moments. Surendra ji continues to burn and show us a Nyay’ (Socialism Secularism and is no more - it is going to hurt for lighted path. –Gandhi Marg, July-September 2011

(Continued from Page 2) thenation. No doubt, they do not want agitation has awakened them to the political stability, the economic to face election because misdeeds ofthose in power or those stability is notpossible. One can see ofuncertainty of the outcome. But who are outside it. Fresh election that. The country is going down the there does seem to be any other way may throwup new faces, new parties hill as faras the economy is toget out from the mess, which the and new combinations. There may concerned. Industrial growth rate has non-governance of rulers andnon- well be amanthan (churning). Some slipped to 5.1per cent, the lowest in cooperation of the opposition has dirt is bound to come out. This is good the last two years. The growth of brought about.The electorate has no forthe nation. Ultimately things will GDP is justabove 7 per cent which faith in what the government claims settle down to usher in a newchapter, is the minimum if the nation does not and noconfidence in what the political new environment and new vigour. want tosee the lay offs and dire parties promise. People want a There is no alternative tonew unemployment. India is no more change(parivartan). Hazare’s elections. considered agood place for (Continued from Page 6) support inter-caste marriages, will investment. The licking that the rupee complete abolition of child labor. is getting showsthat.The Manmohan discourage caste based institutions, organizations and politics. Singh government will have to make 5) Secularism many compromises tostay in power. Religious fanaticism and 7) Eradication of Corruption This may entail the economic intolerance is rising dangerously not Corruption is another curse to our packages to TrinamulCongress, the only in India but all over the world. society. It has eroded every walk of DMK or smaller parties. This is not True Indian culture is a fusion of life and has today become the way good for thecountry’s health, many religions, faiths and languages. of life. Corruption has many faces economically or politically. The All the religions are nurturing and many hands. Corruption needs complete eradication and the process Congress is rightwhen it blames the superstitions using newer technologies and science. SYS has to start from every citizen. opposition for stalling parliament and wants to create truly secular society Members of SYS will take oath that not lettingthe key bills to be passed. where ultimate faith of every citizen they will not take or give bribe; they Indeed, the opposition’s role is will be nationalism and humanity. will not evade taxes and will not negativewhen the nation faces a SYS wants to create a society based accumulate unaccounted money. difficult hour. But then the opposition on rationalism and science. isinterested in coming to power by 8) Women equality 6) Abolition of castes hook or by crook, not in pushing Women are discriminated and are Case system is a curse to Indian victims of atrocities. SYS believes theeconomy.In the process, people Society. It is the caste system are suffering and missing pace and in women equality, women which has deprived majority of our empowerment and dignity. SYS progress indevelopment. On the people of their basic human rights, chessboard of politics, the different members will not accept dowry in divided our society and halted the any form and SYS will put all its parties arebusy playing the game in progress of our country for strength against atrocities. such a way that they sustain their centuries together. SYS pledges to strengthand project their own interest create a ‘Casteless Society’. For 9) Non-violence even if it means stagnation for this SYS will encourage and SYS strongly condemns all kinds’ R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, December 25, 2011 P.R. No. MH/MR/WEST/275/2010-2011 Posted on every Wedenesday at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1 of violence. SYS believes in non- Durban and the search for climate justice The COP17/CMP7 summit violence and respects Indian in Durban which concluded on 11 December reached decisions that can democracy and constitution. SYS move us towards a legally binding agreement to halt and reverse the path appeals to all its members to use we are currently taking towards catastrophic climate change, but the hopes various non-violent ways to bring for a substantial deal on emissions reductions have not been realised. The socialist political change. international community must find an accord with the ambition to limit the global temperature rise to a maximum of 2°C or 1.5°C above pre-industrial 10) Constructive work levels, which remains the only possible solution to the dangers faced by Sanghatan, Sangharsha, Rajneeti the world. must be supplanted with Rachanatmak Karya i.e. In establishing the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform for constructive work. Present politics Enhanced Action, the conference rightly concluded that any future is deviated from constructive work. agreement on climate change must be legally binding, referred to officially Members of SYS will take up as “an agreed outcome with legal force”. It is now more vital than ever constructive work in various walks that negotiations continue without delay and in a spirit of compromise and of life. understanding in order to make these goals a reality, as the cost of postponing such an agreement grows with every passing year.With Durban, the framework is also now in place for the operation of the Green Climate (Continued from Page 1) Fund with the approval of its Governing Instrument, although long-term The “all or nothing” stand that sources of financing for the Fund have yet to be finalised. The decision Team Anna has adopted on the launching the Fund addresses the need to balance the allocation of resources legislation strengthens fears that between adaptation and mitigation activities, which is in line with the any bill which does not conform one Socialist International’s call in Johannesburg at the end of October this year. A positive step is also the commitment that a mechanism for hundred per cent with the Jana technology transfer will be fully operational by 2012 to “promote and Lokpal Bill approved by Anna enhance the research, development, and deployment and diffusion of Hazare and his associates is apt to environmentally sound technologies for mitigation and adaptation in be rejected. The track record developing countries”.We congratulate the South African hosts for showing shows that both Hazare and his the leadership and perseverance to obtain these and other agreements, colleagues are of one mind on this. but we are under no illusions that there is much hard work ahead of us Their attitude has led to all.It must be acknowledged at the same time that some of the commitments we were hoping to see in Durban on deepening and formalising pledged apprehensions, voiced in particular cuts in emissions, as outlined in the declaration of the Socialist International by Congress leader Digvijay Singh, made in Johannesburg, have not been achieved. Equally, much progress that Hazare and his team will want needs to be made on policies for the protection of forests, developing to have the final say irrespective renewable technologies and establishing systems for measurement, of the concessions the government reporting and verification, and the decisions reached lack the necessary makes. Since there is no flexibility urgency to effectively address the case of the Small Island Developing States (SIDS).The international community must persevere within the on Team Hazare’s part, chances framework of the UNFCCC to come together in a common search for of confrontation look brighter than solutions to the greatest threat that currently faces the planet. chances of reconciliation and Multilateralism continues to be the only way forward, with the vast majority consensus. This , in turn, reinforces of the nations on the planet wishing to see political will match the scientific the sentiment that nothing is likely requirements and no longer willing to accept ‘pledge and review’, with to change on the political front in the direct involvement of political leaders in the process crucial to deliver the New Year. the responses needed.The Socialist International will continue to place the issue of climate change at the heart of its agenda, starting with the forthcoming Council meeting to take place in San José, Costa Rica in We would dearly like to be proved January 2012 and continuing with the work and activities of its Commission wrong. And with that hope, we pass for a Sustainable World Society as we head towards Rio+20, COP18 and on to our dear readers the beyond. compliments of the season. May George Papandreou, Luis Ayala there be better times ahead for all President Secretary General of us. Jai Hind! Socialist International

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.