Volume 41 No. 1 Organ of the SOCIALIST UNITY CENTRE OF INDIA August 15, 2007 Founder Editor-in-Chief : COMRADE SHIBDAS GHOSH Price : Rs. 2.00 With due solemnity and reverence country observes Relation between leaders Comrade Shibdas Ghosh Memorial Day and cadres should be Fifth of August is the day, the working class portrait of Comrade Shibdas Ghosh. Comrade dialectical, not mechanical lost two great leaders of the proletariat. While Ranjit Dhar, Central Staff hoisted the Red Flag and Comrade Frederick Engels had passed away in garlanded the statue of Comrade Shibdas Ghosh — 1895, it was on this date thirty one years back at the Study Centre of Marxism-Leninism-Shibdas that Comrade Shibdas Ghosh, the founder Ghosh Thought at Ghatshila, Jharkhand.Comrades General Secretary of Socialist Unity Centre of at all the party offices and centres throughout the India, the revolutionary party of the country, country, joined by masses of toiling people, breathed his last. As the day returns, it urges us observed the Day, wearing Comrade Shibdas for an introspection as to how far could we carry Ghosh badge, garlanding the portrait of the great forward the tasks Comrade Ghosh bequeathed on leader, rending the song on him and the us. And taking a stock of it, we further renew our Internationale. pledge to carry out more vigorously the behest of Earlier on July 29, in observance of the thirty- the great departed leader, teacher and guide and first Comrade Shibdas Ghosh Memorial Day, one of the foremost Marxist-Leninist thinkers and Calcutta District Committee of the party played to philosophers of this epoch, so as to be able to rise a house of the party cadres, supporters and up in a revitalization and consolidation struggle, sympathizers, the recorded speeches of Comrade now we are headlong involved heeding the call of Ghosh made to the open and delegate sessions of Comrade Nihar Mukherjee addressing at the Central Committee of the party with all the AIDYO State Conference held at Suri of Salt Lake Commune, Calcutta on 5th August seriousness and dedication. Birbhum district of West Bengal on 20 and 21 Like each of the past thirty one years, this year June, 1975. The clarion call of the great leader to Comrades, too the party observed the Memorial Day across the party workers for building up themselves as We have assembled here in the Salt Lake the country with profound reverence and emotion. communist revolutionaries and strengthening Party Commune, Calcutta, today to observe On the Fifth August morning, at the Salt Lake SUCI on one hand and for waging intense mass with due solemnity the 31st Memorial Day of Central Commune of the party in Calcutta, the movements under the revolutionary leadership on Comrade Shibdas Ghosh, the founder General brief proceedings of the Day, were initiated with the other hand refurbished the zeal and Secretary of our party. Following a course of the rendition of the song on Comrade Shibdas determination of the leaders and cadres, old and an intricate and painstaking struggle, Comrade Ghosh. Following it, our beloved General new alike, once more. Central Committee Shibdas Ghosh had founded the SUCI, our Secretary Comrade Nihar Mukherji offered floral members Comrades Provas Ghosh and Asit beloved party, as a genuine Marxist-Leninist tribute to Comrade Ghosh’s portrait. He was Bhattacharyya and West Bengal State Secretariat party on this soil. There is a great and long followed by Comrades Sukomal Dasgupta and members Comrades Manik Mukherji, Prativa history of this historic arduous multi-faced Sitesh Dasgupta, both members of the Central Mukherji and Chhaya Mukherji were present on struggle which cannot be dealt with in one Committee and all other comrades present on the the occasion. meeting. I would, therefore, like to highlight occasion. The occasion was further graced by On August 3, at the Metro Channel in only a few aspects of this relentless Comrade Nihar Mukherjee’s inspiring speech. Calcutta, Comrade Sukomal Dasgupta, veteran inconceivably strenuous struggle of party The same morning at the Central Party Office Central Committee member, inaugurated the building which bear extreme importance in our at 48 Lenin Sarani, Calcutta, Comrade Yakub Exhibition of Quotations from the works of life today. Pailan, Member of the West Bengal State Comrade Shibdas Ghosh with a view to In the process of developing a genuine Secretariat, hoisted the Red Flag and garlanded the Contd. on page 6 Marxist-Leninist party of the proletariat on this soil and giving a concrete shape to the same in the SUCI, Comrade Ghosh enriched and elaborated the Leninist concept of revolutionary party building and brought its understanding to a new height. The kernel of this improved understanding has been the emphasis he laid on establishing and keeping alive the dialectical relationship between the leaders and the cadres inside the party in tune with the ideology of Marxism-Leninism. Comrade Ghosh initiated this dialectical A part of the mammoth gathering at Rani Rashmoni Road, Calcutta on 5th August, 2007 Contd. on page 2 PAGE TWO AUGUST 15, 2007 Ceaselessly cultivate teachings of Comrade Shibdas Ghosh Contd. from page 1 have to ceaselessly cultivate the Leninist organization. He said that devolves on the party leadership to process from the very inception of teachings of Comrade Ghosh, we would not adopt a written nurture him with care, to inculcate the days of party formation. He used carefully and meticulously read his Constitution at the very foundation in him the very ingredients of this to encourage the comrades to enter published works both individually stage of our party because we would noble ideology. The very party into contradiction with him, debate and collectively. You will be not like to impose it on the party body, under which he is placed, various issues with him following dawned upon many illumining from above. If the party comrades owns this responsibility. Only this dialectical methodology and used to thoughts in the process of getting do not attain the ideological way, the struggle becomes living, tell them “Don’t accept, what I say, acquainted with the vast storehouse consciousness to imbibe the true education of the cadres becomes do not assume what I say as of his invaluable contributions. spirit contained in the provisions of purposive, dynamic. We do not infallible until and unless you after There was no branch of the Constitution on the issues like always act that way. Once one due examination on the anvil of epistemology which was not sense of organizational discipline, applies for membership, the leaders logic and reason find the same to be illumined by his profound wisdom, nature of the mutual relationship no doubt assign some work to him. correct.” Pursuing this course of no discipline of knowledge not among various party bodies starting But often they do not keep track of struggle, he developed a batch of within his easy reach. In course of from the cell to the local, district, what he is doing. So it is pointless comrades and the number gradually handling the newer problems of life state and central committees, and to blame any such comrade if he increased. It is not that everyone and newer questions arising in the instead blindly follow those rules fails to discharge his responsibility could come up so equipped as to various all fields of epistemology, and provisions only because those because the leaders evidently did correctly follow this dialectical he enriched the treasure house of form part of the Constitution, then not take any care to groom him process. But some of the comrades Marxism-Leninism. Try to acquaint such following is bound to be properly. If the leaders default in could attain that level. Right from yourselves with these developed and mechanical. Here also a correct shouldering their responsibilities, the very