Established 1946 1 Pages 20 Price : Rupees Five

Vol. 72 No. 36 A Plea for Justice – Women Reservation October 1, 2017 Rajindar Sachar

Are Refugees Outsiders? has written to Prime Act would be its first priority. But Kuldip Nayar Minister Modi to get the Women instead one had total silence on the Bill Reservation Bill passed in the in the President’s speech on the opening Abject Failure of a Vice Chancellor parliament and is reported to have day of the Parliamentary session. This Sandeep Pandey promised full support. This has led to was an open and clear notice to the war of words between Congress and women activists that the Bill, which had ’s Quest for Security Council Permanent Membership BJP as to whose fault is it that this Bill been so proudly projected as a D. K. Giri has not been passed in spite of both commitment to gender equality, has parties professing their support for it. been quietly buried, and is not likely to Gandhi’s Message to Our One is reminded of a picture in be revived in conceivable future. Troubled World newspaper in March 2010 flashed in Bharat Dogra all newspapers where, one saw fiercest Thereafter the Women Reservation political opponents Sonia Gandhi and Bill was referred to Parliamentary Gandhi on Princely and in a happy embrace in Standing Committee but nothing Temple Property the precincts of the Parliament. What happened till 2010, when women K. Venkateswarlu was the occasion for this un-precedent reservation bill or the constitution (108th spectacle and close bon homie. Amendment Bill 2008) which was proposed to amend the Constitution of Constitutionalism, Social Justice Though introduced by former Prime India to reserve 33% of all seats in the and Black Money B. Sudershan Reddy Minister Deve Gowda for the first time Lower House of , on 12 September 1996 in the Lok the , and in all State Sabha, no concrete action was taken Legislative Assemblies for women. by various governments to effectuate Editor : the legislation on Women’s Reservation The Rajya Sabha passed the Bill on G. G. Parikh Bill in Parliament and the state 9 March 2010. It was this event that Managing Editor : Guddi legislatures. Everyone expected the made Sushma Swaraj and Sonia legislation to be passed immediately. In Gandhi embrace each other so D-15, Ganesh Prasad, fact, Prime Minister I.K. Gujral emotionally. However, the Lok Sabha Naushir Bharucha Marg, promised his earliest priority in passing never voted on the Bill. The Bill lapsed after the dissolution of the 15th Lok - 400 007. this Bill but nothing concrete happened. Sabha in 2014. Email : [email protected] When the UPA government came to Website:www.janataweekly.org power in 2004, it announced that the Every time from 1998 to 2014, 2 JANATA, October 1, 2017 whenever Parliament met, women I know the Delimitation Commission Any suggestion by opponents of the representatives were assured in all has already marked the constituencies bill by creating hurdle by suggesting that solemnity by each major political party on the basis of single member seats. women quota be further sub-divided by that it hoped to pass the Bill in that very But I do not think it is necessary to reserving proportionate number of seats session. In reality, this was a tongue- redraw the constituencies to make it for OBC and SC women separately is in-cheek operation, because no further double. cheap trick to deny women a real share progress was made in the matter of in power. women reservation. By a rule of thumb the top one third of the constituencies having the Let me point out that biggest The reality is that male chauvinism maximum voters in each state could be supporter of and backward will never reserve seats for women declared double-member. If the castes Dr. Lohia had opined that because it will take away 1/3 of the legislators are sincerely genuine they reservation for women was an present strength of parliament for could even submit an agreed list. instrument of social engineering – he women. I therefore feel that way out could never have suggested splitting the can only be by increasing the strength At present, of course, a fresh strength of women’s quota by further of Lok Sabha to 750 and making 1/3 process has again to be initiated in splitting them in sub quotas. of seats to double member Parliament, because the previous constituencies with one seat therein to Reservation Bill lapsed with the At present there are only 61 Women be reserved for women. Of course the dissolution of the previous Lok Sabha Members in Lok Sabha. The shame of women will be eligible to contest from in 2014. discrimination against women can only other than reserved seats and may be corrected by providing reservation therefore increase their number beyond In the just finished election for women’s share in the legislatures – 1/3 of the total parliament seats. propaganda in Uttar Pradesh, not one both in Parliament and State party, including the so-called seculars, Assemblies. Thus, Lok Sabha membership can with the exception of the Socialist Party be easily increased to 750, with a (India), included the item of reservation provision that one woman candidate will for women in their election manifestoes. Janata Subscription mandatorily be elected from those Can such male chauvinism be allowed double-member constituencies, and, to exist in our country? depending upon the votes received, it may be that even both elected candidate With the 2019 Parliamentary Annual Rs. : 260/- could be women. This law was laid elections coming, is it not time for the down by the Supreme Court decades women leadership in both the Congress ago in former President V.V. Giri’s case. and BJP, through Sonia Gandhi and Three Years : 750/- The same principle will apply in the case Sushma Swaraj to jointly clench their of elections to the state legislatures. fists and warn all the parties that they will no longer tolerate this injustice and Space in Parliament is not a problem. neglect to continue? They may Demand Draft / Cheque , once Union Home legitimately continue their differences on Minister, is on record in admitting on other subjects in the light of their own that space is not a problem if respective programmes. Mumbai Bank in favour Parliament decides to increase the of number of seats. Now that Sonia Gandhi has promised full support to the Bill, Modi The alternative of double member who claims to stand for Swatch Bharat JANATA TRUST constituencies can be done by amending (which is a programme to enhance the Article 81(2) of the Constitution by dignity of the women in the country) D-15, Ganesh Prasad, increasing the present strength, which cannot have any objection. His request Naushir Bharucha Marg, can be easily done if political parties to Mamata Banerjee and Mayawati Mumbai 400 007 are genuine in their commitment to the should invoke immediate positive Bill. response from those leaders. JANATA, October 1, 2017 3 Between the Lines Are Refugees Outsiders?

Kuldip Nayar

Communist leader Jyoti Basu ruled non-Bengalis, had sprung up to resist that the number of Rohingya refugees West Bengal for two and a half ‘Bangladeshi infiltrators’ and ‘Islamic who have fled Myanmar into decades. He fought relentlessly terrorists.’ Bangladesh since late August has now against the communal forces. It is topped 480,000,” he said. “This brings surprising how the RSS has All these added to the communal the total number of Rohingya refugees penetrated and practically taken over cauldron that was already boiling, in Bangladesh to more than 700,000. the state. Chief Minister Mamata thanks to a steady exodus of Hindus The Rohingyas are denied citizenship Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress is in from Bangladesh in recent times. The under a 1982 Myanmar citizenship law. power in the state at present but even upper caste Hindus, who were a part The Myanmar government recognizes her adherence admits that they are of Bangladesh before the country was them as illegal immigrants from fighting a losing battle. liberated from West Pakistan, had neighbouring Bangladesh. migrated to India and even today they The RSS has moved into the interior maintain two houses, one in Bengal and The exodus of Rohingyas has also of the state and its morning shakhas are the other in Bangladesh. Their children posed a problem to New since being held in every park. How and why study in Indian schools and have even some of them have infiltrated into India it has happened is for a case study. acquired identity and become citizens through the northeastern states which Communist ideology is what the Left of India in some cases. are sharing a long border with pursued. In sharp contrast is the RSS Myanmar. Even as the government is preaching, completely archival and However, the rising Islamic trying to prove to the court their conservative. The rich Bengali culture radicalism and the steady attacks on association with Pakistani terrorist is today sandwiched between the RSS Hindus in Bangladesh have led to fresh groups, BJP MP has and communists. exodus over a decade. Unable to find advocated asylum for Rohingya a living, the economically poor are Muslims who have escaped the Mamata is accused of trying to mostly confined to the border districts, violence in Myanmar. This is a view that appease the Muslims when she vainly eking out a living through odd jobs. is in contrast to what the government banned the immersion of Durga idols Understandably, the Bengalis harbour has advocated. In a recent editorial beyond certain hours. The state deep resentment of ‘the other’ Muslims. in The Navbharat Times, Varun has government, according to news reports, And these are the ones that RSS has expressed that Rohingya refugees apprehended that both immersion targeted cleverly to pull on to its side. should not be deported but treated processions and the Muharram humanely. processions will be taken out Against this backdrop, the deliberately to cross each other’s path, Bangladeshis are going through a No doubt, it has created a stir in putting the contaminated administration peculiar problem of exodus of political circles, particularly with to a stern test. However, the Culcutta Rohingyas, a minority Muslim Minister of State for Home Affairs, High Court intervened to restore the community, from Myanmar. Dhaka has Hansraj Ahir, saying that Varun status quo. provided shelter to these refugees on Gandhi’s view was against India’s humanitarian ground but beyond a point interest. “Anyone who cares about Perhaps, what prompted Mamata to it cannot help much. The number of national interest will never give such a order the ban was the steady string of Rohingya refugees who fled Myanmar statement,” said Ahir. communal riots that have been breaking to Bangladesh since late August has The government recently told the out in the districts. Controversies over reached 480,000, challenging efforts to Supreme Court that it will give evidence the routes of Muharram processions, care for them, according to UN to the court. According to the too, had ignited the spark. In addition, spokesman Stephane Dujarric. government, some Rohingya militants the accusations by belligerent Hindu “The Office for the Coordination of are linked with Pakistan-based terrorist groups, comprising both Bengalis and Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says groups. The centre has said it will deport 4 JANATA, October 1, 2017 all 40,000 Rohingyas who are illegal Abject Failure of a Vice Chancellor immigrants. The move has been challenged in court by two Rohingya petitioners who said that their community Sandeep Pandey is peace-loving and that most of them have no link to any terror activity. Professor Girish Chandra Tripathi, promote? One thing is clear - the has to face the refugee according to his own admission, overbearing presence of Akhil Bhartiya problem stoically. There are Kashmiri became the Vice Chancellor of Vidyarthi Parishad, the student wing of pundits in Jammu and Bangladeshi nationally important Banares Hindu RSS and its ever growing shakhas have Muslims in Kolkata and Guwahati. So University because of his service to the failed to make it a safer campus for girls is the case with Sri Lankan Tamils who Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh, the and women. have taken asylum in Tamil Nadu. Small ideological parent of the ruling skirmishes are already taking place and dispensation of Bhartiya Janaata Party In spite of iron clad system for pose a serious problem. But the in India. He is not particularly known security of girls a Bachelor of Fine Arts Rohingyas exodus has forced the for his academic credentials. In a student was sexually harassed by government to revisit the issue of question asked to the Allahabad motorcycle borne youth on campus on refugees, giving a political colour to a University under the Right to the evening around 6 pm on 21 human issue. Information Act, the Department of September. Security guard posted near What is disconcerting is that the Economics, where he used to teach the site of incident did not come forward problem is slowly getting a communal before coming to BHU, says that no to help and Proctor and Dean shamed colour—Hindu versus Muslim. West records are available about Tripathi’s the student by admonishing her for being Bengal, which is already sitting on a research activities, papers published or out so late. The attitude of authorities volcano, has to retrieve the situation students who carried out research under provoked a backlash and the next day which may get out of control. In fact, his guidance. hundreds if not thousand female the secular and democratic forces students were protesting at the main would have to join hands to fight So, it came as no surprise that he gate defying the statement all of them against the onslaught of restricted the hours of a 24 hours cyber had signed for keeping away from such elements. library started on campus by his an activity. predecessor, as he believed that Sadly, one has to admit that the students use the facility to watch The Prime Minister , country is going towards a philosophy pornography. His further decisions was visiting his constituency of which has been fought by Mahatma shocked even the most conservative of Varanasi, home to this University, when Gandhi, and Maulana citizens. Girls’ hostel gates were to shut the protests broke out. Within hours of . Our heritage is at 6 pm, they were not to use mobile his departure on 23 September there pluralism and its essence has to be kept phones after 8 pm, they would not be was a crackdown by male police on alive. This is not a one-party task. All served non-vegetarian food in mess and female students, which is illegal, in the like-minded and non-BJP forces have worse, would be required to sign a dark hours close to midnight. Number to come together to fight against the statement declaring that they’ll not of students received bruises, some even creeping communal forces. participate in any protest against the had to be admitted to Trauma centre With extremists getting an university. The VC justified these rules of the University hospital. upper hand in every sphere, it is an uphill saying they would make them task. But there is no option either. If ‘cultured.’ It is noteworthy that male A mockery was made of the right to we want communalism to be rolled students were not subjected to any of free speech and dissent, guaranteed by back to restore the ethos of pluralism, these restrictions. This has allowed the country’s Constitution. The arrogant the secular forces have to go to the breeding of a culture on campus which administration tried to browbeat the grassroots. The communists are giving has become oppressive for the girls. On students. Professor Tripathi’s instinctive the impression as if they alone are the other hand indulging in RSS values tell him to use brute force putting up a fight. The Congress is also misdemeanour by truant men is ignored to suppress any opposition. He doesn’t doing so relentlessly, however irrelevant or incidents are covered up. It is unclear believe in niceties like dialogue. To his it looks in the present scenario. what kind of ‘culture’ the VC wants to RSS trained mind dialogue will signal JANATA, October 1, 2017 5 weakness and disciplining the students Institute of Technology on campus as RSS to occupy high offices for which by punishing them strength. The its Chariman, Board of Governors he is not competent enough. haughty power has blinded him. even though his name was not among the panel of five recommended by the But the BJP is not known for University authorities blamed the Board to the then Minister for Human admitting mistakes. The students will ‘outsiders, mischief makers, Resources Development . have to make the government realise it propagandists and anti-national’ Tripathi has used his association with and force the exit of Tripathi. elements for instigating the protests. Obviously they were more worried about the outsiders and miscreants Unacceptable Demand of Dogras of Jammu who infiltrated the protests than the ones who were responsible for sexual The demand of the Dogras of Jammu to declare the birthday of the harassment on campus. For them the late Maharaja Hari Singh as a State holiday for the whole of J&K state protests defamed the University more is absolutely unjustified in view of the fact that this particular gentleman than any molestation. The initial was not at all popular in Kashmir valley and presumably in Ladakh reaction was to cover up the region as well. He might be popular among a section of Dogras on the molestation attempt. basis of caste identity, but we cannot forget the fact that he was against the freedom movement, arrested Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in There were further lathi charges on 1945-46, was inimical to the New Kashmir movement led by the protesting students twice on 24 popular and tall leader Sheikh Abdullah and dithering in the matter of September during the day on campus. accession to the Union of India until the circumstances compelled him The students have been asked to to sign the instrument of accession. proceed on an early Dussehra holiday and vacate their hostels. What can be The objective of a section of the Dogras to achieve abrogation of more irresponsible act by the University Article 370 of the Constitution is not achievable in the present circumstances administration than this? The girl in any case. They acted foolishly by voting for the BJP in the last General students who are not feeling safe on Election if they hoped that the Parliament of India would delete Article campus are being evicted from the safe 370 on the basis of a majority in the Lok Sabha. Even Home Minister environment of their hostels and without Rajnath Singh, after meeting the PDP Chief Minister of J&K, had to any travel bookings being asked to announce that there was no question of abrogating Article 370. Grabbing leave for home. power and retaining power are two different things. The floodgates cannot be opened for the benefits of money bags from outside the State who Tripathi who first prayed to Lord would be too willing to buy the lands and orchards of the Muslims of Vishwanath in the famous Vishwanath Kashmir valley at any price. temple in city and then in a temple by the same name on campus, before The capitalist class of India has already usurped the lands and other taking over as VC three years back natural resources of the tribals in several parts of Middle India throwing now must realize that running a all the Constitutional and legal provisions to the winds in collusion with the university is more difficult than running political powers of the day. The Sardar Sarovar Project, actually intended a teachers’ union or a RSS shakha. to benefit the landed class of , specially Saurashtra, is a standing But it doesn’t look like that Lord monument to the exploitation of the poor Adivasis of and Vishwanath is going to stand by him . The one significant defeat these capitalist forces, patronised for very long. It should dawn upon by the political rulers at the Centre, had to face was in the Niyamgiri him that his days are numbered. This forests of Odisha where the valiant Dongria Kondhs carried on a sustained anti-academic, regressive, arrogant and successful struggle against the steel magnate and his political patrons. person has vitiated the atmosphere of The brave people of Kashmir valley will never permit these outside BHU and the University needs to be exploitative elements to succeed in their nefarious game. saved from its own VC. Even to begin 1 with he was an inappropriate choice to head such a prestigious university. – C. B. Tripathi He was further thrust upon the Indian 6 JANATA, October 1, 2017 India’s Quest for Security Council Permanent Membership

D. K. Giri

India made yet another bid for increase as the worlds’ most populous number of both permanent and non- becoming a permanent member of region assumes an increasingly permanent members. There was United Nations Security Council. important global role.” He suggests that support for restructuring of UN in Sushma Swaraj, our External Affairs one possible way to resolve the general and for permanent membership Minister, in her speech at the 72nd UN problem should be to add at least 4 of India in particular. Sushma Swaraj General Assembly Session in New Asian seats: one permanent seat for reminded the General Assembly that York taking place from 12 to 29 India, one shared by Japan and Korea, “there was a consensus in 2005 September reinforced New Delhi’s perhaps on a basis of two-year or one- Summit that the early reform of the initiative in revamping the premier world year rotation, one for the ASEAN Security Council was an essential body. Her plea for securing the countries, representing the group as a element for peace and security in the membership of UNSC followed our single constituency and fourth rotating turbulent world”. Prime Minister Modi’s diplomatic among other Asian countries. forays into major countries of the world Let us look the arguments in favour including the mighty United States, Over a decade ago, on 21 March of India’s permanent membership of the lobbying for India’s membership. 2005, Kofi Annan, Secretary General UN Security Council. To start with, of the UN at the time, called on the India has been a founding member of It may be recalled that, in 1955, members of the United Nations to the UN, although the permanent India was offered the membership of reach a consensus on expanding the membership has been elusive, since the UNSC by the US and others to Security Council to 24 members. He Nehru denied the offer for some come in from the Asian region. Our had devised a plan for expansion of the inexplicit reasons. However, the then Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru Council called “In Larger Freedom”. arguments in support are many. To cite declined it and suggested that it should Sushma Swaraj implored in her speech a few, India is the second most be reserved for China which was then that the current SG, Antonio Guterres, populous country with 1.3 billion, and under dictatorship of Chiang Kai-shek. the former Prime Minister of Portugal, is likely to overtake China to become India was preferred to China as the should make it happen. She said in her the number one in population. So it is former was a democracy. Ever since, speech that “we have high expectations incongruous that the biggest country in as we lost the opportunity, India has from the new Secretary General. If he terms of population, one-sixth of the been courting Russia, an original wants to reform the peace and security world humanity remains unrepresented permanent member of the Council for architecture in the world, he will also in the highest body of the world. its veto on Kashmir whenever UNSC need to address reforms related to Second, it is the largest democracy in threatened to pass any resolution peace keeping that have been urged for the world. One of the missions of the indicting India. India’s foreign policy has long.” The reform of the UN requires UN is to foster democracy in the world, been largely influenced by Soviet veto the support of two-thirds of its 193 and India has remained a beacon light in India’s favour on Kashmir. However, members. From the records of the for countries in the whole of Asia as an that is history. formal speeches made at the UN unflinching democracy. Third, India has sessions, 160 members have expressed been a non-permanent member of the In the current scenario, United their concurrence for the long-pending UNSC for six terms spanning 12 years. Nations, the highest body of the world reforms of the United Nations. It is time that it becomes a permanent clearly lacks legitimacy as UNSC member. Fourth, India is the 7th largest remains under-represented. Jeffery For long, India has been advocating economy in the world. Indian economy Sachs of Columbia University, a leading for reforming the UN. On the fringe of is growing steadily with minor hiccups. expert and commentator of world the UN General Assembly, the G-4 It is expected to contribute to the world politics, says “Asia’s inadequate countries – India, Brazil, Germany and trade and economy as in 20 years’ time representation poses a serious threat to Japan- met to push for the change in or so; it is expected to overtake the the UN’s legitimacy, which will only UN Security Council by expanding the Chinese economy. Fourth, India is JANATA, October 1, 2017 7 already the member of the groups of hat and secure the membership of decades later, we have another Prime rich countries like G-4 and G-77 which UNSC for India before he goes to the Minister who gives himself the epithet produce goods and services for the polls in coming 18 months? Looks of Vikas Purush ‘a person for progress’, entire world. Fifth, India has the 3rd unlikely, as with many of his initiatives, but the development on the ground is largest army in the world and has he has impressive beginnings with his not visible. So, in order to become a contributed so far 160,000 soldiers to persuasive slogans and one-liner policy world leader, by being a member of the UN peace keeping forces to difficult formulations etc., but the ends are yet UNSC, Modi needs to make India conflict areas. Indian soldiers have laid to be seen. The effectiveness s well as better and more vibrant development- their lives for the freedom and security legitimacy of the foreign policy of a wise. Then the membership will come of the countries under domination or in country is a function of the conditions to us; without much lobbying, as others war. at home of the particular country. Indira would like to emulate India’s Gandhi was seen as a strong leader democracy, diversity and economy etc. No doubt, the membership of the outside India, but her performance at UN Security Council will not be easy home in development of the vast Finally, it is typical of India’s foreign to come by. Although New Delhi is majority of people was dismal. One policy establishment from Nehru era doing diplomatically well to push our sees a parallel in Narendra Modi, onward to drag issues until they fizzle case with the so-called warmth, rapport although his Prime Ministerial stint is too out naturally. I have been commending and charisma of the Prime Minister, short to compare. Indira gave the Modi for ‘breaking the mould in India’s Narendra Modi, the efforts have to be famous slogan Garibi Hatao (Remove foreign policy without rocking the taken to the logical end. One can count Poverty), and “poverty is the worst boat’. But the real and the toughest test a few road-blocks in India’s polluter” in UNEP (United Nations would be the UNSC membership. Will membership journey. The UNSC Environment Programme) conference he succeed? We would like to think so membership has to expand from 15 to at Stockholm in 1972, she could not in the national interest of India, and 24, in order to accommodate Asia, make any tangible dent in India’s wide- especially if he displays grit and integrity Africa and Latin America. Also, all the spread and chronic poverty. About 4 in policies at home. 5 permanent members have to agree to the expansion. The United States and the United Kingdom have openly Gandhi’s Message to Our Troubled World endorsed India’s bid. France has also committed its support. Russia will not Bharat Dogra oppose it, given our long-standing friendship with it. China makes In a world increasingly plagued by its range not only all human beings but occasional sounds in support of India’s violence and strife ’s also all forms of life. Non-violence in membership, but is non-committal. For message remains highly relevant today, action is considered far from adequate instance, when Xi Jinping visited India 69 years after the assassination of this - it should extend to our innermost in 2014, he said in a press conference man of peace. thoughts. that China supports India’s membership of the UNSC. It could have been Gandhi’s work and writings covered Gandhi’s concept of non-violence is rhetorical and a diplomatic statement, a very wide range of activities, but so pervasive that it will not only help as China has been unremittingly perhaps what our troubled world needs the cause of world peace - rightly displaying anti-India posturing. India’s to learn most from Gandhi is his practised it’ll help to significantly bring growing partnership with Japan will overwhelming emphasis on non- down the incidence of domestic further alienate China. violence to resolve any conflict or to violence and mental illness as well. The confront any injustice. More than that, movement for animal rights or New Delhi has to initiate a different he emphasised non-violence as an compassion to animals will also benefit method of expanding the UN with the entire way of life, emphasising its from a wider spread of Gandhi’s ideas. help of its friends. Narendra Modi has importance in our daily life (even been rubbing shoulders with the rest of relationships within family) as much as About the role of non-violence in his the 4 permanent members and other in huge movements for justice and own life, Gandhi wrote “I have been important countries like Japan and freedom. Non-violence (ahimsa) for practising with scientific precision non- Germany. Can he pull a rabbit out his Gandhi is all-encompassing, bringing in violence and its possibilities for an 8 JANATA, October 1, 2017 unbroken period of over fifty years. I must begin with the mind. (Young of different faiths from the standpoint have applied it in every walk of life, India, 2-4-31, p. 58) of the followers of those faiths we domestic, institutional, economic and should find that they were at bottom all political. I know of no single case in “...unless there is a hearty co- one and were all helpful to one which it has failed. Where it has seemed operation of the mind the mere outward another.” (Harijan 16.2.34 P.5-6) sometimes to have failed, I have observance will be simply a mask, ascribed it to my imperfections. harmful both to the man himself and to Gandhi saw clearly that the (Harijan, 6-7-40, pp. 185-86) others. The perfect state is reached only aggressiveness of the great powers is when mind and body and speech are rooted in greed. He said world peace Gandhi had big hopes from in proper co-ordination. (Young India, “is clearly impossible without the great harnessing the tremendous force of 1.10.31, p. 287) powers of the earth renouncing their non-violence. He wrote, (Harijan imperialistic designs. This again seems 10.12.38 p. 377) “more powerful than “The alphabet of Ahimsa is best impossible without these great nations all the armaments, non-violence is a learnt in the domestic school, and I can ceasing to believe in soul-destroying unique force that has come into the say from experience that, if we secure competition and to desire to multiply world”. Elsewhere he said “We are success there, we are sure to do so wants and therefore increase their constantly being astonished these days everywhere else.” (Harijan 21.7.40, material possessions. (Harijan 16.5.36 at the amazing discoveries in the field p. 214) P.109) of violence. But I maintain that far more undreamt of and seemingly impossible “If one does not practice non- The ideal he urged to his own discoveries will be made in the field of violence in one’s personal relations with countrymen was “we will exploit none non-violence. (Harijan, 25.8-40, p. others and hopes to use it in bigger just as we will allow none to exploit us.” 260) affairs, one is vastly mistaken. Non- (Young India 16.4.31 page-9). He violence, like charity, must begin at added “I should reject that patriotism The path of non-violence is noble, home. (Harijan, 28-1-39, p. 441) which sought to mount upon the distress but it is not easy. As Gandhi says or the exploitation of other (Harijan 14.5.38) “If the method of Gandhi captured the spirit of non- nationalities.” violence takes plenty of training, the violent struggle in the following words method of non-violence takes even - “I seek entirely to blunt the edge of In fact Gandhi was an internationalist more training and that training is much the tyrant’s sword, not by putting up much ahead of his times. He wrote, more difficult than the training for against it a sharper edged weapon, but “The better mind of the world desires violence. “A votary of Ahimsa has to by disappointing his expectaion that I today not absolutely independent be incorruptible, fair and square in his would be offering physical resistance. States warring one against another, but dealings, truthful, straightforward and The resistance of the soul that I should a federation of friendly inter-dependent utterly selfless. He must have also offer instead would elude him. It would States. (Young India, 26-12-24, p. true humility. (Harijan, 20.5.39, at first dazzle him and at last compel 425) p.133) recognition from him, which recognition would not humiliate him but would uplift ‘The structure of a world federation “The very first step in non-violence him.” can be raised only on foundation of non- is that we cultivate in our daily life, as violence, and violence will have to be between ourselves, truthfulness, For Gandhi religion was clearly a totally given up in world affairs. humility, tolerance, loving kindness. place for peace and there was (Gandhiji’s Correspondence with the Honesty, they say in English, is the best absolutely no room in his thinking for Goverenment - 1942-44, (1957), p. policy. But in terms of non-violence, it religious differences turning violent. He 143) is not mere policy. Policies may and do wrote, “I believe in the fundamental change. Non-violence is an truth of all great religions of the world. ‘Federation is undoubtely a greater unchangeable creed. It has to be I believe that they are all God given, and nobler end for free nations. It is a pursued in face of violence raging and I believe that they were necessary greater and nobler end for them to around you. (Harijan, 2.4.38, p. 65) for the people to whom these religions strive to promote Federation than be were revealed. And I believe that, if only “Non-violence, to be a potent force, we could all of us read the scriptures (Continued on Page 10) JANATA, October 1, 2017 9 With Prices Rising Post-GST, has the Government taken the Public for a Ride?

Arun Kumar

Have prices of goods and services so that the effective rate of tax becomes profit rises by Rs 90. Ideally, the risen because the implementation of the higher than the rate of tax levied. For restaurant should only collect Rs 90 Goods and Services Tax (GST) is faulty example, in a restaurant, the inputs from the customers (9%) and pay the or because it was not designed bought contain an element of tax paid government Rs 180 because they got properly? Eighteen percent GST is on them so their price is higher by the the benefit of Rs 90 from the input levied on the food in a restaurant. This amount of this tax. When food is credit. has raised the cost of eating out. Is this prepared and the final bill is given to what was intended in the original design the customer, the price in the bill Alternatively, if the input credit is of the GST? One of the benefits of the contains the tax paid on the inputs. So accounted for in the cost of producing GST touted by the government was that when a tax is levied on this price, a tax the dish, the cost should be Rs 410 and prices would come down, but the is levied on the tax already paid on the not Rs 500. With the same mark up as opposite has happened. Prices of most inputs. This is the cascading effect of earlier, the list price of the dish should services have also gone up as they are tax on tax. be Rs 820. On that, the GST of 18% now taxed at 18% while they were would amount to Rs 148. So the final charged 15% in the pre-GST regime. Under the GST, there is an input price to the customer should be Rs 968 Hence, insurance, credit card charges, credit for the tax paid on the inputs so and not Rs 1180, as is now happening. banking charges and so on have all that the price of the purchased goods In brief, if the input credit works risen. and services declines and therefore, the properly, prices should drop but the price of the final product should be public is being taken for a ride. Unfortunately, the wholesale price lower and the GST should be levied index (WPI) does not capture much of on that lower price. The restaurants are However, the flaw in the design of this price rise since services are not a not doing that and therefore, they benefit the GST is that the input credit is part of this index and constitute 60% twice over. They are getting the input available only if the invoices of the buyer of the production in the economy. credit which adds to their profit and are and the seller match. How many Consequently, the rise in prices of also charging the customers a higher suppliers can the restaurant owner services is not reflected in the inflation price. chase? Switching to alternate suppliers index based on WPI. Since it is the would be costly. Supply chains are not prices of services that have risen the The list price of food items in the easily built. So the restaurants are not most in the last several years, inflation menu of a restaurant should have been reducing the list prices because they are is being grossly underestimated. Why lowered to reflect input credit and on not sure of getting the input credit. have the prices of services risen? that lower price, 18% GST should Because the government has increased have been levied. Alternatively, if the What is happening in restaurants is the tax on services from 12% to 15% list price is not changed then the GST happening across the board in most and now to 18%. It is well known that rate in the bill should have been lowered businesses. Input credit should lead to when an indirect tax is raised on any in proportion to the purchased inputs. lower cost to business and so, it should good or service, it is passed on to the reduce the basic price on which the consumer by the producer. If a restaurant buys Rs 500 worth GST is to be levied. Consequently, the of inputs to produce a dish selling at Rs prices of various items should remain Why were prices expected to come 1,000, then the total GST collection the same as they were earlier and not down under the GST? ought to be Rs 180. But the restaurant rise, as has happened all across the is getting Rs 90 as input credit and board. The GST is supposed to eliminate collecting Rs 180 from the customers. the cascading effect of taxes. Cascading However, they have to pay the It is true that India has not gone for effect signifies the levy of a tax on a tax government only Rs 180. Hence, their a full GST. Important items like, 10 JANATA, October 1, 2017 petroleum products, electricity, real The next step is to fit each item close while demand has fallen due to the price estate and alcohol are out of the to the tax rate it was paying earlier rise. Production has faced a setback, purview of GST. These are key inputs (called fitment). So, if an item was especially in the small and cottage into production and there is no input being taxed earlier at 15% (all taxes sectors because of the difficulty of credit for their use. They are also heavily taken together), it was fitted either at implementation of the GST. taxed items so there is a strong 18% or 12% – the two allowed rates. cascading effect associated with them. In the former case, its price would rise, The public needs to pressurise But that was also the case earlier, so while in the latter case, its price would restaurants and other businesses to this cannot be the cause of additional fall. To keep inflation from rising, the lower the list price on which GST is inflation. government should have chosen the levied in their bills. But is it in a position lower rates except in the case of sin or to do that? The government has to do Various essential goods, constituting luxury goods. that but it is too caught up in the 50% of all items, are out of the GST implementation glitches to think of net so that their prices should not rise. The implication of the arguments anything else. All this shows that the This should especially benefit the given above is that cascading effect is GST is awfully complex and has common person whose consumption back in spite of the GST and Value confused not only businesses and the basket mostly consists of these items. Added Tax (VAT). Since input credit public, but also the government. One For instance, rice, milk, eggs, salt, is not being accounted for by can conclude that both the design and handloom etc are charged at zero rate businesses, the tax is not collected as implementation of the GST are below of tax. VAT but as ‘ad valorem’, which was par. the reason for the cascading effect. This However, indirect taxes are has raised the profitability of businesses – deceptive. The point at which a tax is levied and where it is felt are different. (Continued from Page 8) Hence, while milk has a zero rate of self-centred, seeking only to preserve not that the world’s goods shall be tax, it has to be transported and stored, their own freedom. (Harijan, 9-8-42, arbitrarily divided up, but that each man and accounts have to be kept. All these p. 265) shall have the wherewithal to supply his services are included in the GST and natural needs, no more. (The Mind of as their prices go up, the cost of milk Speaking optimistically of his vision Mahatma Gandhi, PP 458-60). also rises. Thus, when GST is levied of a future world he wrote, “The world on trucks, increase in its price is felt in of tomorrow will be, must be, a society “...only truthful, non-violent and pure the price of milk even though it has zero based on non-violence. That is the hearted socialists will be able to tax. In brief, the effect of GST is felt first law: out of it all other blessings will establish a socialistic society in India and even on those items which have zero flow. the world. To my knowledge there is tax and inflation is experienced even by no country in the world which is purely the common person who consumes “... An individual can adopt the way socialistic. Without the means very little of the taxed items. of life of the future - the non-violent way described above, the existence of such - without having to wait for others to a society is impossible. (Harijan, How were the rates fixed? do so. And if an individual can do it, 13.7.47, p. 232). cannot whole groups of individuals? First, the government determined a Whole nations? Men often hesitate to revenue neutral rate (RNR) of tax – that make a beginning, because they feel is, the average rate of tax at which the that the objective cannot be achieved Janata same amount of tax would be collected in its entirety. This attitude of mind is as in pre-GST times. Two different precisely our greatest obstacle to committees suggested 12% and 15.5%. progress - an obstacle that each man, is available at The government has chosen the latter. if he only wills it, can clear away. It is too high because alternative calculations suggest that the rate could “...Equal distribution - the second have been lower at about 8% since the great law of tomorrow’s world as I see www.lohiatoday.com GST net has been widened. it - grows out of non-violence. It implies JANATA, October 1, 2017 11 Banning of Nuclear Weapons

Siby K. Joseph

The 20th September 2017, will be Everyone in the world is aware of Then the question arises how to ever remembered in the history of the widespread and catastrophic resolve a dispute if it happens between human civilization, because more than consequences of nuclear weapons. two or more nations under the treaty? 50 countries have signed the Nuclear weapons were the only To resolve the issue they must consult landmark treaty on the Prohibition of weapons of mass destruction without together with a view to settling the Nuclear Weapons in New York on the a prohibition treaty. Biological dispute by negotiation or by other eve of annual opening of the United weapons were banned in 1972, peaceful means. Nations General Assembly. chemical weapons in 1993, Land mines in 1997, and cluster bombs in Nuclear Arsenal possessed by In the high-level ceremony at the 2008. With the adoption of this treaty, the Countries United Nations headquarters, the nuclear weapons also join the club of Country Size of Arsenal document was first signed by President biological and chemical weapons as United States 6,800 warheads of Brazil, Michel Temer. The ceremony weapons of mass destruction that Russia 7,000 warheads was attended by several heads of state have been declared illegal under the United Kingdom 215 warheads and dozens of foreign ministers, international law. The Treaty will be France 300 warheads including Austria, Ireland and Cuba. coming into force 90 days after it is China 270 warheads being signed and ratified by 50 India 110-20 warheads It is significant that this historic countries. treaty was signed 72 years after the Pakistan 120-30 warheads Israel 80 warheads Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings On 7 July 2017, 122 nations, North Korea <10 warheads during the Second World War. The comprising almost two-thirds of the bomb dropped at the Hiroshima was total UN membership voted to adopt Source: Federation of American nicknamed as Little Boy. According the Treaty on the Prohibition of Scientists 2017 to one estimate, it killed 1,30,000 Nuclear Weapons. It is a landmark people. On the 9th August the US agreement that outlaws the weapons Major chunk of nuclear warheads dropped a second one called Fat Man of mass destruction and establishes a are in the hands of nine countries viz. on Nagasaki killing 70,000 people. It pathway to their elimination. The U.S., Russia, the U.K., France, China, is reported that 200,000 still suffer Netherlands was the only country India, Pakistan, Israel and North discrimination due to ignorance about voted against its adoption. It claimed Korea. These counties neither the ill effects of radiation. that US nuclear weapons are essential participated in the process nor for its security. adopted the convention. The United On 6th August 2017 more than States and Russia are the major 50,000 people, including survivors of Once the treaty has entered into players, which possesses the atomic bomb attack, their force, further nations can join it at any approximately 6,800 and 7,000 descendants, peace activists and stage. It is to be noted that even if a nuclear warheads respectively. The representatives from about 80 nation that possesses nuclear weapons, US made it clear that it never intends countries, assembled at the Peace it can join the treaty, so long as it to join the treaty and thereby failed to Memorial Park in the city of Hiroshima agrees to remove them from fulfill its legally binding disarmament to commemorate 72nd anniversary of operational status immediately and obligations under the Non-Proliferation the atomic bombing in 1945 during destroy them in accordance with a Treaty. In a joint statement issued World War II. On the Hiroshima day, legally binding, time-bound plan. In immediately after the adoption of the International Campaign to Abolish addition, it is also required to eliminate treaty, the U.S., France and the U.K. Nuclear Weapons urged all nations to its entire nuclear weapon programme, expressed their strong opposition to commit to signing the Nuclear which includes nuclear materials, Weapons Ban Treaty. delivery systems and related facilities. (Continued on Page 13) 12 JANATA, October 1, 2017 Gandhi on Princely and Temple Property

K. Venkateswarlu

The nation was awestruck at the temples, mosques, churches, Mandirs the necessary plodding. I have turned vast precious wealth brought to light and trusts in our country. He suggested the search light all over and as you (by the order of Supreme Court) from to tap this vast hidden and have given me the privilege of speaking the five sub-terranean vaults of Sri unproductive wealth and use it for to you, I am laying my heart bare. Padmanabha Swamy Temple, national development. DP said this Surely we must set these things right Tiruvananthapuram. Apropos the correspondence between Gandhi and in our progress towards self- subsequent public discourse relating to Nehru did not see the light of the day government. I now introduce to you proprietary rights, protection and as it dealt with very sensitive political another scene. His Highness the preservation, value and utilization of the and cultural issues. He concluded that Maharajah, who presided yesterday wealth, the following anecdote may be Professor Amalan Datta, Director of over deliberations, spoke about the of interest and a guide to action. Gandhi Centre, and Vice-Chancellor poverty of India. Other speakers laid of Viswabharati University, and a very great stress upon it. But what did we Late Professor Debi Prasad small circle of academics in West witness in the great pandal in which the Chattopadhyaya, re-knowned Marxist Bengal were knowledgeable in respect foundation ceremony was performed philosopher and a “thought of the location and contents of the by the Viceroy? Certainly a most transformer” of modern India (Walter letters. I will comment on the veracity gorgeous show, an exhibition of Ruben), was visiting Professor in the of DP’s dialogue a little later. jewellery which made a splendid feast Department of Philosophy, Andhra for the eyes of the greatest jeweller University, during the academic year The objective of this note is two- who chose to come from Paris. I 1977-78. We were drawn together fold. First, it gives an account of the compare with the richly bedecked due to shared interest in the study of ideas of Gandhi relating to the property noblemen the millions of poor. And I Marxism and the dialectics of its theory of temples and religious institutions and feel like saying to these noblemen : and practice in the colonial as well as bodies, and of Maharajas and ‘There is no salvation for India unless independent India. We used to meet Zamindars. Second, the ideas and you strip yourselves of this jewellery frequently and engage in long and ideals of Gandhi may provide a lead and hold it in trust for your countrymen stimulating conversation. In one of his to the current public discourse in India’. (“Hear, hear” and applause). impromptu dialogues, he referred to a regarding the wealth found at Sri Sir, whenever I hear of a great palace bunch of letters exchanged between Padmanabha Swamy Temple, and also rising in any great city of India, be it in M.K. Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru in of the enormous wealth which is in British India or be it in India which is the latter half of 1947, which did not possession of famous religious ruled by our great chiefs, I become become a part of the public archive. institutions and the former princely jealous at once and I say : “Oh, it is The central issue of this rulers of India. the money that has come from the correspondence is of great interest and agriculturists”. importance to us even today. It seems, Gandhi delivered a speech on Nehru sought and appealed for foreign February 6, 1916, at a meeting Earlier, in the same speech, he said: aid to help the new nation. Gandhi presided over by Annie Besant in the “I visited the Viswanath temple last sharply asked, why do we need Benares Hindu University. It was a evening and as I was walking through foreign aid? Nehru’s response was festive gathering of the students, those lanes, these were the thoughts simple. We are poor and do not have faculty and princely rulers, who were that touched me. ... I speak feelingly resources to modernize our economy benefactors of the University, and top as a Hindu. Is it right that the lanes of and reduce the poverty of people. bureaucrats of the Raj. Gandhi said: “I our sacred temple should be as dirty Gandhi interrogated Nehru regarding want to think audibly this evening...... as they are? The lanes are tortuous the volume, form and value of the I entirely agree with the President of and narrow. If even our temples are not wealth held in the possession of the Congress that before we think of models of roominess and cleanliness Maharajas and Zamindars, and self-government, we shall have to do what can our self-government be? JANATA, October 1, 2017 13

Shall our temples be abodes of institutions of all denomination and of and deprived sections of our people. holiness, cleanliness and peace as soon princely rulers, would threaten the He was firmly of the opinion that as the English have retired from India, stability of the Indian State. Therefore, wealth held in the custody of princely either on their own pleasure or by their thoughtful decision to keep the rulers and religious institutions and compulsion, bag and baggage” (vide said correspondence in the dark was bodies was produced by agriculturists, The collected works of Mahatma a product of its time. After he returned workers, craftsmen and artisans. Gandhi, Vol: l5 (21 May 1915- to Delhi from Bengal, Gandhi had a Religious institutions should be centres 31 August, 1917) pp 151-152, Talk with P.C. Joshi (General of prayer and holiness, learning, good 4th ed. 2000.New - Delhi: Secretary, Communist Party of India) conduct and cleanliness. The princely publications Division, Ministry of on September 9, 1947. He initiated order should hold its wealth in trust for Information and Broadcasting, the Talk with the following observation. the good of the society and poorer ). “First of all I want you not to report strata. our conversation in any paper. Not that At this point I will examine the trust- I have anything to conceal, but it will The meaning and message of worthiness of DP’s reference to the not serve the cause” (The Collected Gandhian ideas are very clear. It is our said correspondence of Gandhi and Works of Mahatma Gandhi, Vol: 96. bounden duty to properly utilize the Nehru relating to the theme of foreign P.353). The observation of Gandhi is wealth, except objects of historical aid vis-a-vis internal resources in a testimony to the historical context for and artistic value identified and certified India’s economic development. First, the decision of Amalan Datta and his by experts, found in the vaults of Sri DP is a person of high professional friends. Padmanabha Swamy Temple for and personal integrity. financing programmes and projects to Fourth, Gandhi landed at Bombay cater to the needs of poor people, and Second, Gandhi was in Bengal on January 9, 1915 from South Africa for national development. from 13th August, to 7th September, via London. His speech at the Benares 1947. Hindu University dated February 6, (Continued from Page 11) 1916 was delivered during the initial Third, we do not have an phase of his long and eventful political the treaty. According to them, it opportunity to check the veracity of the struggle in India, when our nationalist disregards the realities of the matter with Prof. Amalan Datta, since movement was led by Gokhale, Tilak, international security environments and he died in March 2010. Perhaps Prof. Annie Besant, Motilal, Lajpat Rai and nuclear deterrence is essential for Amalan Datta and the small circle of other illustrious leaders. The letters of maintaining the peace. It is to be noted academics had an unenviable task in Gandhi to Nehru which were referred that Belgium, Germany, Italy, putting the said correspondence under to by DP were written in the last year Netherlands, Turkey are the nations the carpet in the given historical context of Gandhi’s life. One finds a striking hosting nuclear weapons. Albania, of independent India in the latter half similarity in the views of Gandhi on the Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, of 1947 . The aftermath of the Partition property of religious institutions and of Czech, Denmark, Estonia, Greece, of India and the surcharged religious Maharajas and Zamindars expressed Hungary, Iceland, Japan, Latvia, emotion was an awesome and almost in 1916 (BHU speech) and 1947 Lithuania, Luxembourg, Norway, unmanageable situation. The process (letters to Nehru). Consistency or strict Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, of integration of Princely States with adherence to a set of fundamental Slovenia, South Korea, Spain (plus the the Indian State was in the initial stage. ideas is the governing principle or five host nations) are the nations in The new Indian State encountered virtue of Gandhian thought and nuclear alliance. Rest of the world is complex problems, and the practice. For these reasons, I am nuclear weapon free but not from its administrative system faced an inclined to think that DP’s dialogue effects. Now time has come to show unprecedented and up-hill task in the relating to the said correspondence of the commitment of countries including governance of the nation. Perhaps Gandhi and Nehru is authentic. India towards nuclear weapon free Prof. Amalan Datta and his friends world by signing the Treaty on the wisely thought that public knowledge For Gandhi, the goal and agenda Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and of the contents of the said of Swaraj and Swadesi was to serve promoting the cause of peace. correspondence, specially Gandhi’s the poor and wipe out their tears, and ideas on the property of religious provide succour to the most needy –MKGANDHI Newsletter 14 JANATA, October 1, 2017 Constitutionalism, Social Justice and Black Money - III

B. Sudershan Reddy

According to C. Rammanohar this increasing concentration of sphere has also been severely Reddy, another scholar in this area, wealth in the hands of the few has restricted by virtue of paucity of “the Government commissioned three been on account of the working of financial resources at our command. studies from three independent the black economy. organizations for the preparation of the 2012 White Paper. The results Obviously, the loss of tax Let us take note of the text of just of those studies have not been made revenues, insufficient realization of a few of the Directive Principles of public, though media reports of the revenues from illegal exploitation of State Policy that are said to be estimates of one of the studies place natural resources, and undue foundational to governance and see the black income in 2014 at as high economic rents that are not properly what the impact of black economy has as 75 percent…”1Arun Kumar finds accounted for by the avoidance of been on the State’s primordial that the black economy has grown regulatory regimes implies that the promises: from 21 percent of the GDP in 1980 State would have a lot less financial to as much as 62 percent of GDP in resources under its command. We Article 38(1) provides that “The 2012. 2 have already noted as to what State shall strive to promote the impact it may have had on our welfare of our people by securing A large black economy and huge economy, in terms of its size. It has and protecting as effectively as it stashes of black wealth in various been estimated that it could have may a social order in which justice, forms would have a tremendous been about seven times bigger than social, economic and political shall impact on how resources are what it is. This would mean that an inform all the institutions of the national distributed across the economy. argument can be advanced that, but life. Taxation is also expected to serve for the black economy, the State another purpose: redistribution of the could have also been realizing Article 39(b) mandates that the benefits of social action and lessen greater revenues to undertake State shall direct its policy towards the degree of inequality. Tax evasion, programs that would push forward securing…. “the ownership and and illegal and undue rents from the goal of social justice at a faster control of the material resources of exploitation of natural resources or pace. And we would have also had the community are so distributed as through operation of businesses, less to do in terms of numbers of to sub-serve the common good” would necessarily reduce the efficacy our citizens we would be protecting of the tax system in achieving that from deprivations. Article 39(c) mandates that the goal. A little over two decades ago, State shall ensure “that the operation Prof.Arun Kumar also estimated the We need to firmly grasp that a of the economic system does not numbers who controlled this black black economy necessarily implies that result in the concentration of wealth economy. According to him, it was the resources needed for building state and means of production to the mostly in the hands of the wealthiest capacities have been severely common detriment…” 3% of the population. In his more restricted. Even with respect to the recent book, he suggests that this numbers of police personnel we Article 39(f) provides mandates number has not really changed much. employ, and the training that is giving that the State should seek to ensure In fact we would probably have to to them, has been adversely impacted “that children are given opportunities assess that the concentration has on account of funds crunch. We simply and facilities to develop in a healthy tightened considerably. In some have not invested enough in our legal manner and in conditions of freedom recent reports it has been estimated system to be able to provide our and dignity, and that children and youth that the wealthiest 1% of this country citizens with speedy justice. And in are protected against exploitation and own nearly 58% to 60% of all the many instances our capacity to project against moral and material wealth of this country. In large part our strengths in the geo-strategic abandonment.” JANATA, October 1, 2017 15

Article 41 provides that “The State to handle the issues of battered and are, is that the State’s economic shall, within the limits of its economic sexually assaulted women. Apart from capacity is being undercut severely, capacity and development, make providing shelter to victims for a few and is being prevented from effective provision for securing the right days, these centres were also to help undertaking those activities that can to work, to education and to public the victims secure medical attention, secure a better future for our children. assistance in cases of unemployment, get justice by interfacing with the police old age, sickness and disablement, and to ensure that action is quickly taken I have already observed how in other cases of undeserved want.” against perpetrators and the guilty natural resources can be exploited in brought to justice, and also undertaking a manner that deprives the State of Let me reiterate that I am only locally contextualized programs to revenues. In fact many forms of illegal mentioning a few of the Directive change the attitudes about women. exploitation of natural resources lead Principles to provide us with a broad Each of these centres was envisaged to other problems, especially where picture of important areas of human to be independent and to be they affect the lives of the locals welfare that we have failed in. developed at a cost of about Rs 10 adversely, Mining mafias have often to 11 crores. The promise was that spawned revolutionary counters Take Article 38(1), which mandates these centres would be developed thereby creating major threats to the that the State shall undertake such rapidly. However, it seems that powers welfare of the people of that area, and steps as to ensure that all institutions that be have decided to pare down their fundamental rights. This in turn of our national life are informed and the program considerably, and while also imposes huge financial burden, guided by principles of complete the development of the centres is still among other things, upon the State in justice – social, economic and being pursued it is moving at a much combating revolutionary activities and political. Now consider the issues slower pace than what the nature of getting embroiled in a never ending faced by our women, our female the issue warrants. Obviously saga of tussle with the local populace children and even our female fetuses. budgetary issues have a constraining too. Article 39(b), which I read out How horrific is the scale of injustice impact. And then we have not really a few minutes ago mandates that the that is being perpetrated on a daily begun to bring to the table the State shall endeavour to ensure that basis? How many millions of fetuses resources that would be consonant ownership and control of material are aborted in India every year, with the urgency with which we would resources, such as natural resources, primarily because of our preference be treating female infanticide and be vested in a manner that subserves for boys? How many new born female feticide. An argument could be made the common interest. The operation infants are being killed every year, that if the black economy had been of mining mafias and other forms of again on account of preference for curtailed, then people and policy illegal mining/extraction of natural boys? Look at the horrendous sex makers would have been less lax in resources generates huge amounts of ratios in our population. The shocking taking steps to combat such issues. black money and black wealth, fact is that our sex ratio today is worse attracting more people to such than what it was in the early 1900s. Take Articles 39(f) and 41. How activities, so much so that it begins to And then consider the incidence of do we expect poor children to grow appear like a vicious cycle. And the sexual violence against our women. in a healthy manner, and in conditions “common interest” that the Directive Every day, a new headline screams of freedom and dignity, if we do not principles sought to protect is thrown about one more horrific instance of invest in building good schools with by the wayside. rape, gorier than the previous one. proper facilities and well trained teachers? Especially in the rural areas? As pointed out earlier, Article 39(c) Obviously, the issue is on one plane Article 41 talks about “undeserved mandates that the State shall not allow also a matter of law and order – an want”. What can be more undeserved the economy to function in such a institution that affects our national life. than deprivation of education to a manner that it leads to concentration What are the resources we have been child. Article 41 recognizes that we of wealth. This principle has obviously able to allocate to tackle these can undertake such activities only to been violated, as 58% to 60% of all problems, given that they place at risk the extent that the State has the national wealth is now held by the top nearly 40% of our people? A few economic capacity. However, the case 1% of our country. And black years ago there were promises made here, with the size of the black economy has contributed towards that every district would get a centre economy and wealth being what they intensifying such concentration. This 16 JANATA, October 1, 2017 would have implications for our as a fundamental right. It took the exploitation of natural resources. democracy as the 1% fund political political dispensation 20 years to enact parties, and in return get more a statute to give that decision Given the impact that black opportunities to further corner nation’s legislative legitimacy and I am sure economy and black money has on the resources even more. The ordinary most reasonable people would accept State capacity, and the extent to which political freedoms then might just the fact that its implementation is the constitutional responsibility of become inconvenient customs to be shoddy at best. Even today. Twenty ensuring social justice informs all walks squashed when exercise of such years ago, Justice B.P. Jeevan Reddy, of national life was compromised, I freedoms is uncomfortable to the 1%. in his pragmatic idealistic approach, believe that it would be amoral, and posited that this would be a part of socially and constitutionally In summumbonum we would have the minimal moral content of Article irresponsible to suggest that tax to categorically assert that to a 21. Most analysts agree that collection regime, and the regime of significant extent we have not really implementation of the Right to allowing private players to exploit adhered to the guiding principles of Education laws are spotty at best. We natural resources, both under and our Constitution and in fact a legitimate are entering a world in which many outside contracts and without the state conclusion would be that we have people speculate that Artificial realizing appropriate revenue from actually abandoned the Directive Intelligence is likely to the be the next them, be allowed to continue in the Principles. It is almost as if we have big revolution, and that it would make same fashion. read the Directive Principles out of many or even most human skills the Constitution, an excision of the soul obsolete. Only those who have Post the decision by the Supreme of the Constitution without any developed the skills at much higher Court in ordering a SIT, because the constitutional amendments. And that levels of artistic and cognitive skills Court felt that the State was not being too, notwithstanding the fact that the could find themselves useful and sincere in its efforts to prevent illicit judiciary used the text of the Directive fulfilling work. How will our children outflows of black money, and tackling Principles in fleshing out the content even attempt scaling such heights, if black economy in general, it appears of Fundamental Rights in general, and they are deprived of basic education? that the GoI has taken some steps to Article 21 in particular, and mandating And we still have elites, who control address the issue with greater urgency that the State shall fulfill at least some almost all of the black money and and focus. While ordering the SIT, the obligations. nearly 58 to 60% of the nation’s Supreme Court also cautioned the wealth, grumbling about how any Government and the people of two How did this happen? The easy attempts by the State to raise revenues things: (a) the first was that the issue answer would be to suggest that if the to educate our masses, to get them to was extremely complex, especially with Directive Principles had been judicially be barely functionally literate would regard to identifying and attempting to enforceable, fully, then litigation against mean economic disaster, and how their bring back black money from abroad; the State would have compelled the incentive structures to be “productive and (b) that the battle would be a politicians and the permanent individuals” and their “animal spirits” long one, with hits and misses and establishment to pursue policies that would be dampened. hence requiring patience. In order to would have hastened the achievement ensure that, in the long and hard road of the goals set forth in the Directive Over the past two and half decades, ahead, the enthusiasm of the Principles. I would submit that would increasingly the discourse has been Government does not flag, the not only be an easy answer, but in against the State undertaking any Supreme Court converted a High fact an incorrect answer. The fallacy welfare and social justice programs Level Committee looking into the of such claims is easily demonstrable: even as subsidies after subsidies and issues surrounding black money and the judiciary has, albeit not very tax breaks after tax breaks were being black economy into a Special consistently, read many of the Directive extended to the big players in the Investigation Team. Principles of State Policy into the private sector. With the discourse Fundamental Rights and issued orders increasingly turning neo-liberal, the I would not like to go into a from time to time. One famous one, attitude of powers was that they could number of steps, and some may say and which is critical to any notion of turn a blind eye to the tax evasion even missteps, by the GoI to tackle social justice, was the declaration of issues, and also issues relating to this issue. That would make my lecture right to education until the age of 14 realizing appropriate revenues from unnecessarily long. Yet, I suppose the JANATA, October 1, 2017 17 thousand pound elephant in the room economy. In particular the White negative impact from demonetization has to be touched upon – Paper of the Government of India says: and the time taken to inject cash back “Demonetisation.” into the system in new notes, would “…given the primary importance of be extensive and deep. Let me start with a word of caution, cash in relation to both the generation after asserting a fact. Given the and use of black money, there is no My own impressions are that magnitude of currency withdrawn, and alternative but to target cash ordinary citizens have suffered a lot the numbers of people affected at one transactions in a way that will not more than the better off, the salaried go, irrespective of whether we agree affect those complying with the law, classes and the rich. Whatever our with the decision of the GoI on while making it difficult for those own estimates may be as to the extent November 8, 2016 or not, we have intending to generate and utilise black of black wealth stored in cash, when to admit that it was a historic and an money.”3 demonetization was announced, surely unprecedented move. It is not as if we would have to agree that the others had not spoken of So at a broad level it would appear largest numbers feeling the pinch were demonetization as a means to combat that an internal study of the the ones least likely to have black the black economy. In recent years, Government had indicated that money/black wealth. And it is my belief Kenneth Rogoff, a professor of demonetization could be a legitimate that any policy decision that seems to Economics at Harvard University, and policy tool, provided however it was affect the poor the most, and especially the author of a book “the Curse of effectuated in a manner that it would on this scale and intensity needs to be Cash” has been one of the strongest not affect those complying with the subjected to intense analysis, prior to voices in favour of limiting or law. Given the secrecy, scale and its implementation with regard to what eliminating high denomination currency speed with which the Government of elements went into the decision making from circulation, permanently, as an India proceeded on November 8, process, with regard to the impact on effective means of combating criminal 2016, we would have to conclude that the people during the implementation activities and tax evasion. In his the Government of India decided on phase, and also after the process has interviews about demonetization a course of action that was not in been completed. In fact, we are not decision in India, Professor Rogoff, consonance with what a study yet sure whether the process has really taking on board the stated claims of commissioned by it had been completed even now, because Government of India, noted that the recommended. This is so because we still keep hearing about cash motivations seemed to be similar to demonetization affected not just or shortages for days on end, in at least the ones he advocated in his book the mostly the ones who were suspected a few ATMs and banks. “Curse of Cash.” However, he also as hoarding black wealth in cash, but outlined two specific ways the also everyone else. And it affected the What the gains are, of course we demonetization in India was poor the most adversely. will have to wait and see. The early proceeding differently from what he indications are not very encouraging; had advocated – the first was that he The chief concern obviously was however, we need to wait and see had advocated that demonetization be with the impact of demonetization on what follow on and collateral benefits done over a long period of time, some such a massive scale would be on the there might be. However, the situation seven years, and that too with respect weaker segments of the population with the poor, or at least a large to large notes; and the second was who essentially depended on cash number that I have interacted with, is that he had recommended that large transactions, both to earn a livelihood that they have suffered a lot but still notes be done away with all together, and to sustain themselves. As most of believe that it may do good for the whereas India was issuing an even you are aware, there were many, many country. And many of them have bigger denomination note than the one reports in the media, both print and consistently stated that even if they demonetized. electronic, that there was disruption in suffered more than the the ones with the lives of the people at a massive black wealth, it would still have been From the available record, it seems scale and that suffering was also wide worth it. Because it sends a message that the White Paper of 2012 of the and intense. There have been many that accumulation of black wealth is Government of India did contemplate reports of entire industries in certain not acceptable to them. Dr. Y.V. the possibility of using demonetization regions having to shut shop, and many Reddy argues that the decision by as a means of combating the black economists have opined that the the Government is of questionable 18 JANATA, October 1, 2017 merit; he nevertheless finds that the everything possible on this front? I move be the grand gilt edging for our more important message from the don’t know. We need to ask, and it is Constitution? manner in which the poor have imperative that the Government of behaved may be that the people are India explain what is being done. There are yet other questions that unwilling to abide by the amoral arise about maintenance of integrity of conduct of the well to do and agents (2) It has become clear that institutions and bodies of governance. of the state with regard to the black whatever gains we may reap, in terms The houses of parliament, the judiciary, economy.4 of reducing the size of the black the army, the RBI etc., are intricately economy because of demonetization, implicated in a finely wrought fabric It is my belief that the manner in there are many other segments of the of governance by our Constitution. which the poor have taken on the population which hold and enjoy They cannot be compromised burden of demonetization raises some immense amounts of black wealth and willynilly. So we need to ask questions very important moral questions about who have not been affected by such as: what is to happen next. I will try to demonetization. In fact, many raise a few, to give a sense of what reasonable people would probably say (1) Were there consultations with has been engrossing me for the past that demonetization, even if one were a wider array of experts and/or heads three months or so: to assume it to be well intentioned, of various institutions as to whether has not even really dented the real such a massive policy step ought to (1) Are there any attempts by the holders of black wealth. The battle of be taken, under what circumstances, Government to assess as to the full black economy now really needs to and with what sort of preparatory steps extent of suffering and damage to the move to the big players in this. being taken? sectors and economic spheres in which the lives of the poor are most India cannot afford to perpetuate (2) Given that a Government of implicated? And the steps to be taken the sense that crony capitalists, the big India commissioned White Paper to make sure that the poor do get the babus and the political operatives and cautioned against inflicting a burden succor and help to be made whole parties looting this country have been on those who abide by the law, in the again rapidly? allowed to get away scot free. The course of demonetization exercise, the suffering that the poor have undergone sheer scale of demonetization effected That the poor have shown immense and undergo everyday implies that the on November 8, 2016 implies that forbearance cannot be taken to mean goal of social justice cannot be everyone was caught up in the that those of us who are better off, compromised. maelstrom. Surely, the Government and the powers that be who have would not have been unaware that taken the policy decision are off the Yet we hear about strange things. even the law abiding citizens, and hook in being solicitous of their For instance the reported new law that especially the poor were also going to welfare. Nor does a victory in election sources of political funding need not be hit. What are the reasons and absolve the ruling party of the be revealed. How do we even begin rationale by which the Government of responsibility of taking all the steps to conceive the nature of such a move India convinced itself that the warning necessary to attempt ameliorating the to make political funding less in the White Paper need not be continued negative impact on the poor. transparent when it is widely heeded? The message by the Government of acknowledged that political funding India to the poor was that their plays a key role in how the power of From the perspective of suffering was in aid at reclaiming the the people vested in elected constitutionalism, irrespective of soul of our country. To not truly representatives and the permanent whether the demonetization exercise reclaim that soul, in terms of the establishment gets exercised in a turns out to be a roaring success or constitutional morality, would be a manner that is detrimental to public not, questions need to be asked about betrayal of the trust that the poor have interest? And that political funding is whether Indian constitutionalism ought placed, again, in the State, and those the fount of black economy? I am at to countenance such a mode of policy who control it. That should not and a loss as to what I should say about making and implementation. From all cannot be allowed to happen. the contradictions in public values and accounts, this was a big step, a big destruction of constitutional morality decision. With potentially humongous Is the Government of India doing by such a step. Can such a cynical implications for the lives and welfare JANATA, October 1, 2017 19 of the people of India. The questions (c) Finally, never waver from the 2 Friedrich Hayek, “Road to Serfdom” then would have to be about whether goal of instantiating social justice in all and “The Constitution of Liberty”. such a decision ought to be taken walks of life, and being particularly 3Roy, Tirthankar: Economic History and without wide consultations, and solicitous of the welfare and progress Modern India, Redefining the Link. obtaining the inputs of the widest range of the weakest among us, and reduce (Journal of Economic of experts? Constitutionalism implies inequalities. And bring an urgency to Perspectives 16(3):109-130 · February 2002) a wariness of decision making by one our endeavours in pursuing the goals 4Heaney, Seamus: From the Cure at person or even a small coterie of set forth in our constitution. If we do Troy, http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/ people surrounding the main power not genuinely do that, and show entertainment-july-dec98-pinsky_10-29/ centers. This is so because the risk of concrete results, the poor might stop 5Kumar, Arun: “Understanding the failure, and catastrophic consequences believing in the promise of democracy. Black Economy and Black Money in goes up exponentially as the scale and And that would be disastrous for our India” (2017) complexity goes up, and the coverage country.... 6Reddy, C. Ramamanohar Reddy: extends to most of the populace. Demonetisation and Black Money Moreover, once such decisions are (Footnotes) (2017) accepted, they become a precedent. 7Ibid, page 32. 8Kumar, Arun: “Understanding the Modern constitutionalism is always 1I am deliberately avoiding the Black Economy and Black Money in worried about the exercise of “anarcho-capitalist” model, because we India” (2017) unquestioned power by a tyrant have seen no modern society built on 9Reddy, C. Ramamanohar Reddy: alleged principles which advocate such unwilling to be stopped by the Demonetisation and Black Money complete absence of the State and any magnitude of negative consequences. (2017) kind of collective action that even We need to be worried about what 10Ibid, page 32. protection against child kidnapping is exercise of power on this scale, and 11Ibid, Foreword page xviii seen as detrimental to individual liberty. apparently without involving other institutions would mean to making elected officials accountable to Footprints of A Crusader constitutional principles. (The Life Story of Mrunal Gore) I think most of the answers to the questions I have raised above are covered by Babasaheb Ambedkar’s by speech at the ratification of the Constitution. He cautioned us that if we were to succeed as a constitutional democracy, we would need to do the Rohini Gawankar following three things:

(a) Forswear unconstitutional means of pressurizing the State to do Published by something or not do something and hold fast to constitutional methods of achieving our social and economic Kamalakar Subhedar, objectives. Secretary, Samata Shikshan Sanstha, (b) Not engage in such hero Pareira Wadi, Mohili Village, worship of the big man, or believe Sakinaka, Ghatkopar(W), that one big man will solve all of our Mumbai 400072. problems, that we end up suspending Mobile: 9820092255 our faculties to see, observe, analyse, and critique the decisions being made Contribution: Rs.300+ by the big man. R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 20 JANATA, October 1, 2017 Postal Registration No. MCW/275/2015-2017. License to Post without prepayment WPP License No. MR/Tech/WPP-210/West/2017 Published on Sunday, October 1, 2017 & Posted on Wedenesday October 4, 2017 at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1

GANNON DUNKERLEY & CO., LTD.

An infrastructure company established since 1924

REGD. OFFICE :

New Excelsior Building, (3rd Floor), A. K. Nayak Marg, Fort, Mumbai 400 001. Tel.: 022 2205 1231 Fax : 022-2205 1232

Office : , 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 1 Pages 16 Price : Rupees Five

Vol. 72 No. 37 A part-time Chief Minister October 8, 2017 Kuldip Nayar Mess in Education Sandeep Pandey Uttar Pradesh chief minister like situation in most places. So much has said that he so the centre, despite being ruled by Farmers and Pundits would be taking five days off in a the BJP, has expressed anxiety over Sankara Naayanan month to attend to his duties as the situation. head priest of the Gorakhnath Temple. Television networks ran Unfortunately, Chief Minister Yogi Whipping Boys of Policy this part of his speech only once. is openly attending to the duties as Devinder Sharma Either the Bhartiya mahant and also carries out what he (BJP) forced the channels to take considers is his task as chief minister. Right-Wing Surge in Germany the story off or the chief minister The situation is whimsical and the D. K. Giri himself felt so embarrassed that opposition parties have rightly he withdrew his statement. That criticized the Yogi for saffronising the could be the reason why the speech office of chief minister. Apparently, Towards Understanding the RSS backing is so strong that the Mahatma Gandhi did not see the light of the day in A. Raghu Kumar print. chief minister could get away with what is parochial and partisan. What Yogi had said was that he Y. S Subramanya would continue to be the head priest But this should not raise Purushottam Lal and attend to the religious duties eyebrows. We all know that the along with his callings as chief appointment of the Yogi as the chief minister of the state. But this is only minister of Uttar Pradesh came as for the consumption of the people. a surprise to political observers. Otherwise, he is continuing as head During the UP campaign, Prime Editor : priest of the temple and also in his Minister Narendra Modi, the main G. G. Parikh post as chief minister. campaigner, largely concentrated on Managing Editor : Guddi the agenda of development. This was However, one disturbing thing true despite his attempts, halfway D-15, Ganesh Prasad, which is obvious is that the gulf through the election, to consolidate Naushir Bharucha Marg, between Hindus and Muslims is the Hindu vote through the use of increasing further. There is an communal speeches and words. Nor Mumbai - 400 007. atmosphere of communal tension. was there any major communal Email : [email protected] More than half of UP is under the incident or riot, as happened prior to Website:www.janataweekly.org gaze of police because there is a riot- the 2014 national elections. But then 2 JANATA, October 8, 2017 what had become clear was that to capture power at the centre. Yet, Llargest Money- even if the BJP were to bring in there was much speculation as both development in UP as promised, the Modi and party president Laundering Plan path to winning the 2019 general wanted a person with a elections will be through communal developmental image to lead the Slamming the Narendra polarization. state. But the RSS had its way and Modi government over sliding persuaded Modi and Shah to accept economic growth and increasing This is where Adityanath, a Adityanath as the chief minister. job losses, former Union familiar face in national politics due minister Arun Shourie has likened to his communal remarks from time There are a number of reasons demonetisation to suicide, saying to time, including those prior to the why the BJP-RSS has selected him the latter is too “a bold step”. He voting in western UP in an attempt to head the state. First, the 2000s also called the Modigovernment as to gain the Hindu and particularly the have witnessed the attempt by the “government of two and-a-half OBC vote in the face of Jat BJP to create a strong non-Brahmin persons”. opposition, fitted it. A five-time MP Hindutva, not only in UP but in many from Gorakhpur since 1998, he was states in the country. While in the “This is a government by `ilhaam’ appointed the mahant in 2014 and the 1980s and early 1990s the BJP was (revelation). The PM has the Gorakhnath mutt has been involved viewed as largely an upper-caste `ilhaam’ one night that demonetisation in political matters for decades. Hindu party, since at least the mid- should be done and he does it. In any 1990s in UP there has been an case it was a bold step. I have to What may not be as well known attempt to consciously mobilize and remind you suicide too is a bold is the manner in which the Yogi rose bring into the ambit of the party non- step,” Shourie said in an interview to prominence in the late 1990s, Yadav OBCs and non-Jatav dalits, with NDTV when asked why in his gradually replacing the upper-caste who constitute the large majority, in view the government went in for mafia of the 1980s that dominated order to meet the challenge posed demonetisation. He said, “It was the the politics of the region. This mafia by the Samajwadi Party and the largest money-laundering scheme had vast patronage and solid Bahujan Samaj Party. ever, conceived and implemented by connections with political parties, but the government.” It was an “idiotic still had no communal linkages. The The chief minister should be jolt”, he said, “everyone who had decline of this mafia provided space attending to the immediate problems black converted it into white”. to Yogi, leading to a shift from caste- facing the state like the deaths at the centric mafiadom to religious Gorakhpur hospital and the burning “Which argument (offered by the criminalization. Adityanath also had issue of the Banaras Hindu government in defence of the advantage of being a with University where the students have demonetisation) today survives? good connection in the dominant been agitating. The recent issue upper-caste besides forging about the Taj Mahal, which is our Black money? All of it turned successfully an alliance with the heritage, having been removed from white. Terrorism? Terrorists are still OBCs and dalits to maintain a the list of UP Tourism attractions has coming into India,” he said. Shourie balance. That is how he, as a 26- added to the chapter of also took a dig at BJP president Amit year-old, was fielded as the BJP controversies. Shah, terming him “that famous candidate from the Gorakhpur Lok economist” and underscoring that Sabha constituency and, as they say, We have the bitter experience of official figures cannot be brushed the rest is history. having part-time Prime Ministers. under the carpet. They embarrassed the party or a Emerging as a leading force and combination of parties and did little “This is a government of two-and- communalizing the politics of the work when so many problems were a-half persons, Narendra Modi, Amit region, there could not have been a awaiting solutions. This is what the Shah and one in-house lawyer. They better option than Adityanath to help BJP and chief minister Adityanath don’t have the expertise and they the BJP win elections in 2019 as UP, should remember because the party have surrounded themselves by with 80 Lok Sabha seats, would be won the assembly polls on the persons who don’t have the vital in the party’s scheme of things (Continued from Page 8) expertise,” he said. JANATA, October 8, 2017 3 Mess in Education Sandeep Pandey BHU IIT

The controversial Vice Chancellor Medical Superintendent of the course decisions were taken in of Banares Hindu University, Hospital on campus. It was because Board meetings and implemented, Professor Girish Chandra Tripathi’s of his trying to push such cases of now since the last over one year has now gone on leave indefinitely. inappropriate candidates that every decision has been personally It turns out he was not only a disaster Professor at IIT Gandhinagar, Michel approved by the Vice Chancellor as for the university but was also Danino, also a member of Indian Board’s chair with other members eroding the credibility of the reputed Council of Historical Research, had having no say. Indian Institute of Technology on resigned from the university’s campus as its Chairperson, Board of executive council in 2015 November. According to rules at least two Governors. The Minister for meetings should be held every year. External Affairs Sushma Swaraj Tripathi treated the University as Only a special meeting was held in mentioned IITs among India’s his fiefdom and the IIT a toy to play June 2017 to approve the pay scale achievements in the United Nations with. It turns out that he had not in which the VC refused to discuss General Assembly speech but this finalised the minutes of meeting of the approval of minutes of 8 July VC could care less. IIT Board of Governors held on 8 2016 meeting saying that special July, 2016 with more than a year meeting was called to discuss only His name was not there in the panel having elapsed. Until these minutes a specific matter. He almost held the of five for appointment to Chairman, are passed next meeting cannot take institution to ransom. Now that he Board of Governors of IIT at BHU, place. Other members of the Board has been made to proceed on yet he was foisted upon IIT by the suggested to him to call a meeting to indefinite leave, the situation of then Minister for Human Resources finalise the minutes. But Tripathi Chairperson, IIT Board of Development Smriti Irani. Irani’s remained incommunicado on this Governors has been left in a limbo. educational qualification is suspect issue. The IIT is in a state of uncertainty and Tripathi’s academic record is not knowing what is in store for dubious, with no research publication As a result of Tripathi’s future. It is unthinkable that it didn’t in his name to date. As mediocre shortsightedness important decisions prick a pygmy VC’s conscience, people meddled in the affairs of are pending implementation. who subscribes to an ideology academic institutions of national and Appointments of five Deans of IIT - which constantly harps on international importance, it was bound that of Academic Affairs, Student nationalism, that he was hampering to boomerang at some point. While Affairs, Research and Development, the functioning of an institute which Irani had to be replaced as Minister Alumni Affairs and Faculty Affairs - is a symbol of national pride. of HRD because of mishandling has been put on hold as acting Deans campus after campus, Tripathi now manage the day-to-day affairs. It would be instructive to see who stands thoroughly exposed as anti- Besides the Director, Deans play an the various chairpersons of several intellectual, intransigent, morally important role in running of IITs. other IITs are? IIT Kanpur, Board bankrupt, patriarchal, arrogant, Several appointments, especially is headed by R.C. Bhargava, irrational and tyrannical administrator. security related, are also awaiting Chairman, Maruti Udyog Ltd., IIT His capacity for shamelessness is finalisation of Board decisions. In the Delhi by Kumar Mangalam Birla, unfathomable. Three days after the light of recent events on campus the Chairman, Aditya Birla Group, IIT incident of sexual harassment on importance of security appointments Mumbai by Dilip Sanghvi, Chairman, campus on 21 September which cannot be underestimated. But the Sun Pharma, IIT Kharagpur by snowballed into a major controversy, most serious damage it has caused Sanjiv Goenka, Chairman, RP-Sanjiv he tried to regularise the appointment to the IIT is that democratic Goenka Group, IIT Chennai by of Dr. O.P. Upadhyay, convicted of functioning of administration has Pawan Goenka, Managing Director, sexual misconduct by a Fiji Court, as been usurped. Whereas in the normal Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd., IIT 4 JANATA, October 8, 2017

Guwahati by Dr. Rajiv Modi, whom it wanted its chairperson to What is Girish Chandra Tripathi’s Chairman & MD of Cadila be chosen. The panel of five claim to hold this prestigious Pharmaceuticals Ltd. and IIT included N.R. Narayana Murthy, co- position? He has no achievements Roorkee may have a new Chairman founder of Infosys, Pankaj Chandra, to show in any field which makes in the form of Anil Kakodkar. Most earlier Director of Indian Institute of him fit to be even a Professor, leave IIT Boards are chaired by industry Management, Bengaluru and now aside positions of VC and leaders who are there because of VC, Ahmedabad University, Kiran Chairperson of Board of Governors, their vision and dynamism. Can we Karnik, presently one of the that too of an IIT. imagine any of them sitting on Directors of Reserve Bank of India, minutes of a Board meeting for over Sanjay Dhande, former Director, The performance of G.C. a year? IIT Kanpur and Narendra Ahuja, Tripathi has been so hopeless that formerly Professor at University of even the persons involved in Let us compare Tripathi with the Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. All of elevating him to a position for names that were originally proposed them established themselves and which he was not deserving must by the IIT Board from among build their credibility over years. be taken to task. Taking Institutions Backwards

On 11 September, 1893 Swami asked to memorise the speech of That Vivekanand is not taken Vivekanand delivered his famous Swami Vivekanand delivered in 1893 seriously by the Rashtriya speech in the Parliament of World’s and regurgitate it. When students did Swayamsewak Sangh, the ideological Religions in Chicago. The Bhartiya not even bother to learn it by rote, parent of ruling dispensation in India, Janata Party government decided to they were allowed to read it from is also clear from his statement in the celebrate the event and Prime paper. Such is the sorry state of affairs same speech, ‘We believe not only in Minister Narendra Modi addressed of our academic institutions. If Swami universal toleration, but we accept the youth of the country. Incidentally, were alive today he would have all religions as true. I am proud to he shares his first name with cringed in despair. belong to a nation which has sheltered Vivekanand’s original name the persecuted and the refugees of Narendra Nath Datta. He wanted everybody to have all religions and all nations of the complete faith in themselves and feel earth.’ However, in the context of Vivekanand has inspired the youth like a sovereign but our higher current migration of Rohingya of this country for long. His educational institutions do not want Muslims from Myanmar the Home preachings are thought provoking. our students to develop independent Minister Rajnath Singh says they are For example, he says, ‘As certain thinking. Had the students been asked illegal immigrants and not refugees religions of the world say that a man to give their comments on who have not followed the procedure who does not believe in a Personal Vivekanand’s speech they would to apply for asylum, but it is not clear God outside of himself is an atheist, have had to exercise their brain. But whether Government of India would so the Vedanta says, a man who does it is amazing that university level welcome them even if they were to not believe in himself is an atheist. students are just being asked to seek entry through proper channel. Not believing in the glory of our own memorise and reproduce a speech. They obviously don’t have soul is what Vedanta call atheism.’ The entire idea of putting a curb on Vivekanand’s large heart. Narendra At another place he pleads with his students’ thinking is contradictory to Modi chose not to raise the issue of audience, ‘If you are not a prophet, Vivekanand’s idea of empowerment. persecution of Rohingya Muslims there never has been anything true How can the students have belief during a meeting with its famous of God...Everyone of us will have to in themselves if they are merely leader, Aung San Suu Kyi in his recent become a prophet.’ activating not the analytical power maiden visit to Myanmar. That of brain but only its photographic demonstrates India’s overall However, when this occasion was ability? Quite clearly the authorities insensitivity towards Rohingyas. celebrated on 11 September, 2017 on want to produce followers and not university campuses, students were leaders. Vivekanand also said in Chicago, JANATA, October 8, 2017 5

‘Sectarianism, bigotry, and its horrible Y. S Subramanya descendent, fanaticism, have long possessed the beautiful earth. They Under the veteran socialist leader, Hailing from a traditional family, have filled earth with violence, the late C.G.K Reddy and Sogal it was great news when he joined drenched it often and often with Nagabhushana, the erstwhile state the Bata Shoe Company and human blood, destroyed civilisation of Mysore in Karnataka had seen a incidentally, this company was a and sent whole nations to despair. flurry of socialist activities with a shield for all his activities. All Had it not been for these horrible band of dedicated, young and national and state leaders like Yusuf demons, human society would be far educated student leaders. Both J.P Meherally, C.G.K Reddy, S. more advanced than it is now.’ and Lohia were the guiding stars for Gopalagowda, J.H Patel, S. However sectarianism, bigotry, the enthusiastic band of workers Venkatram and a host of others fanaticism and violence have who laid the foundation of socialist were in his close touch. None increased with the BJP’s ascent to movement in the Mysore area. Y. S, missed him while in Bangalore. power. Some loyalists Subramanya, who passed away on Another reason for this was the can argue that this is in response to 25-09-2017 at the age of 93 was one acute shortage of currency in the the rise of similar tendencies in Islam among such unsung heroes of the hands of our leaders. He was a globally. The moot question is could socialist movement, who were the willing aid to all of them. He was a there have been a different response witness to the birth, rise and fall of treasure house of Mysore socialists rooted in Vivekanand’s and Mahatma the great socialist movement in this to this author and others who were Gandhi’s ideologies to it? part of the country. curious to know about the activities Also it is worrisome that senior of the socialist movement of that It was the job of Y.S Subramanya functionaries of the BJP governments period. He himself remained in the to supervise the distribution and sale are indulging in negating scientific and background and contributed of “Jagruti Patrike”, started under rational thinking. The Uttar Pradesh significantly for the movement. the stewardship of the late Kamala Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath while Devi Chattopadhyaya. The late Come Emergency in 1975, he speaking at the convocation of the veteran journalist Khadri Shamanna became very active. He along with Post Graduate was its editor. Initially, it was a band of activists would collect Institute of Medical Sciences in published from Mumbai and underground literature and without Lucknow on 16 September claimed subsequently shifted to Dharwad, any sound and fury, would see to it that China was researching how Karnataka. Subramanya had opened that the same was distributed among Hindu God Ganesh’s head slain by a small office in Balepet of the busy the general public. Many of the his father Lord Shiv was replaced Majestic area of Bangalore and he English literature on Emergency he with an elephant’s head and exhorted and other young band of enthusiastic got translated to Kannada and the Indian doctors to delve into the socialist workers would read the arranged for its distribution. None treasure of our scriptures. He also catchy headlines of the paper loudly, could cast their doubt on beseeched the faculty and students and within a few hours of the receipt Subramanya. to find the herb which brought back of the Jagruti, the copies would have Laxman to life. According to him Dr. been sold out. Whatever the After the lifting of the A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was inspired by subscription collected would be Emergency, a small meeting of the the Mahabharat to work on missiles. utilized in the evening by Subramanya socialists was held at his initiative Yogi Adityanath holds a Bachelor’s and other youngsters to purchase and it was decided to bring out a degree in Mathematics. groundnuts and that was their staple series of booklets on J.P and other socialist thinkers in Kannada. The The State Minister for Human food. He used to narrate these publishing house was known as Resources Development at the centre anecdotes and with all pride, he “Janaprakashana”. First, the Satya Pal Singh claimed in a would say “We used to eat Kadlekai book on J.P’s Total Revolution was programme of All India Council for (Groundnuts), drink some water and brought out and was priced at just Technical Education on 20 then go to bed!” They were indeed a great, dedicated band of selfless (Continued on Page 10)socialists. (Continued on Page 15) 6 JANATA, October 8, 2017 Farmers Exist Despite the State and Pundits

Sankara Naayanan

Corporates Tata (Rs558 cr from up productivity etc. That, according Battacharya will grumble about Gujarat government for Nano plant) to them, is the real help needed by damage to credit discipline; nor any and Laxmi Mittal (Rs1200 cr from the farmers. ‘It is disincentive to dharmic lecture as a slap for those Punjab government for a refinery) those honest farmers who repaid the industrialists who repaid loans. had received mega government loans loans’ is one more dharmic discourse. at 0.1 per cent rate of interest and 0From 2004-05 to 2016-17, more 20 years repayment period: This is Yet another sagacious advice from than 55 lakh crore rupees worth tax just the tip of the iceberg. Super pundits: Farming sector is burdened concessions (Revenue Foregone) efficient corporates and their super with too many people. That is why it were given to corporates in a free meritorious pundits will collapse like became non-viable (Not because market economy for nothing. Pure pack of cards if the state freebies they deliberately made it non-viable). crony capitalism. No Pundit lectures are withdrawn. The naked truth is So 50 per cent of them must be taken us on using this mega freebie instead that farmers are subsidising the out of agriculture and employed on infrastructure development. Nor entire nation for decades because we elsewhere. World Bank also gave the any discourse that there can never don’t pay the real price for the farm same directive to Manmohan Singh be a Free Lunch. ‘Why should a Maai produce. Poor subsidise the rich! 25 years ago. Who will employ the Baap sarkar dole out public money to people taken out from agriculture? private individuals’ like lecture has Most of the farmers and farm Should we dump them in Bay of taken a long leave because they share labourers get credit from Bengal or Arabian Sea? If you ask a part of this super loot. Sagacious Microfinance Institutions and private these questions, the pundits will advices like banks will fail, credit moneylenders at interest rates sidetrack the issue putting the blame discipline will suffer, infrastructure ranging from 25 to 60 per cent and on politicians, non-governance, can be built with this money etc are much more with fortnightly cycle of corruption etc. not applicable to corporate freebies repayment. Contrast this with the or loan waivers. So much for the free credits enjoyed by the Tatas and When massive corporate loans are neutrality of our pundits. Mittals. written off regularly, selfish classes call that an incentive and imperative. As regards the building of rural Whenever a farm loan waiver is Chief Economic Adviser Arvind infrastructure for helping the demanded, pundits say it will not Subramanian justifies those waivers farmers: Punjab has the best roads solve the farm crisis. Many thanks in fashionable language. Industrialist and mundis. 98 per cent of the land for admitting there is a farm crisis had failed not deliberately. In spite of is getting assured irrigation. It is a after killing 4 lakh farmers. Pundits their best efforts, they lost money world record. Punjabi farmers’ further argue that it will only help due to reasons beyond their control, productivity is comparable with their the big farmers because most of the international economic crisis, counterparts in the USA and China. small and marginal farmers are not recession, lack of demand in the Yet Punjabi farmers are in severe given loans by the banks. If they are market and so on and so forth. But debt crisis. Will the classes respond so much concerned with the small farm loan waiver is cursed as leaky why Punjabi farmers commit suicide farmers, why didn’t they tell this train/drain of tax payers’ money, despite the best infrastructure and injustice/anomaly earlier? because farmers are lazy and productivity? drunkards. And they have no Then they lecture that this money problems like the ones faced by the If you compare these pundits with should be invested productively to industrialists. You need really an iron- pigs, it is real disgrace to the pigs. improve rural infrastructure like like heart to forget the droughts, The anti-farmer pundits will shut their roads, irrigation, cold storage, market floods, price crash etc faced by the mouths only if the farmers greet facility, modern technology to step hapless farmers. No Arundhati them suitably. JANATA, October 8, 2017 7 Whipping Boys of Policy

