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Vol. 74 No. 50 Heralds a New Year With January 5, 2020 Songs of Azaadi The Real Tukde-Tukde Gang Dilip Simeon Samrat Chakrabarti The Struggle for India's Democracy It began simply and without changed instinctively. The young Is Only Just Beginning Prem Shankar Jha fuss. On the night that Jamia Millia men gathered in a protective ring End the Reign of Terror in Islamia was attacked, ten women around the women and the Shaheen Uttar Pradesh Immediately walked out of their homes and onto Bagh Protest was born. Poets: Ridic-ulous to Paint Faiz's the road next door that connects More women joined, more men 'Hum Dekhenge' as Anti-Hindu with Uttar Pradesh with a came, a tent was pitched and when During the Quit India Movement, resolve not to move, come what may. the crowd got large, a raised stage RSS was in Bed with Muslim League These women who describe was erected from where the young, Shamsul Islam themselves as jahil and uneducated, the old, men, women and children Six Numbers the Modi Government Did Not Want You to Know in 2019 like the 90-year-old great grandma began to learn about the Indian Jahnavi Sen being asked to prove that she is constitution and the long fight to ‘My Darling Daughter!’ Indian or the 55-year-old mother protect it. Baldev Singh Mann who educated her son only to find In public meetings everywhere, World's 500 Richest People Gained that he has no prospects or the young whenever there is a crowd facing $1.2 Trillion in Wealth in 2019 woman staring at an uncertain future a stage, there is always a politics Jake Johnson with a 20-day-old baby—are still that surrounds the raised platform New Govt in Argentina Passes Measures to Alleviate Socio-Economic Crisis sitting there as you read this, through that faces the crowd. This politics is Tanya Wadhwa a bitterly cold Delhi December, in not just about what is said, but also Editor : G. G. Parikh defense of the Constitution and in a access—who is seen, who addresses fight they call—kalam ki ladai. the crowd, for how long and in what Associate Editor : Neeraj Jain A few hours earlier on that order. The manch at Shaheen Bagh day and on that road, there had too has a politics and in spirit and Managing Editor : Guddi been a protest composed of few practice, it’s as resolutely democratic Editorial Board : hundred young men against the new and chaotic as this country. B. Vivekanandan, Qurban Ali, citizenship law. But it couldn’t last. Over the last 18 days and nights Anil Nauriya, Sonal Shah, The protest quickly devolved into that the protest has gone on, the Amarendra Dhaneshwar, a showdown with the Delhi police Shaheen Bagh manch has played host Sandeep Pandey involving stones from one side and to poets and professors, housewives rubber bullets from the other. and elders, civil society groups and D-15, Ganesh Prasad, But when the 10 women, with civic leaders, actors and celebrities Naushir Bharucha Marg, their boys in tow, walked out on and of course students—from Jamia, - 400 007. to the road and found a spot a little JNU to the local government school. Email : [email protected] away from the footbridge where the Everyday there are speeches and Website:www.janataweekly.org violence had taken place, the nature, lectures but also shayari and rap. tone and meaning of the protest At Shaheen Bagh, the announcers’ 2 JANATA, January 5, 2020

primary task at any given point Rameez, 22, studying B-Com in with his family. One Sikh man has been to simply streamline the DU who says, “We work in teams showed up with food and supplies number of people jostling to speak. to make sure there is no trouble on the second day,” says Rameez. And this includes women who here. Once we were alerted about Rizwan says that support has are rarely seen out, never mind a bunch of ABVP types trying to come from as far as to speak, in public. Sometimes the odd enter, but we very firmly and politely nearby non-Muslim colonies like politician shows up too, like Salman asked them to go somewhere else to Sarita Vihar and Jasola. “It’s not Khursheed once did. But they don’t ‘fix their phones’. You see all these a Muslim protest, this. Our non- stick around for long. showrooms that are closed along this Muslim friends and classmates from If the Shaheen Bagh stage has a road, we make sure that no part of nearby colonies help us everyday bias, it is towards women and those, their property—shutters, signages, and come in solidarity. They want from academia and elsewhere, who CCTV cameras—are touched. You’ll us to organise something similar can educate them not just on CAA– see ‘NO-CAA’ everywhere there.” NRC–NPR, but also the freedom but you won’t see a single one on When well-heeled outsiders from struggle, Ambedkar, Gandhi and the these shutters.” posh south Delhi come, residents ideas that animate the preamble to Mohammad Rizwan, 19, who of Shaheen Bagh sometimes thank the constitution. studies interior design at Jamia, says them, and they are thanked by these Next to the stage is a flowchart “Arrey, even the cops tell us they outsiders in return. ‘No-CAA’ and in Hindi explaining the