beginning, he initiated this enriched understandings, cultivate dialectical process should be why should we only blame cadres dialectical process within the party them in your life. Let all of us build operative. That is why, he opted for for failure? and created a healthy environment ourselves the way he wanted of us. evolving the Constitution, in the The task is not that easy. To of open interaction of ideas and I would like to stress that self- dialectical process of acquiring attain a communist character, it is opinions, discussion in dialogue, development is a continuous correct understanding of these not enough to accept the communist debate and argument between the process which has no finality in various provisions by the party ideology in words. One must leaders and the cadres. With that excellence. Take my case. Though I comrades through conventional subject himself to the tortuous objective, he from the very outset have come to this position today, it practice and giving formal struggle for reflecting in his life the stressed upon organizing the study does not mean that I have learnt constitutional shape to the ideology, politics and culture of circles. He himself conducted these everything. There is no end to organizational rules, norms, communism. When in course of this study circles. Through lively learning. I have also to progress principles and procedures only struggle, one can place his self- discussions and debates in these through learning more and more. when they attained an adequate interest subordinate to the interest study circles, he took every pain to Moreover, there is no guarantee that standard through this struggle. This of the class, revolution and party, he see that the comrades acquire a having learnt something once, I is called the principle of adopting becomes eligible for becoming a correct outlook, a correct and clear would not commit any mistake, not the Constitution as the objective member. After that he can through vision to approach any ideological do any such thing that runs counter reflection of the inner-party life. I intensification of this life struggle or epistemological issues starting to the learning. Knowingly or do not know if you are able to grasp proceed to attain yet higher from philosophy, science, art- unknowingly I can also commit the significance of this objective standards. literature to the various postulates of mistake. But if the comrades are process. If the matter is not clear, You must be knowing that in Marxism-Leninism, dialectical and alert, if the cult of ideology is living please obtain necessary clarification our party, we have three categories historical materialism as well as the in the party, if there does prevail a from the leaders. The essence of of membership: applicant members, process of attaining true communist congenial environment for free and the point I made to you is that while members and staff members. When character. This is how he engaged fair interaction in the party, they taking part in our day to day a member, by continually uplifting himself in developing in the would instantly point out the activities, we must engage ourselves the communist standard of his comrades unity of thinking, one mistake directly to me fearlessly in unfaltering pursuit of correct character through conduction of process of thinking and oneness in and without any hesitation. This is code and mode of revolutionary life, higher and more arduous struggle approach based on Marxian science. what Comrade Ghosh taught us the correct methodology to develop not only makes his individual He always emphasized that unless while providing concrete guidelines ourselves as communists. This is interest subordinate to the interests this ideological centralism evolved as to what should be communist never possible by cramming a few of the class, revolution and party, and took a firm root in the party, code of conduct. words or parroting a few lines from but becomes able to engage himself organizational centralism could not Apart from the extremely Marxist literature. This learning has happily and voluntarily in the be established. Bereft of this important question of maintaining a to be through conduction of an all- struggle to completely identify with ideological centralism, the party healthy dialectical relation between embracing life struggle based on the class, revolution and party organization would assume a the leaders and the cadres that I correct realization of revolutionary through still higher and more mechanical, not dialectical have just discussed before you, ideology. For example, when one difficult struggles, he places himself character. After all, the party is not there are many other invaluable for the first time signs the pledge to be considered for staff a machine but a living vibrant entity. teachings of Comrade Shibdas form for primary membership of the membership. They are the cream, As vanguard of social progress, it Ghosh. For example, take the issue party, he merely expresses, as Lenin the most precious asset of the party. concerns the common people as of framing the Constitution of a said, his desire to be a communist. The Central Committee is well as the revolutionaries. So this proletarian party. Different Elaborating further, Comrade Ghosh constituted with them. Most of the dialectical process has to be communist parties of the world have said that this is the point from where members of the state committees incarnate in the party. You ought to their own Constitutions. We too begins his struggle for becoming a must also be from them. In this keep this in mind. All of you might have. But it was not thrust upon but communist. He initiates himself into manner, Comrade Ghosh has not be able to fully comprehend this evolved through a process. At the this struggle avowing the pledge of elaborated upon the different aspect today. But there should not founding convention of our party, having faith in Marxism- Leninism- aspects of building up higher be any let up on your part to realize Comrade Ghosh devoted two hours Shibdas Ghosh thoughts and stating revolutionary character of leaders, the immense significance of this and a half to discuss what should be intention to be a communist. When organizers and cadres of a genuine imperativeness. And for that, you the Constitution of a true Marxist- one joins the party in this manner, it Contd. on page 7 PROLETARIAN ERA AUGUST 15, 2007 PAGE THREE CPI(M)’s political bankruptcy in pitching Khammam against Nandigram On July 28 last Rajsekhar Reddy Government of the Congress of Congress ruled Maharashtra, peasants’ struggle first at Singur and Andhra Pradesh in keeping with the tradition of bourgeois rulers, Assam, Andhra Pradesh or Haryana, then at Nandigram in most fascistic irrespective of hue to brutally suppress any people’s movement arraying all BJP ruled Gujarat or Rajasthan, SP manner which is heaping these their arsenal, shot down 8 peasants and grievously injured many at or BSP ruled UP, BJD-BJP ruled allegations on the Congress, its Mudogonda village in Khammam district. The peasants mostly landless Orissa or CPI(M) ruled West Bengal bosom pal at the centre. were agitating for allotment of vested land for constructing dwelling or Kerala, the spectacle of spectre is To ascertain if the peasants’ hutments under the leadership of CPI-CPI(M)-TDP of Chandrababu Naidu. the same. Whenever and wherever struggles in Nandigram and The whole country including the AP State Committee of our party SUCI oppressed people are coming out in Khammam in the main bear any has univocally condemned this barbaric killing of unarmed peasants protest or building up resistance difference in character as, fighting for a legitimate democratic demand. against assaults and onslaughts on incidentally, is sought to be their life and livelihood, the power projected by the