Devinder Sharma

Farmers continue to subsidise certificates under the first phase Does he not work hard to earn a living conditions for the country’s involving Rs7371 crore from the livelihood? A report published in growing middle class at the expense total package of Rs36,359 crore ‘Gaon Connection’ (September 12, of their own lives and livelihood. the UP govt has promised small 2017) provides the answer. The and marginal farmers. report quoting analytics of the Studies ian Punjab have shown department of agriculture of UP, says that 98 % of rural farming While 4814 farmers received on average every month a farmer households of that state were in debt, waiver of less than Rs100 per head, incurs a net loss of Rs1307. Against and that in 94 % of the cases, the another 6895 got waivers of Rs100 an expenditure of Rs6230, the net average expenditure exceeded to Rs500 on outstanding loans; 5583 returns a farmer receives is only monthly earnings. farmers got waiver certificates for Rs4923. At this rate, the daily income amounts ranging between Rs500 and a farmer earns is barely Rs164. In The picture that may come to mind Rs1000 and as many as 41690 neighbouring Haryana, a study by if one is asked to visualize an Indian received waiver certificates for the Haryana Agricultural University farmer would probably be that of a Rs1000 to Rs10000. Altogether, (HAU) had computed the average frail person clad in a sullied dhoti- 57982 farmers got loan waivers income from wheat cultivation at kurta, with a loose turban on his head under Rs10000. Rs800 per acre. and worn out jutis on his feet. And if he happens to come calling at one’s This was only the first phase of With such a low income, how house, one may in all likelihood the much talked about farm loan can a farmer’s family survive? One prefer to meet him outside the gates waiver. But more than Rs29000 can’t even rear a cow on such low rather than let him into the house and crore in waivers are yet to come. At incomes. Year after year, farmers spoil, say the expensive carpet on the the given rate, the number of farmers have struggled to produce bumper drawing room floor. getting paltry sums waived would harvests. But little do they realize add up to a few lakhs. that they are actually cultivating Not everyone treats a farmer so, losses. The minimum support price but many do. There are people who Many would say the amounts (MSP) worked out for almost all question the media fuss about farm waived are princely sums and that crops are below the cost of loan waiver in UP being as low as the farmers should remain production. If one were to look at Rs 10 to Rs 300. They feel farmers perpetually obliged to the state for the cost of production of different should accept what they receive with its largesse. And such gratitude fits crops in different states and gratitude as they don’t pay income well with the image of the farmer compare them with the prices tax and also get huge subsidies. implanted in the imagination. But it farmers get, one would find that They believe farmers won’t have is at best a cruel joke. farmers are suffering huge losses. bad loans if they were not lazy and They are, therefore, left with no worked hard in the first place. The fact remains that the option but to seek credit, often from successive governments and large multiple sources, and get into a Farm loan waivers coming to 9 sections of the middle class have debt trap. paise, 19 paise, 90 paise, Rs2, Rs6 treated farmers as a burden; they feel and so on, and of 4814 farmers farmers live on alms the society Studies in Punjab have shown that getting a waiver of less than affords them. The entire effort today 98 % of rural farming households of Rs100 have been highlighted by is to offload the burden as quickly that state were in debt, and that in the media. According to reports, as possible. 94 % of the cases, the average 11.93 lakh farmers in UP have so expenditure exceeded monthly far received loan waiver But is the farmer really lazy? earnings. If a front-line agricultural 8 JANATA, October 8, 2017 state like Punjab has such a problem, the condition of the farming Purushottam Lal Kaushik households in the rest of the country can be imagined. All this has Former Union minister and common masses. In the year 1977, happened because successive Socialist leader Purushottam Lal he was elected to Lok Sabha from governments have denied the Kaushik passed away on Raipur parliamentary constituency as farmers their rightful income. 5th October 2017, due to age-related Janata Party candidate by defeating Agriculturalists have been ailments at his home in Congress stalwart Vidya Charan deliberately kept impoverished to Chhattisgarh’s Mahasamund Shukla. ensure that food prices remain low district. He was 87. Born on for the urban population. September 24, 1930, in He had served as tourism and Mahasamund, Kaushik had obtained civil aviation minister in the then In other words, the farmers have his LLB degree from the Prime Minister ’s been subsidizing the nation all these University in 1954.Inspired by the cabinet during 1977-1979. He years. It is high time the middle class ideas and political movements headed the Information and understood how they are directly launched by Socialist leaders Broadcasting Ministry in the Prime responsible for the agrarian crisis in Rammanohar Lohia and Minister Charan Singh’s cabinet the country. Jayaprakash Narayan, Purushottam during July 1979-January Kaushik had entered into politics as 1980.During 1980 to 1989 he was Loan waivers may bring short a Socialist Party member led by Dr associated with Lok Dal, Janata term relief to the farmers. But their Lohia and became Secretary Party and respectively expectations are belied when even General of the Samyukta Socialist and elected to Lok Sabha again as that little solace does not reach party (SSP).He was pioneer of Janata Dal candidate from Durg them. In UP, although the Socialist movement in the united parliamentary constituency. government promised to waive the Madhya Pradesh and led many outstanding loans of small farmers, farmers’ agitations in the sixties and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister they are finally written off unpaid seventies in the state. He formed Raman Singh expressed his deep loans only till Match 2016. And the ‘Khetihar Sangh’ in pursuit of condolence over the death of the waiver is only for those farmers fighting for the socio-economic and veteran leader. In his condolence whose accounts are linked to educational up-liftment of message, the CM said the state had Aadhaar. Is it not grossly unfair? agricultural labourers and adivasis. lost a legendary socialist thinker and well-wisher of farmers.” At the same time, when it comes He was elected as an MLA from Kaushik toiled tirelessly for the to striking off toxic loans of Mahasamund seat in 1972 on united welfare of depressed sections of corporate, the government is more Socialist party ticket to the then the society - villagers, farmers and than keen to oblige. As much as Madhya Pradesh Assembly. the poor. He served the state as Rs81,683 crore in bad debt of Purushottam Kaushik was an MLA, MP and central corporate was quietly written for the imprisoned during the Emergency minister,” Singh said. FY 2016-17. No defaulting company for many months defending the got loan waiver as paltry as Rs100 democratic aspirations of the –Qurban Ali or Rs10000 or even Rs 1 lakh. Each company gets several crores of (Continued from Page 2) rupees written off and that too promise of development. The violation of the Supreme Court order without hassles. That is how greatest harm to the office of chief stating that public money cannot be economic policies are designed. minister is that it is seen something used for religious purposes. A PIL Writing off corporate loan is treated like a temporary arrangement. should be filed to protest against the as a measure aiding economic loss it has caused to the concept of growth, whereas writing off farm The UP chief minister staying democracy. Even otherwise, the loan is treated as credit indiscipline away from his Lucknow office with larger question that needs an answer and a drain on the national all security to perform the rituals as is whether Adityanath is a mahant exchequer. the head priest for the five days is a first or the CM. JANATA, October 8, 2017 9 Right-Wing Surge in Germany

D. K. Giri

Liberals as well as progressives Party (FDP) with 10.7 per cent, the lurch of European politics the whole in Germany are shocked by the 19th Left, Grand Linke, 9.2 per cent and of Europe is swept by a new wave Bundestag (Parliament) results. For the Greens, 8.9 per cent. of right-wing populism and the first time in German politics a extremism for the last two decades. right-wing anti-immigration, anti- Notably, the coalition building Belgium, which headquarters the Europe Party Alternative for process post-election is difficult and supranational European Union had Germany (AfD, entered the lengthy in Germany. It is likely that a ‘black Sunday’ in 1991 when the Parliament with 12.6 per cent votes CDU/CSU will invite the FDP and right-wing populist Flemish Block translating into 94 MPs. the Greens to join them. In the last gained 6.8 per cent of the national Parliament Merkel entered into a vote to enter the Parliament. Said, a senior Social Democratic coalition with her biggest rival SPD Party member, “the elections are to form the Government. Likewise, there are the Dutch a breaking point for parliamentary Freedom Party, Front National in democracy in Germany”. His Surely, the SPD finds the defeat France, Austrian Freedom Party, statement reflects their shock too bitter to stomach easily and have United Kingdom Independence and disappointment at the right- refused to join Merkel’s coalition Party (UKIP), Finns Party in Finland, wing surge not only in German Government again. Instead they the Law and Justice Party in Poland, politics but also as the whole of would rather reflect on their Viktor Orban’s Fidesz Party and Europe is experiencing a shift to performance and re-build the party. another far-right Party Jobbik in the far-right in their respective Its leader Martin Schultz who had Hungary, Sweden’s right-wing racist countries. distinguished himself as the Party Sweden Democrats and President of the European Golden Dawn in Greece, etc. Undeniably, the German results Parliament failed to prevent Merkel are dramatic. The incumbent from winning her fourth consecutive All these parties are anti- Chancellor Angela Merkel secured a term. immigration, ultra-nationalist, anti- fourth term albeit with a diminished European Union, isolationist and electoral base. Her Party CDU/CSU As she faced the doubts and perfectionist. The biggest threat suffered a massive loss of votes dilemmas of German voters over her posed by these is to the European percentage and seats and got reduced open-door immigration policy the Union - by far the most successful from 41.5 per cent of popular votes SPD did not have an alternative and regional integration of 28 countries, to 32.9 per cent and from 311 seats persuasive narrative. That is why, the now 27 with UK’s exit. to 246 in the Parliament, their lowest anti-Merkel voters went to right and score since 1949. left wing parties who could not form Remember, the EU signified a Government on their own. functional federalism, multi- The second largest, party SPD culturalism and pooling of which was a partner in her previous Certainly, the SPD, a progressive sovereignties for greater good. It is Government met a similar fate, down social democratic party could have the beacon of hope, peace and from 25.7 per cent to 20.5 per cent formed the Government if they could prosperity for the world, especially of votes and from 193 to 153 articulate the anti-Merkel sentiments as it was born after the destruction Members of Parliament. This was of the voters into a coherent agenda of Europe in two world wars and the SPD’s worst electoral show of their own. That was not to be. The disruption of its politics and economy since the Second World War. Social Democrats hooked to a centre- in several smaller regional wars. left approach, are not known to be The other four parties in the inventive in their ideological Pertinently, the right-wing parties Bundestag are the right-wing platforms. want to pull out of the EU. The extremist party AfD with 12.6 per relentless populist campaign by cent, centre-right Free Democratic Coming back to the right-wing UKIP in Britain took UK out of 10 JANATA, October 8, 2017

European Union. The Sweden are reflective of pluralism in every keys to lock right-wing populism Democrats and Hungary’s Jobbik walk of life. Of course, there are and extremism. These principles want to hold referendums on their exceptions but exceptions do not ought to be embraced and practiced membership of the European Union. make the rule. by progressives, in fact, all So do almost all the European right- politicians in any country. wing parties. There are other Clearly, Europe should look at Democracy which has become a concomitant damages that might Indian pluralism which synthesizes universal political aspiration will accrue from their policies. modernity and tradition and absorbs be fructuous only with such alien cultures into its framework. Only principles. Without them, Questionably, how are the right- in such a pluralist framework can one democracies will be chaotic, one- wing parties gaining support from the stunt the growth of right-wing party authoritarianism, and worse, educated, sophisticated electorate of extremist tendencies. In fact, right- incapable of delivering the political Europe? All of them are falling prey wing populism grows in the absence and economic goods. European to the populist rhetoric of the right- of a narrative that accommodates countries will have to look East to wing parties. The answer to this is ‘the other’, the so-called culture make their democracies viable and not hard to find. European countries usurper while, at the same time, it vibrant. have been mono-cultural societies. assures the majority that they are not Their concept of nationhood rested threatened. on a single culture - one language, (Continued on Page 5) one religion, one race, etc. Curiously, while the right-wing parties speak to the majority and September in Delhi that Shivakar Although they accommodated capture the gullible, the progressive Babuji Talpade in India invented the other non-Europeans owing to their parties talk of the minorities. A air plane 8 years before the Wright colonial compulsions, their policies pluralist agenda will appeal to the brothers. According to him plants in and attitude were not geared to majority and minority, the insider and Ravana’s kingdom were not required pluralism. Even the construction of the outsider. to be watered as they contained a the EU did not help much as it could mythical elixir Chandramani. He not transcend the white racism and Let’s finish with a word on the wants engineering students to learn Europeanism so far. refugee crisis that gripped the about Hindu deity Vishwakarma, European countries and caused the puranas and mythology. Singh holds Indian Model seismic shock in the electoral results. a Masters degree in Chemistry and Many counties, including India, are is a former Indian Police Services Hence, can the Union of India facing a large humanitarian refugee officer. offer a model of politics to the problem. But dealing with the European Union and its member refugees is like treating the By not letting analytical thinking countries? India, barring the latest consequences of a problem, not the develop in students the RSS is activism of the Hindutva brigade, cause. ensuring that there will be no one to homogenizing the culture by ask Yogi when he makes the imposing food habits etc has been a Europeans have been reluctant to suggestion to doctors to research how viable model for multi-culturalism engage with the Middle-East, leaving an elephant’s head replaced and political federalism. Even the it to the Americans to handle. But by beheaded Lord Ganesh that if indeed majority religion, is pluralist being closer to the Middle-East than doctor’s were successful in doing this and polytheist in its practice. the Americans, they have to deal with surgery whose brain would the the refugees. Secondly, they should India recognizes multiple identities resultant creature possess - human’s treat the refugees as transient or elephant’s? Or they don’t want like caste, colour, faith, language, displacees, who should eventually be region, etc. But subsuming all of any students to ask Satya Pal Singh helped or facilitated to return to their if India possessed the know-how of them is a supra identity, citizenship, homeland. That would mean bringing based on the Constitution. making planes why is it not investing an end to the fratricidal wars in the in rediscovering that knowledge Consequently, nation and state Middle-East. became two complementary but rather than buying Rafale jets from distinct political and cultural units. However, identity, pluralism, a France? The principles, policies and practices spirit of accommodation are the –Sandeep Pandey JANATA, October 8, 2017 11 Towards Understanding Mahatma Gandhi

A. Raghu Kumar

Mahatma Gandhi introduced non- was not that there were writings and expressions, he violence as a method of political contradictions in him, but the fact fashioned his own ‘sahasranama”! struggle in India’s anti-colonial that he embraced multitudes made We can also see a convergence of struggle. This method was adopted his critics to understand so. In the thought – though emanating from as a considered choice in many later history of thought, Socrates, Marx various people representing various struggles in many parts of the world. and Gandhi present such paradoxes. political ideologies! How could one Post-Gandhi, the method of They are contradictory because they individual be defined or understood evaluation of a political struggle has embraced multitudes in multitudes. in so many ways by so many people to undergo a necessary test on this having divergent goals and political new touchstone. Even the chances Gandhi lost much of his ground ideologies is a wonderful subject of violent struggles, except for few almost in his own country, except for matter for another independent internal coups, have become almost some Ashramite Gandhians. analysis. bleak. Another difficulty in Marxists and all shades of understanding Gandhi has always Communists, Ambedkarites, RSS Presently, we, who sincerely take been that unlike other intellectuals and other pro-Hindu forces, and pride in the role of the Mahatma, and activists, Gandhi has never even Muslims for whose cause he need to understand how Gandhi ‘become’ a final product, rather he derived the ire of Hindu organizations could combine a saint and a politician was always and eternally in the stage vilified Gandhi to such an extent that within himself, and how far his of ‘being’. Also, an intriguing Gandhi regaining his ground in his understanding is based on the phenomenon for many – he provokes mother country is almost uncertain traditional texts he revered and love, respect and veneration from as on now. There is one emerging where he consciously differed in some and, simultaneously wrath, Swatch Bharat icon Gandhi, a poster arriving at certain conclusions. In abuse and ridicule from many others. boy for only cleanliness on his own this effort, recently I came across birthday. We have successfully and the works of Anthony J. Parel, a We know him as the chief without remorse disowned a person Canadian historian, author and architect of freedom struggle but who all through his life devoted his academic. It appears, he has so far what made Gandhi – the saint and time and energies to the freedom of written four books on Gandhi – (1) the political activist, the two widely his country and people. Instead we “Hind Swaraj and other Writings held opposite views to co-exist in him started running after those who (1997)”, (2) “Gandhi, Freedom and in due proportions deserved serious consciously acted against the Self-Rule (2000)”, (3) “Gandhi’s investigation. Like the publication freedom struggle, ridiculed it, or Philosophy and the Quest for of Marx’s “Economic and even derailed it on every opportunity. Harmony (2008)” and (4) “Pax Philosophical Manuscripts” of 1844 For Tagore he was “the Mahatma’, Gandhiana : The Political Philosophy in 1930s which offered fresh reading or ‘the great soul in beggar’s garb’; of Mahatma Gandhi (2016)”. So far, of Marx, Gandhi also needed an for Winston Churchill he was a ‘half- I could lay my hands only on the first explanatory note from a philosopher naked fakir’ and a ‘cunning fox’; for and the third one. Here, I prefer to to understand his varied stands on Jinnah he was a ‘cunning fox’, and present my initial impressions on my various issues, most of the times ‘a Hindu revivalist’; for first reading of his work “Gandhi’s axiomatic, but yet antagonistic. In a Ambedkarhe he was “a blue-blooded Philosophy and the Quest for correspondence with Sarvepalli Tory” and “a fanatic Hindu”; ‘a Harmony”. For this work, Parel Radhakrishnan, it appears he left it mascot of the bourgeoisie’ for constructed the philosophy of Gandhi to the philosophers to interpret him. Marxist Palme Dutt; ‘the most on one of the important traditional To the charge that he contradicted important class collaborator within concepts, “Purushartha”. himself, Walt Whitman, the the nationalist movement’ for M. N. American poet, once replied that it Roy. Through his acts and gestures, It almost begins with an anecdote 12 JANATA, October 8, 2017 when Gandhi was in South Africa, “Bhagavad Gita”. Rajchandbhai Mahatma Gandhi, 51:259 at p.20 of raged with so many doubts about his had supplied him with an important this book]. This leads us to the future course of action. “….. In reading list, for the resolution of his understanding of Gandhi that he 1894, in an attempt to meet an philosophical doubts, which included attempted to redefine the concepts intellectual crisis that he was Yogavasishta, a lengthy philosophic of ‘purushartha’ so as to suit the experiencing in South Africa, he poem, an account of conversation requirements of the current stage of wrote his famous letter to between a despondent Prince Rama human history. Writing in July 1930 Rajchandbhai … The letter raised of Ayodhya and the ancient sage from Yeravada jail, it appears, he twenty-seven questions regarding Vaishta. Rama was not sure that he asked for help from one of his female such grave matters as the nature could combine his kingly duties disciples to find a gender sensitive of the soul, God, Moksha, the “Artha” with the pursuit of alternative description for this word universe, avatars, etc. As many “Moksha”. Vasishta advised him “purushartha”. He did not accept as five of these questions were that he could, provided he exercised the traditional interpretation as the connected with moksha, the fourth his “purushartha” in a proper correct interpretation. However, he purushartha; what it was and how balance. In Hindu philosophy, it is took his clue from Gita [Gita V:13 it might be attained. considered that along with compares the body to a city, in which Rajchandbhai’s answer was that Chaturvarnya [fourfold class/caste], dwells the spirit]. The spirit being moksha was the release of the soul Chaturashrama [fourfold stages of gender-neutral, things done for its from the state of ignorance and life], the Purushartha [fourfold aims sake could have nothing to do with its involvement with the affairs of and objectives of life] is also a the gender of the ‘doer’. So, the the world. Mystical knowledge defining attribute of human beings. word ‘purushartha’ has been and withdrawal from the world One of the major obstacles that stood retained as a gender-free concept. were the chief means of attaining in the way of its proper exercise was The most important contribution that it.” [p. 14] Gandhi accepted the the belief in fate. Yogavasishta’s Gandhi makes to our understanding first part of the advice, but not the position was that there was no such of the concept of purushartha second, the part that required the thing as fate, and that it existed only concerns its relationship to Karma withdrawal from the world. Instead in the imagination of the weak and and fate. Gandhi believed that the of withdrawing from it, he sought to the indolent. This reading allowed law of Karma operated in a universe engage with it. He decided to Gandhi to actively involve himself in subject to divine guidance and that plunge into politics of South Africa the social problems faced by the God’s grace could therefore cancel – and the rest is history, writes Parel. weak around him, while the results of bad Karma. This is Rajchandbhai was disturbed by the simultaneously continuing his the result of the influence of fateful turn that Gandhi had taken. endeavors for the Moksha, the Vaishnava philosophy on him. He went so far as to warn him – liberation of the individual soul from Arguably, the best known statement “for the good of his soul – not to the wheel of ‘samsara’. on the dynamic nature of the get too involved in the politics of relationship of politics to moksha is Natal.” Why Gandhi had chosen Gopal found, according to Parel, in Gandhi’s Krishna Gokhale as his “Political autobiography. Those who aspire to What prompted Gandhi to Guru”? Because he found in Gokhale moksha “cannot afford to keep out understand the elements of Hindu more balanced understanding of this of any field of life. That is why traditional texts and philosophy concept of purushartha. The author my devotion to Truth has drawn differently than others? In fact, it is thus quotes the conclusion arrived at me into the field of politics” not the first or the last occasion that by Gandhi on this issue: “No Indian [quoted from CW, 39:3 in this book he contradicted the traditional who aspires to follow the way of pp.20-21]. wisdom. His many such true dharma can afford to remain conclusions violently differed with aloof from politics …. One who The great thinkers of India, many so called experts of his times aspires to a truly religious including Sankara and Ramanuja, in his life. We find such stunning (dharmic) life cannot fail to supported the ascendance of and unconventional deductions of undertake public service as his “moksha”, the last of the Gandhi on various texts and issues, life mission” [quoted from purusharthas, over all the others. In including “Yoga Vasishta” or M.K.Ganhi, The Collected Works of fact, prior to these developments in JANATA, October 8, 2017 13

Indian philosophy during the 8th Gandhi considered “Non-violent the most controversial of all Hindu century and onwards, saints or truth- nationalism is a necessary condition Dharmas, which can provoke seekers had never withdrawn of corporate or civilized life”. He contentious debates in modern themselves totally from mundane had wholeheartedly embraced the political environment. The activities. All saints, thinkers and modern idea of nation. According Purushasukta metaphor, and its philosophers from Vyasa, Vasishta, to Parel, Gandhi’s conception of further explanation in Bhagavad Gita Sukra or even Satyakama Jabali to nation was heavily influenced by the on “varna” origins continue to excite the last well known case of Kautilya civic or liberal notion of nationalism hostile debates. There is a need to did not restrict themselves to mere notably that of Guuseppe Mazzini. re-appreciate Gandhi’s contemplative ashramite life. They However, he invokes certain specific understanding on these issues to were always consulted, and on many Indic terms for constructing his idea. have a comprehensive evaluation of instances they actively participated ‘Praja’ is the specific word he used his philosophy. Gandhi considered in day-to-day affairs of the society. to convey the concept of ‘nation’. that “Dharma does not mean any This asceticism as the only means The State, according to Gandhi, is particular creed or dogma. Nor of moksha, and moksha as the only an institution necessary for the does it mean reading or learning important purushartha is the realization of the values of artha. by rote books known as shastras tendency that crept into Indian Gandhi went far beyond Kautilya, or even believing all that they philosophic tradition much later. says Parel, in identifying the basic say.” Dharma is a quality of the According to Parel, the functions of the State. For Kautilya, soul for Gandhi and is present, visibly achievements of Kautilya were the State’s main function was or invisibly, in every human being. rendered nugatory and, as a result, external expansion through war and Through it we know our duty in Indian political philosophy stagnated internal stability through punishment human life and our true relation with for nearly two millennia. Gandhi (danda-niti), but for Gandhi the other souls [P. 92, quoting from CW, revived the original tradition of India emphasis is shifted from war to 32:11]. i.e., of combining the four peace and from punishment to rights. purusharthas into a lively dynamic Gandhi is criticized for idealizing What is implicit, Parel writes, in relation. Ramarajya, an often misunderstood the above passage is that there are connotation. “He certainly did not two kinds of dharma, the dharma that Politics and Economics: In mean by Ramarajya a Hindu Raj. is found in positive sources such as Part II of the book, Parel deals with What he meant was “Divine Raj”, revelation and tradition, and the politics and economics as part of the kingdom of God in human dharma that is found in the quality ‘artha’, underscoring the hearts, the sort of thing Tolstoy of the soul, or the dharma that is significance attached to them by meant in his work, The Kingdom discovered by the faculty of “buddhi” Gandhi. Historically, he says, the of God is Within You.” (p. 63). (intelligence and will). The first we rise of the renouncer (Brahminic) may call “positive” dharma and the movement compromised the Dharma is another ‘purushartha’ second “natural” dharma (P.92). importance of artha. Gandhi that underwent fresh and Gandhi never wavered in his reversed this trend and restored independent interpretation in the conviction that dharma and rights artha its due place in the scheme hands of Gandhi. According to had to work in tandem. The of the four purusharthas. Artha, Parel, Gandhi used the concept of obsolescence of the dharma of varna according to Gandhi, represents a dharma in three senses: as duty, or caste and of stages of life, does positive human value and religion and ethics. The two famous not undermine the continuing validity contributes to the material well- institutions that depended on dharma of universal dharma. being of humans. Only when as duty were the four Varnas – pursued ‘artha’ for ‘artha’ sake, brahmin, kshatriya, vaisya and Dharma as religion: Being alienated from the other shudra, and the Ashramas [the four religious, according to Gandhi, is a purusharthas, it becomes harmful. stages of life] – the brahmacharin means of achieving the supreme Parel rejects the description of (student), the Grhstha (householder), purushartha. While he adhered to Gandhi by some as ‘utopian” or the Vanaprastha (the hermit) and the the view that religion was necessary ‘anarchist’, and considers him as a Sanyasin (the ascetic). The first for the achievement of our constructive political thinker. one i.e., the Four Varna dharma was purushartha, he also advocated the 14 JANATA, October 8, 2017 view that the State should be neutral purusharthas at the end of the first the path of action. Not that the in religious matters. In the millennium. Gandhi found in the others were ignored, but that he understanding of Gandhi the neutral Gita, all that he needed to know gave primacy to action. The does not convey the meaning of about the pursuit of liberation. “The reason was that the other two, if irreligious or materialistic State. The pursuit of moksha supplied the given undue emphasis, had a State, being rooted in artha, had its force unifying all of Gandhi’s tendency to promote a world own immediate ends, which were not different activities” (P.177). Parel abandoning sort of spirituality” the same as those of moksha. In refers to Margaret Chatterjee (P. 190). the present context of the religious [Margaret Chatterjee, Gandhi’s fundamentalism challenging the very Religious Thought (1983)] and says, The concluding chapter of the goals of independence movement Gandhi “rethought” the philosophy book sums up various aspects of and the aims and objectives of the of moksha. “Part of the rethinking Hindu Philosophy and the Constitution, Parel concludes saying: involved making a crucial appreciation of Gandhi on these “The religious fundamentalism of distinction between moksha as an aspects. “Participation in politics Hindutva or jihadism is not the achieved state of affairs and was for him one way of realizing only intellectual force that moksha as a pursuit”. Gandhi the truth” (P. 195). “Very typically Gandhi’s moderate secularism has approached moksha not as an the spiritual life for Gandhi was to resist. It has also to resist the abstract or imagined goal, but as a inseparable from action in the hyper-secularism of the sort that goal to be realized in history, in and world, from the active life in the Orwell represents.” through action in time. He fought fields of politics, economics and against the traditional otherworldly social reform. In this respect his Similarly Gandhi’s views on the approach … (p. 178). Two of spirituality differed radically from Art and Society were also elaborated Gandhi’s contemporaries, Sri the spirituality of the yogis and in this work. The general perception Aurobindo and Ramana Maharshi ascetics of the past and the of intellectuals, and even of some of were thought by many to have present….” (p. 196). “The political his close aides, has always been that achieved the status of liberated too has several meanings in Gandhi has no perspectives of art. souls. But they withdrew Gandhi. In the first place, being “There is no need to belabor the themselves from taking any active a purushartha politics belong to point: in assessing Gandhi’s part in political life whereas Gandhi the field of artha. As such it is the understanding and appreciation stood in the midst of the world affairs pursuit of legitimate self-interest, of the arts, there is one mistake and considered active involvement both individual and collective, that no one should make. No one with a sting of consistent withdrawal attained through the exercise of should regard him as an from the fruit of the effort, the constitutionally permitted use of ignoramus. He had settled views ‘sthitaprajna’ of the “Karma Yoga” force….” (P.197). on art and aesthetics, although he as the mode of liberation. did not write about them. The Under the heading “Gandhi faces choice was deliberate, and the In charting his own course in the challenges” (P.200) the author says: proffered reason was “ignorance” interpretation of the Gita, Gandhi “Gandhi is fortunate to have – i.e., Socratic ignorance ….” (P. wanted to avoid …. the doctrinaire many positive interpreters in the 159). The point was made obliquely secularism and ….. the traditional twenty first century.” Parel says: clear, says Parel, that in Hind asceticism. He wanted a course Indians who are committed to Swaraj, by putting the works of two that would affirm the values of the realizing the vision of Marx have giants of art theory and art history world and the purusharthas on the splintered into different groups. …… i.e., of Tolstoy and Ruskin as one hand, and those of a world They agree on their rejection of the Appendix I of Hind Swaraj, Gandhi transcending spirituality open to Gandhian paradigm …. They do not had indicated the place of art and every human being. “Karma yoga seem to believe that there can be an society in his scheme of things. or action is the real test whether independent Indian canon of political one is pursuing stable wisdom. thought – which is in keeping with Moksha or Spiritual Liberation is Of the three paths mentioned in the Marx’s own belief. …”Gandhi was the most important issue that tilted Gita – those of action, knowledge, committed to social change, but, the balance of discourse of and devotion – Gandhi favored unlike the Marxists and the Neo- JANATA, October 8, 2017 15

Marxists, he was able to integrate I am deeply enlightened by independent reading and the idea of social change within Anthony J. Parel’s”Gandhi’s interpretation he reconciled the the frame work of an independent Philosophy and the Quest for Purusharthas to construct a theory Indian canon. If Indian Marxists Harmony (2008)” on many aspects and practice that suits the social and and Neo-Marxists can follow of Gandhi, and more specifically on philosophical requirements of the Gandhi’s example here, they will the independent interpretations of present. The reading created an have a chance of integrating what traditional texts by Gandhi. I am urgent need to share my pleasure is still viable in Marx within an more educated on how out of his with all of you. independent Indian canon. They can then take Marx in Indian terms (Continued from Page 5) instead of taking India on Marxist a Rupee only. The copies were and weekly meetings continued terms.” (P. 201). exhausted and another book of regularly for almost five years. collection of articles titled J.P On the issue of the relationship of Towards Navanirman was Y.S Subramanya refused to Buddhism and Gandhi, Anthony J. published and it was priced at just accept any awards and honors and Parel observes that “Navayana two rupees. The Bata company used to say even at his advanced Buddhism”, also called “engaged” or backyard used to be the place of age, that he was a humble socialist “political” Buddhism, and its weekly regular meetings of a band worker. The demise of this great, challenge to Gandhi comes from the of socialists and Gandhians like unsung soul of socialist is certainly resentment the Dalits feel against the Satyavratha, Khadri Shamanna, the end of an era and the closure of stand that he took in 1932 against Venkata Swamy, Bapu Heddur the storehouse of information. The separate electorates for them. But Shetty, B.Y Lalithamba and Film M.P Prakash foundation came questions as to how can one practice and television directors like T.N forward to honour him with the the politics of modernity (which is Seetharam and Shankarappa and Lohia award and he very humbly hostile to all religions) and live by the others used to participate actively declined the same and said that he ethics of Buddhism, especially since in the discussions about books and was a devotee of Dr. Rammanohar the latter sees no positive value in subjects, and used to decide about Lohia. artha” persist [p.202]. Parel further bringing out socialist literature in - suggests: “Gandhi solved the Kannada. This Janaprakashana Khadri S. Achyuthan problem of the relationship of artha, dharma and moksha thanks to his theory of the Janata Subscription purusharthas….. If Navayana can find a way of integrating satisfactorily the anti-religious Annual Rs. : 260/- modernity with itself, it can have a political philosophy that can do justice to both politics and religion. Three Years : 750/- And if it chooses to do that it will find in Gandhi a sympathetic model.” [p. 202] “A final question Demand Draft / Cheque arises: is the Gandhian Paradigm still relevant, given India’s on emergence as a major political and Mumbai Bank in favour of economic power in the world. The answer is plain it is more relevant now than ever before…. Indeed if JANATA TRUST they[Indians] do not follow this paradigm they may well lose their D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Naushir Bharucha Marg, identity as a polity and as a civilization….”[p. 205]. R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, October 8, 2017 Postal Registration No. MCW/275/2015-2017. License to Post without prepayment WPP License No. MR/Tech/WPP-210/West/2017 Published on Sunday, October 8, 2017 & Posted on Wedenesday October 11, 2017 at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1

GANNON DUNKERLEY & CO., LTD.

An infrastructure company established since 1924

REGD. OFFICE :

New Excelsior Building, (3rd Floor), A. K. Nayak Marg, Fort, Mumbai 400 001. Tel.: 022 2205 1231 Fax : 022-2205 1232

Office : Ahmedabad, 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 1 Pages 16 Price : Rupees Five

Vol. 72 No. 38 Judiciary Embarrassed October 15, 2017 Rajindar Sachar

Lessen for Journalists The Supreme Court Collegium High Court, directed CBI Kuldip Nayar while taking understandable self- investigation in to Ishrat Jahan fake pride for its open functioning when encounter case, which involved the it put its Resolution dated, 8th name of Amit Shah, who was then Whether Alarm Bells will Stop October, 2017 on the website to the the Home Minister of Gujarat and Mrinal K Biswas effect amongst other, “THAT the who is now the President of BJP. All decisions henceforth taken by the of a sudden Justice Jayant Patel was India and EU Collegium indicating the reasons transferred to High Court of Growing Partnership? shall be put on the website of the Karnataka in February 2016. D. K. Giri Supreme Court, when the recommendations is/are sent to the The present Chief Justice of government of India, with regard to Karnataka High Court was due to Growing up in the cases relating to...elevation to the retire on 09.10.2017. In usual course a Socialist Family post of Chief Justice of High Justice Patel should have been made Sunil Tambe Court...”would have still enhanced a permanent Chief Justice of Sadhana Khavnekar its worth had it at the same time given Karnataka High Court. But suddenly the reasons for not appointing Justice the Supreme Court Collegium orders Jayant Patel the senior most judge his transfer to Mumbai High Court Rammanohar Lohia (where he would be 3rd in seniority). Chandra Bhal Tripathi of Karnataka High Court as its permanent Chief Justice. To me this Hardly had this news made to the action of the Collegium has, with public, Collegiums changed orders respect, embarrassed the judiciary for his transfer to Allahabad High Court where he would be no 2. Editor : and reminds me of Urdu couplet: “The house got burnt with its own G. G. Parikh house lantern” is a loose colloquial One can appreciate Justice Patel’s Managing Editor : Guddi translation of “Ghar Ko Aag Lag anguish and even more his Gai , Ghar ke Chirag Se”, which resentment at this unexplained action D-15, Ganesh Prasad, shockingly hit me when I read of of the Collegiums. He sent in his Naushir Bharucha Marg, resignation of Justice Jayant Patel resignation to the President. Both Karnataka High Court and Gujarat Mumbai - 400 007. of Karnataka High Court. High Court Bar Associations held Email : [email protected] Justice Jayant Patel, while he was protest and boycotted the courts for Website:www.janataweekly.org the acting Chief Justice in the Gujarat a day. 2 JANATA, October 15, 2017

In order to justify the cancellation between Mumbai and Ahmadabad. by members of the judiciary itself of transfer of Justice Patel to But as the viciousness of Modi vide expostulation of Justice Mumbai High Court and then government was determined to keep Frankfurter of the US Supreme transfer to Allahabad High Court Justice Patel isolated, which he Court that “all power is of an immediately thereafter, a feeble would be if he were to be sent to encroaching nature. Judicial power explanation was got published in the Allahabad, a place probably where is not immune to this human newspapers that in Allahabad he he may not have gone throughout his weakness. It must also be on guard would rank higher than he would life. I feel sad that Executive could against encroaching beyond its have been in Mumbai High Court, have been able to use such an proper bounds and not the less so (as if the injustice of being denied influence on the Collegium – may be since the only restraint upon it is self- rightful claim to be the Chief Justice I am mistaken. If so, a greater reason restraint”. could in any way be lessened). for the Collegium to make those reasons known to public, especially The former Chief Justice A S Justice Patel lived up to the to the Supreme Court Bar Anand, reminded the judges that reputation of sitting judges when Association and other Bar though “our function is divine, the notwithstanding this grave Associations, (especially Karnataka problem begins when we start provocation he refused to answer High Court Bar Association.) and thinking that we have become questions as to the reason for his Bar Council of India. divine”. resignation, citing “institutional discipline”. This is not in any way provocation If I sound a bit harsh, I can only for confrontation with the Collegium. invoke the caveat of Justice Holmes We should be all praise for Justice It is only in recognition of the fact of the U.S. Supreme Court, who Patel’s dignified response. But this that this incident has shaken the said, “I trust that no one will question touches the serious issue of whole Bar in India and all aspects understand me to be speaking with independence of the judiciary and the of this case should be publically disrespect of the law because I functioning of the Collegium system. disclosed and discussed. criticize it so freely.....But one may Therefore, uncomfortable questions criticize even what one must be asked by the legal fraternity, I would therefore suggest that reveres.....And I should show less and those with all respect, must be Supreme Court Bar Association and than devotion, if I did not do what in answered by the Collegium in detail Bar Council of India take the lead me lies to improve it. “ because it is well established that the and jointly discuss out this matter with Bench and Bar are the two wheels the Supreme Court Collegium to of same chariot, and any deformity prevent patent arbitrariness, which Janata Subscription in either of them can only spell the will make the Executive decision ruin of administration and supreme thus harming irretrievably Annual Rs. : 260/- independence of the Judiciary. More the independence of judiciary. so now that the Collegium has Three Years : 750/- decided to swing the pendulum to the I hope the Collegium does not take other extreme of recording reasons offence and make it a matter of Demand Draft / Cheque why it has declined to promote the undue superiority and take the stand on senior most judge to the office of that this matter, notwithstanding that Chief Justice and sharing it with the it has disturbed the whole Bar of Mumbai Bank in favour public. India, it will not discuss it with the of Bar because it is its sole privilege. May I in this case make a wild May I in all humility submit that this guess – could it be that the executive assumption proceeds on the belief JANATA TRUST which was bent on harming Justice that the judges are immune to human Patel felt that (in case of Justice frailties even while making non- D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Patel agreeing to go to Mumbai) he judicial decisions (such as Naushir Bharucha Marg, will at least be in more familiar appointments and transfers). This Mumbai 400 007 surroundings, as there is a strong link self-glorification is not accepted even JANATA, October 15, 2017 3 Lessen for Journalists

Kuldip Nayar

It was a disappointing memorial our midst. Gauri had been getting “Mock Hinduism and die a dog’s gathering a few days ago. I threatening messages every now death.” She, too, met the same thought that the meeting held to and then but she was never afraid. fate. attract wide attention towards the Apparently, she was ready for any murder of Kannada journalist kind of sacrifice, including putting She was also critical of the Gauri Lankesh at Delhi’s Jantar her life under threat. politics in her own state. She had a Mantar, would draw many few years ago warned that journalists, particularly the senior An outspoken critic of the Karnataka’s trajectory from a ones, to the venue. But it turned Hindutva politics, Gauri was progressive, secular state to a out to be a gathering of no more gunned down by unidentified communal state has been a very than 30-35 people, very few assailants at the entrance of her interesting and crippling one, when among them being journalists. residence in Bengaluru. Of course, the BJP was ruling the state. there were initial protests all over, Karnataka, she said, was witnessing It has become a habit with senior including the Press Club of India an increase of attacks in the name journalists to stay indoors and not condemning the killing, saying, “A of Hindutva and faced the prospect mix with the ordinary scribes. I can fearless and independent journalist of falling under a “communal, understand that editors are too busy, who gave voice to many causes casteist, and corrupt BJP planning and editing the paper. But and always stood up for justice government.” Gauri also vehemently what about those who are a peg has been shot dead in the most opposed the RSS, the BJP, and lower? They behave as if they are brutal manner in order to silence the Hindutva forces and her killing equally busy and have no time for her voice.” is the silencing of that voice against such meetings, even if it relates to hate politics. the fraternity. But this is not the first time that such attacks have taken place. In Kalburgi’s murder remains But all these journalists, after a democracy, the rule of law should unsolved after two years. These retirement, come down to the earth prevail but, unfortunately, what we attacks are growing at a shocking because their utility is very limited. see today is mob lynching and rate, and as we remember the They are among many who are harassment in the country. Incidents September 1995 murder of human trying to get space in the paper, like Alwar, Dadri and Udhampur rights defender, Jaswant Singh writing columns. Not many make it should serve as an eye-opener. In Khalra, we are reminded that ‘my because the readers are interested addition, there have been attacks way or the bullet’ has become a in those who have fought on on cultural, academic and historical pattern in India. As a journalist, principles. Those who gave their all, institutions, universities, especially Lankesh knew her outspoken refusing to be cowed down, are Nalanda University and the Nehru nature earned her a share of very few. Memorial Museum and Library. enemies. As a citizen of India, she opposed the BJP’s fascist and Gauri Lankesh was one of them. Gauri’s murder is being communal politics. In her interviews She has been a loud dissenting compared to the August 2015 to a few journals, she said: “I oppose voice against the excesses assassination of Kannada journalist its misinterpretation of ‘Hindu committed in the society. The ideals M. M. Kalburgi, who was similarly Dharma’ ideals. I oppose the caste Gauri stood for as a journalist and gunned down at his home. She had, system of the ‘Hindu Dharma,’ social activist—she edited a during one of her speeches, which is unfair, unjust and gender- Kannada weekly Gauri Lankesh mentioned Kalburgi, pointing out biased.” Patrike—are unlikely to be how a leader had forgotten even if she is no more in remarked after his killing, saying (Continued on Page 5) 4 JANATA, October 15, 2017 Whether Alarm Bells will Stop Economy Caught up with Falling Growth

Mrinal K. Biswas

There is no more any gainsaying Modi government’s junior legalised plunder” effected through that the Indian economy is caught minister Jayant Sinha demurred but demonetization of high value up with falling growth, failing is not prepared to take on the currencies. Indeed, GDP fell business and stalled employment gauntlet thrown down by his father dramatically in January-March 2017 generation. Discontent is brewing Jashwant Sinha. He says to 6.1 per cent after suffering the and government appears clueless as demonetization, GST and digital demonetization trauma in November to how it can address the problems payments are “game-changing” 2016 giving the total GDP figure at but claims nonetheless that there is socio-economic scenario of the 7.1 per cent for the financial year nothing much to worry about. country. These will raise tax of 2016-17. The fall became clear revenue, reduce friction in the as GDP had reached 8 per cent in Of the two schools of thought, economy and make it easier for the previous fiscal 2015-17. The that one which sounds alarm over people to prove their falling curve continues unabated as the present state of affairs is creditworthiness. More loans and evident in the current (2017-18) weighing heavily over that of the servicing will be digitized and fiscal’s April-June GDP touches the other that holds out bright prospects available for inspection. Replacing lowest mark at 5.7 per cent. of the Indian economy not very far political favours, coal mining off. The issues are primarily the licenses, telecommunication In the backdrop, Modi fall-out of demonitization of high spectrum allocations and passenger government’s objective of quelling value currencies suddenly imposed flight routes have been allocated black money, counterfeits and terror in November last and goods and through auctions, defaulting funding fell flat as almost all the services tax (GST) introduced borrowers will be taken to currency demonetized in November country-wide in July this calendar. bankruptcy courts. In his long list found its way into banking system. also comes government handouts Reserve Bank of India in a cautious The most scathing criticism of (money given as subsidy to targeted tenor says “subject to future these measures was indeed an sections of people) that are now corrections based on verification inside job, in the sense that a former going straight into beneficiaries’ process when completed, the finance minister belonging to the accounts. On the positive side estimated value of specified bank ruling party, Jashwant Sinha, cried Jayant Sinha points out to the notes (500,1000 rupee notes) hoarse alleging that private government investments in the rural received as on June 30, 2017, is Rs investment has shrunk as never power supply, highways, rural roads, 15.28 lakh crore.” This is against before in two decades, industrial housing and air transport leading all Rs 15.44 lakh crore of such notes production has all but collapsed, these to all-round cost reduction. in circulation till Novemver last. This agriculture is in distress, the big pitiful amount of Rs 16,000 crore employer construction industry is in The warning of the growth fall gain for the government fell far doldrums, highly potential services came immediately after short of its expectation of Rs 4-5 sector has slowed in the backdrop demonetization measures with its lakh crore coming back. So black of oncoming disruption technology, dire consequences predicted by money people escaped the net to exports have dwindled. “Sector former Prime Minister Dr the discomfiture of the government. after sector of the economy is in Manmohan Singh who said the gross However, the high-finance operator distress,” Jashwant Sinha said. domestic product (GDP), measured like Kotak Mahindra Bank vice- Similar views abounded in across as total production of a country in chairman Uday Kotak said India the political economists’ circles and a particular year construed in terms should look beyond these numbers broad spectrum of the society is of money, would fall by about 2 per and pointed to demonetization in worried. cent because of “organised loot and intangible benefits – providing trail JANATA, October 15, 2017 5 for investigative agencies to follow GST instilling a sense of uncertainty continuous tall claims on the and hunt down tax evaders besides the trade and business will suffer economic health of the country. The boosting digital payments that can grievously resulting in further stress Narendra Modi government has in be better tracked, making it virtually on the economy in crisis. the face of falling growth and impossible to evade tax. scathing criticisms appointed an The only good thing could be the economic advisory council to help In the midst of all these, government has seen the letters on stem the domestic economic demonetization hit hard the great the wall which negate their downturns. majority of the people. About 90 per cent of them belong to the (Continued from Page 5) informal sector and 55 per cent of our workers in agricultural sector Attacking directly the BJP-led conversation with all of you with reeled under distress while massacres of Muslims and other the belief that you will understand cooperative banking system minorities, she declared, “I oppose this critical situation…” practically became non-functional. Advani’s Ram Mandir Yatra and Most of them were, and still are, Narendra Modi’s genocide of True, Gauri had a premonition, used to and comfortable with, cash 2002.” In a 2016 interview, she also witnessing her own death and transactions only. The economy expressed how her journalism describing it exactly the way it came to a standstill which is still to exposed her to “the rabid hate happened. She doesn’t falter even come out of the trauma. the Hindutva brigade and in the face of death. This is a lesson Modi Bhakts have for its critics and for journalists. At times, they have GST is another blow though it naysayers.” to face even the gravest situations. was perceived as a good thing by They cannot their eyes shut to the the knowledgeable people in public Gauri knew her life was in realities. This is what the profession finance. It has been shaped after danger. Yet, she brushed aside all expects from them. long negotiations with state threats and continued to defy the governments. Anxiety-prone small establishment and plugged the same Gauri was a rare species of and medium business down line line as an activist. In the last article journalists. She said in the article fears gripped soon after introduction she wrote for her weekly, Gauri that she was willing to pay the price of new tax regime as few of them Lankesh Patrike, she challenged for what she stood up in rebellion could understood the nitty-gritty of the archaic forces in her own for her India and had no regrets. “I GST particularly because of digital inimitable way. The Hindutva forces have a sense of fulfillment,” is what payment system. For the millions never forgave her. she said. Such words are rare. of people cash has worked well and digitization could be an abstract As a parting shot, she wrote: “I Madhu Dandavate practicet. This mindset cannot go know very well that you are all easily. Things have become devastated. I am also unhappy that By complicated because of various I left suddenly without a word. But glitches coming up and threshold tell me, what else could I do? Tell B. Vivekanandan framing not to the liking of business me what was my fault in this final communities. Consumers generally separation? This Tuesday also feel GST-infused price rise, too. To began just like the hundreds of other Price: Rs. 20/- remove the charge of GST Tuesdays of my life. But I did not implementation as a mess and to even have a hint that it would end give the business some relief with me being permanently taken Janata Trust government has made some away from all of you. Till that concession in the form of duty cuts moment when the assassin’s bullet D-15, Ganesh Prasad, on 27 items and in the procedures split my chest and made me roll Naushir Bharucha Marg, for filing tax returns. Still the down to the earth, my mind kept Grant Road (W), business feels these are at best ad thinking about the next day’s issue hoc measures. There is a fear that of the paper. I am starting this last Mumbai 400 007. 6 JANATA, October 15, 2017 India and EU Growing Partnership?

D. K. Giri

The India-European Union 14th EU has strategic partnership, largest democracies we are natural Summit meeting in New Delhi on 6th launched in 2004. partners and our close relations are October focused on closer based on shared common values.” cooperation on counter terrorism Tracing the relationship between actions. Importantly, the joint the two, India was the first developing Undeniably, these statements are declaration named Hafeez, Saeed, country to make diplomatic contact political rhetoric and diplomatic Dawood Ibrahim, Zakir-Ur Rehman, in 1962 with the EU, then known as niceties. Actually, the strategic LeT and JeM et al as those the European Economic Community partnership is under-performing. An perpetrating terror. (EEC). Today they are celebrating instance: The Free Trade Agreement, 55 years of diplomatic contact, even one of its kind supposedly to promote In fact, terrorism has become a as not much of this festivity is seen or India’s growth and development and common focus and gained currency felt in the public domain. for which negotiations started in 2007 as Europe has been subjected to is stuck. repeated terrorist attacks recently In fact, there is not much even though India has been in the awareness of the role and functions Indian negotiators feel that the throes of cross-border terrorism for of EU in India. In most Summit or Europeans are less flexible and long. bilateral meetings, there is repeated patronizing whereas Europeans think reference to the shared core values that India is not open to lifting trade Besides this, trade was another of democracy, pluralism, human barriers, giving market access, key issue as there has been a clear rights, etc. Whereby the European making geographical indications and mismatch both in India’s and EU’s Commission’s President Jean- straightening public procurement. In external relations. Notwithstanding, Claude Juncker wrote in the India addition, there is concern about the EU has been functioning internally press, “India and EU are natural intellectual property rights (IPR). and in foreign relations as a trading partners, the bond is built on shared Whatever be the bottlenecks, the bloc. beliefs and the strength of law unending and stalled negotiations do outweighs the law of the strong.” not behove a strategic partnership. Undoubtedly, while New Delhi’s external ties were politics and security This is an oblique reference to Certainly, India and EU relations driven at the cost of its vital economic China’s belligerent territorial have a strong potential to prosper into relations, EU emphasized more on aggression in the South China Sea. a strong partnership as the EU is New trade and economy ignoring its Echoing this perspective, the Delhi’s largest trading partner political objectives like promotion of European Council President Donald accounting for 13.7 per cent ahead democracy, protection of human Tusk added, “EU wants to build with of China’s 11 per cent and US’s 9 per rights, rule of law, etc. The EU’s India a strong strategic partnership cent. And EU is India’s 9th largest heavy trade relations with China at on the foundations of common values trading partner with exports the cost of its international political of freedom, democracy and credible amounting to 37.8 billion euros in 2016 objectives, is a case in point. rule based global order.” and the total value of trade was 77 billion euros in 2016. Alas, the Summit meetings and a Prime Minister Modi was equally plethora of bilateral meetings effusive about relations. Said he at Also, about 24 per cent of total including the important strategic the Summit, “India values her FDI flows from EU to India and partnership have failed to correct this multifaceted partnership with EU and around six thousand European imbalance. Significantly, India is one we attach high importance to our (Continued on Page 14) among 10 select countries with whom strategic partnership as the world’s JANATA, October 15, 2017 7 All India Socialist Women’s Conference, , 2017

Dear Friends, The Modi Government ever since it came to power in 2014 is implementing the policies of globalisation, privatisation and liberalisation at an accelerating pace. It has pushed the country into a deep external and internal crisis. Simultaneously, the BJP and its parent organisation, the RSS, are also implementing a very regressive fascist social agenda. They are attacking the fundamental pillars of the Indian Constitution—democracy, secularism and equality. They want to transform secular India into a Hindu Rashtra; they have also launched a vicious offensive to attack all ideologies and progressive forces that can challenge their fascist ideology, in the name of a false nationalism. To build a political and economic alternative to this fascist threat hanging over the country, we, the democratic socialists, who are active in various fields, have come together and formed a platform named as “We the Socialist Institutions”, that has organised several successful programs over the past two years. The ideology of the BJP-RSS is based on the Manusmrit, that sanctions oppression of the Dalits and women. Ever since BJP came to power, it has been seeking to roll-back all the rights won by women since independence. It wants them to go back to the four walls of the home, and confine themselves to looking after their families and doing housework. It wants to dictate what women should wear, what they should do, whom should they marry, how many children they should have, and so on. BJP workers have taken out rallies defending Sati; their Chief Ministers have lauded Khap Panchayats for doing good work, despite their lynching couples marrying outside their caste; their leaders have denied the existence of marital rape. And therefore, at a meeting of “We the Socialist Institutions” held in March 2017, it was decided to host an All- India Socialist Women’s Conference in Pune on December 2 - 3, 2017 (Saturday-Sunday). Janata Trust, Yusuf Meherally Centre, SM Joshi Socialist Foundation and Socialist Mahila Sabha / Lokayat’s women’s wing, Abhivyakti, have been given the responsibilty of organising this conference. The aim of this conference is: • to give a boost to the all India women’s movement; • help various socialist and progressive groups build-up their women’s wings; • deepen the understanding of the various women activists associated with the socialist and progressive movement with regards to the issues facing the women’s movement as well as the challenges facing the country due to the fascist onslaught; • help build solidarity among the women activists and women’s groups associated with the socialist and progressive movement in the country. We invite democratic and socialist and left women organisations from across the country to send their representatives to attend this two-day conference. Individual women activists with an inclination towards but who are not yet active with any group are also welcome to attend. Do forward this invitation to other progressive women’s groups or activists in your contact, and invite them to this conference on our behalf, and also kindly send us their emails to that we can directly send them this invitation. This is only an initial mail, so that you can block your dates and book your tickets. The schedule of the conference and other details will be sent in due course. Do reply back to this mail, confirming your willingness to attend this conference. Please send your replies to:

Guddi (Janata Trust): 07738082170 ; email : [email protected] Sayali S.P. (Abhivyakti): 09503489676; email : [email protected] Looking forward to having many of you for this two-day conference, in solidarity Guddi Janata Trust Manisha Gupte SM Joshi Socialist Foundation Vijaya Chauhan Yusuf Meherally Centre Alka Joshi Socialist Mahila Sabha / Abhivyakti (Women’s wing of Lokayat) 8 JANATA, October 15, 2017 Growing up in

Sunil Tambe

“Aruna Asaf Ali hoisted the Indian Gandhians no political party or outfit a card holder of the Communist tricolour at this very spot, and within was backing this demand. Party. Mukunda aka Anna, another a few minutes she disappeared in the elder brother, was active in Rashtra crowd,” my father told me while Every year, on August 9, my Seva Dal (RSD) and the Sarvodaya narrating the story of the Quit India father would visit the August Kranti movement. At a very young age, resolution. Maidan to pay his tributes. This was Anna took up Khadi and never gave his last year of annual pilgrimage as it up. His wife was also an active “Where were you?” I asked with he passed away on September 24. RSD worker. It was at his behest excitement. For him August Kranti Din was some that the celebrated writer Sane Guruji sort of a national festival. After once visited their cramped rented “I was just 15 years old then, and paying tributes, his fellow socialists place in a Girgaon chawl. had come here to witness the and other activists would come to our historical moment,” he replied. small home – a tiny one room- Chandu Sathe, Ram Tambe’s kitchen tenement dwelling – for tea classmate once told me that Ram It was 9th August and we were and snacks. The number of old was a leader in the school. “He was on my father’s annual pilgrimage to socialists was dwindling and, one day, in RSD while we were in RSS, but Mumbai’s Gowalia Tank Maidan veteran socialist leader Mrinal Gore even so we were close friends,” he (now August Kranti Maidan. I don’t suggested my parents to put a halt said. This group of friends mainly remember the year but it must be to this annual program as, she comprised Brahmins while Ram the late 60s, maybe 1968. The reasoned: “both of you have crossed Tambe’s Socialist circle was mostly Socialist Party had organized a rally 70s”. At the same time, the number non-Brahmin. Arjun Dalvi, Damu that followed by of old Socialist comrades was also Patkar, Diwakar Parkar, Baburao a satyagraha protest at Gowalia dwindling and by the first decade of Jadhav, Mohmmad Khadas, Tank playground, where the historic the 21st century there were none but Shoshanna Mazgaonkar and others AICC session was held in 1942. V. Dr. G. G. Parikh who had memories were as close as family. In those N. Okey, a noted artist and close of 1942. days, individuality had little scope in associate of socialist leader Yusuf the family. The entire family – often Meherally, who had coined the My father, Ram Tambe, was born extended joint families – used to live slogans like “Go Back Simon”, “Quit in a poor Brahmin family in Ratnagiri in a small room and therefore strong India” had prepared a replica of the district of Konkan on 11th December bonds were quite common, not just proposed August Kranti Memorial. 1927. He had four brothers and a with relatives but also with A group of Socialist Party activists sister. He had his primary education neighbours and friends. It was all led by Nath Pai was to install it in a in Konkan and later moved to what about sharing, not just space but also corner of the playground as a tribute then was Bombay for higher life. to the martyrs of the August education. He was living with his Revolution of 1942 and that was elder brothers in Girgaon. His eldest Ram Tambe was active in what the satyagraha was all about. brother, Manohar, was working in a organizing various socio-cultural and But police arrested them and they tailoring shop. Manohar was known political activities in Thakurdwar- were taken to the Gamdevi police as ‘Dada’ in the family. He was an Girgaon, the hub of the Marathi station. I remember wondering what avid reader and a regular at Mumbai lower middle class in the island city. was wrong with the demand and why Marathi Granth Sangrahalay. He The Socialist Party office and did the police arrest them. The was involved in several social Mumbai Marathi Granth Congress that had adopted the Quit activities as well. He used to Sangrahalaya were located in the India resolution was in power then. organize study circles of Communist Except for the socialists and a few leaders. His fiancée, Mangala, was (Continued on Page 11) JANATA, October 15, 2017 9 a Socialist Family

Sadhana Khavnekar

On 3rd October there was a the party office and then would However, a few months back we condolence meeting on my Baba’s, return home. Dinner was always celebrated Aai-Baba’s 61 years of Ram Tambe’s, demise at Tardeo’s freshly cooked and by rule to be married life by inviting close relatives “Janata Kendra”. We were driving eaten together. and friends. Our idea was to give with my Aai to the programme. On Aai-Baba a chance to meet all their reaching the venue I remembered I also remember that during the loved ones which otherwise has that Baba had once asked us to take Emergency when, he was in the jail become really difficult these days. the car in Yusuf Meherally at Yerwada-Pune, the things we As expected all of us enjoyed, Vidyalaya’s compound near the gate used to carry for him on our visits especially both of them were very to enter Janata Kendra. We parked always had more items for his jail happy. But we never thought this the car accordingly and Aai could friends as per his request. I also happiness will end so soon. easily walk into Janata Kendra. At recollect when he travelled to Iraq that moment I realized the for his job, he used to write letters to Looking back I feel happy for my significance of his absence in my life all the relatives and friends regularly, fantastic journey with Baba. He and also that from now on my journey and had got small gifts for each and showed us and helped us see the in life will always be with such every one. world around. He not only allowed memories of Baba. us to travel as per our wishs, in fact I honestly do not know how many also encouraged, supported and Baba, lived his life the way he children Aai-Baba helped in studies guided, when necessary. wanted, independently and believing or were guardians for those who and following Socialist ideals. I was came to Mumbai. For us siblings In this journey through life, we as really lucky to have such an anyone who came home was always individuals and as family had our ups energetic, pleasant and positive family. and downs, however. it was Aai- father always around for such a long Baba’s help that we all passed time in my life. All these thoughts Reading through newspapers, through bad patches, making our help me to overcome sorrow of his social media or through others about family larger and stronger. In this loss. Baba’s demise lots of friends took journey he inculcated love for time off from busy schedules to meet travelling in me which later became My journey with Baba started or call us. It was touching as people my career too. from my birth. I can actually shared memories of Baba and recollect loads of fond childhood wished us. specially my Aai, all the Baba loved reading books, memories but find it difficult to put best to survive now only with Baba’s magazines. newspapers and seeing in words. However what I memories. places. His job and party work gave remember vividl6y at the moment is him opportunity to travel a lot. His my mother Sudha-Aai getting up Baba never believed in God or great stock of information, travel early in the morning, preparing religion. As in case of most memories and friends were always breakfast, tiffins for all of us and Samajwadi families, I and my two of help to us. rushing to school for her job. Baba elder brothers, Sanjeev and Sunil, had would iron all our clothes for the day registered marriages, without any Kokan – Ratnagiri-Sindhudurga (including my hair ribbon). He would grand function. Baba always region - always had very special then leave at 8 a.m for the party avoided spending money on place in Baba’s heart. He was born office at Thakurdwar or to help Dalvi weddings or parties. He believed in there and then he was closely kaka with his printing press before spending money only on necessary associated with the work of Madhu going to his own work place. things for ourselves and using Dandavate so love for Konkan Evenings he would drop in again at available fund for others in need. continued. Later he also did lot of 10 JANATA, October 15, 2017 work at “Matrumandir” in Deorukh a Konkan trip. Baba had drawn a house Nanasaheb Goray, S. M. as Secretary and Vice-chairman. map from Mumbai to Rajapur Joshi, Madhu Dandawate, G. P. Nowadays “Sane Guruji Rashtriya marking places; with add on of Pradhan, Kishore Pawar, Dr. G. G. Smarak” at Mangaon was yet where to take halts/breaks including Parikh are respected as elders of the another place he loved. Whenever special Konkan items to be enjoyed family. Waman Bhide, Arjun Dalvi, we used to talk about travelling in at the place. He had also given Diwakar Parkar, Damu Patkar, Konkan we used to bank on finding information on friends’ contact to be Mohammed Khadas are our real a dear friend/relative of Baba in each used in case of emergency. After uncles as are Baba’s brothers - and every village of the region. that my friends visiting Konkan Manohar, Mukund, Shripad and Whenever we travelled to any place would always take his advice. He Waman - or my maternal uncles - it was for sure he knew a social noticed and showed us cow eating Manohar and Suhas. Aai-Baba’s organization or person doing some fish on Harne beach near Dapoli and friends from Girgaon’s Samajwadi noble work in the area. Our fun tours guided us finding “right” place to seat and Seva Dal group like Baburao became always meaningful because and enjoy on Marine Drive in Jadhav, Karalkar, Bane, Laxmibai of Baba’s vision. On many such Mombai. I remember energetic Tambakhu, Shubhangi Joshi, tours we visited places like “Yusuf Baba preparing tea, food for all at Jawahar-Pushpa, Sudhakar-Smita Meherally Centre” at Tara, Seva Dal’s monsoon picnics when I became our friends too. Baba’s “Matrumandir” of Dearukh, project was a kid. Also, preparing bhel for office friends Dharap, Doshi, Kumar at Oni in Sindhudurga, “Nath Pai all at Masvan on our unplanned visit are special for us too. Sevangan” at Malwan, Ashok and getting emotional with warmth Saswadkar’s “Nirmiti”, “Kustharog and respect given by girls of Baba’s skill of planning and Nivaran Samiti” at Nere, “Sahaj Maswan. My friends always organizing was excellent. He was Shikshan Parivar” at Maswan near recollect Mumbai’s special vada pav very particular and disciplined in his Palghar ad of course ’s Baba prepared with everyone’s help thinking and working. Almost Anandvan. He took us around and served by Baba to all with love everyone he came in contact with Dapoli’s agricultural college too. We is the best vada pav they ever had. has experienced his anger and came to know about Sagarputra at scolding because his nature; Dabhol, school at Naldurga and got Many years back at around 26th however; each one also enjoyed to know many such organizations January I and my husband had Kadhi/Aamti made by him too. He and people at and around Chiplun, planned a trip to Tithal beach near loved reading and on reading Ratnagiri, Kelshi, Jawhar and so on Balsad in Gujarat. Promptly Baba something nice used to share and because of Baba. contacted Dr. B. M. Dhabuwala who make others read it too. He always used to do lot of social work in the used to suggest his friends to help Baba was actively involved in area. Dr. Dhabuwala immediately various organizations. He gifted Rashtra Seva Ddal, Socialist Party’s invited us for a school function and subscription of “Sadhana” weekly to work. He had taken part in Samyukta also informed that he had made friends. In the memory of his elder Maharashra movement and fight arrangement for our stay at Dr. brother he had started award for against Emergency. Later he Amul Desai’s place. Baba enquired best reader in Mumbai Marathi supported and appreciated work about number of students in school Grnathsangrahalaya. He used to buy done by Medha Patkar, Surekha and gave us “Tilgul” for all as it was regularly old books and magazines Dalvi and other such activists and Sankranti festival time. During that and send to small village libraries. tried his best to help them as much trip we got a chance to meet Dr. Baba and Aai always took active as possible till the end. Amul Desai. I still remember his part in various projects like helping saying “our country is surviving in flood/earthquake relief Baba taught me to enjoy because of people like Medha programmes and arranging tea or travelling. He taught us to plan tour Patkar who selflessly works for anything for any activity. by collecting information, maps and wellbeing of others and all and not also things to carry including food to because of the politicians.” I always He was atheist yet he actively make the tour an enjoyable activity. experienced the truth of it every time helped his son-in-law for “Pooja” at I remember a very very old memory I met such famous or many such of one trip. We friends had planned people away from publicity. In our (Continued on Page 12) JANATA, October 15, 2017 11

(Continued from Page 8) away with caste barriers and was a keen student of the flora and untouchability. Ram Tambe was an fauna of Konkan and would enjoy same building. Thanks to my uncles avowed adherent and advocate of showing us various plants and and aunts and, of course, the library, this kind of religiosity and hence was flowers. He was an ardent follower we had read not just Sane Guruji’s close to people from all walks of life. of Nath Pai and, later, Madhu books at an early age but also got Dandavate. Every Lok Sabha exposure to Dr. Rammanohar Shoshanna Mazgaonkar (Padhye) election, he would be in Rajapur Lok Lohia’s writings. Besides the used to leave her children in the care Sabha constituency. In Ratnagiri and progressive literature in Marathi, I of my mother Sudha, and then would Sindhudurg districts, he would say remember titles such as God That proceed to attend the rallies of the with pride that he had friends and Failed, The New Class, Asian Socialist Party. Our small home used relatives in hundreds of villages. He Drama, and Sanskrit classics like to be packed with relatives, activists never stayed in a hotel or circuit Shakuntal, Mudrarakshas, etc., and others all the time. Ram Tambe house in Konkan. stashed in our book shelves. would be engaged in heated discussions with his party colleagues, Every year, in the month of The world was a tiny place then. Waman Bhide and others, till late in Shravan (normally, August}, there Although we were living in a corner the evening while we (I, my elder would be an all-night family function. of India’s financial capital, Girgaon brother and younger sister) would be One day, late in the evening, Vasant resembled a village. All our relatives dozing off in a corner of our cramped Helekar, a close associate of George lived in the vicinity, in a one- one-room home. Fernandes, showed up and sought a kilometre radius. The anonymity of private meeting with Ram Tambe. urban life was still to steal over us. Those were the days of license- In a few minutes, the two of them In Girgaon, almost every shopkeeper permit raj or mixed economy also left for some unknown place. My knew one or the other Tambe as known as the Nehruvian Model of father was missing for three days. three of the five brothers were Socialism. Every electric pole had We had no clue as to where he had socially and politically active. While posters of movies. Almost all gone. There was no message, Ram Tambe was active in the outdoor advertisement space was postcard or phone call from him. Samyukta Maharashtra Movement, captured by Hindi movie posters. George Fernandes was then he had also taken the initiative in Occasionally, one would spot president of Workers Union of organizing farewell programs hoardings promoting toothpastes or Maharashtra State Road Transport for satyagrahis who were leaving soaps. There were very few fine Corporation (MSRT) and had given to join the Goa liberation struggle. dining restaurants. I don’t remember a strike call. As the union leaders Organizing meals for hundreds of visiting any. Tea, breakfast, snacks, were arrested, George requested activists was an easy task for him. and meals were always home- Ram Tambe to undertake a tour of Each household or family would cooked. Very few could afford even Konkan to boost the morale of the contribute in whatever way possible tea and snacks at restaurants. workers so that the strike would to the cause, be it Hawkers too had very little business continue. Ram Tambe successfully money, chappatis or voluntary in those days. Early every morning, carried out the operation in complete labour. He had amazing mother would prepare our lunch- secrecy and later resumed his duties organizational skills and was boxes and then leave for work. with Hindustan Construction. meticulous in his planning. He was Dinner though was sacred. Every involved in Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav evening, my parents would cook and During the Emergency unleashed events and other cultural we would eat together with family by in 1975, Ram programmes like competitions for and friends. I learned early to clean Tambe was a joint secretary of the Rangoli, Diwali lamps (Aakashdive), and cut vegetables at home. Socialist Party, Mumbai. He and etc. He had organized kirtans of Household chores were mandatory Mohammad Khadas would Gadge Baba, a legendary rationalist for all of us. cyclostyle the anti-Emergency reformer saint, who was illiterate and bulletins at the residence of my yet mesmerised the audience with During summer vacations, our uncle, Manohar Tambe. Neither his his down-to-earth teachings that parents would take us to visit neighbours nor even his children had called for simple living and doing relatives in Konkan. Ram Tambe the slightest idea that, after the family 12 JANATA, October 15, 2017 had left for the day, their small house social activists, he decreed. He had This conversation flashed on my would turn into a revolutionary also made a list of the institutions and mind when my sister, Sadhana, printing press. Sometime later, Ram organizations with various amounts called me from the ICCU of Karuna Tambe was arrested under to be donated after his passing. Hospital in Borivali a few days ago. Maintenance of Internal Security “Baba’s condition has deteriorated,” Act (MISA) and was jailed in On going through the list, I was all she could say before handing Yeravada Central Prison. After the grinned: “But you don’t have this over the phone to the doctor. “We Emergency was over and he was much money in your bank accounts.” tried our best, but his heart is not released, he shared his jail diaries “Then you (we three children) should responding. Please rush to the with all of us. Those diaries had notes pitch in,” he said, without batting an hospital,” the doctor said. By the of all the study circles that were held eyelid. “Is it your will or ours,” I time we reached the hospital, he had in jail. He also had come in contact asked with a chuckle. “It’s the same breathed his last. Ram Tambe was with “hard-core” criminals – some damn thing,” he said. 90 years young. of whom were serving life terms – in jail and counseled them. Later, (Continued from Page 10) after their release, many of them home with just one feeling - respect was said today”. However I would come to meet him to seek his and love for others.. feel he would have been more guidance and help. pleased if we, his three children, Baba till the end believed in and had arranged tea for all in the After his retirement from lived with his Socialist principles. meeting. Hindustan Construction, he took up His wish to donate body could the responsibility of Matru Mandir not be accomplished. However, As per his wish we will always in Ratnagiri district. Matru Mandir after the condolence meeting my keep his home “Open” for all family was established by Waman Bhide, a Aai said “Baba would have been and friends and add to his work as socialist activist. As secretary of moved to by hearing all that per our ability. Matru Mandir, Ram Tambe not only raised funds but also undertook various initiatives like watershed development, orphanage and ladies hostel in the small town of Devrukh. He involved the National Union of Sea Farers of India and such other labour unions in the activities of Matru Mandir. At the age of 70, he used to travel from Mumbai to Konkan by state transport buses.

Our one room-kitchen home was barely 350 square feet but it always had room for our parents’ friends and relatives. Many came to Mumbai for major or minor surgeries or health problems. Some would bring their kids for some entrance exam or the Price: Rs. 20/- other. Most of them could not afford to stay in hotels. My parents would Janata Trust not only welcome them but also take D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Naushir good care of them. Sometime after Bharucha Marg, th his 87 birthday, Ram Tambe started Grant Road (W), writing his will. This rented place Mumbai 400 007. should continue to be a home for JANATA, October 15, 2017 13

50th death anniversary October 12, 2017 Dr. Rammanohar Lohia

Chandra Bhal Tripathi

The dynamic socialist leader, Dr. The socialist rank and file were member Sub-Committee of the Rammanohar Lohia, was a brilliant overawed by the deep learning and National Executive of the PSP on and original thinker as well as a ideological clarity of the Acharya Educatioal and Youth Affairs, in the man of action. The Congress (Narendra Deva) and the lessons in august company of Acharya Socialist Party had been founded socialism given by JP in the Narendra Deva, Acharya JB at Patna in May 1934 under the schoolmasterly fashion (I had the Kripalani, Prof. KK Bhattacharya, chairmanship of Acharya Narendra same feeling when I attended a two- Dr. Atin Bose and Madhu Limaye. Deva, when Lohia returned to India hour political class by the great While I led an Indian student with a doctorate on Salt Taxation Indonesian socialist leader Soetan delegation to the Indo-Burmese in India from Frederick William Sjahrir at Djakarta in 1956). But the Students’ Cultural Festival at University of Berlin (now known youth and student leaders, specially Rangoon in the summer of 1954 Dr. as Humboldt University). In 1936 in UP, found in Lohia a lovable senior Lohia asked three of us to accompany the Congress President Jawaharlal dude. I recall being closeted with Dr. him to the meeting of the Anti-Colonial Nehru appointed this young man Lohia when I was just 16 plus at Royal Bureau of the Asian Socialist of 26 years as Secretary of the Hotel in the Civil Lines, Allahabad, Conference at Imphakhon in the Foreign Affairs Department of the along with MA final students Eastern Shan States. AICC. That launched him not only Dharmavir Bharati and Vijaydeo in the national politics but also Narayan Sahi, listening in rapt I left active politics and joined a secured him a prominent place in attention to Lohia’s tale of torture of research project in Jaunsar-Bawar the socialist movement. Soon he himself and JP in Lahore Central Jail, in July 1955, but I continued to dabble was recognised as a member of the the two budding writers enquiring in the affairs of the NUSI (I chaired Socialist Triumverate, the other two about the secret of the socialist leader the UP Branch of the national student being Acharya Narendra Deva and unearthing significant facts and organisation) and the Samajwadi JP. making startling statements and the Yuwak Sabha for three years until I doctor advising them to study more was appointed Assistant Professor The British imprisoned Lohia from and more. of Anthropology at Lucknow June 1940 to the end of 1941. He University. I had to join Government became a hero of the Quit India I am personally grateful to Dr. service on January 1, 1959. While I movement, along with Usha Mehta Lohia for encouraging me in my worked as Assistant Commissioner ran the underground Azad Hind formative years. I was President of for SC&ST at he visited Jaipur Radio and could be arrested only on Lucknow University Union in 1952- sometime in 1961, sent for me and April 11, 1944. He was a co-prisoner 53 and as Chairman of the UP told me: “Government service has and tortured along with Jayaprakash Students’ Action Committee led a already made you ‘nikammaa’ Narayan in Lahore Central Jail. successful big student movement for partially, there is still time to leave it Both the heroes of the August the autonomy of student unions in a and join me.” At Chandigarh too he Revolution were released on April non-violent democratic manner. In an called me to the residence of Shri 11, 1946. The charismatic personality article captioned The Lucknow Rajinder Sachar, Secretary of his of JP made him the darling of the Revolt published in the National party at Chandigarh, in 1963. masses as I witnessed at the Meerut Herald in November 1953 he wrote session of the Congress in a paragraph on me appreciating my I respected Dr. Lohia but was a November 1946. Lohia, Achyut role. As the General Secretary of the bit disillusioned over his hobnobbing Patwardhan, Aruna Asaf Ali also PSP he included me as the student with the Jan Sangh and his sharing became very popular. and youth representative in a six- the election platform with Deen 14 JANATA, October 15, 2017

Dayal Upadhyaya at Farrukhabad. Possessing sparkling intellect Dr. Lohia’s contributions are rich His anti-Nehruism blinded him to the and a down to earth leader, Lohia and diverse. He astounded people by danger of embracing a rabid mixed with the youth, student his deep thoughts on issues like communal organisation. A similar, leaders, women workers and caste, gender equality, culture, etc. rather more dangerous event took illiterate peasants with equal Some found deficit of ‘shaaleenataa’ place two decades later by JP felicity. This diminutive, brown, in his politics. Lohia was embracing the Jan Sangh-RSS. stocky, bespctacled bachelor with undoubdtedly an acknowledged pan- Madhu Limaye’s opposition to the a charming and sometimes India leader who was also popular RSS led to the break-up of the Janata mischievous smile held a special among the socialist parties of Asia, Party but the damage had been done. fascination for women. Africa and Europe.

(Continued from Page 6) companies are operating in India. their radicalization in particular, Iran’s Partnership in 2004 and a Joint-Action Bilateral trade in commercial services nuclear programme, North Korea’s Plan in 2005 updated in 2008. has nearly tripled over the past missile adventurism, civil war in Syria decade increasing from 10.5 billion as also rebuilding of Afghanistan. The Strategic Partnership Treaty euros in 2005 to 28.4 billion euros in Both “committed to a sustainable, recognized India as a “regional and 2016. democratic, prosperous and peaceful global leader engaging increasingly Afghanistan”. on equal terms with other world The European Investment Bank powers. However, despite these has opened an office in New Delhi It also wanted the responsibility institutional growths in India-EU and has committed 1.5 billion euros for abetting and aiding DPRK’s bilateralism relations between for the current year. The Lucknow nuclearisation to be fixed. Obviously Brussels and New Delhi have failed and Bengaluru metro projects and fingers were pointed towards China to live up to their potential, remarked many solar ventures are supported wherein both EU and India sought to German Ambassador to India, Martin by the Bank. Further, India, is the send a clear message that Beijing Ney. He singled out the joint -failure leading the International Solar should follow the UN Convention on on resumption of talks to FTA and mission. the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) for investment. resolving all maritime territorial True, investment would come. But disputes. Evidently, there has been progress is the Indian market ready to absorb by EU and India. From a common such investment flow? The Alcatel Furthermore, the apprehension market, EU now has a common chief profoundly remarked, “Indians that India, following Britian’s exit currency and has evolved from a are wonderful people, but India is a from EU, might lose interest in EU Community to a Union. India has also terrible market”. How much has it relations is misplaced, asserted the progressed economically following changed? European Commission’s Vice the financial restructuring post-1990s. President and High Representative On political front, EU has on EU Foreign Affairs and Security There was change of guard in recognized India’s regional role in Policy Federica Mogherini. On the Indian leadership in April 2014 and in international politics. It has taken contrary, India’s deep and growing EU in November 2014. However, serious note of SAARC as a regional relations with major countries like there has been no visible swift body and jotted New Delhi’s role and Germany and France are likely to progress. interest in Africa. Pertinently, it has deepen. invited her to participate as an Clearly, India and EU have to do observer at the next EU-African Recall, after the 1994 Cooperation some serious re-thinking on their Union Summit. and Development Agreement relations. They need to re-orient their relations were expected to cover respective bureaucracies to be more Both held discussions on regional people-to-people contact and a multi- visionary, open and accommodative. and international issues which faceted collaboration. This was Therein lies the future of the mutuality included the Muslims Rohingya crisis, followed by the EU-India Strategic of India and the EU. JANATA, October 15, 2017 15 Memorandum 2 October 2017

His Excellency Shri Ramnath Kovind JI President Republic of India Most Respected Sir Be it travel or freight transport, is the socio-economic lifeline of the country. Among the largest rail services in the world, Indian Railways is also the biggest public sector enterprise in the country. The British used the Railways very astutely to exploit the country in order to consolidate their empire. The railway services were built and expanded in free India with the view to strengthen communication/commutation networks, economy and defense networks. Invaluable resources and labour of crores of Indian people went into building the Indian Railways. The total length of rail tracks is about 120,000 km. Out of this 28 thousand kilometers are used for the yards. On the remaining 92,000 kilometers tracks run trains. Total operational length of Indian Railways is 66,687 route kilometers. Out of this about 55,000 route kilometers was made by the British in pre-independence times. Thus, only 11,000 route kilometers has been expanded in 70 years of independence, which is negligible according to need. Out of 66 thousand route kilometers, 60 thousand route kilometers are broad-gauge lines. The remaining are narrow and meter-gauge lines. The task of changing narrow and broad-gauge lines into broad-gauge is not yet completed. Similarly, the work of doubling and tripling of tracks is also running very slow. However, the work of electrification of the railways has been relatively fast. In 1950-51, 7.5% of the total railway lines were electrified, which is now almost 36%. So far the qualitative improvement of Indian Railways is concerned, the question of security comes to the fore. With every budget, the number of trains, freight and passenger traffic increases. Along with this there are decisions to increase the speed of trains. A decision to run bullet trains has also been taken by the government. But security, punctuality and facilities have not improved. The journey of trains has become a journey of accidents. Every year, on an average, 100 small and major accidents happen. In the year 2017, eight major rail accidents have occurred till date. Apart from train accidents, many people die in stampedes which happen on crowded platforms and bridges. The recent incident in Mumbai’s Elphinstone railway station is a recent example. The government promptly passed the project of a bullet train costing 1.20 thousand crore for the distance of 550 kms., but did not provide money for the construction of a new bridge in place of the old one built by the British in 1911 citing the excuse of lack of funds. A safe, convenient and time-bound rail service is the first condition for the progress of the country. This is the government’s job to fill the lakhs of vacant positions, to lay new tracks as needed, to repair worn out tracks and to install proper technology in order to ensure safety, convenience and punctuality. But the government instead of fulfilling its responsibilities, is busy handing over the Railways to the capitalists. By the decision of merging the Railway Budget with the General Budget, and by the decision to sell railway stations/railway lines to private bidders in the garb of public-private partnership (PPP), the BJP has made a solid beginning of privatizing Railways. The privatisation of Indian Railways is different from the privatisation of any other public sector undertaking. The Indian Railways is intrinsically connected with rural and urban economy, composite culture, education and internal security of the country. Therefore, any decision of privatization of Indian Railways in any form is anti-constitutional and anti-public. The Socialist Party has launched a nation-wide awareness campaign against the government’s decision to privatise Indian Railways. This campaign was inaugurated by a ‘Save Indian Railways’ march from Mandi House to Jantar-Mantar in Delhi on 22 June 2017. In that series a ‘Save Indian Railways Dharna’ was held today (2 October 2017) at Jantar-Mantar. We submit this Memorandum to you at the end of the dharna. Being the custodian of the Constitution, we request you to repeal the decision of privatization of Indian Railways in any form. We are hopeful that you will take prompt and decisive action on this subject. With utmost regards

Yours faithfully Dr. Prem Singh R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, October 15, 2017 Postal Registration No. MCW/275/2015-2017. License to Post without prepayment WPP License No. MR/Tech/WPP-210/West/2017 Published on Sunday, October 15, 2017 & Posted on Wedenesday October 18, 2017 at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO- 1

GANNON DUNKERLEY & CO., LTD.