connection are very happy with this protest. ‘no-NRC’ stickers are now found between CAA–NRC. A signboard We provide them with food, made everywhere from the local cafe, to directing traffic towards Noida has a place for them to sit and we even ATM doors to a briefly lived phase on been obscured by a large poster of made a makeshift toilet for them to Christmas Day when it was found on Ambedkar. use.” The protesters have left one of Santa Claus hats. Children run around The footbridge under which the lanes free to let in ambulances. the little streets shouting “Inquilab”, things had got violent on that first Rizwan adds, “On one of the “Azadi” and in one instance “Hindu– day, now serves as a pelmet to long days when we made way for an Muslim–Sikh sipahi”. banners that stream across and ambulance to get through, they Some of the older influential below. Even the grilled enclosure thanked us so profusely and said local organisers with political around the electricity transformer, they had never seen a protest that connections, finding themselves is now a people’s gallery of protest would do this.” outside the center, grumble with art and resistance poetry. Since the first morning after the resentment at real and imagined When the loudspeaker goes off women came out on to the streets, concerns. at midnight, people watch films food, tea, wood for fire, warm When they go to the cops for in the 2 degree cold. Like a BBC blankets, mattresses, heaters, water, help dismantling the protest, the cops documentary on detention centres medical supplies have reached tell them to handle it themselves. But or the 1981 film Lion of the Desert Shaheen Bagh from well wishers. the problem for them is that Shaheen which tells the story of how a Libyan Sometimes the husbands grumble Bagh is behind the protest. No one tribal leader, Omar Mukhtar, fought that there is no one to cook at home, dares speak to the women directly. Mussolini’s army. The message over but they are quickly shushed and And without a leader, who do they and over again is that this is not a they eat like the rest of Shaheen approach? ‘Hindu vs Muslim’ issue. Bagh on the street. Back at the tent, a few feet from If the women are the heart and “People refuse to take payment the stage is a 90-year-old woman soul of the Shaheen Bagh protest, from us,” says Rizwan. The stuff who speaks without her teeth. She their arms and legs have been a just appears from inside and outside says,” My son’s name is Faizan, his group of committed young men Shaheen Bagh. “These mall owners, father’s name is Imtiaz, his father’s who work in day and night shifts. who are both and Muslims, name was Fakhruddin, his father’s Their first duty has been security are suffering because their shops are name was Riyaz, his father’s name and keeping the peaceful integrity closed during season, but even they was Akbaruddin, let this Modi come of the protests. have come out in support. One of and ask me if I belong here. I’ll show Young men like Mohammad them comes everyday, sometimes him.” JANATA, January 5, 2020 3 The 55-year-old woman next to The Real Tukde-Tukde Gang her tells me, “When the poor like us have to move, we move with the Dilip Simeon clothes on our back and whatever we can carry. He is going to come and I write this primarily for the and prejudice—are leading us toward ask us for our papers? Enough. Now young protestors of today, as well extinction. Not toward military glory, every small thing he does we will be on the streets. This is desh ki ladai. If as those who might be confused by nor national greatness, but massive we stay silent now, we have to give the government’s (and the Sangh pollution of water, soil and air, death the almighty an accounting of our Parivar’s) propaganda. It is necessary and destruction. Give it up, it will silence. Better that I speak now and to see how ill-informed, illogical and not lead to a bright future, but only die in the land in which I was born. deceitful this propaganda is, because darkness. Modi eats a full meal and feels cold it is being propagated by responsible The Gujarat CM's observations in this winter. We eat namak and roti persons bent upon creating more illuminates the Sangh Parivar's view and we are burning with heat.” tension in Indian society. High of the world: nations are identified [Editor’s Note: That was written officials of state do not normally by religion, and anyone of xyz on December 31. In another article create hatred among those who religion can or will be at home in on Newsclick on January 1, Tarique have given them a mandate to rule. a country whose religion is the Anwar adds: But that is what we have come to same as theirs. This is nonsense, Getting high on the spirit of expect from this government. This is and flies against political reality. equality and relishing the taste the most cruel, deceitful and brutal (And do we even need to comment of justice, anti-CAA (Citizenship government of India that I have seen on his arithmetic: 150 countries for Amendment Act) protesters at in my life. And they mistake their Muslims to go to? Really?) Would a Shaheen Bagh and