CPI(M) top brass, Backdrop of Khammam legitimate claim over the land. And that be is pouncing upon them with let us briefly recollect the facts and peasants’ agitation the CPI(M) alongwith the CPI, its all barbarity. Kalinganagar, context of Nandigram carnage. The In Andhra Pradesh, a sizeable associate, sneaked into the forefront Khammam, Jhajjar, Gurgaon, CPI(M) government of West Bengal portion of the land (estimated to be of the people’s stir against the Singur or Nandigram bear eloquent rolling out a road map for around 40 lakhs acres) which was defaulting government. And at a testimony to this cruelty of the implementing the prescripts of assigned to landless peasants at particular stage of the movement ruling dispensations. But people are capitalist globalization, issued a various points of time is found to when the peasants were peacefully also rising in protest. If Singur notice on January 3 last to acquire have been appropriated by conducting rasta roko (road wrote the first chapter of this new 10,000 acres of land at Nandigram interested quarters notwithstanding blockade) in Mudigonda on July 28, episode of glorious peasants’ consisting of huge stretches of the fact that the state was under rule the police opened fire on them struggle, Nandigram added in letters fertile multi-crop agricultural land, of different governments including killing 6 on the spot while two more of blood an epoch-making chapter habitats of local people, ponds, those of Chandrababu’s TDP as well succumbed to their injury on way to of resistance and resolve. Drawing gardens, schools, places of religious as TDP under late N.T. Rama Rao, the hospital. inspiration from Singur-Nandigram, worship etc. for setting up an SEZ a close ally of CPI(M), CPI. the peasants throughout the country with the Salims, the infamous According to Act 9/77 passed in Ruthless suppression of are coming forward to resist illegal Indonesian monopoly house, as the 1977, land so appropriated could democratic movements – land grab in form or the other by the promoter to house a chemical hub not be sold to any third party and in common feature various state governments and a that many including experts fear case of any instance of violation of Such brutal killing and inhuman fresh wave of democratic mass would cause serious environmental this provision is noticed, it was torture of peasants, workers and movement is surging forth. pollution to destroy the very mandatory on the state government toiling people at large by different Khammam peasants have also been ecological balance of this greenbelt. to recover the land and restore to governments has become a regular spurred by that. When the people fearing original assignee i.e. the landless feature in the country. Not only commencement of the land grab any peasants or reassume the same for violent oppression even massacres Double standard of CPI(M) time began to agitate under the distribution to landless poor. are being perpetrated by almost all The CPI(M) leaders have hauled banner of ‘Bhumi Uchhed Protirodh However, the Congress government the governments run by the parties the Congress-led Andhra Pradesh Committee’ (Committee for who has been trumpeting with all or combinations subserving government on its coals over the resisting eviction from land), a joint sound and fury its “iconoclastic bourgeois class interest irrespective Mudogonda (Khammam) incident. platform built up by them for achievement in providing housing to of hues to muzzle voice of protest. They have charged that the police conducting organized struggle to each and every poor in the state” With accentuation of savage attack instead of aiming below the waist, resist such a hostile takeover of land instead of acting as per law has been on every walk of life by the opened fire right into the unarmed that would evict them from their selling such land on commercial exploitative capitalist rule, the peaceful demonstrators without any means of livelihood, hearth and basis to big wallets depriving the toiling people from all sections of provocation. Bullet marks on the home, the police alongwith armed poor peasants. In order to regularize the society are often bursting into surrounding walls bear testimony of anti-socials of the ruling CPI(M) such illegal allotments of land protests and developing democratic that. But to justify the police action, perpetrated a cowardly cloak-and earmarked for the poor to big mass movements on burning the Andhra government is spreading dagger attack first on the early moneybags and ruling party’s who’s problems tormenting them day in malicious disinformation that the morning of 7th January. That this who, the state government is also and day out. But the ruling CPI(M) cadre’s vandalisation and dastardly attack was deliberate and amending some of the provisions of bourgeoisie and its trusted political attack on the police led to the police pre-planned is evident from the fact the act. It is alleged that in outfits no matter whether they wave firing. They have also alleged that that just the previous day Benoy Hyderabad city alone, 8716.39 acres tri-colour or saffron, pretend to be since participation of women in the Konar, the CPI(M) central of assigned lands were in illegal messiahs of the dalits and the entire course of the struggle was committee, member, openly possession of 3830 individuals. backward communities, incite overwhelming, the police threatened in front of the media to With the prevalent market rate of regional or chauvinist passion, harp manhandled them, chased them, “surround Nandigram from three land estimated at around Rs 10 on religious sentiments, flaunt dragged them by hair, kicked and sides and knock the hell out of the crore an acre, the approximate value communal overtones or masquerade beat them mercilessly. The CPI(M) people’s lives.” Then on the black of the property comes to about Rs 1 as leftists-Marxists, are bent upon leaders claim that video recording morning of 14th March with few lakh crore. It is also reported that suppressing any legitimate people’s of this atrocity is available as proof thousands of armed police and para- the state Congress chief minister struggle by either coming down and also there is a growing military forces and shielded behind himself had to return assigned lands heavily baring all tooth and claw to groundswell of public sentiment them, the CPI(M) goons, illegally held by his family. All this teach the stirring masses a stringent demanding the chief minister’s brandishing arms and arsenals used irked the poor peasants of lesson or throwing a spanner in the resignation. No doubt, these by the police and clad in police Khammam who drawing inspiration people’s unity through fomenting allegations are all correct. But what uniform transgressing all norms of from the heroic struggles of Singur- various religious communal is incredibly paradoxical is that it is civility and humanity to engineer Nandigram took recourse to the path linguistic parochial, casteist or such the CPI(M) put on the dock by the one of the worst carnages the of movement to protect their other divisive mentalities. Be it countrymen for suppressing the Contd. on page 4 PAGE FOUR AUGUST 15, 2007 PROLETARIAN ERA Imperativeness of correct leadership on the people’s movement Contd. from page 3 project these heroic characters as and power, its endeavour has been to At the same time, it has also country has ever witnessed. It was embodiment of true human essence. break people’s struggles, dub such been the compulsion of narrow for the first time that ruling party- After Nandigram carnage, the struggles as ‘undemocratic’, ‘anti- election politics which make the controlled mafias under police CPI(M) leadership and its development’, ‘anarchic’ and even CPI(M) leaders to indulge in a protection were deployed to carry government in West Bengal were ‘a rebellion against the state’, convoluted if not circuitous exercise out such bestial assault on the charged by the countrymen of dissuade the workers from launching to set upon Khammam against struggling masses. Several were deliberately letting loose police- any effective movement against the Nandigram. In order to stay afloat in killed, hundreds inflicted grievous armed party hooligans combine on monopolist owners under the garb of the people’s imagination as a leftist injuries and maimed, small children the peaceful unarmed villagers ‘maintaining industrial peace, party for reaping electoral benefits, were butchered, torn apart in front without any provocation increasing productivity and co- it poses itself in the states it is not of their mothers. In addition and whatsoever and directing the operating with the management for in power as self-styled leader of over and above the dastardly attackers to open fire aiming at the accelerating development’ and thus political agitations pointing at killings, numberless women were upper segment of the body strongly pitch for class harmony certain misdeeds of the incumbent mercilessly gang-raped, subjected to seemingly with the intention of against class struggle. Not only that. governments albeit ensuring that bestial sexual assault. Live footages killing. The people also seethed in Like any other bourgeois party such such movements remain arrested of this unprovoked savagery on rage to witness for the first time as the Congress, BJP or their allies, within the precincts of unarmed peaceful protesters beamed that ruling party-controlled mafias the CPI(M) too carrying a signboard parliamentary politics. Knowing across all households to send chill under police protection were of Marxism-Leftism is sparing no fully well that creating some down their spines. But Nandigram deployed to carry out such bestial brutal means or savage machinations pressure on the Congress would people remained unbending. assault on the struggling masses and to ruthlessly suppress legitimate enhance their bargaining capacity Sacrificing life, shedding blood, enact one of the most horrific democratic mass movements in the with it in the coming assembly and braving all odds, disdaining all carnages. The CPI(M) leadership states it is in power and is in turn parliamentary elections as well as attacks, economic blockade and also received severe indignation showered with an avalanche of other local polls in the state, the other odds stacked against them the and condemnation for having praise and encomiums from the CPI(M) and its associate CPI have Nandigram people firmly held perpetrated one of the most heinous spokesperson of domestic as well as jumped in front of the struggling ground setting up a new example in crimes on the struggling women foreign monopolists. Khammam peasants. This is more the annals of democratic mass first at Singur and the on a much In view of this the obvious evident on the fact that the CPI(M) movement and organized people’s wider scale and dastard at question that is arising in the mind and CPI have not hesitated to align power. In the face of this stiff mass Nandigram, subjecting them to of the right-thinking people is what with the TDP of Chandrababu resistance, the CPI(M) government gang-rape, bestial sexual assault so prompted the CPI(M) leadership to Naidu which till the other day was a had to retreat and abandon plan to as to force them bend down suddenly rush to Khammam to pose partner of NDA led by a communal establish SEZ at Nandigram. But disgraced, their morale is lost and itself as self-styled commander of party like BJP so that if the electoral there is no let up on the part of the they dare not come forward in any the struggling peasants and beat prospect of TDP brightens because CPI(M) and its government in their mass movement anywhere in future. battle-drum? of anti-incumbency factor, they arm-twisting operation to break the But what is to be noted is, even would have channel open for movement. There is continuous today, the CPI(M) leaders are Using Khammam to distract forging an overt or covert tie-up bombing and firing by the armed openly saying in the electronic and attention, reap electoral with it in the name of third front CPI(M) criminals under police print media that they are “not even advantage alliance. But at the same time they protection from the criminals’ a bit ashamed for what happened in The reason is not very far to do not intend to embarass the camps erected in and around Nandigram.” seek. Nandigram people did not Congress much over the issue either. Nandigram to sustain a reign of It ought not to escape one’s relent. Sacrificing life, shedding This becomes evident when the terror and intimidation and in the notice that the CPI(M) leaders blood, braving all odds, disdaining CPI(M) state secretary makes it name of rehabilitating the while taking a pot-shot at the all attacks, economic blockade and clear that his party only wants the ‘displaced’, push inside the Congress for the Khammam other odds stacked against them the issue to be discussed on the notorious criminals and anti-socials brutality practically mimicked all Nandigram people firmly held assembly floor and is keen to see in greater numbers to stoke fresh the charges levelled against them by ground setting up a new example in the Congress government secures violence. As per latest reports, the the people of the land for the annals of democratic mass ‘people’s appreciation’ for its CPI(M) leaders are assembling large masterminding and executing the movement and organized people’s action. (People’s Democracy, 22-07- number of criminals from various Nandigram carnage. To defend power. In the face of this stiff mass 07) This is the intent and object of parts of the state and equipping itself against the criticism of resistance, the despotic CPI(M) the CPI(M) in being in the forefront them with sophisticated weaponry effecting a studiously calculated rulers had to retreat and abandon of the Khammam movement. to mount a fresh yet more ferocious somersault at Khammam, the plan to establish SEZ at Nandigram. The question that follows next attack on Nandigram any day, any CPI(M) leadership is out to prove Hence this movement has become a and is agitating the minds of the time. So the resistance struggle is that while land struggle in Andhra thorn in their neck and so are they well-meaning people is of on. Every conscientious person in Pradesh is democratic that of haunted by a pressing need to paramount importance and the country including those till the Nandigram is undemocratic. Hence distract people’s attention from significance. What then, they are in other day were with the CPI(M) they contend that though police Nandigram even if that warrants an awe to make out, will be the have come out heavily on the party action at Khammam is illegal and stooping to heightened ludicrous- future of the peasants’ struggle at and its government for this heinous atrocious, all cruelty, inhumanity ness. So, as a means for remission of Khammam as well as such other crime and expressed full solidarity and barbarity perpetrated on the sin and salvaging the totally sullied movements in the states CPI(M) is with the valiant Nandigram Nandigram peasants are justified. image, they rushed to Khammam to not in power if the rein is in the peasants. The countrymen have People of the country have been pose before the people how CPI(M)’s hands? bowed their heads in respect for the witness to the fact that the CPI(M) concerned they are for the oppressed brave women of Singur-Nandigram, leadership true to its social- peasants and in the process get an All important question of placed them in the altar of high democratic character has for long escape route by passing on the revolutionary leadership esteem for setting up a high shunned the path of