An infrastructure company established since 1924

REGD. OFFICE :

New Excelsior Building, (3rd Floor), A. K. Nayak Marg, Fort, Mumbai 400 001. Tel.: 022 2205 1231 Fax : 022-2205 1232

Office : Ahmedabad, 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 1 Pages 16 Price : Rupees Five

Vol. 72 No. 39 Election Commission-Is it Independent ? October 22, 2017 Kuldip Nayar

India should engage Pakistan THE Election Commission has governments are completing their as Trump Flip-Flops never done it before and had terms within six months had raised D. K. Giri developed an independent status “serious questions.” since T.N. Seshan. He had given it a stature which was admired by the CEC Joti has cited relief and electorate. But the way in which the rehabilitation of the flood-affected in Gujarat as one of the reasons for the Socio-Economic Status of EC is dilly-dallying with the poll dates Marginalised Castes in Post – in Gujarat gives room to several delay in poll announcement in the Independence India conjectures. Some even see the state. But nobody is buying this K. S. Chalam hand of Prime Minister Narendra argument because, as former CEC Modi who hails from Gujarat. T.S. Krishnamurthy said, “the emergency flood relief work is to be What it means is that the people done by bureaucrats, not politicians. have come to doubt the The Model Code of Conduct does Story of A independence of the Commission. not stand in the way of any Microsoft Engineer The Gujarat assembly’s term ends emergency relief work. It does not Prashant Nema on January 22, 2018 while that of the prevent existing projects from Himachal Pradesh on January 7. continuing. Only new projects should Last week, Chief Election not be announced during the MCC Commissioner A.K. Joti announced period.” the election date only for Himachal Pradesh and one doesn’t know when The MCC is a common code that the dates for Gujarat polls would be aims to provide a level-playing field Editor : notified. to all contesting candidates during G. G. Parikh election season by guiding the Managing Editor : Guddi Understandably, this has created conduct of the incumbent a controversy which could have been government, political parties and D-15, Ganesh Prasad, avoided with better management. candidates. Naushir Bharucha Marg, Former CEC S.Y. Qureshi has rightly commented that the move to “All this controversy could have Mumbai - 400 007. break from the EC’s convention of been avoided with better Email : [email protected] announcing elections together in management,” Krishnamurthy said Website:www.janataweekly.org states where incumbent to a newspaper. “I suppose they 2 JANATA, October 22, 2017

(EC) could have announced both parents with two girls and who have alleged ground of ‘partisanship.’ (Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh undergone sterilization, Rs 10,000 as Gopalaswami’s action did raise polls) together, either one week a revolving fund by the AMC’s several eyebrows within the before or one week after. I am not Urban Community Development government on account of its timing looking at whether the decision was department and the highest Rs as well as its departure from well- influenced or not. I am concerned 50,000 for inter-caste marriage. settled readings of the relevant with whether, administratively, a constitutional provisions. solution could have been found. I The big-ticket schemes include Rs Subsequently, Chawla was elevated think I would have found a solution.” 165.75-crore project for providing to CEC’s post on the advice of the drinking water to the city from Mahi government which had rejected This observation by the former River at a capacity of 150 million Gopalaswami’s plea for his removal, CEC has put a question mark against litres per day and beautification of saying there was no merit in the the EC. Once again, the doubts that the Sursagar Lake at a cost of Rs allegations against the Election have come to the fore are that the 38 crore. Incidentally, beautification Commissioner. Election Commission is run by the of the iconic lake was also bureaucrats under the guidance of undertaken before the 2012 The noise raised over the the central government. The image Assembly polls. Union ministers and appointment of an Election and reputation of the Commission chief ministers of BJP-ruled states Commissioner makes little sense has been severely damaged. made a beeline to Gujarat to extol because it is a constitutional position. the government schemes. The government should itself be Take for instance what the careful and not do anything which Gujarat government did anticipating The Prime Minister, too, visited would cast a shadow on the the announcement of poll dates in the the state soon after and kick-started independence or integrity of the state. The officials of the Vadodara the poll campaign with his usual Commission. The Commission itself Municipal Corporation’s standing scathing attacks on the Nehru- should act in such a manner that committee went into a huddle for one Gandhi dynasty. He went on to say there is no room for any controversy. and a half hour to push ahead with a that the “family will destroy Gujarat string of announcements. Chief because it dislikes Gujarat and There is still time to retrieve the Minister Vijay Rupani inaugurated Gujaratis” and called the coming situation. The Election Commission several projects of development assembly election in the state a fight should straightaway announce the work worth Rs 780 crore besides between “development and dates of Gujarat poll to avoid any extending free logistical services to dynasty.” further challenge to its non- Sri Sri Ravishankar’s Diwali event partisanship. Prime Minister in the city. The old question comes to be Narendra Modi can save the raised yet again is whether the situation and see to it that the Not only that the Ahmedabad bureaucrats should at all be made Commission announces the date Municipal Council which conducted members of the Commission? They immediately. He is unnecessarily the Shahri Garib Kalyan Mela, are under the discipline of the Central getting mixed up with the dates of distributed 3,262 kits including Government and can be influenced. Gujarat POLL. cheques, funds and bonds under Although Seshan, a bureaucrat, the Manav Garima Yojana with disproved this thesis every 4,103 getting the government bureaucrat cannot be a Sehsan. The largesse. The kits distributed included government’s influence is inevitable. Janata sewing machines, utensils, tri-cycles, dairy products, street-vending carts We all remember the political and other household items. The total storm created by former CEC N. sum of the kits and cheques Gopalaswami when he suo is available at distributed came to Rs. 165 crore. motu sent a recommendation to the The cheques included a minimum of President that Election Rs 2,000 given to school girls as Commissioner Navin Chawla should www.lohiatoday.com Vidyalakshmi bonds, Rs 5,000 to be removed from office on the JANATA, October 22, 2017 3 India should engage Pakistan as Trump Flip-Flops

D. K. Giri

The US President Donald Trump’s indepent actions on Pakistan, seven fighting a proxy war in Kashmir. It tweet on 14 October had the South times smaller demographically and carried out surgical strikes in Block (India’s external affairs eight times lesser in GDP than India? retaliation of the cross-border fires headquarters) worried. It got busy following Modi’s surprise visit to in interpreting the message. Donald In fact, India is all-talks and no- Lahore. But, to be sure, such one-off Trump tweeted as the Pakistan Army action on Pakistan. It does not back strike will not tame Pakistan. India rescued a US – Canadian family its rhetorics with action, to the has to maintain the momentum of from the captivity of Haqqani terror detriment of its national interest. heavy retaliation in order to frustrate group, “We are starting to develop a Axiomatically, a promise carried out Pakistan’s strategy of “seeking to much better relationship with is costly, and a threat, not carried out, inflict death by thousand cuts”. Pakistan and its leaders. I want to is costly. Our posturing on Pakistan thank them for their cooperation on without action is proving costly for India is yet to declare ISS, as a many fronts”. us. No action undermines India’s terrorist organisation. It has imposed deterrent position. Admittedly, it is in no sanctions against Pakistan. How Donald Trump is known for his India’s national interest that India does India expect others like USA flip-flops on many policy issues. But deals with Pakistan directly, on its to take action on Pakistan, while she, this tweet should not be ignored as own. There are four ways of herself is dithering to do so? Some one of those. What he says, is in engaging with Pakistan. First, the hawkish experts would recommend contrast to their Afghan and South hawkish approach; to cow down, that India should declare that “not Asia policy announced in August this Pakistan as it will not restrain an inch of Kashmir, either for year. Donald Trump had named otherwise. It can be diplomatically independence, or to join Pakistan, will Pakistan for supporting the terror pegged with the ‘carrot and stick’ be ceded, in any event”. Such clear groups and warned Islamabad of approach, but more stick than the stance will dissuade recruitment or consequences. The policy added, carrot. To start with, India should support to terrorism in Kashmir. “Pakistan had taken advantage of begin to downsize the Pakistan High US support for years and had Commission in Delhi, which is infested The second approach to Pakistan worked against US interests”. India with ISI elements. India should is to treat Pakistan as a potential was encouraged and emboldened by withdraw the MFN status to Pakistan, friend. We have missed more than US listing Hizbul Mujahidden, and that was unilaterally given. It should one opportunity to solve Kashmir Syed Salaluddin. They had anxiously leverage the Indus Water Treaty problem amicably. Yet, if we make expected that the US will keep the (IWT). Did not Prime Minister Modi a hard assessment, Pakistan could heat on, especially as Haqqani Group say “Blood and Water cannot flow be India’s friend, and be treated as was accused of killing American together?” Instead, India has such. Despite the nuclearisation in soldiers in Afghanistan. The same backslided, renewed the IWT, and both countries, and China’s meddling terror group had bombed the Indian gave World Bank a mediating role. in Indo-Pak affairs, it is unwise to Mission in Kabul Killing 58 people. India should stop the barter trade consider Pakistan an enemy. It may across LoC. In PoK, India has made be recalled that during Indo-China However, the moot point is, should no claim, except objecting to OBOR war in 1962, Pakistan took a helpful India be too wary of America’s on the question of sovereignty. In the stand. As Prof. Vivekanandan, utterances and policy on Pakistan? 2016 speech, on the Independence author of India’s Security Concerns, Should India rely heavily and solely day, Modi raised the issue of argued, India and Pakistan should on America to deal with Pakistan, Baluchistan, the mayhem and murder ‘pool their destinies together’ to lend which is aiding and abetting cross- committed by Pakistani Army, but substance to their symbiotic border terrorism that bleeds since then, India has not followed it existence. One has experienced the Kashmir? Why cannot India take up. To counter terrorism, India is warmth and affection when the 4 JANATA, October 22, 2017 people of India and Pakistan meet University in Delhi, they would return Affairs articulated his policy towards each other across their respective the greetings and soon I became one our neighbours in September 1996. borders or in a third country. People- of them. This policy was called Gujral to-people bond is too strong to set Doctrine. I.K.Gujral then went on to aside in bilateralism. As a part of our study, we were become the 12th Prime Minister of taken to a village (pind) some 70 kms India. The doctrine had five principles. From my own experience, I would away from Islamabad. We were One, India should show a big heart like to share tow heart-warming having some tea in a courtyard of the without reciprocity from smaller episodes. One, when I was studying village chief. I was lying on a cot on neighbours except Pakistan, as the in the United Kingdom, I ran into one the ground to enjoy the weather and latter was capable of reciprocating. Wasif Hussain who had come to my the gentle sun; I was perhaps sun- Two, no South Asian country, would University for his post-doctoral bathing. I was woken up by drops of allow its territory to be used against research in Chemistry. I was there water on my right palm. When I the interest of another South Asian for my Ph.D. We began to discuss opened my eyes, I saw an old lady in country. Three, no country should our homelands. That is usually the Haryanvi attire holding my hand as interfere in the internal affairs of case when you meet another visitor tears fell from her eyes. I was stunned others. Four, South Asian countries in a foreign country, He told me he to see her like that. Our host saw my should respect each other’s territorial was born in Rohtak, Haryana, and surprise as well as curiosity. He integrity and sovereignty. Five, South when he was nine year old, migrated smilingly explained, “The lady was Asian countries should settle their to Pakistan during the partition. So born in India and was looking for the disputes through bilateral peaceful he had vivid memories of India. To Indian among the South Asians. negotiations. Reviving and adhering my surprise, he revealed that his When we pointed you to her, she to Gujral doctrine would ensure peace family still believed that they were came to you and became emotional.” and security in South Asian region, Indians living in Pakistan. He invited The clarification relaxed me. The lady and restore Indo-Pak normalcy. me home and introduced me to his asked me where I was from in India. wife Maimuna as his brother from When I said, I live in but The fourth is a long-term visionary India. He had twin daughters of 7 worked in New Delhi, she became approach which calls for high years of age. From that day onwards, overjoyed as she was born in Gurgaon statesmanship to be initiated. If Berlin as long as we were in the university, too. But she was too sad not to be wall can be demolished, if European I became a maternal uncle to the able to revisit her birthplace. There Union can be constituted on the ashes twins, and Maimunna tied rakhi on are many such encounters by other of two-world wars, and many small me every year. I cannot forget the Indians with second and even third wars fought in Europe, a new South love and warmth they showered on generation Pakistanis. Asia can be created to stop the me. rivalries and bloodshed. I am Therefore, the inimical posturing suggesting the creation of a United Second incident was when I by both countries notwithstanding, Nations of South Asia (UNSA). visited Islamabad on a project with there is no serious long-term security Looking back, the religious basis of other South Asians. Out of all the threat to each other. It is China that creating Pakistan did not hold. Culture countries (about 80) I have visited, India and Pakistan should worry became a stronger unit than religion. this was my best visit. One day, the about which has an unsatiated That is why Bangladesh separated security was restraining me to go territorial appetite. It uses India’s from Pakistan although the former outside the hotel. I wore the pathani neighbours including Pakistan as too is a Muslim country. So, the Indian suit presented by Maimunna in UK pawns against India. It has grabbed sub-continent comprising three and wore a cap. I walked out of the thousands of kilometres from India countries, India, Pakistan and hotel in everyone’s notice, and no one and is plotting to have more. Bangladesh should be reorganised including the security staff stopped into nation-states; Punjab will be re- me. I went out into the urban villages The third approach is; India should united into one, Kashmir will be one nearby and roamed around freely. I follow the ‘Gujral doctrine’ to deal consisting of Indian Kashmir and would greet the passersby in Urdu with its neighbours and keep China PoK, Bengal would be one again with that I had learnt from my teaching at bay. What is Gujral Doctrine? days in Jamia Milia Islamia I.K.Gujral, as a Minister for External (Continued on Page 6) JANATA, October 22, 2017 5 Satyagraha for 0% GST on hand made sector seeks to realise a promise made in the Indian Constitution

With the assurance of the Chief governance keeps the promises In introducing GST on handmade Minister of Karnataka Shri made in the and products, the GST Council of India, Siddaramaiah that the Karnataka the Freedom Movement that there which is a negotiated process of all Government will support the is active and willing support to States and the Union Government, Satyagraha’s demand for 0% GST sustain crafts people and such others has comprehensively ignored the on hand made products, Shri who depend on their hands and skills critical importance of such positive Prasanna broke his indefinite fast in in building the nation. discrimination favouring the the presence of various elders and handicraft sector. Instead, handmade supporters by accepting coconut Dr.B.R.Ambedkar spoke products have been heavily taxed, water from Shri Veerabhadra extensively about the need for ranging between 5% and 28% (the Chennamalla Swamiji of positive discrimination favouring highest tax bracket). The result of Nidumaamidi Mata. The Chief handcrafting artisans and this will be mass impoverishment of Minister in his 19th October letter to communities who are essentially the rural and informal sectors that Indian Finance Minister rural, fisher folk, pastoral, artisanal, support millions of livelihoods by said that “imposition of GST on tribal and such other natural making handmade products. Further, (handmade) products has had an resource dependent communities. it will result in hand made products adverse effect on the livelihood of This was also in acknowledgment having no chance whatsoever of such artisans engaged in producing of the State’s role in correcting a competing with mass-produced such products”. He also said that the major historical wrong committed consumer goods, which are demands of the Satyagraha “require against craftspeople who had been supported with a whole range of serious and urgent consideration and violently suppressed during British sops: such as easy credit supply, a positive resolution. This would not regime. handsome tax breaks, easy and only benefit a large segment of our cheap access to natural resources, rural population but would also give Gandhiji promoted the Charkha as infrastructure, and also cheap labour. a boost to rural employment and the praxis of producing one’s own This discrimination favouring the sustainability. I, therefore, urge you essentials as the most profound act industrialised class is producing an to take this issue on a priority basis of sovereign existence, and that economy that is highly divisive, in the next GST Council and decide without damaging the earth or where a miniscule percentage are favourably benefiting a large causing injustices to others in one’s hoarding all profits, while the costs segment of rural artisans. I assure life. The idea was to build a just are borne by the rest of us. Besides, you of the Government of economic system that was both the impacts are being passed on to Karnataka’s full support in this ecologically sustainable and ethical. future generations as well. Such an regard.” As a part of this movement for economy is unsustainable. fundamental reform, the State was Noted theatre and social activist called upon to enable and empower Shri Prasanna’s Satyagraha is a Prasanna of Gram Seva Sangh was communities who provided us with reminder to the State and the public on an indefinite fast – since our daily needs with a wide range of at large, that we must stop hurting 14th October 2017 demanding “Zero hand made products. Positive the handcrafting sector any further. Tax” on handmade products. He discrimination favouring handmade His indefinite fast is a protest against took the decision of an indefinite fast products by not taxing them would such deliberate negligence and as several nation-wide actions as be the most fundamental support the injustice, a movement in civil part of the Satyagraha demanding State can extend to provide these disobedience against our own “zero tax” were not responded to by highly marginalised communities elected Government that has become the GST Council of India. There is with a chance to secure a dignified insensitive to the very people that a growing demand to ensure India’s existence. placed them in power. This is also a 6 JANATA, October 22, 2017 call to refuse to pay unjust GST Federation of Indian Women, Mukta Karnataka, Praja Science when buying handmade products and Karnataka Rajya Devanga Vedhike, Ekta Parishad, Rashtriya demand that the GST Council Naukarara Sangha, All Indian Bank Cheneta Jana Samakya, and several introduces ‘zero tax’ on all handmade Officers Confederation, Lancha several more. products in keeping with our (Continued from Page 4) Constitutional promise, especially that which is enshrined in Article 39: West Bengal and Bangladesh joining. that direction will lessen a lot of This will coincide with the ‘Akhand tension in South Asia, Indo-Pak “(a) that the citizens, men and Bharat’ approach, albeit with a relations in particular. Such a vision, women equally, have the right to difference. What is more, Tamil Nadu communicated and shared well, an adequate means to livelihood; and Sri Lankan Tamils could be one should encourage the countries in nation. So, the culture based on South Asia to work in unity and (b) that the ownership and control language, the biggest connector, harmony. of the material resources of the would constitute the rationale of community are so distributed as nationhood (states). South Asian To conclude, undoubtedly, a best to subserve the common Association for Regional Cooperation South Asian approach towards good; (SAARC) would be replaced by the integration is much better than United Nations of South Asia. UNSA inviting other countries like USA (c) that the operation of the will end the internecine conflict of or China to interferer or mediate. economic system does not result Kashmir and other such problems of Their association may maintain a in the concentration of wealth nation-building. ‘balance of terror’ but will not and means of production to the ensure peace, security and common detriment;” Arguably, UNSA is a long-term prosperity, and certainly, it is the Vision, but not a Utopia. Moving in latter we must seek. The Satyagraha has been endorsed by several mass organisations, federations, cooperatives, political movements, etc. They include Janapada Seva Trust, Karnataka, Komu Sovharda Vedhike, Karnataka Rajya Devanga Naukara Sangha, Lancha Mukta Karnataka, Dalit Student Federation, Karnataka Janashakthi, Karnataka Vidhyarthi Sangatane, National Hawkers Federation, National Fishworkers Federation, National Alliance of Peoples Movement, Grameena Cooli Karmikara sangatane, Samudaya, Janata Dal (U), Janata Dal (S), Samajvaadi Party, Communist Party of India, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Congress (I), Rashtriya Price: Rs. 20/- Swabhimani Andolan, Karnataka Gandhi Smaraka Nidhi, Karnataka Janata Trust Jyana vijyana samiti, SUCI, D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Naushir Sampoorna Kranti, Corruption-free Bharucha Marg, Karnataka, Gandhi Bhavan, Jana Grant Road (W), Vadhi Mahila Sangha, All India Mumbai 400 007. Trade Union Congress, National JANATA, October 22, 2017 7 Socio-Economic Status of Marginalised Castes in Post – Independence India

K. S. Chalam

The marginalisation of Castes that Table on plan outlays show how little somehow managed to show the UNO are traditionally excluded from is given to them. It is estimated that that it has crossed 20 percent is a mainstream social and economic around Rs 53 lakh crores were misnomer. Health care provided benefits are considered as SC, ST, allocated during plan period 1951- through public health establishments OBC and minorities, the socio- 2017 and supposed to have spent Rs is very poor. Inequalities after 1991 economic status of these castes can 8.4 lakh crores on SC and half of the have widened and 1 per cent of the be assessed in terms of the following same on ST as per their population in population own 58 per cent of wealth concepts. terms of the so called Special and 8 persons own $ 80 billion dollars Component Plan by the end of 2017. property. As per Oxfam, over the next Marginalization has been defined It seems the money spent on SCs is 20 years, 500 people will hand over as a complex process of relegating about Rs 1 lakh crores and may be $2.1 trillion to their heirs — a sum specific group of people to the lower half of it for STs so far. This rough larger than the GDP of India, a edge of society. It effectively pushes estimate (guestimate) is made to country of 1.3 billion people. these groups of people to the margin show how the nation owes to these of society economically, politically, communities just in terms of the public The present status of poverty culturally and socially following the spending. In fact much of the among SC ST OBC and minorities is paradigm of exclusion. resources of the state were available estimated by Saxena to be around 50 for development and other projects percent and official figures place it Economic Deprivation is because the people belonging to these around 30-35 per cent. The defined as the lack of sufficient communities remained poor, illiterate, landlessness among these income for people to play roles, malnourished, suffered ill health etc communities has increased and Land participate in the relationships, and is without getting sufficient legitimate reforms, Urban Ceiling etc have been a state of income inequality wherein attention of the state and the put to rest. The state has emerged as income generated by one individual resources thus saved diverted to the biggest land dealer or real estate is not enough to cover his basic needs. others. Therefore, the first charge of broker in recent times. Schemes like It includes as per UK 6 parameters the budgets should have been on the PPP and Infrastructure projects are like income, education, employment, welfare of these communities. But, being used as conduits to transfer poor health, housing and crime the situation has worsened after people’s land properties in the name P.M Narasimha Rao and his team of infrastructure projects first Social Exclusion is a complex introduced privatisation as a panacea acquired by the state and later and multi-dimensional process. It for development of the nation, perhaps transferred. The recent land scam in involves the lack of or denial of the nation consisting of the creamy Visakhapatnam to the extent of one resources rights, goods and services, layer of India, the Varna castes must lakh acres of government and D form and the inability to participate in the have been benefitted. pattas worth more than a lakh of normal relationships and activities, crores is the biggest scam of the era available to the majority of people in There is some improvement in SC is being investigated by SIT. The role a society. literacy rates from less than 1.9 per of the judiciary is well known in the cent in 1931 to 55 percent, enrolment case of BALCO where it has clearly After independence the in to higher education improved with said that Judiciary has no role to government has planned growth with state support. Yet, the per cent of interfere with state policy despite Art justice and used strategies like SCP/ graduates from SC constitute 2.7 and 39. Interestingly, the same apex court TSP and several subsidised schemes ST 2.2 and BC 4.2 of their respective gives orders now and then on the basis for the marginalised. Yet the situation populations in 2010. However, the of petitions made by upper castes on has not improved as expected. The enrolment in to higher education is reservations despite of Art 15 and 16 8 JANATA, October 22, 2017 of the Constitution. We cannot 5. The debt for equity - creditors crony capitalism. It is noted by Harish question them as they are of the enterprise accept equity for Damodaran - Chalam – Ravi Saxena svayambhus and are above Brahma. debt and takeover it and others that caste has played an The so called implementation of Right important role in corporate to Education and Right to Food under 6. PPP - some parts of the governance as 46% vaisya, 45% Art 21 is the common knowledge of enterprise divert it for PPP mix and Brahmin, 3% SC 3.8 BC are the every one and the corporate media finally appropriate it board of directors in the Indian never bothers about such companies. The FDI story of using infringements. 7. Management Contract, mostly Singapore, Mauritius routes show in Saudi ports govt own, let on contract that they are conduits of black money Dalits and Artisan castes are for management shifted from Swiss Banks and most displaced – they are not replaced and of the investors are from upper rehabilitated in the MSME. In the 8. Equalisation: Mixed ownership castes. MSME sector SC enterprises as in China no time limit fixed but pvt. constitutes 7.5 percent , ST 2.8 %, allowed. India has innovative Now Dropout rates at I-X for SC BC 38% of the total units under schemes like suit case companies 68% ST 77%, higher education is less Micro and under Medium category and transfer properties as benami etc than 8% and no skill training in all the three put together constitute . traditional occupations. The Average less than 0.1 percent. The corporate Value of Assets for SC is Rs 5.1 lakh sector is totally under the grip of the The ONGC-HPCL buy out or take ST Rs 5.5 lakh, others 16.6 lakhs privatecompnies that constitutes 94 over by putting a holding company to urban 35 lakhs . Among all indebted per cent of the total registered the shares seem to be dangerous- households, SC households reported companies. Data shows that instead Govt. can own HPCL and to be the highest “debt to asset ratio” privatisation has increased- public give it to ONGC for managing to (12.2% in rural and 18.5% in urban) sector jobs declined- privatisation of create behemoth may be alright- followed by OBC (8.9% in rural and public sector initiated through PPP interest on Rs 25000 crores shares 15% in urban). mode, casualisation, contracting etc becomes a burden that make both have destroyed the family silver and ONGC and HPCL vulnerable for Displacement of Adivasis and they are for grabs by the powerful takeover by a giant like Reliance. The Dalits in the project areas had families who get the political bosses same is true in the case of Air India affected the lives of around 4 crores elected by investing in them wisely. and other public sector enterprises. in India. The situation in the Therefore, privatisation of public What has happened to the recent subcontinent is the same. It has properties including enterprises is demonetisatisation episode and how disturbed the equilibrium and peace being done through the following - Paytm and other scams - share in South Asia. The Chittgong Hill methods. market scams taken place are little Track CHT – Kaptai Dam displaced known to common man is process of in 1960s-Chakma Buddhists, Hajong 1. Trade sale – selling an enterprise transferring public properties to Hindu-Tibito-Burmese – The story to the existing active firm in the private individuals. It is strange to of Bangladesh refugees-Silguri dalits- industry believe how such units are made Cooch Bihar-Bengal Rohingiyas- efficient by Individuals with the same mostly untouchables in the past got 2. Public Offering - IPO, selling skills and markets is a great converted to Buddhism, Islam from shares in the open to create diverse Brahmanda that needs a sage to animism is the greatest human ownership explain and elucidate. tragedy worse than that of Jews, Palestine etc that are not documented 3. Management buyout- managers Slowly and steadily the public and the Ex-untouchables of the sub of the enterprise form a company and wealth and common properties are continent remained outside public buy the unit converted as private assets, help glare of civil society activism. They augment private wealth and not are Adi Hindus and we have problems 4. IPO plus scheme-pvt interests public. It has a social dimension in on the border states including create funds to buy shares in the open India as concentration of wealth is Pakistan, Bangla, , Sri Lanka and own it - BALCO held in the hands of few varna castes- etc untouchables who had contact JANATA, October 22, 2017 9 with mainland India – No problems shock the nation as did Kanshiram and in common property by with those who permanently migrated in UP and ask for representative remaining poor, ignorant and and remained as in South Africa, democracy by reducing the over deprived by foregoing the minimum Myanmar, Mauritius , Caribbean and representation of the Varna castes needs while they made Rs 91 lakh other places. Social identity of people in all spheres of life in India. Find crores corrupt money as per social of India is in crisis as none of the out an appropriate procedure to unite media postings before 2014 border countries in SAARC are in all Ex-untouchables-not just 20 elections. Think it over and you friendly terms- past history might dominant out of 1025 scheduled need not rely on my words, search throw light that they refused to accept castes and 1200 backward castes to your hearts and be proactive. the social division based on varna, formulate a CMP-to demand descent or belief left Hindusthan- representation in private sector or (Summary of Speech delivered Now What do you do? ask for shares in it as our ancestors at ONGC SC ST OBC Officers and after independence our kith and annual conference held in First strengthen your unity and kin have invested in Public sector Visakhapatnam, Sept 25-26 , 2017)

Plan period Plan outlay(Rs. in crores) SCP/TSP

Total ST Percentage SC Percentage First Plan 1960 1993 1.00 6.13 0.35 Second Plan 4672 42.92 0.90 28.56 0.16

Third Plan 8577 50.53 0.60 40.82 0.48 Fourth Plan 1579 79.85 0.50 72.19 0.46 Fifth Plan 39426 1157.67 3.00 204.90 0.52

Sixth Plan 109292 3640.25 3.33 3722.97 3.14 Seventh Plan 180000 6744.85 3.75 7283.32 4.02 Eight Plan 181735 14873.43 8.18 22380.80 12.32

Eleventh Plan 118700 8141.00 3.7 96071.00 8.1

Growing Importance of Non-Government Companies End March No. of Companies Paid-up Capital (Rs. in Cr.) Share of Govt. Non-Govt. Total Govt. Non-Govt. Total Non- Govt. Cos. In PUC 1989-90 1,160 2,00,968 2,02,128 47,451 17,193 64,643 26.60 1994-95 1,199 3,52,093 3,53,292 73,300 62,719 1,36,019 46.11

1999-00 1,245 5,41,189 5,42,434 1,02,850 2,15,960 3,18,810 67.74 2004-05 1,328 6,78,321 6,79,649 1,55,814 4,98,208 6,54,022 76.18 2009-10 1,642 8,34,218 8,35,860 2,52,040 7,74,563 10,26,603 75.45

2015-16 65245 1023535 1088780 3287833 1674692 4962525 94.00 10 JANATA, October 22, 2017 Story of A Dalit Microsoft Engineer

Prashant Nema*

One seldom hears any of the persons…saying, “Let us do something to change the Touchable Hindu.” –Dr. B. R. Ambedkar

Tanmay commented, “Frankly endowments and circumstances a family in which almost all members Prashant, if I weren’t an exceptional wrought by the Caste System. graduated University. Though still student, I would have committed beset with traditional gender-roles, suicide long ago.” His statement How I got to be interested in our family had done well - the adult chilled my bones; having known him Tanmay’s story is a lesson in itself. males found stable jobs that afforded for years, I knew he was not given to The recent discourse in my adopted us middle-class luxuries. In a exaggeration or needless drama. He home about Race had me thinking country recovering from colonial was serious. As I shivered, I realised of an analogy to my own upbringing destitution and characterised by two things - that I myself was in India. As I came to understand great inequality, this achievement unexceptional and that even in that White Privilege, it become was rare and important. Though my state, I played a role in his increasingly difficult to comment or ancestors were largely small immiseration. I had to know more. act on issues of racial justice without businessmen and traders, both of my first confessing my own version of grandfathers found their path in Tanmay and I had been chatting privilege. education and assumed professional over lunch and the words were roles in the growing and newly flowing. I had asked him to tell me The privilege I was born into and independent country. By the time my about his background; he obliged me facilitated who I am today came generation came, the basic existential with elegance and passion. No from the same system that hampered needs of life were taken care of; in books, lectures, or documentaries Tanmay at every stage from that sense my childhood and could have prepared me to becoming who he is today. People adolescence were easy and filled understand Tanmay and what he have of course heard of the “Caste with the joys of privilege. represented. For others, we were System”- a complex system of just two Indian immigrants chatting hereditary and occupation-based Tanmay was not so fortunate. over lunch but our chat was a segregation that has been an Caught in the punishing cycle of statistical and moral improbability – organising principle of much of Indian Caste, his birthright was not the differences in our background society for millennia. While most education and privilege but difficulty. were deep, wide, and invidious. people know of it, few understand While the working adults in my After all I am an upper caste Hindu both its persistence and its cruelty family were professionals, in his they and Tanmay is a Dalit. How we for the hundreds of millions of people were involved in the skinning of dead got to this point of convergence - as it designates as undesirable. To animals. For literally thousands of “successful” employees of understand this is to enter the Heart years, generations of his family were Microsoft – is a tale of deep of Darkness. locked into this thankless, dangerous deprivation and extraordinary and “God-ordained” profession. strength on Tanmay’s side and A Personal Journey Those who attempted to break out privilege and mediocrity on mine, an of this vicious cycle were dealt with object lesson in the inequality of I was lucky enough to be born into harshly. By the time of Independence

( *Prashant Nema, a Savarna engineer with Microsoft at Seattle has written this touching article about his friend and Dalit colleague, Tanmay Waghmare, that appeared on COUNTERCURRENTS.ORG on October 4, 2017 under the caption Upper Caste Privilege: From Catharsis To Change. It is hoped that this article will make the upper castes more sensitive towards their not-so- privileged colleagues and convince them to stop opposing the policy of reservation.) JANATA, October 22, 2017 11

– 1947 - both his grandfathers were heart of segregation. But at that present, and inescapable. As skinning these animals in largely rural time, I reveled in our “modernity.” I learned later on– after decades of India; They were part of a large life – 75 per cent of Dalit students group – numbering 200 With my idealistic naiveté, I drop out before completing high million today- called Dalits (or thought that despite its power in school, unable to manage either “Untouchables” in the common history, the caste system had lost its economically or survive the English translation.) strength. Sure, people married within harassment leveled by teachers, their caste and faced social students, and public figures alike, this This extreme lack of opprobrium if they sought a partner childhood was very different than occupational diversity and related from outside, but for the most part, mine, which was filled with clear deprivation in his community was as I thought, the more damning parts encouragement from my teachers, not simply a matter of happenstance of the caste system had dissipated. peers and others in my social graph. - it was the determined product of I thought of my own family in which In addition to this, if social a carefully planned and enforced my own father was no longer a petty networking is a thing (and it is a system of slavery. Not only was trader but was, instead, a scientist billion dollar industry) I had success this a synthetic or man-made system working on innovative and new written all over my forehead. but it was “sold” to the Indian things. India was a modernizing population as part and parcel of their country with a progressive For Tanmay, the deprivations and religion. constitution and a well-developed insults continued. Not only his direct idea of citizenship, so even if there relations but also all the people who I recall hearing first about Caste were remnants of the caste system, lived in his vicinity shared the fate when I was eight. My mother told they were benign. Sure, there was of having filthy, menial jobs, scraping me in passing that our last name the notion of “untouchability,” but that the very bottom of the economic meant we were “Baniyas,” or was an excrescence, not a persistent barrel, and being treated by others members of a particular caste. feature of society. Interestingly, as untouchable. Amongst them were Though I understood very little, I many learned people shared this manual scavengers, janitors, animal later learnt from Indian mythology position. The past was the past; the rearers, and corpse handlers. The that Baniyas were a sub-caste of present and the future were bright. perception of these jobs is best “Vaishyas” which implied that we described by the fact that the titles were tradesman by profession. I Tanmay’s childhood perception of these occupations are actually slur learned about the other “upper” was the polar opposite of mine; his words in the common lexicon. Not castes at that time too - Brahmins own caste position – as a Dalit and only did Tanmay have to bear such and Kshatriyas. Taken as a group, not a Savarna - gave him a rude insults, he was not only bereft of any these members of upper castes are shock from the beginning. First, it amenities but also was intimidated called “Savarnas.” was evident to him that everyone by the powerful castes around him. around him were engaged in He grew up feeling dejected, For most of my childhood, I didn’t professions that viscerally repulsed helpless and looked down upon. think much of Caste; in some sense him. Second, he was victim to I was lucky - I grew up in a scores of incidents in which he was Book Knowledge Versus Reality cosmopolitan neighborhood defined singled out due to his caste, including by diversity and what we thought at by a teacher who, when Tanmay It’s not that notions of that time to be a “modern” outlook. was only eight years old, declared untouchability were unknown to me As I grew up, I remember to the class that the child was “not growing up, just that they seemed to specifically thinking that we had even touchable not to mention be things of the past. We knew that transcended “isms” and had teachable.” for thousands of years, Tanmay’s achieved a universal outlook. As I ancestors were not even allowed in reflect now, I realise how wrong I A system I thought had largely public spaces, in some places they was - I cannot recall a single Dalit disappeared was simultaneously were not only “untouchable” but also friend or family associate from my destroying Tanmay’s aspirations. For “unseeable.” If they tried to educate childhood. While we felt that we had me, it was a theoretical construct, themselves even by listening, achieved universality, we lived in the part of our past; for him, it was real, religious texts called for molten lead 12 JANATA, October 22, 2017 to be poured into their eyes. In every “impurity” given by religious sanction workplace (via Affirmative Action corner of the country, Dalits were was converted into a “modern” and and Diversity programmes), the scale assaulted and subjugated. With “scientific” epithet having to do with in India dwarfs what is seen in the unrelenting harshness and hygiene. Forget of course, the US. unrelenting predictability, these life- provision of proper sanitary services killing practices became part of – rich society had other priorities. Admissions, especially to the few culture and tradition, accepted by the prestigious institutions in India, are Savarnas. My bookish and idealistic view of highly competitive. With the system Caste belied the painful reality on the of Reservations, the “scores” Though there were countless ground. This “blindness” stems from required for Dalit students to get in uprisings through history, when privilege, just as theoretical notions are less than for Savarnas. This is colonial India entered the 20th of Race and Racism in the US belie exactly how Affirmative Action century, untouchability was alive and the lived reality of the minorities who should work- it factors in the variety well. With the ferment of the suffer. of obstacles that Dalits and others Independence struggle and the face along the way and attempts to leadership of Dr BR Ambedkar – There is of course more to the counter this with slightly loosened Tanmay’s hero and prime architect system than “personal contempt,” standards for admission. Even with of Free India’s constitution, Dalits which of course exists. Sure, Dalits these programmes, the Dalit did gain Civil Rights including the are questioned all the time - for their representation in these institutions is benefits of the world’s largest intelligence, integrity, and even tiny; after all with economic affirmative action programme - humanity. But there are also the deprivation, unrelenting humiliation, called Reservations. But as with so structural impediments - having to do and other societal obstacles, very few many such situations, these rights with economics and social currency Dalits make it this far in the first were de jure and less commonly de – that hobble their lives at every turn. place. facto. I had the privilege of not knowing; But for a hard-working young For a Savarna like me, busy with Tanmay had the opposite - the person like myself, with only a my own studies and obligations, I had burden of being oppressed at worst bookish understanding of Caste, the little idea of the difference between and condescended to at best. That idea of reservations seemed to be a my idealistic picture and Tanmay’s he fought his way through is a blow against equality. If we want lived reality. For me, Dalits were testament to his strength of equality, shouldn’t all standards be abstractions, metaphors for India’s personality. equal? This narrative of progress. Untouchability, in my conservatism afflicted me - it experience, was only invoked in University seemed fair and logical. It’s an history exams or through people who indication of great privilege to invoke did all the menial work that makes The particular situation with equality only when it serves oneself my life possible but who are regard to higher studies further and to be blind to struggles for “invisibled” by the rest of society. divides Savarnas and Dalits. I fairness and justice - equality itself - succumbed to the mainstream and to maintain silence when it serves To illustrate how “legitimate” propaganda, but not for reasons of others. reasons are propounded in order to contempt or religious justify the divisions of society into fundamentalism. No, the highly With these perceptions of “touchables” and “untouchables.” competitive nature of Indian unfairness and with the social Take for instance the fact that the University admissions - coupled with baggage we grew up with, professions often occupied by Dalits the unremitting narrative of the University life was characterised by are considered “unclean” (like those powerful classes and castes - create a clear boundary between Savarnas who deal with human excrement, a propagandistic environment in and Dalits. I remember with great corpses, slaughtered animals, etc.) which the systems of Affirmative regret referring to Dalit students with People in my echelon of society Action create even more hatred and derogatory terms because of the were told not to play with their kids divisiveness. While this is true in the perceived injustice that my own for reasons of hygiene. The label of US University and even in the friends were unable to get into the JANATA, October 22, 2017 13 university while less qualified Dalits is amazing and rare. He credits his learn about myself - and Savarna were given “an easy route in. “No mother a great deal. She was privilege - by understanding White doubt there were Dalits from well- adamant about educating herself Privilege. to-do families who were able to avail and her children. He found his of the Reservation system to get in, courage through her and through the In the end, the difficulty of life as but what large social system doesn’t fact that he was an exceptional a Dalit is palpable and have such cases? The rich and student. The system of Reservation real. Humiliations are common. privileged use “the system” to their gave him the confidence that if he Lives are destroyed. And most of us advantage every day but when excelled, he would be able to get are either ignorant or callous. Even someone else uses the very system into a good institution. a cursory search for information in the very same way, we blanch and yields a vast reservoir of knowledge invoke morality! In a curious Despite his success, his struggle and documentation indicating just inversion, we declared ourselves did not end there. Even in studies how bad it is for Dalits; ignorance is victims! beyond his Bachelor’s Degree, he therefore a privilege. faced enormous discrimination. Via The bias and animus against Dalits the serendipity of a benefactor, he Tanmay taught me about myself was not limited to fellow students but was able to afford a Master’s and about the society I thought I also characterised those with power- Degree and to find the inner strength understood. He and I are now the faculty and administration. When to endure the continued humiliations. connected; I wish I had recognized these people spread ideas of Dalits a Tanmay in my life when I was being like Reagan’s “Welfare He finally made it to the US and younger. I hope this story helps more Queen,” they unleashed a terrible to a fantastic job at a dynamic Prashants and more Tanmays to find reality on Dalits - segregation, unfair company. He points out that for each other and through empathy, insults, unfair grading, harassment, many, these great jobs are a ticket listening, and action reduce Caste and a variety of other tortures. to riches but to him they were a path oppression to a thing of the Past. It out of a shackled life. is my hope that listening will turn to Dalit students, who have fought acknowledgment, which then will tooth and nail, to get a glimpse of Conclusion turn into partnership and eventually the decent life via education, often a solution! are broken; many commit suicide. There is no doubt that I too The media often relate these worked hard and faced some suicides to the lack of ability to cope challenges to get where I got but for Janata Subscription with the academic pressure, but all the most part, my life has been one data suggests that the vast majority of privilege. Talking to Tanmay of these suicides are connected to made me understand just how true Annual Rs. : 260/- mistreatment and harassment. In this is and how may others suffer to fact, this is a known phenomenon enjoy even basic privileges. There Three Years : 750/- called “Death of Merit”. The more are of course many Savarnas who talented ones, the ones who dreamt have to overcome obstacles to Demand Draft / Cheque of being able to breakthrough, succeed but for Dalits, the effects on cannot bear with the harassments of multiple oppressions are that and constant pressure and turn to much harder to overcome. Mumbai Bank in favour suicide. of The analogy in my adopted home Tanmay is clear, especially in an era of open Racism. The Caste division in India JANATA TRUST After understanding this, is like the Race division in the US, Tanmay’s invocation of suicide even without adding in the effects D-15, Ganesh Prasad, made sense to me; that he marched of misogyny, bias against people’s Naushir Bharucha Marg, through all the difficulties and is sexual choices, and other Mumbai 400 007 now a celebrated Engineer in Seattle prejudices. In fact, I was able to 14 JANATA, October 22, 2017 Story of Struggle of An Anthropologist Born as A Brahman for Justice to Dalits and Tribals

Chandra Bhal Tripathi

Prashant Nema’s matter of fact father) fell seriously sick. My mother outskirts of Berhampur city. As article captioned STORY OF A used to carry some cooked food and Director for SC&ST, Bhubaneswar, DALIT MICROSOFT ENGINEER medicines for Gokul from our home under the Commission for SC&ST I published elsewhere in this issue of to his jhopri daily on foot until he visited this institution run by the the Janata has once again highlighted recovered. I used to accompany her Harijan Sewak Sangh many a time in the irrational anti-reservation attitude in this mission. Gokul was said to be early 1980s. There the inmates of of pro-Hindutva elements in India and a religious man and even built a small the residential school offer prayers abroad. It has also prompted me to temple at Ayodhya (obviously used every morning before a statue (bust) narrate the story of my own struggle by the Bhangi community, not even of Pandit Kripasindhu Hota who had for securing justice to Dalits and other Dalit castes, as inter-caste adopted Mohan Nayak as his son and tribals of my country. I beg to be untouchability amongst various declared that this former Bhangi son pardoned for writing this personal Scheduled Castes was and is still of his would give him mukhaagni narrative on the subject, having been prevalent widely). This incident and (perform the last rites as son). By the a part of the Constitutional an earlier incident in which my mother way Pandit Kripasindhu Hota’s organisation for SC&ST for 37 years nursed a very sick Maulavi Sahab of grandson is Shri Purna Chandra Hota, (1959-95). village Nandaur close to our ancestral IAS (1962: Orissa), former Chairman, village, at our home in Basti town to UPSC. When I was about five (1935-36) the extent of serving him food in the I did not understand why my same utensils used by our family and One of my first assignments in the childhood friend Puddan, son of even removing his excreta left an Office of Commissioner for SC&ST Ayodhya Chamar, the harwaah of everlasting impression on my young in 1959 was a survey of practices of my family in the village in Basti mind. These were revolutionary untouchability in 13 districts of the District, did not come to Basti town actions in the social milieu of erstwhile Uttar Pradesh selected in in July 1936 to study with me in the backward eastern UP eight decades different cultural-cum-dialectal Primary School. As I grew up I started ago. In 1948, when I was barely 18, regions of the State. The findings of understanding the realities. My I took a delegation of landless Chamar the survey were an eye-opener for revered mother, Smt. Durgawati labourers of my village, to the District me. The Commissioner, Shri LM Tripathi, the eldest daughter of the Magistrate, Shri SG Bose-Mullick, for Shrikant, was a bit reluctant to present socially conservative great Hindi allotment of land to them. that 300-page report to the then Home litterateur Acharya Ram Chandra Minister, Pt. GB Pant, who had been Shukla, proved to be my first mentor With reference to the above the Chief Minister of the State. I in shaping my social and political mentioned story of my mother nursing politely said that if he wished he might ideas. She was a devotee of Gokul Bhangi I can recall only one not present the report to the Home Buddha and Gandhi. She was not parallel of the unique story of Pandit Minister, but as an anthropological like fashionable social workers of later Kripasindhu Hota, one of the field researcher I was not prepared years, specially of post- Panchsakhas of the grand old man of to fudge a single line of my report Independence era. I wish to narrate Orissa’s national movement, presenting a dismal picture of the an incident that happened around Gopabhandhu Das. He brought up a State. That survey incidentally 1943 when our family Mehtar Bhangi boy, Mohan Nayak, who exposed me for the first time to the (Bhangi) Gokul, without a family and joined Arya Samaj, became a disciple unfortunate fact of the acute practice living alone in Basti town two miles of Swami Sivananda at Rishikesh, of untouchability by one ‘higher’ away from our home on Minson Road back in Orissa became an MLA and Scheduled Caste against another (renamed Madan Mohan Malviya MP and established the Thakkar ‘lower’ Scheduled Caste. Road due to the effort of my revered Bapa Ashram at Nimkhandi on the Susequently during my postings JANATA, October 22, 2017 15 almost all over India I found that it of poor and exploited SC&ST. I went to celebrate the birth centenary of was a universal phenomenon. In to pay a courtesy call on the Governor, Panditji. I presented a paper on the it was more marked Dr. Sampurnanand, whom I had subject of Pandit Nehru and the SC between Malas and Madigas. known rather well in UP. He told me: & ST. I did not mind ruffling some “I can speak to Sukhadia ji (Chief feathers. My posting at Jaipur as Asstt. Minister) and get your transfer Commissioner for SC&ST for cancelled. But your continuing in this I am grateful for an opportunity (October 1960- February State will no more help the SC&ST given to me in 1965-66 as Secretary 1963) was a boon as it gave me an as the State officers will not to the Committee on Customary opportunity to fight against the cooperate with you. But I am quite Rights to Scavenging headed by atrocities committed on SC and happy with the way you have been Prof. NR Malkani and comprising Denotified Communities in the working here and I wish you continue seven Members of Parliament. This erstwhile feudal society. I came in to work with the same spirit and Committee was set up by the then conflict with several Collectors and enthusiasm elsewhere’’. These Union Department of Social Superintendents of Police in the words from a senior and intellectual Welfare. In the company of the great districts in this context and with a leader were enough of blessings for social worker Prof. Malkani, who veteran MP from Udaipur known as a youngman of 32. It was a had first met Gandhiji in 1917 at the king-maker of Rajasthan who coincidence that fifteen years Muzaffarpur before he proceeded to was responsible for corruption in later the Ministry of Home Affairs Champaran (both he and Acharya implementation of tribal development entrusted me with the job of setting JB Kripalani were teachers in the schemes. The then Chief Secretary, up a new All India office of Govt. College there) and who later Padmashri B. Mehta, sent for me and Commission for SC&ST in 1978 and devoted his whole life for the said to me: “Do you think you are the I was initially looking after the amelioration of the conditions of only person in the State who feels for administrative as well as technical scavengers, I could see the inhuman SC&ST? You have been harassing aspects of the new set-up. All the conditions of scavengers in all those my Collectors and SPs. It is my job to files including personal files were States where scavenging had not protect them and let the Government handed over to me by the Ministry. been municipalised and scavengers of India protect you.” It transpired During that period I happened to see were working under the Jajmani that the Collector of Sikar, with whom my own personal file and it gave me system. I do not wish to write more I had a tiff over the issue of a poor SC ample satisfaction that the Deputy about this issue here but I would urge person having been blinded with a Home Minister, Smt. M. upon compatriots including the SC ‘Jelly’ (trishul like instrument) by his Chandrasekhar, and the Home friends belonging to other castes to Jat neighbour for the ‘crime’ of Minister Shri had spare some thoughts for this most stepping on the latter’s land that was recorded their appreciation of my deprived and disadvantaged section unavoidable in the given situation, had performance in Rajasthan but of the whole Indian population. complained against me to the Chief honoured the recommendation of the Secretary to whom he was said to be Special Home Secretary to transfer I thought of recording some of my related. The Chief Secretary me from Jaipur to Chandigarh. The personal administrative experiences, complained against me to the Union kinship of bureaucrats! never done before, to tell my friend Special Home Secretary, LP Singh, Tanmay Waghmare of Seattle that I ICS, belonging to an aristocratic A few months before his demise can empathise with him and remind family of Bihar. Very soon I received Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru was in tears at him that innumerable generations of orders transferring me to Chandigarh a public meeting of manual the deprived and the disadvantaged office which looked after the work scavengers of Delhi at Ramlila have suffered and sacrificed, that we of SC&ST in Punjab (it included Maidan and lamented that in the all should pay tribute to them and Haryana then), J&K and the UT of whirlwind of national and honour the sacred memory of Himachal Pradesh. There were international issues he did not find Mahatma Gandhi, Thakkar Bapa and protests by NGOs and SC/ST social time to know about the living and Babasaheb Dr. BR Ambedkar and workers from all over the State working conditions of scavengers. that we all have to fight for their demanding that I should be kept in This was one of the points I made at rights and human dignity unitedly, Rajasthan to look after the interests a national seminar in 1989 at Shillong non-violently and democratically. R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, October 22, 2017 Postal Registration No. MCW/275/2015-2017. License to Post without prepayment WPP License No. MR/Tech/WPP-210/West/2017 Published on Sunday, October 22, 2017 & Posted on Wedenesday October 25, 2017 at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO- 1

GANNON DUNKERLEY & CO., LTD.

An infrastructure company established since 1924

REGD. OFFICE :

New Excelsior Building, (3rd Floor), A. K. Nayak Marg, Fort, Mumbai 400 001. Tel.: 022 2205 1231 Fax : 022-2205 1232

Office : Ahmedabad, 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 1 Pages 16 Price : Rupees Five

Vol. 72 No. 40 A New Interlocutor October 29, 2017 Kuldip Nayar

What It Means The Government of India has which was visible till a couple of To Be Religious appointed Dineshwar Sharma, years ago. The stances have Sandeep Pandey former Intelligence Bureau Chief as hardened so much so that even social interlocutor to find a solution to contacts between Muslims and Kashmir’s problems. This is not the Hindus have got snapped. I am sorry first time that such an exercise is to bring in personal example. In the The Dragon Blinks Pragmatic Engagement being conducted. New Delhi has had past, Yasin Malik would invite me to D. K. Giri interlocutors in the past. Then instead his house for dinner and conduct me of officials, ministers were appointed to his house through the labyrinth of so that issue could get urgency as lanes. well as an immediate attention. But The Unemployment Demon nothing came out of these exercises. True, he has turned what is called Neeraj Jain a ‘separatist’. But I vainly waited The Kashmiri leaders wanting for a word from him. I do not believe more than what New Delhi would that he did not know about my offer, there was no meeting point. presence in Srinagar. The Jammu Disturbing Questions About Talks covered the gamut of and Kashmir Liberation Front he Pesticide Poisoning problems. But two sides were so heads has posted his men at the Bharat Dogra distant from each other that the airport to know who comes to the dialogue would not go very far. The valley. Yasin Malik gets the Kashmiris want the Valley to be “separatists” feedback. converted into sovereign Islamic republic. This is something which I had Yasin’s fast unto death Editor : India cannot give because it does not broken on the condition that I would G. G. Parikh think that Kashmir is a disputed personally conduct a probe into Managing Editor : Guddi territory. It is considered part of human rights violations by the Indian Indian union. I have visited Srinagar security forces. He agreed to my D-15, Ganesh Prasad, as an interlocutor many a times but supervision instead of the Amnesty Naushir Bharucha Marg, I could not offer anything near what International probe and broke the fast. We produced a report and Mumbai - 400 007. they wanted. found Yasin’s allegations mostly Email : [email protected] What has disappointed me is that correct. The report was quoted Website:www.janataweekly.org the disappearance of grey area, widely by Pakistan to the 2 JANATA, October 29, 2017 embarrassment of Indian Parties have reduced politics to When it has not been willing to allow government. But this does not make the identification on the basis of caste getting electricity from the run of the it any less significant. and religion. People should assert river it is difficult to imagine that it themselves through liberal would agree to the use of rivers in True, Yasin says that he is not organizations or leaders and ensure the Indus system even though water an Indian. But our relationship was that the poison of religion and caste from them is pouring into the Arabian not on the basis of nationality. Can does not spread. If the nation fails, Sea without being used for either bitterness snap even personal Kashmir and many other parts of irrigation or hydroelectric projects. bonds? Should I presume that I India may flounder in the muddy wrongly assumed certain things waters of religion. There is a tendency in Pakistan and that personal relations have no to link everything with Kashmir, meaning in the face of political It is in the interest of Kashmiris which is a complicated problem and exigencies. not to disturb the status quo until they it would take many years to solve. can have something better. This is The revision of Indus Water Treaty, To cite another example of how possible if the three parties, India, which can satisfy both the countries, personal relationships are pushed into Pakistan and the people in Kashmir, would add to the peace prospects. the background for political purposes, come together for a dialogue. New Let the treaty be discussed another Kashmiri leader Shabir Shah Delhi is not prepared for that separately. The rest can follow. The is a changed person today. He was because Islamabad has gone back only point to be taken into account is like my chela (disciple). He was then on its promise not to allow its how the two countries can span the pro-India. He has changed into a territory to be used by terrorists. distance between them. staunch opponent. Yet, I do not know why personal relations should This was also agreed upon when Janata Subscription die. Is it the price that I have to pay Pakistan was under General for a change in Shabir’s ideas? Musharraf’s rule. He went to Agra and almost signed an agreement with Annual Rs. : 260/- Kashmir, no doubt, requires Prime Minster Atal Behari Vajpayee, attention, especially for those who until news had leaked, that India’s Three Years : 750/- believe in a secular and democratic then Information Minister Sushma India. No amount of opposition Swaraj changed the draft agreement Demand Draft / Cheque should swerve them from their omitting Kashmir from the text. on commitment. If they change, it Since then the two countries have means that their earlier stance was stayed distant. Mushraff’s Mumbai Bank in favour only a façade. misadventure at Kargil only has of aggravated the matter further. This holds good for the entire India. We are in the midst of It must be said to the credit of JANATA TRUST challenges to the very idea, Atal Behari Vajpayee that he took a D-15, Ganesh Prasad, propounded by Mahatma Gandhi and bus to Lahore. I was sitting behind Naushir Bharucha Marg, Jawaharlal Nehru, who won us him when he showed me New freedom. It pains me to see that Delhi’s telegram which said that Mumbai 400 007 some voices have begun to several Hindus had been killed near appreciate the ideas of Nathuram Jammu. He said he did not know Godse, who killed the Mahatma. how the country would react about Janata Were India to question its ethos, the his trip to Lahore but he was Muslim-dominated Kashmir would determined to pick up the thread with feel insecure. A Kashmiri Muslim Nawaz Sharif. The rest is history. engineer, who dropped me at the is available at airport, told how he was suspect The Indus Water Treaty can be even at a liberal place like Bangalore replaced with another treaty but the www.lohiatoday.com and harassed by the police. consent of Pakistan is necessary. JANATA, October 29, 2017 3 What It Means To Be Religious

Sandeep Pandey

While there seemed nobody Shashtri, a PM his Bhartiya Janata in violation of governmental protocol. except the Bangladeshi government Party holds in higher regard than the It needs to be investigated who which was willing to let in the close members of Nehru-Gandhi family, authorised its use for this event. The to four lakh Rohingyas being driven had given the slogan ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Governor Ram Naik, whose job it is out of Myanmar as a result of ethnic Kisan.’ Should he also not be visiting to see that Constitutional propriety cleansing in Rakhine which had the some families of farmers whose is maintained was part of the event, tacit support of the government there members have committed suicide or almost hand in glove with the UP including the famed Aung San Suu parents of children who died in Baba government. Very quick to point out Kyi, now thoroughly discredited, an Raghav Das Hospital, Gorakhpur, any irregularity in the last government international Sikh charity organisation which could have been avoided with he seems to be overlooking some Khalsa Aid moved in swiftly to set better health care facilities, instead discrepancies in the present one. His up ‘langars’ or community kitchens of demonstrating his militaristic Rashtriya Swayamsewak back- which are traditionally offered in mindset every time. ground, which is the ideological Gurudwaras. Even India, which parent of BJP, prevents him from otherwise has a historic reputation CM Yogi Adityanath announced being unbiased. of responding sympathetically to any a package of Rs 133 crores humanitarian crisis and following up on Rs 350 crores plan While the Khalsa Aid is winning accommodating all hues of people declared earlier in June for global accolades, what the UP seeking refuge, due to a right wing Ayodhya’s development. This government has done is only government in power turned the colossal waste of public funds on advancing the political agenda of BJP extremely impoverished community purely religious events violates the which relies on religious polarisation. away on the excuse that they could secular principle incorporated in the Whereas people belonging to Sikh be a potential threat because of their Indian Constitution. More than religion are using their private religion. While the Indian National constitutional, it is morally resources for a noble cause, the Human Rights Commission has unacceptable when half the children people engaging in politics as torch highlighted the Article 21 of the are malnourished and people can be bearers of Hindu religion are taking Constitution upholding Right to Life found begging on every major street the public resources down the drain. and Personal Liberty even for the crossing of major cities, including the They have brought disgrace to their Rohingyas and opposed plans for the ‘smart’ ones, and outside temples, religion by indulging in pomp and deportation of about 40,000 of them mosques and shrines. The left over show. It would have been so much living in India, the government is of the 25,000 litres oil burnt in earthen better if Yogi had fed 1,87,213 people planning to keep them in ‘detention lamps was being collected by people of Ayodhya a wholesome meal. But centres’. after the event, possibly to be used there is no concept of feeding people for cooking. The oil used was that respectfully in Hindu religion like in The Prime Minister celebrated of mustard and sesame and maybe Sikh religion. The only way Diwali with soldiers on border, as has soyabean too. somebody is fed is by treating him/ become the wont, and Chief Minister her as a beggar. That is why Hindu of Uttar Pradesh lit 1,87,213 diyas Models especially invited from and other religions have failed to get or earthen lamps, one in the name Mumbai dressed up as Ram, Sita and rid of the practice of begging of every citizen in Ayodhya at Laxman arrived in a UP government whereas Sikh beggars are non- government’s expense. PM helicopter to create an impression, existent. Narendra Modi must be asked why according to mythology, of Ram does he have to rush to the border arriving after 14 years of exile from The core universal religious values on every occasion of religious and Lanka in Pushpak Viman. This use national importance? Lal Bahadur of a state helicopter by artists was (Continued on Page 12) 4 JANATA, October 29, 2017 The Dragon Blinks Pragmatic Engagement

D. K. Giri

The Chinese President Xi Jinping, This rare honour was given only to economies of China and India expectedly, emerged stronger after two other leaders: Mao Zedong and become more interdependent, there the quinquennial Communist Party Den Xiaoping. Xi’s ideology consists is correspondingly greater scope for Congress last week. The 19th of two major objectives: nationalism dialogue and cooperation. That is why Congress since the Party was founded and capitalism. China adjusted the wide diversities it in 1921 Xi has the prerogative of has with India and adapted its policies nominating 70 per cent of the Party’s How do both affect India? As at enhancing economic and Central Committee, its most powerful China’s current standing in the world commercial ties with India. apex organ, and would stay in office rests on its economic might, capitalism for a third or even fourth term beyond carefully crafted and built by the A charitable as well as progressive 2022. This is contrary to Party Communist Party, in its quest for view of China’s South Asia policy tradition whereby a successor to the continued growth based on exports, flows from its relations with India in incumbent President is chosen five Beijing would look for markets. As spite of the wars between two years before he or she takes office. European markets are saturated and countries in the past. China wants to At this Congress, no such thing experiencing slump, India becomes have development of each South happened. the ultimate market for it. Asian country, not only of its own restive areas. It feels development Obviously, India and the world Having realized this, Xi while will prevent people from crossing over would have to deal with Xi for another visiting India in 2014, had suggested to other countries and foment trouble. decade as he is popular and occupies closer relationship with New Delhi. China’s investment in Pakistan is the exalted position by successfully Asserting, “we should aim for based on such an assumption, that fighting corruption and consolidating expansion of strategic Pakistan might go the Afghanistan the development plank. In his communication among leaders, way, which might exacerbate the marathon speech lasting over three maintaining border stability, enhancing unrest in Xinjiang province and Tibet. and a half hours he adumbrated economic cooperation and people-to- China-Pakistan economic corridor Chinese agenda in all its dimensions. people contact”. should cater to the poor and difficult He talked of the ‘Chinese dream’ Baluchistan demanding separation. which is interpreted as an ambition No wonder, China has decided to Many Chinese engineers engaged in of being a world power and building invest US $85 billion in India and projects in Baluchistan have been Chinese military as the world’s largest despite popular angst against killed as the locals know that one. Beijing’s aggressive posturing against development will ironically weaken its neighbor, Chinese goods continue the will of the people to fight for Should India be wary of the to flood Indian markets. Will China separation. Chinese ‘dream’? True, New Delhi stake its huge economic benefit from is in an adversarial position with its India by engaging in a military The other pillar of ideology is neighbour as it shares 4,000 kms of confrontation? ‘nationalism’ or ‘Chinese Core’. A borders. Further, China’s geo-political nationalistic agenda generates anti- approach in the region coupled with The Chinese understand that the India rhetoric in the Chinese its expansionist tendency should success of a country’s foreign policy Establishment whereby its bother India. is determined by its economic nationalism has led Chinese forces strengths. Successful economies and border guards to nibble away But let us understand Chinese have greater latitude in shaping an undefined borders, claiming vast ideology shaped afresh by Xi who is independent foreign policy in an swathes of territory in South China now mentioned in the Chinese interdependent world, than the Sea and Japan-claimed Senkaku Constitution amended by Congress. weaker economies. As the islands. JANATA, October 29, 2017 5

In the same vein, Beijing rivals has invested US $46 billion in Two, India should encircle China New Delhi’s status on Asia’s stage. Pakistan’s Gwadar port as a part of with allies that are affected by Beijing China has made several incursions their joint economic corridor. The and are opposed to its aggressive on the Indo-China borders, Depsang Gwadar port is 240 miles away from actions. New Delhi has already plains in April-May 2013, Chumar in the Strait of Hormuz which gives an invested heavily in diplomacy with the Western sector in 2014-15, opening to Central Asia. countries around China, Turkmenistan, Barahoti area of the middle sector in Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, mid-2016, Doklam face-off in 2017 This port also connects to the and Mongolia. It should consolidate that lasted for 73 days. Karakoram highway linking it with its relations with traditional friends the Arabian Sea, which is of concern like Japan, South Korea and Russia. In addition, China has consistently to India. Moreover, China has In South-East Asia new potential blocked India’s entry into the Nuclear invested in building Sri Lanka’s allies are Philippines, Singapore, Suppliers Group (NSG) which Hambantota port on its Southeast Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam controls global atomic commerce, part. Similarly, it has built a container who are wary of China. vetoed the UN declaring Jaishe-e- shipping facility in Chittagong, Mohammad Chief Masood Azar a Bangladesh. It has a military base in Undoubtedly, Chinese nationalism terrorist and runs its China-Pakistan Maldives’s Masao Atoll. and capitalism would lead to neo- economic corridor projects through imperialism through domination in Gilgit-Baltistan which affects India’s Undeniably, China’s capitalist trade, military bullying and wherever sovereignty. economy depends on foreign it can, through territorial expansion. sources for its energy security. It is Beijing would not want to jeopardize More serious, China has encircled the largest importer of oil. The sea its economic interest, but the military India with its ‘string of pearls’ lines of communication that link the angle might be used precisely for whereby Beijing will endeavor to Chinese mainland with ports protecting its economic gains. expand its naval presence by building throughout the Middle East and Notably, India has moved closer civilian maritime infrastructure along Africa coasts have become a major to China’s archrival Japan and US. the Indian Ocean periphery. source of conflict for China with Beijing will be wary of New Delhi’s Simplistically, it implies access to ports other countries. True, the ‘string of increasing nearness to these and airfields, expansion and pearls’ might be economic in nature countries. It might seek to disengage modernization of military forces and but, admittedly, it creates a security India from Japan and US and allies fostering diplomatic relations with dilemma for China and India in the of America. India, on its part, is trading partners. Indian Ocean. unlikely to do so, given Chinese Importantly, ‘string of pearls’ in How should India respond to this? proximity with Pakistan which aids geo-strategic terms refers to the One optimistic scenario for India to and abets terrorism against India. Malacca Strait, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, operate is China’s economic growth Will China follow the proverbial Maldives, Strait of Hormuz and and development agenda for itself and strategy, “if you cannot beat them, Somalia. It also includes Bangladesh its neighbors. At any rate, China join them”? That is a probable, given and Myanmar. Pertinently, the always had a complex political Chinese proclivity for guarding its Malacca Strait, not far from Nicobar regime. It cannot be judged in a uni- self-interest in lieu of principles and Islands, connects the Indian Ocean dimensional way. India should invest trust. But New Delhi cannot count with the Pacific Ocean, Malaysia, and a lot more in studying and dealing on this. It has to engage with China Singapore on one side and Indonesia with China. India has heavily erred in pragmatically. We should learn from on the other. the past. So, going by historical past mistakes vis-à-vis China. experience, New Delhi cannot be Hence, New Delhi should deeply Besides, about 80%t of Chinese complacent and ignore Beijing’s study Sun Tzu’s ‘ The Art of War’, fuel from the Middle East passes moves. In fact, it should play the the oldest military treaties in the world, through this. From Myanmar, 2,400 Chinese game: Deepen trade and in order to deal with China. This calls kms of gas pipeline has been built by economic links which will deter for a combination of economic might, China which also has a military base Beijing from any military diplomatic skill and military strategy. in Myanmar’s Coco Island. Beijing adventurism. Is New Delhi up to it? It better be. 6 JANATA, October 29, 2017 The Unemployment Demon

Neeraj Jain

India is in the grip of a severe carried a salary of about Rs in just a single state in the unemployment crisis. Its severity 16,000. country! can be understood from just a few random statistics from a few • NDTV, February 10, 2017: More One simple tactic used by the recent newsreports: than 92 lakh candidates official statisticians to play down appeared for the on-line the unemployment levels in the • The Hindu, September 17, examination conducted by the country is by reducing the labour 2015: The Uttar Pradesh Railway Recruitment Board to force. Note that the number of Government advertised to fill up fill up 18,000 vacancies in unemployed is the difference 368 posts of peon in the State various categories in the Indian between the labour force and the Secretariat. More than 23 lakh Railways. number of people employed, also applications were received. called the work force. Now, one Among those who applied were Manipulating Data simple way of reducing 255 Ph.D. holders and 2.22 lakh unemployment figures without engineers; thousands of And yet the Government of increasing the number of candidates with Masters degree India claims that the employed is by reducing the labour in Commerce, Humanities and unemployment rate in the country force. This is precisely what Sciences were also among the is very low. According to India’s official statisticians have applicants. The minimum Economic Survey 2015–16, the done. Over the period 1983 to qualifications for the post were all-India unemployment rate was 1993–94, India’s labour force grew education up to 5th standard, only 2.7 percent as per the at 2.05 percent per annum, but and ability to ride a bicycle. The National Sample Survey Office during the period 1993–94 to job had a monthly salary of (NSSO) estimates, and 4.9 2009–10, it fell to 1.30 percent about Rs 16,000. percent according to the Labour (Table 1). What can account for Bureau. This rate is comparable the sharp drop in the growth rate • Indian Express, June 27, 2016: to, and in fact lower than, of those looking for work? Higher More than 9 lakh candidates unemployment rates in the enrolment of children in school applied for 14,000 constable developed countries. would no doubt reduce the size of posts in Madhya Pradesh. The the labour force, but it would applicants included 14,562 post The total labour force in the account for only a small fraction graduates, 9,629 engineers and country (this is the number of of the missing workers. The main 12 with a PhD degree. people who are employed plus reason for this drop is that many those actively looking for work) workers gave up looking for work • India Today, January 31, 2017: was roughly 490 million in 2013.1 because no jobs were available The West Bengal Group–D Of this, the Labour Bureau for a long time. They joined the Recruitment Board invited estimates that around 24 million pool of what are called applications on-line for are unemployed (while the NSS “discouraged workers”. The recruitment of 6,000 Group D estimates unemployment to be discouraged workers are not personnel in various categories. only 13.23 million). This is included in the unemployed, nor More than 25 lakh candidates obviously a huge underestimate; are they included in the labour applied for these posts, the actual unemployment rate in force, whereas actually they including graduates, the country is going to be many should be included in both. postgraduates and even PhDs. times more than this figure, The job required an educational because as many as 25 lakh young Let us estimate the labour force qualification of Class 7, and people are applying for a peon job in 2009–10 if it had continued to JANATA, October 29, 2017 7

Table 1: India: Labour Force, Work Force and Unemployment Rate2 (in million)

Year Labour force Work force Unemployment Period Growth Rate Rate 1983 308.6 302.8 5.8% 1993–94 381.9 374.5 7.4% 1983 to 2.05% 1993–94 2009–10 469.9 460.2 9.7% 1993–94 to 1.30% 2009–10 grow at the same rate as in 1983 consider any person employed if he/ line) was 21.9 percent in 2011–12.3 to 1993–94, that is, at 2.05 percent she is engaged in ‘gainful activities’ One would therefore expect at least instead of 1.3 percent (that is, let during the period under study, even a similar percentage of the labour us include the discouraged workers if he/she is selling peanuts and does force to be unemployed. But as in our calculation). In that case, the not earn enough to eat two full mentioned above, Economic labour force would have been 528 meals a day. This leads to strange Survey 2015–16 estimates the all- million instead of 469.9 million, and results. Commonsensically, having India unemployment rate to be a the total number of people a job means that a person should mere 4.9 percent (Labour Bureau unemployed would have gone up to be earning enough to be above the estimate)! Evidently, going by the 67.8 million instead of 9.7 million! poverty line, especially in a country Government of India’s criteria, one like India where the poverty line is may be earning so little that he/she Even if we exclude the so low that it is a measure of is considered below the official discouraged workers from our destitution. Now, the Planning poverty line, and yet be considered calculations, employment statistics Commission estimates that the employed. Such is the worth of the of the Government of India have incidence of poverty in India (even government definition of little meaning. Official statistics with India’s ridiculously low poverty ‘employment’. Table 2: Formal and Informal Employment in Economy4 (in million) 2009–10 Total Labour Force 460.3 Organised Sector Employment 72.9 of which: Formal Employment (1) 30.7 Informal Employment (2) 42.1 Unorganised Sector Employment (3) 387.4 of which: Formal Employment (3) 2.3 Informal Employment (4) 385.1 Total Formal Employment (1+3) 33.0 Formal Employment (1+3) as % of Total Employment 7.2% Total Informal Employment (2+3) 427.2 Total Informal Employment as % of Total Employment 92.9% 8 JANATA, October 29, 2017

Estimating Unemployment Levels Commission for Enterprises in the considered to be underemployed (that in India Unorganised Sector (NCEUS) under is, unemployed). Add to this the Prof. Arjun Sengupta, to advise on number of people officially The only meaningful jobs in the issues related to the country’s unemployed, plus the large number country are what are called organised unorganised workforce. In its study, of discouraged workers, and sector jobs. This sector includes all NCEUS set an overall minimum of unemployment in the country would units with 10 or more workers if using Rs 20 per day per person in 2004–05 reach stratospheric levels. power and 20 or more workers if not as its cut-off for defining the “poor Article 39 of the Directive using power. The organised sector and vulnerable”, and calculated that Principles of the Constitution directs accounts for only a small share— 77 percent of Indians fell below this the Government of India to ensure 15.8 percent—of the total cut-off!7 That’s a mind-boggling that the citizens, men and women employment in the country (Table 2). figure. equally, have the right to an adequate The actual situation of organised Most of the people doing these means of livelihood. Article 41, titled sector employment is actually far informal jobs—such as fruit sellers Right to Work, calls upon thte worse than that suggested by this selling a few dozen bananas on hand government to make effective figure. Indian organised sector firms carts, peanut sellers hawking peanuts provision for securing the right to have adopted a systematic policy of and other such snacks on bicycles, work. And Article 43 directs the State replacing permanent staff with roadside hawkers selling clothes or to endeavour to ensure by suitable contract or temporary workers, and other sundry items, scrap collectors legislation or economic organisation are also subcontracting out work to collecting old newspapers and scrap or in any other way, to all workers, smaller units in the informal sector from homes, graduates who for want agricultural, industrial or otherwise, who are able to produce goods at of a job hire autorickshaws for 12 work, a living wage, conditions of much cheaper rates due to low wage hours every day and join the long work ensuring a decent standard of costs. Consequently, the Planning queues of autorickshaws at railway life and full enjoyment of leisure and Commission admits that informal stations, sales boys and girls going social and cultural opportunities. So employment within the organised from house to house selling cosmetics many provisions in the Directive sector has been increasing, and today / sarees / books / etc., unorganised Principles regarding implementing the more than 50 percent of the organised sector construction workers working Right to Work. Even though these sector jobs are informal jobs.5 in dangerous conditions at provisions are not judiciable, Dr. construction sites, farmers toiling day Ambedkar had made it clear before Therefore, actual number of and night in an attempt to extract the the Constituent Assembly that the organised workers in the country, maximum possible from their tiny Directive Principles are ‘fundamental what the Economic Survey 2015– holdings—should actually all be to governance’, and all future 16 calls ‘good jobs’ or formal sector considered as unemployed. The harsh governments must ‘strive’ to ensure jobs,6 where the workers have at least truth is that in India, people take their implementation. It is clear that some legal rights such as security of whatever work they can get, the extremely high levels of informal employment, minimum wages, sick regardless of how low the wages/ employment in the country, and the leave, compensation for work-related earnings are, for there is no terrible conditions and low pay in injuries, right to organise, etc., is a alternative: there is no unemployment which these informal workers work, very small percentage of the total allowance for those without jobs. In are a violation of the Directive number of jobs in the economy—they other words, most of the people in Principles, they are a violation of the constitute just 7.2 percent of the total informal employment in the country dreams of the founding fathers of our employment. The remaining 92.9 should actually be considered nation. They would have been aghast percent are informal jobs. underemployed, and they should be to find that on the one hand, so much These are jobs with very low included in the unemployed. wealth generation is taking place in wages/earnings. Many of these the country that it now boasts of the This means that of the 460 million people do not earn even the minimum fourth largest number of billionaires workforce in the country in 2009–10, daily wage, which itself is barely in the world, and on the other hand, at least 40 or 50 percent or even 77 subsistence wage. In 2004, the Indian there is such a huge number of percent—the NCEUS estimate for Government constituted the National the poor and vulnerable—should be (Continued on Page 12) JANATA, October 29, 2017 9 When Hate Comes Calling: Fighting Back in India

Duncan Green

Fake news, populism and ethnic and religious hate crimes are not just a US problem. Indian activist and writer Mari Marcel Thekaekara laments the wave of hate engulfing her country, and celebrates some of those who are fighting back

A peace movement? The mere protesting Hindus are also targeted chillingly, systematic, venal process. suggestion evokes pitying looks, thanks to a growing climate of hate There’s been a sustained slow even from friends. Been there, done and the warped, alarming belief that release of poisonous lies, a that. In the seventies, actually. More if you are not Hindu, you are not disinformation campaign to win accurately, I’m obsessed with Indian. Dalits who, though classified majority minds and hearts by instilling an anti-hatemovement. Because I as Hindus, have been brutally fear, fiddling with facts. Christians receive regular reports of lynchings murdered by mobs known as “cow are converting illiterate, poor Hindus, and gruesome murders from friends vigilantes” – a euphemism for thugs they say. Fact? The Christian working on minority rights. Along and criminals strutting across India population has remained static at 2%. with complaints that many major with impunity because they claim to Neither two hundred years and the Indian newspapers are currently be protecting the cow, sacred to might of the British Empire, nor treading carefully when it comes to many Hindus. These Dalit victims hordes of evangelising missionaries reporting hate crimes, primarily are condemned by the accident of succeeded in seriously converting against Muslims, Christians and their birth into a particular caste to India. Dalits. Perhaps they are doing so remove all dead animals, from cats because thugs claiming allegiance to to cows. There is no choice, it’s a Muslims have a dozen children the party in power can, and caste-designated job. They are paid each, funded by Saudi Arabia to frequently do, come down violently to dispose of the animals. They skin change the demographics and make on critics. Last month, Bangalore the carcasses to sell to the leather Hindus a minority in their own journalist Gauri Lankesh was industry. This is the “crime” for country is another claim. Fact? The gunned down for speaking which many young dalit men have decadal rate of population growth for unpleasant truth to power. She was been brutalised and murdered. Muslims is the lowest it has ever the latest in a series of such been in India’s history. murders. But for the most part, Hindus and Muslims learnt the art of peaceful Sadly facts have little or no role Journalists publishing stories of co-existence. Communities mostly to play when it comes to hate hate crimes, are dubbed live separate social lives, but their mongering. The shrillness has ‘presstitutes’ by the Hindutva lobby. livelihoods are often dependent on reached deafening decibels. But Hindus protesting at the subversion each other. People send each other finally, more and more people are of Hinduism are derided as sweets at festivals, work together speaking out against this ‘sickulars’. They have an army of amicably. Muslims fought fiercely manufactured hate. trolls paid to rave, rant and abuse for freedom in the Independence any writer who dares to criticise the movement. They are Indians. They Harsh Mander, a former civil current regime. opted to remain in India during servant resigned in protest after the partition, because it’s where they 2002 killing of over 2000 Muslims in But it’s not only journalists and were born and where their ancestors Gujarat. Last month he led a intellectuals challenging the ideology lived for centuries. pilgrimage to atone for the crimes of the larger family of hate against minorities. His ‘caravan’ spewing organisations, called the In the last two decades however, travelled across India to visit families Sangh Parivar, who are at risk. we’ve witnessed manufactured hate who’d had their loved ones brutally Muslims, Dalits, Christians and being spread around India, in a tortured, mutilated, then 10 JANATA, October 29, 2017 murdered. Of the 78 bovine-related to prevent the disintegration of India. Gandhi’s birthplace. It was an (cows and buffalos) hate crimes And we need all Indians to muster immensely moving moment. As since 2010, 97% occurred after the kind of passion that emerges at people sprinkled petals in the room Prime Minister Modi’s government an India-Pakistan cricket match, to Gandhi was born in, they said, ‘We came to power in 2014. In 46% of stop the lies and the divisive are all Gandhi’. That, surely, is a the cases, the police filed charges disinformation that is tearing the good place to start reclaiming the against the victims/survivors. country apart. Mander’s pilgrimage idea of India, for which Gandhi lived ended symbolically, in Porbandar, and died. Hope comes too, when prominent author writes, ‘it is unbearable to watch my religion Disturbing Questions About Pesticide Poisoning being

transformed into what it was Bharat Dogra never meant to be by people who call themselves Hindus, but practice reported on poisoning emerged. However it is a brutal, militant creed of their own October 4 from Yavatmal district clear that no such adequate that drives them to lynch defenceless of Maharashtra that eighteen preventive action was taken by the innocent Indians, pump bullets into farmers were killed due to administration till the poisoning cases those who question their creed, and inhalation of profefonos, a pesticide had increased beyond about 400 enter a train armed with knives to used on cotton, while 467 other cases or so which is a very high stab to death a fifteen-year-old boy persons affected by pesticide number. who is returning to his village after poisoning were admitted in his Eid shopping in Delhi”. government hospitals in recent Another disturbing question is weeks. This is very disturbing news, regarding the changes that have Then there is Siddharth a very big tragedy, and yet this has been taking place particularly after Varadarajan, the Founding Editor of not received the importance it the spread of genetically modified India’s fast growing online clearly deserves so that important cotton or Bt cotton, which has made newspaper The Wire. His paper has lessons can be drawn from this. farming more risky and hazardous. consistently spoken out against the The use of dangerous agri- hate campaign and against One question that has been chemicals has been increasing corruption in high places. His latest raised is that while pesticide instead of deceasing as was target, Jay Shah, the son of powerful poisoning cases were taking place promised at the time of the politician Amit Shah, seen as many in such large numbers why promotion of GM crops initially. to be the force behind Modi’s throne, adequate attention was not drawn has earned him a £1.5million lawsuit at an early stage so that preventive If conditions have already for defamation. action could be taken in time to become so hazardous one shudders avoid many cases of poisoning. As to think of what will happen once I salute Harsh Mander, it is this district is already on the GM food crops are also introduced Nayantara Sahgal and Siddharth radar of the government as a and as is well-known already very Varadarajan, who put their lives on particularly sensitive district due to high power efforts are being by the line to stand up for justice, for the large number of farmers’ made by very resourceful and the idea of India. suicides taking place in this district, persistent lobbyists to achieve this perhaps the highest among all the in the form of obtaining approval Mander’s group seeks to begin a districts of India. for cultivation of GM Mustard. healing process. To form peace and reconciliation committees all over In such a sensitive district surely These are very dangerous times India so locals can administrative mechanisms should for our agriculture and we need to intervene before violence starts. have been well in place to take very alert to protect our farmers We need innovative, effective strong preventive action as soon as and farming from huge and solutions to stop the hate campaign a disturbing trend regarding pesticide irreversible hazards. JANATA, October 29, 2017 11 High Hazards and Eco-Costs of Red Wine

One of the most widely spread their starting with a little red wine Ella Pickover reported in the myths in recent years has been that eventually turned into addiction. Independent in a news item titled wine and particularly red wine can ‘Red wine increases cancer risks, have some important health benefits. The Telegraph (UK) reported but 9 out of 10 persons are not This myth helped to keep high the on 1 December 2014 in a news item aware of the dangers, “Nine out revenues of the liquor industry at a titled “Drinking a glass of wine is of ten people are not aware that time when growing consciousness the same as downing three shots of drinking can increase a person’s about the adverse impacts of hard Vodka, “Enjoying a glass of wine chances of getting cancer, a poll liquor was leading to a reduction in after work does the same harm as suggests. The latest evidence their consumption among some drowning three shots of vodka, the suggests that the claimed benefits sections. But the reality of the high head of Public Health England has of drinking red wine for heart hazards and eco-costs of wine warned as he said alcohol was health are less than previously including red wine is now coming becoming the silent killer of working thought and are outweighed by the out from several sources. class Britons. Duncan Selbie said harmful effects alcohol has on that deaths from liver disease of cancer risks.” We may start with the simple working age people have increased fact that the alcohol content in by 500 per cent since the 1970s - Even some of those who wine including red wine is two to many arrive home, pour a glass (of claimed some health benefits for six times higher than in beer, more wine) and have no idea how much red wine had to admit that same generally it is about three times wine they are drinking. benefits can be derived by eating higher. The alcohol content of red grapes and berries, while others wine ranges from 8 to 18 per cent. Later Nicola Harley reported in said that the benefits can be The alcohol content of beer the Telegraph (UK) dated 7.1.2016, derived from better exercise, ranges generally from 2 to 9 per “A landmark report by Chief while at the same avoiding the cent, it is more commonly 4 to 5 Medical Officer Dame Sally Davies several hazards of red wine. per cent. To make a further due to be published on Friday will distinction, the alcohol content of destroy the long-held belief that red A report by the National Institute wines ranges from 8 to 14 per wine can cut the risk of cancer, for Health and Clinical Excellence cent while the alcohol content of heart disease and memory loss when advised middle-aged people “there fortified wines ranges from 16 to drunk in moderation. In the first is no safe limit of alcohol 22 per cent. When the alcohol overhaul of alcohol guidelines for consumption.” content of wines is so much two decades, doctors will reportedly higher than beer (and of course it warn that there is no ‘safe level’ of Earlier a study published in is the same ethyl alcohol) then of alcohol consumption and drinking Alcohol and Alcoholism found that course it follows that people can just a small amount may in fact drinking wine could increase the risk get more easily drunk on wine and increase the risk of some cancers.” of breast cancer. also that this can be more addictive. In fact the chances of The Independent (UK) reported Moderate consumption can also people getting addicted on wine, on the same day, “Red wine’s disrupt sleeping patterns and pose particularly red wine, are higher supposed health benefits are set to serious dangers when taken as their health benefits have been be rubbished by government experts, alongside certain medications. widely propagated and so many according to reports. The first people including youths believe alcohol guidelines shaking since 1995 Red wine is made by crushing that taking a little extra red wine will reportedly say that even a glass and fermenting dark coloured whole will not harm them. I have myself of red wine a day could increase the grapes. The process by which red seen very well progressing risk of breast cancer by 13 per wine is made also allows for lectins individuals getting ruined when cent.” to possibly remain in the drink. 12 JANATA, October 29, 2017

Lectins are being probed for their (Continued from Page 3) (Continued from Page 8) association with several serious health problems. are compassion, large heartedness, underemployed and unemployed in tolerance and empathy. While the the country. Apart from serious health hazards Khalsa Aid has amply demonstrated various aspects of making wine are these, their Hindutva counterparts References associated with heavy eco-costs. have displayed their sectarian 1 No accurate figures are available; The Economist reported some time tendencies. The Sikhs associated we have taken this figure from: back that it takes 960 liters of water with Khalsa Aid are definitely “India’s labour force will expand to make a single liter of wine (based religious who also don’t discriminate to 170 million by 2020: Assocham”, on data from Water Footprints on the basis of religion, race, caste, January 19, 2017, http:// Network). Decanter magazine etc. They have provided succor in timesofindia.indiatimes. com; pointed out in a review of the eco- 2005 earthquake, including to “Labour law reforms are a costs of the wine industry, “Synthetic Hindus, 2009 in Swat crisis and after necessity”, May 23, 2016, http:// fungicides, herbicides and fertilizers, terror attack in Manchester earlier www.insightsonindia.com. non-degradable materials and this year. Even though Yogi has 2 Santosh Mehrotra et al., “Why a pompously declared that now there environmentally harmful have been Jobs Turnaround Despite Slowing integral to the cultivation, packaging is Ram Rajya established in UP, only Growth?”, 2014, http:// and transportation of our beloved the second time in history, in which www.iamrindia.gov.in; Economic nectar!” The San Joaqin Valley in there will be no discrimination on the Survey, 2001–02, Labour and California known for its 109 vineries basis of caste, religion, etc. but it is Employment, Tables 10.6 and 10.7, is also known for its heavy load of no secret that RSS-BJP thrives on http://indiabudget.nic.in. smog-forming gases. Community anti-Muslim propaganda and Research and Development misadventure. They cannot be called 3 Economic Survey, 2014–15, Volume Information Service reported - religious even though Yogi 2, p. 140. Europe’s vineries are heavy Adityanath, being the Mahant of polluters. The EU wine industry Gorakhnath temple in Gorakhpur 4 Percentage of formal vs informal releases considerable amounts of wears religious outfit. Performing workers in organised sector taken polluted wastewater into the river rituals in not being religious, but living from: T.S. Papola and Partha Pratim systems, in addition to producing solid the universal values is. The RSS-BJP Sahu, “Growth and Structure of organic waste that is often is merely interested in politics of Employment in India”, Institute for Studies in Industrial Development, mishandled similarly. symbolism. People indulging in New Delhi, March 2012, pp. 40– politics in the name of religion can 41, http://isidev.nic.in; figures for The world vineyard area is spread at best be described as pseudo- total workers, total unorganised over 18.5 million acres. The religious. and organised workers taken from: produce here is used in highly Santosh Mehrotra et al., concentrated form to produce wine. With the emergence of RSS and “Turnaround in India’s This takes away a lot of land and coming to power of BJP in various Employment Story”, Economic & water which is increasingly very states and at the centre we’ve Political Weekly, August 31, 2013, much needed for producing staple witnessed more hate crimes, http://www.epw.in. food. Migrant workers in many targetting of Muslims and dalits and vineyards are exploited badly. As subjecting them to lynching, curb on 5 Twelfth Five Year Plan: Volume 3 much as 274 million hectoliters of freedom of expression and in general - Social Sectors, p. 131, http:// wine is being produced in a year creation of an atmosphere of religious planningcommission.gov.in and consumed too, but its intolerance. Actually this is acting implications for health, environment, against the spirit of religious values 6 Economic Survey, 2015–16, Volume food security and overall well-being and RSS-BJP are doing serious 1, p. 140. need to be understood clearly, damage to the fabric and image of overcoming the myths spread by Hindu religion in the world. From that 7 “Why the Poor Do Not Count”, May 30, 2016, https:// vested interests. perspective they are, in reality, anti- rupeindia.wordpress.com. – Bharat Dogra religion. JANATA, October 29, 2017 13 Killer Aadhar Card

I begin this note using the word and are consequently dying of “killer” for Aadhar Card as millions hunger. Such deaths due to denial of people are being prevented from of foodgrains by dealers in getting pensions, including senior absence of Aadhar Card have citizens from the age of 60 to 90-95 been reported in States such as years, and also food grains under Bihar, Odhisa and West Bengal. National Food Security Act of the Recently, a girl died in Jharkhand government, due to the decision of due to starvation as her family the government linking the Aadhar was denied ration as her ration Card with everything like bank card was not linked with Aadhar account, pensions, cheap rations card. from ration shops, and so on. Old aged people in urban areas are one I do not understand what is the of the biggest sufferers as they are benefit of this Aadhar Card to this finding it difficult to draw their government. It has made the life of Price: Rs. 20/- pension from banks. Earlier, pension every citizen in the country to old, poor, disabled and to BPL troublesome and miserable. The Janata Trust families was being released by the biggest impact is on 70 percent of D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Naushir government in cash but now it is our population which relies on food Bharucha Marg, being released through banks to subsidies and other benefits that the Grant Road (W), avoid duplication and fake government provides to them. One Mumbai 400 007. beneficiaries. Bank accounts have major point of contention over been linked with Aadhar Card. Poor making Aadhar Card compulsory for people who do hard work with their providing benefits and subsidies to Footprints of A hands and senior citizens in the age people is that it contradicts the group of 60 to 90-95 years are Supreme Court’s ruling in 2015 Crusader suffering because of this, as after which stated that Aadhar can only (The Life Story of Mrunal Gore) standing in long queues in the banks, be a voluntary decision of the they come back empty handed as individual, and that as long as a person by their thumb impressions does not is eligible to avail of these benefits match. and subsidies, the government cannot deny him/her those benefits. A Rohini Gawankar Under the National Food survey conducted by Andhra Security Act, rations were earlier Pradesh Government found that 50 being supplied to the beneficiaries percent of respondents cited Aadhar without Aadhar Card, but now the as a reason for missing out subsidies Published by government has linked it to and benefits. Yet the Government Aadhar Card. The government has forced Aadhar cards on every linked the Aadhar Card of the citizen. Further, the manner in which Kamalakar Subhedar, head of the beneficiary family the Aadhar Act was passed in Secretary, Samata Shikshan Sanstha, with their ration card. But when Parliament by introducing it as a Pareira Wadi, Mohili Village, the beneficiary goes now for money bill in Lok Sabha so that the getting rations, the dealer is Rajya Sabha would not be able to Sakinaka, Ghatkopar(W), insisting for Aadhar Card of each vote on it, also exhibited the intention Mumbai 400072. beneficiary in the family and of the Government, which the entire Mobile: 9820092255 therefore denying rations to them. country must have judged. Contribution: Rs.300+ As a result of this, poor people are being denied of cheap rations – 14 JANATA, October 29, 2017 ‘Vanishing’ Tribes of Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Chandra Bhal Tripathi

Recently I noticed a post by Sarah group of islands which was only 70 Commissioner (now the head of the Burrows of Survival International miles away from the tip of Sumatra Union Territory is designated as Lt. written some months ago that said: island of Indonesia. Governor) and an IAS Chief “Jarawa Hunter-Gatherers Say Secretary. Anthropologists have They Don’t Want to Be Part of We are lucky that the famous always been in conflict with the Our World. Jarawa are being forced British social anthropologist AR generalist administrator there. The into civilisation and treated like Radcliffe-Brown went to credit for contacting the Jarawas animals in a zoo. Like the Hadza of the Andaman Islands in1906– goes to a Sikh Dy. SP Bakhtawar East Africa, the Jarawa hunter- 08. His study The Andaman Singh who had joined the local police gatherers of the Andaman Islands Islanders (1922) provides valuable service as a Head Constable long also face extinction, thanks to the benchmark information about the ago. He possessed tremendous ever-expanding nature of agriculture Great Andamanese people who commonsense and waved white and civilisation. To add insult to injury, were at that time divided into 12 handkerchiefs to indicate friendship. a highway has been built ...” tribes with each of them having a The team left some cooked food like distinct dialect and the total rice and banana on the shore. The I wonder how these seemingly population of 600 (if I remember Jarawas did not show up but the next professional documentary makers correctly). During our visit in April morning it was found that the food have been permitted to make 1978 only one out of 29 Great had been picked up. The story is documentaries on the tribes that Andamanese people was left with authentically narrated in a were earlier known as ‘primitive’ and Negrito characters due to very high documentary captioned ‘Man in now described as the ‘particularly degree of miscegenation, particularly Search of Man’ produced by AnSI vulnerable tribal groups’. In the past during the Japanese occupation. in 1974. It was shown to us. some foreigners visited the interior There were only 102 Onges left on tribal areas and made films with a the Little Andaman Island and the During our first visit in 1978 we commercial motive. When I visited population of the Jarawas spread had heard of the plan of a Grand A&N islands for the first time in April into two adjoining islands of Middle Trunk Road through the Jarawa 1978 with Shri Bhola Paswan Andaman was estimated to be about territory and were dismayed by it. Shastri, the first Chairman of the 500 on the basis of the sustaining In the report of the Chairman’s visit, Commission for SC & ST, we could capacity of the forests within which drafted by me, we opposed it and visit only two ‘primitive’ groups, viz., they wandered. indicated the proper policies for the Great Andamanese on the Strait dealing with the ‘primitive’ tribes of Island and the Onges on the Little The Jarawas were in the stage of the Union Territory. We also Andaman Island. Due to turbulence food gathering and hunting and were discussed the wrong policies being of waves our motorboat (the Chief highly suspicious of any outsiders. pursued by the local administration Commissioner’s motorboat) could As soon as they would notice a boat in dealing with these ‘primitive’ not land on the Jarawa territory. coming towards their island they groups. The Onges had already been Later we flew to Car Nicobar and would come out with poison-tipped spoiled by the administration and the visited the sturdy Mongoloid arrows and shoot. The first contact wrong policy of settling Bangladeshi Nicobarese people who had all been was made by a team of the Port Blair Hindu refugees in a part of Little converted to Christianity. There had station of Anthropological Survey of Andaman island leading to constant been no contact with the Negrito India (AnSI) led by its friction between them and the group of the two Sentinel Islands. Superintending Anthropologist, Dr. Onges. It was funny that the local Another ‘primitive’ group, the TN Pandit, who was treated almost authorities thought it fit to dress up Mongoloid Shompens, lived far away like an untouchable by the local Onge women in imported skirts with in the farthest island of the Nicobar bureaucrats led by ex-Army Chief English inscriptions on sex and the JANATA, October 29, 2017 15 like. The reason for draping the would jump into the boat to grab the I regret that in 1997 I could not Onge women in skirts was the food, allow the visitors to stay on the avail of the offer of National imminent visit of the then stern Prime shore for about 15 minutes, they Geographic when I visited them in Minister Morarji Desai who the were not allowed to transgress into Washington DC and they wanted me authorities thought would be very their territory further in the interior to take up a project with an initial angry if he found this tribal group in and were supposed to go back to their grant of USD 20,000. I was already a naked condition. In an egalitarian boat soon. We were warned not to 67 with commitments to family and society the administration had wear any clothes except underwear, it was not feasible for me to go and introduced the concept of Raja and no vest (baniyan) else they would live in the jungles with these hierarchy completely alien to them tear the clothes off out of ‘primitive’ tribal groups to do and the henchmen of the excitement. One could not wear authentic anthropological field work. administration, dressed in pants and spectacles due to fear of their being Had it come a few decades earlier I shirts, were brought to Delhi for the broken. The Jarawas who have would have jumped at it. But serving parade as ‘museum supple hairless bodies would pluck in the Government, though in the specimens’. The Commission’s the hairs on the bodies of the Constitutional organisation for the report containing policy suggestions ‘civilised’ people, wondering what SC&ST for 37 years, had already was sent to the Prime Minister and objects these were. Due to false made me useless (to quote, Dr Ram the Home Minister. I don’t know propaganda by colonialists and Manohar Lohia, ‘nikamma’ when I about the fate of that document. administrators these children of had spent only three years in nature were dubbed as ‘ferocious’ government service). I also did not I got two more opportunities to only because they would come out believe in ‘cut and paste’ research visit A&N islands in 1982 and 1984 with bows and arrows if they found or depending on unemployed young with the Parliamentary Committee outsiders trying to poach their limited field staff of dubious credentials. Let on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes natural resource of livelihood. us hope that in our misguided notion and Scheduled Tribes. I understand Personally I found the Jarawas to of ‘civilizing’ the particularly that subsequently some young be extremely friendly people. For vulnerable tribal groups of these anthropologists have been able to two decades I had been suffering verdant islands we don’t prove to be establish greater rapport with these from lumbosacral spondylitis and had the cause of their disappearance ‘primitive’ tribal groups and even started developing a stooping from the earth in not a too distant learnt their language/dialect. I posture. Suddenly I felt a painful jerk future. wonder how this lady (Sara as a Jarawa adult had jumped onto Burrows) was talking with the my back and was holding me tightly. Jarawas and if she had been able to Another Jarawa man came and sat Madhu Dandavate establish enough rapport with them on my lap. Being Negrito they are a as to learn their language. I do, shorter version of the typical blacks. By however, appreciate her concern for An extreme case of friendliness was the Jarawas. evinced when a woman, with B. Vivekanandan marked steatopygia like the It is interesting and worthwhile Bushmen and the Hottentot, put her narrating some of my experiences infant in my hands and wanted me Price: Rs. 20/- with Jarawas in 1984. After my to fondle it. In the modern Indian work with the Parliamentary society women would never do that Committee was over I accompanied faced with a stranger and would Prof. LP Vidyarthi of Ranchi rather apply a black kohl to the infant University and Dr TN Pandit to the to protect it from the evil eye. When Janata Trust Jarawa territory. The Administration I returned to Port Blair my story was D-15, Ganesh Prasad, had launched a programme of an absolutely new and incredible one visiting the Jarawas on every full for the bureaucrats and the local Naushir Bharucha Marg, moon day, leaving cooked rice and Station Director of All India Radio Grant Road (W), banana on the shore. Out of requested me to broadcast a talk on Mumbai 400 007. excitement these naked people my experiences with the Jarawas. R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, October 29, 2017 Postal Registration No. MCW/275/2015-2017. License to Post without prepayment WPP License No. MR/Tech/WPP-210/West/2017 Published on Sunday, October 29, 2017 & Posted on Wedenesday November 1, 2017 at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO- 1

GANNON DUNKERLEY & CO., LTD.