Jamia Millia cleverness for wisdom. I am posting Christian from Nigeria be at home in Islamia celebrated the beginning these comments to help my fellow say, Mexico (presuming he/she were of a new year in a unique way. As Indians see through this poisonous allowed to come and camp there)? the clock stuck 12, they rose to atmosphere. Why has the Trump administration sing national anthem, which was In my youth (most notably in debarred immigrants from Latin concluded with the revolutionary chants of 'Inquilab, Zindabad (long the year 1968) there was another American countries (most of whom live the revolution)’. worldwide uprising. One slogan must have been Christians) from Similarly, at Jamia Millia from the Berkeley campus remains seeking refuge in the USA? Is the Islamia, thousands of protesters relevant today: If you don't like UK's choice of Brexit an example comprising students and locals the news go out and make some of Christian solidarity? Doesn't it thronged varsity's gate number 7 to of your own. The current upsurge indicate that languages and cultures participate in 'The Azadi Night' (the in India is the biggest since 1974; are more important determinants of freedom night), a special programme and it also resonates with a mass nationality than religion? organised by the Jamia Coordination movement for action on global If there was any Islamic religious Committee to welcome 2020 with warming, for democracy and human solidarity, why would the Turkish revolutionary songs, speeches, rights everywhere. All political government ruthlessly oppress street plays and charged slogans action is not submerged in issues of Kurds? Why would the Kurdish and to register protest against the identity—look around you and see resistance fight against ISIS? Why controversial law. that there are other movements too. has the Saudi goverment launched a At the stroke of midnight, when Hong Kong and the Climate Strike, bloody war against Yemen? Are all many people were bursting crackers for example. Remember that the these countries' borders open to any and dancing to the different tunes HK popular protest has faced off a Muslim from anywhere? Why are in the pubs, restaurants and on the totalitarian regime. there 2.3 million Hindus in the USA? roads, the demonstrators present We need to overcome Why has the Hindu share of the US sang the national anthem.] divisiveness—remember, the politics population doubled in 10 years? (Samrat Chakrabarti is an that seek to play upon the worst The utterances of our leaders independent journalist.) human instincts, toward blind hatred have reached the depths of vulgarity 4 JANATA, January 5, 2020

and shamelessness. They regularly united. The Tsarist Empire of the 's infamous blasphemy law: refer to members of religious 19th century was held together not once someone is accused of being an minorities (especially Muslims) by religion but by loyalty to the Tsar. infiltrator, their life will be in ruins. and all those who criticise or oppose After its mid-century decline evident All this leads one to think about the them as sub-humans. The Home in the Crimean War, the government motives of the government. Why Minister of India referred to illegal adopted the policy of Russification; have they done this? migrants as termites during this meant to impose Russian language And their hatred of criticism is year’s election campaign (he was and Orthodox Christianity upon glaring. In September this year, Mr then president of the BJP). The the peoples of the multi-ethnic Modi went to the USA and shouted BJP Gujarat Secretary refers to empire. This attempt signified an “Abki baar Trump sarkar” at a rally; opponents of the CAB as insects. internal weakness, and led to greater but at home, a German student This kind of language is typical of tensions, which ended in the collapse is asked to leave the country for Nazis and racists. of the Empire in 1917. holding up a poster. Our Prime Minister, no less, Any attempt to impose religious I salute all the protesting tells us we can recognise protestors homogeneity as a determinant of students and youth, ask them to by their dress (when there are Indian citizenship, and political reach out and make alliances with lakhs of demonstrators who cannot uniformity upon Hindus to satisfy people young and old, with workers be identified by appearance, and the moronic utopia of the RSS is and peasants, families and friends. many of them are non-Muslims). bound to lead to social and political Remain non-violent, stand up for Why have they lost all shame? disintegration (the real tukde-tukde inclusive democracy, non-violent Why have they discarded even the gang are the people in power). The protest and a more humane and pretence of decency? Is this the RSS says it considers the entire sensible economy. Try and meet Sangh Parivar’s preferred culture? Indian population to be Hindu: and give moral and material help Is this the civilisational revival that suppose all of us are not agreeable to to people who have been injured or appeals to their followers? your definition, then what follows? traumatised by police action. Many