movement. diabolism at Nandigram on to It is for this reason that standard of fighting morality and Rather, in order to curry favour Khammam relegating Nandigram to Comrade Shibdas Ghosh, our dignity and exhorted upon all to with the ruling bourgeoisie for pelf the backseat. Contd. on page 6 PROLETARIAN ERA AUGUST 15, 2007 PAGE FIVE Thirty years of CPI(M)-rule in West Bengal — Claims and Realities [ Continued from last issue ] misappropriated and the Keeping aside the figurative disgrace for West Bengal. It has Under the Left Front government turns a deaf ear to the exactitude, we may point out that come up 2nd in respect of rapes government, tea industry has nearly appeal of the workers, is it the reality shows, that these IT perpetrated, next only to Madhya arrived at the precipice, with owners believable at all that the government units, mostly call-centres dependent Pradesh! Nor are children safer in shutting down gardens one after the stands for workers’ welfare? upon jobs of foreign offices and the LF-run West Bengal. Calcutta other. Considering 277 registered According to the Finance directed at outsourcing of labour, Police has quoted information tea gardens in the state and not less Department report the government are turning out to be seats of the provided by National Crime Record than 9 lakhs (i.e. 900,000) of has already ordered its various height of exploitation of their Bureau to show that the number of workers (3 lakhs regular, 6 lakh departments not to appoint any employees. These MNCs make children kidnapped in each year casual) meaning nearly 45 lakhs of casual employees. As reported by the their employees toil like virtual between 2000 and 2005, were 74, people of their families involved, media (Ananda Bazar Patrika, May slaves, depriving them of their basic 86, 94, 32, 49 and 102, respectively. the picture is least to say 23, 2005) the government has plans trade union rights including those to Cases of children kidnapped have devastating. The Jalpaiguri District to allocate resources in development form union etc. The government been on the rise. It would be Health Department itself has sector by reducing staff strength and claiming to be the guarantor of relevant to repeat here, that West acknowledged that in the closed tea- salary bills. A committee appointed workers’ rights in reality assures the Bengal occupies the 8th position in gardens of the Dooars, between by the state government for the industrialists, both national and respect of infant death ratio, which January 2006 and 31st March 2007, reform of State Electricity Board foreign, that W.B offers an was 51.4% in 2003 in villages. 571 labourers died in 455 days declared 10,000 employees as ambience of zero labour problem, According to statistics provided by (more than one person a day) out of surplus and advised the government permitting “hire and fire policy”, the Central Statistical Organisation, starvation and malnutrition. to axe them through ‘early and “7-day working week” etc. in 2000, the percentage of people West Bengal reportedly ranks separation scheme’ or ‘voluntary Is West Bengal a place where living under poverty level is first again in the whole country, in retirement scheme’ by starting the woman are assured of their safety 27.02%, while in India as a whole it misappropriation of Provident Fund process with 30% reduction of them and security ? Cases of harassment is 26.10%. In this count, West (PF) money of workers. Not only as early as possible (A.B.P., March and assault on women ranging from Bengal occupies the 10th position that, there is also the precedence of 4, 2004). Yet, the survey conducted eve-teasing to dowry deaths, social behind Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, killing a labour in protest in in the various departments by the ostracisation, rape and murder Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Murshidabad. Just as private government itself revealed that in threaten the life and security of Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, owners are perpetrators so is the 2003-04 in 29 out of 54 departments, women be they urban or rural Tamil Nadu. Significant it is to note government itself. Reportedly (vide 45,000 out of a total of 1,74,000 inhabitants. This is confirmed by that for states like Haryana and Ananda Bazar Patrika, May 6, (nearly 25%) posts lay vacant. National Crime Record Bureau Punjab which cannot boast of any 2007) the RSP, itself a front partner, Again, according to West report which reveals that under 30 ‘progressive left rule’ like West has alleged that in about 700 Bengal Headmasters’ Association year-old LF regime West Bengal has Bengal, the percentages are 8.74 government companies, the PF and Report : “72,000 posts of teachers ranked 1st in trafficking of underage and 6.16 respectively. gratuity of workers amounting to lie vacant in primary, secondary and girls (in 2005, 88% under-age girls With people thus robbed of nearly 400 crores have been higher secondary schools in the trafficked for brothels were from food, education, health and misappropriated . state.” West Bengal: Dainik Statesman, employment facilities and life of While crores of rupees of The IT-savvy CM takes pride in June 16, 2007). This report has also men and women endangered under workers’ PF account in jute and tea providing 500,000 professionals revealed that in 2005, officially ever-increasing socio-economic and industries have been with job in 250 IT organisations. recorded number of trafficked political oppression, law and order women was 5908. Police report situation can hardly be expected to shows at least 6 times more women ensure security and safety desired. were trafficked than those recorded To say the least, authorities to (Dainik Statesman , June 16, 2007). enforce law and order, i.e. the police In reality therefore, the number of and administration are more often women trafficked in 2005 reaches than not instruments of oppression the staggering figure of 35,448. themselves used to serve the interest Crime in India Statistics revealed of the rulers. yet another tale of shame and To be concluded

More than 30,000 Anganwadi workers and helpers from all over the country participated in the massive ‘March to Parliament’ held on July 25, 2007 in Delhi under the auspices of Joint Platform of Action (JPA) to press its six point charter of demands including ‘Recognition of Anganwadi workers Comrade Manik Mukherjee, Central Staff, SUCI (second from left) and helpers government employees’ ‘Provision of Social Scurity’, etc. Above a along with leaders from other countries on the dais of the portion of the huge gathering All India Conference of Anganwadi workers and international confrence against imperialist globalization and helpers was held on July 26 . aggression held in Beirut, Lebanon on July 12 to 14. PAGE SIX AUGUST 15, 2007 PROLETARIAN ERA Country observes Comrade Shibdas Ghosh Memorial Day Contd. from page 1 thoughts of Comrade Ghosh and the existence of various parties and Comrade Tapas Dutta, Central presenting to the common people, at politics of SUCI, the party founded forces going by the banner and Committee Member and Secretary least a fraction of the vast treasure by him. It remained open till the signboard of Marxism- Leninism. of Orissa State Committee, SUCI, of knowledge and guidelines Fifth August. In his inaugural He also indicated that the addressing it as the main speaker. covering different aspects of life speech, Comrade Dasgupta continuing struggle of SUCI with The meeting was held at Jaydev and revolutionary struggle. The summarized the nature and thoughts of Shibdas Ghosh as the Bhawan, Bhubaneswar on August 5, exhibition arranged in a temporary importance of the lifelong struggle beacon and weapon is fast creating 2007 and was presided over by pandel in the heart of the city drew of Comrade