An infrastructure company established since 1924

REGD. OFFICE :

New Excelsior Building, (3rd Floor), A. K. Nayak Marg, Fort, Mumbai 400 001. Tel.: 022 2205 1231 Fax : 022-2205 1232

Office : Ahmedabad, 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 1 Pages 16 Price : Rupees Five

Vol. 72 No. 41 Acharya Narendra Deva: Life and Politics November 5, 2017 Prem Singh

Acharya Narendra Deva, known and political activism to Uttar Myths About Unemployment as the patriarch and doyen of Indian Pradesh. After teaching at Kashi Neeraj Jain socialism, was born on October 31, Vidyapeeth, he became the Vice 1889 in Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh. His Chancellor of Lucknow University ancestors had come to UP from from 1947 to 1951 and Banaras Sialkot. His schooling took place in Hindu University (BHU) from 1951 Hindutva and History Faizabad and higher education in to 1953. His own life was very Irfan Engineer Allahabad and Banaras. He obtained austere and he used to help poor his law degree from Allahabad students financially. His relationship University and practiced law for with the students was cordial and some time. But his scholastic mind inspirational. Lal Bahadur Shashtri, Indira Gandhi Award for did not find satisfaction and he the second , National Integration became a history teacher at Kashi Kamlapati Tripathi, senior Congress for 2015-16: Vidyapeeth in 1921. He had a good leader and Chandrashekhar, socialist T.M. Krishna’s Speech knowledge of Hindi, Sanskrit, leader, were some prominent names Prakrit, Pali, German, French and from among his students. English languages, and was a serious Chandrasekhar joined politics with scholar of history, archaeology, the inspiration of Acharya and The Growing Burden of religion, philosophy and culture. continued to honour him as his guru. Inequalities Despite having such a wide range Bharat Dogra of study, his mode of teaching was Acharya was politically active in simple. Congress, Congress Socialist Party and Socialist Party-Praja Socialist Editor : It is said that Acharya was born Party after Independence. He G. G. Parikh to be a teacher. A politician’s presided over the formation ambition and strategic skills were not conference of the Congress Socialist Managing Editor : Guddi in him, nor did he push his talent and Party held in Anjuman Ismailia Hall energy in that direction. The role and of Patna on May 17, 1934 and was D-15, Ganesh Prasad, reputation of Acharya in Indian also elected the first president of the Naushir Bharucha Marg, politics was of a political philosopher new organisation. Acharya’s ‘Gaya Mumbai - 400 007. at the national level. Simultaneously, Thesis’ is considered to be a he was an international scholar of masterpiece in the socialist Email : [email protected] socialist theory and ideology. movement in India. Acharya was Website:www.janataweekly.org However, he confined his academic inclined to follow Marxism as a 2 JANATA, November 5, 2017 contemplative line of thought and elements of the ancient civilisation significance of Acharya Narendra method. On one occasion he said safe, and, simultaneously, which will Deva’s ideas is to combine the moral that he can leave the party but not include new progressive elements of values of a person with the Marxism. But he was not a the contemporary world, and, thus revolutionary process of social stereotypical or orthodox communist. would like to present a new ideal change. He was therefore opposed To his democratic mind, a dictatorial before the world.” (Acharya to the ethics-neutral tendency attitude of a person or a group within Narendra Deva Vangamay, Volume developed in the Bolshevik stream the communist party in the name of 1.) of Marxism. the proletariat was unacceptable. Acharya was a critic of the Like all the important leaders of When the socialists came out of undemocratic character of the freedom movement, Acharya was Congress and formed the administration of Soviet Russia and often sentenced to jail. During World independent Socialist Party in 1948, the lack of political freedoms there. War II and , he he, along with his colleagues, But he was not a supporter of remained in jail from 1940 to 1945. resigned from the UP Legislative American capitalist imperialism in In September 1939, when the Assembly seat that he had won on any way. He did not see any Second World War broke out, the Congress ticket, even though it was contradiction between Marxism and Congress strongly opposed the not needed then and no one had the national independence movement unilateral declaration of British demanded it. But Acharya believed of India and movement in the rest of government to involve India in the that to remain a member of the the world against colonial rule. In the war and resigned from the cabinets. Assembly after forming a separate same way, he saw mutual In 1940, when Gandhi launched party different from the Congress supplementation between farmers satyagraha, Acharya, despite his would not be morally justified. He and workers’ revolutionary power. poor health, came forward and went lost in the by-polls. Congress leaders, He favoured connecting the to jail. When he was released in intoxicated by power, campaigned agricultural revolution and the September 1941, Gandhi took care against him in an undignified manner socialist revolution. That is why he of his health by staying with him in in the election. Nevertheless, Nehru gave more time to farmer politics. Sevagram Ashram. Acharya was himself was surprised with his However, he understood the dangers arrested along with other leaders on election defeat. of organising farmers on the basis the call of Quit India Movement. He of caste and religion. Acharya saw was released on June 15, 1945. Acharya died in Madras on the revolutionary movement of India February 19, 1956 at the age of 67 not in terms of divergent viewpoints, On one hand, prison greatly years. He had made an outstanding but as a part of the various streams damaged his health due to his contribution to the Independence of the freedom struggle. asthmatic condition, but on the other struggle and later to nation-building hand, it also gave him much time for as a teacher, thinker and socialist Acharya was a serious student of reading and writing. For instance, he leader. Nehru in his obituary in the ancient culture of India. He started translation of Vashubandhu’s Parliament said, “The death of made a serious study of Buddhism ‘Abhi-Dhamm Kosh’ from French Acharya Narendra Deva means and its philosophy. He wrote the to Hindi in Banaras jail in 1932 and something much bigger for many of Sahitya Akademi award-winning completed it in Ahmednagar jail in us and, I think, for the country than book ‘Boddh Dharma-Darshan’ in 1945, where he was held captive with just the passing away of an important Hindi. One excerpt from his 1936 many leaders, including Jawaharlal person. He was a man of rare speech is: “Our work is not only to Nehru. In the preface of his book distinction—distinction in many end exploitation by imperialism but ‘Discovery of India’, Nehru has fields—rare in spirit, rare in mind and to end exploitation by all those expressed his debt to his colleagues intellect, rare in integrity of mind and classes of society which are including Acharya Narendra Deva otherwise too. Only his body failed exploiting the people today. We want for their scholarship. him. I do not know if there is any to create a new civilization which will person present here in this House be rooted in ancient civilisation, Acharya, like Gandhi, considered who was associated with him for a which will have the colours of the ethics as the criterion for both life longer period than I was. Over 40 country, which will keep the excellent and politics. The greatest (Continued on Page 15) JANATA, November 5, 2017 3 Myths About Unemployment

Neeraj Jain

Discuss with any group of young are so many of us. Except for India, all the other people, whether educated or countries in Table 1 are high income uneducated, and they come up with In fact, people give this same countries. India is classified as a the same 2 or 3 or 4 explanations argument about there being too many lower middle income country (World for the prevalence of unemployment of us to explain our country’s huge Bank classification). Even though the in the country. These commonly held poverty and malnutrition levels too! population densities of these high beliefs are all actually false. income countries are more than or Nevertheless, most people have This myth can be debunked by a comparable to India, yet, their come to believe them, because our simple argument. Suppose there are unemployment / underemployment policy makers and intellectuals have two areas, A and B. A has an area levels and poverty levels are much been deliberately propagating them. of 10 sq km, and B has an area of less than India. These commonly believed myths put 20 sq km. A has a population of 50, the blame of unemployment on the and B has a population of 80. Which Let us take a different example. youth themselves, or on society—in is the area that has more population? In 2016, Brazil had population of other words, the policy makers are 207.7 million and an overall not to blame for the scarcity of jobs population density of 25 inhabitants in the country. 50 people 80 people per square kilometre (in 2015). This figure is way below the population Myth One: India’s population A: Area 10 sq km B: Area 20 sq km densities of all the high income is so large that it is not possible countries mentioned in Table 1. And to provide everyone jobs. Most readers will immediately yet, Brazil has a per capita income answer: A has more population. Why much below these high income Joseph Goebbels, Hitler’s is that so, when the number of countries, and is facing double digit propaganda minister, is reported to people living in B are more than in unemployment2—when actually it have said: ‘If you repeat a lie often A? That is because the population should have had no unemployment enough, people will believe it.’ density of A is more than of B. So, if population or population density Following in his footsteps, our obviously, what matters is population was responsible for unemployment. country’s establishment intellectuals density, and not population. have been propagating this myth Obviously then, it is not population about India’s population being too Let us now compare the or population density that is large to explain the huge population density of India with some responsible for India’s unemployment crisis facing the other countries (Table 1). unemployment crisis. Actually, if we country. They have been so examine this issue more closely, we successful in their propaganda, that Table 1: Population Density of will find that population growth and 1 (per sq km) probably 90 percent people of the India and Other Countries employment generation are not country have come to believe it. Country Population Density adversely related, but complement each other. Greater the population, Belgium 372 Once you come to believe in this more is the production required—of argument, the policy makers are no India 401 food, soap, oil, clothing, housing, longer to blame for the Israel 395 etc.—and so more will be the jobs unemployment crisis. They can then generated for producing all these Japan 335 claim—we are trying so hard to goods; society will also need more create jobs, but all our efforts are in Netherlands 413 schools, hospitals, buses, etc.—all vain, as our country’s population is South Korea 513 this means more jobs in all these so huge. The blame then falls on us; Taiwan 651 areas too. Therefore, it is not India’s we are unemployed, because there large population or population density 4 JANATA, November 5, 2017 that is responsible for the huge level underemployed young people, that 1980s, higher education was almost of unemployment in the country; the they do not have a decent job entirely in the public sector, and it reasons lie elsewhere. because they are not capable was possible for children from the enough. Most believe that this is why poorest sections to get educated in But the myth about overpopulation they have not been able to succeed the best engineering or medical being the reason for our country’s in competitive examinations. colleges in the country. The ills is so deep-rooted that many of economic reforms that began in 1991 our readers will still be finding it Ask them why are they doing a as a part of globalisation have difficult to accept the above logic. BA or a BCom or a BSc degree, resulted in gradual privatisation of Let us therefore take a look at which today is not going to fetch higher education in the country.5 another set of statistics. The them a job, and why did they not take argument about overpopulation admission in an engineering / It is another matter that even if comes across most strongly for management / medicine degree, and one is somehow able to get resources—that our resources are they will reply that it is because they admission to an engineering or limited, and obviously cannot sustain are poor, and they did not have management college, the chances of such a large population. This is used enough money for paying the college landing a good job are not very high. to justify the huge hunger levels in fee. According to the All India Council the country—the argument given is for Technical Education, out of the that we do not have enough arable Ask them why are they poor, and 8 lakh graduate engineers who pass land to produce enough to feed such they will answer that it is because out from technical institutions in the a large population. Now, if we their parents are not capable enough. country every year, more than 60 compare Indian and Chinese And why are their parents not percent remain unemployed!6 And agriculture, we find that though India capable? Because they did not have many of those who do get a job get has one-third the land area of China, money for a decent education. And low-paid jobs. Similarly, for those our arable land is marginally bigger why is that so? Because their who are somehow able to shell out than China’s. Yet, China produces 40 grandparents were not capable . . . the Rs 1 lakh or so needed per year percent more wheat and rice than to get admission to an MBA degree India; while China’s fruit production Isn’t this argument—that we / our course, an ASSOCHAM study finds is three times India’s production!3 parents / our grandparents etc. are that only 7 percent of the graduates Despite this, our godowns are responsible for our present fate— from the 5,500 Business schools in overflowing with foodgrains, and we very similar to the ‘karma’ the country (excepting the IIMs and have become the world’s largest philosophy propagated in ancient a few other B-schools) are exporter of rice! So obviously, Indian times by wily Brahmins to justify the employable; if at all they are able to agriculture is in crisis not because caste system! We do not ask why get jobs, they earn less than Rs of our large population, but because has engineering / management / 10,000 a month.7 of our agricultural policies. And we medical education become so have the largest number of hungry costly? Why has higher education, Myth 3: There are many jobs, people in the world, not because of and even good quality school but people don’t want to work. our large population, but because our education, become reserved for the They only want cushy arm-chair people are too poor to buy children of the rich? Why is the jobs. foodgrains, and the government is not government not spending enough on willing to distribute foodgrains to education, and instead is privatising Even if this is true, it is so only for them at cheap rates and is more education, because of which the upper classes who are ashamed interested in exporting them.4 education has become a profit- of getting their hands dirty doing making business? Instead of raising manual labour. Myth 2: We are unemployed, these questions, we blame ourselves because we are not capable / our fate for our inability to take On the other hand, the millions enough. admission in a good professional who migrate from villages to cities course that can get us a decent job. in search of work live in horrible This is another common answer conditions in the slums, and are given by unemployed/ In fact, even in our country, till the willing to take up the the hardest and JANATA, November 5, 2017 5 the riskiest jobs. They work at provides special facilities and advantage of reservations in public construction sites, or in roadside opportunities for educational, sector employment. eateries, or as loaders in market economic and cultural growth to those places, or as private drivers, and so sections of society who have suffered Table 2: Total Government on. Tens of thousands of graduates social and economic discrimination / Employment break their backs working night and oppression for centuries. The USA (Centre+State+Local day as autorickshaw drivers, or stress implements such policies, which are Govt.+Quasi Govt.) (in lakh) themselves out working 12 hours a called affirmative action policies, to day as contract labourers in factories address long histories of Year Total Employment at barely subsistence wages, or work discrimination faced by minorities 1991 190.6 long hours as waiters in McDonald’s (such as Afro-Americans) and and Cafe Coffee Day restaurants women. In India, this took the form 2012 176.1 of providing reservations to seats in The upper classes, who believe the various legislatures, government While all these dominant castes that ordinary people in our country jobs and higher educational are today demanding a share of the don’t want to do hard work and so institutions for the historically ‘reservation pie’, the fact of the there is unemployment, forget that deprived castes and tribes. Of course, matter is, there is no ‘pie’ on the their luxurious houses have been providing reservations will not by table. The total number of built by the hard labour of these very itself end caste discrimination and government jobs has decreased in ordinary people working long hours bring into being a casteless society. absolute terms over the last two in the blazing sun, the highways on But at least this much needs to be decades! As it is, total public which their SUVs run have been done to provide social and economic employment in the country is a small built by ordinary people working justice to those who were deliberately percentage of total employment in under the open skies in hazardous denied this in the past. the country (just 4 percent in 2010, conditions, the food on their dining according to the Economic Survey tables comes from the backbreaking The belief among upper caste 2009–10); even that has fallen by toil of farmers working night and day youth that the unemployment crisis 7.6 percent over the two decades on their fields . . . is partly because of reservations is 1991–2012 (see Table 2).8 So, the fundamentally misplaced. Eliminating various caste groups are demanding Myth 4: Reservations for Dalits, reservations is not going to result in a share of the jobs reserved for the Women entering the Workforce, an increase in the total number of historically backward castes, when Migrants Taking Over Jobs for jobs available; at the most, what will in reality, there are hardly any new Locals – are responsible for the happen is that some jobs that are government jobs, as public sector Unemployment Crisis today going to Dalits will be taken recruitment has reduced to a trickle. up by upper caste youth. But the The government, instead of Many upper caste youth believe total number of unemployed will increasing public sector employment, that they are not able to get jobs remain the same. is reducing public employment— because of reservations for Dalits. fresh posts are not being created, the While many men believe that they Today, this opposition to vacancies arising out of retirement are not able to get jobs because reservations among the upper caste are not being filled, employment is women have started taking up jobs. youth has taken a strange turn. The being forcibly reduced by ‘Voluntary Many others believe that they are dominant castes in several states, Retirement Schemes’, and several unemployed because migrants have such as Marathas in Maharashtra, jobs are being contractualised. taken over the jobs in their region / Jats in Haryana, Patels or Patidars State, and therefore they are in Gujarat, Gujjars in Rajasthan and Then why are these castes attacking migrants. Kapus in Andhra Pradesh are demanding reservation in government themselves agitating for jobs? The reason is: on the one hand, Reservations reservations. They are demanding agriculture is in crisis, because of that their castes be included in the which the youth are seeking jobs Any democratic and just society list of Other Backward Classes outside the agricultural sector; and that believes in providing equal (OBCs), so that they too can take on the other hand, there are very few opportunities to all its members 6 JANATA, November 5, 2017 jobs available in the other private women take up jobs outside their Eastern states, demanding sectors too—and the few jobs homes, who will look after their reservation of jobs for the local available are contractual jobs that are children and housework? population and that migrants return insecure jobs offering very low to their native states. In Maharashtra, salaries. Overall job growth in the This is a typical patriarchal view, the and Maharashtra economy has drastically fallen. The which considers a woman’s Navnirman Sena have periodically Economic Survey 2014–15 admits independence to be immoral, and organised agitations against migrants, that employment growth in the believes that ideally her role should especially from the states of Bihar economy [compound annual growth be confined to within the four walls and Uttar Pradesh, because of which rate (CAGR)] decelerated from 2.8 of the house. It is only when a migrant workers in the state have percent during period 1999–2000 to woman takes part in social been victims of xenophobia, 2004–05, to just 0.5 percent during production that she develops an prejudice and violence. 2004–05 to 2011–12!9 Crafty independent identity in society, one politicians have taken advantage of that is different from her being What most people do not know is this disenchantment among the youth someone’s mother, sister, wife or that most of the migrants to the big to mobilise them along caste lines for daughter. It is only when a woman cities of these states are not demanding reservation for their steps out of her home, and becomes ‘outsiders’, but people from other respective castes in government jobs. economically independent, that her regions from within the same state. personality develops, she gains the This fact comes out from the data To give a recent example of this freedom to develop her inherent on migration available from the massive rush for government jobs: potential, and she develops the Census of India. The Census in UP in September 2015, when the confidence to face the challenges of collects migration data of two State Government advertised to fill the outside world. types—migration by birth place and up 368 posts of peons in the State migration by place of last residence. Secretariat, 23 lakh people applied This tragic reality, that a majority The Census 2001 data shows that for these posts. Now, whether these of women in our society even today total number of migrants by place of jobs are given to locals, or Dalits, or are still trapped within their family last residence in the country as a Jats, or women, or men, 22 lakh, 99 cages and do not go to work outside whole was 314 million (30.6 percent thousand and 632 people are still their homes, has actually affected of the population). Out of these going to be unemployed; an society’s development. Society has migrants by last residence, 268 overwhelming majority of the locals, not been able to utilise their inherent million (85 percent) were intra-state a majority of the Dalits, a majority brilliance and enormous capabilities migrants (those who migrated from of the Jats and Yadavs, and a for its growth. We need to support one area of the state to another), 41 majority of the men and women who women in their struggle to step million (13 percent) were inter-state have applied for these posts are still outside their homes and take up jobs migrants and 5.1 million (1.6 percent) going to be unemployed. So what and become economically migrated from outside the country. difference does it make to the overall independent. We need to raise the So far as migration by place of birth unemployment situation for any of demand that the economic policies is concerned, Census 2001 data these categories, even if these jobs of our country should be such that shows that there were about 307 are reserved for locals, or for Dalits, all men and women desirous of jobs million migrants (29.9 percent of the or for the Other Backward castes, should be able to get decent, secure population) under this category, of or for women? and well-paid jobs, rather than which about 259 million (84.2 fighting each other for a share of the percent), migrated from one part of Jobs for Women limited jobs presently available. the state to another, 42 million (13.8 percent) were migrants from outside Many men even today oppose Invasion by Migrants the state while 6.1 million migrated women going out of their homes for from outside the country.10 For the jobs, and becoming economically Movements against migrants state of Maharashtra, a study based independent. They argue that it have taken place in several states, on NSSO data found that over 70 reduces job opportunities for men; including Karnataka, Punjab and percent of migrants to the city of they also raise the issue that if Rajasthan, and several North Mumbai come from rural or urban JANATA, November 5, 2017 7 areas within Maharashtra itself.11 in government jobs, or why men feel 3 Lakshman Krishnamurthi, Sugandha that women have taken over their Khandelwal, “Agriculture Journal: According to the 2011 Census, jobs, or why people are demanding China Versus India by the Numbers”, migrant population in India has been reservations for locals, is that while September 20, 2011, https:// growing faster than the population on the one hand, agriculture is in blogs.wsj.com. growth in the country, because of crisis and employment growth in 4 For more on this, see the booklet: Is which migrants constitute 37.8 per agriculture has virtually slowed the Government Really Poor, Lokayat cent of India’s 121.03 crore down to zero, and the youth are Publication, available on Lokayat population.12 In other words, every migrating to cities in search of jobs, website http://lokayat.org.in. third Indian is a migrant. The reason on the other hand, there is an acute 5 For more on this, see: Neeraj Jain, why migration takes place is because shortage of jobs in other sectors such Education Under Globalisation: of unequal development. In the as manufacturing and services Burial of the Constitutional Dream, development model being sectors. Aakar Books, Delhi. implemented in the country today, 6 Manash Gohain, “60 per cent of known as capitalism, the more Roughly 13 million young people engineering graduates unemployed”, developed parts tend to develop enter the Indian job market every March 18, 2017, http:// faster than the more backward parts, year.13 During the decade 1999– economictimes.indiatimes.com. because industrialists and investors 2000 to 2009–10, a total of 130 7 “Only 7% MBA graduates prefer to invest in the more developed million entered the job market. Of employable; most earning less than areas as costs are lower and markets these, according to government data, Rs 10,000 a month: Assocham”, April here are more developed. This only 63.5 million got any kind of jobs, 27, 2016, http://www.dnaindia.com. results in more jobs being created in of which only 14.4 million got formal 8 R. Nagaraj, “Public Sector the more developed areas. Tragically, sector jobs, that is, jobs with some Employment: What has changed?”, some of the most backward regions kind of job security, minimum wages, Indira Gandhi Institute of of India are also the most resource- and other legal rights.14 In other Development Research, 2014, http:// rich regions of our country, such as words, only 11 percent of those who www.igidr.ac.in. Odisha, Chhattisgarh and joined the workforce during this 9 Economic Survey 2014–15, Volume Jharkhand—yet these regions are decade got decent jobs; a majority 2, p. 21. backward because investors prefer of the others are all unemployed or 10 Migration, Office of the Registrar to invest in the more developed underemployed, somehow eking out General & Census Commissioner, areas of the country. If, therefore, a living in the informal sector. Not India, http://censusindia.gov.in. more jobs are available in the more realising that there are no jobs, they 11Madhavi Rajadhyaksha, “70% developed cities of the country such believe, or are made to believe, by migrants to Mumbai are from as Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai, or duplicitous politicians that the ‘others’ Maharashtra”, September 17, 2012, the southern states and Punjab, it is have taken away their jobs, and so http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com. not because those living in these they attack migrants, or mobilise in 12 Zeeshan Shaikh, “Every 3rd Indian areas are more capable or lakhs demanding ‘reservations’. migrant, most headed south”, hardworking as compared to those December 5, 2016, http:// living in the more backward areas, Rather than fight the ‘others’, we indianexpress.com. but is a result of the development need to all unite and demand more 13 Muthukumar K, Seetharaman R, “In model being implemented in the jobs! search of a job”, April 10, 2017 http:/ country. Therefore, the benefits of /www.thehindubusinessline.com; these jobs (in the more developed 1 “List of countries and territories by S.A. Aiyar, “‘Drive in India’ can areas) should go not just to those population density”, Wikipedia, generate more jobs than ‘Make in living in these areas, those living in https://en.wikipedia.org; all figures India’”, February 26, 2017, http:// the more backward areas should also based on latest censuses and official blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com. have an equal right to them. estimates. 14Santosh Mehrotra et al., 2 Patrick Gillespie, “Brazil’s “Turnaround in India’s Employment False Propaganda unemployment hits record high: 14 Story”, Economic & Political Weekly, million people out of work”, June 1, The real reason why dominant August 31, 2013, http://www.epw.in. 2017, http://money.cnn.com. castes are fighting for reservations 8 JANATA, November 5, 2017 Hindutva and History

Irfan Engineer

The controversial statement of the omitted it from the booklet of tourism eighth century CE) used to refer BJP legislator of UP State Sangeet department of UP. Sangeet Som, to everyone who lived beyond the Som denigrating Taj Mahal should BJP MLA called it a cultural blot on great river of the northwest of the not surprise us. ‘History’ propounded India and which was built by traitors subcontinent, still known locally by the Hindu supremacists is (Sharma 2017). BJP MP Vinay as the Sindhu and in Europe as stranger than fiction. It is a tool in Katiyar opined that Taj Mahal was the Indus.” (Doniger 2013, 6-7) the hands Hindutva to justify their originally a Shiv Temple (PTI 2017). ideology which considers Muslims Following a big furore in the media, It is thus the outsiders who and Christians, whose holy lands are Adityanath later called it pride of referred to all the inhabitants of this outside India as foreign religions. India and stated that sweat and toil region as Hindus; the rulers of this Indian Constitution may consider of Indian people had built it, and even region before the so-called Muslim Muslims and Christians as Indian visited the Taj Mahal. rule did not identify their religion as citizens, but Hindutva political Hinduism. It is the British colonial ideology (HPI) views them as ‘History’ propounded by HPI has masters who used the geographical foreigners to be gotten rid off or basically borrowed from the colonial term ‘Hindu’ to mean religion. subdued to the status of non-citizens historiography of James Stuart Mill Besides the fact that many historians or second class citizens. Hindutva and his book History of British would question periodisation of calls upon all Hindus to wage war India. Henry Miers Elliot and John history on the basis of religion of the on what they consider foreign Dowson, both British civil servants, ruler, Elliot and Dowson called ‘pre- religions. also wrote 8 volumes on history of Muslim period’ as Hindu period, even India and published it as The History though the different rulers followed Hindutva ideologue Vinayak of India, as Told by Its Own diverse religious faith including Damodar Savarkar called upon Historians. James Mill, Elliot and Jainism and Buddhism. The Hindus to “Hinduise all politics and Dowson periodised Indian past Britishers in their census militarise Hindudom”. Hinduising according to the religion of the rulers, enumeration used Hinduism to politics meant to establish political and labelled these as Hindu period denote religion of those who were and cultural hegemony of upper- and Muslim period. Though Eliot and neither Muslims, Christians or other caste Hindus. For building militarised Dowson periodised pre-Islamic known religions. Hindudom, demonisation of Muslims history as Hindu period supposedly and Christians was crucial. One of on the basis of religion of the rulers, Without critiquing the colonial the instruments used to demonise the then rulers did not see themselves historiography of Eliot and Dowson, Muslims and Christians was history. as followers of Hindu religion. The HPI endorsed it and built upon it. The political ideologues of Hindutva word ‘Hindu’ was used more to HPI glorifies the Hindu period as fictionalised history and historicised denote inhabitants of the being the golden period of Indian fiction without having any intention geographical region on the Eastern history, and considers the Muslim to respect the science of history. bank of river Sindhu. The Persians period as a period during which there pronounced Sindhu as ‘Hindu’. “Our was a decline. Communal Muslims It is because it is fictionalised word ‘Hindu’ originates in the or Muslim nationalists glorify the history that different Hindutva geographical feature of the Indus Muslim period. Both view history ideologues take different stances on River. It comes from a word for from their respective ideological the Taj Mahal. Yogi Adityanath once ‘river’ (Sindhu) that Herodutus (in perspective to determine their future. said Taj Mahal had no connection the fifth century BCE), the Romila Thapar writes that historical with India’s culture or heritage Persians (in the fourth century interpretation can become a two- (Manish and Sanyal 2017) and BCE), and the Arabs (after the way process, where the needs of the JANATA, November 5, 2017 9 present are read into the past, and The objective of writing such a community but also claim it to be where the image of the past is sought history is primarily to stigmatise the superior to all other communities, to be imposed upon the present; and entire Muslim community and which therefore gives it the right to the image of the past is the historian’s represent them as oppressors against rule the world and creates contribution to the future (1993; pp. whom all Hindus should unite and justification for building a militarised 1). E H Carr reaches same wage a war to seek revenge of and authoritarian state to achieve that conclusion and writes, “When we historical wrongs done to them. The objective. attempt to answer the question Hindus being a caste based ‘What is history?’ our answer, hierarchically structured society, Purushottam Nagesh Oak was a consciously or unconsciously, uniting them implies that those on the prominent HP Ideologue who reflects our own position in time, lower rungs of the structure accept established the ‘Institute for and forms part of our answer to the birth based social privileges of Rewriting Indian History’ and wrote the broader question what view we those on upper rungs, despite having several books. The historical wisdom take of the society in which we suffered inhuman oppression from of HPI is largely informed by Oak’s live.” (Carr 1987). the upper castes since centuries. writing. Broadly and briefly, Oak’s Therefore, uniting the Hindus is not claims are as under: The HPI view of history is that easy. One of the strategies used by the golden period of ‘Hindu’ history HPI to achieve unity of Hindus is to 1. Islam and Christianity derived was over after invasion by the demonise other communities, from Vedic Religion. Christianity Muslim aggressors from the historicise conflicts with them, was Krishna nitee. Vatican is Northwest. Thereafter the social present these threats as continuing corruption of ‘Vatika Nagri’ and structure crumbled and ‘Hindus’ and till today, and call upon all Hindus to Papacy was originally Vedic ‘Hindu’ culture were suppressed unite against them. priesthood. ‘Abraham’ comes which caused their economic from Brahma; ‘church’ is decline. The Muslim aggressors The second objective of distorting corruption of Sanskrit word were despotic and their religious history is to reclaim, own and control ‘vichar-vimarsh”; Jesus or fanaticism required them to destroy the land, institutions and structures Yahveh was a Rig Vedic God. every symbol of ‘Hindu’ culture and owned by the ‘enemy’ communities. The word disciple is derived from forcibly impose ‘Islamic’ culture and If you can’t build it, grab it from Sanskrit word ‘dikshapal’. convert all ‘Hindus’ to Islam. others. The third objective is to Krishna puja was prevalent in the ‘Hindus’ resisted the aggression create a case for expansionism. HPI whole world. which led to permanent war calls for Akhand Bharat, which between the two communities or two means capturing not only Pakistan 2. Arabia had a Vedic past and nations – Muslim and ‘Hindu’. The and Bangladesh, but also South Kabaa was a Hindu Temple – a Muslim community through their China in the North, Myanmar in the Shiv Ling based on an inscription Emperors enslaved and humiliated East and Sri Lanka in the South. The mentioning Indian King the Hindus with the intention of fourth objective is to construct an Vikramaditya is in a dish found completely destroying their culture. image of a glorious past in which all inside the Kabaa. Mohammad Muslims demolished their temples technological and scientific was Hindu and Arabs worshiped and constructed their mosques over achievements that we see today had Mahadev and performed their it. The HPI claims that there were already been achieved by the pilgrimage to Kashi and Haridwar. 3,000 such temples which were ‘Hindus’ thousands of years ago, Allah was a Hindu God. destroyed by Muslim rulers and during the Vedic period. These mosques built over them, including include the aircraft (pushpak viman), 3. The foreign Muslims have been the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, and the plastic surgery (implanting Elephant wrongly given the credit for mosques in Mathura and Varanasi. head on to a human body), advanced constructing Indian monuments. However, it has never presented a nuclear tipped missiles that were Muslims were destroyers of full list of all these 3,000 temples used during the Mahabharat war, Indian monuments and not which they claim were destroyed genetic engineering, etc. The aim of constructors. Amongst the and mosques constructed in their creating such a false pride in the past monuments wrongly attributed to place. is not only to unite the Hindu ‘foreign’ Muslims include the Red 10 JANATA, November 5, 2017

Fort, Qutub Minar, Humayun Ka and recruited by touching their References: Maqbara, Taj Mahal, Agra Fort religious sentiments and made and many others. These were all amenable to the building of a strong Carr, Edward Hallett. What is ‘Hindu’ structures unitary collective that would act as History? 1987. http://abuss.narod.ru/ misappropriated by the then their support network and give them Biblio/eng/carr.pdf (accessed Muslim rulers. The evidence for a sense of belonging. The strong October 23, 2017). such a claim can be so flimsy as unitary collective is built around a some carving on a wall which shared common objective and Doniger, Wendy. On Hinduism. was not of Muslim origin, or some common hatred of those whom they New Delhi: Aleph Book Company, similar sounding Sanskrit name. call foreigners. Hindutva ‘history’ is 2013. For example, according to Oak, an ideological tool to deepen the Taj Mahal was an ancient Shiva conviction of the mobilised cadres Manish, Kumar, and Anindita Temple Tejo Mahalaya which was and imagine a past where the enemy Sanyal. Yogi Adityanath’s Take on commandeered by Emperor ‘foreigners’ were oppressors even Symbols Of India: Ramayan, Gita, Shajahan from the Maharaja of in the past. It fills them with hatred Not Taj Mahal. 2 October 2017. Jaipur. Oak argues that the words of the ‘foreigner’ and motivates https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/ ‘Taj’ and ‘Mahal’ are both of them to exorcise the agony of having ramayan-gita-not-taj-yogi- Sanskrit origin. Mahal means suffered atrocities in the past by adityanaths-take-on-symbols-of- mansion and Taj is corruption of inflicting the worst crimes on the india-1713116 (accessed October 27, the word ‘Tej’ which means ‘foreigners’ around them. 2017). splendour. Oak gives such facile explanations for all his claims. The cadre convinced of such an PTI. Adityanath visits Taj Mahal imagined past is rarely able to stand days after BJP leaders’ 4. His other sweeping claims include up to rational scrutiny of his/her controversial remarks. 26 October that one should not believe in belief. They keep repeating their 2017. http://www.thehindu.com/ medieval records; Mughal arts belief. They follow their leader who news/national/uttar-pradesh-chief- and art of Mughal gardens is a too keeps repeating his/her belief of minister-yogi-adityanath-visits-taj- myth; development of Indian what the past was and hopes that it mahal/article19923245.ece music during Mughal period is a would be accepted as unassailable (accessed October 27, 2017). myth; all the monuments built by truth if enough number of people Mughals (which Oak describes as repeat it enough number of times. It Sharma, Sandipan. Yogi Adityanath ‘jihadi’) and the narratives behind is through this prism that Tipu Sultan govt in Uttar Pradesh ignoring Taj the monuments are false; the is also looked from. Notwithstanding Mahal betrays its myopic view of narrative that the Medieval period the fact that Tipu Sultan died fighting history. 16 October 2017. http:// (when ‘foreigners’ ruled) was a the Britishers, Tipu being a www.firstpost.com/india/yogi- golden age is a myth; Indian king ‘foreigner’ should necessarily mean adiyanath-govt-in-uttar-pradesh- Porus did not lose to Alexander in he was oppressor of ‘Hindus’. ignoring-taj-mahal-betrays-its- the battle of Hydaspes fought in myopic-view-of-history- 326 BC; Indian borders extended Mobilized cadres of HPI need 4105095.html (accessed October 27, from Bali to Baltic Sea and from empathy and help to restore their 2017). Kerala to Kaba; Sanskrit was the rationality and humanity. However, world language in ancient times; they have demonstrated their Thapar, Romila. The Past and etc. destructive potential once by Prejudice. New Delhi: National demolishing Babri Masjid. Other Book Trust, 1993. These assertions would be and historical heritage of the country should be normally questioned by not needs to be protected. Our education Janata only students of history but also system should be strengthened to people with ordinary intelligence. inculcate human values and equip is available at Hindutva’s historical wisdoms are students to explore the past in order doled out to their cadres and to understand it and learn lessons of www.lohiatoday.com followers who have been mobilised history to shape our future. JANATA, November 5, 2017 11 Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration for 2015-16:

T.M. Krishna’s Speech

I stcnd before you to accept an compassionate one. Right through A leader who does not have the award for having contributed to our lives we vacillate between the humility to apologise for genocide national integration. But before I two, with each side winning a few under his watch does not integrate. bask in its glory, I need to place on bouts. But at a much deeper level, But I say with regret that as we record the unevenness or shall I say the environment we have created for entered a new millennium this idea the un-integratedness of my own ourselves moulds our intrinsic of national integration lost its sheen, citizenship. I would like to believe humanness. And it is in this context it did not attract anyone’s attention, that I am just another ordinary that democracy becomes a vital, it did not matter anymore. It is also Indian. But I am not, certainly not. I non-negotiable instrument—the possible that we became over- am born into a privileged caste and instrument of humanity. Democracy confident, arrogant about the un- class. I am English speaking and a lives in its spirit of intention—which penetrability of our syncretic culture. culturally empowered citizen of this is to make us all better human beings. We spoke much about development country. Whether I realise it or not It demands humanity from every and soon national-integration became and even if I am unable to accept its citizen, community and government, passé. In spite of socially equalising realness, this is a fact. And being a and hence has not been and will legislations such as the Right for singer, in a tradition that is steeped never be easy. We have gone Information Act of 2005 and in all these qualifications I become through times when we placed NREGA, we somehow forgot that an emblem of what is being touted democracy under siege. Born in if we do not remain caring of our today as ‘Indian Culture’. I am a January 1976, I am a child of one of people and vigilant of the dangers preferred-citizen. I may try to those difficult times. that lurked behind the scenes, we will understand but will never, in my But we did move ahead and enter times when who we are as a within, experience what it means to beyond. nation will be under serious threat. be a Dalit, Muslim or a tribal and will never be just another person on the The goal of national integration And here we are today. street. As I grew up in the 1980s and Ugly jingoism early ’90s, national integration was But my art, Carnatik music, has We live in times when national a significant part of my vocabulary. given me a gift. A gift of experience, integration has been replaced by an Leaders from across the political a gift of empathy, a gift to sense life ugly form of nationalism—jingoism. spectrum spoke about this with great beyond my limitations. This We are being told what to eat, wear, vigour re-enforcing its centrality to experience made me realise that my say, think and be. One monolithic India. In spite of the terrible violence art, my way of life, my beliefs, order is being forced on us as Indian that erupted at various times in religion, practices, rituals and culture. As a person of and in culture different parts of the country, we everything else that makes me who let me say this unequivocally, there seemed to recover and an inner I am is just one dot in the grand is no one Indian culture—there are consciousness in our civil society universe of India. Indian cultures—the plurality is the kept reiterating our togetherness. It is art’s generosity that brings signifier of integration. Uniformity And in this context I must mention me here today. breeds homogeneity, unity through Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s national integration cradles respect. The human being is a complex apology for the 1984 riots. This was creature, one part of which is a reflective and essential statement. We are facing one of the greatest designed to own, control, subjugate, Some detractors may say ‘it does not challenges posed to our democracy, discipline and dictate. But there is change anything’. It cannot change constitution, plurality, citizenship and another beautiful side to us, the the past but definitely changes the socialism. These cornerstones of sensitive, empathetic and future. India are being subverted,

The full text of the Carnatic musician, T M Krishna’s speech while accepting the Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration for 2015-16 12 JANATA, November 5, 2017 dismantled, maligned and morphed right before our eyes. The methods The Growing Burden of Inequalities being used are not secretive anymore, dissenters have been killed Bharat Dogra and all of us who resist are being warned of what is coming. Economic inequalities are not only 20 years of age) during this period. If there is anytime that national a big hindrance in the path of justice integration needs to be brought back and meeting basic needs of all people, During 1980-2014, the top 10 into public thought, it is today and in addition they are also a threat to percent of the population was able there is no time to waste. And this long-term broad-based economic to capture about two-thirds of the integration is not just about religious progress as well as to democracy. It total increase of income during this minorities; it is as much about Dalits, is therefore highly unfortunate that period, while the bottom 90 percent tribals, ethnic and linguistic considerations relating to promotion of the population had to be content minorities. The basic fabric of India of economic equality and checking with only one-third of it. is its cultures and if we allow that to economic inequalities have been be poisoned, we would have placed increasingly neglected in India in Thus, it is clear that income on the sacrificial altar our entire recent decades, particularly from the inequalities have been increasing at civilisational consciousness. The 1980s and even more so from the unacceptably high rates in recent battle will be lost and we just cannot 1990s. years. This, moreover, is only one let that happen. aspect of increasing economic Questioning, resisting, Several aspects of accentuating inequalities. In rural areas land learning and discovering inequalities have been becoming redistribution progress has been almost entirely given up during the I will continue this journey of increasingly clear in recent years, but last 35 years; on the other hand, land questioning, resisting, learning and if any further proof of the worsening has been taken from farmers for discovering. And in accepting this trends was needed, we can refer to award, I am just a conduit to creating the recent widely discussed working private industrialists, miners and real more discourses on who we are as paper titled Indian Income estate developers on a more a country and where we want to be. Inequality 1922-24: From British massive scale than ever before. In I thank all those who have travelled Raj to Billionaire Raj, written urban areas increasing inequalities this path and continue to inspire and by Thomas Piketty and Lucas are even more visible than in rural mentor me in my seekings. In Chancel. areas. Huge loans taken by some of essence I am merely continuing in the richest persons or business the tradition of India’s democratic This paper presents strong concerns related to them have not thinkers, who believed in our statistical evidence of the rapidly been paid back to such a massive goodness. increasing income inequality in India. extent that it has created a big The share of the top 1 percent part crisis—the crisis of NPAs in the Before I end I would like to render of the population in national income country’s banking system. a few verses from a hymn that is increased from 6.2 percent in 1982- part of Gandhiji’s Ashram songs. I 83 to 21.7 percent in 2013-14 (the These trends of increasing hope we can keep these words in highest ever recorded share of the inequalities lead to denial of our hearts and expand its horizons. top 1 percent in India). Income of resources for the most important Om tat sat, Shri Narayana tu the top 0.01 percent of the country’s tasks of fighting poverty and hunger Siddhabuddhi tu, population during the period 1980- while also retarding broad-based, Skanda vinayaka savita pavaka tu 2014 grew by 1,834 percent, and the sustainable economic progress in Brahma mazda tu, Yahva shakti tu income of the top 0.001 percent grew various ways. Hence one of our most Ishu pita prabhu tu, Rudra vishnu tu by 2,726 percent. In sharp contrast, important priorities is to check this Ramakrishna tu, Raheem ta O tu the income of the bottom 50 percent increasing drift towards higher Vishvarupa tu, Advitiya tu of the population grew by only 89 economic inequalities with a firm Akala nirbhaya atma linga tu, percent (containing all adults above hand. Om tat sat. JANATA, November 5, 2017 13

Press Release Kisan Mukti Yatra Gets Rousing Reception in Bengal

 Accuses Prime Minister and Krishnan, Joint Secretary of All India the resistance built against land Bengal Chief Minister of Kisan Sabha, paid tributes to the acquisition under the Bhoomi Betraying Farmers hundreds of martyrs in the district Adhikar Andolan banner, and killed by TMC-Maoist goons and expressed confidence that the united  Demands that TMC Govt said that the struggle of the people resistance built will defeat the Procure Paddy at Rs 2,300/quintal of Jhargram despite extreme conspiracy of BJP and TMC to like under Kerala LDF Govt repression is an inspiration for all. divide the people and finally emerge He attacked the corrupt TMC victorious.  Demands Liberation from Debt Government citing how even for all Kisans in Bengal mythological figures Narada and Dr Sunilam of NAPM explained Sarada in Bengal have become the formation of the AIKSCC after The Eastern leg of the Kisan synonymous with corruption. the killing of 6 farmers in Mandsaur Mukti Yatra began from Bhangor in Abhishek Banerji is competing with and how more than 180 Bengal on October 28, 2017 by Jay Shah for unprecedented increase organisations across the country had paying tributes to martyrs Mofizul in wealth, which needs to be come together to demand liberation Khan and Alamgir Mollah, killed in investigated. He pointed out that from debts and remunerative MSP police firing while protesting against while the MSP of paddy was Rs according to the Swaminathan forcible land acquisition for power 1,550/quintal, in Bengal farmers Commission recommendations i.e. at grid. The Yatra reached Jhargram were not getting even Rs 900/quintal least 50 percent above the cost of District (part of erstwhile Paschim and there was no government production. He congratulated the Midnapore District) on October 29, procurement. In contrast to this, the people for defying the atmosphere 2017 to a massive reception by Left Democratic Front Government of terror in the region under TMC peasants, agricultural workers, in Kerala was procuring paddy for a rule and attending the programme in Adivasis and Dalits with different record Rs 2,300/quintal. The Tripura large numbers. Lambasting the organisations representing them Left Front Government is providing Narendra Modi-led BJP present in solidarity. Hundreds of up to 92 days of work under Government, he said that it was the representatives of the Bengal MGNREGA, but the BJP most anti-farmer government ever Platform of Mass Organisations, a Government is not allocating funds. in India and the Prime Minister had platform that includes 118 In Bengal, MGNREGA is functioning betrayed the farmers by making fake organisations and which is on a State- dismally under the TMC promises. He also criticised the wide Padayatra covering more than Government. Even the Adivasis in untold suffering imposed on the 40,000 villages in the State against Bengal have not got Forest Rights people in the name of demonetisation communal BJP-RSS as well as the despite more than a decade after the and GST, while the corporates were Narendra Modi-led BJP Forest rights Act. Food security has being given huge concessions. Government, corrupt and anti-people been compromised and for the first TMC and against neo-liberal time farmers in Bengal were forced Amiya Patra, Secretary, Paschim economic policies, were also present to commit suicide as they are not Banga Khet Mazdoor Union in a show of solidarity. The public getting proper price for paddy, jute, (AIAWU), Pulin Behari Baskey (Ex- meeting at the Netaji Subhash potato and other crops. After coming MP and Secretary of Adivasi Chandra Bose Chowk saw to power in the name of Maa, Maati Adhikar Rashtriya Manch), Tapan enthusiastic participation and began and Maanush, TMC was looting Batabyal (All India Kisan Maha with cultural programmes and resources and unleashing untold Sabha), Santosh Rana (AIKS), revolutionary songs. repression on the people. He pointed Dhenga Hansda (All India Samyukt to the victories of the peasantry in Kisan Sabha), Bablu Banerji Addressing the meeting, Vijoo Rajasthan and Maharashtra and also (Paschim Banga Khet Majur 14 JANATA, November 5, 2017

Sanghati Samiti), Sukhchand Soren Sanghatan) and Ashok Banerji (All The Kisan Mukti Yatra will leave (All India Krantikari Kisan Sabha), India Agragami Kisan Sabha) also tomorrow to Bhubaneswar and Ashok Rana (Sramik Krishak addressed the meeting. Dibakar proceed from there to Jharkhand and Union), Panchanan Pradhan (All Hansda, District Secretary of AIKS, Bihar. India Kisan Khet Mazdoor presided over the meeting.

Kisan Mukti Yatra Enters Jharkhand

 Accuses PM & Jharkhand CM Central Government. insurance companies while the of Promoting Corporate Interests farmers had not got any & Land Grab Dr. Sunilam of NAPM said that compensation for their losses. more than 180 organisations had  Will Defeat Land Acquisition Act, come together to demand liberation Social activist Dayamani Barla 2017 and Efforts to Tamper with from debts and remunerative MSP said people of Jharkhand are united Land & Forest Rights according to the Swaminathan to defeat corporate loot and defend Commission recommendations i.e. at their rights. She warned that the  Condemns Move to Amend CNT least 50 percent above the cost of government will face the wrath of & SPT Acts production. He said the Raghubar the people. Das led BJP Government in the  Demands Liberation from Debt State was working in favour of the AIKS Joint Secretary Vijoo for all Kisans in Jharkhand and land mafia and the move to pass Krishnan, Prem Singh Gehlawat and MSP at 50% above Cost of Land Acquisition Act of 2017 was a Purushottam Sharma of AIKMS, Production step in that direction. The BJP Prahlad Ingole of Swabhimani Government has allowed corporates Shetkari Sanghatan, AIKMS leader The eastern leg of the Kisan Mukti to loot Jal, Jungle and Zameen, as from Telangana Chandrasekhar, Yatra entered Jharkhand on October well as mineral resources and Kamalendra Pratap of Jai Kisan 31, 2017 after passing through encouraged land grab. He further Andolan, Surjit Sinha, Secretary, Bengal and Odisha. It was received said that the programme ‘Mining Jharkhand Kisan Sabha, Shyam at Ranchi by several organisations Momentum of Jharkhand’ is a Sundar Mahto (Joint Secretary) and representing hundreds of peasants, license to loot. Puran Mahto (General Secretary) of agricultural workers, Adivasis and AIKMS, Mahendra Pathak, General Dalits. A public meeting was held Rajaram Singh of AIKMS called Secretary, AIKS (Ajoy Bhavan), opposite the Raj Bhavan in Ranchi. upon people to unite against the Jharkhand, Suresh Munda, communal forces and neo-liberal President, DYFI, Jharkhand, Addressing the meeting Hannan economic policies. He said farmers’ Rangowati Devi, Joint Secretary, Mollah, General Secretary of All suicides and hunger deaths were AIDWA, Parasuram Mahto, India Kisan Sabha, attacked the increasing in Jharkhand under BJP Jharkhand Kisan Sabha, Ramlal Narendra Modi led BJP Government rule. He called upon all sections to Mahto, President, Jharkhand for betraying farmers and imposing take part in the Kisan Sansad at AIKMS and several others also burdens on them. He accused the Delhi from November 20, 2017 in spoke at the well attended public government of facilitating loot of large numbers. meeting. Rajendra Singh Munda, land, forest and mineral resources, President of Jharkhand Kisan Sabha, and pointed out that the united Avik Saha, Jai Kisan Andolan, said presided over the meeting. struggle of people had defeated the that the promises of the Narendra move to amend the CNT Act and Modi-led BJP Government like better The Kisan Mukti Yatra will leave SPT Act. He said that the unity built prices and doubling of farm incomes travel Jharkhand tomorrow and in the form of the AIKSCC was were fake. He specifically pointed travel in Bihar till November 5. unprecedented and will defeat the out that the Pradhan Mantri Fasal anti-people economic policies and Bima Yojana had transferred Released By Dr Sunilam on divisive politics of the BJP-led thousands of crores to private behalf of AIKSCC JANATA, November 5, 2017 15 Sufi Amba Prasad

Sufi Amba Prasad (1858-1917) his ancestral property was collaborator and friend was Sardar was one of our greatest freedom confiscated. Yet he did not budge , the elder uncle of Shahid fighters and editors. His inspiring role even once from the path of fighting Bhagat Singh and they together was not confined to India alone but for the freedom of his country, escaped to Iran when their arrest also spilled over to Iran. This year turning away with great contempt all appeared to be on cards. his 100th death anniversary is being offers to compromise his position by observed in both these countries. offering him a good salary or a Sufi Ji continued his valiant palatial house. efforts even from Iran. He even What we really need to learn from managed to start a newspaper there. the very inspiring life of Sufi Amba Secondly what we need to learn However the British were on the Prasad is that courage and from him in the present day troubled lookout for him and finally found and determination can help to overcome times is his great commitment to the arrested but not before he offered all obstacles if there is clarity about harmony and unity of all religions. very valiant resistance, fighting with aims and strong will-power to pursue Although Sufi Ji was respected as a a revolver in his left hand. He was these aims in our life. Sufi Ji was Muslim scholar he worked in the imprisoned in Sheeraj and died in his born with only one arm. At a closest collaboration with friends prison cell there. relatively early age for his work from other religionsto such an extent relating to journalism he was jailed that any religious differences were Bharat Dogra twice, tortured, denied medicare and not even visible. His closest

(Continued from Page 2) years ago we came together and we shared innumerable experiences Janata Subscription together in the dust and heat of the struggle for independence and in the long silence of prison life where we Annual Rs. : 260/- spent—I forget now—four or five Madhu Dandavate years together at various places, and Three Years : 750/- By inevitably got to know each other intimately; and so, for many of us, it Demand Draft / Cheque B. Vivekanandan is a grievous loss and a grievous blow, even as it is a grievous loss for our on Price: Rs. 20/- country. There is the public sense of loss and there is the private sense of Mumbai Bank loss and a feeling that somebody of in favour of rare distinction has gone and it will JANATA TRUST be very difficult to find his like D-15, Ganesh Prasad, again.” JANATA TRUST Naushir Bharucha Marg, Remembering Acharya on his D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Grant Road (W), 127th birth anniversary, one regrets Mumbai 400 007. the state of political-intellectual Naushir Bharucha Marg, scenario of today’s India. Our Grant Road (W), leaders, who were engaged in the freedom struggle were in Mumbai 400 007. comparison incomparably inspirational, and so insightful R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, November 5, 2017 Postal Registration No. MCW/275/2015-2017. License to Post without prepayment WPP License No. MR/Tech/WPP-210/West/2017 Published on Sunday, November 5, 2017 & Posted on Wedenesday, November 8, 2017 at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1

An infrastructure company established since 1924

REGD. OFFICE : New Excelsior Building, (3rd Floor), A.K. Nayak Marg, Fort, Mumbai 400001. Tel. : 022 2205 1231 Fax : 022-2205 1232

Office : Ahmedabad, 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 1 Pages 16 Price : Rupees Five

Vol. 72 No. 42 Supreme Court reopens Gandhi’s Case November 12, 2017 Kuldip Nayar

Bangladeshis in India and I think the Supreme Court’s order was provided to counter the plot. Rohingyas in Bangladesh to appoint an amicus curie in Sandeep Pandey Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination is Only 48 hours earlier, Madan Lal important. More about how it of this radical group had placed a happened and why, are two points bomb at the back wall of Gandhiji’s which needs pursued. The plea filed prayer meeting platform. I used to Nehru for Our Time attend the prayer meeting. I was Rajmohan Gandhi by Dr. Pankaj Phadnis, a trustee of , however, suggests there on the day the blast took place. a foreign hand. But that remains to The Mahatma showed no concern be proven. and conducted prayers as if nothing Containing China? had happened. I too thought that it D. K. Giri I recall that the assassination was must be a cracker. Only when I read the biggest security lapse. I was the next day’s newspapers did I working at the news desk of Anjam, realise how close was Gandhiji to an Urdu daily, when PTI teleprinter death. Demonetisation: rang the bell which a news agency One Year Later does only in rare cases. I jumped Sardar Patel was the Home Neeraj Jain from the desk to see the story. It said, Minister then. Following Gandhiji’s ‘Mahatma Gandhi shot.’ There was murder, he submitted his resignation no other detail. I asked my colleague, to admit his failure. But Prime who had a motorbike, to drop me at Minister Jawaharlal Nehru told him the Birla House where there was that the Mahatma wanted both of practically no security. One person them to build modern India. Later, Editor : manned an apology for the door. even the ban on the RSS was lifted. G. G. Parikh Managing Editor : Guddi Today, when Mahatma Gandhi’s The Home Ministry at that time assassination is recalled with a sense should have probed more to D-15, Ganesh Prasad, of loss and sorrow, the point understand how deep the Hindu right had spread. Even Sardar Patel had Naushir Bharucha Marg, forgotten is that it was the biggest lapse of security. The government remarked at that time that the RSS Mumbai - 400 007. had ample evidence to infer that a had created an ‘atmosphere’’ where Email : [email protected] radical Hindu group was out to kill something like this could happen. Website:www.janataweekly.org the Mahatma. Yet very little security When I joined the ministry in 1955 2 JANATA, November 12, 2017 as Information Officer and served are going through today. The assassination. It is true that a few there for nearly 10 years, I tried to government looks at them with Hindu extremists were arrested. Yet find some leads. There was not a suspicion as if they are trying to oust I believe that the plot was larger, shred of evidence to make me infer the government. The power which involving scores of people in high that the case was thoroughly probed. the BJP wields is unchecked. In a places. The confession of Swami Or, maybe, there is something democratic set up, Prime Minister Aseemanand, connected with the incriminating involving some persons Narendra Modi has cornered all the Malegaon bomb blasts, has shown in the government that the power and rules the country by that the network of Hindu ultras was government does not want to himself. The party pays lip sympathy quite wide. So must have been the disclose. The Archives of India has to Gandhiji and puts up his photo at case when Gandhiji was shot dead. not yet got from the Home Ministry meetings and that too because it even the papers on ‘Transfer of attracts votes. Even otherwise, the Tushar Gandhi, who moved for the Power’, which is also the title of Mahatma hardly fits into the free first time in the Apex Court, said he the three-volume book brought out market economy and the inequitable can explain his locus in the case and by the British within two or three growth of today. opposed the plea, saying there was years of their departure to tell their no point in reopening of the case. The side of the story. No doubt, the law and order apex court, which has appointed a machinery at that time bungled. But senior advocate as an amicus curiae Soon after the Mahatma’s it is strange that no police officer of in the matter, said it would wait for assassination, when I reached the that time has left a plausible account his report before going ahead with Birla House, I did not see anybody of the events leading to the the case. guarding the place where Gandhiji fell after having been shot. Some Footprints of A blood was on the path leading to the Janata Subscription prayer platform. There was no Crusader policeman around to ensure the Annual Rs. : 260/- (The Life Story of Mrunal Gore) preservation of blood, important evidence. Three Years : 750/- by Why has no government has gone Demand Draft / Cheque back to those days to reconstruct on events? I can understand the BJP’s Rohini Gawankar diffidence because its mentor, the Mumbai Bank in favour RSS, did not want any probe even of to begin with. But the Congress governments should have perhaps dug deeper. JANATA TRUST Published by The only piece of information is D-15, Ganesh Prasad, the trial and the judgment delivered Naushir Bharucha Marg, by the then Punjab High Court at Mumbai 400 007 Simla. It is an open secret that some Kamalakar Subhedar, ladies of civil society knitted pullovers Secretary, Samata Shikshan Sanstha, for Godse. The government, for Janata reasons best known to it, has been Pareira Wadi, Mohili Village, reticent on these things. Sakinaka, Ghatkopar(W), Mumbai 400072. The 132-year history of the is available at Mobile: 9820092255 Congress hardly brings out what the followers of Gandhiji went through www.lohiatoday.com Contribution: Rs.300+ after his assassination and what they JANATA, November 12, 2017 3 Bangladeshis in India and Rohingyas in Bangladesh

Sandeep Pandey

Indian Home Minister Rajnath was expressed for illegal among them have ventured to Singh says that Rohingya’s in India Bangladeshi immigrants. assimilate themselves in local are illegal immigrants not refugees. Bangladeshis are also very poor. politics, have contested elections To justify his argument he says They come to seek jobs in India. and even held high offices. Rohingyas have not come to India Most Bangladeshis in north India are Mahendra Chaudhry became Prime by following proper procedure and garbage collectors. Some of them Minister of Fiji, Mauritius has had making a formal application for sell black masala tea on court several Indian Presidents and PMs seeking asylum. Now the entire campuses. The people who used to including the present one, Anerood world knows that Rohingyas had to traditionally do the garbage collection Jugnauth, Trinidad and Tobago had flee Myanmar when they faced work are in better jobs or doing Basdeo Pandey as its PM and persecution there. Does Rajnath sanitation work in better paid jobs former Governor of South Carolina, Singh expect them to go to the like regular government service. Nikki Haley is current US Indian Embassy in Myanmar or in Hence Bangladeshis are not taking Ambassador to United Nations, to Dhaka to make a formal application away the jobs of any Indians. They just name a few. for seeking asylum when their are doing work which no Indians priority is to keep their families want to do. Question is how is an Indian together and somehow survive as illegally going to Gulf different from they run away from the security of There are Indians migrating to a Bangladeshi illegally coming to find a home in Rakhine to an uncertain Gulf and other countries of the world work in India? Just because s(he) future. The Indian government including the United States illegally or the Rohingyas are Muslims is it wants to deport all of the 40,000 in search of job. There are 5 lakh correct to brand all of them as Rohingyas who’re in India. illegal Indian immigrants living in US potential threats to India’s security? However, it would be a violation of alone. Indians have been migrating There are more people living in India, the principle of non-refoulement, i.e., since ages. Initially when the system some very influential, who pose not sending back refugees where of passports and visas was not there greater threat to national security they are unwelcome. But Rajnath it was not considered illegal to move than these poor immigrants. Singh says that India not being a from one part of the world to another. signatory to the UN Refugees But slowly restrictions began to be There is movement of workers Convention it would not violate any placed on such movements. within the country too. Workers from international law if it chose to deport Suddenly some people found that poorer states like UP, Bihar, Odisha, Rohingyas to Myanmar. The Home they were illegal. For people who Chattisgarh migrate to better off Minister is trying to hide behind the cannot get a passport made or obtain states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, veil of technicalities but is this a visa from the country they wish to Punjab to find work. For Shiv Sena response expected of a regional travel to, like in all other government there is no difference between a power aspiring to be a world departments there are middlemen, Bangladeshi or a person from UP or leader? This is probably the first who can get the work done for a Bihar who is seen as competitor with time in its long history when India hefty fee. For example, if somebody locals for odd jobs. Hence the issue is trying to shut its doors to a from Gujarat wanted to go to US, is not that of nationality or religion refugee or a visitor from abroad. the asking rate for preparing the alone. required travel documents is about Irrespective of all evidence that Rs. 20 lakhs. The Bhartiya Janata Party they are extremely impoverished Member of Parliament Varun Gandhi community the Indian government Indians are settled in various has rightly called for display of sees them as potential security corners of the world for several empathy towards Rohingya threat. Earlier a similar apprehension generations now. More enterprising immigrants with a willingness to 4 JANATA, November 12, 2017 grant them asylum after examining Nehru for Our Time them case by case satisfying outselves on security concerns. However, the rational suggestion of Rajmohan Gandhi Varun Gandhi was countered with a question on his commitment to national interest by his own party’s The 17-year span, from 1947 to willing to say how we could go about Minister. The atmosphere of 1964, of Jawaharlal Nehru’s it. Told eventually that only the prime nationalist jingoism created by the premiership, took this writer from minister could decide whether the Hindutva brigade precludes the being an 11-year-old schoolboy to prestigious venue could be rented by possibility of any meaningful age 28. That youngster was cheeky non-governmental persons, I sought discussion on any issue. The BJP enough, in his twenties, to find fault an appointment and was lucky sticks to its pre-decided stance on with some policies of “Panditji”, enough to get it. every matter with no scope for which is how almost everyone then course correction. The arrogance of addressed a much-loved prime Vimla Sindhi, remembered by Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh minister who had spent his life toiling many as the cheerful person does not let them examine any for India’s freedom. receiving visitors at Teen Murti, alternative point of view. greeted me. I was ushered into In the late 1950s, I found it hard Panditji’s presence. He was seated The Indian government should try to understand how a lover of on a sofa in a ground floor room. I to convince government of individual liberty like Nehru could was offered a seat opposite his. Myanmar to accept the Rohingyas overlook the Soviet state’s Nehru was not only close to his 74th back. But unless Myanmar is ready oppressions. And although socialism, birthday but also unwell, impacted by for this it would be improper to push which Nehru was advocating, held the war the previous year with the Rohingyas back into their an appeal for me, so did Rajaji’s China.“Kahiye,” he said to 28-year- territory. As a regional leader India critique of the emerging licence- old me. is expected to help Bangladesh deal permit-quota raj over which, it with the current refugee crisis seemed, Nehru was presiding. I informed him of the reason for created there because of entry of troubling him. He showed little over six lakh Rohingyas from However, an instinctive adulation surprise that India’s Prime Minister Myanmar. It cannot simply wash its dwarfed these critical reactions, and had to decide whether the Vigyan hands off any responsibility by I was quite touched by the first Bhavan auditorium could be made merely sending some relief material serious conversation I had with available for a non-official event, there. Narendra Modi has the Nehru. This took place in the late asked me the date, wrote it down, ambition of being remembered as a summer of 1963, in what everyone said it was OK, and told me whom good PM. But he does not possess now knows as Teen Murti Bhavan, to contact. the statesman like quality which any but what many then thought of, great leader must exhibit. He visited remembering pre-1947 times, as the The meeting lasted only a few Myanmar during the middle of crisis British commander-in-chief’s house. minutes but I felt stirred as I left, but didn’t mention the issue of struck by his state of health and his Rohingya is his interaction with Before this meeting, I had seen helpful response, about which I had Aung San Suu Kyi, who has now Panditji. But, to use the modern not been confident for I was aware fallen from grace in the eyes of the phrase, I had not met him one-on- Nehru entertained reservations world. one. about MRA. Yet, I found him willing for the MRA event to be held in what The Bangladeshis in India must Here is why I had to meet him. perhaps was the capital’s finest be given a work permit without the Some of us planning an international venue then. citizenship status and Rohingyas Moral Re-Armament (MRA) event must be given refugee status if India in Delhi tried to book Vigyan Bhavan When the event took place, is to be seen as country with large for half a day in November 1963, but attended by many (including Rajaji, heart. no one in any government office was a sharp Nehru critic then), Panditji JANATA, November 12, 2017 5 acceded to another request from me. The world knows a state can be prosecuted if they confront This was for an appointment for coerce. Or elements in society can. “good” extremists. Calls for Peter Howard, the British writer A government may allow non-state transparency on alleged encounter heading MRA. intimidators to lead the way until the killings are shouted down. time is ripe for the government to When, accompanied by me, coerce directly — or for the bullies We are becoming a mirror Howard called on him in his South to take over the government. image of our neighbour and can Block office, Nehru seemed frailer. expect to see demands for He had to swallow a couple of pills Today, we hear calls for silencing newspapers, TV channels, films, while talking to us but seemed quite brave human rights activists, threats schools and universities to exclude interested in what Howard had to say to ruin those who make films that material unwelcome to vigilante and also in photographs I showed of include Pakistanis. Humiliating groups. young Indians interested in a bid for, promises have been extracted. “a clean, strong and united India”. Policemen are glorified when they Lovers of liberty should prepare act against “bad” extremists but may themselves. Six months later, on May 27 1964, I was at a camp in the Nilgiris with A Beloved Freedom Fighter, then a Reviled numerous young Indians when word arrived of Nehru’s death. While Nation-Builder: The Pain of being Nehru conveying the news, I choked. Everyone felt bereaved. Apoorvanand More than 52 years later, persons like me are hurt by the false stories Bhagat Singh, a 21-year-old It is amusing that Nehru is singled disseminated about that astonishing, revolutionary, writing in 1928 makes an out for every perceived abomination; if also human and flawed, figure interesting comparison between Partition, Kashmir, illiteracy, the whom millions loved and were proud Subhash Chandra Bose and Jawaharlal Hindu rate of growth, non-arrival of of. Nehru. Describing Bose as a narrow, socialism, communalism, and, of emotional nationalist, he advises the course, dynastic succession. He is Crucially, Nehru’s ceaseless youth of Punjab to follow Nehru, a seen as an ambitious man who, by concern for the mind of India is rational internationalist, as he alone cunningly winning the Mahatma’s missed. He wanted that mind to be could give them the right kind of trust, deprived worthier leaders like innovative, rational and free. When intellectual nutrition. Nearly 90 years Sardar Patel, Rajaji, a coercive call was made anywhere later, he would be censored by his and J.P. Narayan of their due. They in the land, Nehru rose at once to followers for such retrograde views. are, in popular imagination, the denounce it. More than his 14 years wronged. in prison, his 55 years of tireless Bhagat Singh became a martyr service, his accomplishments as symbolising eternal youth, Bose H.Y. Sharda Prasad felt Nehru prime minister for 17 years, it was remains the ever-living guerrilla to be the most loved figure after his love of personal liberty that India fighter and Gandhi, Nehru’s mentor, Krishna in this land. The affair was needs to recall today. was killed by an independent India not to last long. Once a heart-throb and elevated to sainthood. Nehru of the masses, prime minister And also his flair with words. Not would outlive them all, moving past Nehru created unease, especially many books stimulated a couple of the romantic phase of nationalism to in educated Indians. His insistence Indian generations the way Nehru’s perform the prosaic task of state- on not using force as a first resort Autobiography and Discovery of making. His once-lovable face, which to resolve conflict was seen as India did. Few speeches were more had attracted Amrita Sher-Gil for its a sign of weakness. Hindus have affecting than “A ” sensitivity, was to suffer the not been able to forgive him for or “The light has gone out’. Both blemishes of age. Disappointments his idea of secularism and were connected to a passion for and failures as an administrator were insisting on treating Muslims as personal liberty. to further dent his image. equal citizens. 6 JANATA, November 12, 2017

Nehru presided over the business and Right and create an ideological fit into the neat categories of of lawmaking, seeking to replace consensus in society to enlarge the predefined identities can aspire to be the communitarian conventions spaces of shared life. The educated icons. Only natural that Nehru, an governing the lives of the people. It classes of India, who benefited most ambiguous figure, homesick in the was bound to challenge their belief from his institution-building process, West but alien and lonely in his own system and hurt them. There was did not subscribe to the scientific and land, born a Brahmin but seen as no Gandhi to support him. The rationalist philosophy behind it. They half-Christian, half-Muslim, a warrior Congress, a party of Hindu insulated their lives from his cries. against colonialism but no English- patriarchs, wasn’t convinced of his He was seen as someone who hater, a leader of the nationalist scientific-rationalist outlook and wanted, using his unassailable movement but no nationalist, is now refused to play the role of social authority, to deprive them of nobody’s child. educator. He had little help from the sacredness and sever their ties with Communists, who faulted him for the religious past which gave them Nehru warned Richard not being revolutionary enough. JP, security. Attenborough not to deify Gandhi in who held a special place in the hearts his film. He paid heed. We didn’t. of the masses, refused his invitation In an era of identity politics and We judge Nehru as a fallible being. to play a role in this transformatory, militant nationalism, only those who Would he hold a grudge ? post-romantic nation-building process. Ram Manohar Lohia, once his favourite, turned into an eternal SM Joshi Socialist Foundation and Lokayat in rebel. Ambedkar did work with him association with other Progressive Groups of Pune for a while but, in the face of stiff resistance from Parliament on the Launch Campaign to Raise People’s Hindu Code Bill, gave up. Faced Understanding About the Indian Constitution with the prospect of a long-drawn battle with a conservative Hindu October 28 to November 26 (Samvidhaan Divas) society, Ambedkar took his followers to Buddhism, a religion, and turned into a god himself. Nehru’s At the initiative of SM Joshi In this context, they decided to focus scientific-rationalist views and Socialist Foundation and Lokayat, a on two issues: training didn’t permit such easy meeting of some progressive groups ways out. of Pune was organised on October 1) Making people aware of what 11, 2017 wherein it was decided to the Constitution expects from the Rajni Kothari, writing in 1964, launch a campaign to raise the people, which is outlined in recognised the enormity and awareness of people, especially the Article 51A that talks of complexity of the task history had youth and students, on the Indian Constitutional duties—including bequeathed to Nehru. Nehru, wrote Constitution. This is to debunk the rising above religion, caste and Kothari, “taught leaders the art of false nationalism being propagated region and loving all the people managing men and institutions and by the BJP-RSS, which have of the country, cherishing the based political solidarity on the reduced nationalism to shouting syncretic culture of the country, complex mechanics of secular slogans like ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ and upholding the spirit of the relationships rather than on neat putting up large size national flags in freedom struggle, renouncing notation of sacrifices and Universities and calling all critics of practices derogatory to the transcendental nationalism”. the government as anti-nationals. dignity of women, and so on. The various groups decided to form It required patience, perseverance a forum called Samvidhaan Jagar 2) Making people aware of the and hope in the human capacity to Abhiyaan Samiti and campaign desire of the founding fathers of communicate and reform, to be able amongst people that true nationalism, the nation regarding the to survive the tardiness of this love for the nation, means loving the orientation of economic policies process. There was also a need to people of the country and upholding that future governments should overcome the neat divide of Left the spirit of the Indian Constitution. pursue. This is outlined in the JANATA, November 12, 2017 7

Directive Principles of the Constitution. Dr. Ambedkar Press Release made it very clear in his speeches on the floor of the Chandrasekhar should be released: Constitutional Assembly that the Directive Principles are to be Socialist Party (India) fundamental to governance for all future governments, and that they must strive to implement The Socialist Party (India) [SPI(I)] demands immediate their spirit. This includes striving release of Chandrashekhar Azad ‘Ravan’, Bhim Army chief, to make available education, from prison and removal of National Security Act (NSA) imposed healthcare, nutrition and decent on him. Chandrasekhar is lodged in Saharanpur jail from 9 June employment to all people of the 2017. He is an accused in four cases of inciting violence and country. property damage during the incident at Saharanpur Dehat Kotwali on 9 May 2017. The Allahabad High Court ordered his release Loving the nation essentially on bail on 2 November 2017 in all the four cases. But the next means striving to fulfill these desires day after the bail orders of the Allahabad High Court, the Uttar of the nation’s founding fathers, and Pradesh Government imposed NSA on him. While ordering upholding the values propounded in Chandrasekhar to be released on bail, the High Court has the Constitutional duties section of admitted that the cases filed against him are politically motivated. the Constitution. But the Uttar Pradesh government has imposed NSA on Chandrasekhar, ignoring the remarks of the court. According to The meeting was attended by this draconian law, he cannot come out of jail for a year. The representatives of several groups. government has decided to slap NSA on Chandrashekhar The attendees included Subhash to keep him in detention. This shows that the present Uttar Ware, Haji Nadaf, Vithal Gaekwad, Pradesh government has no faith in the justice system and Milind Deshmukh, Nandini Jadhav, citizen rights. Ibrahim Khan, Shamsuddin Tamboli, Adv. Santosh Mhaske, Neeraj Jain, SP(I) believes that the decision to impose the NSA on and several student representatives Chandrasekhar is entirely motivated by political reasons. Since of different groups. Chandrashekhar has been granted bail by the High Court, he should be released from jail immediately, and the NSA imposed The campaign will include rallies on him should be removed. in different parts of the city, programs in various slums to educate The National Security Act, enacted in 1980, is a gross violation people about the Constitution, of the civil rights granted by the Constitution. Governments have campaigns, distribution of pamphlets repeatedly abused this law. It has now also been misused in the and booklets, street play and songs, case of Chandrasekhar. Socialist Party (India) urges the central etc. government to repeal the NSA.

The inaugural rally was organised SP(I) is ready to extend legal help to Chandrashekhar in this on October 28 in Tadiwala road area. matter. If the activists of Bhim Army wish so, then a senior It was a huge success, with more member of SP(I), Justice Rajindar Sachar, will fight his case in than 300 people participating in the the Allahabad High Court with the support of Senior Advocate rally. The next rally was organised Ravikiran Jain. in Gokhale Nagar – Wadarwadi area bastis on November 4, in the form Janki Prasad Gaur of a Samvidhaan Dindi. Rallies will President also be organised in Hadapsar area Socialist Party (India) Uttar Pradesh (Continued on Page 11) 8 JANATA, November 12, 2017 Containing China?

D. K. Giri

“China rises to Conquer” was the and taller than the mountains”. These maneuver, hosted the king to review catchphrase that echoed around the are, of course, political hyperboles, the ‘whole gamut of relations’, and world, mainly in Asia, after Xi Jinping there are no permanent friends or to discuss preparation for the golden became the exalted leader of the foes in international politics, it is the jubilee celebration of diplomatic ties Communist Party of China at the national interest that guides relations. in 2018. 19th Congress last month. Buoyed by nationalism and capitalism, twin On the other hand, China is New Delhi has two other projects pillars of Xi’s ideology, China aspires abrasive in diplomacy, not making with Bhutan, one strategic, and the for a world role. It seeks to fill the any sacrifices to install itself in the other economic. It has mooted the spot vacated by the US that looks leadership position. It should open its idea of BIMSTEC – Bay of Bengal more inward, and withdraws from markets, take a magnanimous initiative for multi-sectoral, technical positions of influence. Beijing’s position on territorial disputes, be firm and economic co-operation. This strategic thinking is, in the absence with volatile leadership of North project is conceived as an alternative of US backing, its neighbours would Korea and so on. The economic and to SAARC, which is defunct owing take an accommodative stance. security concerns vis-à-vis Beijing to irreconcilable differences China is putting this thinking into test have not abated. Therefore, India between India and Pakistan on by means of both inducements and should prepare itself economically, cross-border terrorism etc. pressure. militarily and diplomatically for a long-term rivalry with it. Bhutan is the key partner in this As the investments from Japan initiative. BIMSTEC comprises and the western countries dwindle, How is New Delhi preparing to Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, China is stepping into extending loan deal with Beijing? Two current Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and or investment to the developing initiatives merit mention in this Thailand. These countries constitute countries, mainly in the Asia. context. One is the recent visit of 21% of the world population, totaling Nepalese Ambassador to India Deep Bhutan king Jigme Khesar Namgyal 1.5 billion people, and have the GDP Upadhyay said in a seminar: “we Wangchuck last week with his wife of $2.5 trillion. The second is to tap have kith-and-kin relation with India, queen and one-year-old crown into the huge potential of hydel power but we would like tap the surplus prince. The visit was significant for in Bhutan. money that China has.” at least two reasons. It followed the 73-day Doklam standoff between After India’s flip-flop on Tibet India faces the brunt of Chinese Indian and Chinese armies. Second, under Nehru, Bhutan remains the world ambition, and its jealousy as a Thimpu is New Delhi’s close friend. buffer between the Asian two big competitor in Asia. Beijing wants to India is Bhutan’s largest trading powers, hence becoming the key to scuttle India’s regional and global partner, 82% of Bhutan’s total India’s China strategy. Let us recall rise. For the fourth time, it has imports are accounted for by India that Tibet was kept as a buffer blocked India, the US and other and 90% of its exports come to between India and China by the countries’ bid to list the mastermind India. British, but Nehru gave away all our of Pathankot terror attack Masood influence on it, without reciprocal Azhar as a global terrorist. It plans Prime Minister Modi, after guarantees from Beijing. Now, New to build Pakistan at par with India. assuming office, chose Bhutan to be Delhi considers Tibetans as a State- The China-Pakistan axis is precisely his first visit abroad. Bhutan does not in-exile, where as Beijing treats Tibet meant to stem India, in Asia’s new have diplomatic contact with China. as one of its provinces. India’s geo-politics. Some observers in both But Beijing wants to bypass New support to and perception of Tibet is these countries would say that their Delhi, in dealing with Thimpu. New like crying over spilt milk. Be that as friendship is “deeper than the ocean, Delhi will want to thwart this it may, New Delhi cannot afford to JANATA, November 12, 2017 9 equivocate or fumble on Bhutan, and extension of joint military exercise concern. This is a great departure must avoid repeating the blunder. called “Exercise Malabar”. It was from India’s policy of non-alignment initially between US and India, Japan in the past. Foreign policy experts The other grand strategy New later joined as a permanent member; continue to debate if non-alignment Delhi is contemplating is in fact, the Australia and Singapore also have was a viable policy. In an brainchild of Japanese Prime sent their warships. China calls interdependent world, staying neutral Minister Shinzo Abe, who just won Quad the Asian ‘NATO’. or non-aligned is not an option. India a landslide victory to run the fourth has paid a heavy price for doing so. term in office. This is the policy of In response to Tokyo’s revived Its defence budget staggeringly shot Quadrilateralism involving Japan, initiative on ‘Quad’, India, unlike in up taking away the critical funds US, India and Australia. The project the past, has responded readily. The needed for its development projects. was conceived in 2007, but got closer India-Japan relation, what I At any rate, all that is behind us now. aborted next year as Australia call Japindia vs Chinpak has helped developed cold feet not to antagonise the new initiative progress fast. New Finally, India could play the China. After the resounding victory Delhi has stated unambiguously that Chinese game. China took Japanese in the elections, and in the wake of it will be open to any move that and Western investment, by offering North Korean missile threat, backed aligns with India’s interest and its cheap labour, India could do the tacitly by China, Abe has revived the promotes its view point. Although same. China promises $85 billion project, and other three countries Japindia predate NaMo, he has investment in India. So, for India, it have responded positively. added greater depth and substance. need not be a zero-sum geo-politics Tokyo would like to look beyond the with China. India could manoeuver This is Abe’s pet project in Asian US, and India beyond non-alignment. some of the development accruing Multilateralism. Obviously, China’s Unlike in the past, New Delhi is out of China’s wealth to India’s unilateralism and expansionism drive ready to embark on any complex advantage. makes other Asian powers to band geo-political jousting in Asia in order together. In an interview, Japanese to advance its interest. However, At the end of the day, all these foreign minister said, “Japan will Anthony Yazaki, an expert on India- boil down to deft diplomacy. Abe propose a top-level dialogue with the Japan relations, comments, “for said after his election victory, “strong US, India, and Australia to promote India, embracing Japan is work in support at home, helps one pursue free-trade and defence cooperation progress”. But, it is on the right track. bold policy abroad.” Can NaMo say across Indian Ocean, from South the same after De Mo, GST clutter, China Sea to Africa.” Japan would On containing China, New Delhi and religious vigilantism etc ? like to see deep and substantive can out manoeuver Beijing. cooperation among the four on Admittedly, India, as of now, does Madhu Dandavate defence, maritime security and not have the financial wherewithal infrastructure development. In 2007, to compete in a like-for-like fashion, By Abe had foreseen an “arc of observed Andrew Small, of German freedom and prosperity along the Marshall Fund, an expert of China, B. Vivekanandan outer rim of the Eurasian continent.” US and Pakistan relations. In South- Asia India, does not have outside The ‘Quad’, a broader Asian partners to contain China, China is network will allow the free flow of making forays into South Asia. The Price: Rs. 20/- people, goods, capital and OBOR – One Belt-One-Road, the knowledge. Its principle is shared biggest Chinese power game, is not and established only the purpose and met with any collective response. Janata Trust process have to evolve. For the US ‘Quad’ may provide one. D-15, Ganesh Prasad, since Obama Adminstration, they withdrew from the G-2 joint Significantly, India is embedded in Naushir Bharucha Marg, leadership with China, and wanted a network of strategic relationships, Grant Road (W), to install India as a pivot to their Asia unlike China, which will surely, have Mumbai 400 007. strategy. For New Delhi, it is an an edge. That is precisely Beijing’s 10 JANATA, November 12, 2017 As the Guru so the Disciple

Sankara Narayanan

While speaking at Diwali-Milan The country, he said, is not much Barring the core ideology, function organised at the BJP aware of the practice of democracy divergent views about a party’s headquarters in New Delhi on within parties and the media should policies and programmes are very October 28, 2017, Prime Minister turn its attention to it. He added, normal. Even the core ideology Narendra Modi in a veiled warning ‘Whether democratic values are a changes with time. Party issues are to his own party men said the BJP is part of their (parties’) core values public issues and they need to be speaking in different voices. or not, should be debated widely. . . discussed publicly. To expect . I believe the development of a true complete unanimity is undemocratic He called for a debate on democratic spirit within political and it amounts to regimentation. internal democracy in political parties is necessary not only for the Though all political parties dislike parties, asserting that the growth country’s future but also for differing views within them, BJP is of ‘true democratic spirit’ within democracy.” Shourie’s ridicule that a class by itself in this respect them is necessary for the country’s BJP government is a government of because of its regimented future. But how he had responded 2.5 persons (Modi, Amit Shah and upbringing. to even the very mild critical views an in house lawyer) reveals much of his party’s elected about the true democracy prevailing The most prominent ideologue of representatives and cadre on under Modi. Standard Operating the RSS, Guru Golwalkar, while demonetisation and GST was also Procedure of the Modi sarkar, addressing a gathering of top ranking widely reported in the media. according to Shourie, is to abuse its RSS leaders on March 16, 1954, at Dissenting opinions of senior critics. Sindi, Wardha, said, “If we say that leaders like Yashwant Sinha and we are part of the organisation and Arun Shourie were ridiculed as the Modi lamented that there are many accept its discipline, then frustrated voices of job aspirants voices within the BJP. He noted that selectiveness has no place in life. Do @80. That is the real face of the earlier, when it was a small what is told. If told to play kabaddi, ‘true democratic spirit’ of the Modi organisation, and even during the play kabaddi; if told to hold meeting, sarkar and the BJP. times of Jana Sangh, its forerunner, then hold meeting. . . . For instance there used to be ‘ideological some of our friends were told to go Modi pointed out that funding to harmony’ from its central leadership and work for politics. That does not political parties is often debated but down to workers in the bottom rung. mean that they have great interest not their values, ideology, internal The party’s expansion might be a or inspiration for it. They don’t die democracy and how they give reason behind divergent views, he for politics like fish without water. If opportunities to the new generation said. they are told to withdraw from of leaders. But funding of political politics then also there is no objection. parties is no less important than Modi’s statement that the Their discretion is just not their values, ideology and internal development of a true democratic required.” (Shri Guruji Samagra democracy. He is on a weak wicket spirit within political parties is Darshan or SGSD, Vol III, p. 32) in the case of funding received by necessary not only for the country’s his party, and hence the deliberate future but also for democracy, and In another significant statement, diversion. How he has given his distaste over many voices within Golwalkar said, “We know that some opportunities to the new generation the BJP, do not go together. When of our Swayamsevaks work in of leaders is well exhibited in the internal discussions are choked, the politics. There they have to organise, post-Modi era in Gujarat, where dissent bursts out in different forms according to the needs of work, leaders of taluka-level calibre have to reach the public. Should there be public meetings, processions etc., been entrusted with the state’s complete unanimity of views within have to raise slogans. All these administration. the party? things have no place in our work. JANATA, November 12, 2017 11

However, like the character in a play, dispensation, all the three are rolled democratic spirit and inner party whatever role has been assigned into one entity—Modi. Strangely, democracy. should be portrayed with best of while he and his government are not capability. But sometimes accountable to the party, the party is Reference: Swayamsevaks go beyond the role answerable to him. And his assigned to a performer (nat) as they government is answerable to an Shamsul Islam, “An Open Letter develop over-zealousness in their unconstitutional authority to the ‘Hindu Nationalist’, hearts, to the extent that they headquartered in Nagpur. He, his Narendra Damodardas Modi Ji, become useless for this work. This party and the government are mere Chief Minister of Gujarat”, http:/ is not good.” (SGSD, Vol IV, pp. 4- performers. Yet, he audaciously www.revolutionarydemocracy.org/ 5) gives a grandiose lecture on true rdv19n2/letter.htm.

Golwalkar while addressing a (Continued from Page 7) group of 1,350 top level cadres of on November 11, and Ambedkar related to the campaign. Subhash the RSS in 1940 stated: “RSS inspired Nagar basti on November. The Ware and Neeraj Jain were the main by one flag, one leader and one concluding program will take place speakers at the workshop, in which ideology is lighting the flame of on November 26 at SM Joshi more than 80 activists from all over Hindutva in each and every corner Socialist Foundation Auditorium. Western Maharashtra participated. of this great land.” (SGSD Vol I, p. 11). This decree of ‘one flag, one The organisers plan to take this This is the first phase of the leader and one ideology’ was also campaign to all over Maharashtra. campaign. The second phase will the battle cry of fascist and Nazi A daylong workshop was organised take place from November 26 to parties of Europe in the first half of on November 5 for activists at SM January 26, the details of which will 20th century. What they did to Joshi Socialist Foundation to advance be worked out as this present democracy is well-known to this their understanding of the issues campaign advances. world.