It is blatantly false to say Violence and intimidation (note the will also need legal assistance. the people cannot be victims of tone of ownership)? Why should we A cautionary word: do not let persecution if they share a religion love only India's forests and rivers, ‘isms’, icons and partisan loyalty with the oppressors. Pakistan's and not the Amazon, the Pacific and hinder united action. There are history of full of examples of its the Arctic, all of which are in terrible bound to be differences about government persecuting Pakistani danger from global warming? Is capitalism and caste, community and Muslims—the prime example being there Hindu air, Hindu water, Hindu gender. Bhagat Singh, Ambedkar, the run-up to the emergence of earth? Why do you persist with Gandhi, Nehru, Subhas Bose etc., . Were not East Pakistanis this nonsense when the earth is on were great personages, but no one is (both Muslim and Hindu) murdered fire? We cannot nationalise God. or was infallible. We may carry on in thousands by the Pak military? Neither can we nationalise the air, a debate whilst remaining focussed Did not the Khalistanis murder the oceans, and time itself—and we on the issues before us. Democracy who opposed their politics? Was are running out of all three. India and socio-economic reforms are not Mahatma Gandhi murdered by does not need to follow the (failed) for living people, not those who a fanatic whom some of European concept of homogeneous have gone. Remember them, but the Sangh Parivar still revere as a nation-states. do not attach their names to yours. great patriot? Aside from arguments about Think for yourselves. This is my Nations cannot be identified identity, consider this: in a country considered advice after decades of by the religious affiliation of their where corruption is so widespread, political activism. citizens. The UK is headed toward at all levels, imagine what will Keep making news of your own! break-up, because sooner or later, happen when millions of poor people The world is watching. Scotland will attain independence; are asked to produce documentation and Northern Ireland will merge of residency etc. The whole scheme (Dilip Simeon formerly taught with the Irish Republic. Christianity will become a sinkhole of corruption, history at Ramjas College in Delhi, will not keep the UK united, just nay, extortion. In addition, it will and is presently visiting faculty at as Islam could not keep Pakistan become the Indian version of Ashoka University, Sonepat.) JANATA, January 5, 2020 5 The Struggle for India's Democracy Is Only Just Beginning

Prem Shankar Jha

On December 22, India reached that no Muslim born on Indian Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, a crossroad in its tortured journey soil needed to fear the CAA in the Uttarakhand, Karnataka, Goa towards nationhood. For the first slightest, because it was intended and Gujarat—behind him. His time in more than five years—and 17 to benefit victims of religious home minister, , had years, if we count his time as chief persecution in neighbouring thundered in response that the states’ minister of Gujarat—Prime Minister countries. His government had opposition was irrelevant because took a step back never said that it would turn away “citizenship is a central subject in from a policy that he had previously anyone who sought refuge from the constitution”. But both of them committed himself to. persecution in any of these countries. knew that with Article 356 of the On that day, in the middle of The purpose of the CAA was simply constitution virtually a dead letter a one-hour-and-37-minute speech to sniff out migrants who had entered after the Bommai judgment of 1994, at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi, he India surreptitiously in search of and administration in the hands declared that it had never been his work, or for any other nefarious of the states, there was little they government’s intention to create purpose. could do. a pan-Indian National Register The BJP’s setback in of Citizens (NRC) on the Assam The hope… Jharkhand—after those it had model. In fact, he claimed that his Was Modi’s assurance on an all- suffered in Maharashtra, and to government had never discussed a India NRC a pullback from an over- a lesser extent in Haryana—had nationwide NRC at all. extended position—a tacit admission shown that the party’s post-election The NRC, he claimed, was the that the forces of democratic honeymoon period was almost over. brainchild not of the Bharatiya Janata pluralism were too strong for his So using the launch of his campaign Party but of the Congress, for it was party to resist if it wished to retain for the Delhi state assembly elections born out of Rajiv Gandhi’s 1985 people’s trust? There was enough as an occasion for beating a tactical Assam Accord. It was the Congress’s reason to hope that it was. retreat seemed like the logical thing subsequent failure to implement it By December 22, Modi to do. that made the Supreme Court issue had realised that he was facing a directive in 2012 to create the NRC the beginnings of a nationwide … And the