Shibdas Ghosh in deep inroads into the mass mind Comrade Binapani Das, Member streams of common people, venting founding the genuine Communist throughout the country; thoughts of Orissa State Committee. In his out their eagerness to know the party on Indian soil, in the face of Comrade Ghosh are also being address, Comrade Dutta elaborately received with great enthusiam and outlined how Comrade Ghosh seriousness by communists of overcame many hurdles to establish different countries of the world, a genuine communist party in India. who are rendering his works into Again he added that in the post- their own vernaculars. Lenin era Comrade Ghosh enriched Here, for shortage of space, we and analyzed Marxism from various give reports of only the memorial angles with a view to broadening meetings held in Bhubaneswar and and illumining the road to the world Calcutta. proletarian revolution in the Complex situation prevailing today. Bhubaneswar, Orissa Practicing a real commune life and Shibdas Ghosh Memorial Day identifying himself with the party and revolution Comrade Ghosh Comrade Sukomal Dasgupta inaugurating the Exhibition of Quotations was observed by the Orissa State from the works of Comrade Shibdas Ghosh in Calcutta of August 3 Committee of the party, with Contd. on page 7

oppression would again and again Pitching Khammam against Nandigram come in movement. There will be Contd. from page 5 contrary, the political tricksters movement, keep a close watch on more lathicharges, bursting of leader, teacher and guide and one of usurped all the sacrifices of the the course and direction of the teargas shells or indiscriminate the foremost Marxist thinkers of the people to make parliamentary movement and try to figure out who firing. More lives might be sniffed era has repeatedly stressed on the careers, assume ministerial chairs was gaining out of these out, more people will be maimed, imperativeness of establishing and become political big shots. movements—the struggling masses rendered cripple. Beastly savagery correct leadership on the When the common notion in the or some career-seeking political will rave wild on many more movements to take them to their sixties and seventies was that the touts. Was it that the in the process mothers and sisters. But the aspired logical culmination. He pointed out CPI(M) as the largest left party was of growth and development of the outcome would remain ever that both under foreign domination poised to provide leadership to the movements, there was consolidation eluding. as well as the rule of the national people’s struggles, Com. Ghosh of people’s real political power or The current scenario only bourgeoisie after transfer of power gave pointer that though the CPI(M) the compromising forces including vindicates the correctness of his through compromise, the people had remained intermingled with the the pseudo-Marxists like the brilliant analysis and apprehension. faced with mounting onslaught on peasants’ and workers’ movements, CPI(M) were keeping the agitations In order to develop these movements their life and livelihood had burst with the passage of time, it, despite arrested within four walls of coherently and with necessary forth in the field of movement. They loud drumbeating about movement, parliamentary politics and thereby compactness along the correct track, joined the struggles en masse, was actually averse to movement. treacherously squeezing the people elevate the political consciousness of fought for realizing genuine Its compromising character and into trepid submission to the class the people, educate them about the demands, faced bullet-baton of the treachery to the cause of the interest of the ruling bourgeoisie? methodology required to organize a rulers, did not hesitate to make movement were fast getting So Com. Ghosh exhorted that unless protracted united disciplined heroic sacrifices including supreme exposed. Particularly after having the movements are led by correct determined struggle to face the sacrifices. But in absence of correct tasted power in late sixties, the aim revolutionary leadership, mount on police-military and other coercive leadership, all these suffered of the CPI(M) had been to anyhow the edifice of higher proletarian machinations of the ruling class, setbacks, ended halfway, abruptly emerge endearing to the ruling class ethics and culture, they can not insulate the struggles from all generating more frustration and and run after its share in the booty. grow and develop morally and divisive, destabilizing and despair than anything else. The vote-seeking CPI(M) leaders culturally in such a manner that they enfeebling mentalities and Elaborating on this issue, he said were only on the look out as how could have the requisite grit to fight, tendencies that might creep from that the people had fought earlier best they could appropriate the foster firmness of character, courage within, it is imperative to conduct and would continue to do so in fruits of people’s stir and agitations of the cadres and offer resistance in these struggles under correct future as well. Sometimes the in terms of ballot. Having already the event of armed onslaught, give revolutionary leadership with a base people’s movements might gather sunk in corruption, the CPI(M), if birth to political power of the political line of anti-capitalist momentum sometimes it might assumed power, would not only people right from the grass root to revolution. We call upon the remain relatively subdued, slow- backstab movement but would bring the highest level and in the process Khammam peasants as well as the paced. But if these movements just about further ruin and disaster. become conducive to the ultimate toiling people of the country remained agitational in character, Waving red flag, it would join the struggle of overthrowing capitalism, countrymen to draw lessons from purported to hot up the election bourgeois bandwagon to take the the root of all evils. But if the aspect history, imbibe the essence of the market and end up at ballot box, country to doom. That is why Com. of steering and gearing the imperativeness of correct leadership, could that bring any tangible Ghosh wanted everyone not to be movements under correct leadership search out the genuine revolutionary outcome in either developing swayed by catchy slogans or remains unresolved, it would only force, be organized under its political consciousness of the deceivingly rally behind the forces generate more frustration, stewardship and build up their people or even bringing some relief of compromise looking at their strengthen reaction. Deprived, legitimate struggles accordingly by to the accentuated privation and apparent strength but to be ever destitute, starving masses being identifying the genuine misery of the people? On the agile while in the vortex of unable to bear the gruelling revolutionary force. PROLETARIAN ERA AUGUST 15, 2007 PAGE SEVEN Keep alive the struggle for attaining communist character