We find here Golwalkar referring to the Swayamsevaks loaned to the political satellite as nats who are meant to dance to the tune of the RSS. It should be noted here that the above plan of Golwalkar of controlling the political arm was elaborated in March 1960, almost nine years after the establishment of the Jana Sangh (the forerunner of the BJP) in 1951. If the leaders of Jana Sangh/BJP are supposed to be ‘nats’, just imagine the plight of the party’s cadre! The naked truth is that RSS makes its cadres spineless. As a pracharak of the Sangh and a disciple of Guru Golwalkar, Modi has Price: Rs. 20/- dutifully converted the government and the party into spineless nats. Janata Trust D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Naushir In a democratic form of state, the Bharucha Marg, government comes first, the Grant Road (W), organisation or the party next, and Mumbai 400 007. the leader comes last. But in Modi’s 12 JANATA, November 12, 2017 Demonetisation: One Year Later

Neeraj Jain

Those who take the meat from the quoted former Finance Minister P. of the government to fight black table, Teach contentment. Chidambaram and also a former money and corruption. Many people Those for whom the contribution is Reserve Bank of India (RBI) believed these claims, and the BJP destined, Demand sacrifice. Deputy Governor, even if the won the state elections with an government printed note for note, unprecedented majority. On the first Those who eat their fill speak to the given the capacity of the four anniversary of demonetisation hungry, Of wonderful times to come. currency note printing presses in the (November 8, 2017), the BJP has Those who lead the country into the country, it would take at least six to announced plans to commemorate it abyss, Call ruling too difficult seven months for these printing as ‘anti-Black Money Day’. For ordinary men. presses to print new notes to replace – Bertolt Brecht all the scrapped notes.2 Once printed, EXAMINING GOVERNMENT CLAIMS the notes had to sent to the remotest Exactly a year ago, in a televised corners of the country—5,93,731 Let us examine the claims of the address on November 8, 2016, Prime inhabited villages, 4,041 towns, 3,894 government about the benefits of Minister Narendra Modi announced census towns and 1,456 urban demonetisation one by one. that currency notes of Rs 500 and patches.3 Rs 1,000 denominations would no i) Will It Overcome the Problem longer be legal tender from midnight The sudden move without of Terrorist Financing and Curb that night. The Prime Minister stated adequate preparation for its Terrorism? that this step was being taken to curb consequences led to chaos across counterfeiting and funding of the country. People were first forced Terrorists need financing. Modi terrorism with fake notes, and most to queue up outside banks for hours and Jaitley argued that demo- importantly, to crack down on black to exchange/deposit their old notes. netisation would curb terror funding money in the country. After that, they had to stand outside by eliminating fake notes circulating banks almost daily in long queues to in the economy, and thus help reduce The total currency in circulation withdraw their money, because the incidents of terrorism. in the country at that time was banks were short of cash and were around Rs 17.9 lakh crore. Of this, permitting people to withdraw only What has happened on the around 86%, or around Rs 15.44 lakh Rs 2,000–4,000 at a time. The worst ground, one year later? Data from crore, was in Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 hit were the daily wage workers, as 10 months before the note-ban notes. This meant that till the they had to forgo a day’s wages in (January-November 2016) and the government replaced the abolished order to stand in the queues. It took 10 months after shows a 38% rise currency with new currency notes, several months for the cash crunch in the number of terrorist incidents the economy would have to make to ease. By then, around 120 people in Jammu and Kashmir. The number do with 14% of the currency has to had died of exhaustion waiting in of security personnel killed has risen 4 serve the task of the whole. Even these queues. by 2%. Clearly then, demonetisation though the Prime Minister claimed has not helped curb terrorism in any that the step was being planned for The Modi Government claims way. more than nine months,1 the that all these travails faced by the A simple analysis reveals that this monumental inefficiency of the Modi people were a small sacrifice for the was only to be expected. Terrorists Government becomes evident from gains of demonetisation. The BJP in use both banking channels and fake the fact that it had made no advance fact made demonetisation a key poll notes. The major part of their preparations for quick replacement plank during the UP Assembly financing is done through banking of the old notes with new notes. elections, claiming it to be a ‘pro- channels, using various innovative According to a newsreport that poor’ move that showed the resolve techniques. That cannot be curbed JANATA, November 12, 2017 13 by demonetisation. And so far as the world.8 But for all his its third, and most important, fake notes are concerned, to the idiosyncracies, Trump has never objective of demonetisation too. extent that terrorism is financed from even suggested demonetisation as a abroad, state actors are involved in way of tackling it. There is actually nothing printing these fake notes. They have surprising in this. Several pro-people sophisticated facilities to print fake iii) Has it Significantly Curbed the economists such as Professor Arun notes. They can easily duplicate the Black Economy? Kumar had shown, immediately after new notes too, and they did it within the demonetisation announcement, days! The recovered Both Modi and Jaitley have that this was no way of curbing the fake Rs 2,000 notes from two repeatedly claimed that black economy, and it would end in terrorists killed in Bandipore district demonetisation was an attack on the a complete failure. We had also of Jammu and Kashmir, less than a black economy. As mentioned made the same prediction in our fortnight after they came into earlier, the BJP is in fact booklet, Demonetisation: Yet circulation.5 commemorating the first anniversary Another Fraud on the People, of demonetisation as ‘anti-Black published in January 2017.11 All ii) Has It Overcome the Problem Money Day’. But figures released these predictions and analyses have of Counterfeit Notes? by the RBI belie their claim. The been borne out. We summarise these annual report of the RBI released analyses below. The RBI in its annual report on August 30, 2017 reveals that released in August 2017 says that Rs nearly Rs 15.28 lakh crore of the Rs Why Demonetisation was 43 crore of fake notes were 15.44 crore sucked out of circulation Destined to be a Failure detected in fiscal 2017. This includes by demonetisation had returned to notes of all denominations.6 That is the banking system.9 That is, only People think that black money a negligible amount. And when Rs 0.16 lakh crore, or 1% of the total means bundles of notes tucked away compared to the total value of currency circulating in the economy in suitcases or pillows or lockers. currency in circulation, Rs 17.9 lakh had not come back. This was the That is not the case. Then what is crore, it becomes even more total black cash that the government black money? For this, it is important negligible—only 0.002%. has been able to wipe out by this to understand the difference ‘historic’ measure. between three terms: black money, This is not unexpected; it is in tune black income and black wealth. All with previous figures. For fiscal That 99% of the demonetised three are different, and together 2015-16, RBI data show that the currency had found its way back to comprise what can be called the total value of fake notes was Rs the RBI has actually been an open ‘black economy’. People mix up 29.64 crore, which was 0.0018% of secret for quite some time. An article these terms, and use them the Rs 16.41 lakh crore currency in published in the eminent journal interchangeably. circulation.7 Economic and Political Weekly had shown, based on RBI data, that First you earn income; out of this, Was it worth giving citizens so 98.8% of Rs 15.44 lakh crore had you consume one part, and save the much trouble in order to eliminate come back by January 13, 2017.10 rest. This saving you invest in such a small amount of fake The RBI delayed acknowledging this various assets. That gives you your currency? And as the RBI itself for so long, to avoid embarrassment wealth. Wealth is held as a admits, the new notes are being to its masters. portfolio—you can invest it in real faked too, the above figure includes estate, gold, share market, etc. or fake Rs 2,000 notes too. RBI data thus prove, beyond hold it as cash. Thus, cash is only doubt, that demonetisation has one component of your wealth, and Just to mention in passing, the completely failed in making a dent a very small part of it. problem of fake notes is a global on the black economy. Official data phenomenon. In the USA also, there themselves prove that Modi’s and Coming to the black economy, are a large amount of fake dollars in BJP’s claims about demonetisation here, first, black income is generated circulation; the dollar is in fact among are nothing but bluster. The through a whole range of activities. the most counterfeited currencies in government has failed in achieving These activities can be entirely 14 JANATA, November 12, 2017 illegal, such as the drugs trade, or holders, black money holders also will often through a mechanism called the manufacture of fake medicines, be holding only a small fraction of P-notes (participatory notes, where or the arms trade, and so on. Or they their total income in cash at any point the ultimate investor is not identified can be activities which are of time. to the Indian market regulator completely legal, but are undeclared SEBI). The earnings on such (either wholly or in part), as people The point we are trying to make investments are not taxed in India want to avoid taxes. These can is, only a part of the black income is because India and Mauritius have a include: under-reporting of income held as cash. Most black money double tax–avoidance treaty by doctors or lawyers to save taxes; holders invest their incomes in assets, (according to which a Mauritian under-reporting of profits by which yield returns, such as buying entity investing in India does not industrialists by means such as land or shares with it, or sending it have to pay capital gains tax in overstating costs (for example, by abroad through various means. A India, and only pays taxes in showing purchase of raw material report of last year Mauritius), while at the same time at higher than actual prices) or gave several arguments to show that the investors pay little or no taxes understating production; and under- black money hoarders keep very in Mauritius too because of the tax invoicing and over-invoicing in little of their earnings in cash. It in structure there. The amendments to international trade. fact quoted a finance ministry official the Indo–Mauritius Treaty done in as saying that ill-gotten wealth May 2016 will not have much of an It is not the case that only black mostly enters the formal economic impact on this “round-tripping” of activity or black business is carried system through real estate and shell funds, as firstly, P-notes are out with cash, and white or normal companies.12 exempted from this amendment, and activity is carried out by cheque or secondly, there are other routes credit card or other such means. The part of black income that is available through which such funds Normal business also requires cash. kept in cash is what is actually black can be routed into India without So, normal cash holding and black money, while that invested in assets attracting much tax, such as through cash holding are not two different is black wealth. Demonetisation at Netherlands.13 FDI flows into the things. One may ask: that may be the most affects black money; it does real estate sector have zoomed in so, but is it not that black business is not affect black income generation, recent years—between 2005 and more dependent on cash nor does it affect black wealth one 2010, FDI in India’s real estate and transactions than white? The answer tiny bit. housing market jumped 80 times. In to this also is no. In both black and 2010, nearly $5,700 million of white business, cash is held for Let us consider a concrete foreign funds were invested in shorter or longer period, and then example of black income generation this sector. It is this infusion of thrown into circulation, and this is to understand this in greater detail. black money into real estate that equally so for both types of business. An especially important sector has contributed to the sharp Therefore, if currency is where black incomes are generated, and sustained rise in land prices, demonetised, both white and black and where black incomes are making housing unaffordable for cash holdings are affected, and both invested in a big way, is real estate. an overwhelming majority of are equally affected. Funds are taken out of the country Indians.14 through various illegal means such To put the same argument in as hawala channels, or over- We have discussed the round- another way, black businessmen are invoicing of imports, or under- tripping of black money in some detail as much capitalists as white invoicing of exports, or transfer to explain how a major part of black businessmen. It is only misers who pricing. They are then brought back incomes is invested via phoney legal hoard money; capitalists believe in into the country as foreign means, through banking channels. investing money to earn more money. investment or FDI (this is known as Such black incomes would not be And so, black money holders, like “round-tripping”) through channels affected by demonetisation. That white money holders, also try to such as the infamous Mauritius will only be curbed if the government expand their business by investing route. In this, sham corporations are takes steps to curb the illegal parking their black money/income. registered in Mauritius, through of funds abroad, and its round-trip Therefore, just like white money which funds are routed into India, back to India. JANATA, November 12, 2017 15

Estimating the Size of the Black the incomes in this sector are mostly service providers and other such Economy unrecorded, the dominant part of this sections of the population. Most of is not ‘black’. It is true that the the transactions in this sector are in Let us now try to make an incomes in this sector do not fall into cash. Apart from this informal sector, estimate of the size of the black the direct tax net, but then in any a significant portion of the cash in economy in India. This is not an case these incomes are too small to the economy is in businesses, like easy exercise. Estimates of the pay direct taxes; on the other hand, petrol pumps, railway stations, black income generated every year due to the tax structure of the Indian airports, etc., and this too is not black. vary from 25% to 75% of GDP.15 economy which collects more Therefore, of the total currency in An authoritative analysis has been revenue from indirect taxes rather circulation, assuming that half was made by Prof. Arun Kumar, an than direct taxes (70:30), they in the informal sector, and of the eminent economist who was anyway are subject to indirect remaining, at least 50–60% was in Professor at the Centre for taxes.18 In this sector come the businesses as legal currency, that Economic Studies and Planning at income of farmers and small traders means just around Rs 3 lakh crore the Jawaharlal Nehru University. He and daily wage workers and small would be black money.19 estimates the black income generation in India to be 62% of Table: Estimating Black Money in the Economy GDP. This is fairly close to the estimate made by a report of the Total GDP of India in 2016 ~ Rs 150 lakh crore National Institute of Public Finance Estimated size of Black Economy 62% of GDP and Policy in 2014 that estimated domestic black money as being equal Total amount of Black Income to 70% of GDP.16 The GDP for generated every year Rs 93 lakh crore 2016–17 is estimated at Rs 150 lakh Total value of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes (1) Rs 15.44 lakh crore crore, so 62% of that would be roughly Rs 93 lakh crore. This then Legal currency in circulation in informal is the size of the black income that economy (2) ~ 50% of (1) was generated in the economy in the Legal currency in the formal sector (3) 25–30% of (1) year 2016-17. Black wealth would be several times this amount, as it Estimated Black Money in circulation in has been accumulating over the economy (1–2–3) 20–25% of (1) years. Even assuming a low figure Total value of Black Money demonetised 20 x 15.44 / 100 = of say five times, this means black ~ Rs 3 lakh crore wealth would be around Rs 500 lakh crore. Black Money as % of Black Income generated every year 3 / 93 x 100 = 3.2% Let us now make an estimate of the black money in circulation as cash This is the maximum amount that fraction of the total black income in the economy. It is this ‘black cash’ the government was seeking to wipe generated in the economy in 2016- that the government attempted to out by demonetisation—Rs 3 lakh 17, and an even smaller fraction of demobilise by demonetisation. The crore. But this amount is just 3% of the black wealth. Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes in the total black income that would circulation in the economy totalled have been generated in the economy The most fatuous thing about the Rs 15.44 lakh crore. But not all the in fiscal 2016-17 (Rs 93 lakh crore), demonetisation exercise of the Modi notes in circulation are a part of the and 0.6% of the black wealth Government is that the government black economy. Thus, for instance, (assuming black wealth to be a low has taken no steps to attack the black a significant proportion of our Rs 500 lakh crore). Even if the income generation in the economy GDP—around half, according to government had been fully or the black wealth accumulated in CSO estimates—is produced in the successful in eliminating this Rs 3 the economy over the years. informal sector, and around 85% of lakh crore of black money, it would the population relies on it.17 While have eliminated only a very small (To be concluded) R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, November 12, 2017 Postal Registration No. MCW/275/2015-2017. License to Post without prepayment WPP License No. MR/Tech/WPP-210/West/2017 Published on Sunday, November 12, 2017 & Posted on Wedenesday November 15, 2017 at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1

GANNON DUNKERLEY & CO., LTD.

An infrastructure company established since 1924

REGD. OFFICE :

New Excelsior Building, (3rd Floor), A. K. Nayak Marg, Fort, Mumbai 400 001. Tel.: 022 2205 1231 Fax : 022-2205 1232

Office : Ahmedabad, 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 1 Pages 16 Price : Rupees Five

Vol. 72 No. 43 The Indo-China Baiting Game November 19, 2017 Kuldip Nayar

Love in the times of This is a familiar exercise. China Pakistan is only getting stronger to Fundamentalist Politics: Case resents India’s rule over Arunachal the concern of New Delhi. Not long of Hadiya Pradesh. New Delhi, on the other ago, Beijing had begun stapling visas Ram Puniyani hand, ignores the protests and treats of Indians visiting Arunachal. China the Northeast territory its own. wanted to indicate that it was a Beijing has been irked by Defence “separate territory” not part of India. Minister Nirmala Sitaraman’s visit to Massive Protest by Arunachal Pradesh. The noise was, New Delhi bore the humiliation Workers in Delhi, November quietly. In the past was China had 9-11, 2017 however, louder when the Dalai Lama went there earlier. accepted without demur the maps showing Arunachal Pradesh as China and India have seldom India’s territory. To recall the dispute, Arms Race Too Costly For agreed on where the actual border is over a small territory lying People of South Asia line lies. Beijing attacked India in between Arunachal and China’s Bharat Dogra 1962 when New Delhi tried to get border. The status of Arunachal back its territory. However, this time Pradesh has been seldom India showed its muscles with the questioned. stand-off at Doklam. China had to Demonetisation: One Year withdraw its forces behind the Tibet for China is like India’s Later present border. Prime Minister Kashmir which too has raised the Neeraj Jain Narendra Modi for BRICS in standard of independence. There is, September after the face-off, did however, one difference: the Dalai reduce tension. Lama is willing to accept an Editor : autonomous status within China. G. G. Parikh The positive side of the trip is the Kashmir today wants Managing Editor : Guddi reiteration by the two countries to independence. fight against terrorists. But here too D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Beijing elucidated its own. It has Maybe, the Kashmiris will come round to accept a similar status one Naushir Bharucha Marg, again renewed the proposed UN resolution which sought to put a ban day. The problem is so complicated Mumbai - 400 007. on Azar Masood, a well known that a minor change can lead to a Email : [email protected] terrorist. He could not be punished. major catastrophe. It is not worth Website:www.janataweekly.org The friendship of China and risking. 2 JANATA, November 19, 2017

I have visited Bomdila Pass from In fact, China’s problems with particularly when it is trying to where the Dalai Lama entered India India have roots in the British encircle India. China has given a big to seek asylum. His land, Tibet, had demarcation of the India-China loan to Nepal. The port which Sri been occupied by China, which also border. China refuses to Lanka is building is at the behest of has destroyed the Tibetans culture. acknowledge the MacMahon Line China. The Chinese have imposed that demarcates Arunachal Pradesh communism and shown no respect to be a part of India. Any activity Bangladesh Prime Minister for either Dalai Lama or his that takes place in this area is viewed Sheikh Hasina is happy that China monastery. by China skeptically. is trying to placate her. All should realize that India is no push over The Dalai Lama’s visit to Defence Minister Nirmala now. Apart from war, India has Arunachal Pradesh has brought Sitharaman’s visit to the “disputed’’ many options. Taiwan is a trump back the memories of the days territory despite Chinese protest card. It can revive the debate on before the Chinese annexed Tibet. showed that New Delhi was two Chinas. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s prepared for hostilities if it comes to first prime minister, did not raise that pass. Then, the Indian soldiers The question of terrorism is any objection at that time because did not have shoes for a mountain always there. Prime Minister he was on personal terms with combat. India is now a power to Narendra Modi agreed with a Chinese Premier Chou-En Lai. It reckon with. Chinese leader that they share is another story that he betrayed common concern over terrorism. A Nehru and attacked India. It It looks as if China would go on portion of Muslim population living occupied thousands of kilometres provoking India to exhaust its in China is beginning to assert itself. of India. It has shown no intention patience. When war is ruled out this The Chinese leaders are ignoring to vacate it. is the only option China has. How to the uprising. But they should realize retaliate, without resorting to that what the Muslims in China are Tibet is another story of betrayal. hostilities is the situation India faces. doing has the support of Muslims in True, it was under the suzerainty of other countries. Still China would Beijing but the autonomy of Tibet Beijing is trying to revive the be helped by non-Muslim countries was considered unviable. Suzerainty India-China Bhai Bhai scenario. because they see terrorism as heart means a government exercising New Delhi cannot trust Beijing, of Muslim chauvinism. political control over a dependent state. Suzerainty does not mean absorption. Tibet was not even a part Janata Subscription of China when India agreed to its suzerainty of China. Beijing betrayed Nehru again when it made the Dalai Annual Rs. : 260/- Lama’s stay at Lhasa impossible. The biggest betrayal was when Three Years : 750/- China attacked India eight years later, in 1962. Demand Draft / Cheque The Dalai Lama’s visit may not on have raised doubts about Tibet but it renewed the debate of its annexation Mumbai Bank in favour of by Beijing once again. China called his visit a “provocation”. It’s warning to India that the Dalai Lama’s visit JANATA TRUST would affect the normal relations D-15, Ganesh Prasad, Naushir Bharucha Marg, between the two countries. It Mumbai 400 007 intensified with Doklam. Yet, India managed to hold its own. JANATA, November 19, 2017 3 Love in the Times of Fundamentalist Politics: Case of Hadiya

Ram Puniyani

The politics of communal Court went to the extent of This issue of Love Jihad did polarisation in Kerala is focusing on declaring that a 24-year old girl is not exist a decade ago. This cleverly many identity issues, one being of tender mind and is gullible. The crafted campaign is based on Love Jihad, where a Hindu girl judges have probably forgotten that patriarchal notions, which are one married to a Muslim or Christian in India the age of voting is 18 of the core ingredients of communal man is targeted, and is legally years, after which a person politics. As per this communal manipulated in a manner to ensure becomes an adult and is responsible thinking, the notion of ‘our women’ that she is forced to be sent to her for one’s decisions and actions. vs. ‘their women’ guides them. A parents or sent to ‘anti-conversion Hadiya asserted in Court that her woman is regarded as the property clinics’. There is some public conversion and marriage to a of man and is considered a symbol knowledge about Hadiya and the Muslim man is out of her own of community honor. In bogey of Love Jihad, spiced up with volition. Later Court hearings did precipitating communal violence, stories about recruitment for not call her for depositions. Even rumours based on threat to ‘our participating in Jihad in Syria. A the latest Court verdict has given a women’ are put at the forefront, lot has also been coming in the month’s time before hearing her in the Mujaffarnagar violence being a media about the alleged immaturity person (October 30, 2017). These prime example of the same. At the of the girl Akhila, who converted to are surprising times. If an adult, a same time, violating the modesty of Islam and married a Muslim man, Homeopathic student, is considered women of the ‘other’ community who is a worker of Popular Front to be mature enough to take comes as a badge of honor in this of India (PFI). Other cases, like decisions about her life, then scheme of things. The Love Jihad that of Swetha, a Hindu woman keeping her in her parents’ custody issue began in Coastal Karnataka, confined in a Yoga Center, where away from her husband is where inter-religious marriages she is being pressurised to abandon unthinkable on moral and social were targeted, particularly when her marriage to a Christian man, grounds, grounds which should the girl was a Hindu and the boy are much less known. As per guide the interpretation of law and was a Muslim or a Christian. Swetha, the Yoga center is actually consequent decisions. a re-conversion clinic for those In an open society, social women who have adopted In the case of Swetha, the interaction among people of Christianity or Islam and married Yoga Center in Ernakulam, where different religions provides the non-Hindus. she has been detained, turns out ground for inter-community to be a place where emotional marriages, and is something which In the case of Akhila, the total blackmail and even threats are can be a strong cementing factor focus in the media on linking the being used to force girls to in the concept of Fraternity in the case to PFI and the alleged attempt abandon their new faith or to triad of Liberty, Equality and to join terrorist activity in Syria was force their spouse to convert to Fraternity. During the freedom brought in to give a different twist Hinduism. Another Hindu woman movement, people like Gandhi and to the case. This became the Sruthi Meledath also testified to a Ambedkar proactively talked about pretext for the NIA to step in. This similar experience when she was the role of intercommunity made the issue of conversion of asked to leave her Muslim husband marriages in promoting abolition of Akhila as a sinister plan to woo Anees Hamid, whom she planned caste, and extending this logic, inter- Hindu girls, covert them to Islam to marry. This was at Yogvidya religion marriages are the ground and induct them into terror modules. Kendram. The similarity of the on which communal harmony and Quite a fertile imagination of those agenda of such centers is very national integration find deeper and in authority. In Hadiya’s case, the clear. solid base. This is what should be 4 JANATA, November 19, 2017 the social orientation in a West Bengal the case of Priyanka others. Yoga Centres as decoys democratic society. With the clouds Todi and Rizwan Kausar is a for breaking inter-caste marriages of communal divisiveness coming painful reminder of the malady is sad news. Here deceit is the up on the horizon, patriarchal notions taking deep roots in society. While tool to break the spirit of girls and attempts to control the lives of patriarchal values are there in involved in the process. The women have become stronger. In other social ideologies also, in torture of the spouse involved in India, Hindu communalists in communalism and fundamentalism, these cases has not been much particular have been floating these are very deeply ingrained. recorded. As such love knows no organisations to discourage such While there are glorious examples boundaries of caste, class, religion alliances and break them when such of marriages of a Hindu boy with and nationality. One can say that unions take place. a Muslim girl and vice versa, it inter-religious marriages can also seems the intimidations of the likes be an index of communal harmony One recalls the notorious Babu of Hadiya and Shruthi are being and transition to a society where Bajrangi whose prime role was to taken to absurd limits to set an gender equality is respected and attack inter-community couples. In example in society to dissuade striven for!

This is how Swachch Bharat Treats its Sanitation Workers

Sandeep Pandey

Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia is a otherwise they have been warned Children of these workers, state government hospital in that they will be bulldozed. It is including the sanitation workers, Vibhuti Khand, Lucknow. noteworthy that while only one of study in schools which are near the According to government policy the 24 accommodated in campus Hospital and if the families are most regular hiring at lower levels housing is a sanitation worker, 10 expelled from the campus the studies has been replaced by contractual out of 14 facing eviction are of children will be affected. If the workers or worse labour sanitation workers all belonging to parents are forced to move quite far contractors supplying the staff. the Valmiki community, a away from the campus, the children One such agency Apnatech Scheduled Caste which has will not be admitted to any new Consultancy Services Pvt. Ltd. traditionally been involved in school at this advanced stage of the was given the contract for sanitation and manual scavenging academic year. They may even have supplying ward-boys, ward-ayas work in India. The elite society, to drop their year or studies. In such (maids), drivers and sanitation dominated by upper caste, has a scenario some of them may have workers. Except for the fact that always treated its manual workers, to return to their traditional they are paid by the contractor, mostly dalits, like this - the elite occupation rather than dream of for practical purposes all these extract work from them and doing something else to break the workers work as hospital staff. when it comes to providing the vicious cycle of manual work, which Twentyfour of these fortunate workers basic facilities, the elite is more of a humiliation, even after ones have been accommodated in simply refuse to take any the Prime Minister is running a high proper housing on Hospital responsibility. With the district profile campaign focused on it. The campus and while other 14, administration, hospital plight of these workers has never working in similar positions, have administration and the contractor been highlighted in the Clean India to live in temporary makeshift not willing to take any campaign and the current situation settlements on the campus itself. responsibility for these workers, shows the even after this campaign The contractor, on directions from they face an uncertain future. India will continue to treat its district administration, has issued They don’t know whether they’ll sanitation workers the way they a notice to its own workers to have their hutments and their work have been always treated and vacate the campus soon next week. humiliated. JANATA, November 19, 2017 5 Massive Protest by Workers in Delhi, November 9-11, 2017

Nearly 100,000 workers gathered This is not the first time this is favouring the management replacing at Delhi’s Parliament Street from 9 happening, of course. Mass protests the daily wage board pay scales. November 2017 to protest against by the working class have either And as the trade unions disappeared the central government’s policies been ignored by the Indian media, one by one in the newspaper that have adversely affected the or denigrated as nuisance which industry, the management control working class of India. The protest causes traffic jams. There were over the workers intensified, with – called ‘mahapadav’ or mega sit- two massive all India strikes – first even editors now hired and fired at in – continued till 11 November. in 2015 involving about 150 million will with merit and capability hardly workers and the world’s biggest being the qualification. It is one of the biggest workers industrial strike in 2016 involving protests in recent times and was a 180 million workers. But the media Second, the workers are seen as culmination of a long campaign just reported it as partial or even anti-employers. Their demands thus which covered practically all failed strike. On the other hand, increase the pressure on the districts of the country. It was protests of 40 people led by an Anna business houses, and the organised by 10 central trade unions Hazare or some NGOs or what governments that are resistant to and several workers’ and employees Modi’s followers are saying on his conceding what the poor of India federations representing about 10 own app tend to make it to the front need and want. For instance on the million workers of the country. pages of these newspapers and web last day Parliament street had portals. turned into a sea of women asking But that’s not “news” for the for better wages, health and major media houses in India. Most Why did the media black out education care, all pretty low on newspapers and television channels these protests? the list of those who are in did not carry any report on the government and those who control protest or carried small items buried Because the workers come in government. Hence the media, that deep inside their advertisement filled the way of the corporate-political works under the employers, decided pages. As far as one could make nexus. This is the first reason why not to give space to over a lakh of out, The Hindu, The Indian Express the huge rally that continued for workers and their demands.As and The Hindustan Times had no three days, with the workers drawn pressure makes the ‘employers’ report while there are small reports from all segments of life—industrial, uncomfortable and thus is has in The Times of India and The agrarian, mining—giving an insight become the duty of the owned and Business Line (which claimed the into the India that seems to have subservient media to ensure that protest was by “hundreds of been factored out of the headlines comfort levels are not damaged. workers” - without pictures so that of the corporate driven media. Both people don’t get to know of the suspicious and fearful of the Wages was a major issue. No real size of the gathering). organised trade union movement, revision of wages, low wages, with the massive mobilisation by the undue cut of wages, and various These are the same newspapers Left parties in particular, adding to methods used to ensure that the that spare no column inches in the rich and powerful paranoia. workers do not get what is their reporting about Prime Minister due. Modi’s smallest statements and Media houses and corporate activities. They are at the forefront houses worked to destroy the trade “Jo hamse takrayega, choor in discussing what the CII or FICCI unions in newspapers through the choor ho jayega” shouted the has said on this and that. They go 19980-1990’s to ensure that the workers as their leaders told the gaga over Satya Nadella and Sundar press workers and the working handful of reporters who were Pichai. But towards the suffering journalists were contained and there representing alternative media and anger of millions in this country, controlled. Television ensured a that the central employees felt there is no ink to be spared. crippling blow with contracts cheated, betrayed, over the 7th 6 JANATA, November 19, 2017 Planning Commission. They spoke Arms Race Too Costly For People of of how work had increased manifold, wages had not, as South Asia government jobs were not filled and vacancies continued. There has Bharat Dogra been no wage revisions for instance of postal employees working in the rural areas, no confirmations, no revision. Trade union facilities are There have been several reports The same newspaper reported on being withdrawn instead, and the during the last two or three years April 5 that the US Navy has government-corporate nexus is or so about increase in acquisition awarded a $170 million contract for working in unison to marginalise the of expensive weapons in various the manufacture of nine AH-1Z workers. countries of South Asia, a region Viper helicopters which will be with some of the highest rates of delivered to Pakistan. Quwa Those who own the newspapers poverty and deprivation in the defence news and analysis group too feel vulnerable against workers world. These reports have reported on August 4, 2016 that a unity, and hence are at one with appeared most in the context of contract regarding new generation the nexus to black out the poor of Pakistan and India. submarines was signed by Pakistan India. with China for purchase of eight According to the cover-story titled Chinese AIP submarines. Three, workers are India’s toiling Brothers in Arms by Ananth masses from coal mines, to Krishnan published in India Today, The Indian Express reported on anganwadis, to landless labour. They October 24, 2016, “Pakistan and March 15, 2016 quoting Jane’s are not the consumer class, and bring China are jointly producing JF-17 Defence Weekly that Pakistan is no direct benefit to the advertising Thunder light Fighter aircraft, while trying to get more F-16s from the and TRP linked revenues of the big talks for an export variant of China’s US as well as discussing with media. Giving them even a passing new fifth generation stealth fighter countries like Russia and France for mention is thus worthless, as it brings are ongoing. In August both new aircraft to match India’s no money and instead for the reasons countries moved towards clinching defense purchases. In September cited above actually cuts into the China’s biggest ever military deal - 2015 Russia offered to sell SU-35 revenue with the workers the $ 5 billion sale of eight attack planes to Pakistan. While stating that demanding a fair slice of the growth submarines likely to be deployed in the wide ranging collaboration with pie. By giving them space the big the Arabian Sea.” Further this report China gives them confidence, media does not want to justify or says that in 2015 Russia sold Pakistani officials said that India’s highlight their cause. Somehow the Pakistan four Mi-35 helicopter defense purchases also influence ostrich like approach has replaced gunships while earlier Russia sold the them to acquire matching conscientious and fair reportage, a RD-93 jet engines for the JF-17 technology. belief that if the media ignores an fighter aircraft. event and buries its head in the sand, In the context of India, DNA it will pass. Further this report said about webdesk reported on March 16, arms purchases by India that during 2016 that India’s Ministry of Little do the mass media outlets, the past three years the USA sold Defence signed 28 contracts worth today so indifferent and scornful of $4.4 billion worth of aircraft and Rs. 36,944 crore during the last six workers and their demands, realise helicopters to India but this was months with 28 vendors - 18 Indian that tomorrow, when this govt. turns exceeded by Russia’s $ 5 billion sales vendors and 10 foreign firms. The against any one of them and starts to India in the same period. Livemint reported on January 12, arm-twisting them – then it is these 2016, quoting the defence minister trade unions only that will stand by The Dawn reported on June 18 of India, that India has signed $5 them. But probably this is a lesson 2015 that Pakistan and Russia are billion worth defence offset everyone has to learn the painful close to finalizing a deal for purchase way. of Mi-35 Hind E attack helicopters. (Continued on Page 15) JANATA, November 19, 2017 7 Demonetisation: One Year Later - II

Neeraj Jain

It has attempted to attack only a like employers paying employees IS GOVERNMENT SERIOUS ABOUT small part of the black economy— salaries for several months in CURBING BLACK ECONOMY? the black cash stored with the people. advance, or giving money to the Even assuming that the government poor to deposit in their Jan Dhan Many people will argue: even if had succeeded in demobilising this accounts, to be returned later as demonetisation has not significantly Rs 3 lakh crore of black cash, black white money. Of the 25 crore Jan curbed the black economy, at least income is going to be generated in Dhan accounts opened by the poor, the Modi Government has shown its the year 2017-18 too, and the year 3 crore accounts had seen a total willingness to attack it, and will soon after that, and so on. Be it narcotic of nearly Rs 29,000 crore in come up with more steps to drugs or charging capitation fees, or increased deposits. eradicate this menace. be it hiding of incomes by lawyers and doctors, or be it understating real This explains why the government Even assuming this to be true estate deals or understating industry was not able to demobilise even Rs and assuming that the government profits, or be it under-invoicing and 3 lakh crore; it was able to wipe out initially wanted to tackle black over-invoicing in international trade, only 5% of this, or Rs 0.16 lakh money only (and not black income all this is going to continue in the crore. generation), the method adopted, of coming years too. demonetisation, was bizarre. To give Past Experience Too Proves This an analogy, if there is a crime in a Why the Government Failed to locality, this is like the police calling Eliminate Even Rs 3 Lakh Crore This is not the first time that all the residents of the locality to demonetisation has been done. In the police station to investigate The government permitted people 1978, the Morarji Desai Government whose hands have bloodstains, or to deposit Rs 2.5 lakh per person had demonetised currency, but it whose eyes are bloodshot, or who without questions being asked. had only demonetised high value was where at the time of the crime, Assuming that only the richest 3% notes—Rs 1,000, Rs 5,000 and Rs and so on. The correct way to people have black money, this 10,000 notes. In 1978, Rs 1,000 was pursue the case is to diligently means 3.6 crore people had black a lot of money. The step did little to investigate all the leads available, cash of totalling Rs 3 lakh crore. curb the black economy. But at least and then call in for questioning only This works out to an average black it did not affect the ordinary people, those who are the suspects. Similar money holding of less than Rs 1 as they did not use these high value is the case with black money. If lakh per person. Of course, not notes; the notes demonetised there is an honest tax administration everyone in the riches 3% would accounted for only 0.6% of the that operates without interference, have black income, and so many currency in circulation; and so life it can through painstaking efforts had black money more than the limit went on as usual. However, even unearth substantial amount of black of Rs 2.5 lakh specified by the then, the then RBI Governor I.G. incomes and black wealth. government. But they found Patel had pointed out that “such an Irrespective of how high and mighty innovative ways of converting their exercise seldom produces striking a person is, if he/she is prosecuted black money into white. Thus, on results” since people who have and sent to jail for tax evasion/black the day the demonetisation black money on a substantial scale activities, that will act as a deterrent announcement was made, jewellery rarely keep it in cash. “The idea to others. This is what is done in all shops were reported to be open till that black money or wealth is held countries that have taken some 3 am, issuing backdated receipts for in the form of notes tucked away effective steps to curb the black purchase of gold, jewellery, etc. in suitcases or pillow cases is economy, such as the US or UK— People also resorted to stratagems naïve.”1 they have acted to curb the black 8 JANATA, November 19, 2017 economy by serious investigation generated every year is parked in has even gone to the extent of and prosecution. land and gold/jewellery. The refusing to divulge the names of government can easily monitor big Indian having accounts in foreign In contrast, the Modi land deals and gold–jewellery banks in the Supreme Court. The Government, in the name of curbing purchases, and put them under BJP thus endorsed the previous UPA black money, through demonetisation scrutiny. Then again, our intelligence Government’s position on this issue, put into enormous hardship all people agencies are tracking export deals that it had earlier criticised. with cash, a majority of whom on a daily basis. A Hindustan Commenting on the application actually have white money. At the Times analysis of RBI data, gleaned moved by the attorney general on same time, it is wilfully not taking from 1972 to 2015, shows that behalf of the government in the any action against those who really 1,88,605 export transactions were Supreme Court, senior advocate are deeply involved in black income not remitted home, and involved Ram Jethmalani, who was the generation and have huge hoards of exports worth Rs 17 lakh crore.3 petitioner in the case, stated, “The black wealth. This is evident from This means that the government has government has made an application so many examples. the details of the deals through which should have been filed by the which money is being funnelled criminals. I am amazed.”6 For instance, black money is abroad. If the PM wants, he can generated in election funding. It is easily stop this outflow. As Actually, this is not surprising. estimated that probably nearly Rs discussed above, a known way of Journalist Josy Joseph, author of the 30,000 crore was spent by parties in storing black incomes is by sending book A Feast of Vultures, writes that the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. A the money abroad, and then bringing the biggest case of black money major part of this was spent by it back to invest in securities parked in offshore havens being Narendra Modi for his high-voltage through ‘P-notes’, which do not investigated by Indian authorities is electioneering. If the BJP was require the buyer to reveal his/her that of business tycoon Gautam indeed serious about curbing black identity. Both the UPA and the Adani.7 Considering the close money, it should have declared the supposedly anti-corruption BJP have relations between Adani and Modi, sources from where it got its funding, been reluctant to impose curbs on and the fact that Adani grew from and pressurised other parties to P-notes. Even after the government being a small time businessman to declare their sources of funding too. recently amended the Indo– one of India’s biggest business Instead of making funding of political Mauritius Double Taxation tycoons during just the decade when parties more transparent, the Modi Avoidance Treaty, taxation of P- Modi was Chief Minister of Gujarat, Government has made it more notes was left untouched.4 it is obvious that Adani will never be opaque. In March 2017, the prosecuted.8 government got the Lok Sabha to Another obvious step that the pass amendments to the Finance Bill government can take is to go after In 2016, 11 million documents held 2017 wherein it eased norms for those who have stashed their money by the Panama-based law firm contributions made by corporates to abroad. In February 2012, the Mossack Fonseca were leaked by political parties. The government director of India’s Central Bureau of an anonymous source, and obtained removed the funding limit of 7.5% Investigation stated that an estimated and made public by the International of the company’s net profit for the $500 billion or Rs 24.50 lakh crore Consortium of Investigative past three years, thus allowing has been stashed away by Indians Journalists. The documents show the private companies to provide in foreign tax havens, more than any myriad ways in which the world’s unlimited funding to their political other country.5 Modi had in fact rich exploit secretive tax havens to benefactors. But what is far more promised to bring this back in his hide their wealth. The leak, that worse is another provision approved election speeches, to the point that became known the world over as the by the Lok Sabha – the company no people had actually believed that the Panama Papers scandal, contained longer has to disclose the name of government was going to deposit Rs the names of 500 Indians who have the political party to which it has 15 lakh in each of their Jan Dhan links to offshore firms, including made the donation!2 accounts. But after winning the politicians, businessmen and films elections, the BJP Government made stars. The names include those of A large part of the black money a complete U-turn on the issue and Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, JANATA, November 19, 2017 9

DLF owner K.P. Singh, Garware spouses and dependent children. reference to shifting to a cashless family, Nira Radia, Harish Salve, and Similarly, it has not operationalised economy. Gautam Adani’s elder brother Vinod the Whistleblowers Protection Act Adani, to name a few.9 A year (WBP Act), despite it too having Just a month after this so-called before that, in February 2015, Indian being passed by Parliament. This ‘war on black money’ was launched, Express released the list of 1,195 Act provides a mechanism for the government shifted its rhetoric Indian account holders and their protecting the identity of to pushing for a cashless economy. balances for the year 2006–07 in whistleblowers—a term given to In his Mann Ki Baat speech on HSBC’s Geneva branch, in what has people who expose corruption. November 27, Prime Minister become infamous as the ‘Swiss Nearly 60 people have been killed Narendra Modi shifted his focus Leaks’. The names included several in the last few years for exposing from the drive against black money prominent Indian businessmen— corruption and wrongdoing in to exhorting the people to make the Mukesh Ambani, Anil Ambani, the government; had the law transition first to a ‘less-cash Anand Chand Burman, Rajan been operationalised, the lives of economy’ and then later a ‘cashless’ Nanda, Yashovardhan Birla, Chandru many of them could have been economy. He urged people to start Lachhmandas Raheja and Dattaraj saved.12 using cash substitutes like debit cards Salgaocar—and the top diamond and digital wallets. The RBI traders of the country—Russell Clearly, all the chest thumping by Governor, after maintaining a stoic Mehta, Anoop Mehta, Saunak PM Modi about fighting corruption silence for nearly 20 days after the Parikh, Chetan Mehta, Govindbhai is just a lot of hot air. note ban announcement, too shared Kakadia and Kunal Shah.10 The his mann ki baat on the same day, action so far? HSBC whistleblower Modi Changes Narrative to and urged people to migrate to a Herve Falciani, talking to the media Cashless Economy cashless society.13 The government in November 2015, said the Indian now began pushing its departments government “had not used The point we wish to make is that to shift from cash transactions to information on those illegally stashing the real purpose of the cashless transactions; for instance, away black money in foreign bank demonetisation exercise is not to curb the Urban Development Ministry has accounts, and still millions of crores the black economy. Had the announced that people will have to were flowing out.”11 government been serious about it, it make e-payments in matters of could have easily gone after those property tax, professional tax, utilities All this should not be surprising. responsible for generating and like water, power & gas, fee and Despite having come to power on storing black incomes both inside the licensing charges, etc. On December the plank of anti-corruption and good country and abroad. 8, the finance minister announced a governance, the Modi Government slew of incentives to encourage has actually been seeking to dilute This is also borne out by changes people to move towards cashless anti-corruption legislations. Soon in the government tune. On transactions, including: waiver of after coming to power, it made a U- November 8, when the government service tax on digital payments of turn on the issue of bringing political issued its first press release less than Rs 2,000; discounts on parties under the Right to announcing demonetisation, the petrol and diesel purchases, Information (RTI) Act; it had earlier release spoke extensively on the suburban railway tickets and toll supported this. It has not been keen black money issue, and made no payments at Toll Plazas on National on operationalising the Lokpal Act reference to moving towards a Highways if payment is made despite it having been notified in the cashless society. PM Modi’s speech, through digital means; and issuance gazette in January 2014, and has not also delivered on the same day, of ‘Rupay Kisan Cards’ to farmers appointed a Lokpal even after two- where he announced the decision to to enable them to make digital and-a-half years in office, for which ban Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes from transactions, as well as installation it was pulled up by the Supreme the banking system, also projected of two PoS machines (swipe Court earlier this year (2016). Not that the major focus of machines) free in 1 lakh villages with only that, in July 2016, it diluted this demonetisation was war on black population of less than 10,000.14 Act and exempted bureaucrats from money, terror funding and corruption. declaring assets and liabilities of their He too did not make any major According to the RBI, cash in 10 JANATA, November 19, 2017 circulation (CIC) to GDP ratio in the cash is 10.63% of GDP. Yet, tax the unorganised sector, which is economy has fallen from 12.2 per evasion in Britain every year totals almost completely dependent on cent of India’s GDP in March 2016 around 16 billion pounds, while the cash transactions. The three biggest to 8.8 per cent by end-March 2017. French Parliament says that tax components of India’s vast The government has been touting this evasion costs France between 40 unorganised sector are:21 figure as one of the successes of and 60 billion euros a year.19 demonetisation, claiming that a lower i) Agricultural sector, on which CIC to GDP ratio is indicative of Therefore, the new drive of the 53% of the population depend for lesser corruption.15 Modi Government to push towards their livelihoods; a less-cash economy will not affect The government is lying again. tax evasion and will not affect the ii) Small-scale or unorganised retail There is no connection between a black economy one bit. sector, which accounts for cashless economy and tax evasion around 9% of total employment; and generation of black incomes. On the other hand, instead of Currency notes are not necessary cash transactions, as the number iii) Small-scale or unorganised in generation of black money. Most of online transactions increases, it manufacturing sector, which of the black activities/tax evasion/ increases the risk of online frauds. accounts for 7.5% of total corruption in an economy are One study found that the value of employment. indulged in by the rich or the global online fraudulent transactions big corporations. And they use is expected to reach $25.6 billion All these sectors were already all kinds of legal accounting by 2020, up from $10.7 billion last struggling for survival as a result of gimmicks to do so, using banking year. Just a month before Modi the economic reforms launched in channels. announced the demonetisation drive, India in the name of globalisation India’s biggest internet banking since 1991. These reforms have Japan is supposed to be a less security breach occurred. Over 3 further accelerated under the Modi corrupt economy than India. Yet, its million debit cards and their pin Government. Now, its CIC to GDP ratio is much more than numbers were stolen by hackers, demonetisation decision and drive India, 19.4%.16 enabling the miscreants to steal towards a cashless economy has personal information and do only further crippled these sectors. On the other hand, in the USA, fraudulent transactions. Several PM Modi expecting the pavement according to the Federal Reserve, as banks, including State Bank of tea-seller or a roadside fish-seller much as $1.48 trillion is in circulation India, Yes Bank, ICICI Bank and to have a PoS machine with which as cash, which works out to Axis Bank, were hit by the attack. to accept payment from the credit approximately 8% of its GDP. This Newsreports say that banks have card of a daily wage worker, or figure is less than India.17 reported total fraudulent expecting a street hawker to sell a Nevertheless, hundreds of the withdrawals of Rs 1.3 crore dozen bananas and accept payment biggest US corporations have used because of the security breach. through Paytm, or expecting a small all kinds of accounting gimmicks to Considering India’s huge illiteracy farmer to make payment to his show their profits as having being and poverty levels, if the poor are labourers by cheques, or expecting earned by subsidiaries in offshore tax forced to shift to using debit/credit the owners of India’s tiny havens, so as to avoid paying US cards, it is going to be very easy manufacturing units to pay their taxes. According to one estimate, at for tricksters to defraud people of daily wage workers, who are paid least 303 of the Fortune 500 US their hard-earned money.20 daily on a piecemeal basis, by corporations collectively hold a electronic transfer every day, is akin whopping $2.4 trillion of profits Impact of Demonetisation on the to Marie Antoinette asking Parisians offshore, and thus are avoiding Economy to go eat cake. paying up to $695 billion in US federal income taxes.18 While demonetisation has not We take a brief look at the impact achieved any of its announced of demonetisation on the three The situation in Europe is no objectives, it has had a devastating unorganised sectors mentioned different. In the Eurozone countries, impact on the economy, especially above. JANATA, November 19, 2017 11

Impact on Agriculture which deflation has hit agriculture. 1991, despite the massive entry of The Central Statistics Office’s (CSO) giant Western corporations into the The majority of the Indian GDP data for April-June shows that economy, and despite the Indian peasants are small farmers with the annual growth in gross value economy having expanded at a rapid landholdings of less than one added from agriculture during the rate of 7.3% per annum during the hectare. The globalisation reforms quarter was only 2.3% in real terms decade 2000–10, it has not led to a have pushed the agricultural sector (i.e. at constant prices), as against generation of formal or organised into deep crisis, so much so that they 6.9 per cent for October-December. sector manufacturing jobs. Two have driven more than 3 lakh But farm prices fell by 2% during this decades later, the total farmers into committing suicide quarter, due to which the value of manufacturing sector employment in since the reforms began, the largest agricultural production rose by only India in 2010 was only 50.7 million, recorded wave of such deaths in 0.3% in nominal terms (that is, at or 11% of the total workforce; of this, history.22 current prices unadjusted for barely 16 million were organised inflation).24 It is this worsening crisis, sector jobs, the remaining 34.5 Now, demonetisation has further made worse by the government million were unorganised sector worsened this crisis. It was insistence on providing social sector jobs—that is, jobs in tiny units or announced just when the kharif crop benefits through Aadhar, that has led home-based manufacturing (this was being harvested and sowing for to an intensifying farmers’ movement includes jobs such as workers making the rabi crop was about to begin. This across the country in recent months.25 papads or rolling bidis in their pushed farmers into a difficult homes).28 situation. Business at the mandis fell Impact on Small-Scale Retail by anywhere from 25% to 70%, as Even though the overwhelming there were no buyers—the cash India has more than 1.49 crore number of jobs in the manufacturing crunch affected shopkeepers, hotels retail outlets, the highest in the world, sector continue to be in the and restaurants, and even the small of which the overwhelming number unorganised sector, for the last two street vendors. And so, traders at the are small retailers. Small-scale retail decades, this sector has been mandis did not have cash to pay to was already under severe attack struggling for survival due to the farmers for their produce (or they because of the gradual opening of globalisation policies such as ending forced farmers to sell at half the the various branches of this sector of reservations for small units and price); even if they paid in cheque, to foreign direct investment as a part decline of low interest bank credit farmers were not able to encash of the globalisation policies.26 for the small sector. them as banks faced a cash crunch. Demonetisation has had ruinous The other source of funding for consequences for it. According to Demonetisation simply devastated farmers, disbursal of loans by village- the Confederation of All India this already struggling sector. Nearly level credit cooperative societies, Traders—one of the largest trade 80% of the micro/small enterprises was also affected due to restrictions associations in India—businesses in in the country were badly hit. They imposed by the RBI on these markets across the country reduced are very small units, and have institutions. And so, farmers did not by a whopping 75% in the immediate innumerable backward and forward have the money to buy seeds and months following the demonetisation linkages, all of which are in cash. fertilisers, and to hire tractors and announcement. The reason was The drying up of cash pushed these other equipment, and pay their simple—people simply didn’t have industries to the wall. To give an labourers—affecting their sowing the cash to buy even essentials; even example, take the brass industry of for the next crop.23 if they had cash, it was a Rs 2,000 Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh. The raw note that most small traders were material for brass is supplied by Because of the government’s push unable to accept as they did not have people who deal in scrap. They buy towards a cashless economy, traders enough change.27 scrap from various places in cash, in mandis continue to be unwilling to and sell it to the consolidator who pay for agricultural produce in cash, Impact on Unorganised buys it in cash. The next stage is the because of which the agricultural Manufacturing Sector melting of scrap; it is turned into crisis has continued. It has resulted brass slab or bar. After that comes in falling farm prices, because of Since India began globalisation in the making of moulds—for instance, 12 JANATA, November 19, 2017 of a flower vase or a tap. The brass 5.7% on a year-on-year basis during elections, and has continued with the is melted and poured into these the April-June quarter of 2017-18. same policies of globalisation– moulds. After this stage, there are More significantly, this was the sixth liberalisation–privatisation that have craftsmen who make designs on it, consecutive quarter for which the been implemented in the country for then comes the stage of polishing, GDP growth has slowed down. It the last more than two decades. The then of lacquering. Each of these had touched a high of 9.1% in only difference—Modi is stages is based exclusively on cash. January-March 2016 quarter. After implementing them at an accelerated At each stage, the workers are paid that it has continuously slowed down, speed. The sole aim of these policies in cash, daily, on a piecemeal basis. to 7.9%, 7.5%, 7.0% and 6.1% in is to run the economy solely for the They earn, and spend it, on a daily the subsequent quarters, to 5.7% in naked profiteering of giant foreign basis. Demonetisation and the Q1 of 2017-18.31 corporations, and their junior resulting cash crunch brought this partners, the big Indian business thriving industry, which had a total Prof. Arun Kumar in fact argues houses. These policies are being turnover of Rs 6,000 crore, to a that this latest GDP growth rate implemented at the behest of the standstill. Likewise, the hosiery figure is a huge over-estimate. He governments of the developed industry of Ludhiana, the bangle points out that this official estimate countries led by the USA, and the industry of , the garment is largely based on data provided by international financial institutions industry of Tirupur, the chikankari the corporate sector and some other controlled by them, the World Bank industry of Lucknow, and so many organised sectors of the economy. and the International Monetary Fund other industries, employing lakhs of It does not include data from the (or IMF). The reason why the Indian workers, were also badly affected; unorganised sectors of the economy, Government is dutifully implementing thousands of units shut down, lakhs whose non-agriculture component their dictates is because of our huge of workers were rendered contributes to 31% of the GDP, and foreign debt, which under the Modi unemployed, and forced to go back which was hit hard by demonetisation Government has now topped $485 to their villages.29 and now the government decision to billion. (Discussing this issue in roll-in GST. While there are no greater detail is beyond the scope of The gross impact? The Centre for official surveys that capture the this booklet.33) Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) extent to which this sector was hit recently estimated that roughly four by demonetisation, private surveys As with the other important million jobs were lost post- indicate that that this sector was badly policies being implemented as a part demonetisation during the four month affected. Basing himself on data of globalisation, Washington is behind period from January to April provided by these private surveys, Modi Government’s demonetisation 201730—in an economy already Prof. Arun Kumar argues that it is exercise too! This may sound suffering from a huge unemployment possible that the GDP growth rate incredible to our readers, especially crisis. has actually fallen to way below the Modi bhakts, but there is enough 5.7%, and in all probability is near- evidence to substantiate this. All Economy Slowing Down zero.32 evidence points to the fact that PM Modi’s demonetisation and cashless The destructive effect of Then Why Demonetisation? drive has been implemented at the demonetisation on the informal behest of US Government’s sector caused demand to fall, If demonetisation is not going to development agency USAID. production to decline in several lead to a reduction in the black sectors, and rise in unemployment. economy—and the government Ever since the Modi Government These adverse impacts continued for obviously knows this—then what is came to power, it has been bowing several months, as money supply the real motive behind the to US pressure and implementing was not restored for several months. demonetisation exercise and now the policies to benefit US corporations, The obvious consequence—the push towards a less-cash economy? such as: amending the Land economy has been continuously Acquisition Act (on which the slowing down. Official data show After coming to power, the BJP government had to backtrack due to that the India’s GDP or gross made a complete U-turn on all the a countrywide protest movement); domestic product slowed down to promises made by it during the diluting India’s nuclear liability law JANATA, November 19, 2017 13 so that US nuclear corporations can India’s digital payments industry is years, India Lost At Least Rs 17 set up nuclear plants in India without estimated to have the potential of Trillion to Tax Havens”, November having to worry about paying growing to a whopping $500 billion 2, 2016, http:// indemnities in case of design defects by 2020, but only if millions of www.hindustantimes.com. causing a nuclear accident; and Indians can be drawn into the digital amending insurance laws to permit payments net!37 4 “No Change in Tax Treatment of P-Notes Post India–Mauritius increased inflow of foreign capital treaty: Hasmukh Adhia”, May 12, 34 USAID and its partner into India’s insurance sector. The 2016, http://indianexpress.com. push to demonetisation is a corporations are well aware that this continuation of this surrender to US policy would likely spell disaster for 5 “$500-Billion Stashed Away corporate interests. India’s small traders and producers, Abroad by Indians: CBI”, and people in remote regions; February 13, 2012, http:// In October 2016, the USAID and Beyond Cash had analysed the www.thehindubusiness line.com. the Indian Finance Ministry entered impact of demonetisation into an agreement known as extensively.38 But they are not 6 Dhananjay Mahapatra, “Now, Catalyst: Inclusive Cashless bothered. In today’s world Modi Govt Too Refuses to Name Payment Partnership with the goal dominated by big corporations, profit Foreign Bank Account Holders”, of effecting a quantum leap in maximisation is all that matters, even October 18, 2014, http:// cashless payments in India. The if these profits come drenched in the timesofindia.indiatimes.com. partnership was based on a report blood of lakhs of poor and starving 7 “What Exactly is Black Money, commissioned by USAID in 2015, people. and Can Demonetisation Make a and presented in January 2016, titled Dent in It?” November 12, 2016, Beyond Cash. The study and There is no doubt. While one may http://www.then ewsminute.com. subsequent plans were kept a have strong disagreements with the secret35—this explains Modi’s overall orientation and policy 8 Siddharth Varadarajan, “The Cult statement that preparations for framework of the various of Cronyism”, March 31, 2014, demonetisation had been going on for governments that have come to http://newsclick.in; Lola Nayar, many months before the November power at the Centre since Arindam Mukherjee, Sunit Arora, 8 announcement. Independence, the present BJP “All Along the Waterfront”, Government led by Narendra Modi March 10, 2014, http:// Who are the real beneficiaries of is undoubtedly the most anti-people www.outlookindia.com. this partnership and drive towards a of them all. 9 “Panama Papers: From Amitabh cashless economy? This is revealed Bachchan to Adani’s Brother, by USAID itself. In a press release References Names of 500 Indians Leaked”, following the release of the Beyond April 4, 2016, http:// Cash report, it declared, “Over 35 1 Jayati Ghosh, The Political www.business-standard. com; key Indian, American and Economy of Demonetising High “Exclusive: Panamagate India”, international organisations have Value Notes, op. cit.; Jahnavi Sen, April 8, 2016, http:// partnered with the Ministry of “Decision to Demonetise www.theindianeye. net. Finance and USAID on this Currency Shows They Don’t initiative.”36 These organisations are Understand Capitalism: Prabhat 10 Ashish Mehta, “Surgical Strike? mostly IT companies and payment Patnaik”, November 12, 2016, This was Aspirin for Cancer”, http://thewire.in. service providers who stand to November 9, 2016, http:// benefit from the increased digital www.governancenow.com; Ritu 2 Dinesh Unnikrishnan, “Finance Sarin, “Exclusive: HSBC Indian payments and from the associated Bill: Modi govt just made political List Just Doubled to 1195 Names. data generation. They include funding more opaque; Balance: Rs 25420 Cr”, February Microsoft, credit card companies transparency remains a promise”, 9, 2015, http://indianexpress.com. such as Mastercard and Visa, the March 23, 2017, http:// internet services company eBay www.firstpost.com. 11 Ashish Mehta, ibid. Inc., the financial services corporation Citigroup, among others. 3 Appu Esthose Suresh, “In 44 12 Gaurav Vivek Bhatnagar, “Modi 14 JANATA, November 19, 2017

Government Fares Poorly in Two- and 60 Billion Euros Per Year”, 25 Astha Kapoor, “How Year Report Card on Taking Anti- October 12, 2015, http:// demonetisation and Aadhaar Corruption Legislations www.humaniteinenglish.com. worsened Indian farmers’ plight”, Forward”, May 5, 2016, https:// June 9, 2017, https:// thewire.in; “Parliament Panel 20 Mayank Jain, “As Data for More www.dailyo.in. Slams Modi Govt for Not Than 32 Lakh Debit Cards Gets Implementing Lokpal”, April 28, Leaked, Here are Seven Things 26 For more details on this issue, see: 2015, http://www.firstpost.com; You Must Do Immediately ’’, “FDI in Retail: Development for “BJP Reverses Stand on Bringing October 21, 2016, https://scroll.in; Whom?” in Neeraj Jain, Essays Parties Under RTI”, August 1, Anand Adhikari, “19 Banks on Contemporary Indian 2014, http://www.livemint.com. Impacted by the Debit Card Data Economy, Aakar Books, Delhi, Fraud”, October 21, 2016, http:// 2016. 13 “Demonetisation: How Narendra www.businesstoday.in; Arindam Modi Changed Narrative from Mukherjee, “When Fraud Goes 27 “How Demonetisation has Hit Black Money to Cashless Online”, December 19, 2016, http:/ Small Traders Hard”, November Economy”, November 28, 2016, /www.outlookindia.com. 15, 2016, http:// http://www.firstpost.com. www.financialexpress.com; 21 Santosh Mehrotra et al., “Demonetisation: Small 14 “Government’s Digital Push: Top “Turnaround in India’s Businesses Hit Hard”, December 11 Incentives for Cashless Employment Story”, Economic 5, 2016, http:// Transactions”, December 8, 2016, and Political Weekly, August 31, timesofindia.indiatimes.com; http://timesofindia. 2013, http://www.epw.in. “Widespread Distress as indiatimes.com; “Govt Forcing Demonetisation Hits Small, Move to Cashless Transactions 22 For more on this, see: Spectre Medium Businesses Hard”, Rather Than Changing Spending of Fascism, op. cit.., pp. 54–59; November 24, 2016, http:// Habits”, November 27, 2016, http:/ Neeraj Jain, Globalisation or www.millenniumpost.in. /indianexpress.com. Recolonisation? Lokayat publication, 2006, available on 28 Santosh Mehrotra et al., op. cit. 15 Sreenivasan Jain and Sonal internet at www.lokayat.org.in. Matharu, “Did Notes Ban Curb 29 “Ludhiana Hosiery Industry Cash, Terrorism And Boost Formal 23 “At Delhi’s Azadpur Mandi, Lack Badly Hit by Demonetization”, Economy? A Fact Check”, of Money is Slowly Choking November 21, 2016, http:// September 2, 2017, https:// Business and Also Workers”, www.business-standard.com; www.ndtv.com. November 18, 2016, http:// Ajaz Ashraf, “Interview: thewire.in; “Demonetisation Demonetisation has Hit 80% of 16 Ibid. Impact: Vegetables, Fruits Trade Small Businesses, the Sector is Halves in Mumbai”, November 19, Staring at Apocalypse”, 17 Jennifer Spencer, “Jaitley Right– 2016, http://www.firstpost.com; December 6, 2016, https://scroll.in; and Wrong–On Currency in “RBI’s No Exchange Rule for Saher Naqvi, “Textile Market in Circulation”, http://factchecker.in; Cooperative Banks Hits Farmers”, Tirupur Badly Hit Post- “US Currency in Circulation”, November 18, 2016, http:// Demonetisation”, December 3, https://ycharts.com. economictimes.indiatimes.com; 2016, https://www.cmie.com. “Crisis of Credit: An Omission 18 “Fortune 500 Companies Hold a Most Untimely and Unfair”, 30 Mahesh Vyas, “1.5 million jobs Record $2.4 Trillion Offshore”, December 9, 2016, http:// lost in first four months of 2017", March 4, 2016, http://ctj.org. indianexpress.com; “Vegetables July 11, 2017, https:// Growers Hard Hit by www.cmie.com. 19 “Will Making Transactions Demonetisation”, December 8, Cashless Completely End Black 2016, http://www.business- 31 “GDP growth falling for 6 Money Hoarding?” op. cit.; “UK standard.com. consecutive quarters: Why India Tax Fraud Costs Government slipped after overtaking China”, £16bn a Year, Audit Report Says”, 24 Harish Damodaran, “Distress in September 1, 2017, http:// December 17, 2015, https:// farms: GDP data confirms deflation indiatoday.intoday.in. www.theguardian.com; “Tax is here”, September 2, 2017, http:/ Evasion Costs France Between 40 /indianexpress.com. 32 Arun Kumar, “India’s Troubling JANATA, November 19, 2017 15

and Official Growth Numbers Are Spectre of Fascism, ibid., pp. 34– and Solutions to a Digital, Only the Tip of the Iceberg”, 36. Inclusive Economy in India”, October 3, 2017, https://thewire.in. Press Release, January 20, 2016, 35 Norbert Haering, “A Well-Kept https://www.usaid.gov. 33 For more on this, see our other Open Secret: Washington is publications, such as: Spectre of Behind India’s Brutal Experiment 37 “Digital Payments in India Seen Fascism, Lokayat publication, of Abolishing Most Cash”, Touching $500 Billion by 2020", September 2016, www.lokayat. January 3, 2017, https:// July 28, 2016, http:// org.in. rwer.wordpress.com. www.livemint.com.

34 For more on this, see our booklet, 36 “‘Beyond Cash’ Identifies Barriers 38 Norbert Haering, op. cit. (concluded)

(Continued from Page 6) contracts, while $10 billion worth of millions of them. Hence people of suspicions to such an extent that the additional contracts are in the South Asia should strive to create a extremely expensive and ever pipeline. The Diplomat reported on very strong peace movement which increasing arms race can be February 10, 2016, citing The Times should decrease insecurity and checked. of India and other sources, that India is close to signing a $3 billion defence deal with Israel. Footprints of A The Times of India reported on Crusader October 14 2016 that a Rs. 39,000 crore deal with Russia may help (The Life Story of Mrunal Gore) India to get a missile shield. This involves five new generation Russian S-400 Triumf air defense missile by systems, which can destroy incoming hostile aircraft, stealth fighters, missiles and drones at ranges of up Rohini Gawankar to 400 kms. In addition, this report said, India and Russia are in the process of a deal for the joint production of 200 light utility helicopters at a cost of $ 1 billion. Published by Negotiations for other mega defence projects with Russia like the joint development of the futuristic fifth generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) and the $1.5 billion lease of Kamalakar Subhedar, a second nuclear powered submarine Secretary, Samata Shikshan Sanstha, are also on track. Pareira Wadi, Mohili Village, Sakinaka, Ghatkopar(W), Such reports indicate that South Asia is in the middle of an arms race Mumbai 400072. which will prove prohibitively Mobile: 9820092255 expensive for the people of this Contribution: Rs.300+ region who are already suffering from the denial of basic needs to R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, November 19, 2017 Postal Registration No. MCW/275/2015-2017. License to Post without prepayment WPP License No. MR/Tech/WPP-210/West/2017 Published on Sunday, November 19, 2017 & Posted on Wedenesday November 22, 2017 at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1

GANNON DUNKERLEY & CO., LTD.

An infrastructure company established since 1924

REGD. OFFICE :

New Excelsior Building, (3rd Floor), A. K. Nayak Marg, Fort, Mumbai 400 001. Tel.: 022 2205 1231 Fax : 022-2205 1232

Office : Ahmedabad, 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 1 Pages 16 Price : Rupees Five

Vol. 72 No. 44 Can Yogi Continuing as a November 26, 2017 Chief Minister of U.P

Rajindar Sachar Challenge before Kuldip Nayar The Shocking statement by Yogi, the Constitution as existing at the the Chief Minister of U.P., namely time of taking oath. Anyone Sarvanash Bharat Abhiyan “I believe that the word “Secular” suggesting to the contrary would be Sandeep Pandey is the biggest lie since taking the ludicrous stand that the independence”, should result in his oath would not oblige the Ministers immediate dismissal. Would some to follow the mandate of over 100 India: Rising Asian Power ! advisers of Yogi enlighten him that amendments to constitution made D. K. Giri the preamble to our Constitution since the original constitution of specifically states that India is a 1950. Secular, Socialist State. Would his Ayodhya dispute: Supremacy No,Yogi Sahib, unless you accept of Constitution or faith? advisors also enlighten him that the Irfan Engineer Supreme Court has held that Secularism as a part of your “Secularism” is the basic feature of government as per Bommais case by our Constitution and any state the Supreme Court, the Central Freedom Of Speech government which fails in upholding Government is under legal obligation For Whom this basic feature has no right to to dismiss U.P. Government. Justice B.Sudershan Reddy continue –in fact in Bommai’s Case, the Supreme Court upheld the I hope Yogi Ji would certainly dismissal of Nine State governments accept that the there is no greater on this score alone. exponent of Hinduism than Swami Vivekananda. This is what he Editor : May I also remind Yogi and his said; Therefore, I am firmly G. G. Parikh colleagues that as per article 75(4) persuaded that without the help of of the Constitution of India they practical Islam, theories Managing Editor : Guddi took oath before entering upon their of Vedantism, however fine and offices which requires them to wonderful they may be, are entirely D-15, Ganesh Prasad, swear in the name of God that they valueless to the vast mass of Naushir Bharucha Marg, will bear true faith and allegiance to mankind which ought to be taught Mumbai - 400 007. the Constitution of India as by that religions are but the varied law established. The oath covers expression of THE RELIGION, Email : [email protected] the protection of Secularism as which is Oneness, so that each may Website:www.janataweekly.org mentioned in the Preamble to choose the path that suits him best. 2 JANATA, November 26, 2017

For our own motheriand a junction firmly persuaded that without the religion of India, namely Christianity.” of the two great systems, Hinduism help of practical Islam, theories and Islam, the Vedant brain and of vedantism, however fine and If there are any Hindus amongst Islam body is the only hope. I see in wonderful they may be, are entirely us who desire to bring back the my mind’s eye the future perfect valueless to the vast mass of Hindu life of a thousand years ago India rising out of this chaos and mankind. For our own motherland a and more, they dream, and such strife, glorious and invincible, with junction of the two great systems dreams are vain fantasies. So also if Vedanta brain and Islam body. Hinduism and Islam – Vedanta brain there are any Muslims who wish to and Islam body - is the only hop...the revive their past civilization and Secularism does not signify anti- future perfect India.” culture, which they brought a religion. Secularism signifies giving thousand years ago from Iran and equal dignity and respect to all Thus inclusive development in the Central Asia, they dream also and religions. Of course it goes without country alone is the path to the sooner they wake up the better. saying that Indian State has no prosperity. It is an undeniable truth These are unnatural fancies which religion of its own, nor for that matter and needs to be irrevocably cannot take root in the soil of reality. can any religion claim superiority accepted by all in the country that I am one of those who believe that over another religion as by resorting minorities, Muslims and Christians revival may be a necessity in a to false premise that a religion in are not outsiders. They are an religion but in social matters it is a the country is indigenous while integral part of India. There can be denial of progress.” others are foreign. This is heresy no real progress which does not not permitted by our Constitution include minorities, Muslims and “I am proud to be a which gives equal reverence to all Christians as equal stakeholders. Muslim. Everything bears the stamp the religions practiced by various I can not put it better than what of our joint endeavour. Our communities of India. Sir Sayyed Ahmed Khan, one of the languages were different, but we greatest leader of our country, had grew to use a common language. Thus inclusive development in to say over a century back. Gandhiji Our manners and customs were India and, for that matter, in any repeated it in 1921, and also in different, but they produced a new country, alone is the path to another prayer meeting at Rajghat synthesis…No fantasy or artificial prosperity. It is an undeniable truth on 24th March 1947 thus; “In the scheming to separate and divide can and needs to be irrevocably words of Sir Sayyed Ahmed break this unity – Islam has now as accepted by all in India, namely that Khan…I would say that Hindus and great a claim on the soil of India as minorities, Muslims and Christians, Muslims are the two eyes of mother Hinduism, and that is true of are not outsiders. They are an India just as the trouble in one eye Christianity too”. integral part of India. Let me quote affects the other too, similarly the what Swami Vivekanand one of the whole of India suffer when either greatest spiritual personality of Hindu or Muslim suffer.” Janata Subscription India has to say of the intimate connection between the spirit of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad’s clarion Annual Rs. : 260/- Islam and Hinduism thus, “He also call emphasizes that composite told Hindus not to talk of the culture is the bed rock of Indian Three Years : 750/- superiority of one religion over Secularism pervading our country. another. Even toleration of other He said thus; Demand Draft / Cheque faiths was not right; it smacked of on blasphemy. He pointed out that his “Just as a Hindu can say with guru, Sri Ramakrishna Paramhans pride that he is an Indian and follows Mumbai Bank in favour of Hinduism, so also we can say with had accepted all religions as true. JANATA TRUST Swami Vivekanand in fact profusely equal pride that we are Indians and praised Islam and in a letter to his follow Islam. I shall enlarge this orbit D-15, Ganesh Prasad, friend Mohammed Sarfraz Hussain still further. The Indian Christian is Naushir Bharucha Marg, (10th June 1898) without any equally entitled to say with pride that Mumbai 400 007 hesitation wrote “therefore I am he is an Indian and is following a JANATA, November 26, 2017 3 Challenge before Rahul Gandhi

Kuldip Nayar

POLITICAL parties all over the world and Manmohan Singh fitted into her take over. have come to be closed shops. What scheme of things. is known as the ‘High Command’ The anointment of Rahul Gandhi usually dictates on who will be The government’s secret files as party president has not come as a installed as the president. Rahul would go to her residence where her surprise at all. But it does underline Gandhi has been ‘elected’ as the political secretary Ahmed Patel first the fact that there is no other go for Congress president. The outgoing vetted them and then sent to Sonia the Congress except depending on chief Sonia Gandhi saw to it that her Gandhi for her approval. So much the dynasty to give a name which is son would occupy the top party so that Manmohan Singh came to be generally acceptable to the country. position. known as ‘Accidental Prime Priyanka Vadra could have perhaps Minister’ and a book by his press been the right choice in the eyes of I had seen the change in the officer also confirmed the the Congress stalwarts. But nobody Conservative Party of the United expression. When he was asked to dares Sonia who has decided that her Kingdom from close quarters when I comment on the title given to him, he son would take over. This is said to was India’s High Commissioner at merely said that the posterity would be the practice in Italy where the son London in the nineties. Mrs Margaret judge. inherits the mantle. Thatcher was the Prime Minister. But she was asked to step down and Newspaper reports published But the million dollar question is she had to abide by the orders of the since then confirmed that he was whether Rahul would fit in the role party. merely the mukhota (mask) and in he is expected to perform? I recall his name the administration ran from the initial days of Indira Gandhi when I asked her directly why she was 10 Janpath. In fact, even Rahul after the sudden death of Lal Bahadur doing so. Her children were doing Gandhi once denounced the Shastri, the then Congress president business in South Africa and they controversial ordinance to negate the K. Kamaraj installed her as the Prime were not in any way connected with Supreme Court verdict on convicted Minister. I asked him then why did he the issue. She said that she had lawmakers as “complete nonsense” choose her? He said that before his purposely sent them far away lest and said what “our government has death, Jawaharlal Nehru had she should be accused of nepotism. done is wrong.” This was a huge indicated that his successor would She said that “the men in grey suits embarrassment for the UPA be Shastri. When Kamraj asked decided when the Prime Minister government and Prime Minister Nehru specifically why not Indira should step down. They would tap Manmohan Singh. Gandhi, he said: Not now. the shoulder and you are expected to step down.” John Major was her It is another matter that Congress Morarji Desai, the claimant, did successor. president Sonia Gandhi and other not agree to the choice of Indira party members stood behind what Gandhi and insisted on election. With When there was a clamour for Manmohan Singh had said. But then the party president and other stalwarts Sonia Gandhi to occupy the position the damage had already been done. opposing him, Morarji Desai lost the of Prime Minister she declined the There were several other occasions race. It is another matter that Kamaraj offer and instead selected the when the Prime Minister was was subsequently sidelined. I was faithful Manmohan Singh ahead of ridiculed by the party members, in the thick of things and asked the most acceptable and including those who were a part of Kamaraj why he preferred Indira experienced . It the inner circle. It is unfortunate that Gandhi over Morarji Desai? His was an open secret that the Manmohan Singh himself felt that he answer was that “Morarji was too government would be run from 10 was only keeping the chair of Prime rigid and did not believe in principle Janpath, Sonia Gandhi’s residence Minister warm for Rahul Gandhi to of consensus.” 4 JANATA, November 26, 2017 The timing of Rahul’s anointment Freedom of the Media as party president has come at a time when the Congress has lost the The press has been able to Bhansali’s determination to screen sheen. The party still believes that consolidate its freedom after several it. He gets full marks for his he would be able to dispel the magic struggles. And today it is generally resoluteness. of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in free from the government pressure. his home state which is going to the There are still other forces which do Not many film directors will polls next month. Understandably, not allow it to be completely free. emulate his example because of the the Congress has struck a seat- Yet among all the democracies in the huge money at stake. The financers adjustment deal with the Patidars to world, the Indian press is considered will hesitate to invest. They are capture power in Gujarat. But it independent. interested on returns not the remains to be seen whether Rahul principles which Bhansali has Gandhi will be able to make the turn The electronic media is to a large pursued caring little about the fallout. around which the party is looking extent at the mercy of estate owners At present, a good film has become for. who earn money through property a victim of chauvinism. dealings and spend it on maintaining In the past, when he was made a channel or two. This cannot be, The worst part is that the whole vice-president and poll campaigner however, said about the print media thing has been politicized. The ruling he miserably failed in states like with certainty. Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) is Madhya Pradesh, Haryana and even backing the anti-Bhansali elements. in Uttar Pradesh where the Congress When it comes to films, the For them, the film is an attack on had a poll alliance with the Samajwadi pressure of government is relentless Hindutva and must be stopped from Party. In other words, he could not and visible. Every film has to have screening. Bhansali has been make much of a difference to the censor’s certificate. When the described as a leader of anti-Hindu fortunes of the party. Unfortunately, freedom of expression has been group. Nobody is there to explain despite having some stalwarts in the guaranteed by the Constitution, it has why he becomes anti-Hindu because party, the deep-rooted culture of been for all modes and the methods. of his film and why he would be a dynasty has come to prevail. The requisite of censor’s certificate proud Hindu if he gives up the effort The biggest challenge to Rahul curbs freedom. to produce Padmavati. Gandhi is the forthcoming election in Gujarat. In fact, this is a key election Why the film makers have never It is surprising that the top for all political parties, including the made it an issue is beyond me. It is leadership of BJP is remaining silent ruling Bhartiya Janata Party. Apart still not too late to do so. Sanjay Leela and not coming down hard on those from Rahul Gandhi, the state Bhansali’s film can be the rallying people who are carrying out lawless assembly polls will also be a litmus point. Film director Bhansali, has activities by taking stern action test for both Prime Minister Modi and preferred to face the consequences. against them. It should realize that BJP president Amit Shah. They will He was attacked in Rajasthan where all the gains of ease of doing business leave no stone unturned to see that he was shooting the film. Yet he has will get dissipated if this type of their party wins because what stuck to guns. activity is allowed to go on. happens in Gujarat would decide the Investment in India, which is what fate of general elections, due two The radical Hindus in Rajasthan, the government is desperately years later. This will also show which who have organized themselves into seeking, will not take place in light way the wind is blowing. the krini brigade, have broken of these actions. furniture and put it to fire in one of But then two years is too long a the cinema halls in a Rajasthan town. Many years ago, the famous film period to depend on what happens Most of the liberal voices are producer and director Gulzar faced now. The Congress which is conspicuous by their silence. a similar situation. His film Aandhi irrelevant now may retrieve the Bhansali must be feeling lonely. was drastically censored when it ground because no government can Whether the film Padmawati, which was screened. It gave, however, a meet the demands of what people he has directed, is based on fiction message to the people who were want. or fact is not the point at issue. It is against Prime Minister Indira JANATA, November 26, 2017 5 Gandhi’s autocratic rule. Sarvanash Bharat Abhiyan Probably a third force, which is neither communal nor authoritarian, Sandeep Pandey is the answer. It is not yet even on the horizon. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is probably the answer United Nations Special toilets has only one leach pit instead to such questions raised. But if he Rapporteur Leo Heller has criticised of the standard two, which will were to leave Bihar, the space India’s water and sanitation policies create a problem when one pit is full. comes to be occupied by Laloo and said its implementation lacks a The faulty design is likely to Prasad Yadav and his family, not a clear and holistic human rights based pollute the ground water sooner or good choice. approach. According to him Indian government’s emphasis on later. In the mad hurry to build toilets For some reasons, successive constructing toilets should not nobody is questioning the governments at the centre have overshadow the focus on drinking appropriateness of design. rejected the demand for a press or water provision for all and it should Considering that areas with non- media commission. Since not involuntarily contribute to expansive clays, compact silty loams, independence there have been only violating fundamental rights of others, compact silty clay loams, porous silty two commissions. One was soon such as those specific caste- clays, porous silty clay loams, hills, after the independence and the other affected groups engaged in manual rocky terrain, plateaus and black following the emergency in 1977. scavenging or those who are cotton soil is unfit for this design and The recommendations of the latter marginalised such as ethnic hence almost half the country’s area were not even considered because minorities and people living in remote is excluded. The cracks in rocks can by the time the report was ready, rural areas. The government as also let polluted water seep through Mrs Gandhi was back in power and expected has rejected his report. to the ground water table. That is refused to look at any step suggested why IIT, Kanpur, graduate and during the post-emergency period. However, there is a real threat to ferrocement construction expert Dr. She had returned to power and dealt ground water because of the soak Ashok K. Jain calls the Clean India with her critics with a vengeance. pit or leach pit design of toilets being Campaign as ‘Sarvnash Bharat promoted by the government. There Abhiyan’ and proposes septic tank The most important aspect is the should be a gap of two metres design as the alternative. ownership of newspapers, television between the base of leach pit and and radio by the same house or the ground water table. But in the Considering who’ll benefit from individuals. Even America has some tarai belt of north Indian states of the pollution of ground water - the kind of control over cross ownership. Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and even West bottled water industry - the problem But there is no such bar in India Bengal at most places the water starts looking more sinister. In India where it is like putting up yet another table is very high. Famous substantial market of bottled water factory. environmentalist and former member is captured by Pepsi and Coca Cola. secretary, Central Pollution Control The conspiracy of silence of the True, the media has come a long Board and Indian Institute of scientific and technological way. Still current annual report of Technology, Kanpur, Professor G.D. community in the country on this the Press Council of India is Agrawal, now Swami Gyanswaroop issue is inexplicable. helplessly demanding the television Sanand says that UP and Bihar float channels to come under its purview. over water. How the government completes The rulers continue to turn a deaf its target ear to what is asked. Leach pit toilets should also be 15-20 meters away from hand Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan, launched The Council says: “For quite some pumps or wells, which may not in 1999 and which ran upto 2012, time an issue has arisen about the always be possible in the dense was called the Total Sanitation population of these areas. The design Campaign. The objective was to (Continued on Page 12) given to schools for constructions of eradicate open defecation by 2017. 6 JANATA, November 26, 2017

It was based on the idea of found damaged indicating the poor in place for over 3 years now. community involvement so that quality of construction. cultural values of people would In a peculiar rarity above- change and they would start using In village Ramnagar one toilet is mentioned corruption is a blessing in the toilets. However, after looking fake, in Baraua four toilets are fake, disguise because it’ll save our ground at the construction of toilets in a in Kaudia 93 toilets are fake, in water. neighbouring district of Lucknow, the Mandauli four toilets are fake, in quality of work needs much to be Kathauni 42 toilets are fake whereas How Swachch Bharat treats its desired and certainly we are quite in Veerpur four more toilets have Sanitation workers far away from fulfilling the objective. been built than shown on paper. Some beneficiaries have been Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital In the Gram Panchayat Kaudia, mentioned twice, the duplication is a state government hospital in Block Bharawan, District Hardoi, a artificially increasing the number of Lucknow. According to the survey was conducted during 3-5 beneficiaries. government policy most regular August, 2016, of the 576 toilets built hiring at lower levels is replaced by by the Gram Panchayat. There was Rs. 10,000 was released for each contractual workers or worse then discrepancy between the of the 576 toilets. It is estimated that labour contractors supply the staff. beneficiaries on ground, names out of Rs. 57,60,000 spent by the One such agency Apnatech mentioned on the toilets built and the government an embezzlement of Rs. Consultancy Services Pvt. Ltd. was list supplied by the Village Panchayat 38,57,000 took place. When a given the contract for supplying Development Officer. In Village complaint was made to the ward-boys, ward-ayas (maids), Dehua, all the 32 toilets mentioned administration during the days of drivers and sanitation workers. in the official list are fake because Samajwadi Party government about Except for the fact that they are paid nothing exists in reality. this corruption, a senior bureaucrat by the contractor, for practical Joint Secretary in the Panchayati Raj purposes all these workers work as Only one sack of cement has been Department reported on 1st hospital staff. 24 of these fortunate used to construct one toilet as a result September 2016 that there was no ones have been accommodated in the plaster is coming off in all of misuse of funds in the construction proper housing on Hospital campus them. Sub-standard bricks have been of 576 toilets. Another complaint was and while other 14, working in similar used instead of good quality. 10% filed after the Bhartiya Janata Party positions, have to live in temporary toilets don’t have ceiling. Even the government came to power on Chief makeshift hutments on the campus ones which have ceiling, it is made Minister’s portal. Authorities itself. The contractor, on directions of sheet instead of RCC. Only one reported on 27th October 2017 that from district administration, has soak pit has been constructed in only 441 toilets were found on issued a notice to its own workers more than half of the constructed ground. Money for 56 toilets was still to vacate the campus soon, toilets and even that has been in GP account and 79 toilets had otherwise, they have been warned damaged as it has not been disappeared in floods or because of that they will be bulldozed. It is constructed following the standards. lack of maintenance! It is a wonder noteworthy that while only one of the The floor of toilets has given in in how an official had claimed a year 24 accommodated in campus housing almost all toilets indicating even that earlier that the target was met. is a sanitation worker, 10 out of 14 has not been constructed following facing eviction are sanitation the standards. In 30% toilets the seat In reality during another survey workers, all belonging to the Valmiki has not been installed, making them conducted on 3rd August 2017, only community, a Scheduled Caste practically useless. 50% of them 26 toilets were found to be in use, a which has traditionally been involved don’t have doors and hence cannot low figure of 4.5% of the target. The in sanition and manual scavenging be used by females at all. Among quality of remaining 380 built is so work in India. The elite society, the ones constructed hardly 5% abysmal that they can’t be used. In dominated by upper caste, has toilets are useable, rest 95% are the government records, of course, always treated its manual workers, either closed or being used as there is nothing wrong with them. mostly dalits, like this - the elite storage space for wood, cow dung This is the state of affairs after extract work from them and when it cake, etc. A number of toilets were Swachch Bharat Abhiyan has been comes to providing the workers basic JANATA, November 26, 2017 7 facilities, the elite simply refuse to India: Rising Asian Power ! take any responsibility. With the district administration, hospital administration and the contractor not D. K. Giri willing to take any responsibility for these workers, they face an uncertain future. They don’t know India’s rise as a formidable Asian contributing to the knowledge whether they’ll have their hutments Power was confirmed around economy of the world. and their work for very long. ASEAN and East Asian Summits held last week. Major countries Undoubtedly, India faces the most Children of these workers, engaged in the region reckon and difficult external challenges from including the sanitation workers, back India as a potential Pakistan and China, says former study in schools which are near the countervailing force to China’s foreign secretary Kanwal Sibal. But, Hospital and if the families are aggressive and expansionist policies I have difficulty in accepting his expelled from the campus the studies in the region. The only impediment argument that Islamabad has been of children will be affected. If the to India’s march is its domestic the spoilsport in India’s engagement parents are forced to move quite far determinants such as the economy in Asia. He argues Pakistan has away from the campus, the children and social harmony. The economy blocked the integration process in will not be admitted to any new has to grow at least at 8 per cent for SAARC to stem India’s growing school at this advanced stage of the a decade or so to meet her clout in the region. It has bled India academic year. They may even have commitments at home and the by abating cross-border terrorism in to drop their year or studies. In such objectives abroad. Because it is only Kashmir, and has used nuclear a scenario some of them may have the economic might of China India blackmail to thwart India. Pakistan’s to return to their traditional should be wary of. open and loud admission of its occupation rather than dream of continued aggression on India is doing something else to break the India is unique in Asia in many centred on Kashmir. Pakistan would vicious cycle of manual work, which respects: in political democracy, the not put the sword back in the sheath is more of a humiliation, even after only one in Asia that has sustained until Kashmir imbroglio is resolved. the Prime Minister is running a high for 70 years since its independence profile campaign focussed on it. The in 1947; in social pluralism, it is the India needs to address Kashmir plight of these workers has never most diverse country in the world, issue with a defter diplomacy. For been highlighted in the Clean India with 22 official languages, 6 major instance, why not India put entire campaign and the current situation religions, hundreds of castes, it holds Kashmir—both PoK, and the part in shows the even after this campaign together without falling apart unlike India-on its agenda, and decide if it India will continue to treat its the Soviet Union or Yugoslavia, the should remain in India, or jointly be sanitation workers the way they so-called developed countries; and administered with Pakistan. That have been always treated, read in civilisational resilience, it has a way, both India and Pakistan would humiliated. 6000-year-old civilisation that has remain partners, or tied as friends withstood several invasions, yet around Kashmir. Or alternatively, survived and thrived with its Pakistan and India settle for their Janata indigenous attributes. respective possessions of parts of Kashmir, and sign another peace In economy, India’s growth has agreement like the one at Shimla, not been as meteoric as that of China, and, not ever stir the hornet’s nest is available at it has been unaffected by the any more. vagaries of the world economy, been reformed democratically, and is Third, New Delhi and Islamabad, steadily growing. India can also pride should keep Kashmir aside for a www.lohiatoday.com itself in producing a massive while, Islamabad stops supporting technical human resource which is terrorism in India, helps revive the 8 JANATA, November 26, 2017

SAARC process, build closer co- Jawaharlal Nehru generously J.Morgenthau, who said, “India operation leading to eventual suggested China’s permanent cannot promote its laudable foreign integration in various sectors, and membership in UNSC. policy objectives due to her chronic then address the Kashmir issue. and widespread poverty”. To be One perceptive observer said to me India has to seriously and sure, much water has flown down in a seminar on Kashmir in strategically counter China’s designs river Yamuna since, but not enough University of Hull, UK, “India will in Asia. New Delhi has smartly to propel India to the world stage. not cede an inch of Kashmir even drawn closer to Japan, another How is China flexing its muscle, if after a bloody war, but Kashmir can country aggrieved and hurt by not for its economic might? be handled in an integrated China’s geo-politics. India-Japan framework under SAARC, where partnership across the Globe— Asia Obviously, NAMO is enjoying his territorial affinities become less and Africa — would checkmate new found status in the world. He relevant to the growth and China’s moves. The ‘Quad’ is perceived to be one of the development in South Asia”. conceived and nurtured by Japan, effective global leaders. Will he be comprising India, Japan, US, and able to retain this image, at least in Whatever may be a possible Australia is the perfect instrument Asian context, if he fails to shore up scenario ‘New Delhi has to resolve to stop China on its tracks. the economy and maintain the social the Kashmir controversy to silence equilibrium? In addition to Pakistan forever and resume the During the latest ASEAN, and addressing the domestic challenges, bilateral relations in a healthier and East Asia Summits India’s position the prospects of India emerging as friendlier setting. At any rate, New in Asian stage was acknowledged by the Asian power also depend upon Delhi should be sending positive most countries. The nomenclatural how India develops its relations with vibes to Islamabad treating it as a change of Asia-Pacific into Indo- in neighbours. Modi made a sound potential friend. Pacific includes India into the start by inviting the heads of the equation, acknowledging India’s role, neighbouring countries to his Admittedly, China is the real being vital to Asia’s security. swearing – in ceremony in 2014. worry for India. It is run by an Also, he made his first foreign visit authoritarian Communist Party, has So far, New Delhi has done as Prime Minister to Bhutan. But built a gigantic economy by remarkably well, stitching strategic China has surreptitiously slipped exploiting its cheap human resource. alliances with Japan, US, Israel, into India’s neighbourhood. Beijing perceives India to be a ASEAN and East-Asian countries. New Delhi seems to have conceded, competitor in Asia. It is buying off India can become an Asian Power, in advertently or otherwise, India’s friendly neighbours with more effective and acceptable than some space to China in her project finances. Of late, it is China by being a model of politics neighbourhood. propping up Pakistan to contain India and development, at home and strategically. China is the only abroad. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Nepal invited country in the world that is making Modi can no longer ignore the euphoric response, but our territorial claims on all the countries symbiotic link between domestic and subsequent policies like supporting it borders. It is making ‘fantastic’ foreign policies. the Madhesi movement provoked claims on Indian territory. anti-India feelings. Nepal has been In the current globalised world, the most trusted friend of India, but Ludicrously, it objects to India’s the efficacy of a country’s foreign now courts China, supposedly to current president visiting Arunachal policy is the function of the success tap into its surplus money. Similar Pradesh, one of India’s 29 states. It in politics and economy at home is the story with other neighbours. supports Pakistan on terrorism; and vice-e-versa: It seems the Being the largest country, India blocks India’s entry into UN Security mandarins in South Block under overawes its smaller neighbours. Council as a permanent member, leadership of NaMo are yet to learn It must be sensitive to comparative although all other permanent this fundamental truth of foreign geo-politics, and embark on members agree to it, and denies affairs. They will do well to recall positive engagement in the South- access to Nuclear Supply Group. the advice by the author of Asia region. That will be the Beijing, ungratefully, forgets that realpolitik, Professor Hans hallmark of a big power. JANATA, November 26, 2017 9 Ayodhya Dispute: Supremacy of Constitution or faith?