Contd. from page 2 this stifling condition. No doubt we who did not see Shibdas Ghosh, did examination and scrutiny. I will also Marxist-Leninist party. Through the too develop movements for bringing not come in his contact. It is ask you, in fact I will repeat the process of conducting continuous about some relief from this incumbent on them to learn about words of Shibdas Ghosh that do not dialectical discussions and debates, suffocation but our main struggle is him, his life struggle from us, from accept my words as well without he developed the correct aimed at overthrowing the capitalist the leaders of the party. One can not any rational judgment. Accept them understanding of all these aspects system. Our goal is to establish separate Comrade Ghosh’s thoughts only after convincing yourselves of and thus provided inspiration for dictatorship of the proletariat by from his life struggle. They are one the impeccable logic and reason embracing the struggle. You should smashing the prevailing capitalist and the same. It was in the process contained in them. Only then will keep in mind that nobody can be as state structure through revolution. of a firm, arduous and unwavering you be able to stand on your feet; disciplined as the cadres of a With a clear understanding of all struggle covering all aspects of life, will be able to build up the very revolutionary party are. They are these essential aspects of revolution, by way of conducting relentless framework of your character; create well- disciplined, perseverant and each and every leader, organizer and class struggle that he emerged as a an appropriate base for the positive industrious. They can lay down their cadre of the party must build his self giant communist authority. His traits of your character to flourish, life for the cause of revolution. with necessary grit and thoughts have grown in course of identify a source of deriving There are people who can give their determination to prove equal to the conducting these struggles – not requisite strength and bent of mind life for many different reasons. But task. This can never be possible clutched out of any imaginative to wade through the hazards. Thus overnight does not emerge that unless there is a conscious struggle, flight. He has left before us such an you build the structure of your valiant a character who being fully relentless cultivation of ideology example of historic struggle. Our character in such a way that you aware of the revolutionary purpose and attainment of a higher task is to acquaint ourselves with reach a stage from where you can comes forward to lay down his life, proletarian character. this struggle in its every bit and to direct your actions, release your voluntarily and smilingly. Only Comrade Ghosh repeatedly cultivate the learnings in our own initiatives based on your own through the process of a relentless warned that it would be highly life. realizations bereft of any borrowed; conscious struggle are born such incorrect to assume that if one I will end my address with those fake or false notion. I do not know gallant soldiers of revolution. attains through struggle a particular words of Shibdas Ghosh I referred if I could make myself clear to you. As you find, today the party has standard of character, he would to at the outset. He used to tell the Judge my words and accept them grown big. It has spread its wings to never slide down from that height. party workers not to accept anything only if you find them to be true. the different states. Not just party Because, while we have been as gospel truth just because he had With these words, I end my organizations, even different class striving for freeing ourselves from said it. He always wanted them to discourse today. and mass organizations of the all sorts of filths and aberrations and judge his analyses on the yardstick Red Salute peasants-sharecroppers- agricultural are able to gain some success as of reason and accept only when they Comrade Shibdas Ghosh! labourers, workers, students, youth well in this respect, certain found it be true after such close Long Live SUCI! or women as well as cultural and weaknesses are creeping into us other organizations have come up through conscious or unconscious alongwith that. Apart from English, routes. Knowingly or unknowingly, Comrade Shibdas Ghosh Memorial Day Hindi and Bengali, party organs are we suffer from so many a weakness being published in almost all centering on our own self, spouse or Contd. from page6 responsible. The resolution was regional languages. All through this children. These weaknesses bring created a adopted by the house. Leaders of vast and wide spread of the party, rot to our character. It is, therefore, bright the party and comrades of different the sense of discipline spurring the a great offense to neglect even example and local committees and mass party workers to initiate party work trifles of our individual character suggested organizations of SUCI garlanded the is founded on a conscious and take them casually. Even mere the scientific portrait of Comrade Shibdas Ghosh. realization of the revolutionary alertness is not sufficient to arrest way to be- purpose. It is not that they are the fall. It necessitates conduction come a true Calcutta, West Bengal functioning mechanically, like of ceaseless conscious struggle at communist. In the afternoon, under a heavily machines. Sense of strict discipline every moment of life. In our Comrade overcast sky with monsoon showers and stringent regulatory compliance individual life, there will be various Dutta called poring down once and often, a upon the also work within the mercenary family relations, relations with Comrade Tapas Dutta mammoth gathering of over a lakh armies. But do those stem from any spouse or children. Should we common of people assembled at Rani ideological conviction? No, never. ignore or renounce the soft delicate people, workers and supporters of Rasmani Avenue, the venue at the From the very beginning they are so feelings and mental faculties like the party to take pledge from the heart of Calcutta which finally wore mechanically trained up that they do love, care or compassion? No, not instance of Comrade Ghosh to the look of a sea of humanity, not hesitate to become cruel or that. Only we should remain ever build themselves up as true solemn and determined, yet perpetrate any kind of torture. They agile so that nurturing these tender communists and to carry on ebullient with emotion. Leaders of feel no qualms in undertaking any feelings does not enfeeble us and relentless struggle to overthrow the the Central Committee and the kind of hated activities. Theirs is a we are in a position to cherish them capitalist economic system and pave West Bengal State Committee typically mechanical character. As impersonally. the way to establish socialism. present on the occasion, as also opposed to that, the revolutionary Comrade Ghosh thus made all The meeting was also addressed leaders and representative comrades characters are highly sensitive, efforts throughout his life to build by Comrade Raghunath Das, of different district and local tender but steadfast in sense of up every leader and cadre of the member, Orissa State Committee of committees, mass organizations, discipline and duty. party as revolutionary and in course the party. Comrade Ajaya Kuanr central Party organs, and In this era of decadent moribund of that spent himself up bit by bit to moved a resolution against spurious Proletarian Era as also other imperialism-capitalism, people are the last. We must recollect that with drugs and female foeticide-murder publications and organs paid their dying of hunger, starvation, lack of due reverence. Many of us have issue that created a great concern floral tributes to the great leader of medical care. A fair dose of relief been fortunate enough to come in among the people of Orissa and the proletariat. A well decorated and work or some reformist activities contact with him; enjoy his living Comrade Uddhab Jena, State disciplined guard of honour parade will not solve their basic problems. association. Of course, everybody Committee member of SUCI was held by the members of the So long as the capitalist system will did not have that opportunity. There supported it, demanding exemplary KOMSOMOL, the young prevail, there will be no respite from are many comrades present here punishment of the persons Contd. on page 8 Regd. No. 13932/67 Postal Regd. No. SSRM/KOL/RMS/WB/RNP-145/2007-09 P. R. (FGN) No. SSRM/KOL/RMS/WB/RNP-145/FGN-036/2007-09 Country observes Comrade Shibdas Ghosh Memorial Day Contd. from page 7 revolutionary leadership behind was frustrated as it had communist wing of the party. them. Even after the heinous attack- the rightist force like Comrade Manik Mukherji, killing-rape they had faced from the Trinamul Congress at Central Staff and member, West CPI(M) led government, its police the helm with a Bengal State Secretariat, presided and goons, people of Nandigram strength greater than over the meeting. In his short speech, have not lost their courage and ours there. This is Comrade Mukherji showed that the determination. Comrade Provas because they view the dream of Indian people for Ghosh pointed out that SUCI did not movements only as emancipation from exploitation was join the all-party meeting convened stepstones to their shattered with the Indian capitalists- by CPI(M) to bring back peace at parliamentary ends. On monopolists leading the Nandigram. ‘It was a ploy of the contrary, independence struggle and then CPI(M), which will talk of peace on Nandigram is still assuming power with independence. one side and prepare to attack and beaming with militant Emergence of a genuine communist take hold of Nandigram forcibly on fervour with SUCI Comrade Ranjit Dhar placing wreath at the Statue of party was absolutely necessary for the other’: this was the warning, playing a vital role Comrade Shibdas Ghosh at the Study Centre of emancipation of the Indian people— SUCI gave at that time. Recent there. Comrade Ghosh Marxism-Leninism-Shibdas Ghosh Thought at Ghatsila. this was the realization with which developments towards CPI(M) made it clear that a revolutionary are not driven by pragmatism, by Comrade Ghosh initiated his life- preparing for fresh attacks on build up mass movements with two consideration of prospects of some struggle. SUCI was the living Nandigram prove the veracity of objectives. The immediate aim may immediate gains, by thoughts of outcome and expression of that what SUCI envisaged on the strength be realization of certain demands, losing one parliamentary seat or struggle. After independence, left of Marxism-Leninism-Shibdas while the ultimate aim is fixed at other; we place more emphasis on and democratic movement rose high Ghosh thoughts. Naked duplicity of organizing masses on the correct revolutionary necessity that entails in West Bengal with people’s zeal CPI(M) has become further evident base political line of revolution, emancipation of people from all and craving for a society free of imbibed with lofty cultural kinds of exploitation through exploitation acting as a driving standards that go beyond petty revolutionary transformation of the force. Yet there were always two immediate gains only. The aim also society. We have as our beacon the kinds of movements, one longing includes developing people’s own revolutionary teachings of Comrade merely for the parliamentary power instruments of struggle in the form Shibdas Ghosh which state among and the other for building up of struggle committees. All these are others, that the carnel of any noble people’s movement to end finally in cumulatively directed towards ideology lies in its culture, in the revolutionary struggles. SUCI, on preparing the masses for the cultural-ethical standard reflected the strength of Comrade Ghosh’s ultimate revolutionary struggle for by its leaders, cadres and even by thoughts and leadership, was the Comrade Provas Ghosh emancipation from exploitation. the masses fighting under its only party that fought for the second when they speak for the peasants Nandigram serves as an example leadership. Thus even after so objective. Presently too, SUCI has movements at Khammam in Andhra how such attempts take shape at its much of sufferings, Nandigram taken every pain to organize Pradesh being in opposition there, initial phases. people lead perfectly normal life peasants’ movement at Singur and while try to crush them in West In this connection, Comrade with no untoward incident taking particularly at Nandigram, with this Bengal, where they are in power, Provas Ghosh further elaborated place within that ravaged locality, objective and by helping people with a view to making room for SEZ that CPI(M) is fast being isolated still recuperating from the grievous form their own struggle committees for monopolists on fertile farm lands. from the common people of the wounds inflicted by the hounds like imbibed with high morale and values It exposes the typical social state at large, urban or rural. the police and the goons under the to carry forward their struggles. democratic character of the party, an Sensing this, the ruling capitalists, patronage of the ruling party. In presence of a host of Central identity Comrade Shibdas Ghosh aided by a major section of the Comrade Provas Ghosh also Committee and West Bengal State analyzed long back, which now media, are cunningly raising the dealt at length with how, in course Committee leaders, Comrade Provas drives them to work solely for slogan of fighting ‘one to one’ in of its development and Ghosh, member, Central Committee parliamentary power, by serving forthcoming elections, by forging a consolidation since independence, and Secretary, West Bengal State nakedly the monopolists of the land unity of all forces against CPI(M) Indian capitalism has assumed the Committee rose as the scheduled and abroad and by crushing people’s and with a view to bringing a character of imperialism and how in main speaker of the meeting. He democratic movements ruthlessly. crushing defeat to CPI(M). But this this age of acute economic crisis of recounted the arduous lifelong They even refuse to properly is a very reactionary effort, which world capitalism-imperialism it has struggle of Comrade Shibdas Ghosh investigate Nandigram massacre, means the betrayal of people’s plunged into unassailable crisis for founding the Socialist Unity punish those responsible for murder cause, particularly for the people of bringing about intense unemploy- Centre of India as the revolutionary and rape, or those who have tried all Nandigram or Singur who have ment, poverty, total cultural party of the Indian proletariat means to wipe off evidences even by suffered immensely in the degradation for the masses, while following the Marxist- Leninist tampering hospital records. On the movement. Their whole sacrifice, the Indian monopolists now teachings and principles laid down contrary even a government run by their courage and determination compete with monopolists of other by the great leaders of proletariat. He Congress in AP have announced will be dragged into the dead end of countries, buy corporates abroad at pointed out that the relentless compensation for the families of parliamentarianism, with rightist huge costs and thereby earn places endeavour of SUCI on the strength firing victims, which CPI(M) flatly forces like Trinamul Congress and among the richest of the world. of Shibdas Ghosh’s thoughts, have refuses for the Nandigram or Singur others reaping their harvest in Hence, the common toiling people instilled the peasants’ movements, victims. enjoying power and pelf. Inspired can not think of their emancipation such as at Nandigram in particular, While hailing the struggles of by Comrade Shibdas Ghosh’s without overthrowing this with the high morale and peasants of both Singur and thoughts and struggle, SUCI stands capitalism from the state power of determination that can only be Nandigram, Comrade Provas Ghosh against such attempts; we have a India through anti-capitalist socialist expected when they have a genuine showed that the movement at Singur different culture, different goal. We revolution. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF : NIHAR MUKHERJEE Edited & Published by Sukomal Dasgupta from 48 Lenin Sarani, 700 013 and printed by him at Ganadabi Printers and Publishers Private Limited, 52B, Indian Mirror Street, Kolkata 700013. Phone : 2249-1828, 2244-2234 E-mail : [email protected] Website : www.suci.in