Irfan Engineer

Babri Masjid is once again in nominated Rajya Sabha Member had Minister Yogi Adityanath had kicked news. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has taken sought an urgent hearing of the off his campaign from Ayodhya on an initiative to bring all stake holders appeal against the order of Allahabad November 14. The forthcoming State for negotiating an out of court High Court dated 30th September Assembly elections in Gujarat are settlement. Apparently the initiative 2010 in the RJBM title suit. also increasingly becoming a tough is in his personal capacity. However, had no locus fight for the BJP. Sri Sri Ravi Sahnkar is well standi in the case and was not a party connected with the BJP leaders. in the Appeal. Yet the Supreme The upcoming municipal polls in When he organized ‘World Cultural Court exercised its discretion and UP would be a key test for the CM Festival’ on the Yamuna flood plains, even asked the BJP leader to talk to Yogi Adityanath who is also being the pontoon bridge for crossing over all parties to the case and bring them projected as one of the important the river bed was constructed by to negotiating table. In a surprise Hindutva icon by the BJP. The none other than the Indian Army. He development, the Supreme Court on outcome of the civic poll would could get the Prime Minister of India 21st March 2017 urged the rival indicate the mood of the voters to inaugurate the event. When the parties in the Ram Janamabhoomi – ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha National Green Tribunal imposed Rs Babri Masjid (RJ-BM) case to elections. In fact the CM Adityanath 5 crore as an interim environmental negotiate and resolve the dispute in had organized a grand Diwali compensation on the foundation for a spirit of give and take. The then celebration in Ayodhya with lighting the event’s impact on the Chief Justice of India J. S. Khehar record number of lamps and environment, he shirked from doing had offered himself to be a mediator announced installation of statue of so and yet could go ahead with the should both the parties agree. Lord Ram on the banks of River event. However, after the Apex Court Saryu with tax payer’s money. The realized that Subramanian Swamy programme included grand Aarti and To firm up his initiative on settling was not a party to the Appeal, it performance of Ramlila by artists the Ramjanmabhoomi – Babri Masjid dismissed his Application for urgent from Indonesia and Thailand. All this (RJ-BM) dispute out of court, he hearing. while hundreds of children suffering met the Home Minister Mr. Rajnath from encephalitis and other curable Singh as well as the Chief Minister Vulnerability of the Muslim diseases have died in BRD Hospital of UP. All the leaders of the Sangh community in Gorakhpur where the CM has his Parivar and Hindu Supremacist political base. Children’s deaths are organisations have declared their If RJ-BM dispute is news once a result of crumbling infrastructure support to the initiative and again, there must be elections round of the hospital and lack of payment expressed their desire to settle the the corner! And yes elections are for oxygen supply. The public health dispute out of court. Even if round the corner! The civic polls will expenditure in UP is abysmal for a technically the initiative is not on be held in the state of UP population of 220 million. The public behalf of the state, it is apparent that beginning November 22 in three health budget was in fact reduced it has blessings of the BJP led phases. Around 30 million voters from Rs. 17,828 crores in 2016-17 governments in the State as well as would be eligible to exercise their to 15,834 in revised estimate for the Centre. However, in case the franchise in these polls to be held 2016. The budgeted amount on public dispute is not settle, there is a for over 650 posts, including 438 health fell from Rs. 17,823 to 17,181 window for both the Governments municipal boards, 202 town areas in the 2017-2018 budget. to dissociate with the initiative. and 16 corporations, also comprising two newly constituted Ayodhya However, more important reason Earlier, in the month of March, Nagar Nigam and Mathura- behind the Hindu supremacist Subramanian Swamy BJP leader and Vrindavan Nagar Nigam. The Chief blessed initiative to settle the RJ-BM 10 JANATA, November 26, 2017 dispute out of Court seems to be that Mosque could be constructed words in the mouth of Muslims. He the Muslim community is most elsewhere they said. This was the said, “by and large” Muslims were vulnerable at present. The Hindu straw in the wind that the Hindu not opposed to a temple on the site. Supremacists believe that their Supremacists wanted to clutch onto. How did he reach the conclusion combined political might may not be Now, even a section of Muslims when the major stake holder in the better at any other time. They are in (should we say sarkari Muslims?) dispute – the Sunni Waqf Board has a position to corner the Muslim wanted a Ram Temple constructed not shown its willingness to come to leadership and coerce them into on the disputed land and the the negotiating table! To which accepting a solution which favours recalcitrant could be coerced into Muslims he talked to and how did Hindu Supremacists. The state accepting the terms propounded by he reach the conclusion about views encouraged sectarian division within Hindu supremacists. of ‘Muslims by and large’? Sri Sri is the Muslim community in order to The sarkari Muslims would be seen by even a section of Hindus weaken them. From nowhere a accommodated somewhere on the who have fought for section of Shia sect of the Muslim lower rungs of power structure and Ramjanmabhoomi as an outsider to community claimed that the disputed indeed, some of them were promptly the dispute who is trying to grab fame land belonged to Shia Central Waqf appointed to the UP Waqf Board. at the last moment on their hard Board. work! Muslims are apprehensive as The will of the Muslim community he has offered no concrete formula Dividing Muslims and uniting to resist any coercive attempt and for resolution of the dispute. Hindus let the institutions of democracy decide the dispute has to be broken. There are Hindu Supremacists About 70 years after a local court The Hindu Supremacists didn’t have who want the entire 2.77 acres of in Faizabad ruled in favour of the faith in the institutions of democracy, land for construction of Sunni Waqf claim over Babri Masjid, particularly the judiciary when they Ramjanmabhoomi Temple. Others following a dispute with the Shia demolished the Babri Mosque and want entire 67 acres of land which Waqf, the Shia Central Waqf Board they don’t seem to trust the judiciary has been acquired by the Central has decided to challenge the old order to favour Hindu Supremacists and Government around the 2.77 acres and simultaneously suggested an privilege faith over the law of the of land under dispute. Still others say “amicable settlement solution” to the land. That is because the law of the no Mosque should be allowed in the RJ-BM dispute and suggesting the land is clear. Faith of one community region of chauriyasi kosi (84 kos or construction of new mosque at a has no place in adjudicating disputes 168 miles) parikrama which would distance from the temple. The Shia between two communities. The mean much beyond Ayodhya and Central Waqf Board did not file any Hindu Supremacists seem to be in a Faizabad. Muslims in Sri Sri’s darbar application to be impleaded as a hurry to pre-empt judicial would be able to negotiate whether party to the proceedings in any court adjudication by the Apex Court. Mosque should be anywhere at all all these years. The BJP has always on the 67 acres of land acquired by tried to exploit the sectarian division It is not surprising that All India the Central Govt. or beyond 67 acres among the Muslims. During the last Muslim Personal Law Board leaders or even beyond chouryasi kosi General elections, Rajnath Singh met have placed its faith on the judiciary parikrama. Shia Muslim leaders to divide the and are willing to accept any judicial Muslim community. The BJP tries to outcome. They at least stand a If today Hindu Supremacists are convey that Shias, the Sufis and chance to argue their case on the eager to reach a negotiated Muslim women are supporters of the basis of their title to the land. All those settlement, they opposed such moves BJP. Subramanian Swamy once said whom Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has earlier when they were not in a that the BJP needs to unite all Hindus assembled in Ayodhya would not strong position. One out of many and divide the Muslims. touch the issue of title of the land attempts was made by the under dispute with a barged pole. The Shankaracharya and religious leaders Shia leaders publicly stated that only issue in Sri Sri Ravi from Muslim community. Muslim they were willing to resolve the RJ- Shankar’s darbar in Ayodhya would religious leaders had then given BM row and letting the Hindus be faith. Sri Sri has already indicated favourable statements and nod at the construct Ram Temple on the land. his solution to the dispute by putting initiative. They were hopeful of the JANATA, November 26, 2017 11 initiative leading to an amicable The Head Priest of Hanumangarh, More than Temple or Mosque, settlement with the spirit of give and the largest temple in Ayodhya, we need to reclaim our take. However, the Sangh Parivar Mahant Gyandas has democracy and democratic opposed the initiative as they then organized iftaars for Muslims institutions which are being felt that a settlement would be inside his temple and repaired compromised in Sri Sri’s initiative reached without their involvment. Mosque situated on the land owned and that of the Hindu Supremacists Statements were planted in the by his temple with their funds. that are gathering around him. A media that Shankaracharya was a Muslims have invited Mahant number of win-win solutions have devotee of Shiv rather than Lord Gyandas, inside their mosques. been suggested. However the Ram. Shankaracharya withdrew Such was the amicable relations solutions won’t be acceptable to from the initiative and the settlement between Hindus and Muslims either the Hindu Supremacists or did not materialize. The inhabitants of Ayodhya during the peak of to the Muslim communal of Ayodhya would have long settled Ram temple agitation. The leadership. The win-win solutions the issue in the spirit of give and take agitators were mobilized from will succeed only with the had the dispute been left to them. outside. marginalisation of both.

Press Release Socialist Party’s statement on Communal Persecution of Minorities in Bangladesh

The Socialist Party believes that to the Bangladesh Bureau of Liberation War in 1971, Pakistani it is the duty of every state to fully Statistics, the reason for this is that army and Islamist communal protect life, property, dignity and the Hindus have been fleeing from elements specifically targeted the business of minority citizens with Bangladesh. According to statistics, Hindus. In 1992, after the their religious identity. It is also the in 1947 there was about 28 percent demolition of Babri Masjid in responsibility of the state to Hindu population in East Pakistan. Ayodhya, there were communal riots ensure that the minority population In 1971, after the formation of against Hindus in Bangladesh. can live freely, enjoying full civil Bangladesh, the first census was International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) rights without any fear and held in 1981, in which the Hindu in 2013 awarded death sentence to discrimination. The very concept population was 12 percent. After Jamaat-e-Islami vice-president of modern nation-state and the this, according to the 2011 census, Hussain Sayeedi for committing war instructions of the United Nations there are about 9 percent Hindus left crimes in the war of 1971 in which Organization (UNO) have made in Bangladesh. millions of civilians, mostly Hindus, this very clear. But Bangladesh’s were killed. Radical Islamists have governments have failed to fulfill The United Nations, several accused the Hindus for the this responsibility. countries of the world, including punishment given by the ICT and a India, civil rights organizations and widespread communal violence Bangladesh is the third county in independent researchers have been against them was witnessed in 20 the world as far as the Hindu pressurizing the government of districts. There were communal population is concerned. Here the Bangladesh to stop communal attacks on minority Hindus during largest, about 1.5 crore population violence against Hindus. But the the 2014 general elections. This of Hindus, are living as citizens, after situation is not improving. series continues in 2015, 2016 and India and Nepal. But due to frequent 2017. attacks of Islamist fundamentalists In Bangladesh, incidents of and the failure of the government, communal persecution of minorities, The new trend of communal the Hindu population is constantly especially Hindus take place violence against Hindus has been declining in Bangladesh. According frequently. During the Bangladesh due to pictures and comments 12 JANATA, November 26, 2017 perceived as blasphemy or influential people of the majority keep (Continued from Page 5) defamation of Islam, Prophet encouraging radical elements for need for qualification for entry into Muhammad and Quran are uploaded communal unrest with the intention the profession of journalism. Since on social site Facebook. This trend to grab the lands of Hindus. the media is a fully developed field started from the year 2012 and its and has some influence on the lives ire came to Bangladeshi Buddhists Socialist Party urges the ruling of the people, the time has now come also. In reaction to a objectionable Awami League and all opposition when some qualification should be Facebook post, allegedly uploaded by political parties, particularly prescribed by law.” a Buddhist boy, in 2012, a crowd of Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Jamaat-e-Islami, to ensure full about 25,000 destroyed 22 Buddhist I do not agree that there should security of life, property, dignity and monasteries and 50 houses. The be any remote control. I would have business of minority citizens in latest example is an objectionable rather an undisciplined press in a Bangladesh. So that Hindus, post on Facebook that led to the democratic set up than a disciplined Buddhists and Christians can live burning of more than 30 Hindu press in an orderly society. The polity freely in their country enjoying full houses in Thakurbadi village of runs by the elected representatives civil rights without any fear and Rangpur district on 10 November and may look like a rule by mob. It discrimination. At the same time, the 2017. In most such incidents, it is is any time preferable to a disciplined party demands that the government believed that Islamist fundamentalists autocratic rule. themselves use Facebook with an should immediately arrest and intention to make the minorities their convict the criminals involved in the –Kuldip Nayar easy target. incidents of communal persecution.

The present Awami League The Socialist Party would like to government, which calls itself warn that the situation in Bangladesh secular, often says that the attacks is a lesson for India. The ruling class against Hindus made by of India should follow the principle of fundamentalist elements are secularism as outlined in the Indian politically motivated. In the national/ Constitution. Unfortunately, the international media and other reports, leaders of the stature of Prime mainly Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), its Minister and Chief Minister in the student organization Islamic Chhatra present UP government, openly show Shibir (ICS) and Bangladesh contempt to and ridicule the principle Nationalist Party (BNP) are named of secularism. This is a very for organizing and promoting Islamist dangerous situation for the country fundamentalist elements. The name and society. Bangladesh, created in of international terrorist 1971, was declared constitutionally organizations like ISIS also comes a secular state in 1972. But the in. BNP leader Khaleda Zia formed military dictator General Irshad made a coalition government in 2001 with Islam the state religion of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. However, Jamaat in 1988 which was totally contrary to and BNP both deny their the slogans of Bangladesh’s freedom involvement in communal movement - secularism and persecution of Hindus. democracy. also decided to make Pakistan a Experts also point out the secular democratic country. But the economic reasons behind the attacks situation there is obvious for everyone on minority Hindus in Bangladesh, to see . The Socialist Party believes besides religious and political that democracy cannot run without reasons. According to them, secularism. particularly due to ‘The Vested Property Act’, socially and politically – Dr. Abhijit Vaidya JANATA, November 26, 2017 13 Freedom Of Speech For Whom Some constitutional and philosophical underpinnings

Justice B.Sudershan Reddy

When I was asked, to deliver a strong change in the direction of egalitarianism, needs to be fought. this Keynote Speech my initial the winds. They implied a great Many people realize that those reaction, momentarily, was to churning. forces undergird the argument that politely decline the invitation. The a small number has a social right primary impulse was that the pace The killing of Gauri Lankesh, as to usurp most of the benefits of of events, the intensity of emotions she was opening the gate of her social action, leaving very little for being expressed, and indeed the house, literally rammed that churning the rest. And in the quest for manner in which they have begun into our homes. The murder of greater and greater degrees of to be expressed presents an Santanu Bhowmik just a few days usurpation, those forces are immediacy that seems to make ago, and following so closely on the increasingly attacking the careful analysis and considered killing of Gauri Lankesh, almost foundations of liberal democracies opinion more difficult. A knee jerk seems like a further emphasis of the – that human beings are capable reaction would more often than not point of the killings: sporadic of engaging in reasoned and be destructive of reasoned and protestations do not have any impact reasonable debates to set and reasonable debate in a world that on groups, political and cultural describe the paths to goals deemed is necessarily to be viewed from organizations that are bent on as important for all, and that multiple viewpoints, interests and destroying the liberal spaces of open protection of human dignity of all heterodox perspectives. discourse and dissent. These killings is a necessary envelope in which seem to presage a great struggle those other common goals are to The sorts of social, political and looming before us. be achieved. Free speech is economic forces and narratives that viewed as necessarily problematic have arisen and coalitions of them Yet that momentary disinclination to those who would usurp that are being coupled with various to speak was overcome by the everything, and hence the identity issues in a vicious cocktail, need to speak. This so, not because destruction of free speech present only a very hazy picture, and I believed that what I have to say becomes an essential component there is a need for a great deal of necessarily holds any magical keys of imposition of the logic of introspection about where we had or greater valence than what many discipline upon the masses, their begun, with what goals, and what other shocked voices have been opinions and their voices. went wrong. The only thing that saying. But, my choice to speak is seems less hazy is the rapid retreat based on my perception that I have always said on various of the normative foundations of speech itself is under attack. The platforms that it is important to forms and purposes of collective very notion that we, as human organize public spaces for exchange action – on the international, national, beings, have a primordial right to of views. This is very important for sub-national and indeed even local express our opinions, describe our those of us who specialize in various levels. It wasn’t too long ago many circumstances, have a say in how professions. As experts we tend to of us could speak of those normative we are organized in various become limited in our perspectives foundations, of tolerance of multiple associations that we choose to be by virtue of specialization. I believe viewpoints and the power of a part of at various levels of that the range of ideas, concepts and peaceful discourse and ideas, as collective action and what we are structures of events that journalists being strongly grounded in human organized to achieve, is under and lawyers can discuss is vast. Yet, cultures. The killing of more than attack. That existential threat, lawyers – with their intimate 220 journalists in the past seven years increasingly perceived by many knowledge of institutional structures across the world, that was slowly reasonable people as being pushed of democracy -, and journalists – as filtering through seemed to indicate forward by forces of in- the primary purveyors of news and 14 JANATA, November 26, 2017 creators of platforms for public feature of democracy itself.3 It is a leadership that was willing to intellectuals – seem to meet more now well recognized in the Indian accept and protect the formal as adversaries rather than as constitutional gloss that democracy trappings of political equality. collaborators in the task of taking as government by the people is vitally forward the project of a dependent on the availability, to While the involvement of the constitutional democracy. This, I citizens, spaces for frank and public masses, and in fact their believe, is an unsatisfactory state of discussion4 subject only to reasonable consolidation for formation of affairs, and something that we can restrictions. As observed by the political groupings to compete attempt to rectify in the future. Supreme Court: thrived, we seemed to have had a greater difficulty in constructing a Consequently, I suggest that what “Democracy is Government by broader culture of “epistemic I say here be viewed as the tentative the people via open discussion. The justice”. The phrase “epistemic sharing of certain perspectives and democratic form of government itself justice” refers to the rights and being view points, and to learn, in turn, demands from its citizens an active repulsed by the consequences of the from the ones assembled here, from and intelligent participation..... public deprivation of those rights, to be their perspectives, of where we are discussion with people’s participation involved and heard in the process of as bearers of the right to “free is a basic feature and a rational deliberation of who gets elected, speech” and to what purpose might process of democracy which what ends and goals are chosen for that speech be used for. Given, the distinguishes it from all other forms prioritisation and the methods used nature of that enterprise – its of Government.”5 to pursue those goals, and how the magnitude and complexity – I would nation and/or other political and social also have to humbly submit that I am The concept of democracy, and spaces are constructed and honoured to have been asked to the notion of a stake for the citizen– sustained. contribute. Additionally, I would also every citizen – in the decision as to like to further add, that I do not view who would hold the powers of the M.N. Roy, one of the doyens of such honour as deserved but only collective was itself considered Indian Humanism, had very early in incidental to being given the space revolutionary for India. Many his deliberations (in 1946) understood to deliberate with such an august constitutional experts had opined that the dangers posed by tendencies in gathering of public intellectuals. - when our founding fathers had parliamentary democracy to become elected for universal adult franchise fascist. His argument had been that The standard content that one - with vast illiteracy and poverty the charismatic leadership combined would expect a lifelong lawyer to experiment with democracy would with the nature of competitive party deliver at such a meeting of not survive for long. The danger that politics, and competition for electoral journalists and media personnel the poor and the illiterate would not office, could lead to centralization of would be about the various take their right to vote seriously has power. With the review of constitutional protections, and the been largely belied. As study after performance of elected constitutional gloss – in the form of study has revealed, it is mostly the representatives being ultimately various judgements by the Supreme poor and the illiterate who turn out bookended only by elections – and Court of India about the guarantee to vote in large numbers – or at least the potential tendency of citizenry to of “freedom of expression” in Article in much greater proportion than the attribute legitimacy to all actions by 19 of the Constitution.1 Much of the well heeled and/or cultural elites. the elected, especially when justification of that freedom, which That India has survived, as a popular uninformed about the actions taken has been interpreted to include the democracy for nearly seventy years, by those wielding power and the freedom of the press2 as being is largely due to the exercise of that rationale for the decisions by the elites equivalent to that of a citizen, has right by the masses and the manner and their consequences, both to been premised on the utilitarian and in which institutions of a themselves and to others – M.N. Roy instrumental purposes that such constitutional democracy were was worried that massive injustices freedom serves in constructing, carefully nurtured and built – on could be carried out in the name of strengthening and protecting a larger principles of tolerance, a deep the poor and the masses. This was deliberative democracy, and is to be commitment to an ontological borne out by history, with the treated, consequently, as a defining assumption of political equality, and emergence of dictatorial and fascist JANATA, November 26, 2017 15 regimes that used popular mandates, fundamental right as observed by the categorically and strongly, and I and the platforms of those mandates, Supreme Court in the Privacy Case6, might add justifiably, rebuffed such to proclaim supreme power to take the source of this right is located in a suggestion. The words of Justice decisions and make the institutions the notion of human dignity. But it Chandrachud in the recently of the State to undertake any and all goes beyond that. The right to be left delivered judgement are worth actions without the citizenry itself alone, at least in certain zones of recounting in extenso: having the rights to raise any individual autonomy that ought to be questions about them. A plethora of protected as an element of the right “In our view, the submission that emotive factors were used to sustain to life itself, and pursuit of life’s goals, the right to privacy is an elitist such claims: from religion, to is also accompanied by the human construct which stands apart from ethnicity, from ideology to personality, desire, and necessity in life, of being the needs and aspirations of the and from language to skin colour – a part of associations to achieve large majority constituting the rest every possible division had been used common goals. The Nation State, and of society, is unsustainable. This to divide citizens into monads, its various sub-levels of political submission betrays a misunderstanding concerned at best with the administration, is of course the most of the constitutional position. Our immediacy of their own prominent and primordial of such Constitution places the individual at circumstances. associations for collective action. the forefront of its focus, How that association is run, and to guaranteeing civil and political rights In such a setting, the role of the have a say in policy making – through in Part III and embodying an media was essentially conceived and raising voices in support or in dissent, aspiration for achieving socio- expected to be that of a watch dog; to form opinions in favour of the ruling economic rights in Part IV. The to ensure that it provides the citizenry coalitions or in opposition – as well as refrain that the poor need no civil with the space for news, inter alia, in what the nation-state protects or and political rights and are about the decisions being taken and does not protect is a vital ingredient, concerned only with economic well- the reasons being asserted by those nay an essential component, of human being has been utilised through in power for such decisions and dignity. Individual autonomy is not history to wreak the most actions, and their consequences, both capable of being sustained in the egregious violations of human potential and actual. The primordial absence of this aspect of epistemic rights. Above all, it must be realised function of the media was to ensure justice. The citizens ought to have, that it is the right to question, the that removal of citizenry from the and our Constitution guarantees, the right to scrutinize and the right to communicative processes regarding right of the Citizen to not just be dissent which enables an informed state action would not lead to either informed, but also to drive the public citizenry to scrutinize the actions of misuse or of misdirected use of discourse about the affairs of the state government. Those who are collective power. Democracy, in this and the public sphere in general. governed are entitled to question sense was not just about voting, but those who govern, about the about construction of institutions in I would have thought existing discharge of their constitutional the civil society – such as the media constitutional gloss had made this duties including in the provision of – to prevent the abuse of power and rather clear and hence it was a bit socio-economic welfare benefits. epistemic injustice to the citizens. shocking to me to read that the The power to scrutinize and to Attorney General had argued, on reason enables the citizens of a Consequently, even if one were to behalf of the Union of India, that democratic polity to make informed begin justifying the right to “free human beings who are poor and/or decisions on basic issues which speech” on the instrumental ground illiterate have no need for a right to govern their rights. The theory that that it enhances democratic privacy. This was a rather shocking civil and political rights are participation, the right to free speech submission to make, as it represented subservient to socio-economic rights essentially gets located in the very an assault on the very ontological has been urged in the past and has notion of human dignity, the core foundations of what we have come been categorically rejected in the minimal content of rights that each to understand “human beings” to be course of constitutional adjudication and every citizen/human being – as embodiments of a substantive by this Court.”7 possesses by virtue of being human. core of human dignity. In this regard, If being “left alone” itself is a the Supreme Court of India very (To be concluded) R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, November 26, 2017 Postal Registration No. MCW/275/2015-2017. License to Post without prepayment WPP License No. MR/Tech/WPP-210/West/2017 Published on Sunday, November 26, 2017 & Posted on Wedenesday November 29, 2017 at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1

GANNON DUNKERLEY & CO., LTD.

An infrastructure company established since 1924

REGD. OFFICE :

New Excelsior Building, (3rd Floor), A. K. Nayak Marg, Fort, Mumbai 400 001. Tel.: 022 2205 1231 Fax : 022-2205 1232

Office : Ahmedabad, 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 1 Pages 16 Price : Rupees Five

Vol. 72 No. 45 Mandir and Masjid can Co-Exist December 3, 2017 Kuldip Nayar

Moody’s Upgrades India’s ON December 6, the demolition said that the central government was Sovereign Rating: of the Babri masjid would be 25 helpless because of the determination What Does it Really Mean? years old. Instead of making amends by hundreds of kar sevaks to Neeraj Jain for what the Congress government demolish the masjid. But Madhu did in 1992 with the connivance of Limaye, the late Socialist leader, later Om Saraf lives and dies then Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha told me the puja that Rao performed ‘unconventionally’ Rao, the ruling Bhartiya Janata Party was meant to camouflage the Suresh Chander government is bent upon building a demolition. When an aide whispered temple at the site where the masjid into his ears that the masjid had been stood once. demolished, he opened his eyes. Freedom Of Speech For Whom Justice B.Sudershan Reddy RSS chief has Rao could have easily acted made a statement that only a ‘grand before the demolition took place. The temple’ would be built in Ayodhya proclamation to impose President’s Farmers Freedom from and nothing else. This is unfair to rule was ready a fortnight earlier. It Debt Bill the Muslims or the liberals who was awaiting the cabinet approval. support the country’s diversity and The Prime Minister did not convene had come to agree that both the its meeting. When the demolition mosque and the temple could stand began, there were frantic calls to the side-by-side at the site. However, Prime Minister’s Office. the demolition remains a blot on India’s secularism. To build ‘only’ Even if the Congress were to deny the temple would tantamount to the allegation against Rao, the party Editor : rubbing salt in the wound that was has not yet explained how a small G. G. Parikh inflicted. temple had come up overnight at the Managing Editor : Guddi site where the masjid stood earlier. I recall that after the demolition, The centre was then in full control D-15, Ganesh Prasad, which initiated countrywide Hindu- because UP had been put under Naushir Bharucha Marg, Muslim clashes, Prime Minister Rao President’s rule after dismissal of the convened a meeting of senior state government. In any case, the Mumbai - 400 007. journalists to explain what had Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi Email : [email protected] happened. He sought the media dispute had transcended the state Website:www.janataweekly.org cooperation in quenching the fire. He borders and the centre was following 2 JANATA, December 3, 2017 the developments every day. The among the 68 who were “culpable” “Ram temple matter is in the Justice Manmohan Singh Liberhan in taking the country to the brink of Supreme Court and I think we should commission’s silence on Rao’s “communal discord.” let the legal process be complete. behaviour was meant to cover up his Other discussions can be held after complicity and that of the Congress Not only that. The three leaders that,” said , BJP’s party. acted against the Supreme Court’s National General Secretary. order “not to disturb the status quo.” Similarly, the VHP also voiced its “Let the temple come up.” This In other words, they made a concerns over the Art of Living was the remark by Atal Behari mockery of the country’s judiciary founder trying to resolve the Ram Vajpayee when I asked for his and the constitution to which they Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute. reaction to the destruction of the swore before assuming power. And masjid one day after the incident. I they ruled for six years without a tug “This is not for the first time that was surprised by his comment of conscience. Sri Sri has taken this initiative. In because I considered him a liberal 2001, he made attempts but failed. force in the BJP. In fact, the The question is not only legal but The reaction to his efforts was the Liberhan Commission had named also moral. How can the planned same as today,” VHP joint general Vajpayee as one of the collaborators demolition be squared up with the secretary Surendra Jain had said. in pulling down the mosque. How holding of office by Vajpayee, The real hitch is the statement by could he have reacted differently Advani and Joshi? This is a matter Bhagwat that only the temple would when he was a party to the that the nation should have debated come up in Ayodhya and nothing “meticulously planned” scheme to to find an answer. Those who have else. When Muslims have, by and demolish the mosque? no clean hands should not be allowed large, come to accept that the temple to defile the temple of Parliament. could be built by the side of the That L.K. Advani and Murli mosque, the RSS chief’s lament is Manohar Joshi, the other two BJP Meanwhile, Art of Living founder unwarranted. leaders, were co-conspirators was Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has been known on December 6, 1992, itself. making efforts for mediation among The surprising name for me was that the stakeholders. During his recent of Vajpayee. The Vajpayee, when he visit to Ayodhya, the spiritual guru Janata Subscription was Prime Minister, was a changed has said that the problem could be person. He had led a bus of solved through dialogue and mutual intellectuals and journalists to Lahore respect rather than “conceit and to give the message of peace and accusation.” Even UP chief minister Annual Rs. : 260/- conciliation to the neighbours. Yogi Adiyanath, whom the guru had met, agreed to provide all necessary Three Years : 750/- The indictment has exposed our support. polity because all the three came to occupy top positions in the country. The spiritual guru’s meeting with Demand Draft / Cheque Vajpayee became the Prime the UP chief minister came in the Minister, Advani the Home Minister backdrop of BJP launching its civil on and Joshi, the Human Resources poll campaign from Ayodhya with Mumbai Bank in favour of Development Minister. If all the promises of redevelopment. three were collaborators in the However, the Vishwa Hindu demolition of the Babri masjid, they Parishad, an arm of the RSS, and were dishonest in taking the oath of the Muslims Personal Law Board office which demanded that the has rejected Sri Sri’s offer to mediate JANATA TRUST oath-taker would work for the on the issue. The feeling within the country’s unity and uphold the BJP leadership is that the decision D-15, Ganesh Prasad, constitution that mentions secularism be best left to the Supreme Court, Naushir Bharucha Marg, in the preamble. The Liberhan which is slated to hear the case Mumbai 400 007 Commission has said that they were on December 5. JANATA, December 3, 2017 3 Moody’s Upgrades India’s Sovereign Rating: What Does it Really Mean?

Neeraj Jain

On November 17, 2017, and institutional reforms’ for this which has placed India on a path of international rating agency Moody’s ratings upgrade. These include: high trajectory growth. It’s also a on Friday upgraded India’s sovereign recognition of the fact that India bond rating by two notches to Baa2 • its efforts to reduce corruption, continues to follow a path of fiscal Stable from its lowest investment formalise economic activity and prudence that has brought stability grade Baa3 Positive. This was the improve tax collection and to the Indian economy.” He further first ratings upgrade by Moody’s for administration, including through added: “If you look at the big picture India since 2004. demonetisation and GST for three years in a row India is the fastest growing amongst the major Let us first explain these ratings, • its efforts to reduce its economies. India is one of the few before going ahead with our analysis. expenditures, including through economies undertaking structural The various ratings of Moody’s are: measures like targeted delivery of reforms. I’m sure that many who Aaa, Aa, A, Baa, Ba, B, Caa, Ca, C. benefits through the Direct had doubts in their minds about Aaa is the highest rating, and it means Benefit Transfer (DBT) system India’s reform process would now ‘Highest quality, lowest risk.’ C is seriously introspect on their own the lowest, defined as ‘Typically in • measures such as Aadhaar positions itself.” default, with little possibility of recovery of principal and interest’. • the measures taken by it to The PMO tweeted “Moody’s The category Baa that Moody’s has address non-performing loans in believes that the @narendramodi given to India means ‘Medium grade, the banking system Government’s reforms will improve moderate credit risk, speculative business climate, enhance characteristics’. Attached to all these • the fast pace of growth in incomes productivity, stimulate foreign and categories are one of three numeric etc. domestic investment, and ultimately codes 1,2 and 3, which stand for foster strong and sustainable stand for ‘high’, ‘medium’ and ‘low’ It further added that if the growth.”2 respectively. And attached to each government took steps to further numeric code are one of the three reduce its expenditures, and This upgrade giving a thumbs up categories: Positive, Stable and implemented key pending reforms, to the performance of the economy Weak. Thus, when Moody’s including land and labour reforms, comes at a strange time, just when upgraded India’s rating from Baa3 that would help India further upgrade all the economic indicators show that 1 Positive to Baa2 Stable, it is an its sovereign rating. the economy is performing terribly, upgradation by two notches: Baa3 with no signs of improvement in the This news made the headlines in Positive to Baa2 Weak to Baa2 near future. A few statistics. almost all newspapers. Finance Stable. Minister Jaitley immediately termed India: External Accounts What does this upgradation this as a “belated recognition of all mean? It basically means that the positive steps taken in India in Our external accounts were never Moody’s has given the thumbs up for last few years.” He went on to say, in a worse state: foreign investors to increase their “it is a recognition and an investments in India. Why? endorsement of the reform process 1. Our external debt crossed According to newspaper reports, that has gone on in India particularly $485 billion in June 2017, making Moody’s cited the BJP government’s in last 3-4 years where a number of India one of the world’s most ‘wide-ranging program of economic structural reforms have taken place indebted countries.3 The Indian 4 JANATA, December 3, 2017 economy has become totally the subsequent quarters, to 5.7% in quarter of 2018 (April-June) was dependent on foreign capital inflows, Q1 of 2017-18.6 only 2%, the lowest in the past including both foreign direct eight quarters.9 investment inflows and speculative 2. One may argue that even this capital inflows, to stay afloat. All the growth rate of 5.7% is not bad, but 5. The Modi Government has glib talk about our large foreign in all probability, even this is a huge waived bank loans given to the rich exchange reserves is meaningless; overestimate. That is because this in record amounts. It has written as we have shown elsewhere, our quarterly data is largely based on writing off bank loans to corporate foreign exchange reserves are much data provided by the corporate sector houses and the rich to the tune of a less than our ‘vulnerable external and some other organised sectors of mind-boggling Rs 1.87 lakh crore liabilities’ (foreign capital that has the economy. It does not include data during its three years in power. On come into the country that can leave from the unorganised sectors of the top of it, has also restructured loans the country very quickly).4 This economy, which contributes to 45% to the rich whose total amount may means that if foreign investors decide of the GDP. This sector was hit hard even be more than this loan write- to pull out their money from India— by demonetisation and now the off figure.10 And yet, Indian bank’s which they can do at the tap of a government decision to roll-in GST. bad loans climbed to an astounding computer key— our foreign While there are no official surveys Rs 9.5 lakh crore by the end of June exchange reserves are simply that capture the extent to which this 2017.11 insufficient to prevent the economy sector was hit by demonetisation, from once again plunging into foreign private surveys indicate that that this Those were broad economic exchange bankruptcy, similar to what sector was badly affected, by as indicators. So far as the people are happened in 1990-91. much as 60-80%. It also led to a concerned, the situation has never huge increase in unemployment, as been more worse: 2. In financial year 2017-18, more than 92% of our workforce is our external accounts situation is employed in the unorganised sector. Terrible Unemployment getting worse. During the first Basing himself on data provided by Situation quarter of this year, India’s current these private surveys, the noted account deficit (CAD) rose to a economist Prof. Arun Kumar argues 1. The overwhelming number four-year high of $14.3 billion. Our that it is possible that the GDP of jobs in the economy, nearly 93%, trade deficit for the first six months growth rate has actually fallen to continue to be in the informal sector, of this year zoomed by a whopping way below 5.7%, and in all characterised by low wages, no job 166% to $43.8 billion as compared probability is near-zero.7 security and no social security to $16.5 billion in April-September benefits. And this has been so for 2016.5 3. The drastic slowdown in the the past more than two decades. The economy is also indicated by the Planning Commission admits that Economy Heading Into collapse in credit off-take. Low credit during the decade 2000-10, the Recession off-take suggests that production and economy created no formal jobs, in investment has slowed down. Credit fact the total number of formal sector 1. The economy is slowing offtake was already at a whopping jobs actually declined in absolute down. Official data show that the six-decade low of 5.08 per cent terms!12 India’s GDP or gross domestic during the financial year 2016-17. It product slowed down to 5.7% on a in fact turned negative in July and 2. The actual employment year-on-year basis during the April- August 2017, something that has situation is far worse than suggested June quarter of 2017-18. More never happened before.8 by the above figures, as economy is significantly, this was the sixth simply not creating jobs for all the consecutive quarter for which the 4. The Index of Industrial new entrants into the job market, GDP growth has slowed down. It Production, a measure of India’s even in the informal sector. Total had touched a high of 9.1% in factory output, turned negative (- number of people entering the job January-March 2016 quarter. After 0.1%) in June 2017, the first time market is estimated to be 13 million that it has continuously slowed down, it has happened in the past four per year.13 Official figures indicate to 7.9%, 7.5%, 7.0% and 6.1% in years. The IIP growth for the first that barely 40% of the new entrants JANATA, December 3, 2017 5 into the job market are getting jobs. • In 2004–05, the percentage of If the economy is in such terrible Barely 85.8 million got jobs during people in rural India unable to state, then why is Moody’s praising the period 1993-94 to 2009-10.14 access 2,200 calories was 69.5 the Modi Government and has percent; this percentage had upgraded India’s rating? 3. This situation has further gone up to an appalling 75.5 worsened under Modi rule. The percent in 2009–10! The truth is, Moody’s is not at all quarterly surveys carried out by the concerned about the state of Indian Labour Bureau of selected labour • 64.5 percent of the urban economy, it has not upgraded India’s intensive organised sectors finds that population was unable to reach rating because it is doing well - which employment generation in 2016 had 2,100 calories energy intake in it is not, as all the above facts testify. fallen to just 25% of the jobs 2004–05; this figure too had The real reason why Moody’s has generated during 2009-11.15 A more gone up to 73 percent in 2009– given the thumbs up to Modi recent study says that there was an 10!19 Government’s economic policies is absolute decline in employment because it is continuing with the during the first two years of the Modi To most people fed on a daily diet policies of globalisation– Government (2014-16), possibly the of media propaganda that India is liberalisation–privatisation that have first time this has happened since rapidly growing and is an emerging been implemented in the country for independence.16 superpower, these figures would the last more than two decades. appear to be an exaggeration. But These policies are being Appalling Poverty Levels these distressing figures are borne implemented at the behest of the out by other surveys too: governments of the developed India’s poverty levels are countries led by the USA, and the appalling. The Government of India a. The National Commission international financial institutions claims that that poverty levels in for Enterprises in the Unorganised controlled by them, the World Bank the country have fallen from 37.2 Sector (NCEUS), established in and the International Monetary Fund percent in 2004–05 to 29.8 percent 2004, estimated that 77 percent (or IMF). The reason why in 2009–10, and then within two Indians lived below Rs 20 a day. successive Indian Government’s at years to 21.9% in 2011-12!17 A This figure is in fact more than Utsa the Centre have been dutifully closer look reveals their trickery: Patnaik’s estimates for poverty in implementing their dictates since the Planning Commission has 2004–05.20 1991 is because of our huge foreign deliberately lowered India’s debt, which under the Modi poverty line to the shamelessly low b. India is one of the world’s Government has now topped $485 level of Rs 27.2 per day in rural worst performing countries in billion. (Discussing this issue in areas and Rs 33.3 per day in urban providing its citizens two square greater detail is beyond the scope of areas (for 2011-12).18 In other meals a day. The Global Hunger this article.)23 The objective of these words, our poverty line does not Index, a report published by the economic reforms is to remould the measure poverty, but destitution. International Food Policy Research Indian economy and allow big Basing herself on the original Institute, ranked India at 100 out of corporations—both foreign and definition of poverty line accepted 119 countries in its latest report Indian—to acquire decisive control by India’s Planning Commission in released in 2017.21 over it so that they can maximise the 1970s, wherein all people their profits. unable to access 2200 / 2100 c. Data from the National calories per day in rural / urban Family Health Survey–4 (2015–16) This can be easily understand by areas are considered poor, the show that 38.4 percent of children taking a look at Modi’s policy of noted economist Utsa Patnaik has under the age of five suffer from demonetisation that has been praised made estimates of the number of chronic malnutrition, because of by Moody’s. No one who knows people in the country who are living which their growth is stunted (low anything about economics will praise below this poverty line using data height for age).22 demonetisation. Yet, Moody’s praises from the NSSO surveys of 2004– the Modi Government for this, saying 05 and 2009–10. Her estimates Analysing Moody’s Upgradation that it was a serious effort to reduce show that: of the Indian Economy corruption and formalise economic 6 JANATA, December 3, 2017 activity. As we have discussed Now, in the name of demonetisation public sector financial institutions, elsewhere,24 demonetisation was not and cashless economy, the Modi and will be devastating for the Indian an attack on corruption, that is just a Government has launched yet economy in the long run, is of no lot of hot air. Where Moody’s is right another offensive to further cripple consequence for Moody’s; all that is in stating that it was a serious it. No wonder that Moody’s is full of matters is the present profits of effort to formalise the economy. praise for it. foreign investors.25 Demonetisation was indeed an attack on India’s vast informal sector. The The unfortunate truth is, Modi- 3. The Modi Government is three biggest components of India’s Jaitley are implementing the World diligently implementing yet another vast unorganised or informal sector Bank dictated neoliberal policies at policy demanded by India’s foreign are: an even faster pace than the investors, that it reduce the fiscal previous UPA Government. This is deficit. Now, for an economy like i. Agricultural sector, on which 53% the real reason for Moody’s India, a high fiscal deficit is actually of the population depend for their upgrading India’s sovereign rating. good for the economy. The theory, livelihoods; We give a few more examples. that high levels of fiscal deficit relative to GDP will adversely impact ii. Small-scale or unorganised retail 1. In 2015-16, the new BJP growth, is humbug. John Maynard sector, which accounts for around government twice announced huge Keynes, one of the greatest 9% of total employment; liberalisation of foreign direct economists of the 20th century, had investment (FDI) rules for foreign debunked it long ago. He had argued iii. Small-scale or unorganised investors, and proudly declared that that in an economy where there is manufacturing sector, which these reforms have made the country poverty and unemployment, the accounts for 7.5% of total the most open in the world. It has government can, and in fact should, employment. gone to the extent of permitting FDI expand public works and generate even in defence. It does not matter employment by borrowing, that is, Why does Moody’s want the to Moody’s that the more the FDI enlarging the fiscal deficit; such government of India to attack this inflows, the more the profit outflows, government expenditure would also vitally important sector that provides which push the economic into deeper stimulate private expenditure 93% of the employment in the external debt crisis. through the ‘multiplier’ effect. All country and contributes nearly 50% developed countries, when faced of the GDP. The reason is, the big 2. Ever since India began with recessionary conditions, have corporations stand to benefit. The globalisation in 1991, foreign financial implemented Keynesian economic foreign and big Indian corporations corporations have been demanding principles and resorted to high levels are interested in destroying India’s that the Indian Government end its of public spending and high fiscal informal sector and corporatising the control over the country’s financial deficits.26 Then why do Moody’s and Indian economy because it will give sector, in other words, privatise it, the big foreign investors want the a further boost to their profits. Thus, and allow foreign investors to enter Indian Government to reduce its for example, the big shopping malls and take it over. The BJP fiscal deficit? will obviously want to destroy India’s Government has taken several steps small scale retail sector so that all in this direction, including getting the Well, the truth is, they are not Indians will be forced to go to the Insurance Laws Amendment Bill really concerned about the fiscal malls to buy their needs. Likewise, passed by Parliament to increase deficit. This can be explained by a agribusiness corporations want to FDI inflows into the insurance sector, simple argument. The fiscal deficit destroy India’s small farmers so that and setting up the Banking Boards is the excess of the government’s they can take over their lands and Bureau as an important step expenditures over receipts. Even a corporatise Indian agriculture. India’s towards eventual privatisation of the cursory look at the policies being informal sector was already banking sector, and gradually pursued by the Government of India struggling for survival under the privatising the pension funds. That reveals that it is giving away lakh of neoliberal economic reforms being these steps will endanger the lakhs crore of rupees as subsidies to the implemented in the country since of crores of rupees of savings of the rich. Why don’t Moody’s and the 1991 in the name of globalisation. people that are deposited in these foreign corporations demand that JANATA, December 3, 2017 7 the government reduce these huge people, but is an indicator of how 10 Bank loan write-off calculated give-aways and thereby reduce the well the economy is doing for profit from: “PSU Banks Write Off Rs fiscal deficit? But in the new maximisation of giant foreign and 1.54 Lakh Crore Bad Loans”, economic lexicon of these foreign Indian corporations. India is on December 8, 2016, https:// scoundrels, these concessions are SALE, and the foreign investors and yourstory.com; and “PSU Banks called ‘incentives’ and are their ratings agencies are Write Off Rs 2.49 Lakh Crore of considered essential for ‘growth’. celebrating. Loans in 5 Years”, August 7, 2017, Note that Moody’s has no problems http://economictimes.indiatimes. with the government writing off bad References com. Loan restructuring amount loans of public sector banks, it in fact 1 “Citing Reforms that Lift during Modi Government is not has praised this. Then why are they Growth, Moody’s Upgrades India known, but is likely to be quite high, pressing the Government of India to First Time Since 2004", November as past figures indicate that reduce its fiscal deficit? The real 18, 2017, http://indianexpress.com. banks had restructured loans to the reason is: they want the Indian tune of Rs 6 lakh crore by March Government to reduce the 2 Ibid. 2014. concessions being given to the poor, which are aimed at making available 3 India’s External Debt as at the 11 Devidutta Tripathy, Suvashree essential welfare services like End of June 2017, September 29, Choudhury, “No Respite for Banks education, health, food, transport, 2017, www.rbi.org.in. as Bad Loans Hit Record Rs 9.5 electricity, etc. to them at affordable Trillion”, October 10, 2017, https:// rates. They give these concessions 4 Neeraj Jain, Essays on thewire.in. are given the derisive name Contemporary Indian Economy, ‘subsidies’, and are demanding that Aakar Books, Delhi, 2016, pp. 155– 12 Twelfth Five Year Plan: these be drastically reduced in the 57. Volume 3 – Social Sectors, p. 131, name of containing the fiscal deficit. http://planning commission.gov.in. As the quality of these services 5 Noor Mohammad, “Looming deteriorates, that gives the Gold Imports and Rising Oil Prices 13 Muthukumar K., Seetharaman government the excuse to privatise Throw Up Initial Warning Signs on R., “In Search of a Job”, April 10, them, resulting in fabulous profits for Deficit Front”, November 4, 2017, 2017,http:// the private sector. https://thewire.in. www.thehindubusinessline.com; S.A. Aiyar, “‘Drive in India’ Can • This is precisely why 6 “GDP Growth Falling for 6 Generate More Jobs than ‘Make in Moody’s praises the government’s Consecutive Quarters: Why India India’”, February 26, 2017, http:// efforts to implement Direct Benefit Slipped After Overtaking China”, blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Transfer. This, together with September 1, 2017, http:// Aadhaar, is nothing but a step to indiatoday.intoday.in. 14 Economic Survey, 2001–02: reduce government food subsidies Social Sectors – Labour and and gradually wind up the public 7 Arun Kumar, “India’s Troubling Employment, http://indiabudget. distribution system. It will lead to a and Official Growth Numbers Are nic.in; Twelfth Five Year Plan: huge increase in food prices, as the Only the Tip of the Iceberg”, October Volume 3 – Social Sectors, op. cit., PDS was an important measure to 3, 2017, https://thewire.in. p. 160. check hoarding of foodgrains and 15 speculation in food prices, and will 8 “Credit Growth Plunges to Over M.K. Venu, “Modi Government spell absolute disaster for the millions 60-Year Low of 5.1% in FY17", is in Deep Denial over India’s of impoverished people in the April 16, 2017, http:// ‘Jobless Growth’ Crisis“, May 19, country.27 www.thehindubusinessline.com; 2017, https://thewire.in. Arun Kumar, ibid. 16 To conclude, the upgradation of “As the Economy Slumps, India’s sovereign rating by Moody’s 9 “IIP Declines for the First Time How Many Jobs Is It Really Taking is not an indicator of how well the in Four Years’’, August 11, 2017, With It?” October 3, 2017, https:// Indian economy is doing for the http://www.motilaloswal.com. thewire.in. 8 JANATA, December 3, 2017

17 “Poverty Dips to 29.8% in booklet: Is the Government Really Neeraj Jain, “Modi Government and 2009–10: Planning Commission”, Poor, Lokayat publication, 2014, India’s Food Security”, Janata March 19, 2012, http:// http://lokayat.org.in. Weekly, Mumbai, http:// www.dnaindia.com; Economic janataweekly.org. Survey, 2015–16, Volume 2, pp. 209– 27 For more on this, see our article: 10, http://indiabudget.nic.in.

18 Utsa Patnaik, “The Dishonesty Press Release in Counting the Poor”, July 30, 2013, http://www.thehindu.com. Farmers Freedom from Debt Bill 19 Utsa Patnaik, “Poverty Trends in India 2004–05 to 2009–10: Updating Poverty Estimates and On 20th November, the Kisan assembly of 545 women of families Comparing Official Figures”, Mukti Sansad began in New Delhi, of farmers who had committed Economic & Political Weekly, as a culmination of the Kisan Mukti suicide and many other women October 5, 2013, http://www.epw.in. Yatra of more than 10 thousand farmers. Kavita Kurungati, a woman kilometers by All India Kisan farmer, and convener of Alliance for 20 “Constructing Theoretical Sangharsh Coordination Committee Sustainable and Holistic Agriculture Justifications to Suppress People’s in 19 states. Lakhs of farmers (ASHA) put forward the issues of Social Claims”, Aspects of participated in KisanMukti Sansad. women farmers in detail and India’s Economy, No. 62, January Since morning, thousands of farmers emphasized on the need of passing 2016, http://www.rupe-india.org. started marching with flags and the bill for loan waiver and ensuring sloganeering from Ramlila grounds, prices of farm produce at least raise 21 Pratik Sinha, “Fact-Check: Did Ambedkar Bhavan, Gurudwara to 1.5 times of the input cost. India Fall 45 Places in Global Rakabganj and different railway Hunger Index Rank from 2014 to stations to reach Kisan Mukti Sansad It was shocking to hear the 2017?” October 16, 2017, https:// at Parliament Street. The Sansad stories shared by women of the scroll.in. started with paying tribute to the bereaved families. They felt for the farmers martyred in Mandsaur and first time that someone was listening 22 “Prevalence of Wasting Among other police firings, to farmers who to their grievances and were hopeful Children Is Rising, Shows NFHS-4 had committed suicide and to farmers that no other family will face the Data”, http://www.im4change.org. of Yavatmal, who died due to consequences, which they had pesticide poisoning. suffered due to farmer’s suicide. 23 For more on this, seeour Farmers will not commit suicide but publication: Neeraj Jain, V. M. Singh, convener of will resist now for their demands, Globalisation or Recolonisation, AIKSCC, welcomed the farmers asserted by them. Lokayat publication, http:// and said farming had become a loss lokayat.org.in. making activity which was beneficial While addressing the women’s before. That’s why we are reminding parliament, Medha Patkar said that 24 See our publication : the Prime Minister of this country this is a historic moment when Demonetisation: Yet Another Fraud about his promises of farm loan women from all over the country on the People, Lokayat publication, waiver and assurance of doubling have gathered for their parliament 2017, http://lokayat.org.in. farmer’s income. All the previous and not only they are discussing their farm loans must be waived off. PM issues but also putting forward the 25 For more on this, see our book : has to fulfill his promises when bill to Kisan Mukti Sansad, aimed at Neeraj Jain, Essays on farmers showed faith in him during bettering lives of farmers, peasants, Contemporary Indian Economy, op. elections. After that Medha Patkar, farm workers, adivasis, landless, cit., Chapter 3. leader of tenant farmers, fishworkers. She and National Alliance of People’s said that Govt. have displaced more 26 For more on this, see our Movements (NAPM), chaired the than 10 crores farmers from all over JANATA, December 3, 2017 9 the country including farmers of MP Raju Shetty said that we Rajaram Singh, president of Akhil Narmada Valley without complete would not spare anyone found Bhartiya Kisan Mahasabha and rehabilitation. Putting forward the cheating farmers. We, the farmers, former MLA, said that Government need of alternative development had the capability to overturn the is continuously persuing running anti policy, she declared the current ruling government three years ago. farmers policies in the country, giving policy disastrous for farmers, No political party would have got profits to corporates and loss to workers and others. We want clear mandate in the parliament. It farmers. The number of deaths due development for all, not disaster. is only because of farmer’s support, to hunger are increasing in BJP ruled Women farmers raised their hands Narendra Modi was able to come states. Due to which, we farmers and approved the bill. with clear majority on the promise and workers will claim and demand of raising farmer’s policies to for rights together otherwise we will Hannan Mollah, president of minimum 1.5 times of the cost. We not allow the government to run. AIKS, presented the Farmer’s will not sit down quietly now. Raju Freedom From Debt Bill, 2017 and Shetty said that the date of Kisan Butta Singh Burjgil, Secretary of the former MP, and Raju Shetty, MP Mukti Sansad was decided in such a Bhartiya Kisan Union (Dakaunda), and president of Swabhimani way that we would be able to raise said that the Congress party Shetkaari Sangathan, supported our voices both inside and outside the promised to waive off the farmers the ke=Àef

Suresh Chander

Shri Om Prakash Saraf was a of failed infiltration in 1965 in valley Kashmir would have been different. man of extraordinary sensitivity and realised that violence is no solution This was intolerance at its worst that human wisdom, a bridge between to local problems and left the country too during Nehru’s regime. It is sad various regions of state of Jammu for good. that Nehru, a great upholder of and Kashmir, including Pakistan democratic values, allowed it to administered Kashmir. It was this conviction that he happen founded Praja Socialist Party in 1954 Doyen of journalism Om Saraf on in Jammu and Kashmir and was His 1962 election as a candidate Saturday breathed his last here after elected as its first Chairman. The of the Praja Socialist Party, his a brief illness. He was 95. As per PSP had members from both sides proposer and seconder were his wish, his mortal remains were of the Pir Panjal and attracted a large abducted on the night of filing donated to Government Medical number of young students and others nomination, from Srinagar’s College Jammu for research, and he among them, to name only a few, Amirakadal constituency is still desired not to hold any rituals after former CJI Adarsh Sen Anand, DD talked about in serious and his death. Thakur, ex Governor and Dy. Chief knowledgeable political circles as one Minister of J&K under Sheikh man’s attempt to fight corrupt, brutal Born on May 3, 1920, he started Abdullah, ex DG Police SS Wazir. and unscrupulous political power. his journalistic career at a young age In his own words: of 18 as joint Editor of Rattan (1938- It is amazing that a man with no 47) and Ranbir (1942-50). Even Our contention had been that the official or political position could Munshi Prem Chand contributed to presence of a pro-India opposition command the respect and affection Rattan, a children’s magazine. as against a pro-India Government of public figures and bureaucrats Ranbir was banned by Sheikh will always be helpful to the cause across the socio-political spectrum Abdullah for its independent policy of people of Kashmir as much as for from Leh to Lakhanpur. They looked notwithstanding the fact that Om Indian democracy. Let not every to him more for affection than for Saraf was one of the founding Kashmiri who is anti-Government be guidance. His home in Srinagar had members of the National labeled as anti-State. The need for no locks, anybody could come and Conference. it further increased when the stay without any formal permission. communal, reactionary elements in He had differences with RSS brand Many National Conference the Valley and in Jammu succeeded, of ideology and surprised me when members along with Om Saraf, from as it appeared, in creating a gulf a prominent leader of Jan Sangh Jammu, were expelled by Sheikh between the people and the forces came in early morning to collect a Abdullah when they were part of the really working for the accession of memorandum or a resolution emergency administration in 1947 the State with India. Let not the which he had asked Om Saraf to after Maharaja handed over power Government party alone become the rewrite. This speaks volumes of his to Sheikh Abdullah. It did not deter monopoly of pro-India elements. The integrity and respect of his political Omji to side with Sheikh Abdullah failure of the one-party State opponents. after has arrest in 1953. experiment to check the communal and reactionary forces should have He was personally known to most It was his conviction of making opened our eyes. of Presidents, Prime Ministers, the section of pro-Pak Muslims in senior bureaucrats including Judges the State to give up their fanaticism. It speaks volumes of his foresight in Pakistan administered Kashmir. In He engaged with them throughout and follies of the central government. his demise, a vital link between his active life. It was due to his Had the forces represented by PSP various regions of Jammu and efforts that a would be administrator not been crushed, the narrative of Kashmir has been lost. 12 JANATA, December 3, 2017

At the personal level, he had a of God or necessity to say thank never once he talked ill or negative legion of admirers. He treated you or not. He never imposed his qualities of others. Always spoke everybody as his equal and own viewpoint but encouraged of their virtues. became member of their families. others to articulate their views. Om One could discuss anything with Saraf had a rare quality of seeing He was a sort of modern Rishi. him whether it was the existence only positive qualities of others, With him an era has ended. Birth of the PSP in Kashmir

Om Saraf

Shri Om Prakash Saraf, founder Chairman of PSP in Jammu and Kashmir in 1954, passed away on November 25, 2017 at the age 95+. The best tribute to him is in his own words on Birth of P.S.P. in Kashmir. He wrote this article in 1959 and is of relevance even today. - Suresh Chander

The problem of emotional and National Conference. First, inaugurated our Party unit, was spiritual integration of the Jammu and separate parties came into being beaten in broad daylight in an open Kashmir State with the Indian Union in Jammu and Srinagar; and later, street and some other leaders met is undoubtedly one of the few vital these merged to form the PSP in with the same fate. It had been the problems confronting the nation ever the State in November, 1954. privilege of our State Party since independence. That we, of the executive that all of its members had Praja Socialist Party in Jammu and Our contention had been that the been assaulted by the ruling party Kashmir, as part and parcel of an presence of a pro-India opposition goondas at one place or other at all-India party, stand for it was in fact as against a pro-India Government different times. The saddest part of the main reason for our setting up a will always be helpful to the cause it all was to be dubbed by Prime Party unit five years ago. Ours of people of Kashmir as much as Minister Nehru himself in the course remains so far, the only organization for Indian democracy. Let not of his speeches in Parliament in in the State which is bound by the every Kashmiri who is anti- 1955, first as a Hindu communal ideology and constitution of an Indian Government be labeled as anti- body and, then after some weeks, party. State. The need for it further as a Muslim communal body. increased when the communal, Obviously he had been misinformed All along since 1947, it had been reactionary elements in the Valley by interested authorities. At both and perhaps still continues to be the and in Jammu succeeded, as it times I failed to get an opportunity policy of the Government of India appeared, in creating a gulf to bring to his notice personally the not to encourage the formation of any between the people and the forces right perspective. I, however, had secular, democratic opposition in the really working for the accession of once an occasion to explain my case State. They have always advised us the State with India. Let not the to Dhebarbhai, the then Congress to restrict our struggle within the Government party alone become chief, on the eve of his visit to National Conference. On the other the monopoly of pro-India Srinagar. It was, nevertheless, a hand, the National Conference, elements. The failure of the one- hopeless experience. which had been our united front till party State experiment to check 1947 was, in our view, no longer a the communal and reactionary I can well understand unqualified fit instrument for bringing about the forces should have opened our support the Congress leaders gave necessary social change. Like the eyes. to the National Conference at the Indian Socialists who left the Indian party level but the common national National Congress, the Socialists in That it did not and does not is cause will not be served if every Jammu and Kashmir left the our grievance. Asoka Mehta, who opposition to the State is dubbed by JANATA, December 3, 2017 13 the Government of India, and even encourage, the functioning of a to what extent the people of Kashmir the , as healthy democratic socialist will be ultimately required to play a hostile to India. The absence of a opposition throughout the State. useful part in any agreement with powerful progressive opposition, Also, unless the State Government Pakistan. But in pursuance of India’s perhaps more than anything else, chooses to behave like a healthy role that it is seeking to play today, was responsible for giving a new democratic Government permitting quite rightly, in the world politics, a lease of life to narrow regional forces an opposition to function in the policy of respecting the local wishes represented by the Praja Parishad State, it will continue to be is as conducive to the cause of amity in Jammu and the Political responsible for communal, regional between India and Pakistan at Conference in 1953. Prime Minister and linguistic rivalries endangering present as it will surely be in the Nehru’s uncharitable attacks on the the very integrity of the State and future for an amicable settlement of Kashmir PSP, soon after its the relationship between India and outstanding disputes between the inception, had actually resulted in Kashmir. You may have to two countries. popular anti-Government sentiments doubtfully look at “irrevocable being exploited full by the regional accession” and then resort to I leave it to the Government of elements. “finalise” it over and over again. India to frame its Kashmir policy. But speaking as a public worker, I believe Unfortunately Hindus and It will be wrong to shut our eyes I will have done some service to the Muslims in Jammu and Kashmir are to a number of pro-Pakistan cause of peace, democracy and broadly separated regionally and Muslims who will always be there, socialism if I, as a PSP worker, linguistically also. This triple so long as Pakistan is there to whip succeed in making a section of pro- communal, linguistic and regional up sentiments and some Hindus are Pak Muslims in the State give up their division is probably the greatest there to react to it in an aggressive fanaticism and instead desire hindrance in the way of establishing manner. No doubt, Prime Minister genuine India-Pak friendship and in cordial relations between the people Nehru has ruled out the possibility convincing Indians that those who of Jammu and Kashmir themselves. of a plebiscite in the State in the oppose the Bakshi regime are not all It equally affects the relationship of existing context of the world situation pro-Pakistanis or constitute a danger Kashmir with the rest of India. In which obviously, however, is not in to the security of the State. I am such a situation I feel it is imperative our hands entirely; yet, the need for pretty certain Bakshi’s policy of “gun for leaders of the ruling party in an Indo-Pak agreement on Kashmir or gold” has done more harm than India to tolerate at least, if not will be there, always. I do not know good to India. Freedom Of Speech For Whom - II Some constitutional and philosophical underpinnings

Justice B.Sudershan Reddy

Asserting that “[C]ivil and difficult; (ii) Rent seeking behaviour flourish ensure that governmental political rights and socio-economic (or corruption) enabling capture of policies are subjected to critique and rights do not exist in a state of social welfare benefits by those not assessment. It is this scrutiny which antagonism”, Justice Chandrachud eligible to receive them; and (iii) sub-serves the purpose of ensuring went on to elucidate some of the “Opacity” necessarily being that socio-economic benefits actually consequences of perpetrating conducive for monopolization of permeate to the under-privileged for epistemic injustices upon the scarce resources. He went on to whom they are meant. Conditions of citizenry: (i)Subversion of political state: freedom and a vibrant assertion of freedoms making the task of civil and political rights promote a ensuring the optimal allocation of “On the other hand, conditions constant review of the justness of social and economic welfare more where civil and political freedoms socio-economic programmes and of 14 JANATA, December 3, 2017 their effectiveness in addressing professionals in the press and the we seem to have had greater deprivation and want. Scrutiny of broader media, have not commented difficulty in constructing spheres of public affairs is founded upon the more about the nature of the reasoned, and reasonable debates, so existence of freedom.”1 submissions made to the Supreme that tolerance can inform us with Court that fundamental rights, such regard to the opinions of others and Justice Chandrachud also as right to privacy and human dignity, description of the conditions of recognized great merit in the work are less relevant to the poor and the others. Let us take the last point up of Prof. Amartya Sen – one of the illiterate and that they are essentially – the condition of others. greatest scholars that this nation- elitist concepts. I am actually state has produced.2 Prof. Sen’s positively shocked to hear that, in According to Sen, while we may work on famines, and the realization certain regions of our country, at justifiably congratulate ourselves for that no famines have ever been least as reported in the media, sustaining formal institutions of reported in democracies, led to a government servants have been democracy, we ought not to be great realization: the watchful eye asked to take photographs of men satisfied with just that. He argues of the citizenry, combined with the and women defecating in the fields that we also ought to be able to competition for their political to “shame them”. The gap between pursue the critical analysis of what affections, ensures that the elites and what the Supreme Court asserts as we have achieved, through our those who are manning the levers essential to “human dignity” and the collective action via the State, by of power, do not ignore the signals manner in which administrative way of material, cultural and socio- of great calamities like famines. In officers treat citizens could not be psychological developments for our that sense, the condition of freedom more flagrant. How could it not be, people. This immediately places in itself becomes a mark of when we have individuals who are focus the issues regarding what development – because the innate wielding constitutional powers are development (or what developments) autonomy of the citizen and necessity reported as claiming that “mid day have been achieved in the nearly of agency of the citizen in having a meals” have rendered schools as seventy years of the working of a say in working of the levers of power places to eat and not to learn. And constitutional democracy, especially are essential to the citizen herself yet the implications of such actions for those at the bottom of the socio- being in a position to demand respect – to the notions of human dignity economic totem pole. And we will for her innate human dignity; and being entertained within the portals have to readily admit that the results protect herself against misdirection of governance and the contempt that here are, however charitable we of the collective power away from the poor and the illiterate, the might be, rather mixed, and as ensuring the maintenance of the core marginalized and the lowered castes Professor Sen points out, this may content of human dignity of human are subject to – have not yet become be a case of not quite an beings. The implication is clear: a cause for much greater and immeasurable failure as of sustained scrutiny and critique by the “measurable underachievement”. Epistemic injustices, in which the media and the public intellectuals citizens are denied both the who fancy themselves as being In the middle of 1940s, Babasaheb information about the happenings capable of forming public opinion. Ambedkar also noted – after with their elected government, as The “right to be informed”, and the surveying the rubble of World War 2 well as non-communication of their “right to be heard”, as a part of – that liberal parliamentary dissent or approval to the elected condition of epistemic justice, and democracies tend to become fascist, government could lead to great their violation as denigration of and while achieving some modest tragedies. Democracy, as a system human dignity needs to be unpacked economic gains might end up of government by the people, would a bit more. legitimating, on a much wider scale be undermined if the rights to and with greater intensity, the information, rights to freely speak Arguing that while we have dehumanization of those who have and right to be heard are denied to managed to overcome the limitations been subjected, historically, to them. of extreme poverty and the shackles unconscionable social and economic of ignorance in sustaining the project injustices and deprivations. In his I am, I submit, a bit perplexed as of constitutional democracy, speech on the occasion of ratification to why public intellectuals, Professor Amartya Sen argues that of the Constitution, Dr Ambedkar JANATA, December 3, 2017 15 drew a very vivid contradiction few to the detriment of common good left scratching my head as to between the grant of political – were expected to undergird the whether these gentlemen freedom, based on notions of political scrutiny of how the society and occupying important positions, equality, and the conditions of graded economy are constructed and used official and unofficial and with and unconscionable inequality, in the to deliver the benefits of social apparently influential voices – as social and economic sphere. His action. Those principles were to either ideological mentors or worry was two-fold: (a) that graded provide the foundations for our professional advisers – in policy social and economic inequalities empathetic resonance for fellow making, have even read the would imply, in real terms, the inability citizens, and inform our voices with Constitution of India in general, the of the weak, the marginalized, the an urgency to eliminate the text of Directive Principles of State lowered castes and those pushed into conditions that dehumanize a vast Policy in particular and much of ignorance, to protect their political majority. our constitutional gloss that India, freedoms; and (b) that the institutions as a nation-state, was established of political democracy could be Over the past few decades, to instantiate, progressively, a destroyed, either by the masses and/ much of the elite discourse has welfare state in which human or in combination with the elites who acted as if the Directive Principles dignity will be protected. eviscerate the normative content of of State Policy do not exist. We institutions of constitutional seem to have constructed an era What is even more shocking is democracy. of “I, Me, Mine”, in which “laissez that few commentators, in the faire free markets” on a global media and in public discourse, have Yet, notwithstanding his deep and scale are supposed to be the only sought to critically analyse and intimate understanding of the extent legitimate institutions, and the debunk such claims and of discrimination and philosophy of “greed is good” being propositions. On second thoughts, dehumanization that Dalits had been the only worthwhile value to that should not really be shocking, subjected to, Dr Ambedkar had pursue. If we were to critically isn’t it? After all, in the rush to be posited a condition that could make evaluate the dominant content of a part of the global elite, riding on the elites and the ones our discourses, at least of the cultural assuredness of the few that commandeering for themselves most voices that have captured the ears was built on the demolition of the of the fruit of social action much of the political elites, all that the human dignity of the many, hasn’t more empathetic towards their poor and the marginalized require it been a long time since we spoke fellow citizens. He believed that a are meagre benefits that might about “welfare of the people” as move towards a humanist oriented “trickle down” to them as the the primordial reason to be of the society, in which citizens are allowed “animal spirits” of predatory nation-state? In the trickle down to identify with, and feel an capitalists are left free to indulge model, how could it possibly be? empathetic resonance with fellow in rapine, plunder and loot. At best. When the welfare of the people, human beings – recognition of the some of the more recent who are being left behind in illiteracy, essential equality and oneness with statements by certain individuals, squalor, bad health, want, poverty each other – might lay the foundation who maybe presumed to be very and still subject to unconscionable for a more secure social democratic important opinion makers in the levels of discrimination, is to only be polity. The Directive Principles of broad camp of a particular what leaks through to them, State Policy, in Part IV of the ideological regime, have even because the ones at the top have Constitution, and in particular the claimed that: (a) the State does not allowed benefits of social action to emphasis in Article 38 and Article have any responsibility to modulate seep down, or have missed 39 – the former demanding the economy to ensure the creation preventing it from seeping down, instantiation of social justice in all of jobs; and even more shockingly, then human dignity is no longer an institutions of national importance that (b) the very concept of a-priori goal. And in degradation of and walks of life, and the latter welfare is alien to Indian ethos and its ontological status we would have demanding that the State establish a culture, and that such concepts effectively degraded our national welfare state, in which economic were introduced into India by the commitments. forces and common resources are foreigners, specifically British. not concentrated in the hands of the When I read these reports I was (To be concluded) R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, December 3, 2017 Postal Registration No. MCW/275/2015-2017. License to Post without prepayment WPP License No. MR/Tech/WPP-210/West/2017 Published on Sunday, December 3, 2017 & Posted on Wedenesday December 6, 2017 at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1

GANNON DUNKERLEY & CO., LTD.

An infrastructure company established since 1924

REGD. OFFICE :

New Excelsior Building, (3rd Floor), A. K. Nayak Marg, Fort, Mumbai 400 001. Tel.: 022 2205 1231 Fax : 022-2205 1232

Office : Ahmedabad, 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 1 Pages 16 Price : Rupees Five

Vol. 72 No. 46 Way to Socialism through Socialist Unity December 10, 2017 Prem Singh BJP Routed in Uttar Pradesh Urban Local Body Elections This comment is about the The Socialist Party was merged Sandeep Pandey situation that has arisen after the split into the Janata Party in 1977, and in Janata Dal (United). The thus lost its original glory and national No Alternative to Dynastic Rule comment is made by me as a citizen image. It would be interesting to Kuldip Nayar with a socialist background, and not analyse why and how the word as a member of the Socialist Party janata still continues to haunt Demolition of Babri Masjid (India). The National Election socialists! When Surendra Mohan on 6th December 1992 Commission of India has decided in parted ways with JDS, I had a Qurban Ali favour of Nitish Kumar’s faction on discussion with him about the name the party symbol dispute. The Sharad of the new party he was planning to Babri Masjid Demolition: faction, however, has petitioned form. I tried to convince him that 25 Years On... the High Court challenging the the word janata should be avoided Irfan Engineer decision of NECI but and the original name of the Socialist Babri Masjid demolition: is simultaneously engaged in Party of 1977 should be revived and ‘I was there’ an exercise of forming a new party. strengthened. That would have Sharat Pradhan It is very likely that soon another certainly helped in regaining the lost ‘Janata’ outfit will be born from this glory and national status of the Freedom Of Speech For exercise. original party in the long run. But he Whom - III was not convinced with my Justice B. Sudershan Reddy After the split in the Janata Party arguments and named his new in 1979, most political outfits formed Janata Party with the prefix from time to time by various socialist ‘socialist’. Editor : leaders of mainstream politics G. G. Parikh retained the word janata while Recently M.P. Veerendra Kumar, naming or renaming their parties. who resigned from the Rajya Sabha Managing Editor : Guddi This includes a few days ago, has given indications [Samajwadi Janata Party of reviving his old party, the Socialist D-15, Ganesh Prasad, (Rashtriya)] and Surendra Mohan Janata (Democratic) Party. Naushir Bharucha Marg, (Socialist Janata Party). The only Mumbai - 400 007. exception was Samajwadi Party (SP) In this connection I would like to Email : [email protected] formed by Mulayam Singh Yadav in forward a suggestion to the Sharad Website:www.janataweekly.org UP in 1992. faction, M.P. Veerendra Kumar 2 JANATA, December 10, 2017 particularly, and individual socialists faction and M.P. Veerendra Kumar Vijay Pratap, Subhash Bhatnagar and in general. Forming another leader- decide to join Socialist Party (India), many other concerned socialists based state-level ‘janata party/dal’ several socialist individuals/groups should take initiatives in this direction. with a ’samajwadi’ prefix or suffix will also join. Workers and leaders Friends of small parties, who will contribute little in the direction who feel suffocated in dynasty-based participated in the unity meeting held of much needed socialism and state-level parties may then also at Tara, Mumbai and later in SPI’s socialist unity. It will be more come forward to join the SPI. The national executive committee meeting appropriate if they join the Socialist party can be renamed as Indian held at Delhi, should also speed up Party (India) and take up its National Socialist Party (Bharatiya their efforts. They are Prabodh C. leadership. The Socialist Party was Rashtriya Socialist Party) or Socialist Sinha (Socialist Democratic Party), revived as Socialist Party (India) in Party of India (Bharatiya Socialist Brajkishore Tripathi (Samata Kranti 2011 in Hyderabad in a two-day Party). Dal), Arun Kumar Srivastav (JDU) foundation conference by several and Manju Mohan (Socialist Janata senior and young socialist groups/ I would further suggest that Party), as well as representatives of leaders after holding country-wide persons like Dr. G.G. Parikh, H. Socialist Party (Lohia) and meetings/discussions at the initiative Hanumanthappa, Kuldip Nayar, S.P. Loktantrik Samajwadi Party. of Surendra Mohan and Justice Shukla, Michel Fernandez, Dr. Incidentally, senior SPI leaders Bhai Rajindar Sachar. The foundation Sunilam, Subhash Ware, Suresh Vaidya, Pannalal Surana and Justice conference was attended by around Khairnar, Dr. Raj Kumar Jain, Rajindar Sachar have already started 600 delegates from 19 states. The Qurban Ali, Dr. D. Sreekumar, dialogue with leaders of the Sharad SPI was formed to creatively carry Ravikiran Jain, Surendra Kumar, faction and M.P. Veerendra Kumar. forward the inheritance of the Indian socialist movement and ideology propagated by its leaders and thinkers such as Acharya Narendra Prof Shyam Dutt Paliwal Dev, Jai Prakash Narayan, Dr. Rammanohar Lohia, S.M. Joshi, Socialists and activists associated with JP movement of the Yusuf Meharally, Kamala Devi 1970s condoled the death of veteran socialist leader and thinker Chattopadhyaya, Kishan Patnayak Prof Shyam Dutt Paliwal, who died in a hospital on and other genuine socialist leaders. Wednesday. He was 87. The Samajwadi Yuvjan Sabha (SYS), youth wing of the Socialist Party, was Paliwal was arrested during the 1975 emergency and was an also formed simultaneously as accused in the Baroda Dynamite case (in which George Socialist Yuvjan Sabha. Fernandes was allegedly involved in overthrowing the then Indira Gandhi government). The sole aim of the SPI and SYS is to provide an elaborate alternative He won the 1977 VidhanSabha election and represented the political ideology to counter and Agra rural (Dayalbagh constituency) on Janata Party ticket. replace the nexus of neoliberal and Former minister in the Chandra Shekhar government Ram communal forces. The party, through jiLalSuman, said “Paliwal inspired a whole generation of young its varied programs, is trying to create leaders in the 1970s. a space for socialist politics at the national level with its limited resources. This uphill task/ responsibility should be shared by all Janata those socialists who really believe in is available at the socialist legacy. If the Sharad www.lohiatoday.com JANATA, December 10, 2017 3 BJP Routed in Uttar Pradesh Urban Local Body Elections

Sandeep Pandey

On 2nd December 2017 most For the post of Chairperson of media gung-ho about an imagined newspapers flashed a front page Nagar Palika Parishad, while BJP BJP victory? What are its story that Bhartiya Janata Party had has managed to win 70 posts, the compulsions? Has it been managed swept the urban local bodies' combined opposition has won 128 so that UP urban local bodies elections. It was accompanied with posts. SP has 45 and BSP 29 election results don't have an pictures of Chief Minister Yogi chairpersons of NPP. When it comes adverse impact on the forthcoming Adityanath offering sweets to one to members for Nagar Palika Gujarat elections? Except for the of his deputy CMs or the state BJP Parishads, BJP with merely 922 Mayor's post in big cities, people President and all of them displaying seats stands nowhere close to 3,380 have decisively rejected the BJP as victory signs. independents. The combined a party in spite of it spending many opposition has got 4,338 members. times more money than all the other Nothing could be farther from The SP has 477 members and BSP parties. The BJP Chief Minister truth. BJP has actually been routed 262. (AAP) has himself led the BJP election in these elections, having managed managed to win 17 seats in this campaign from the front, addressing to win mere 18.7% of the seats, category. numerous election meetings. On the whereas the opposition, especially other hand, Akhilesh Yadav and independent candidates, has come There are more independent Mayawati chose to keep themselves out with flying colours. In fact if Chairpersons of Nagar Panchayats out of campaigning, leaving it to local independents were considered a than belonging to any single party. leaders and workers. party, they have got a thumping Their number is 182. The BJP has majority in these elections. managed to win 100 positions, but Quite clearly the charisma of more than three times this number, Narendra Modi and Yogi Adityanath The only category in which BJP 338 positions, are occupied by the failed to fetch votes, contrary to has done well is the post of the Mayor. opposition. SP is not very far behind what is being claimed. The economy Out of 16 Mayoral positions they BJP with 83 positions, while BSP has has been badly hit and the mood have captured 14. But that is the about half that of BJP, 45 positions. among people is that of despair. beginning and end of their success Even AAP will have 2 persons Common people are quite badly hurt story. There is nothing unusual about chairing the Nagar Panchayats. If by the decision of BJP government the BJP winning a majority of the we look at members of Nagar to implement demonetisation and Mayoral posts. Big cities have been Panchayats, again 3,875 Goods and Services Tax; businesses BJP strongholds for a long time now. independents clearly represent the have suffered greatly. People have It would have been surprising if they people's mood. BJP could manage lost jobs and income levels have would not have won so many seats. merely 664 seats. SP with 453 seats dropped. Whether it is the Swachch But in every other category of elected closely follows behind. Bharat Abhiyan for which everybody positions other than Mayor's post, the has to pay extra cess, or the Ujjawala opposition has decimated the BJP. Thus out of a total of 12,644 scheme where the connection is free The details are revealing. positions, non-BJP representatives but there is no subsidy for the poor hold 10,278! on gas cylinders for cooking, people For the post of Corporators in 16 are feeling the pinch. With no Municipal Corporations, BJP has If anybody can claim to have demonstrable benefits, people have won 596 seats while the opposition swept the elections, it is the a feeling of having been taken for a has taken away 703. The Samajwadi Independents who have a whopping ride or being treated like culprits with Party (SP) has got 202 seats share of 61% of all seats. authorities breathing down their whereas the Bahujan Samaj Party necks. In such a situation it would (BSP) has won 147 seats. So, the question is why is the have been really surprising had the 4 JANATA, December 10, 2017 people handed over a convincing No Alternative to Dynastic Rule victory to the BJP.

BJP rode to power on the basis Kuldip Nayar of a high profile media and advertisement campaign, and it continues to use the same tool to THERE is no surprise. It was well Congress leader Digvijay Singh said hoodwink people. The media has known that the Congress Party is that the issue of Rahul’s elevation been made to fall in line; it has given hopelessly dependent on the Nehru- had to be decided by party president up its role of being an independent Gandhi dynasty. Elevation of Rahul Sonia Gandhi and the Congress agency and holding the government Gandhi to the post of Congress Working Committee. Even accountable for its lapses, and president was along the expected otherwise, he said, the grassroots instead meekly toes the government lines. But Congress leader Mani Congress workers wanted the line, or worse, toes the ruling party's Shankar Aiyar has given another elevation to happen: “Yes, this is the line. This is dangerous for dimension to the happening. He has common feeling among grassroots democracy. likened Rahul’s succession to the workers.” But one could read Mughal dynasty. He says that the Digvijay Singh’s disappointment. The media is part of the king’s son would always be the king. conspiracy to keep an unpopular anti- In fact, the party would now run people party in power by swaying Whatever be the declaration of from 10 Janpath as it was done from the public opinion. It is a great the party, it is essentially nothing but the Teen Murti or Safdarjung disservice to the people. All the a dynastic show. India’s first Prime residences of Nehru and Indira people cannot be fooled all the time. Minister Jawaharlal Nehru groomed Gandhi during their tenure. Even The sheen of the government his daughter Indira Gandhi to the otherwise, it was Sonia Gandhi who created by media is now beginning position. At the Congress Working was reigning when Dr Manmohan to fade. Government is finding hard Committee where the then party Singh was installed as Prime to maintain its credibility, nationally president U.N. Dhebar proposed Minister. I was a witness to the and internationally. Contrary to Indira Gandhi’s name, Home drama at the central hall of media stories, international standing Minister G.B. Pant had stated that parliament when members of the of India has gone down under the she should not be bothered as she party wept that Sonia Gandhi should Modi regime in spite of him having did not enjoy good health. Nehru be the Prime Minister. But she kept made numerous foreign forays. objected to his remark and said that quiet because Sonia had her son in India's relationships with bigger Indira was far better in health than mind. And if she were to become countries like the United States, he and Pant were. Indira was then Prime Minister at that time, it would China and Pakistan have worsened, elected as the party president. have looked like a stage-managed while the smaller neighbours like drama. Congress president Sonia Gandhi Nepal and Maldives don't trust India. did not even need to argue. She Even Dr Manmohan Singh had on While not taking any concrete straightaway put her son, Rahul occasions said that he would be too steps to control deaths of children in Gandhi, in the chair. There was a happy to vacate the chair for Rahul Gorakhpur Medical College hospital, rumour that she would name her Gandhi as and when he was ready the CM Yogi Adityanath has been daughter, Priyanka Vadra, because to take over and that he was keeping giving more time and importance to Rahul Gandhi was not selling in any the chair warm for him. Though it religious issues. Ayodhya is back in way. But then the Italians, like was coming for quite a while, focus although it is not clear how a Indians, prefer the son to daughter particularly with Sonia Gandhi grand temple in Ayodhya is going to for inheritance. keeping an indifferent health, Rahul help common people overcome their taking over the party reign was Celebrating Rahul Gandhi’s sufferings. When the government inevitable. elevation, Congress leader doesn't have anything concrete to Jyotiraditya Scindia said that it was Rahul Gandhi has already made offer to people, it relies on politics of the beginning of a new era. Senior secularism as the Congress plank. symbolism and media blitzkreig. JANATA, December 10, 2017 5

The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) It is surprising that Rahul Gandhi Prime Minister and within a short may not own Hindutva in public but is defending the dynasty factor. He time period taking on the entire it is all clear that the party would fight says that all parties are dependent opposition. Even her son, Rajiv the next election in 2019 on the on it, citing the examples of Punjab, Gandhi, who was foisted upon the slogan of Hindutva alone. Prime UP, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. nation by President Gyani Zail Singh, Minister Narendra Modi makes no But what he forgets is that in all these was accepted. There is no reason secret of the fact that he visits states the parties have been coming why Rahul Gandhi would not come Nagpur, the RSS headquarters, and to power alternatively. Can he, or for to be acknowledged. seeks guidance from leaders like that matter the Congress, win a Mohan Bhagwat. His slogan of sab majority to form the government at But then it will depend on how he ka saath, sab ka vikas has proved the Centre? He will have to work is able to lead and help the party win to be a mere slogan. hard if he wants the Congress to be elections. At this time it looks difficult in power. At present he doesn’t because secularism has been pushed One can see that Muslims do not seem to have the pulling power. But into the background. A kind of soft- count in his scheme of things. The the scene can change. Hindutva has spread all over the landslide victory in the Uttar Pradesh country. It is a pity that a country assembly pools is proof of how the We have witnessed Indira which fought for freedom on the BJP captured power in the state. It Gandhi, who was called a goonghi plank of pluralism has not been able was clear that the party wanted the gudia (mute doll), becoming the to follow the ethos of independence. people to know that it was not in any way dependent on the Muslim electorate.

This is bound to be underlined yet again in Gujarat, where the state is going to polls later this month. And Modi is making it clear that the one who wins Gujarat would win India in the next general election. The whirlwind campaigning by Modi is already raising the question whether he is staking too much in the Gujarat assembly polls. Maybe it is because of the Patidars joining hands with the Congress in the state to fight the BJP, with the youth who want a change supporting them.

So far the record of Rahul Gandhi has not been impressive from any point of view. He has fought many elections, including UP, where he aligned with Akhilesh Yadav of the Samajwadi Party. But this did not help and the Congress lost miserably, reduced to the fourth position. Now he has to prove his popularity in the coming Gujarat election. If he fails, it would come to be known that he cannot win on his own. 6 JANATA, December 10, 2017

Demolition

Demolition of Babri Masjid on 6th December 1992

Qurban Ali

quite evident that they were on their to Faizabad and decided to follow the way to demolish the disputed para military forces, that is, the RAF mosque. After all, they had been & CRPF when they began to move feverishly practicing and rehearsing to Ayodhya. However, the forces the demolition for days. The Kar were stopped as well at a railway Sewaks came prepared and crossing between the two towns. equipped with all the logistics needed to demolish the enduring 460-year- When all our efforts to reach old structure of the Mughal era. Ayodhya were exhausted, a journalist friend Vinod Shukla, then Revisiting decisive moments of On the morning of 6th December, resident editor of Dainik Jagran, your life is always a cathartic Ayodhya was caught up in a buzz. suggested a way out. He told us that experience. Even then, I have Journalists positioned themselves on he knew a way through the city always avoided writing about the day an elevated platform near the Babri cantonment area and offered us a of 6th December 1992, which brings Masjid. At exactly10am, Kar lift in his personal car along with his back a series of haunting memories Sewaks started gathering near the wife and his local correspondent that I would rather not revisit. mosque and made their way towards Saral Gyapte. In half an hour, we However, recently when some of my the barbed wiring of the security managed to reach the Babri Masjid journalist friends asked me to write cordon. Within minutes, there was to see all three domes of the mosque down my memories of that tragic commotion; the storming into the demolished. As soon as we got down day and asked me how I felt as a mosque had begun. The Kar Sevaks from our car, a group of violent Kar journalist at that time, I decided to could be seen climbing the walls and Sewaks armed with trident lathis share the story as I had witnessed it holding fort on top of the tombs. At charged at us. Most of them were 25 years ago. that time, the then South Asia Chief local residents and were angry to see of BBC, Mark Tully, decided to go Mark Tully with us. They knew Mark I was working for the Hindi to Faizabad so that he could file the was a journalist working with BBC Sunday Observer at that time and news of the storming of Babri and were quiet unhappy with his was also a stringer for the BBC. Masjid. At that time there were no reportage on Ayodhya. As the mob BBC Hindi and Urdu services often mobile phones and the only place to gathered to beat us, perhaps even had telephonic interviews with me connect to the BBC headquarters in kill us, one of the agitated Kar those days and that were called London was through the Central Sewaks suggested that killing us ‘Phono’ or ‘two ways’. On the 5th Telegraph Office, Faizabad. Mark’s would perhaps disturb the ongoing of December, I reached Ayodhya colleague Gillian Wright, Ramdutt demolition. He prescribed that it and checked-in at the journalists’ Tripathi, a Lucknow-based journalist would be better if they locked us for favourite accommodation, Hotel and I reached Faizabad around noon the time being and killed us later. The Shan-e-Awadh. Anticipation and where Mark filed his first report. By five of us were locked in a room in a excitement ran high in the hotel lobby 1pm, we were on our way back to nearby building. For the next two that evening. The Sangh Parivar, Ayodhya where the demolition of hours, we were in a state of shock, especially one of its wings Vishwa Babri Masjid was on full swing, but waiting to be killed when demolition Hindu Parishad (VHP), had were stopped by the crowd at the was over. announced Kar Sewa that day. It was outskirts of the city. We went back JANATA, December 10, 2017 7

Saral Gyapte managed to free himself and rushed to the Mahant of Bada Sthan or Badi Haveli, a respectable figure in Ayodhya. When he came to know that the editor of Jagran along with some other journalists were being held hostage, With Best Compliments he immediately came to our rescue and on his assurance and guarantees, From we were freed at around 7pm. We were then taken to the local office of the VHP where prominent VHP leaders including Ashok Singhal, Praveen Togadia and some BJP leaders were celebrating the H demolition. The statue of ‘Ram Lala’ was recovered from the mosque and was now at the VHP office where the leaders were performing ‘darshan’. Saral Gyapte asked them for Sadanand cover so that we could be escorted safely to our hotel at Faizabad. The Mahant of Bada Sthan gave his shawl to Mark Tully so he could hide Co-operative under it and we were all asked to tie a sort of headgear with the words Kar Sewak written on it. We were put in a UP Police truck and dropped Credit Society Ltd. at the Shan-e-Awadh at 8pm.

When we reached Faizabad, the government controlled media, All India Radio and Doordarshan broadcasted the news that “Ayodhya H main vivadaspad Dhanchey ko kuch nuqsan Pahuncha hai” (the disputed structure in Ayodhya has been damaged)

My last sight of the Babri Masjid 1st Floor, Above Hotel Madras Café, was at twilight. It wasn’t just LBS Marg, damaged, it in fact had been razed to the ground with the Kar Sewaks Bhandup (W), taking away its rubble as souvenir. At 11pm IST, I broke the news on Mumbai 400 078 BBC Urdu service’s news bulletin that the Babri Masjid has been demolished completely. 8 JANATA, December 10, 2017 Babri Masjid Demolition: 25 Years On...

Irfan Engineer

but the implications it would have on cultural space to sustain their way the polity and future of democracy of life and their identity. Temple- in our country. Mosque conflict was for the ujaliat (non-Adivasis). Most of them were I shared the news with all the 8 unaware of the existence of Babri to 10 other Adivasi inmates in my Masjid or the proposal to build a Ram cell . They were arrested for various Janmabhoomi temple. A few who petty crimes like consumption of were never discussed it. Their world alcohol when there was prohibition. was totally insulated from the outside They would not believe me. One of world, even from the rest of Gujarat! them said, why would anybody For the Adivasis, Dang was not a demolish the house of the Supreme part of Gujarat, and they only Being? I had to show the photograph travelled outside Dang to Gujarat published on the front page of the when they needed to access health th On 6 December 1992, I was in newspaper with people dancing on care or markets, both of which were judicial custody in Vansda (Gujarat) the dome of the mosque with saffron instruments of oppression. All jail. We were struggling for the rights flags in hand. They too were temples belonged to the ujaliat who of Adivasis on forests and forest horrified. Then I heard something were by and large seen as produce which often led to friction that sounded like a victory oppressors, and if some of them were with the state and a couple of times procession and bursting of crackers not oppressors, they had a I had to face false cases lodged on outside the jail. After a few days I condescending attitude towards me and my comrades in the struggle. was bailed out. Bhikubhai advised me them. I must have been in judicial custody not to go towards the market where for about a week. Eager to read the police station was located as the cops In the second week of January daily newspaper, I would ask the were preparing to arrest me in 1993, I headed towards my home in night duty prison guard, who was another false case. I hitch hiked and Mumbai. As I disembarked at Dadar from an Adivasi community, to buy went to Adv. Paresh Chaudhary’s Station, I learnt about the riots in city. one for me while he went to the home in Vedchhi (Dist. Surat). In the I managed to reach Anand market for a cup of tea and he would Adivasi dominated areas of the Patwardhan’s residence and learnt th oblige me. On 7 December I did Dang and Surat districts, Babri that a Hindu friend living in Andheri not ask Bhikubhai to buy the Masjid was a non-issue, although (West) feared an attack on her. newspaper for me but he Ramshila pujan processions— Preeti had a running dispute with her nevertheless got one for me. I where consecrated bricks meant for landlord and she feared that the protested and told him that I had no construction of the proposed Ram landlord would take advantage of the money to pay him for the newspaper. Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya riots to get her to vacate her home. With a smile on his face he told me were accompanied with DJ to I decided to be with her and confront not to worry about the price of the attract people—had been taken out the Muslim mob that she feared newspaper and to read it. It is only there too largely consisting of non- would come to attack her. when I opened the newspaper that I Adivasi people. understood why he wanted me to I called my father to inform him read the paper that day. The paper For the Adivasis, their main issues that I was safe and in Mumbai and carried the news of demolition of were their right to forest land and would be going to Preeti’s home. My Babri Masjid. I was horrified, not forest produce; access to quality father pleaded with me to come back because a mosque was demolished, education and health care and home. It was not usual for him to JANATA, December 10, 2017 9 plead in this manner as I was going Shiv Sena was not satisfied and office in Santacruz East where Ekta to help a Hindu friend. But the times bayed for violence on a larger scale called for a meeting. We had intense were not usual as well. I went to with the sainiks controlling and discussions on what we could Preeti’s residence assuring my father participating in street violence. Only possibly do. All that we were able to that I would come home soon and deeper communal polarisation would organise was relief for the survivors. wouldn’t take unnecessary risks. ensure electoral benefits they aimed When organised lynch mobs are on When I reached her home, some at. The daily newspaper published the streets filled with fear and hatred other friends too were there. The by Shiv Sena—Saamna—started for the ‘other’, and at times armed next day, when I returned home, we hyping up the January 6 incident of with deadly weapons, it is impossible were getting frantic calls from arson in Gandhi Chawl (which killed to reason with them. Only state survivors of communal violence for an entire Hindu family) in security forces could have dispersed help. All we could do was contact Jogeshwari and the murder of two them, if they so willed. But in most police officers known to us for their Mathadi workers in South Mumbai, cases, the security forces and their integrity and the fire brigade, only to both of which they blamed on the commanders did not seem to have learn that they too were inundated Muslim community. They organised any such will. with calls. a series of Maha-artis to arouse communal hatred against Muslim There were shining examples of Communal violence in Mumbai community on these two issues, and citizens cutting across religions drew me to work for communal the crowds dispersing after the coming together to defend their harmony—an issue to which I had Maha-artis indulged in violence neighbourhood from communal mobs not paid much attention so far as I against minorities. These efforts of wanting to target members of the was working among Adivasis since Shiv Sena resulted in the second ‘other’ community living in their 1989. My father, Dr. Asghar Ali phase of rioting which began from locality. This was the only way to Engineer, was heading a coalition of 9th January. save the city from communal organizations—Ekta—which madness. Let me recall one such worked for communal harmony and Helplessness and Hope example in Sakinaka, where Ekta included trade unions, women’s had organised meetings for organisations and civil liberty The riots in this second phase communal harmony along with organisations. Ekta had campaigned were very destructive in terms of Kashtakari Sanghatana, an for peace in Mumbai and other riot lives and properties. While police had organisation that had mobilised slum prone towns by organising peace opened fire on the mobs protesting dwellers on their local problems. marches, public meetings and street demolition of Babri Masjid killing Sakinaka is inhabited by Hindus corner meetings, bringing out several people, they remained by speaking Oriya, Telugu, Marathi and publications countering demonisation and large bystanders when the mobs Hindi as well as Muslims. Here, in of minorities and organising mobilised by Shiv Sena were rioting the past, Muslims had provided perspective building camps for peace on the streets. Even the middle class space for installation of an electric workers. Ekta had opposed kar seva was scared, and the city came to a sub-station, enabling inhabitants of and had called upon religious Hindus standstill for days. The leaders of Sakinaka to register for electric not to join it, as the campaign for industry and finance were greatly meters. Before the installation of this demolition of Babri Masjid and disturbed due to huge economic sub-station, BSES, the electric construction of Ram Janmabhoomi losses and future of investments in supply company, would not install Temple was being carried out with the metropolis which then appeared meters and the local residents had a political motive. However, Ekta’s to be chaotic and lawless. Some of to buy electric connections from outreach was limited on account of them took the initiative to meet the contractors who charged them ten limited resources. Communal then CM Sudhakar Rao Naik, but times more. violence immediately after the even he appeared to be utterly demolition of Babri Masjid was on a helpless; control over the The Muslims of Sakinaka were limited scale and the casualties were administration seemed to have receiving threats from the Shiv Sena mainly from the police firing on slipped out of his hands. Shakha and were fearing an attack Muslim mobs protesting demolition on them. The Hindu residents told of Babri Masjid. Concerned activists flooded the them not to worry and sleep 10 JANATA, December 10, 2017 peacefully as they would protect marching together and appealing for issue of this journal, entitled “Babri them from the Hindu mobs. Muslims peace through songs and placards. Masjid, 25 Years On...”. The issue were told not to react to any rumours The procession converted into a is a collection of essays written by and not to prepare for their defence public meeting at Azad Maidan. journalists, artists and activists going as their houses would be defended Police officers thanked us. down the memory lane and by the Hindu residents. The Hindu examining what went wrong and residents with sticks in their hands Gradually Mumbai limped back to what has changed since. CSSS also stayed awake several nights with normalcy as this commercial city organises lectures, seminars and Muslims providing them tea so that does after every disaster—human- peace activities through peace they could remain awake. When the made or natural. Yet it has never centres in communally sensitive Shiv Sainiks saw the locality been normal again. Among the things towns. Through these peace centres, protected by Hindus, they did not that changed irreversibly is CSSS reaches out to colleges and dare to attack the Muslims in the ghettoisation. Muslim survivors from schools to inculcate values of peace, area. There were other areas too many areas where they had suffered harmony, secularism, diversity and where citizens took matters in their human and property losses during the respect for human rights. With hands and protected their neighbours riots sold their dwellings or shops to limited resources we have been able while the state appeared to be move to areas which had large to bring about significant change and collapsing. Muslim populations. Mumbra, Mira promote peace. However we need Road and other such suburbs to do much more and need the Peace March witnessed a huge increase in Muslim support and solidarity of more and population. Similarly in many more people and institutions. Peace Ekta gave a call for a peace localities where Hindus were in loving people need to be more march from Khodad Circle, Dadar minority, the Hindus shifted to Hindu organised and committed than they in Central Mumbai to Azad Maidan majority localities where they felt are at present. We need to multiply in South Mumbai. I do not remember more safe. Most survivors of riots our ranks if we wish to see peaceful, the date but prohibitory orders u/s are today economically worse off secular India which respects 144 of Cr.P.C. restraining gathering than before. Only a few received freedom of expression and works for of more than four people were still compensation, which too was very social justice. in force. We were mentally inadequate; most did not even get this prepared that only a few would turn meagre compensation, let alone up. However, over a thousand people rehabilitation. The perpetrators of Janata Subscription reached Khodad Circle, including the riots have by and large gone Asghar Ali Engineer, Anand scot-free due to laxity in police Annual Rs. : 260/- Patwardhan, academicians from investigation and lack of political will TISS and Mumbai University, to secure justice for the riot Three Years : 750/- journalists, trade unionists and peace survivors. activists. As we all gathered, police asked us to disperse as prohibitory In response to the riots in Mumbai Demand Draft / Cheque orders were in force. We defied the in 1993, we established the Centre on police, assured them of our intention for Study of Society and Secularism to promote peace and harmony, and (CSSS) under the leadership and Mumbai Bank proceeded to march carrying white vision of Dr. Asghar Ali Engineer in favour of flags and placards with slogans of with the support of peace loving peace and love in our hands, and citizens of Mumbai. Since then, songs of peace on our lips. We CSSS has been organising peace JANATA TRUST passed through areas where rioting workshops to create an army of D-15, Ganesh Prasad, had taken place. People witnessing peace workers. CSSS also brings out the procession from their balconies a journal—Indian Journal of Naushir Bharucha Marg, waved their hands expressing Secularism, which it has been Grant Road (W), support. Communal tensions melted publishing for two decades now. as people saw Hindus and Muslims This year, it has brought out a special Mumbai 400 007. JANATA, December 10, 2017 11 Babri Masjid demolition: ‘I was there’

Sharat Pradhan

Two decades after the fateful day, screamed his lungs out — “now this the question was fired at me by none is contempt of court.” other than former deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani’s legal All I had done was to raise a counsel MahipalAluwalia, during the pertinent question — where was the course of my cross-examination in equity in law when lawyers on both a dingy Rae Bareli court, holding trial sides remained armed of Advani and others charged of with documents, files and anything criminal conspiracy behind else under the sun, while the witness demolition of the 16th century was expected to have a super- mosque. human memory to remember every distinct detail of whatever he had My reply was plain and simple — seen two decades ago. “Well, if I knew that you would pose this question to me 19 years later; I Unmindful of the threat, I Must read for everyone would have carried a measuring tape declared that I was ready to face concerned with the well-being of and a compass to know the exact the music if speaking the truth was India and her future. The Babri distance and the direction.” seen as contempt. Masjid demolition case has made a mockery of our judiciary. This is, in Not amused by my reply, the What I could not understand was fact, an explosive case in which the lawyer threw a fresh volley of why every witness was seen as a Supreme Court should order that it questions — “What was the name liar and the whole idea behind his will be left untouched for the next of the building from where I watched cross-examination was to prove him 50 years. That is the only way to the entire demolition scene?; as one. I could not resist telling the avoid unprecedented bloodshed that whether the building was a single- open court that from the proceedings is the intention of the Hindutva storeyed one or double-storeyed; it was quite apparent that lawyers forces in their game plan of whether there was a Vishva Hindu were probably more used to dealing establishing a Hindu Rashtra— a Parishad office in the building; what with tutored and fake witnesses. No deathknell for the unique largest route did I take to reach the Babri wonder, therefore, they found it democracy of the world. At best, the Mosque on that day; the names difficult to come to terms with a true court may consider allowing these of buildings that I passed; how many “chashmadeedgawah” (eye- forces to build a Ram temple at the security gates did I have to pass; witness). Karsewak Nagar where they have whether the karsewakswore some already assembled the components identification badges... so on and so Later, I was advised not only by of the temple. They should be clearly forth.” the lawyers but even by the presiding told that they may take it or reject it officer to bear with the way things but they shall not be allowed to play The cross-examination that ran for were as that was how the practice with the lives of thousands of days (and the recorded text running had been for decades and decades. innocent Indians. They may or may into as many as 88 pages) seemed And since law does not discriminate, not, but as a concerned citizen of more like a test of my memory rather the legal procedures and practices India. –C. B.Tripathi than any confirmation of how the remained the same irrespective of mosque was pulled down. But when the nature of the crime — be it a “How far were you standing from I embarked upon spelling this out by theft in the neighbourhood, a murder the Babri mosque on December 6, drawing the court’s attention to the on the street, a trespass into the 1992, and what was your position viz fact that the lawyer and his team property of a neighbour or the a viz the mosque.” were only testing my memory, he demolition of a historic mosque that 12 JANATA, December 10, 2017 had changed the communal destiny slow pace of judicial process was other purpose being served. of the world’s largest democracy. equally visible in both places. The lethargic procedures and the When the special court was set About the pace of the process, hackneyed approach of lawyers who up for taking up the demolition case, less said the better. Nineteen years take professional pride lingering the no one had in his wildest of dreams after the demolition of the mosque, judicial process see no need for imagined that the exercise would go the trail court was far from nailing expeditious disposal of the case that on and on endlessly. down the culprits to book. In fact, has clearly lost the appeal it once trial was yet to commence In the beginning, when prominent commanded on the masses of this political personalities were against some of the key accused country. persons including then Uttar summoned to court, they were Pradesh Chief minister Kalyan I have spent hours standing in swarmed by thousands of people Singh, who was otherwise known as both the courts – answering who were clearly passionate about the prime culprit. mundane and irrelevant queries the Ayodhya issue. As years went raised by the counsels who seemed by, their numbers started falling. His matter was pending before the to be more interested in displaying Today, when I go to the courts, I find country’s apex court which is to and proving their professional skills no one other than the battery of decide whether Kalyan Singh should rather than in taking the case to an lawyers engaged in the case to be be tried for conspiracy or for inciting expeditious logical end. present. communal hatred. The queries have never gone The crowds have lost interest, a Even the cases against 49 key beyond memory test with the sole generation has passed and demolition accused persons was going on in two intent of establishing that my story appears to be story of a era gone separate special courts — one in Rae was just a concoction. What was by. The BJP and its allies have seen Bareli and the other in Lucknow, worse that even the courts do not the faded electoral futility of the hackneyed procedures and apparently believe in looking out of Ayodhya issue. All it continues to processes had eaten up all the time the box. When I reacted sharply to spin is perhaps to hold BJP’s and no one knows how many more what is described as “suggestion” by hardcore Hindutva vote bank years it would take the courts to take the lawyer fraternity, I was advised together, just as it continues to incite the case to its logical conclusion. by the court to simply remain cool anger and vengeance among a and take it in the stride – something section of Muslims, who use it as The court in Rae Bareli was fodder for arousing Islamic militancy. holding the trial against Advani and any forthright person would find it seven others prominent difficult to do. Considering that I was just the BharatiyaJanata Party (BJP) and After all, how can you remain 12th witness out of Central Bureau Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) quiet and docile when you are told of Investigation’s long list of nearly leaders — MurliManohar Joshi, that whatever you have stated under 100, the judicial exercise was bound , VinayKatiyar, oath before the court was simply all to take very many years to complete SadhviRithambara, Ashok Singhal, bunk? No matter how much I - even if CBI chose to limit its AcharyaGiriraj Kishore and Vishnu controlled my emotions on being witnesses by avoiding testimony of HariDalmia — for “inciting publicly labeled as a liar, I could not the entire lot. communal hatred in the name of the help retorting, “How would you react The face of the Ayodhya site Ramjanmbhoomi-Babri Masjid if I were to tell you that even though issue.” where Babri Masjid stood until this you had grabbed a black coat, your day 19 years ago is already The Lucknow special court was law degree was fake.” The transformed beyond recognition. The hearing cases against smaller fries advocates looks horrified and were finalisation of the trial proceedings of the saffron brigade, who were ready to get me sent to the gallows alone may see yet another charged of hatching the conspiracy for what they termed as a big generation. After all, the trial court for demolition. “contempt of court”. was just the first step in the judicial process. But even as the court in Lucknow To me, the whole court exercise appeared more firm and stern, yet looked like a ritual for the benefit Courtesy : The Wire there could be no denying that the of counsels. I never could see any JANATA, December 10, 2017 13 Freedom Of Speech For Whom - III Some constitutional and philosophical underpinnings

Justice B. Sudershan Reddy

Writing in late 1990s and early proponents of neo-liberal order have while inflation is bad, unemployment 2000s, sociologist Prof Manuel completely missed and/or were is worse. Paraphrasing him, he Castells talked about the impact of unprepared to countenance as basically said unemployment makes neo-liberal agenda on the social and definitive possibilities. the young of the country feel psychological aspects of the persona unwanted, and unloved. That is a of those being left behind. As the That is what we are increasingly dangerous proposition for a country voices that normatively priortise the facing – all across the world aren’t like India. The Supreme Court of well being of the rich and the we? As Edward Luce1 points out, India, in the context adjudicating the powerful – including the voices in the no fewer than 25 democracies have legality of using tribal youngsters as press – dominate, even the scope failed in the past two decades. After SPOs with guns to fight the Maoists, for articulation about the full extent examining the implications of recognized that demographic of the problems of those who have growing inequalities, the threat of promise could turn into a been historically marginalized, those emerging technologies such as demographic curse and observed: who continue to be marginalized, and Artificial Intelligence on top of a “Tax breaks for the rich, and guns the new ones being made to join the technological paradigm that makes for the poor isn’t a political economy ranks of marginalised would be rapid obsolescence of skills a that our constitution mandates.” systematically squelched. Prof necessary fact of life, and massive Castells then posited that, as interdependence implying inability or In response to the above, one of uncertainty about economic welfare disinclination to protect those inside your brethren threateningly proposed sweeps across an economy that is national boundaries from that maybe it is time to pack the constructed on a network of the uncontrollable economic and social Supreme Court with “committed global elites, the social reality would forces, Edward Luce goes on to judges” – i.e., the judges who will be that the ones being left behind analyse the resulting degeneration of kow- tow to the executive that is hell and/or marginalized would fall prey Western politics: bent on delivering a neo-liberal order. to the seduction of identities provided by cults and hate groups. “We are taught to think our It is against the foregoing democracies are held together by background, that one needs to Not withstanding such warnings, values. Our faith in history fuels analysethe brutal assassination of there has been much glibness in the this myth. But liberal democracy’s GauriLankesh. By all accounts she elite frameworks that posited that the strongest glue is economic wasn’t a “successful” journalist in only purpose of collective power and growth…. When those fruits the sense of one who is a prima action is the allowance of free play disappear, or are monopolised by donna at the national or state level. of individual economic interests – a fortunate few, things turn nasty. Working with limited budgets, and at almost as if humans could only be History should have taught us times starved for funds she ran a epistemic and ethical monads, with that. The losers seek scapegoats. regional publication whose circulation no space for value systems based The politics of interest group was barely 10,000 or so. But the on the deep potential of human management turn into a zero-sum power of her ideas was of far beings to construct a consciousness battle over declining resources. greater purport. Her voice that was concerned by welfare of The past also tells us to beware of threatened an established political others in a shared world. That …. Times of stark and growing economy that was increasingly glibness is now coming home to inequality. It rarely ends well.”2 choosing to elide out of reckoning the roost, as identity politics and politics poor, the marginalized, the exploited of deep hatred for the others have Nearly a century ago, John and the oppressed. Her voice was emerged with a rapidity that Maynard Keynes had proposed that for social justice, and its articulation 14 JANATA, December 10, 2017 a matter of moral urgency, and the elites, are thinking about them – 3RomeshThapar v State of Madras constitutional means, and their at least in some small but meaningful AIR 1950 SC 124; assertion a matter of moral necessity. measure. When the hope that Superintendant, Central Prison And that voice was brutally silenced. empathy of fellow human beings v Dr. Ram ManoharLohia AIR And like so many times before, the may be aroused to action, to ensure 1960 SC 633. Also see Liang, spirit of the Constitution of India and greater justice, is lost we end up Lawrence, supra note 1 above, the soul of this nation was yet again losing the greatest protection we page 816. brutalised. have when we speak truth to power. Unless the powerful, and the groups 4 S. Rangarajan v P The optics of her killing are no less they control are made to believe that (1989) 2 SCC 574 chilling. In front of her own house, a the people will punish them if those woman who was just opening the who speak truth to power are not 5Ibid. gate to park her car is brutally killed protected, all of us may face what by an assassin emerging from the GauriLankesh and SantanuBhowmik 6 Justice Puttaswamy v Union of dark. The message was clear: those have. A retreat cannot be an option. India, WP (Civil) No 494 (2012) who will speak about constitutional For we could be attacked for 7 means, assert an innate right to something else. Until, every aspect Ibid, para 155, page 216. freedom of speech, and will speak of our human dignity is ground afoot. 8 on behalf of the marginalized and If GauriLankesh’s death is to mean Ibid, para 156, page 217. against those who will loot the nation anything, then we need to relearn to 9 Ibid, paragraphs 157-160, for the benefits of the few – even speak the truth to power, and that pages 217- 220. your homes would not be safe. too about the truth of what is happening with and what is being 10 LUCE, Edward: “The Retreat of What are we to do? How are we done to the disempowered masses. to go ahead with fearless journalism Western Liberalism”, Little, Brown (London) 2017, p 12-13. in a world such as this? Where the I end with the the hope that each first principle of journalism – of one of you will assert the moral 11 Ibid, page 13. speaking the truth to power – is seen foundations of “speaking truth to as being anti-national? There could power”. of course be many, many answers. (concluded) But here is a small submission: if journalism, and its underlying value References : Madhu Dandavate - freedom of speech as an essential element to construct human dignity 1For a good summation see LIANG, By – are to be in service of “speaking Lawrence “Free Speech and B. Vivekanandan truth to power” – then speak that Expression” in The Oxford truth fully. Especially about the Handbook of the Indian degradation of human dignity of the Constitution, eds – Choundhry, Price: Rs. 20/- masses. That is the singular truth that Sujit; Khosla, Madhav; & stares at us in the face, and which Mehta, PratapBhanu. Also see, we refuse to acknowledge and speak BHATIA, Gautam “Offend, JANATA TRUST about it – to ourselves, and to those Shock or Disturb: Free Speech who wield power in our name, and under the Indian Constitution. on our behalf. D-15, Ganesh Prasad, 2Sakal Papers (P) Ltd v Union of Naushir Bharucha Marg, In any nation, and more so in a India AIR 1962 SC 305, democracy, the moral force of Bennett Coleman & Co v. Union Grant Road (W), institutions is intimately linked to of India (1972) 2 SCC 788 and Mumbai 400 007. whether the masses – especially the Indian Express Newspapers v vast numbers in our country – Union of India (1985) 1 SCC continue to believe that the State, and 641. JANATA, December 10, 2017 15 Love, Marriage and Religion

J. L.Jawahar

“Love in Times of Fundamental accepted by the other party. In the conforming. They tend to form their Politics” seems to have become an absence of such an acceptance, the own opinions about their own life. issue these days. (Janata, 19-11- party cannot be compelled to enter When the son or daughter makes an 2017) Why has it become a problem? into marriage. independent choice of life partner, Love should never create problems. parents get offended that they did At the most basic level, what is love? Consensual cohabitation is based not have an opportunity to decide. It is affection between two persons, on mutual consent and the law is not They are afraid that the choice of ultimately leading to a desire to live concerned with it. But marriage the child could be wrong as they together, share their lives and if means creation of certain legal have less experience of life. Some possible, create a family. Not all love relationships. It is to establish that parents swallow their pride and connections result in establishing a relationship that one party wants to agree. But some take it as an offence family. Some may be more get married. That is why gays and and betrayal and try their best to ephemeral, perhaps as a result of lesbians struggled to get the right to prevent that relationship. They youthful emotions. But when two marry. Otherwise nobody bothered consider it a matter of personal or adults who love each other want to how they lived. (The provision family prestige as in tribal spend their life together, they should against unnatural relationship in the communities of earlier days. The be able do so without the consent of Penal Code is being diluted). Statute social situation encourages it. They any other person. That is what has provided Special Marriages Act go to the extent of killing the happens in the liberal western to enable adult persons to marry daughter and also her husband. It is societies. irrespective of their religion or caste true that they took all the trouble to and in disregard of any other person. bring up the children. But children Whether it is good or bad is a are not like pets. They are individuals different matter. Leave that problem The problem comes when one of with their own individual preferences aside for the present. That tendency the parties wants to bring in some unlike pets. More over law also is intruding into the Indian society extraneous consideration into the recognizes them as separate and now. Unfortunately, neither the marriage.It may be caste or religion independent individuals and give lovers involved nor the society or consent of elders that was not some rights to them as citizens. If around them is mature enough to raised till then. The position of the child makes a choice after understand and accept the parents is always precarious. They becoming an adult, the parents have consequences of such a relationship. bring up their children with the hope, an opportunity, not a right, to argue After leading a joint life for some in fact, expectation that they will be and persuade but not to object. If the time, one of the parties asks for respectful of themThey want that parents really love their children, marriage while the other party respect to be shown in a particular they should excuse the folly of hesitates or refuses whatever the way – either by bestowing wealth independent decision and leave them reasons might be. It becomes a on them or being bound by their to their fate. If the choice happens problem and the police are asked to wishes in life, particularly in regard to be wrong, it is for the child to take charge of the situation, whether to selection of life partners. Parents suffer the consequences. That is the it is legitimate or not. The fact is, want their children to settle happily privilege or burden of being an adult. both of them are adults and living in a married life. But that is not in You are responsible for your together voluntarily. Either of them their hands exclusively. They cannot decisions. Even the courts do not can claim to having no intention of get the children married when they have any right to find fault with the marriage, while the other party are minors so that they will not resist. decision unless some fraud is played (usually the girl) can say that the Even after the child becomes a on the person to ensure a particular relationship is being maintained with major, parents still expect to exercise decision. It means it was not an expectation of marriage finally. their choice in the life partner for the independent decision and so need Intention is of no consequence unless child. But times have changed. The not be upheld. it is expressed and specifically children are getting educated and not (To be concluded) R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, December 10, 2017 Postal Registration No. MCW/275/2015-2017. License to Post without prepayment WPP License No. MR/Tech/WPP-210/West/2017 Published on Sunday, December 10, 2017 & Posted on Wedenesday, December 13, 2017 at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1

An infrastructure company established since 1924

REGD. OFFICE : New Excelsior Building, (3rd Floor), A.K. Nayak Marg, Fort, Mumbai 400001. Tel. : 022 2205 1231 Fax : 022-2205 1232

Office : Ahmedabad, 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 1 Pages 16 Price : Rupees Five

Vol. 72 No. 47 Bangladesh After 46 Years December 17, 2017 Kuldip Nayar

Defective Kettle and Dead Even after 46 years, the liberation meeting of journalists at the Delhi Sabarmati of Bangladesh is very vivid in my Press Club and told the members Sandeep Pandey memory. I was the first Indian how disappointed Bangladesh felt. journalist who landed at Dhaka after liberation. My first visit was to the Why did this omission take place? Who Killed Sohrabuddin? Press Club where I heard anti-India The Bengali journalists, who were Debate Around Judge's Death remarks. When I ordered smoked in the agitation, gave up the cause Puts Focus Back on Murders Hilsa, a delicacy, one of the scribes as soon as the Bangladesh flag flew by Gujarat Police remarked: Hilsa is now available at at Dhaka. Many years later, I found Harsh Mander Kolkata, not Dhaka. This hurt me that the Indian government saw to it really. that there was no follow-up to the liberation. It was afraid of the Rampage around Film I complained to Bangabandhu renewal of sentiments that the two Padmavati: Power of Sheik Mujibur Rahman about the Bengals should unite. That was the Historical Fiction remarks made at the Press Club. He reason why even the mention of Ram Puniyani appreciated my feelings and when I Bangladesh was discouraged. True, pointed out that some 6,000 Indian for the Bengali journalists, the soldiers died along with MuktiBahini mission of seeing Bangladesh Love, Marriage and Religion supporters, the Sheikh laughed away liberated was over. They should have J. L. Jawahar at my disappointment. He said: A followed the agitation with stories on Bengali does not forget even a glass how the Bangladeshis had sacrificed of water you give. How can he their all and the Indian army fought Editor : forget the lives lost by the Indian by the side of Mukti Bahini. G. G. Parikh army? During the liberation war, D.P. Managing Editor : Guddi This was the time when Syed Dhar, who was in charge of Mohammad Ali, who later founded Bangladesh in the Indian cabinet, D-15, Ganesh Prasad, The Daily Star, called me and gave me the impression that India Naushir Bharucha Marg, complained that India was writing on would dovetail its five-year plan with Mumbai - 400 007. the defeat of Pakistan but not a word the development of Bangladesh. But on the courage and sacrifices made this did not happen and Dhaka was Email : [email protected] by the Bangladeshis to liberate their understandably disappointed. All that Website:www.janataweekly.org country. On my return, I called a Dhar was interested in was that 2 JANATA, December 17, 2017 another coup should not take place intractable situation in the west. Khaleda is known to have to oust the Awami League's regime. exploited religion for her electoral Dhar saw to it that the Indian army It goes to the credit of successive gains though she has refuted the would quit soon. The army governments at Dhaka that they charges. Yet both fundamentalist withdrew. have maintained a six-per cent organisations, the Jamiat-e-Islami growth in the last 30 years. The and Islami Oikya Jote, are her When the coup took place and the garment industry is respected all over electoral allies. "I have more tanks were used, New Delhi the world. Yet, the problem of freedom fighters in our party than regretted that it did not follow up its poverty is exploited by the anti- the Awami League," Hasina told me resolve. These were the tanks given Hasina forces, which comprise both once. But there is no doubt that the by Egypt. They were used to pro-Pakistan elements and anti-liberation forces are overthrow and eliminate the entire fundamentalists. Islamabad is said to proliferating on her side. family of MujiburRahman. Only have given currency to another idea. Sheikh Hasina escaped because she Although it is not in good shape It is generally taken for granted was in Germany at that time. The economically, Pakistan is telling that if Khaleda returns to power, the rest is too well known. Bangladeshis that they were better extremists and pro-Pakistan forces off when they were part of East would come to the fore. This Once Bangladesh became free, Pakistan. Some people have been prospect is not good for India which New Delhi tried to distance itself taken in by the propaganda. This has is bound to be hurt, particularly when from Dhaka because it wanted to only added to the anti-India feelings Pakistan's ISI uses Bangladesh as a mend its fences with Pakistan. because Delhi is seen as an conduit to foment trouble in the Rawalpindi did not forget or forgive 'exploiter'. India's northeast. Liberal forces in India for the division of East Pakistan Bangladesh will also be hurt because from West Pakistan. This may not For the Bangladeshis, the dream they do not want the anti-liberation be mentioned at the dialogue table becoming economically viable has elements and fundamentalists to be between India and Pakistan, but this not come true even partially. With strengthened. In a way, the liberals occupied the minds of rulers at 40 per cent unemployment among and India sail in the same boat. Islamabad very much. the educated, the disappointment in the country about not making good For a long time, Pakistan did not is deep. But there is vicarious Janata Subscription recognize Bangladesh. Prime satisfaction that Pakistan is in more Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto said at economic trouble than Bangladesh. a UN meeting that they would fight To my dismay, I discovered that Annual Rs. : 260/- a 100-year war with India and not Delhi only wanted to escape the Three Years : 750/- normalize relations until the original fallout of the enmity between Mountbatten plan, with a weak the Awami League and the centre but a united country. was Bangladesh Nationalist Party, led by Demand Draft / Cheque implemented. The Mountbatten plan Khalida Zia. on wanted East Pakistan to be a part of Pakistan.When I met The ongoing battle between the Mumbai Bank Mountbatten at Broadlands, where two begums, Sheikh Hasina and in favour of he was living after retirement, he said Khalida Zia, is also affecting the he had warned Bhutto that East progress of Bangladesh. Fortunately Pakistan would not be part of for Prime Minister Hasina, her bête JANATA TRUST Pakistan some 25 years hence. This noire does not count much these D-15, Ganesh Prasad, is precisely what happened and his days, particularly after Khalida Zia prediction came true. Lord Radcliffe, had started boycotting elections in Naushir Bharucha Marg, who drew the boundary, told me that recent times. Now there is a split in Grant Road (W), he had no problem with settling the her partytoo, and the BNP has fallen affairs in the east but he faced the to No. 3 position in the country. Mumbai 400 007. JANATA, December 17, 2017 3 Defective Kettle and Dead Sabarmati

Sandeep Pandey

When Narendra Modi was to symbolic of the Narendra Modi memorandum detailing the loss the contest the election to become the brand of politics. It is a bold display tea vendors had suffered during Prime Minister of India, after being of a model which doesn’t work. Modi’s numerous visits to Varanasi the Chief Minister of Gujarat from Actually, it is useless. Initially it gives and claimed compensation from the 2001 to 2014, it was revealed to the you an appearance of real. But if you local office of Narendra Modi. country that he used to sell tea in his take a close look at it,you realise that Vendors were denied of their young days - to project his meteoric you’ve been cheated. It looks so real livelihood so long as their rise from a modest position. that you almost believe that it’ll representative was in town. Could a railway station was deliver tea. But one keeps waiting real past tea seller have been so identified as the location where he in expectation and in the end it insensitive to his co-vendors? His used to sell tea. The government is doesn’t benefit anybody. It is only office did not choose to respond to spending money on this railway for show off. People pass by it the above memorandum. The police station to convert it into a tourist everyday without making a comment. was more repressive next time location. It is unclear whether they prefer to vendors were to be removed. ignore it or they are unaware of the Usually they would re-establish their In reality Modi took over the defect? One wonders whether the shops once Modi left Varanasi. But management of his uncle’s canteen creator of the model considered since Yogi Adityanath became the for sometime at the State Transport people as fools and worried little CM life became more difficult for depot at Geeta Mandir in Ahmedabad about what they would say when vendors. Once removed they were when he was a teenager. they would become aware of the not allowed to return. It took an flaw in design. Question is can he agitation before they could set up At a major traffic junction in fool all the people for all time to shop again. The future of these Ahmedabad, Akhbar Nagar circle, come? Or someday people will feel vendors is uncertain in the PM’s which fell in the assembly embarrassed enough to consider the constituency. The Modi-Yogi rule constituency of Modi’s protege Amit kettle model as a blot on their has left them more vulnerable than Shah when he was a Member of intellect and pull it down or at least before. Legislative Assembly, now the try to rectify the defect by placing second most powerful person in this the handle at the right position? Modi also made an election country, model of a kettle was built promise in Varanasi in 2014 that he by the Silveroak Institute of That there was no truth in the would clean Ganga the way he Engineering and Technology in 2012. story of Modi having been a tea seller cleaned Sabarmati in Ahmedabad. At first appearance the kettle looks in the past was clear from the way Three and half years have passed. impressive. The problem with its real tea vendors serving the patients The sewer treated and untreated design is, if observed carefully that and their attendants outside the both flows into Ganga unhindered. the handle is so connected that the Banaras Hindu University hospital in Nitin Gadkari has recently made a kettle cannot be tilted to pour the tea. Lanka market were treated when foreign visit to raise money for the Howsoever much you may tilt the Modi used to arrive in his clean Ganga project. handle, the body of the kettle will parliamentary constituency. As his remain stationary in a horizontal helicopter used to land inside the Upstream of Ahmedabad position. The design is a telling University campus all the tea Sabarmati is a dried river with not a description of the capability of our vendors were bundled away days in single drop of water present. There engineering institutions and quality of advance and were treated as is no governmental effort seen to their products. security threat to him. The President revive the river. Only in rainy season of the vendors’ association some pools are visible. An unplanned This defective kettle model is Chintamani Seth handed over a (Continued on Page 13) 4 JANATA, December 17, 2017 Who Killed Sohrabuddin? Debate Around Judge's Death Puts Focus Back on Murders by Gujarat Police Harsh Mander explains why he challenged a court decision to discharge BJP leader Amit Shah from a case involving the extra-judicial killings of three people.

Harsh Mander

On November 26, 2005, a man in in time. The official story on every Sheikh, his wife Kauser Bi, and a his thirties named Sohrabuddin occasion was that the men and year later his associate Sheikh was gunned down by a team women had been killed because they TulsiramPrajapati were killed may of the Gujarat police. The police tried to shoot at the police while never have come to light, like claimed that Sheikh was an attempting to escape. numerous other encounter killings operative of the Lashkar-e-Toiba buried in the dusty files of official terrorist organisation and that he In reply to a question in the malfeasance. But the shadowy truth was, along with Pakistan's ISI legislative assembly, the Gujarat of these encounters was exposed by intelligence agency, planning a high- government conceded that as many a combination of chance, the profile assassination of a senior as 21 people had been killed by the unconventional investigation leader in Gujarat - presumably state police in what are popularly techniques of a maverick journalist, NarendraModi. The Rajasthan known as "encounters" between just the dogged pursuit of justice by police had tipped off their Gujarat 2003 and 2006. But the names of human rights workers and the counterparts about the conspiracy, Sohrabuddin Sheikh and his wife families of those killed, and above and came to Gujarat to help catch Kauser Bi did not figure in the all public officials who displayed the terrorist. A police party was said Gujarat government's response. unexpected sterling courage and to have spotted Sheikh riding a fairness. The pursuit of these cases motorcycle on a highway at Vishala "Encounters" are extra-judicial uncovered the brazen way that Circle near Ahmedabad. They killings of people in the custody - legal people had been killed by the Gujarat challenged him, but he refused to or illegal - of the police. The stories police and how these custodial halt. As he desperately tried to given by the police about the murders were dressed up as acts of escape, he shot at the policemen. circumstances of many of these self-defence. Subsequently, many The police said that they fired back encounter deaths in Gujarat, senior policepersons and Amit Shah, in self-defence and killed him. however, were mostly clumsy and who was Gujarat's home minister at unconvincing. Six of the people killed the time, were jailed on extremely In the wake of the Gujarat were officially in police custody when grave charges of extra-judicial carnage of 2002, sensational reports they died. It was incredible that they murder. frequently flashed on the front pages could possess firearms in custody to of newspapers and on television warrant the police killing them in self- A brother's plea screens about men and women defence. It was claimed in all cases gunned down in encounters with the that the persons killed by the police In the case of Sohrabuddin state police. The police mostly were dreaded terrorists, with plans Sheikh, two events intervened. In claimed that these men and women to assassinate Modi or other senior December 2005, Sheikh's brother, were dreaded terrorists who leaders, or launch terror strikes, but Rubabuddin, wrote a letter to the intended to assassinate Chief there was rarely any convincing Chief Justice of India that he was Minister NarendraModi. But in each evidence to establish these not convinced about the police case, the authorities had been able allegations. No postmortem followed version of how his brother died, and to gather advance information of the killings, or statutory magisterial was worried about his sister-in-law their plans and apprehend the enquiry. Kausar Bi, who had also gone terrorists almost miraculously (or missing at the same time as with the utmost professionalism) just The story of how Sohrabuddin Sohrabuddin's murder. The Supreme JANATA, December 17, 2017 5

Court ordered the Gujarat police to police without any provocation. The Ravindra Makwana ASI …on investigate how he had been killed motorcycle that the police claimed 25.8.2010, stated before the CBI and what had happened to Kausar Sheikh had been riding actually that …'Choube the then PSI who Bi. belonged to the cousin of a constable was deputed to look after of the Gujarat Anti Terrorist Squad. SmtKauserbi, raped her in Matters may still never have The Gujarat state government farmhouse.' The last journey of surfaced, except for a discussion counsel was forced to admit to the Kauserbi was of course the most over drinks of a few police Supreme Court that this was indeed brutal. On 29th November around inspectors with a journalist with a a fake encounter. 12.30 p.m, she was taken to the ATS colourful history PrashantDayal, office at Shahibaug by PSI Choube. who worked with the widely It became clear that a police team DG Vanzara, DIG and Rajkumar circulated newspaper, Divya had taken Sohrabuddin Sheikh, his Pandyan, SP, tried to buy peace with Bhaskar. Dayal had been employed wife Kausar Bi and associate her and offered her a huge sum of in a garage and then drove an auto- TulsiramPrajapati into custody on money for her silence but she rickshaw before he established his November 22, 2005, as they were refused. On being told about the credentials as an investigative travelling in a luxury bus from death of Sohrabuddin, she turned reporter. He often plied police Hyderabad to Sangli. The group of hysteric. Narendra Amin, Dy SP officers with liquor to extract "inside" policemen who abducted them were Crime Branch Ahmedabad, who news in a state that officially has a from Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh was earlier a doctor by profession, policy of prohibition. That evening, and were led by a senior IPS officer was summoned by Vanzara around with much liquor in their from Gujarat, RajkumarPandyan. 4 pm. Kauser Bi was drugged and bloodstreams, the officers bragged The police team initially apprehended killed in that very office." about how they had eliminated "anti- only Sheikh and Prajapati, but national elements". Kausar Bi refused to let them take When Sheikh's associate away her husband without her. All Prajapatirealised that Kauser Bi had The journalist investigated further, three were pulled out of the bus by been killed, he immediately surmised and his enquiries confirmed that two the police. After they reached that she had been eliminated because men and a burqa-clad woman had Gujarat, though, a protesting Kausar she was a witness to the abduction. been confined in a farm house. In Bi was taken to a separate Now that he was the only remaining November 2006, he finally broke the farmhouse. Prajapati was later witness, he was terrified that he sensational story of the killing of handed over to the Rajasthan Police would meet the same fate. He spoke Sohrabuddin Sheikh and his wife and subsequently sent to jail. of his fears to many people, including Kausar Bi. (In 2008, he was soon Sohrabuddin Sheikh was killed by the some undertrials with whom he was charged with sedition by the Gujarat police team on November 26, 2005. detained in prison, and to his lawyer. police. It took until 2013 for him to He wrote desperately to the be acquitted.) Dayal's report A gruesome killing Chairperson of the National Human sparked a series of developments Rights Commission, praying that it that led ultimately to the arrest of Investigations established that intervene to save his life. He feared senior police officials like DG Kausar Bi was killed and her body that he would be killed while he was Vanzara and RajkumarPandian of was burnt on or around November taken out of jail to attend the court the Gujarat police, and MN Dinesh 29, 2005. The police had never cases pending against him. When the Kumar of the Rajasthan police, for announced her killing, nor claimed police transported him to other the murder of Sheikh and others. that she was a terrorist. Human places, he would ask members of his rights lawyer MukulSinha pieced family to try to travel on the same The investigation ordered by the together what perhaps happened train. He was prescient. Supreme Court into Sheikh's killing based on statements by police was initially supervised by Inspector witnesses to the Central Bureau of Despite his many pleas, he was General of Police GeethaJohri. Her Investigation: "Kauserbi was killed in yet another purported investigation established quickly that confined in a farmhouse known as encounter. The Rajasthan Police the police story was a criminal Arham farm from 26th to 28th brought Prajapati to Ahmedabad by fabrication, and that Sheikh had been November, 2005…One PSI Chaube train on December 26, 2006, and deliberately murdered by the Gujarat was given the job to guard her… boarded the night train to Udaipur 6 JANATA, December 17, 2017 from Ahmedabad station. Early on investigation. The investigating from the CBI investigation was that the morning on December 28, officer Solanki also told the CBI that Sohrabuddin Sheikh was a member Prajapati was shot dead by the Johri, the senior police officer who of a criminal gang. This gang was Gujarat Police near the Gujarat- was supervising his investigations, encouraged and patronised by some Rajasthan border highway, close to instructed him to change the case Gujarat police officers and political a village called Chhapri. The police papers in order to delete evidence leaders, and operated an extortion claimed that he had fled en route to against Amit Shah. This, she told him, racket in Rajasthan. However, the court. The claimed encounter was on Shah's instructions. Solanki matters came to a head after took place in Gujarat's Banaskantha refused. RajendraAcharya, who was Sheikh's gang threatened some well- district, to which accused IPS officer GeethaJohri's personal assistant, connected marble businessmen in DG Vanzara had been transferred confirmed this conversation. Udaipur. His political and police just 13 days before the murder. The masters felt that Sheikh was not chargesheet filed later by the Central In March 2007, the investigation amenable to control, and should be Bureau of Investigation said that was handed to Deputy Inspector eliminated. They could not take the Prajapati had been abducted in General of Police, RajnishRai. When risk of charging him formally for his Ahmedabad. The encounter took Rai was entrusted with this task, it crimes, because he would expose his place under the direction of Vanzara was expected that he would protect powerful mentors and partners in and another IPS officer, the state police and political crime. VipulAggarwal, the agency said. establishment. Instead he stunned his peers and seniors by arresting IPS According to the CBI charge- Police officer's testimony officers Vanzara, Pandyan and sheet, the killing was orchestrated Dinesh MN in April 2007 for the by senior police officers on the Prajapati was killed at a crucial Sohrabuddin fake encounter. orders of Gujarat Home Minister point in the Sohrabuddin and Kausar Pandyan was RajnishRai's batch- Amit Shah and former Rajasthan Bi murder investigation, when the mate, and they had been close friends Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria, Investigating Officer, VL Solanki had but he was convinced that a great who was also a senior BJP leader. sought permission to interrogate him. wrong had been committed and that A supplementary charge-sheet filed According to a statement by police he had to stand firmly on the side of by CBI on May 6, 2013, alleged that officer GC Raiger to the CBI later, truth and fairness. Rai alleged that VimalPatni, the owner of RK Home Minister Amit Shah called a Amit Shah and the police officers Marbles and Gulab Chand Kataria meeting in the second last week of loyal to him were making every conspired to kill Sohrabuddin Sheikh December 2006. Raiger testified that effort to cover up the fake as he was allegedly trying to extort he attended this meeting with encounter. He also maintained that money from RK Marbles. The CBI GeethaJohri, the Inspector General the Prajapati murder was also part further charged that the killing was of the state Criminal Investigation of this conspiracy. outsourced to the Gujarat Police in Department who was supervising the consultation with Amit Shah, the Sohrabuddin enquiry, and Director In January 2010, the Supreme Minister of State for Home of General of Police PC Pande. (Both Court finally transferred the Gujarat. were later listed as accused in this investigation to the Central Bureau case.) According to Raiger's of Investigation. In April 2010, senior It was after the investigation by testimony, Shah "scolded us for not Gujarat police officer Abhay the CBI that Amit Shah was charged being able to tame Solanki, who Chudasama was charged with as an accused in these extra-judicial wanted to drag the matter further in extortion in partnership with murders, and he was jailed along his enquiry by way of examining Sohrabuddin Sheikh. After with more than 10 police officers. TulsiramPrajapati for which he had Chudasama's arrest, the CBI also The CBI further charged that Shah sought permission. He told us to charged the Amit Shah with was also involved in criminal wrap up the matter." collusion, based on 331 phone calls extortion activities. by the politician to the concerned According to Raiger, Shah police officers that had been deleted Vanjara's role specifically directed that Prajapati from the records. should not be interrogated and that DahyajiGobarjiVanzara, who Solanki should be stopped from his The murky story that emerged headed Gujarat's Anti-Terrorist JANATA, December 17, 2017 7

Squad, was in jail from 2007 to until remedied. The trial judge JT Utpat there was no permission to prosecute he got bail in 2015 on charges of pulled up Amit Shah on June 6, 2014, him and hence he could not be having conducted a series of extra- for failing to appear in court in prosecuted, ignoring that such judicial killings. In addition to being person. He ordered Shah to present permission is not necessary when an accused of killing Sohrabuddin himself in court on June 26, 2014. officer is charged with murder. All Sheikh, Kauser Bi and Prajapati, he But only a day before this scheduled the serving officers have been was also charged with the murder hearing, Utpat was transferred to reinstated and promoted. of Sameer Khan (killed in October another court, and replaced by 2002), Mumbai college student another judge BH Loya. Judge Loya PP Pandey was released on bail IshratJahan and three others (shot also expressed concerns over Shah's in February 2015 and, in three days, dead on June 15, 2004) and Sadik failure to appear before the court. was reinstated and given charge of Jamal (killed in 2003). It is reported But this judge died on the night of an investigation against Satish that in September 2013, there were November 30 or in the early hours Verma, the police officer whose 32 police officers, including six of December 1, 2014, in Special Investigative Team inquiry Gujarat IPS officers, who were circumstances that his family claims had led to Pandey's indictment in the serving time in jail for their were suspicious. In an article first place. In April 2016, he was involvement in fake encounters. published this week, they detailed appointed the acting Director Most of them had worked under their misgivings to The Caravan General, Police, Gujarat - the first Vanzara. magazine. time in India that a police officer on bail for murder was given this high From jail, he wrote a letter of Within weeks of Judge Loya's responsibility. Respected police resignation, in which he was entirely death, on December 30, 2014, the officer Julio Ribeiro unsuccessfully unrepentant. "The CID/CBI third judge to hear the case, MB challenged his promotion and arrested my officers and me holding Gosavi, discharged Amit Shah from appointment. "The police force of a us responsible for carrying out the Sohrabudin Sheikh fake state can't be headed by a person allegedly fake encounters," he encounter case. Gosavi said he saw accused of extremely serious wrote. "If that is true, then the CBI no evidence against Shah, and offence of murder of four persons, investigating officers for all four instead said he "found substance" in especially, when the trials are yet to cases have to arrest the policy his main defence that the CBI had begin," Ribeiro said. In time, seven formulators too as we, being field framed him "for political reasons". indicted police officers were granted officers, have simply implemented In so doing, Gosavi ignored crucial bail. Three retired, the remainder the policy of this government, which pieces of evidence such as police were promoted. was inspiring, guiding and monitoring officer Raiger's categorical our actions from very close statement that Amit Shah had By contrast, police officer quarters." He described himself as instructed obstruction of the RajnishRai, whose brave and a "nationalist Hindu", spoke of investigation, and his phone records. fearless investigations led ultimately NarendraModi as "god", yet he felt to the charge-sheeting and arrest of abandoned and disgruntled. Vanzara One by one, the court also Amit Shah and several senior police was released on bail in February, discharged Rajasthan former Home officers, has been consistently 2015, and returned home to a hero's Minister GulabchandKataria, punished. Since 2007, Rai was then welcome. Rajasthan-based businessman not posted even once to the same VimalPatni, former Gujarat Police location as his wife, an IAS officer. Change of fortunes chief PC Pande, Additional Director A number of false charges were General of Police Geeta Johri, levelled against him, his confidential The winds had changed course Gujarat Police officers Abhay reports sullied, and he was once the BharatiyaJanata Party Chudasama, Rajkumar Pandian and superseded. But he is unbroken, government led by NarendraModi N Amin from the case. So too were accepting stoically the personal and took charge of the government in Yashpal Chudasama and Ajay Patel, professional costs of doing what Delhi in May 2014. The fortunes of both senior office-bearers at the they believed was right. Shah and the indicted police officers Ahmedabad District Co-Operative changed dramatically. There were Bank. Gosavi discharged Pandyan RajnishRai said to me that for him some initial hiccups, but these quickly on the flimsy technical ground that the highest satisfaction is that after 8 JANATA, December 17, 2017 the investigations undertaken by him a matter to pass unchallenged, powerful and one for ordinary and SatishVerma (in the IshratJahan therefore I filed an appeal against citizens. The court dismissed my matter), extra-judicial killings came the order in the Mumbai High Court, appeal as well without giving to an abrupt and absolute halt in with the assistance of my friends, reasons. Gujarat. This would not have senior lawyers Indira Jaising and happened if these two officers had Anand Grover. I did not claim that But the CBI's unwillingness to not demolished the long-sustained Shah or the Gujarat police officers have this order examined by the tradition of impunity from any were definitely guilty (I have no basis higher courts speaks volumes about criminal investigation for custodial to do so), only that since the CBI the pressures it faces, or its willing killings by police persons. This alone had filed a chargesheet against them, (and culpable) partisanship. The makes all that they have suffered and it was in the public interest that the discharge orders of the trial court lost in their careers worthwhile for evidence against the former home freeing Amit Shah and the police them. minister should be heard and officers from facing trial for the evaluated fairly. murder of Sohrabuddin have not Meanwhile, after NarendraModi been approved or upheld by either became prime minister in 2014, he However, the Mumbai High Court the High Court or the Supreme picked Amit Shah to head the BJP, dismissed my application on the Court. Many news reports have vaulting him over the heads of many grounds of locus, or in other words since claimed that a clean chit has senior leaders. Shah is widely maintaining that since I am unrelated been given to Amit Shah by the High perceived to be the second most to the person killed, I have no right Court and the Supreme Court. This powerful person in Modi's India. It to intervene. I am convinced is not correct. The High Court and mattered for nothing for Modi that however that this was not a matter the Supreme Court have merely Shah had been charged and jailed for of the private grief and loss of denied one petitioner the chance to his alleged role in conspiring and Sohrabuddin's brother, Rubabuddin challenge these orders on technical directing the extra-judicial killings of Sheikh. Since the grave charges of grounds. Shah, as of date, has Sohrabuddin Sheikh, his wife Kauser multiple murders were against a received no such clean chit from any Bi and TulsiramPrajapati in 2005, person who held the high office of of the constitutional courts of the and in other extra-judicial killings home minister of Gujarat, and is now country. such as of the teenaged IshratJahan. the national president of the ruling party, I and the people of India have On November 29, the special CBI It is very rare for the CBI to fail the right to know whether he, or the court will begin the trial in the to appeal against the discharge of its police officers under his command, Sohrabuddin fake encounter case, own chargesheet in any criminal had anything to do with the killings hearing evidence against 22 other case, because this would amount to of Sohrabuddin Sheikh, Kauserbi people against whom charges of admitting that its own investigation and Tulsiram. murder, abduction and destruction of and chargesheet was flawed. But in evidence have been framed, as well the Sohrabuddin Sheikh case, the I challenged the High Court as offences under the Arms Act. CBI has chosen not to appeal against rejection in an appeal to the Supreme the discharge of Amit Shah and other Court. KapilSibal, my lawyer, In one of his election speeches in police officers by the trial court. It pleaded before the judges that there Gujarat, Modi declared defiantly, was Sohrabuddin's brother, are any number of rulings of the "Congressmen say that Modi is RubabuddinShaikh, who challenged higher courts, both to support my indulging in [illegal police] Amit Shah's discharge in the right to raise this question before the encounter[s], saying that Modi has Bombay High Court. But after a few courts, and for the evidence against killed Sohrabuddin. Friends from hearings, he withdrew his challenge. the accused persons who have been Congress, you have a government He went on record in later press chargesheeted to be tested in a court at the centre, if you have the guts interviews that he did so under of law. He spoke of the imperative send Modi to [the] gallows." When pressure, fearing for his life. for the courts to demonstrate that he asked the crowds what to do with that there is only one law in the land Sohrabuddin Sheikh, the crowd I felt that this was too important for all people, not one for the responded, "Kill him! Kill him!" Courtesy : Scroll.in JANATA, December 17, 2017 9 Rampage around Film Padmavati: Power of Historical Fiction

Ram Puniyani

Nearly a year ago multiple rowdy with many valiant Rajput women women and Muslim men. One is that protests took place when the film commit jauhar (self immolation) and which shows the valour of Rajput Padmavati was being shot in kill themselves, depriving Khilji from women who commit self immolation Rajasthan. getting Padmavati. rather than yielding to the Muslim had to interrupt the shooting for some kings. The other one is where there time. This time around, more intense The objectionable part of the film is interaction and alliance of Muslim opposition has been witnessed as the for the likes of and the rulers and Rajput families, with film was due to be released. On the BJP is a probable dream sequence intermarriage being a part of the basis of its trailer, the Karni Sena of romance between Khilji and relationship. Over the years, the demanded that the film should not Padmavati. The film makers are understanding has been promoted be released. Crores of rupees were denying such a sequence. As such that the 'giving away' of Rajput on offer from BJP leaders for cutting Jayasi's narrative is a metaphor for daughters to Muslims was a the nose of , the the futility of power and aspiration surrender, a weakness of . actress doing the role of Padmavati, of the soul for liberation. Historians This understanding falls into the and for the head of Bhansali, the like Rajat Datta (": category of 'our women' being given director of the film. Bhansali was Classic Case of How Love Tale was away to the 'others'; it is a also interrogated by the Inserted into History", The Wire, patriarchal presentation of events Parliamentary committee. The https://thewire.in) tell us that and is interpreted as a matter of assertion from Karni Sena was that Padmvati or Padmini is not a shame for Rajputs! It is interesting the film distorts history and is an historical character. Khilji did lay the to note that when there is an obverse insult to Rajput honor. An intense siege of Chittor in 1303. The novel incident, like that shown in the film intolerance to the artistic freedom of was written in 1540, more Bajirao Mastani, the reaction is the director has been on display, with than two centuries later. The books totally different from this. the State looking the other way, in a which were written between these way giving silent support to the two periods do not mention While the film is yet to be seen in violence and attempt to suppress the Padmavati at all. After Padmavat full, what one can glean from the freedom of expression. The Chief appeared, many bards picked up this trailer of the film is that Khilji is Ministers of five BJP-ruled states tale and made it a part of popular shown to be a cruel, barbaric person. have already proclaimed that the film folklore. Its communal distortion only His army carries a flag that looks will not be released in their states took place after British ethnography- like that of Pakistan. The present and a Congress Chief Minister too historiography began which was stereotypes about Muslims seem to has talked against the film. aimed at the demonising the Muslim be embodied in Khilji. This creation rulers. While the accounts of the of 'Muslim as evil' has its roots in What is the story line of the film? bards underplayed the Muslim the British accounts of Indian history. The story line is basically drawn from aspect, the British writer James British colonial powers followed the the classic novel of Malik Tod's work, Annals and Antiquities policy of 'divide and rule'. The British Muhammad Jayasi, with of Rajasthan, that he wrote in 1829, officers/historians followed their modifications as per the film makers. transformed the whole story, giving masters and gave a tilt to past events Jayasi in his novel tells the story of the narration an anti-Muslim slant. where the image of Muslim kings Allauddin Khilji, the 13-14th century This was an artificial insertion into was tarnished. Kings have their own ruler of Delhi. As per this fictional history, which has come to life over characteristics and religion is not the tale he is smitten by the immense a period of time. only marker for their nature and beauty of Padmavati and attacks character. Kings cutting across Chittor to get her. As he lays the There are two major types of religions had traits which can be siege of Chittor, Padmavati along presentations relating to Rajput attributed to their power. They also 10 JANATA, December 17, 2017 had their specificities. The historical Love, Marriage and Religion accounts don't present Khilji as a particularly cruel ruler. What is recorded is that he expanded his J. L. Jawahar Delhi empire, and fought against the Mongols and saved Delhi from their That appears to be the problem in conversions. But none of the political invasion. the case of Hadiya now. But we parties agreed to it. Of course, the Because of the growing should not ignore facts. In almost all Act against conversion of political atmosphere of intolerance in the these cases of love and conversion, parties was supported country, these types of films are it is the boy from a minority enthusiastically! That is how our getting a hostile reception. We first community that takes a girl from the secularism is being practiced. had Mughal-E-Azam, one of the majority Hindu community. We do Obviously, there is a conflict great films from India, a fiction not come across any case or an between love and religion in practice. nevertheless, where Jodha bai, a insignificant number of cases, in the Religion is coming in the way of Rajput princess, is married to . reverse direction. It cannot be said lovers wanting to consummate their The reception of the film was that the media is not reporting such love. There is Special Marriages Act extraordinarily positive, and the cases as they are always anxious to to overcome religious objections. But alliance was not questioned. This report any such thing. That it is they do not dare to avail of it. Why? was few decades ago when always the Hindu girl that is asked Religion is more important than love communalisation of society was not or voluntarily comes to convert to the to at least one of them. Strictly so intense. A few years ago we had other religion. This naturally causes speaking, if you are honest and if another film on the great angst for the orthodox religion is more important to you than same theme. This time there were Hindutva group. Moreover, the love, it was never difficult for you to some protests, but film was screened conversion is almost always followed get a spouse from out of your own in theatres. Now with Padmavati the by marriage.Whether it is marriage religion. But you chose a person protests are horrifying. History has that follows conversion or the from another religion, cultivated love been distorted here for sure, but what conversion that follows marriage is over some time patiently and when part of history and in which way? not clear. It is like the question raised the question of marriage comes you Padmavati is a fictional reality, how by Draupadi. suddenly make a demand that the has it been depicted needs to be In order to minimise the effect of lover should convert to your own seen. But the fear of a Hindu girl this tendency, Hindu groups started religion and discard her own religion. romancing a Muslim is what is GharWapasimovement to take back What kind of love is this? "Love agitating the Senas and the CMs of the converted people into the religious knows no boundaries of caste, class, BJP-ruled states in particular. Here fold. But at that time there was a religion or nationality," they say. In actually the film distorts Khilji, big hue raised in the parliament fact there are many cases to illustrate presenting him as an embodiment of against it - not by the minority the truth of it. It would be wise to the currently prevalent negative communities, but by the so-called understand at this point how perceptions about Muslims. But the secular parties. (It is no doubt foolish important love really is for both the entire debate is taking place around to expect any party in India to be partners. Perhaps it would be the character of the fictional secular). The conversion in one sensible to call the bluff, and get out Padmavati, with it coming to haunt direction was going on for centuries of it. But various factors are brought the present as a real character, and in India. Nobody objected to it. But to bear on that person to weaken the Khilji being painted in the biases of when the Hindus tried to get back capacity to take a drastic decision present reflected in the past. their flock, there were all sorts of at that stage. That is what can be Nevertheless, filmmakers should allegations of communalism. That called coercion to justify cancellation have their liberty and the film must discrimination naturally gave a of both conversion and marriage. be seen, appreciated and criticised handle to the RSS and VHP. At that Perhaps the Hon'ble Kerala High on the grounds of its strengths and time the central government offered Court might have found some such weaknesses. to bring in an Act to forbid religious evidence to nullify the marriage. JANATA, December 17, 2017 11

If conversion is really based on We should not give them that not circumscribed in any way like appreciation of religious tenets of the opportunity. other rights? Religion consists of new religion, it requires fresh certain faiths which are supposed to thinking. Before you want to change There are many illustrious be personal and the Constitution your religion, if the change is really Muslims who have married Hindu rightly allows freedom to hold those based on religious considerations, you women and have harmonious family beliefs. But why should anybody must have sufficient knowledge of lives. They prove inter-religious communicate his beliefs to another the spiritual values of your original marriages can lead to communal person of different faith? After all, religion. Then you must have harmony. We salute those silver everybody has his own religion and sufficient knowledge of the other screen and political celebrities. They his own beliefs. Communicating religion also and find it sufficiently are the hope of a secular society in consists of something more than attractive to change. You can be rest future which is not with us now. informing. It carries an intention to assured that it is not the case with There are also Hindu gentlemen who impress about the merits and most of those who are converting have married women from other superiority of the faith. It is a clear now from one religion to another. communities and lead peaceful and violation of the faith of the other Obviously, the considerations are not happy lives. But now love is being person. Communicating your beliefs spiritual and so it is not covered by played as a game. Religious people to them amounts to violating their freedom of religious practice. are upset they are being exploited. beliefs which is not proper. That Parents are worried that their wards amounts to propaganda which shall One dangerous tendency is that are being misled and used as pawns be forbidden or at least restricted. the problem of gender inequality is in nefarious games. Sociologists are But any such idea is frowned upon being clubbed with the problem of worried that human values are being by the pseudo secularists. Naturally religious conversion. "With the violated. Secular institutions are these frictions arise. clouds of communal divisiveness being tainted with religious tints. coming up on the horizon, patriarchal Freedom of speech in the notions and attempts to control the Why is this happening? We have Constitution is meant for expression lives of women have become defined secularism in a wrong way. and propaganda of secular ideas - stronger," it is stated. By clubbing We have wrapped the Indian society academic, political and scientific, the two problems we are losing the in the religious blanket inevitably which will enlighten the people. But advantage of clear vision of both the leading to conflict and friction. Every religion consists of a dogma which problems which are separate and human value is being viewed through allows no changes and no distinct and quite serious in their own religious glasses - even love. How discussions whatsoever. Then why way. We fail to solve both of them did it happen? Our secular should it be allowed to be by clubbing them together. Let us not constitution gives freedom which is propagated? There would be no do that mistake just for the sake of defined in Art.25. Freedom of friction if that communication is rhetoric. By doing so, in fact, you conscience and free profession, confined to those who are already are admitting that the present practice and propagation of within that faith. But extending it to problem is of controlling the Hindu religion.…All persons are equally people of other faiths involves many girl and not of spurious religious entitled to freedom of conscience frictions unnecessarily. Not only in conversions. Whether it is love jihad and the right to freely profess, the past, even now that has become or not, certainly there is dubious practice and propagate religion." A the cause of many quarrels and process of conversion involved in it. clause is added at the end that it does destructive fights. It can be avoided Let nobody think that I support not include a right to forcible by circumscribing the right of Hindutva here. I condemn all the conversion. Our liberal courts have religious propaganda in some way. religions with equal vehemence. clarified that propaganda is Particularly the recent behavior of concerned with right to communicate Those who have more resources Hindutva forces is not only beliefs to another person or to create more noise and influence disappointing, but disgusting. But if expound the tenets of one's religion. people. Now-a-days there is no we condemn this for the wrong Naturally it is a right protected under religion without political agenda reasons, we actually strengthen then, freedom of speech. But is the involved. Foreign countries are as they are able to point to injustice. freedom of speech unlimited? Is it (Continued on Page 13) 12 JANATA, December 17, 2017 Convergence and Mutual Support of Movements of Social Justice and Movements of Spirituality Can This Possibility Increase To Create A Better World ?

Bharat Dogra

It is very widely agreed that to create a better world in which day world is likely to be most intolerably high levels of economic distress will be reduced at various harmful. inequalities and social injustices exist levels in various ways. in India and these are a very On the other hand if a movement important cause of distress and Thus, at a most basic level, those for social justice after its initial deprivation in our country. There are movements of social justice which success in creating a more several sincere social movements are sincere and those movements egalitarian society also emphasises which have been struggling against of spirituality which are sincere have spiritual development adequately to these inequalities at various levels. one basic similarity, that they aim to inculcate the virtues of truth, honesty, The highly relevant role of those create a better society and reduce simplicity and limited needs, co- social movements against injustice distress. It is also most likely that as operation and non-violence in people, is widely acknowledged. On the one long as they are sincere both will then the possibilities of maintaining hand, these movements seek some succeed in achieving this aim to a equality, justice and peace as well relief for deprived people and victims lesser or greater extent. as ensuring broad-based and of injustice. And on the other hand sustainable progress based on co- they seek to create a much more However, beyond this very basic operation of all will be significantly equal and just world, where the commonality, there are many other increased. possibilities of deprivation and the possibilities of convergence and related distress will be greatly mutual support which can increase Furthermore, it is very important reduced due to equality on a longer- the impact of both movements for for the movement for social justice term basis. creating a better world. to maintain the high commitment and dedication of its members over a India is a land where there have A movement for social and long period of time. For this too, been several sincere spiritual economic justice can succeed in efforts of spiritual development and movements in the past. These creating a more equal society by an overall environment of spiritual movements have generally been making structural changes in the progress influenced by sincere concerned with the development of economy, but in order to sustain spiritual movements is very useful. high character of individuals (or these gains, society will need spiritual groups of individuals) and providing development. If by changing On the other hand, for the them a firm base of value systems ownership of means of production movement of spirituality also, the so that they can remain free from you create a more equal society for movement for social justice plays a greed, dishonesty, arrogance, the time being, but people and leaders very helpful role as the development dominance, excess of sensual have the same weaknesses of greed, of spirituality is much more possible pleasures, various addictions, lust, arrogance, addictions, in conditions of justice and equality overwhelming personal ambition, dishonesty and dominance as afflict than in conditions of inequality and violence and falsehoods while society today and no efforts are injustice. remaining close to truth, honesty, made to check these, then after love, peace, co-operation and some time new problems and Imagine a village in which inspiring them to lead a simple life tensions including trends towards landlords exploit others almost as based on limited needs. Any new forms of inequalities are bound bonded workers. Then if someone movement which helps to create to appear again. Ecological ruin will who wants to create a better world more and more such individuals helps also increase which in the present goes to bonded workers and without JANATA, December 17, 2017 13 talking about ending their exploitation (Continued from Page 3) development, which has now been talks only about honesty and truth to thoroughly exposed. After waiting them, this is going to appear diversion of water from the for so many years expecting some ridiculous to them. On the other Narmada canal makes 10-11 km of miracle to take place now people hand, if exploitation is also being Sabarmati passing through have decided to question it. The challenged at the same time, then it Ahmedabad city look resplendent. A power of youth represented by makes sense to talk about spiritual river has been converted into a Hardik Patel, Alpesh Thakur and development too, both in terms of longitudinal lake. But downstream of Jignesh Mevani is arrayed against being important in itself and also as city the water becomes black as all the Bhartiya Janata Party being very helpful for the struggle the industrial effluent, with or without government and Narendra Modi in of workers against exploitation. going through a treatment plant, is particular and the BJP doesn’t have Similarly, imagine a situation in which merged with water. Sabarmati cries a face which people find attractive exploitation has already been for help here but there are no plans enough this time. checked to a considerable extent but to clean it. the gains of betterment have to be The days of the politics of stabilised. Here again the role of The kettle and the Sabarmati are symbolism seem to be numbered spiritual development becomes very symbolic of Modi’s Gujarat model of now. important to complement and complete the earlier achievement of (Continued from Page 11) problem, leave alone solving it. We the movement for social justice. waiting anxiously to pour money into do not have the courage of conviction to go to the bottom of the Thus while the movement for the country in the name of religious functions. When any restrictions and problem. It is the same withthe spirituality acquires added strength politicians, intellectuals and pitiably alongside and in co-operation with regulations are made to control the same, it is alleged that there is no also with the judiciary. Religious the movement for social justice, in fanatics have a field day and they isolation the movement loses some religious freedom in India and no respect for human rights as if play havoc with peaceful life of of its strength and potential for wider gullible people. benefits to society. Imagine a big religion is the measure of human (concluded) company involved in exploiting rights.Freedom is given to follow farmers and workers which holds your own religion and believe in it. meditation classes for its officials to But why should anybody take the improve their mental health. The trouble and spend money to expand question then naturally arises, is the his faith into the realm of others? You Madhu Dandavate should not step on the area of other company doing this to improve their By mental health so that they can exploit religions as they have a similar right others more? of faith. FCRA and Foreign B. Vivekanandan Currency controls are not able to prevent Naiks and Popes to come Such contradictions do not arise Price: Rs. 20/- when social justice and spirituality and purchase people for their faiths. work to complement each other. On the other hand they had the These are essentially two very audacity to proclaim that they have beautiful branches of a tree, and a right to get others converted to JANATA TRUST when they converge and their religion and India did not object complement each other, the beauty when Pope said it on Indian soil. We and fragrance of both branches is pat ourselves on our backs for our D-15, Ganesh Prasad, further enhanced. Sincere people pseudo secular ideas and fail to Naushir Bharucha Marg, understand the fissiparous belonging to both these movements Grant Road (W), need to come closer to each other tendencies created by that and explore possibilities of closer co- secularism. The immediate necessity Mumbai 400 007. operation. is to curb this religious fanaticism and nobody allows any mention of that 14 JANATA, December 17, 2017

Press Release CJAR Statement on the Supreme Court order Dismissing the CJAR Petition and Imposing Unprecedented Costs

The Campaign for Judicial by a bench headed by the Hon’ble has been laid down in the Accountability and Reforms (CJAR) Chief Justice of India himself. ‘Restatement of Values of Judicial strongly disagrees with the order of Therefore, CJAR filed a petition in Life’, says in the very first code that: the Supreme Court dismissing the the Supreme Court seeking that such Writ Petition filed by the Campaign a sensitive investigation should not “1. Justice must not merely be to ensure a fair and impartial be left in the hands of a government done but it must also be seen to be investigation into the allegations of controlled agency and should be done. The behaviour and conduct of bribery of judges of the higher undertaken by a Special Investigative members of the higher judiciary must judiciary, to obtain favourable orders Team headed by a former Chief reaffirm the people’s faith in the for medical colleges. Justice of the Supreme Court and impartiality of the judiciary. monitored by the Supreme Court Accordingly any act of the judge of To briefly recap the facts: The itself. the Supreme Court or a High Court, CBI registered a FIR in the case of whether in official or personal Prasad Education Trust based on CJAR prayed before the court capacity, which erodes the credibility evidence gathered, of a criminal that the petition should be heard by of this perception has to be avoided.” conspiracy including preparation and judges other than those who had planning to pay large sums as bribes served on the bench hearing the The actions of the Hon’ble Chief to procure a judgement in favour of matter of the medical college. CJAR Justice in this case clearly violate this the medical college, from the requested that the petition be dealt salutary Code of Conduct. Allahabad High Court and the with by the five senior most judges Supreme Court. As is widely known, of the Supreme Court, excluding the The bench comprising of Justice the process for granting permission CJI, so that the monitoring of this R.K. Agarwal, Justice A. Mishra and to private medical colleges has been investigation would be robust and fair, Justice A.M. Khanwilkar has now steeped in corruption. In this and to ensure that there was no passed the order dismissing the particular case, the Prasad compromise in the integrity of the CJAR petition by holding it to be mala Education Trust was seeking relief investigation. This would be also be fide and intended to defame the against the decision of the MCI to in keeping with the fundamental Supreme Court and the Judiciary and deny their medical college permission principle that no one should be a has imposed costs of Rs. 25 lakhs to operate and the decision of the judge in their own case. on the Campaign for Judicial MCI to confiscate the caution money Accountability and Reforms. As of the trust in view of the flagrant A related matter was filed by Justice Khanwilkar was also on the violations of the terms and conditions Kamini Jaiswal which was referred bench which heard the medical for operating a medical college. The by the second senior most Judge of college case, we believe that he college was able to secure partial the Supreme Court, to a Constitution should have recused himself from relief in the case. Bench comprising the 5 senior most this bench. judges of the Court. However, the An investigation by a government Hon’ble Chief Justice of India The Campaign for Judicial controlled agency like the CBI into intervened and dealt with the Accountability And Reforms was set a case concerning the Judges of the petitions on the administrative side up more than a decade ago and Supreme Court could seriously as well as the judicial side. comprises of representatives of compromise the independence of the many national campaigns and social judiciary. In this case, there was The Code of Conduct formulated movements and citizens from all particular concern as the matter of in a Conference of all the Chief walks of life who have come the medical college was being heard Justices in the country in 1997 which together to campaign for the JANATA, December 17, 2017 15 accountability of the higher Judiciary in this matter. into the allegations of conspiracy and and reforms in the judiciary. Contrary corruption through all available to the charge against the campaign The Campaign has taken up many forums. Since the pronouncement of that this was a mala fide petition cases of judicial corruption and has the judgement, several groups and intended to defame the Judiciary, made several complaints to various citizens from all across India have CJAR had approached the court with Chief Justices under the in-house sent in messages of support urging the intention to protect the mechanism, for investigating charges CJAR to carry forward its work. independence, integrity and of misconduct against judges. We reputation of the Supreme Court and believe that the unprecedented order We believe that the people of this the judiciary in general. CJAR was imposing costs of Rs 25 lakh on country are the real stakeholders in not making any allegations. It was CJAR is a case of “costs in the institution of the Judiciary and in only seeking a court monitored terrorem” in an attempt to intimidate the judicial system. They are independent investigation into the the Campaign into not taking up groaning under a system which has issues recorded in the FIR filed by cases of judicial misconduct and enormous problems and requires the CBI. corruption and deter it from serious reforms of all kinds including demanding accountability of the a robust and credible system for Unfortunately, the Supreme Court judiciary. Further, the order is in investigating complaints against has held that approaching the court violation of the principles of natural judges and holding them accountable to seek a court monitored justice, as CJAR was not given any for their misconduct and corruption. investigation into serious charges of notice of the court’s intention to The actions of the Supreme Court conspiracy, preparation and planning impose costs and further, it was not in this case will now be judged by to bribe the Judges of the Supreme given an opportunity to contest the the people’s court which is the Court in a case before the court, is decision to impose costs. ultimate court in the country. an attempt to defame the court. The court has also said that this FIR does The refusal of the court to allow –Campaign for Judicial not involve any judges. We believe an independent probe into the Accountability and Reforms that such a statement cannot be allegations of corruption (as recorded made when the FIR clearly states in the CBI’s FIR) and through its Patrons: that there was a conspiracy to conduct in this case, the Supreme Justice P.B. Sawant, Justice H. procure a favourable judgement Court has itself brought down the Suresh, Shri Shanti Bhushan, from the Supreme Court by paying esteem of the judiciary in the public’s Prof. B.B. Pande, Dr. Bhasker large bribes. Obviously bribes to eyes – especially those who look up Rao, Ms. , Shri procure a favourable judgement on it as the most important Pradip Prabhu, Prof. Babu from the Supreme Court, cannot be constitutional guardian of the rights Mathew, Dr. Baba Adhav, Ms. paid to any other officials except to of the people against executive and Kamini Jaiswal, Shri Mihir Desai, the judges themselves. Only an legislative excesses. Shri Manoj Mitta independent investigation could have cleared this allegation. However, this order of the Executive Committee: Supreme Court and its decision to It has also come to light that the impose costs of Rs 25 lakh will not , Nikhil Dey, Hon’ble Chief Justice of India has deter CJAR. We will challenge the Cheryl Dsouza, Venkatesh reportedly denied permission to CBI order and fight it tooth and nail Sundaram, Indu Prakash Singh, to register an FIR against a sitting through every legal channel and Devvrat, Siddharth Sharma, Dipa judge of the Allahabad High Court remedy. In the coming few days, we Sinha, Annie Raja, Rohit Kumar allegedly involved in this matter. The will be filing a review petition. This Singh, Pranav Sachdeva, Alok reported denial by the Hon’ble Chief judgement is only going to strengthen Prasanna Kumar, Ramesh Nathan, Justice of India and the judgement the Campaign and energise us to Vipul Mudgal, Indira Unninayar, of the Supreme Court in the matter, carry forward our efforts and Madhuresh Kumar, Vijayan M.J., has in effect ensured that there will campaigns. We will also put forth our Harish Narasappa, Koninika Ray, be no investigation of sitting judges demand for an independent probe Anjali Bharadwaj R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, December 17, 2017 Postal Registration No. MCW/275/2015-2017. License to Post without prepayment WPP License No. MR/Tech/WPP-210/West/2017 Published on Sunday, December 17, 2017 & Posted on Wedenesday, December 20, 2017 at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1

An infrastructure company established since 1924

REGD. OFFICE : New Excelsior Building, (3rd Floor), A.K. Nayak Marg, Fort, Mumbai 400001. Tel. : 022 2205 1231 Fax : 022-2205 1232

Office : Ahmedabad, 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 1 Pages 16 Price : Rupees Five

Vol. 72 No. 48 Women Representation in Parliament December 24, 2017 and States Legislatures

Rajindar Sachar

Time for the Intelligentsia Rahul Gandhi in his latest Reservation Bill in the Rajya Sabha. to Reflect on its Support interview has emphasised that the The bill’s journey began on to the BJP first priority would be to give September 12, 1996, when it was Sandeep Pandey representation to women in introduced in the Lok Sabha by the Parliament. Similar determination United Front Government of Deve has also been echoed the by BJP. Gowda. The bill called for reserving Sonia Gandhi kept the But the reality on this subject belies 33% of the seats in the Lok Sabha Congress Party United the promises made by both the and all state legislative assemblies Kuldip Nayar parties. for women. As per the draft, the seats were to be reserved for women Sushma Swaraj, usually a calm on a rotation basis and would be No Country for Women- politician, was so upset that she determined by draw of lots, in such Love and Rights in spontaneously blurted out ‘I will a way that a seat would be reserved Troubled Times shave my head if a foreigner Sonia Neha Dabhade only once in three consecutive Gandhi becomes Prime Minister of general elections. India’. Luckily, Sonia Gandhi saved this embarrassment to Swaraj by Everyone expected the legislation Jolt on Jerusalem intelligently and strategically to be passed immediately. The bill, J. L.Jawahar thrusting Manmohan Singh (though however, failed to get the approval a loyalist to the core of the Gandhi of the house then and was instead family, but on merit of his own), as referred to a joint parliamentary Editor : Prime Minister in 2004, committee. The committee submitted notwithstanding the protest from its report to the Lok Sabha two G. G. Parikh scores of Gandhi family loyalists. months later. But nothing further Managing Editor : Guddi happened. After I.K. Gujral became Switch to March 2010 and you see the Prime Minister in April 1997, he D-15, Ganesh Prasad, a happy embrace by Sonia Gandhi promised that it would be his topmost Naushir Bharucha Marg, and Sushma Swaraj in the precincts priority to pass this Bill. But again Mumbai - 400 007. of Parliament. What happened in the nothing concrete happened. interim for such close bonhomie? Email : [email protected] During Vajpayee’s premiership, Website:www.janataweekly.org It was the passing of the Women’s the bill was reintroduced in 2 JANATA, December 24, 2017

Parliament in 1998. The Congress and, at the same time, will not disturb Reservation Bill lapsed with the and the Left were heard openly the present male seats. dissolution of the previous Lok Sabha pledging support for the Bill; in 2014. therefore, had it been put to vote, Thus, Lok Sabha membership can it would have easily passed; but it be easily increased to 750, with a In the just finished election held was not done and the bill was provision that one woman candidate propaganda in Uttar Pradesh and allowed to lapse. The NDA will mandatorily be elected from Gujarat not one party, including the Government again introduced the bill those double-member constituencies, so-called seculars, with the exception in 1999, 2002 and 2003, but never and, depending upon the votes of the Socialist Party (India), put it to vote. received, it may be that even both included the item of reservation for elected candidate could be women. women in their election manifestos. When the UPA government came This law was laid down by the Can such male chauvinism be to power in 2004, it announced that Supreme Court decades ago in allowed to exist in our country? the Act would be its first priority. But former President V.V. Giri’s case. instead one had total silence on the The same principle will apply in the With the 2019 Parliamentary Bill in the President’s speech on the case of elections to the state elections coming, is it not time for opening day of the Parliamentary legislatures. the women leadership in both the session. This was an open and clear Congress and BJP to jointly clench notice to women activists that the Space in Parliament is not a their fists and warn all the parties Bill, which had been so proudly problem. Shivraj Patil, once Union that they will no longer tolerate projected as a commitment to gender Home Minister, is on record injustice and neglect to continue? equality, had been quietly buried, and admitting that space is not a problem They may legitimately continue their was not likely to be revived in the if Parliament decides to increase the differences on other subjects in the conceivable future. number of seats. light of their own respective programmes, but at least on this issue In 2008, the Manmohan Singh led The alternative of double member they should unite. Let them give a UPA Government introduced the bill constituencies can be done by rallying cry against the male in the Rajya Sabha. After two years, amending Article 81(2) of the chauvinists, like the one given by the Rajya Sabha passed the bill on 9 Constitution by increasing the Spanish freedom fighters in the 1936 March 2010. It was this event that present strength, which can be easily Civil War, ‘no pasaran, you shall not made Sushma Swaraj and Sonia done if political parties are genuine pass’—no more of continuing this Gandhi embrace so emotionally. in their commitment to the Bill. injustice of not passing the Women’s However, the Lok Sabha never voted Reservation Bill, otherwise we shall on the Bill. The Bill lapsed after the I know the Delimitation join hands and will fight unitedly and dissolution of the 15th Lok Sabha in Commission has already marked the openly. They should also request 2014. constituencies on the basis of single Mamata Banerjee and Mayawati to member seats. But I do not think it join hands with them on the issue of Every time from 1998 to 2014, is necessary to redraw the Women’s Reservation Bill. whenever Parliament met, women constituencies to make it double. representatives were assured in all Let me recall that Dr Ram solemnity by each major political By a rule of thumb the top one Manohar Lohia had opined that party that it hoped to pass the Bill in third of the constituencies having the reservation for women was an that very session. In reality, this was maximum voters in each state could instrument of social engineering—he a tongue-in-cheek operation. be declared double-member. If the could never have suggested splitting legislators are sincerely genuine they the strength of women’s quota by That is why one feels that women could even submit an agreed list. further splitting them in sub-quotas. should support the alternative of double-member constituencies which At present, of course, a fresh Time is short. Only an effort by will meet both the requirement of process has again to be initiated in all the women will see through the ensuring one-third quota for women Parliament, because the previous Women’s Reservation Bill. JANATA, December 24, 2017 3 Time for the Intelligentsia to Reflect on its Support to the BJP

Sandeep Pandey

It has been over three and a half culture of unity in diversity. Its smaller countries, India has been years since Narendra Modi’s dominant religion Hinduism was found to be non-trustworthy Bhartiya Janata Party came to considered a religion of tolerance. compared to China. What can be a power at the centre in India. It was Now it has come to symbolise an bigger failure of India’s foreign policy the favourite party of the educated assertive, arrogant religion ready to than this? middle class, especially upper caste produce violent reaction at the people. People had high slightest provocation, either real or Demonetisation was not honest. expectations. It was hoped that caste made up. In the name of going back Even bigger denomination notes of based politics will end and corruption to a glorious past, it is legitimising a Rs 2000 were soon brought into will be curbed. Politics of nationalism mob culture of executing summary circulation, thus defeating the very also held an appeal for the youth. It punishment to anyone perceived purpose of checking corruption by was believed that nation would guilty. Worst aspect of this is the making it inconvenient to carry large become strong by bringing back the studied silence of top BJP leadership cash. All those who had black money glory of past. Narendra Modi was on these crimes. as cash were able to regularise it, going to be the hero of such a and so very little was eliminated. No resurgent India. The quality of educational serious effort has been made by the institutions which was not very good government to check those who have What has changed in this period? to begin with is being further hoarded their black incomes as In addition to routine crimes and compromised by appointment of wealth. Sustenance of electoral reasons for death of people like mediocre people with no independent politics on black money is an farmers’ suicides or malnourishment thinking. Bhartiya Janata Party is important source of corruption in this related deaths, several new issues supposed to represent the interests country but not a single office of any have come to seriously affect the of the educated class, but it is a major political party or politician was nation. Now, if a person is suspected major contradiction that educational raided. Similarly no industrialists or of having consumed beef, is seen qualifications of some of its top other big hoarders of black wealth carrying cattles for whatever leaders like Narendra Modi, Smriti were touched. Narendra Modi purpose, decides to enter into an Irani and Manohar Lal Khattar are seems to have helped the corrupt. inter-caste or inter-religious marital suspect. It is not clear whether they The honest suffered as their income alliance, especially the marriage of have obtained their degrees in a dropped and they had to stand in long a Muslim boy with a Hindu girl, holds genuine manner. queues. In any case Narendra Modi a contrarian point of view to that of has been discovered to be more of a Hindutva, defecates outside as there In spite of making numerous trips buddy of Adani and Ambani than that is no toilet at home, refuses to raise abroad, India’s international standing of common people. the slogans bharat mata ki jai, has suffered because the unilateral vande matram or jai shree ram, focus of our Prime Minister was to Goods and Services Tax was there is good possibility that he could isolate Pakistan at international fora implemented as if something akin to be beaten up by some gang of by raising the bogey of terrorism. independence of the country was lumpen elements claiming to The world views Pakistan not as a taking place. Midnight Parliament represent one of the several perpetrator but as victim of terrorism. was called. The fact that both after Hindutva organisations that have Most of India’s neighbours— implementation of demonetisation sprung up, or may even get killed by Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri and GST, the government had to assailants coming on motorcycles. Lanka, Maldives and Myanmar— frequently modify its decisions India is not the same inclusive have moved closer to China and shows that not enough thought was country as it was before 2014 when entered into long term partnerships put behind them. Both these it was considered to represent a with it. From the perspective of these decisions broke the backbone of the 4 JANATA, December 24, 2017 economy. A large number of of Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Singh of caste and religion among people. businesses closed shop. Hence Chouhan did the parikrama of Hate crimes based on religion, and instead of creating jobs as every Narmada with much fanfare, caste based groups protesting the government is expected to do, the without even once inquiring about screening of Padmavati have Modi Government took them away. the displaced from the various dams further made people conscious of It is a good example of how the built on the Narmada. the boundaries of segregation in government has been operating far society. The Dalits and backwards removed from reality. CM of Uttar Pradesh Yogi at least have a reason to mobilise on Adityanath’s priority seems to be caste lines —to fight the Soon after Modi became the PM, building of a temple in Ayodhya rather discrimination against them. But every Member of Parliament was than looking into the issue of children under the BJP rule, the upper caste required to choose one village in his/ dying from Japanese encephalitis in groups are also mobilising and her constituency and make efforts the Baba Raghav Das Medical indulgnig in mindless acts some of to develop it and showcase it as College and Hospital very close to which are turning violent. It is model of development. Smart cities his Gorakhnath Math. He has sickening to see people associated were identified for further publicly declared that ‘secularism’ is with the ‘peaceful’ religion of development. Even if we leave aside the biggest lie in the Indian Hinduism derive vicarious pleasure the problems with the ‘Smart City’ Constitution. watching or hearing about these model, it has all turned out to be mere violent incidents. The whole world propaganda. Nothing special has Rather than provide alternative to is watching with horror India’s happened in any of the chosen the politics of caste, the BJP seems transformation to a hypocritical villages and cities. Even assuming to have provoked the worst feelings nation. (Continued on Page 10 ) that these chosen cities had indeed developed, what about the villages and cities which were left out? Is Remembering Kakori Martyrs on their this the way a government goes th about developing the nation – by 90 Death Anniversary doling out largesse to a chosen few? Bharat Dogra BJP government has taken a decision to sell Air India. It is not In December 2017 the nation is The legendary friendship of averse to even a foreign carrier observing the 90th death anniversary Ashfaqullah Khan and Ramprasad buying it. Indian Railways may be of four martyrs of the Kakori case Bismil has become a symbol of the next in line. This government has which is regarded as an important communal harmony. Just before not created any asset worth the event of our freedom movement. All their martyrdom both of them issued name, but is ready to sell things four of them were hanged to death statements calling for Hindu-Muslim created by past governments of between December 17 to 20, 1927. unity. Bismil in fact said that this is whom it is very critical. The test of These four freedom fighters, his last will that Hindi-Muslim unity any government is its ability to turn renowned for their great courage should be established. Similarly around things rather than take the and firm resolve, were Ramprasad Ashfaqullah appealed to Hindus easy option out. Bismil, Ashfaqullah Khan, Rajendra and Muslims to avoid quarrels and Nath Lahiri and Roshan Singh. work unitedly for the sake of their Narendra Modi dedicated the country. built by previous Ramprasad and Ashfaqullah have governments to the nation on his also won widespread acclaim for All the four martyrs conducted birthday without addressing the their poetry. Some of their poetry themselves with exemplary courage problem of people displaced due to was widely used in the freedom in the middle of great difficulties the dam and the protests held by struggle. Both of them were very after their arrest. They remain a Medha Patkar prior to and on the good friends, always willing to source of inspiration right up to this day of the inauguration at a different undergo great hardships to help each day and will continue to be so for a location. Similarly, the Chief Minister other. very long time. JANATA, December 24, 2017 5 Sonia Gandhi kept the Congress Party United

Kuldip Nayar

In the rumble-tumble of election, tenure of Prime Ministership for ten party today is that it has not gone the role of Congress president Sonia years was eventless. Important files beyond the dynastic dependence. Gandhi has not been recognized. No of Government of India would go to And, somehow, the people are not doubt, the contest was between her place for processing and then to enamoured of the dynasty anymore. NarendraModi and Rahul Gandhi but Manmohan Singh for mere Rahul Gandhi doesn’t sell although the real rivalry was between the signatures. Her political adviser he passionately and honestly pursues Congress and the BhartiyaJanata Ahmad Patel took all the decisions. the Congress principles laid down by Party (BJP). And here Sonia Gandhi SanjayaBaru, Media Advisor his great grandfather Nehru. was relevant. confirms this in his book “The Priyanka, Sonia Gandhi’s daughter, Accidental Prime Minister”. goes down well with the masses. All pollsters predicted victory for This is probably because she reminds the BJP in Gujarat and Himachal Sonia Gandhi knew the charge them of Indira Gandhi, who still Pradesh. And this has come true. which was made against her. But if enjoys pre-eminence in their The Congress won 80 seats and BJP she had to keep the seat warm for thoughts. 99. There has been no surprise her son, Rahul Gandhi, there was no except the margin of victory. What other way. Manmohan Singh does All this are true, yet the Congress has been noted is the improvement not, however, accept the allegation. has lost its relevance and the party in the Congress tally. The party Even when asked to comment on the has to work hard to make people which has been in the wilderness in criticism, he merely said: Posterity believe that it can provide an the last few years has come to be will judge. alternative. Prime Minister Modi is relevant again. The gap between the still acceptable in spite of the steps two has narrowed. It looks that True, today’s Congress party has like demonetization of currency. Rahul Gandhi will give Prime the stamp of her mother-in-law, People believe that it was all for their Minister NarendraModi a meaningful Indira Gandhi. But Sonia Gandhi ‘is good even though they have to face fight. The credit for this should go to the one who kept the party united. inconvenience. Sonia Gandhi, who once again put Otherwise it would have split into life into the party. many groups. To her credit, she had It is a long haul for the Congress come to be recognized by all the to push out the BJP from power. The I vividly remember the scene in groups as the leader in the party. She biggest problem is that secularism is the Central Hall of Parliament after was, in fact, the meeting point for all not a concept as attractive as it used she won the general election in 2004. the segments. There was no to be once. The people themselves Members unanimously wanted her challenge to her in the party. have been influenced by Hindutva to head the government. But she thoughts. In fact, there is a soft- was reluctant to do so. Probably, in The ease with which she has put Hindutva in the country today. How her mind was the pernicious her son, Rahul Gandhi in her seat to resell the idea of India, that is propaganda that she hailed from shows that she is in fact the party. democratic and secular polity, is the Italy. On her part, she was conscious Rahul is conscious of dynastic arduous task which the Congress is that the tag of being Italian might charge. He has said openly that facing today. adversely affect her son, Rahul. there should be a better way to select a person for Congress presidentship. That may influence the She deliberately put Dr. In any case, the dynastic rule ends parliamentary election in 2019 and Manmohan Singh in the chair of with Rahul Gandhi. give direction to the country, Prime Ministership because he had including the Congress. The party’s no politics and no ambition. His The problem with the Congress problem is that it has not won any 6 JANATA, December 24, 2017 election since Modi has come into Gandhi as a representative of the members to discuss the challenges power. In Gujrat BJP has been able Congress. He too has gained that the party faced. to retain power. This should worry confidence and addresses the people the secular, liberal forces. The BJP as if he has arrived. Sonia Gandhi Rahul may not have faced is entrenching itself and the can congratulate herself that when privations which the party men do. Congress loosing the importance in she put her in the gaddi of president, But he has got the feel of the values once had. there was general acceptance. True, that the party has preserved for the the badge of dynasty was there but last 150 years. This will stand him During the election, Rahul Gandhi the decision did not look dictatorial. in good stead when he directs went all over the country and faced Rahul Gandhi had worked with the the Congress as its president. It is the crowds all by himself. Sonia party’s cadre. He went to many an arduous journey but he will Gandhi was not there. This means places in the country where he sat have to cover it if he has to make that the people have accepted Rahul on the ground with the ordinary the top. Why the Honduras Crisis Matters to Me

Rick Sterling

For seven months in 1969, I hitch- Nixon visited Tegucigalpa, there had In 1979, when Nicaraguans hiked around the US, Mexico and been a massive protest. Several overthrew the Somoza dictatorship, Central America with my best friend students who had been protesting it seemed like a good thing. But from high school. Some class-mates from the top of a university building President Ronald Reagan did not like from our school in Vancouver had been shot dead. It made an an independent Nicaragua. Violating Canada saved their money and impression as did the warm and international law, the US organised travelled to Europe or Australia, but friendly people we met, some living a mercenary army called the Ollie and I headed south. It was an in shacks along the banks of the “Contras” to destabilise and upend eye-opening experience for two Choluteca River running through the the Sandinista government. The middle-class Canadians. We had a capital. mercenaries were trained in lot of learning experiences in the US, Honduras with US funding, supplies but today I want to talk about In Nicaragua, we heard more and weapons. The US Ambassador Honduras because it is in crisis as I eye-opening stories from the youth to Honduras, John Negroponte, write this: the Honduran election took there. They told us about the Somoza oversaw the mercenary army place on 26 November 2017, yet the family dictatorship, how corrupt it attacking Nicaragua and the results are still in contention. Will the was, and how they came to power emergence of death squads in El current right-wing government through US Marines. They also told Salvador. Tens of thousands of manage to retain power? us about the death of Cesar Sandino peasants and opposition activists who fought for Nicaraguan were killed with impunity. In When we visited the capital independence but was killed by Honduras itself, there was Tegucigalpa in 1969, we went to the Somoza’s National Guard in 1934. widespread repression and murder university campus to meet and hang The Nicaraguan youth told us that of those challenging the status quo. out with young Hondurans. They told when the US asked for proof of us about the recent visit of President Sandino’s death, Somoza shipped In 1998 Honduras was hit by Richard Nixon who had taken office Sandino’s head in a box to Hurricane Mitch. The second worst a few months before and then Washington. Atlantic hurricane ever recorded travelled to Latin America. The caused huge destruction and death, Vietnam war was still raging in 1969, Those and many other especially in poor communities with and people protested against the war experiences changed my life. Over weak infrastructure. The shacks and and Nixon wherever he went. The the coming decades, I kept an modest dwellings along the river young Hondurans told us that when interest in Central America. bank in Tegucigalpa were all ripped JANATA, December 24, 2017 7 and washed away. Over 7,000 After the 2009 coup, conditions military and is very friendly with Hondurans died, including people we in Honduras deteriorated rapidly. President Trump’s Chief of Staff had met three decades before. Tegucigalpa became the homicide General Kelly. capital of the world. Tens of Six years later, in 2004, I was thousands of youth fled the country That has set the stage for the again reminded of the US role in as it was wracked by drug wars, most recent events. Days before the Honduras when the same John corruption, and police or paramilitary election The Economist ran an article Negroponte who had overseen the repression. Alongside this, there was describing a National Party training Contra operations went to Baghdad widespread popular resistance. session in cheating techniques. The to take over management of the Iraq election was held on Sunday, 26 occupation. Newsweek magazine In 2011, I returned to Honduras November. On election night, with said he was going with a new to see the conditions first hand. With 57% of the votes counted, the strategy, which they dubbed the a delegation organised by Alliance opposition challenger was ahead by ‘Salvador option’. Over the next for Global Justice and Task Force over 5%. Then strange things began year, sectarian death squads on the Americas, I visited peasants to happen. The election commission emerged to provoke sectarian in the fertile Aguan Valley, indigenous stopped updating the vote tally for bloodshed. Negroponte’s right-hand communities in the mountains and 36 hours. On Monday, the head of man in Iraq, Robert S. Ford, was workers and church activists in the Supreme Electoral Tribunal said later appointed as US Ambassador Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula. We 6,000 tally sheets were still missing to Syria in 2010 where he helped fuel talked with a hard-working activist from different polling places. A few the uprisings in that country. Thus named Berta Caceres and others in hours later, he said they were missing there is a direct connection between her indigenous organization 7500 tally sheets. When counting US interference and aggression in COPINH. We learned that these resumed on Tuesday, suddenly the Central America and the Middle communities were still actively existing President Hernandez started East. resisting the coup and forming a new gaining votes, cutting the opposition political party to challenge the right lead and then winning. It all looks For decades Honduras was wing coup government not with guns very fishy, even to the OAS alternately ruled by two political but with votes. In 2015 Berta monitors. parties representing different Caceres was recognised branches of their oligarchy. They internationally with a prestigious The situation is rapidly coming to traded power back and forth, award, yet she was murdered in her a head. At this moment, it is not efficiently preventing alternative home last year. known what will happen. Initially, the perspectives. opposition demanded a full and In 2013 I returned again to complete review of all the 18,000 tally But things began to change in Honduras, this time as an election sheets. Now they are calling for the Honduras in 2006. President Manuel observer. In the contest, the new annulment of the election and a new Zelaya came from the oligarchy but LIBRE party surpassed the election under international started to initiate changes benefiting traditional Liberal Party and made a supervision. the poor. He called for real land strong challenge to the right-wing reform, raised the minimum wage National Party. There were many The Honduran government is and questioned the need for US examples of election malfeasance, either stonewalling or is paralysed. military bases. That was too much. but Juan Orlando Hernandez of the Hundreds of thousands of Hondurans In June 2009 President Zelaya was right-wing National Party was have protested in the streets, with kidnapped in the middle of the night anointed as the new President. over twelve protesters killed. In a and flown from the capital to the US dramatic change, the elite para- military airbase called Soto Cano, Since then, social and economic military COBRA security forces only 48 miles away. Hillary Clinton conditions have not changed. The have started to refuse orders, saying had been in Honduras just weeks Hernandez regime governs to the their job is not to repress their own before. She disapproved of Zelaya benefit of rich Hondurans and communities. and his policies. The coup went international corporations. He has a ahead. strong military alliance with the US (Continued on Page 10) 8 JANATA, December 24, 2017 No Country for Women- Love and Rights in Troubled Times

Neha Dabhade

Recently in Rajsamand, really covers is the attitudinal communalized discourse where Rajasthan, one Shambulal Raigar violence which manifests in different women’s agency is appropriated by brutally hacked Mohammad Afzarul, forms – honour killings at the behest fundamentalists and multiple a migrant from Malda, West Bengal of KhapPanchayats, beating up of patriarchies are reproduced in to death with his own tools and set women in public spaces when seen insidious ways. Today the Hindu fire to his body. This ghastly act was with a man, portraying them to be supremacists with the tacit and captured on camera by Raigar’s 14 objects of procreation with no sometimes overt support of the State year old nephew who then circulated agency of their own when they are are deepening unequal power the video on social media. Raigar on asked to reproduce certain number structures and patriarchy through the video justified his act by arguing of children for the ‘nation’. vicious campaigns and propaganda that he was “saving” Hindu women which they claim is to protect the from love jihad and similar While literature on women’s Hindu women. All these campaigns consequences would follow for movement and communalism is strengthen their masculinized and Muslim men if they indulged in ‘Love replete with discourse of how exclusivist discourse which Jihad’ (Indian Express, 2017). women’s bodies are sites of undermine women’s liberties. Investigations found that the 48 year community honour during communal old victim hadn’t married a Hindu riots at the time of partition and Two points are particularly girl. Though this brutal act subsequent riots and violence in important and worth emphasis. foregrounds important questions order to dehumanize the ‘other’ Though the right has always regarding targeting of Muslims, community during communal entrenched inequality and spreading hatred against them and violence, it is imperative to reiterate discrimination against women, what infringement of their rights with that violence against women is not is so different now in campaigns like steadfast impunity, the act also limited to communal violence alone ‘love jihad’ or the broader narrative necessitates discussion on so called especially today when the trend of on today? Firstly the ‘Love Jihad’ which has dominated communal violence is changing. For legitimacy that this fabricated the public discourse. example, there are no large scale campaign is gaining owing to the riots where of substantial number of judgments like Kerela judgments and “Love Jihad” is a term coined by innocents from one community is very little or no condemnation by the Hindu supremacists who allege that targeted. Communal violence today State is having a normalizing effect Muslim men “trap” Hindu women relies more on creating a discourse on this appropriation of women’s and convert them into Islam. which justifies targeting of a agencies and choices. Not only is Rajsamand case is not isolated in its community and strengthening there no condemnation, but the State bid to spread hatred against Muslims. structures of inequality. The Hindu takes no action against vigilantes and There is a systematic campaign to supremacists have deployed ways forms squads like ‘anti Romeo malign and target the Muslim and strategies to subjugate women squads’ which have been given a free community under this campaign – not only women from ‘other’ hand to indulge in moral policing. since a few years. Such targeting of community but women from their Though there has always been a bid any community is condemnable but own community and perpetuate to control women’s bodies and the there is also a need to locate women violence against them. This is paranoia around their sexuality, such in this campaign and its implications achieved by imposing and acts of controls were not on their rights and agency. The naturalizing a discourse which draws institutionalized or form the dominant vitriolic campaign the Hindu boundaries around them restricting discourse enjoying legitimacy in that supremacists would have us believe their liberties and controlling their sense. is to expose the libidinal vices of the choices. ‘Love jihad’ is one such way. Muslim men. What this smokescreen ‘Love jihad’ is part of a larger Secondly the structures of control JANATA, December 24, 2017 9 were more rigid in rural areas and parents virtually kept her locked autonomy and the policing of strict some degree of loosening of this inside the house with Hadiya begging gender norms is a hallmark of structure took place in the middle and for her freedom and wanting to live fundamentalist ideology that upper middle class in urban areas with her husband. The Supreme transcends all religious and where the women negotiated for Court allowed her to go to college geographical boundaries. In Hitler’s their right to work, mobility and to and continue her education but Germany, “Aryan women” were some extent sexuality or choosing a appointed the principle of the college encouraged to have more children partner (inter-caste marriages even as her guardian as if she was a while even before the holocaust today have severe consequences chattel and not an adult full citizen there were large scale sterilizations and honor killings are not limited to of the country! The case of her of Jewish women. In India for rural areas alone). Change was also marriage will be heard later by the instance, a five day fair was largely due to the women’s Supreme Court thus prolonging her organized the Hindu Spiritual and movement which challenged agony and injustice. All this is Service Foundation (HSSF) in Jaipur patriarchy and asserted women’s abhorrent to the notion of full in November, 2017. Focus was to liberties and equalities. But this citizenship rights of a woman. An address issues like family and human limited space that was created is also adult woman who is a citizen of India values, women’s honour, patriotism, threatened with this attempt to we would have liked to believe is environment, ecology and pollution. entrench traditional discriminatory entitled to exercise her fundamental It’s noteworthy that it was made gender norms by Hindu right wing rights of right to religion and right to compulsory from government politics. Right wing politics and life. They are violated with impunity schools to attend it by the Rajasthan fundamentalism naturalizes and though women activists have been government. At the fair, Bajrang Dal sacralises the family and sexuality protesting and demanding justice for was freely distributing manuals on and secludes women from public Hadiya. “love jihad’ which detail the ways in sphere. Right wing politics which Muslim men supposedly trap manipulates women’s issues which There is analytical literature Hindu women – “friendship in school, results in disempowering women. available to understand how women bike ride, hanging out in restaurants, This trend is a definite setback to gravitate towards the right wing chatting on mobile, addressing their the women’s movement. This marks politics and how women become parents with respect and a shift in discourse which was perpetrators as well as victims of blackmailing through obscene dominated with sexual violence violence reproducing hyper pictures”. It also prescribes remedies against women during communal masculinized nationalism and end up and precautions to the ‘affected’ riots to everyday violence through strengthening patriarchal structures. Hindu family – “frequently check different social structures when one But not much is said about the power the female’s belongings, call and tries to understand the impact of right mechanism at work in campaigns SMS details, warn the Muslim boy politics on women. like love jihad. Here the centrality if found with a Hindu girl, call of women’s body in communalized Muslims as disgusting/terrorist/ The case of Hadiya is a case in discourse is the focus. The agenda smuggler/traitor/Pakistan supporter point. Hadiya, earlier AkhilaAshokan is reclaiming Hindu women and in front of females at home” (Jain, is a 24 year old homeopathy student mobilizing them against the Muslims 2017). If one has to interpret this, in Kerela. Her story sums up in turn reproducing multiple outlining such ways don’t only spew perfectly the issue at hand. She patriarchies at different levels- hatred against Muslims and but also converted to Islam out of her own police, judiciary, families, community. undermines many decisions a free will and married a man of her Women have to pitch their fight for woman is entitled to take as a free choice. However as pointed out by liberties at all these levels making it citizen of the country – whom to authors like Janaki Nair and others, all the more arduous for them. This interact with/ make friends with, who different sections of the society is what makes such campaigns so to share public space with and completely infantilized her and her detrimental to the rights of the ensuring public spaces are equally choices. The Kerela High Court women and lays down ideological accessible to women, freedom to annulled her marriage with underpinnings of Hindutva. choose what kind of relationship they ShafinJahan, a Muslim man and gave want to have with the opposite sex her custody to her parents. Her The control of women’s bodily or even same sex! The Hindu 10 JANATA, December 24, 2017 supremacists also seek to deepen a formidable challenge before the for the policies which affect their idea of a patriarchal family women’s movement in India and women’s real issues like livelihoods, which rests on the hierarchies and women’s lives as a whole. Their healthcare, education, equal laws etc. authority where women are status as free citizens is to ensure they truly are citizenship considered property and honor of the systematically undermined by a rights in reality and not just in the family. Thus any amount of control regressive discourse which is used Constitution. It is not surprising that and restrictions are justified as seen also to fan communal tensions and India fares poorly when it comes to in the case of Hadiya’s parents and stigmatizing vulnerable communities. human development indicators the reasoning of the Kerela High It will be immensely timely if such related to women even in court. campaigns can be seen in the larger comparison to countries like framework of oppression of women Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Different ‘BetiBachaoBaholao’ campaign and deepening of patriarchal sections of the society, which has by the Hindu JagranManch is a form structures. The location of women uncritically internalized the need of of ‘reverse love jihad’. In this case, in national agenda has to be critically control over women since they are encouragement is given to Hindu examined and debated by all sections portrayed as bearers of ‘honour’, men to marry Muslim women by of the society. The control on must be made aware of the agenda giving them social and financial women’s agency and liberties under of such campaigns. This means security. The target is to get 2100 the patronizing pretext of “saving” creating a different vocabulary of Muslim women into the ‘Hindu’ fold should not be allowed to be used for rights for women, a narrative which in six months. The group has initiated undermining their own rights and emphasizes on equality and a campaign in Uttar Pradesh in 2016, spreading hatred against other nonviolence. Else women stand to “save Hindu girls” by distributing communities. Instead the State must lose the hard earned space and rights pamphlets openly to educate the girls be questioned and made accountable they have after struggling for so long. and their families (Verma, 2017). This step is vicious and exposes the (Continued from Page 4) what kind of country we want? The attitude of the Hindu supremacists In less than four years, all the ideology which is responsible for which view women as commodities. warnings given by those who Mahatma Gandhi’s murder and This brings the focus back on the understand the dangers posed by the demolition of Babri masjid, which overt nature of such campaigns and Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh, the invited the problem of terrorism to points towards the support it has of ideological parent of BJP, have come India, is undoing whatever progress the State. The state and the Hindu true. It is time the educated people India has made in the direction of a supremacists that it supports and intellectuals who supported BJP progressive modern nation based on naturalize this control and oppression in the 2014 Lok Sabha election and Constitutional values of justice, by garbing it under ‘Indian culture’ in various states must reflect on liberty, equality and fraternity. and revivalism of the ‘glorious past’. It puts women’s choice and control especially over their bodies in (Continued from Page 7) Hernandez government. Meanwhile, jeopardy. The recent rule by the North American reporters, analysts Just as the 2009 coup in Honduras Home ministry to ban condom ads and activists are doing what they can was a setback for all Latin America, from 6am and 10pm can be seen in to support Honduran popular forces the outcome of the current crisis will the same context. While women’s and stop the theft of the Honduran have consequences far beyond movement has been fighting for election. The coming days may be Honduras. The US foreign policy women’s reproductive rights, the momentous. I have explained why establishment clearly wants the State is undermining the process by it matters to me. But this is more continuation of the government of again portraying such ads as not important than a personal Juan Orlando Hernandez. according to culture and in effect connection. It should matter to undermining the liberty and choice anyone concerned with progress, of women. Despite all the indications of electoral malfeasance and human justice, respect and international law. rights abuses, the Trump As outlined above, Hindu Courtesy : teleSUR News supremacist and the state are placing Administration has praised the JANATA, December 24, 2017 11 Indian Struggles in 1917: on the eve of the Russian Revolution

Anil Nauriya

Seldom in history do things But what is significant is that while turned his attention to the grievances happen suddenly; they are often 1917 saw Gandhi devising methods of peasants in Champaran. By April years in the making.It is known that of struggle to bring about institutional 15, he had reached Bankipore, Patna during his South Africa changes that would also lead to self- and from there, later the same day years Mahatma Gandhi had government, or swaraj, each of the set out for Motihari in Champaran corresponded with Leo Tolstoy, four struggles preceded the climax district. described by Lenin in 1908 as the of the Russian Revolution was mirror of the Russian Revolution. connected with the peasantry as well India and Russia were moving, This correspondence was three or as labour. almost step for step, even if they four years prior to Gandhi’s last major were to different beats. Gandhi’s agitation in South Africa, in which The Indentured Ultimatum country was under colonial rule, tens of thousands of Indian mine while in independent Russia the workers and plantation workers and One of Gandhi’s earliest Tsarist monarchy had abdicated other indentured workers struck ultimatums to the Government was more than a month ago. The day work. to end indentured emigration from after Gandhi reached Champaran, India. Recruitment of indentured Lenin, who had been in Switzerland By the time the Russian labour for South Africa’s Natal till then, reached Petrograd, (now St Revolution took place in 1917, province had ended in 1911, but Petersburg). On April 16, 1917, Gandhi had already been back in continued for Fiji and some other Gandhi sent instructions that his India for two years, barely a month places. In 1915, Viceroy Charles Kaiser-i-Hind medal be returned to before the death of one of two Hardinge had himself urged abolition, the British regime; an order to leave leading statesmen who had guided but the authorities in London were the district, meanwhile, had been Gandhi’s politics in his South African reluctant. They wanted the Colonies served on Gandhi and he had refused life, Gopal Krishna Gokhale. The utilizing such labour “(to have) to obey. He had been arrested on other, DadabhaiNaoroji, the Grand reasonable time to adjust themselves his way to a village to inquire into Old Man of India, would pass away to the change”, hoping to delay the the condition of indigo workers. shortly in the midst of the coming inevitable as long as possible. struggle in Champaran, Bihar. After struggles, surveys, and On February 26, 1917, Gandhi enquiries in the district, the The Marxist Socialist Narendra gave an ultimatum to end indentured Champaran Agrarian Act followed. Deva, a keen student of Lenin’s life recruitment by May 31, failing which The legislation abolished the and writings, would observe that the he would advise a passive resistance Tinkathia system under which ryots Bolshevik Revolution placed the struggle. If the request was not had to set apart a certain proportion masses at the centre-stage of history acceded to, he said, “all practical of their best land for the landlord’s for the first time. steps should be taken to prevent crops. Indians from leaving the country for In India, too, 1917 was a curtain- labour in Fiji.” The pressure had its In retrospect, some historians raiser to events two years later that effect. Recruitment of indentured have argued that the amendments would mark the beginning of mass labour from India was stopped on then made did not go far enough. involvement in the movement for March 12, 1917. This somewhat Trotsky-like criticism freedom. As Gandhi’s critic M N may well be valid; yet the relevant Roy acknowledged in his memoirs, Champaran question to ask would be what, if Lenin looked upon Gandhi “as the anything, the later KisanSabhas that inspirer and leader of a mass His confidence in passive emerged in Bihar in the decades movement” and “a revolutionary”. resistance strengthened, Gandhi now before India’s independence and 12 JANATA, December 24, 2017 which are believed to have been carried on in spite of Government days before the climax of the active and radical, did to take the prohibition and to that extent it may Russian Revolution. The political Champaran struggle forward. be considered illegal but for a passive conference was attended also by resister not unlawful. There are BalGangadharTilak, whose trial and Fact is,Champaran initiated a various other methods which I am sentence had been followed and wider engagement of the national unwilling to advise until passive commented on by Lenin in 1908. movement with peasant struggles. It resistance in its present form has did not come about entirely as a soaked into us a bit.” Echoing the underlying message matter of chance. When Gandhi was of the other struggles embarked on still in South Africa in 1908 there had There are two noteworthy during the year, in his presidential been indigo-related disturbances in features about Gandhi’s advice to J address, Gandhi told the Political Champaran. This had revived B Petit from Champaran. Firstly: go Conference on November 3, “We memories of similar struggles in to the villages. In this attempt to have to demand swaraj from our some Bengal districts from the reach out to the peasantry, Gandhi own people. Our appeal must be to 1860s. On January 8, 1910, Gandhi’s seems to anticipate the later them. When the peasantry of India South African journal Indian Opinion emphasis on the peasantry within understands what swaraj is, the had devoted its entire front page to international Marxism which would demand will become irresistible.” an account from the Calcutta press come with Dimitrov in Bulgaria and on this 19th century struggle which Mao in China; he was reflecting also He called for the entire law on referred to the courage and self- an obvious compulsion of India’s indenture to be repealed: “It is no sacrifice of the indigo ryots of social formation of the time, in that part of our duty to look to the Bengal as being without parallel in the peasant-based population was convenience of the Colonies.” The the world . Gandhi’s journal had overlaid with a further layer of a full- inter-religious question and the social described that struggle as “thrilling” blown foreign colonialism. inequalities prevailing in India had and commented that passive characteristics not known in many resistance “can have no better In the two scenarios, Lenin had other countries, including Russia. illustration”. It had thus become an gravitated towards the workers and Repeatedly, in 1917, Gandhi spoke inspiration for and vindication of the soldiers. Gandhi moved toward the for Hindu-Muslim accord. In the passive resistance then being peasantry, which was drawn to the Godhra conferences he lashed out conducted in South Africa. national movement as never before. against the practice of untouchability. Secondly, there is in Gandhi’s At least since September 1915, when Internments in the Home Rule communication to Petit evidence of he had taken in a Dalit and his family agitation an attempt at some planning of the into his settlement in Ahmedabad sequence of the moments of passive and encountered some resistance In the year following Gandhi’s resistance. over it, he had been considering “the return to India, two Home Rule efficacy of passive resistance in Leagues had been founded by Annie There were countrywide protests social questions” such that this Besant and BalGangadharTilak, against the internments leading to would “embrace swaraj.” respectively. In June 1917 Annie withdrawal of the orders against Besant and some of her associates Annie Besant and her associates by The Social Conference at Godhra, were interned in Ootacamund. At this September 1917. which was presided over by Gandhi, juncture Gandhi, who was in on November 5, 1917 included Motihari, Champaran, again advised The Social Struggles of 1917 persons from the so-called passive resistance. In a letter at the untouchable communities and was end of June to J B Petit of Bombay, Perhaps the most fascinating of attended by, among others, Abbas an early supporter from his South the four major Indian struggles of Tyabji and Vithalbhai Patel. “Do not Africa days, Gandhi wrote : “The 1917 was the one against suppose”, Gandhi told his listeners, descent at the present moment upon untouchability and the way this was “that that community belongs to a the villages by you, Mr Jinnah and reflected in the political and social lower status; let the fusion take place such other leaders cannot but end in conferences held in Godhra, Gujarat, between you and that community, arrests. This propaganda must be from November 3, 1917, some four (Continued on Page 15) JANATA, December 24, 2017 13 Jolt on Jerusalem

J. L.Jawahar

Zionists chose to settle in the Holy Bible and did not think of It naturally creates friction with Palestine claiming it as the land given questioning the validity of a spiritual local people. But might is right. The to them by God. Both before and sanction in a temporal world. The local people are treated as if they after getting mandate over Palestine, government of Israel faced a are the occupants over the land Britain took upon itself all problem. They could have gladly belonging to Jews. Their houses are responsibility to ensure formation of accepted the demand to annex all the demolished and crops uprooted to the state of Israel. But even before area of West Bank as part of Israel make way for the settlements. Any the formation of Israel, they washed as demanded by the right wing. But form of resistance is met with off their hands as Israel Jews were the people there are mostly Muslims disproportionate punishments and not faithful to them and also rebelled and they are more in number than their life was made unbearable. The against their officers. The Jews got all the Jews settled in Israel. If the resistance is labelled as ‘terrorism’ themselves declared as an area is annexed all of them would with full support of America and all independent sovereign state under become citizens of Israel and it western powers so that they do not the name Israel in 1948 and obtained ceases to be a Jewish state. At the deserve any mercy or human recognition from the almighty same time they could not surrender consideration. government of the United States of the area, as it is required to settle America. Since then there was no the Jews that are coming to Israel Some of the countries try to raise President of America that dared to from other countries. As a solution the issue in the Security Council to question whatever Israel did. The they held the area under military rule censure Israel for the inhuman Muslim countries around Israel without annexation, with all treatment meted out to the opened their eyes and tried to wage consequences of military Palestinians. But America was there a war against Israel. But they failed occupation. That is, the local people to veto any such resolution. And miserably as there was no unity. are virtually under military there is no record to show that Israel There were many more unsuccessful occupation. ever showed any respect for attempts. It gave an excuse for international opinions. There was no Israel to occupy the land beyond its The rightists started occupying the need as long as American support is declared borders. Millions of the West Bank area and construct there. Anwar Sadat, the only Arab people were rendered refugees and settlements, initially without consent leader who dared to visit Israel for they fled to neighboring countries. of their government, to make it peace talks, declared that the trump They live on the mercy of the United difficult to surrender it at a later date. cards for peace in the Middle East Nations Organisation in refugee The government did not dare or not are in the hands of United States of camps for generations without any willing to question the settlements. America. It is a fact. hope of returning to their homeland. In course of time a stage is reached The occupants declared generously where the government made it a Jerusalem is the heart of that the land belongs to Palestine and policy to help the settlers by offering Palestine. It is the holy place for all they hold it only as a lever to force all help to construct settlements and the religions of the Book – Christians, peace on the Palestinians. protection of the army against Jews and Muslims. Christians are harassment by the local people. Step not asking for a share in the city, for But there is a powerful right wing by step, as time passed on, Israeli whatever reasons we do not know. within Israel who did not agree to occupation of the West Bank area Perhaps they are convinced they will cede any part of the occupied land of Palestine has become a fait not be objected whoever is in charge under any circumstances as it all accompli and the world got of the city. But both the Jews and belongs to them as a gift given by habituated to it as if it is something Muslims want to possess the city God. The western powers are natural. particularly as it is the seat of holy Christian nations and they believe in centers. While occupying the 14 JANATA, December 24, 2017

Western Bank Israel settled with the continue to support Israel out of stays. Construction of settlements western part of Jerusalem leaving internal compulsions. It makes no goes on uninterrupted. The land on the Eastern part under the control difference whether the President is the West Bank of Jordan River, of Jordan at that time. But the a democrat or a republican. They meant for the so-called state of rightists in Israel declared that they know what they are doing is wrong. Palestine, gets nibbled gradually. Any would never leave the city again. Now and then they grumble a bit delay in formation of the state of They extended their hold to the louder and then shut their mouths. Palestine is in favour of Israel as Eastern part as well and declared the George W. Bush asked the then they use the time to extend undivided city of Jerusalem as the Prime Minister of Israel, Ariel settlements and consolidate their hold capital of Israel. Settlements are Sharon to stop construction of on land by creating rights on land. It established within the city of settlements. He was told that becomes part of Israel, de facto if Jerusalem and also around it. constructions were not started with not de jure. And who needs de jure permission of America and they will possession when the de facto It was not accepted by the foreign not be stopped at their instance. That, possession is not questioned by powers. The occupation of West in spite of the fact that Israel cannot anyone? Bank by Israel itself was under thrive as a modern state without help dispute. Taking the entire city of from America. President Obama That is the status quo. Now and Jerusalem was considered serious pleaded with Netanyahu, the present then we hear that America is trying violation of international law. None Prime Minister of Israel, to stop to bring peace by starting of the foreign powers agreed to shift construction of new settlements and negotiations between Palestine and their embassies to Jerusalem in spite got a rebuff. He did not tell him; he Israel authorities. They expect of it being the capital city. They pleaded. At the end of his regime Palestine authorities to accept stayed with Tel Aviv where they he took the courage to see that whatever Israel proposes. Naturally settled earlier. Even America, that America did not apply veto against talks do not start. Palestinians are was in support of whatever Israel a resolution of the Security Council blamed. Meanwhile occupations go does, did not agree to shift their censuring Israel. He did it only to on increasing. Nobody raises any embassy. Perhaps they felt shy, as it embarrass his successor. Obama objection. And even if there is any would be an open support for waited until the last hour of his tenure objection Israel never had the habit defiance of international law. as President to release the grants for of paying attention to that. They go Palestinian Authority. Why did he on doing what they want. They have Every now and then there will be wait till then? Is it a genuine the support of the sole super power. an announcement that negotiations intention? Naturally the successor, Any delay in peace process is to the will be held between Israel and Donald Trump, stopped the flow of advantage of Israel as they can go Palestinians. It is all a drama. None grants applying his prerogative. Even on expanding settlements so that it of them are serious about it. They this outspoken successor states that would be more difficult to remove do not stop construction of “the construction of new settlements them. Palestine state has become a settlements at least during the may not be helpful in achieving dream, a vain dream never possible negotiations. What could be the Israel-Palestinian peace.” He did not to materialize. But every leader says matters that could be discussed and tell them not to construct new that they want peace by establishing settled by negotiations? Even when settlements. He took care to see no two states – Palestine by the side of the negotiations start, Israel makes mention is made of Palestine State. Israel. In the heart of hearts they unilateral proposals and America The signs are clear that the US will know pretty well that it is an supports it and prevails on Palestinian never prevail on Israel to stop impossibility in the present situation. representatives to accept it. construction of new settlements, Israel is entrenched so strongly on Naturally negotiations fail and the leave alone telling them to vacate the the West Bank, the land expected to entire media shouts that Palestinians settlements. Without support from be that of Palestine state, that it is do not want peace. Any act of revolt US other nations or the UNO will impossible to root out them. is readily labelled ‘terrorism’ and not be able to do anything. condemned. Meanwhile Israel developed That is the situation when the confidence even to defy America, President of United States, Donald The Presidents of America their only supporter. The occupation Trump declared that he wants to JANATA, December 24, 2017 15 accept Jerusalem as the legal capital impossible by that. Palestinians led problem and bring in the two state of the state of Israel and shift his by Abbas were literally begging to theory, this is the time for it. Pious embassy there. It caused such a settle peace by establishing the two statements do not serve any practical commotion as if he is making a fresh states. Nobody did anything towards purpose. UNO is rendered declaration regarding occupation by that end for decades. But everybody ineffective by applying veto and there Israel. The situation was the same blames Trump for saying what he is no other organisation to represent for decades. Nothing was done to said. Whether good or bad, Trump international law. It is the law of bring peace to the area of Middle says whatever he feels jungle that is prevailing in the East. Now that Trump has undiplomatically. In this case it has international field now. Might is right. announced his recognition of resulted in precipitating the problem Let them have the day. That reflects Jerusalem as the de jure capital of so that the urgency to solve it is being the civilisation of the civilised world Israel everybody starts shouting as felt. If those who are blaming Trump in the twenty-first century. if the possibility of two states is made are really serious to solve the

Dharma Yajna at Banaras in 1943— A Shameful Affair

Chandra Bhal Tripathi

In a Facebook post on 8-12-2017 that they gave these slogans. What famine of 1943 in which more than my friend Faisal Khan, National is important is to remember that 40 million starved to death, mainly Convener, Khudai Khidmatgars, while hundreds of maunds of wheat, because of hoarding and sarcastically referred to two slogans barley and ghee were being put to blackmarketing by middle class Dharma ki jai ho and Adharma ka fire (swaahaa) in this yajna, the Hindu traders who were incidentally naash ho in the context of the Bengal of these two worthies the main financiers of the RSS during burning and killing of a Muslim Maharaja of Cossim Bazar and Dr those days. Raising the slogan labourer from Malda (WB) in Shyama Prasad Mukherji was going ‘Dharma ki jai ho’ while committing Rajsamand District of Rajasthan. I through one of the greatest human such an irreligious act —was it not wish to mention here another tragedies—the terrible Bengal blasphemy then too? incident that I witnessed as a young boy where also these two slogans (Continued from Page 12) demise of colonialism. At the same were raised, along with two others, time it also unleashed forces which Praaniyon men sadbhavanaa ho and then you will be fit for swaraj.” both strengthened and through and Vishwa ka kalyaan ho). I was premature zeal, weakened the Two days after the extraordinary present at the Dharma Yajna on the nationalist movements and Social Conference held at Godhra, banks of the Ganga at Varanasi in sometimes even contributed to precisely a century ago, the 1943 as a young curious boy when dividing them. this jamboree was organised by Bolsheviks seized power in Swami Karpatriji in the august Petrograd and inaugurated the presence of Maharaja Cossim Bazar, Russian Revolution that would affect Dr M.S. Aney, Dr Shyama Prasad the course of history by creating a Mukherji and Sri L.B. Bhopatkar state that became for more than 70 Janata (who later became President of All years a countervailing force to the India ), among old colonial powers. others. This yajna was actually is available at performed to pray for the victory of Along with the forces of British forces against the Axis nationalism that swept across the powers in the Second World War and world in the 20th century, the new www.lohiatoday.com was financed by the colonial British countervailing power too contributed, Government. It is during this yajna even by its mere existence, to the R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, December 24, 2017 Postal Registration No. MCW/275/2015-2017. License to Post without prepayment WPP License No. MR/Tech/WPP-210/West/2017 Published on Sunday, December 24, 2017 & Posted on Wedenesday, December 27, 2017 at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1

An infrastructure company established since 1924

REGD. OFFICE : New Excelsior Building, (3rd Floor), A.K. Nayak Marg, Fort, Mumbai 400001. Tel. : 022 2205 1231 Fax : 022-2205 1232

Office : Ahmedabad, 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 1 Pages 16 Price : Rupees Five

Vol. 72 No. 49 Gujarat Elections December 31, 2017 Rajindar Sachar

Now that Modi has won Gujarat well known that Dr Lohia after Brutal Attack by Modi-Yogi elections, though with a much coming back from Germany had Governments on smaller margin, will he reflect on how worked in the Central Congress Tea Vendors of Varanasi much he lowered politics when he office with Pandit Nehru who was Sandeep Pandey made the wild charge that there was then the President of the Congress a conspiracy and that Congress and Party. When our Socialist Party elements in Pakistan may be working walked out of the Congress in 1946, Why Biometric Aadhaar in cahoots to prevent BJP victory in Dr Lohia had become the bitterest Database Project Should Be Gujarat. All because a dinner was opponent of Nehru. But their Abandoned held at Mani Shankar Aiyar’s house, relations never became low. Dr. Gopal Krishna where Manmohan Singh, the former Prime Minister, and high ranking In May 1949, the Socialist Party former Indian diplomats were present under Dr Lohia’s leadership held a Hinduism, Hindutva and Hindu along with the High Commissioner demonstration before the Nepal Rashtra of Pakistan. There is a certain embassy at Road, Ram Puniyani amount of decorum and decency New Delhi to protest against the which are never crossed in politics. takeover of the Nepal government But this charge without any proof has by the Rana that forced the King to Intolerance through the Years: hit the lowest. flee. About 50 of us were arrested, 1934 to 1975 to 2015 including Dr Lohia, for violating Anil Nauriya In politics, there certainly takes Section 144 CrPC. and we remained place banter and a serious dig at the in jail for over a month. During that competency of political rivals, but period Nehru sent a basket of Editor : never untrue charges. The banter mangoes to Dr Lohia in jail. Sardar G. G. Parikh between Gladstone and Disraeli are Patel was very annoyed by this and classic; the later once said: “If wrote to Nehru that while the Managing Editor : Guddi Gladstone fell in the Thames, that government had arrested Dr Lohia, would be a misfortune. But if he was sending mangoes to him. To D-15, Ganesh Prasad, someone fished him out again, that this Nehru wrote back politely that Naushir Bharucha Marg, would be a calamity.” we should not mix personal relations Mumbai - 400 007. with politics. Previously such type of low level Email : [email protected] was never crossed even amongst In 1951, Lohia visited the USA. Website:www.janataweekly.org sworn political rivals in India. It is Before that, he came to Delhi. I 2 JANATA, December 31, 2017 remember that we were in the sitting Elections of 1962, Dr Lohia wrote a Nehru continued to exchange lot of room when someone told him that letter to Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru: harsh words, it was only on policy there was a phone call for him. Dr matters. Lohia went to the other room. When Dear President, Modi should ruminate seriously he came back I asked whose phone You would be surprised to read the alienation of Muslims. The BP was it. He said Pt. Nehru. What did this letter. When I left the office of did not put up a single Muslim he say, I asked. Dr. Lohia in half the Congress Committee forever I candidate, even though their banter and annoyance repeated the paid regards to that building Aruna population in Gujarat is over 8%. conversation thus: was with me. That was our last meeting. In these elections, your Nehru: “Ram Manohar, I hear Can one expect that Prime victory is certain. But if the certainty you are going to USA.” Minister Modi who took the oath of is turned into uncertainty and office to respect the Constitution will ultimately to your defeat, then I would Dr Lohia: “Yes.” treat all communities equally? Is he be extremely happy and it would also in agreement with the statement be beneficial for the country. Then There was a pause. Then again made by Bhagwat, the RSS boss, you would get the opportunity to Nehru asked, “When?” that “All people born in India are improve yourself and become a Hindus”, which is deliberately better person. In the end, I pray for Dr Lohia: “Next week.” provocative and harmful to harmony your long life so that I may get the in the country, or does he believe in opportunity to reform you. A pause again, and then Pt. Nehru the truth of Swami Vivekanand’s said, “Alright,” and switched off. Yours truly, exhortation that Mankind ought to be Ram Manohar Lohia. taught that religions are but the varied It was a curious talk and I asked expression of THE RELIGION, Dr. Lohia what was Nehru’s purpose To which Nehru replied the which is Oneness, so that each may in phoning him. Dr Lohia in half following: choose the path that suits him best: anger said – you know he wanted to “I see in my mind’s eye the future tell me, “Ram Manohar, you are Dear Ram Manohar, perfect India rising out of this chaos going abroad – do not criticise the Received your letter without date and strife, glorious and invincible, government when abroad”, but did with Vedanta brain and Islam body.” not have the guts to tell me. And then and address. I am sending the reply Dr Lohia in a half annoyance said, at the address of the Socialist Party, “What strange behaviour – does he Allahabad. Janata Subscription think that I will talk ill of the I am happy that a sober person government when abroad.” Such Annual Rs. : 260/- like you is opposing me in the was their closeness, and yet they elections. I think in this election the Three Years : 750/- were so apart. discussion would be centred on Demand Draft / Cheque However when Dr Lohia met political programmes. Be cautious Einstein, he could not restrain himself and ensure that the personal on and in answer to the latter’s discussion is curtailed. On my part I promise that I would not visit my Mumbai Bank questions, remarked that “politicians in favour of are liars”. Einstein was all sobriety constituency even for a single day. personified, but he still added warmly Yours, “that they were criminals”. Would Jawahar Lal Nehru. JANATA TRUST Einstein have been able to find adequate words for the politicians In 1964-65, Dr Lohia was elected D-15, Ganesh Prasad, today – I doubt it. to the Parliament. Nehru made it a Naushir Bharucha Marg, point to be present in the Parliament Grant Road (W), One day before filling the election on the day when Lohia was sworn papers against Nehru in the General in as member. Though Dr Lohia and Mumbai 400 007. JANATA, December 31, 2017 3 Brutal Attack by Modi-Yogi Governments on Tea Vendors of Varanasi

Sandeep Pandey

The previous central government Hindu University, which is PM’s Party governments once again and brought a Street Vendors (Protection favourite landing spot on his visits to raises questions over PM’s claims of Livelihood and Regulation of his constituency, about 45 vendors of ever having sold tea. The action Street Vending) Act, 2014 for in Lanka market were brutally of the local administration is clearly protection of livelihood rights and assaulted by thepolice which illegal. A number of complaints have social security of street vendors. A swooped down unannounced with been made to the PM’s office about government press release quoting JCB machines and destroyed the the hostile behaviour of thelocal the Minister for Housing and Urban trolleys, material items and other administration towards vendors but Poverty Alleviation at that time said, belongings of vendors who sell tea to no avail. ‘Vendors try to solve their livelihood and other food items to patients issues through their own meagre admitted to Sir Sunder Lal Hospital As soon as the vendors were resources and sweat equity.’ It was and their attendants inside the removed the space was occupied by provided that no street vendor will Univeristy campus on the other side the autorickshaws which take be evicted until a survey of has been of the boundary wall. The vendors passengers from BHU to Diesel completed and a certificate of used to set up their trolleys on Locomotive Works, a unit of Indian vending has been issued to vendors. cement slabs covering a drain which Railways, or Mandudih Railway A Town Vending Committee, goes along the boundary wall of the Station. There is a flourishing comprising of at least 40% vendors, University. The University used to exortion racket in Varanasi (and in was to carry out the survey and charge a fee from them for using the other cities as well) where about Rs. allocate space for vending to space long time back. The vendors 18 crores per month in collected vendors. Relocation was to be have preserved the receipts. So, it is from autorickshaws and vehicles exercised as the last option only if clealy not a land belonging to the which carry patients from nearby there was urgent need for the land Municipal Corporation or the District areas to the BHU hospital and back in question. If the vendors were to Administration. to their homes. The actual tender for be evicted their livelihood and autorickshaw stands given out by standard of living should improve In violation of all the nice Varanasi Municipal Corporation for after evication compared to their pre- provisions of the 2014 Street different spots in the city is only for eviction level. The Act was supposed Vendors Act, the police of Varanasi Rs. 30 lakhs per month. Huge to protect street vendors from Distrct Administration bundled out amount of illegal money is shared harassment by police and ensure the vendors causing them physical among officials, politicians and they carry on their business without damage, monetary loss and public middlemen. At the BHU stand the the fear of harassment by the humiliation. The stoves were broken contractor for the stand is supposed authorities under any other law. No and wooden carts were burned. This to take only Rs. 5 per day from an zone was to be declared no-vending is not the first time that the police autotickshaw but the actual rate zone until such time as the survey has taken such an action. Whenever being charged is Rs. 15. had been carried out anda plan for the PM, who considers it a matter street vending had been formulated. of pride to declare himself a former The vendors, more aware about The Act was to create a conducive tea vendor, is in Varanasi, the their rights and willing to struggle for atmosphere for vendors to do their vendors are told to clear the area. them, had refused to pay any business with dignity. But after PM’s visit they were extortion money to the police. The allowed to set up shops again. The contractors managing the Yet on December23, 2017, in the brutality of the December23 attack autorickshaw stands are too happy Prime Minister’s constituency, is inexplicable. It has brought out the to grease their palms. Hence the immediately outside the Banaras anti-poor nature of BhartiyaJanata police carried out the operation 4 JANATA, December 31, 2017 agains the vendors with vengeance Why Biometric Aadhaar Database Project and hasclearly taken the side of autorickshaw operators. A reply Should Be Abandoned from Municipal Corporation under the Right to Information Act says that Dr. Gopal Krishna only ten autorickshaws are allowed to be parkedin either direction outside BHU main gate at any time. Biometric databases have given regulating the use of Deoxyribose However, hundreds of them are seen birth to gnawing present and future Nucleic Acid (DNA) analysis of to be stationed there waiting for their civil liberties and civil rights human body substances proûles and passengers. Hence the message is concerns. Biometric identification establishing a National DNA Data clear. Even in the PM’s constituency, exercise has been in use at least Bank. The definition of biometric who is hailed as possessing zero since 19th century. History of information in the Aadhaar Act tolerance for corruption, the local biometric profiling is a history of seems to make the proposed Human administration will protect the violence and repression. A stolen DNA Profiling Bill redundant. password can be changed but stolen interests of those who pay bribe. It It is germane to recall the role of fingerprints cannot be changed. is willing to go to the extent of even ‘Task Force for preparation of flouting a national Act for this Biometric identification is an Policy Document on Identity and purpose. The Modi-Yogi invitation to violence. A motorist in Access Management’ under the governments, in spite of their tall Germany had a finger chopped off National e-Governance Programme claims, have not even made a dent by thieves seeking to steal his exotic (NeGP). It submitted a report in on the systemic corruption. If car, which used a fingerprint reader April 2007 that revealed that Project anything the system of favours and instead of a conventional door lock. Unique ID (UID) whose aim was commissions has only strengthened, This has been reported in the “to create a central database of with the rates gone up. October 2010 issue of The resident information and assign a Economist. Under its science and Unique Identification number to each The President of the Vendors’ technology section, it wrote about the such resident (Citizens and Persons Welfare Association at Lanka, fallibility of biometric identification of Indian Origin) in the country” was Chintamani Seth, who is also in court under the title The Difference already under implementation long against the government and Engine: Dubious Security. It before the arrival of Nandan Nilekani administration related to previous inferred that “Keeping evildoers out in July 2009 as Chairman of Unique such eviction many years ago, says is no simple screening matter”, Identification Authority of India. This he has never felt so humiliated in his contrary to the belief of the report defines biometrics. The report life. Chintamani has valiantly fought proponents of Central Identities Data of this Task Force probably makes against the police on previous Repository (CIDR) of 12–digit one of the earliest references to occasions and has even been to jail. biometric Unique Identification “Biometric authentication”. (UID)/Aadhaar numbers. He is a tea vendor himself, without Biometric identification and any ambition to become the Prime As per Section 2 (g) of Aadhaar authentication is the foundation on Minister of this country. He merely (Targeted Delivery of Financial and which the entire CIDR of UID/ expects that he be treated with Other Subsidies, Benefits and Aadhaar project has been erected. dignity as the President of his Services) Act, 2016, “biometric The proponents of the project feign vendors’ association. During information’ means photograph, ignorance about a five-year study, AkhileshYadav’s regime as Chief finger print, Iris scan, or such other Biometric Recognition: Minister he was made a member of biological attributes of an individual Challenges and Opportunities the Town Vending Committee of as may be specified by regulations.” published on 24 September 24, 2010 Varanasi. The Committee was The reference to “such other by the National Research Council in wound up as Yogi Government came biological attributes” makes it clear Washington, DC. This study to power. He not only lost his position that voice sample and DNA profiling concluded that biometric but also the respect which is is included under its ambit. It is identification and recognition is accorded to a citizen in a democracy. noteworthy that the Human DNA “inherently fallible” like the Profiling Bill, 2015 is aimed at discredited science of Eugenics. JANATA, December 31, 2017 5

Indians under US surveillance is acceptable and tolerable, but verdict in ADM Jabalpur case “incursion into the content will not because it has empowered the J Satyanarayana, the former IT be tolerated and is not tolerable.” It Central Government to cause the secretary who is currently part-time must be remembered that the idea civil death of anyone it does not like Chairman of UIDAI since of UID was incubated in this very and has deprived citizens the right September 6, 2016 was a member Department. It is evident that to file a compliant as was done by of the above mentioned Task Force. Satyanarayana and this Department ADM Jabalpur in pursuance of the There were 34 other members of the has no problem in sharing metadata Presidential Order dated 27 June, Task Force. These members of Indians with foreign agencies. 1975 under Article 359(1). The order included 11 Technology Solutions had “declared that the right of any Providers, namely, IBM, Microsoft, Contract agreements accessed person (including a foreigner) to Oracle, Computer Associates, through RTI reveal unequivocally move any court for the enforcement Novell, Honeywell, HP, Red Hat, that personal sensitive data of Indians of the rights conferred by Articles ILANTUS Technologies, MPhasis have been handed over to 14, 21 and 22 of the Constitution and and PricewaterhouseCoopers transnational private enterprises like all proceedings pending in any court (PwC). Accenture, Safran Group and Enst for the enforcement of the above & Young. It has come to light that Satyanarayana finds mention at mentioned rights shall remain companies like 23andMe, a privately page number 46-47 of the report by suspended.” held personal genomics and the Parliamentary Standing biotechnology company based in As per Section 47 (1) of the Committee on Information California, and Ancestry.com, a US Aadhaar Act 2016, “No court shall Technology that examined the work online genealogy company, collect take cognisance of any offence of Department of Electronics and and store DNA data, and that such punishable under this Act, save on a Information Technology (currently data can be sold or accessed by third complaint made by the Authority or named Ministry of Communications parties. Notably, Election any officer or person authorised by and Information Technology). He Commission of India on its website it.” This takes away the right of the was asked by this Parliamentary has provided an answer to a question “residents” and citizens to move any Committee about surveillance by the about the “system of numbering court for the enforcement of the National Security Agency (NSA) of EVMs”, wherein it reveals that rights conferred by Articles 14, 21 the US. He informed that, “We have “Each Control Unit has a unique ID and 22 of the Constitution. been assured that whatever data has Number (UID).” The proponents of been gathered by them for Given the fact that biological world’s biggest citizen identification surveillance relates only to the information of Indians is being scheme aim to converge electoral metadata. It has been reiterated and colonised by these countries, it is photo-identity card (EPIC) numbers stated at the highest level of the US likely to have implications for these of our electoral database and the President that only the metadata has “embodied subjects” in international UID/Aadhaar number database been accessed, which is, the origin relations because they end up called CIDR. Thus, it can subvert of the message and the receiving creating biometric borders restricting the democratic process. point, the destination and the route their mobility. through which it has gone, but not If these provisions are read with Human body in India came under the actual content itself. This has Section 23 (2) (g) it is clear that the assault as a result of forced been reiterated by them, but we powers and functions of Unique sterilisation of thousands of men expressed that any incursion into the Identification Authority of India under the infamous family planning content will not be tolerated and is (UIDAI), Ministry of Electronics initiative of Sanjay Gandhi during the not tolerable from Indian stand and and Information Technology include Internal Emergency. Human body is point of view. That has been the power of “omitting and once again under attack through mentioned very clearly and firmly by deactivating of an Aadhaar number indiscriminate biometric profiling our Government.” and information relating thereto in seemingly under patronage of the such manner as may be specified by In effect, the Government of India Prime Minister. Such a project which regulations” through subordinate has formally communicated to the is aimed at creating an unlimited legislation as and when they deem it Government of the USA that India government not limited by the appropriate. It means that Aadhaar has no problem if they conduct Constitution must be abandoned in Act is worse than the overruled surveillance for metadata. In fact, it supreme public interest. 6 JANATA, December 31, 2017 Hinduism, Hindutva and Hindu Rashtra

Ram Puniyani

One recalls that way back in 1966 Gajendragadkar in Satsangi case the judgments delivered by the courts in a case involving Satsangis, who pointed out that Hinduism is difficult are the ones which do not see caste were asking for status of a separate to define, and so ‘way of life’ seems as the core defining point of religion, the court had given the to be closest definition one can opt Hinduism. Surely Justice Varma opinion that Hinduism is a way of for. Again following the lead from while conflating Hinduism and life, so where is the question of the philosopher President he sought Hindutva displays double naivety. Satsangis being given the status of a to find a subtle indescribable unity One is at loss to understand as to separate religion? In December 2015 within the divergence of Hinduism. how he could lump the diverse a three Judge Supreme Court bench As per him the differences amongst religious traditions of the country as ruled that “The court came to the Hindu sects are merely on surface Hinduism and see Hindutva as a conclusion that the words and Hindus were a “distinct cultural synonym of Hinduism, as per him, “Hinduism” or “Hindutva” are not unit, with common history, a common the “terms are indicative more of a necessarily to be understood and literature and a common civilization” way of life of the Indian people and construed narrowly, confined only to (Quoted in TOI Ronojoy Sen, June1, are not confined merely to describe the strict Hindu religious practices 2005) On slightly parallel but distinct persons practicing the Hindu religion unrelated to the culture and ethos of lines Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru, in as a faith.” This did go against the the People of India depicting the way discovery of India writes “Hinduism exclusionary Savarkar/ RSS of life of the Indian people. Unless as a faith is vague, amorphous, many definition of Hindutva. As such this the context of a speech indicates a sided, all things to all men. It is hardly is the definition which is currently contrary meaning or use, in the possible to define it, or indeed to say prevalent. Despite that RSS was abstract, these terms are indicative definitely whether it is a religion or quick enough to appropriate the more of a way of life of the Indian not, in the usual sense of the word, same court ruling to buttress its people. Unless the context of a in its present form, and even in the ideology. RSS/BJP started speech indicates a contrary meaning past, it embraces many beliefs and presenting its own politics in the new or use, in the abstract, these terms practices, from the highest to the words, the one’s provided by Justice are indicative more of a way of life lowest, often opposed to or Varma. Just to recall, Justice of the Indian people and are not contradicting each other.” 3 Varma’s judgement exonerated the confined merely to describe persons BJP-Shiv Sena candidates whose practicing the Hindu religion as a Hinduism elections were challenged on the faith” (Emphasis supplied). This ground of their using corrupt clearly means that, by itself, the word At surface these definitions seem electoral practices. These “Hinduism” or “Hindutva” indicates to be describing the phenomenon in candidates had used Hindutva and the culture of the people of India as an appealing way. Defining Hindu Rajya in their election a whole, irrespective of whether they Hinduism in such a way is far from speeches and so their elections were are Hindus, Muslims, Christians, accurate. The reason for the need challenged. Jews etc.” 1 Currently the word to refer such matters to the courts Hindu nation is being given lot of seems to be, one, Hinduism is not a BJP picked up from where RSS respectability and Hindutva is many prophet based religion, it has no single had shown the way and in the vision times confused with Hindu religion. founder and two, religions document released before the 2004 developing in this part of the world elections, it stated, “Contrary to what These three major decisions from have been lumped together as its detractors say, and as the Supreme court seem to have been inspired by Hinduism and three there are so court itself has decreed Hindutva is Dr. Radhakrishana’s formulation.2 many diversities in the practices of not a religious or exclusivist concept. Trying to follow the definition of Hinduism that all streams cannot be It is inclusive, integrative and abhors Radhakrishanan, Justice P. B. painted with a single brush. Most of any kind of discrimination against any JANATA, December 31, 2017 7 section of people of India on the authority of clergy are the major as Hinduism today that is basis of their faith.”4 visible symbols of a religion.5 We Brahmanism. The religious sanctity have to see whether what is called for social inequality, caste system is Where is the problem? Does RSS/ Hinduism has these traits or not. At the soul of its scriptures and BJP concept of Hindusim, Hindutva another level, way of life is a very practices. The conditions under and so the Hindu- nation, correctly broad term; it encompasses not only which the terms came into being also describe the phenomenon? Does religion but other factors related to tell a lot about the real meaning of Radhakrishnan-Nehru-the popular region, language, food habits, literary those terms. Aryans who came in a discourse on Hinduism/Hindutva and cultural aspects of life, which series of migrations were pastorals correctly describe these terms? may not have anything to do with and were polytheists. During the Something is seriously amiss in the religion. In a way the ‘way of life’ early period we see the coming into whole gamut of expressions and characterization of Hinduism- being of Vedas, which give the definitions as put forward by the Hindutva is a fatigued response glimpse of value system of that giants of the Indian politics and because of its diversity. It is an period and also the number of gods accepted by the judiciary. We have attempt to avoid the bother to oneself with diverse portfolios, the witnessed in practice that since the of understanding the definitive prevalence of polytheism. Laws of time the notions, words Hindutva/ religious aspect of this phenomenon, Manu were the guiding principles of Hindu rashtra came up as assertive Hinduism. It tries to define the society. This Vedic phase merged phenomenon in the political scene phenomenon without going into its into Brahmanic phase. During this during the decade of 1980s the genesis and role in society. Can a phase elite of the society remained divisiveness has gone up by leaps religion be called as ‘way of life’ just insulated from the all and sundry. At and bounds and the polarization of because it is too diverse? On the this point of time caste system communities has gone up. The other hand there may be people with provided a mechanism for this religious minorities have been narrow and monolithic way of life insulation of elite. Buddhism’s intimidated around this politics and and calling it as religion. The litmus challenge to caste system forced they have taken a mortal fear of test for a religion is the existence of Brahmanism to come up with a Hindutva and Hindu Rashtra. Their the parameters listed above. Does phase, which can be called intimidation has a lot to do with the Hinduism have these parameters or Hinduism.6 During this phase the politics of RSS/BJP under the flag not? Are emotions associated with cultic practices were broadened and of Hindutva, Hindu Rashtra. While holy deities, holy books, present in public ceremonies and rituals were Radhakrishanan/Nehru/Judiciary Hinduism or not? devised to influence the broad have in simple-mindedness tried to masses to wean them away from project the diversity of Hindu sects, The emotive content and other Buddhism. the understanding of Savarkar/RSS/ factors listed above are crucial BJP politics of Hindutva is based markers for a religion. In that sense The Word Hindu on a particular version of Hinduism right in the beginning we can say that which is exclusionary to the core, and Hinduism with its multiple streams It is interesting to note that till 8th serves the political goals of an elite is a religion without any doubt. century the so called Hindu texts do section of society. The Hindu stream Reducing all facets of life, the not have the word Hindu itself. This they pick up for constructing meaning, which is communicated by word came into being with the Arabs Hindutva is the Brahmanical stream the phrase ‘way of life’, the multiple and Middle East Muslims coming to of Hinduism. dimensions of human social life to this side.7 They called the people religion, is invalid in itself. Religion living on this side of Sindhu as Before we deal with the definition is not and cannot be the sole content Hindus. The word Hindu began as a of Hinduism it is important to note of the phrase ‘way of life’. geographical category. It was a bit that there are particular markers, later that religions developing in this which characterise any religion. The Two major points of departure for part started being called as Hindu religions are associated with Hinduism are the absence of a religions. Due to caste system there particular sentiment and emotions. founding prophet and the presence was no question of proselytization. Holy books, communitarian of the imprint of caste system on On the contrary the victims of caste functions, rituals, ethical norms and major aspects of what is regarded system made all the efforts to 8 JANATA, December 31, 2017 convert to other religions, Buddhism, (Chavdar talab), temple entry with real ‘swarajya’. To the Hindus, Islam and partly Christianity and later (Kalaram Mandir) and saw both the independence of Hindustan could to Sikhism. these being beaten back by the only be worth having if it ensured traditional Hindu society. Its’ due to ‘their Hindutva-their religious, racial Within Hindu religion two streams Brahmanical domination of and cultural identity’. Swarajya to the ran parallel, Brahmanism and Hinduism, which made him realize Hindus must mean only that ‘Rajya’ Shramanism. Shramans defied the that Hinduism is basically Brahmanic in which their ‘Swatva’, their Brahminical control and rejected theology, based on Manusmriti. Hindutva could assert itself without caste system. While Brahmanism That’s what led to his decision to being overloaded by non-Hindu remained dominant, other streams of burn Manusmriti and to decide to people, whether they be Indian Hinduism also prevailed at social convert away from Hinduism. territorial or extra territorials…” He level, Tantra, Bhakti, Shaiva, summarized his Hindutva and Hindu Siddhanta etc. Shramans did not Hindutva nation in one of his presidential conform to the Vedic norms and speeches at Hindu Mahasabha, “Yes, values. Brahmanism categorized In the political changes which we Hindus are a nation by ourselves, religious practices by caste while occurred during the British rule, because religious, racial, cultural and Shramanism rejected caste modern education and historical affinities bind us intimately distinctions. Brahmanical Hinduism industrialization, the landlord and into a homogenous nation and added was the most dominant tendency as priestly classes felt threatened and to it we are most pre eminently gifted it was associated with rulers. resorted to religion as a savior for with a territorial unity as well. Our Sidetracking the traditions of lower their declining dominance as social racial being is identified with India- castes, Brahmanism came to be power. In parallel to the Muslim our beloved fatherland and our holy recognised as Hinduism in due declining classes, who used Islam for land above all and irrespective of it course of time. “This phenomenon their politics, Hindu landlords/kings all we Hindus will to be a nation, and began with Magadh-Mauryan resorted to the use of Hindu religion therefore we are a Nation”.9 Empire after subjugating Buddhism for their political goals. It is from and Jainism in particular. Later with here that the concept of Hindutva The first confusion occurs when coming of British who were trying started taking shape and later came the term Hindu’s origin as a to understand Indian society, Hindu to be articulated by Savarkar in his geographical meaning are identity, based on Brahmanical norms book, ‘Hindutva or who is a Hindu’. considered. Hindus are those who was constructed for all non Muslims Since there was no uniform marker live on this side of Sindhu! This is and non Christians. Vedas and other for Hindus and since politically how M.M. Joshi called Muslims as Brahmanical texts were projected ‘foreign born religions’, Islam and Ahmadiya Hindus and Christians as as the Hindu texts. Thus the diversity Christianity were to be opposed, a Christi Hindus 10. Sudarshan also of Hinduism was put under the new definition of Hindu came into goes on to subscribe to this assertive carpet and Brahmanism came to be being which was based on exclusion, trick. In this the first step is Hindu recognized as Hinduism.8 So as per this definition all those who because they live here; in the second Hinduism as understood as a religion regard this land from Sindhu to seas step since they are Hindus they must is based on Brahmanical rituals, texts as their holy land and father land are worship Lord Ram, cow and Vedas. and authority of Brahmins. Hindus. The second confusion is that all non Christian-non Muslims are Hindus. The victory of Brahmanism over This was a strange mix of religion VHP has been opposing Jains being the Shramanic traditions is visible all and politics. Like the political given minority status on the ground through as Brahmanism was elaboration of Muslim League, that Jainism is not a separate religion. associated with social ruling classes Savarkar’s formulations were meant Also RSS chief Sudarshan’s the Landlord-traders. This was to oppose the values of freedom statement that Sikhism is a mere reaffirmed in not very distant past movement and that of Indian sect of Hinduism created huge when Dr. Bhimrao Babsaheb National Congress, those of Gandhi, opposition from amongst Sikhs all Ambedkar tried to get an equal place in particular, “Mere geographical over. The Jains have struggled in Hindu fold. He led the agitations independence of the bit of earth against Hindutva forces to get for public drinking water for dalits called India should not be confused minority status for themselves, as an JANATA, December 31, 2017 9 independent religion and not just a participation of all religions, castes making. The concept of Hindu nation sect of Hinduism. Sudarshan’s and both genders, these had mainly was parallel to Islamic Nationalism, ‘Sikhism as sect of Hindu religion’ elite males of their community as the and was based on the political was thoroughly opposed. The third members of their politics. They both ideology of Hindutva. While Indian point pertains to Hinduism not being claimed to be representatives of their nationalism had been all inclusive of a religion per se. What-ever the religious communities but were different religions, castes Hindu historical origins of the word Hindu, rejected thoroughly at electoral level. nationalism holds that this is Hindu Brahmanism is Hinduism of the day. When time permitted they did nation, where Christians and It has Brahmanical rituals, holy collaborate with each other in Muslims are foreigners, and so books, holy deities (Lord Ram+ forming Governments in Sindh and should be treated accordingly. RSS others). The Ram Temple movement Bengal and were mortally opposed ideologue Golwalkar points out, “ was propped up by using the emotive to land reforms. From this stand point sanctioned by aspect related to a religious deity. experience of shrew old nations, the Even now the campaign for cow Hinduism as it prevails today is non-Hindu people in Hindustan must slaughter ban is revived when the religion in all sense of the sociological either adopt the Hindu culture and time permits, despite the fact that characteristics. That it is dominated language, must learn to respect and many of those who are dictated to by Brahmanism is another matter. revere Hindu religion, must entertain be Hindus eat beef as a part of way Hindutva is the politics based on the no idea but the glorification of Hindu of life. values of Brahmanism. One wonders nation i.e. they must not only give as to why repeatedly judiciary has up their attitude of intolerance and Than what is Hindutva, is it a to fall back on ‘way of life’ ingratitude towards this land and its synonym of Hinduism? No way. formulation. One also wonders why age old traditions, but must also Hindutva is a synthesis of religion RSS etc. are opposed to Satsangis cultivate the positive attitude of love and politics. It is a politics opposed or Jains or Sikhs to have a full status and devotion instead; in one word, to the values, which came to be of religion. One wonders a bit more they must cease to be foreigners or associated with India’s freedom how this ‘way of life’, which can be may stay in this country wholly movement, the secular democratic very libratory, can be ‘successfully’ subordinated to the Hindu Nation principles. It is the parallel and used for the opposite end, as claiming nothing, deserving no supplement to Islamism, the politics witnessed currently. Nothing can be privileges far less any preferential of Muslim League. Both these are worse than the fact that ‘way of life’ treatment, not even citizen’s based on similar principles. Both formulation has been picked up by rights.”11 these are subtly opposed to the the most orthodox elements, who transformation of social relations, dictate and assert a particular way The vehicle of Hindu Nationalism both these did not participate in as the way, a particular book as the currently is RSS, which through its freedom movement and were not the book and a particular deity as the multiple progeny, like BJP, VHP, subject of wrath by the British. Both deity. Bajrang Dal, Akhil Bhartiya these spread hatred against the Vidyarthi Parishad, Vanvasi Kalyan people of other religions and sowed Hindu Nation Ashram and a large number of the seeds of divisiveness. Both these offshoots formed by RSS, its are exclusionary and so both these During freedom movement while Pracharaks (propagators). At the were rejected by the Indian people the majority of the people who same time many swayamsevaks (the at the electoral level in pre- subscribed to the concept of India, volunteer of RSS, trained in ideology independence India time and over participated in the freedom of Hindu nationalism) are working again. Both these are against the movement, the followers of Hindutva in different facets of society, concept of gender and caste class (and also Muslim League) kept aloof education, media, police equality in subtle and not so subtle from it as they followed the politics bureaucracy are trying to work for form. And interestingly these of Religious nationalism. Hindutva the goal of Hindu nation. formulations began with Nawabs- strove for Hindu Nation, Hindu Rajas (kings) and were later on Rashtra. The freedom movement Their major loyalty is to the joined by the ideologues. While was based on the concept of Indian concept of Hindu nationalism, in national movement had the Nationalism, India as a nation in the contrast to the Indian nationalism, the 10 JANATA, December 31, 2017 nationalism which emerged through Summing Up forefront by Savarkar in early 20th freedom movement and is inherent century. This term stands for politics in Indian Constitution. True to its The confusion in the terms Hindu based on Aryan race, language and ideology the RSS trained Narendra and Hindutva is the root of many culture. This became the political Modi recently declared in 2014 that misunderstandings about the politics ideology of Hindu landlords, upper he is a Hindu Nationalist.12 This is of Hindu Rashtra, Hindu nationalism. caste, who were opposed to the the hidden agenda of RSS combine, Word Hindu bagan as a geographical social changes accompanying the popularly known as Sangh Parivar. category and later all the relious freedom movement. This section of Religious nationalism, in any garb is tradition prevalent in subcontinent people opposed the emerging Indian opposed to the values of Liberty, were lumped under the umbrella of nationalism and projected Hindu Equality and Fraternity. It uses the Hinduism. In this the Brahiminical Nationalism as their goal. Currently cover of religion for brining in the stream remained a dominant one. ‘RSS-BJP-Modi’ combine is the values of birth based inequality. The term Hindutva began in the late main proponent of this variety of 19th century, and was brought to Nationalism. Footnotes : 1. http://www.pucl.org/from-archives/Religion-communalism/sc-judgement.htm 2. Quoted in TOI Ronojoy Sen, June1, 2005 3. https://www.facebook.com/MeghwalRajsthan/posts/286423924788464 4. http://www.bjp.org/index.php?option=com_content&id=129&Itemid=433 5. http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/etudes/join/2013/474399/IPOL- LIBE_ET%282013%29474399_EN.pdf 6. https://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/manavatavadi/afdnaMygwlA/BHlkCTJdCz8J 7. http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Hinduism/Etymology_of_the_words_Hindu_and_Hinduism 8. Gail Omvedt, Dalit Visions (Tract for the times - 8), Orient Longman, 1995, p.7-12. 9. V.D.Savarkar, Hindu Rashtra Darshan, p.52 10. http://www.truthindia.com/page6.html 11. M.S. Golwalkar We or Our nationhood Defined P. 27, Nagpur 1938 12. http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/allaboutnarendramodi/i-m-a-hindu-nationalist-patriotic-narendra-modi/ article1-1091198.aspx

Letter to the Editor A $500,000,000 house in L.A. Sir,

At the close of the year 2017 the New York Times on December 24, 2017 brought out 11 top stories of best weekend reads. The 10th story is about a house in Los Angeles costing $500,000,000 (INR 32,00,00,00,000). This in a country that boasts of democracy. Compared to this mind-boggling figure the money spent by poor MukeshAmbani, the bosom friend of our blessed Prime Minister NarendraModi, on his 27-storey mansion in Mumbai seems to be peanuts. Ambani did not live even for one night in this mansion because some joker vaastushastri told him that this mansion did not conform to the principles of the mumbo—jumbo that goes by the name of vaastushastra and so it would prove inauspicious for Ambani and his family. India too claims to be a democratic country.

How long do the rulers and the nexus between crooked politicians and their capitalist exploitative chums expect the toiling masses of India to tolerate such vulgar display of wealth? Enough of sham socialism, sham democracy and sham Hindutva.

– C. B. Tripathi JANATA, December 31, 2017 11 Intolerance through the Years: 1934 to 1975 to 2015

Anil Nauriya

I. Day Against Fascist becomes clearer when we move needs to combated. Therefore, it is Intolerance: June 25, 2015 from considering political intolerance important to observe June 25 as a to social intolerance, from the Day Against Intolerance, and The 25th and 26th of June mark political fascist tendency to the social observe it nationwide. Indeed, it the declaration of internal fascist tendency. ought to be observed as a Day Emergency at the behest of the against Political and Social Fascism. Indira Gandhi regime in 1975. June Some political parties are brazenly 25 is also the day in 1934 when a laying down the law for who may II. Role of Capital lethal bomb was aimed at Mahatma reside where, making nonsense of Gandhi and his cavalcade by Hindu the constitutional right to reside and The growth of financial and conservative and orthodox elements settle in any part of the territory of industrial capital is ordinarily in Pune when he was on his anti- India as we have known it over the expected to have a modernising role. untouchability tour. For some years years. Feeding into the support base It is expected to promote the after 1977, June 25 was observed of many of these political parties are dissemination of liberal ideas, and the as a day of protest against the rural cabals like khap panchayats elimination of such endemic features Emergency of 1975-77. It was and urban mafiosi on which the as child labour. sometimes formulated as a electoral machine of several political constitutional transgression which it parties, both national and regional, In the early years when the public certainly was. Yet it was more than now appears to run. Emboldened by sector was being built up, the that. It reflected a tendency towards political patronage, these cabals and constant refrain of Indian capital was authoritarianism and political mafiosi then lay down the law for that it wished to be free of state intolerance. A former Deputy Prime their rural and urban communities, restraints such as licensing. It Minister some time ago registered intruding into the individual and social favoured the opening up of the his apprehensions regarding the rights of the common people. economy. However, when this possibility of the Emergency being started happening from the 1980s imposed again. He was referring to The Emergency of 1975-77 saw onwards, it was non-entrepreneurial the constitutional phenomenon only. the imposition of press censorship. capital that took the centre-stage. But if were to see the issue in its Today this has advanced to the Since then, Indian capital has tended, wider generic terms, he might see increasingly frequent targeted killing in its short-sightedness, to support the the connection between the of journalists, especially in the growth of the forces that have bred Emergency and such events as the smaller towns, to say nothing of the intolerance. Non-entrepreneurial anti-Sikh pogrom of 1984, the widespread harassment of those capital depends not on research and Meerut-Maliana-Hashimpura exercising their right of expression. development but on state massacre of 1987, the demolition of Such killings are as sure an indicator concessions, especially transfer of the Babri Masjid in 1992, the Gujarat of creeping fascism as the advance natural resources to it at massacres of 2002, the notice of a coming plague by the concessional rates, purchase of Muzaffarnagar events of 2014 and fauna that it devours. Such killings profitable public sector assets at the Ballabhgarh events of 2015. of members of the intelligentsia had nominal rates, and the appropriate become common in the Italy of the bending of rules when desired. Constitutional excesses, political 1920s where fascism first arose in intolerance and social fascism its classical form. Indian capital today has a peculiar mutate seamlessly from one to the concept of freedom. It claims to other. The connection between the It is this persistent and growing stand for a free economy but is not bombs aimed at Gandhi during his tendency towards intolerance, of prepared for an extension of this anti-untouchability tour of 1934 and which the Emergency was only a concept to land. Here it wants the many of the phenomena listed above constitutionally crystallised form, that state to continue the colonial system 12 JANATA, December 31, 2017 of the state acquiring land and that there have been two other forces like the RSS which played a handing it over to it at nominal rates. movements which have focused on major role in his movement. In fact, With some modifications, it wants the corruption in the polity, the V.P. he argued erroneously that these same colonial concessionaire system Singh-led Jan Morcha in the late forces had changed their character. to continue in respect of mining 1980s and the recent That the issue around which his leases for coal, iron ore, zinc and movement in the years immediately movement had been built was not a other such natural resources. The preceding the Lok Sabha elections straightforward one of totalitarianism idea that these resources belong to of 2014. versus “democratic” forces became the entire people, including the poor, subsequently even clearer. For is anathema to it. It is important that we go beyond during the Emergency, and the June observance and try to derive particularly after the Turkman Gate Indian capital has developed a some lessons from the JP movement firing in April 1976, the RSS and the similar notion with respect to finance and the later movements and the then Prime Minister’s younger son capital. Today, it believes that it has political cycles which the country has even appeared to arrive at a the first right on the financial undergone as a result. Anti- rapprochement. The shortcomings resources of the country available in corruption movements in India have that characterised JP’s movement the banking system. When, suffered from an incomplete were repeated in some or the other therefore, a national level statutory understanding of the meaning and form by the later movements. rural employment generation scheme implications of corruption. in the form of MGNREGA came up Corruption is simply a subset of as a competing charge on the In India the main internal issues the wider issue of abuse of political banking resources, neither Indian that need to be grappled with are: and social power and authority. capital nor the media owned by it a) the need to eradicate corruption; Recent anti-corruption movements took kindly to it. have understood corruption primarily b) the prevention of religion-based in financial and monetary terms. But and caste-based sectarianism; With the primary concern of corruption is not limited to bribery- and Indian capital today being to seize related conduct. A studied and control over India’s land and c) the need to provide for the basic deliberate withdrawal on the part of financial resources, and reverse or needs of the people, that is, food the state authorities and of dominant dilute all laws that obstruce this, the security, health, education, and political parties from the growth of intolerance and social cultivable land for those performance of their duty to protect fascism has been of little concern to progressively or arbitrarily the lives and property of citizens is it. deprived of it. also corruption. It is in fact a grave form of malfeasance that seems to Eighty-one years separate June The Indian experience is that issue cut across political parties and 25, 1934 and June 25, 2015. But (a) has been by movements only as regimes. In recent memory such social fascism has remained; though a means for coming to come to malfeasance has been reflected, for weakened in certain respects, it has power. After coming to power, they example, in the role of the state in tended to reappear and often assume did little about issues (b) and (c). the face of violence against Sikhs in new and virulent forms. These movements, whether led by Delhi, Muslims in Ahmedabad, JP or by V.P. Singh, or as organised Christians in Odisha, non- III. Learning from Experience in recent months by Hazare, have Maharashtrians in Maharashtra and been marked by a narrow Dalits in Haryana. Anti-corruption There is yet another aspect of understanding of corruption. Even movements that not only do not raise June observance that requires though JP personally may well have such issues but appear instead to attention. The internal Emergency of had a wider understanding, he did not offer good conduct certificates to 1975-77 was preceded by various seek to build an independent cadre certain delinquent forces and significant events, including the of volunteers or pay adequate regimes cannot inspire as much Navnirman movement in Gujarat in attention to their ideological training. confidence as they might otherwise 1973 and thereafter the JP-led He was not sufficiently cognisant of do. The ideological stance here movement against corruption. After the dangers posed by sectarian cannot be concealed: such JANATA, December 31, 2017 13 movements would go after a police is being used by speakers and writers References: constable for, say, taking a traffic- claiming to speak on their behalf. The challan-related bribe (indeed in the sorrowful incident has undoubtedly 1. A bomb was thrown on what the last round of the Lok Pal movement advanced the Harijan cause. It is assailant believed was the car its major focus was on subordinate easy to see that causes prosper by carrying Gandhiji on his way to government employees), but wink at the martyrdom of those who stand the Municipal Building. Gandhiji a senior police official or a Minister for them. I am not aching for arrived at 7.30 p.m. little for organising a pogrom or looking martyrdom, but if it comes in my knowing what had occurred. the other way while human beings way in the prosecution of what I When informed of the incident, are killed or beaten up as part of a consider to be the supreme duty in he received the news calmly and concerted and inbuilt bias against a defence of the faith I hold in agreed to the suggestion that the community or a section of the common with millions of Hindus, I programme should be carried people. Thus the struggle against shall have well earned it, and it will out. Accordingly the address corruption and the struggle against be possible for the historian of the was presented and Gandhiji left intolerance cannot be separated. future to say that the vow I had taken the hall at 8.30 p.m. This before Harijans that I would, if need appeared under the title Constitutional excesses, political be, die in the attempt to remove “Providence Again”. and social intolerance, and corruption untouchability was literally fulfilled. need to be fought together as part 2. This paragraph has been of national renewal and of a re- Let those who grudge me what reproduced from The Hindu, affirmation of the highest values of yet remains to me of this earthly 26-6-1934. our struggle for freedom that are also existence know that it is the easiest enshrined in our Constitution. thing to do away with my body. Why 3. Vide “My Reward”. Though every movement will have then put in jeopardy many innocent its specific and particular focus, lives in order to take mine which they Appendix 2: Thoughts upon the these issues cannot be dealt with by hold to be sinful? What would the Conclusion of National Week a method of pick and choose that world have said of us if the bomb (April 6 -13), by Anil Nauriya, 13 leaves the worst traits in our politics had dropped on me and the party, April 2017 and society untouched and in fact which included my wife and three strengthened by opportunistic non- girls, who are as dear to me as The week April 6-13 used to be condemnation, direct certification or daughters and are entrusted to me observed in the course of India’s affirmation by association. by their parents? I am sure that no freedom movement and for many harm to them could have been years thereafter as National Week Appendix 1: Mahatma Gandhi’s intended by the bomb-thrower. in memory of the nationwide protest Statement on Bomb Incident1 hartal on April 6, 1919 against the (Harijan, 29 June 1934) I have nothing but deep pity for draconian colonial Rowlatt legislation the unknown thrower of the bomb. and in memory of the massacre of I have had so many narrow If I had my way and if the bomb- unarmed people that occurred a escapes in my life that this newest thrower was known, I should week later at Jallianwala Bagh in one does not surprise me. God be certainly ask for his discharge, even Amritsar on April 13, 1919. The thanked that no one was fatally as I did in South Africa in the case hartal on April 6, 1919 marked the injured by the bomb, and I hope that of those who successfully assaulted first all-India level protest on a those who were more or less me.3 Let the reformers not be democratic rights issue. Mahatma seriously injured, will be soon incensed against the bomb-thrower Gandhi had looked upon April 6 to discharged from hospital.2 or those who may be behind him. 13 as the week of India’s What I should like them to do is to awakening. It is to be hoped that the I cannot believe that any sane redouble their efforts to rid the country would not forget the sanatanist could ever encourage the country of the deadly evil of continuing significance of this insane act that was perpetrated this untouchability. occasion, not least for its caution evening. But I would like sanatanist against the arbitrary use and abuse friends to control the language that of state power. 14 JANATA, December 31, 2017

As intellectual critiques of the man on earth”. The incident has manual work. It was, as Gandhi saw notion of nation grew, it became acquired the same decisive it, an occasion for all to introspect, increasingly unfashionable for importance in India’s history as the shed hatred, carry out constructive opinion-leaders to engage in defining Easter Rising of 1916 in Ireland, activities, spin, promote the sale of the nation. Yet when non-sectarian although the two are not, strictly hand-spun cloth (Khadi), and forces or civil society lose interest speaking, comparable. April 6-13 perhaps occasionally even to fast in defining the nation, the field is left was observed as National Week jointly. National Week united Indians free for a narrow-minded right up to the 1960s in Indian schools across communities and across understanding of nation to grow and and colleges. in classes. Why, then, has National to spread. It appears that this process Delhi traditionally observed Qaumi Week (April 6 to 13) been virtually has been underway for some years Hafta (National Week) at least until forgotten? Gradually, as a composite now. Almost every year after 1919, Dr Zakir Husain and Prof Mujeeb culture and a secular understanding Gandhi had reminded the country remained actively associated with the of Indian nationhood came to be during National Week of how several University. Old Jamia hands still taken for granted in independent persons belonging to diverse remember how National Week was India by the end of the 1960s, communities and vocations had died an occasion jointly to take over and National Week began to pass without together in the massacre at perform civic service in classrooms, much notice and was even forgotten. Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar. He bathrooms, latrines and the villages Yet it remains a defining moment for stressed the importance of the around Jamia, shed distinctions of India, certainly a moment of incident in educating the people and high and low, break barriers of caste awakening; an occasion to reassert uniting them in a common and religion and inculcate a sense of India’s composite nationhood; and a nationhood. Maulana Mohamed Ali dignity of labour. At several places salutary reminder in independent referred to the massacre to stress in the country the week would be India of the critique which Indian that Hindus and Muslims and others observed to encourage hand-craft , nationalists had made of violations had come together in a common mass plying of the charkha and the of the democratic rights of the nationhood which would “fear no performance of other kinds of people.

Invitation

National Campaign to Create Awareness About the Indian Constitution National Meeting of Activists Interested in this Campaign Date: January 20, 2018, Venue: Mumbai

It was after a long struggle, in SardarVallabhbhai Patel, The Supreme Court has ruled that which the vast multitudes of our MaulanaAbulKalam Azad, to name these basic features of our country participated and made a few. It took them as many as 2 Constitution are inalienable, and innumerable sacrifices, that the years, 11 months and 18 days to cannot be altered or destroyed even country won freedom in 1947. The finalise the Constitution. It was by the Parliament of India. Indian Constitution embodies the unanimously adopted by the dreams and values that inspired our Constituent Assembly on November Article 51A of the Constitution people in this heroic fight. The 26, 1949, and came into effect on calls upon all citizens to cherish and drafting of the Constitution was done January 26, 1950. The Constitution follow the noble ideals that inspired by the leaders of our freedom declares India to be a sovereign, India’s freedom struggle and are struggle, and included some of the socialist, secular and democratic enshrined in the Constitution. It finest minds of that time, including republic. It grants to people the exhorts citizens to promote harmony DrBabasahebAmbedkar, who was fundamental right to equality, and the spirit of common the chairperson of the drafting freedom, freedom of religion, as well brotherhood amongst all the people committee, Jawaharlal Nehru, as cultural and educational rights. of India transcending religious, JANATA, December 31, 2017 15 linguistic and regional or sectional women is increasing. The that a series of seminars be organised diversities; and also asks them to fundamental rights guaranteed in the across the country where eminent value and preserve the rich heritage Constitution are themselves under speakers give talks on the various of our composite culture. It asks threat. The economic policies are issues outlined above. For each of people to renounce practices leading to an enormous these seminars, all the local activist derogatory to the dignity of women. concentration of wealth in a very few groups working in that area should It thus defines what are the values hands; and on the other hand, there be invited, which will create an that constitute true nationalism. are simply no jobs for the youth. atmosphere for this campaign to be Agriculture has been pushed into launched in that area. The Constitution also outlines in such deep crisis that more than 3.5 unambiguous terms the orientation of lakh farmers have committed We would like to invite all those economic policies that future suicide in the last two decades – activists who are interested in governments should pursue. This is something which did not happen even launching this campaign in their contained in the Directive Principles during the days of the . respective areas, and for that, are of the Constitution. DrAmbedkar Our natural resources, including land, willing to organise an initial seminar made it very clear that these forests and even water, as well as in their area, to join us for a meeting Principles are to be fundamental to the mineral wealth of the country, are in Mumbai on January 20, 2018. In governance, and that all future being transferred to corporate this meeting, we can plan out the governments have to strive to houses for their naked details of how to take this campaign implement them. The Directive profiteering. Despite the dismal state ahead. After this meeting, you can Principles direct the State to ensure of our essential services such as launch this campaign in your area for that there is no concentration of education, health and ration system, the next three months. We are then wealth in the country. The the government is making sharp cuts proposing to organise a national ownership and control of the in allocations for these public seminar in Pune on April 22, 2018 country’s resources should be such services, because of which they are where you can present a report of that they benefit the common good, in serious crisis. And all those who the campaign in your area, and we implying that they should not be used are questioning this deliberate can then plan together how to for private enrichment. They call trashing of our Constitution are being advance this campaign further. upon the State to strive to make attacked as anti-nationals. available education, healthcare and If you would like to join us for this nutrition to all people of the country. Friends, our country is passing meeting, do contact us at the phone They say that the State should direct through deep crisis. At such a critical number below. its policy to secure for all people an time, it is important to reach out to adequate means of livelihood. It the common people and educate -We the Socialist Institution should endeavour to secure the right them about our Constitution – its Contact :Guddi 07738082170 to work, and ensure that people get principles, its values, about the true a decent wage that enables them to concept of nationalism enshrined in have a decent standard of living and it, about the Constitutional directive full enjoyment of leisure and social that all future governments should and cultural opportunities. strive to guarantee to all citizens all the basic necessities required for Janata Unfortunately, today, these people to live like human beings— principles contained in the healthy food, best possible health Constitution are being violated with care, invigorating education, decent is available at impunity. A false nationalism is being shelter, security in old age and clean propagated, that attacks the the very pollution-free environment. conception of India as a socialist, www.lohiatoday.com secular and democratic republic. We are proposing to launch a Minorities are being attacked and nationwide campaign to educate the even killed; atrocities on Dalits are people regarding the Constitution. To increasing by the day; crime against launch this campaign, we propose R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 16 JANATA, December 31, 2017 Postal Registration No. MCW/275/2015-2017. License to Post without prepayment WPP License No. MR/Tech/WPP-210/West/2017 Published on Sunday, December 31, 2017 & Posted on Wedenesday, January 3, 2018 at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1

An infrastructure company established since 1924

REGD. OFFICE : New Excelsior Building, (3rd Floor), A.K. Nayak Marg, Fort, Mumbai 400001. Tel. : 022 2205 1231 Fax : 022-2205 1232

Office : Ahmedabad, 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.