harsh reality forthwith. The BJP had only obeyed rebellion against the CAA and It is only when we examine the the court’s directive. So the blame NRC. The governments of 10 states audience that had collected at the for the entire exercise lay with the in “heartland” India—Punjab, Ramlila grounds on December 22, Congress not having lived up to its Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and parse Modi’s 97-minute speech 1985 promise. There would be no Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Bihar, Bengal, closely and relate it to what has been similar exercise, he promised, in any Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Kerala— happening since then, that we realise other state. had already announced that they what Modi had declared was not a He also pointed out that the would not implement the NRC and tactical retreat but an open war upon Citizenship (Amendment) Act, the CAA. The BJP was about to lose Indian democracy. 2019 (CAA) was intended to give Jharkhand. A 12th state, Andhra The most noticeable feature of citizenship only to non-Muslim Pradesh, had joined the other 11 and the crowd that had assembled was refugees who were already in India. even in Karnataka’s Bengaluru, the the absence of women. Among the He did not say what he would do crown jewel of the state has seen 78-80 persons seated in the first for Hindus and others who were students coming out to oppose the seven rows of one of the enclosures persecuted in the three countries government’s move. captured by the camera, only five mentioned—Pakistan, Bangladesh In addition, the entire Northeast were women. Another view, of about and —in the future. up in arms. So Modi had only Uttar 60 persons in the right one-third of He went on to reassure Muslims Pradesh and six other states— the front enclosures, clearly showed 6 JANATA, January 5, 2020

only four women. A third, aimed at 6–7 months. This is our capability. overture. The true purpose of the what was seemingly a VIP enclosure Swayamsewaks will be ready to take rally emerged only halfway into directly in front to the dais, showed on the front if the country faces such the speech. All of a sudden, Modi 14 well-dressed women in a crowd a situation and constitution permits became the people’s friend, having of 83. There were small clusters of us to do so.” a cosy gossip with them: “When we women visible in a few other pockets Bhagwat was talking about an came to power first,” he said with as well, but all in all, the men present external enemy, but Modi’s message more than a touch of glee, “these outnumbered the women by ten to to the assembled shakhas was that people could not believe it. They one, if not more. the threat was internal. All but the tried to sabotage me even then, and The men had a curious sameness last part of his speech was designed they thought that I would be rejected about them. All but a very few to advise them that their time had in the next election. When the people were young and fit. Most sported come. The Sangh parivar needed brought me back with a larger vote moustaches, and wore orange caps, them to come to the aid of the police the second time, they were struck scarves, shirts or shawls. And against in suppressing dissent, and restoring dumb with amazement. Since that a lone tricolour planted directly in order in the nation. If they did not day, they have been looking for ways front of the dais, there was a forest respond, then all that the BJP had to create a storm in the country.” of the BJP’s lotus flags waving in done for the people of India, and for Who are these people? Modi the field and obscuring the cameras’ Hindutva, would be in vain. asked in a conspiratorial tone. views. Modi devoted the first 30 Then, as if sharing a secret with The relative absence of women, minutes of his speech to listing the them, he said: “It is these educated a total absence of children, the many things he had done for the people, who live in cities, who speak sameness of the men and the ubiquity people of Delhi and the nation’s English, these urban Naxals. It is of flags were a dead giveaway: This poor—housing for the poor, a health they who are instigating attacks upon was not a spontaneous gathering insurance scheme, the Ujjwala policemen, and urging mobs to shoot to hear a popular national leader, cooking gas scheme. Then he added: and kill them as they do their duty.” let alone a popular prime minister. “We have never asked anyone Then, over the roar of a frenzied This was a hand-picked gathering their caste or creed before granting audience shouting “Modiji ishaara brought to the Ramlila ground, as a benefits, then why are the opposition do, Ham tumhare saath hain BJP leader admitted to India Today, and some persons allied with them, (Modiji give us a signal. We are in 3,000 hired buses. The audience accusing me of doing so!” with you),” Modi roared: “To protect make up also strongly suggested that With his characteristic disregard the common people of Hindustan, these were members of RSS shakhas for the finer points of truth, he 33,000 policemen have martyred from far-flung places in, and beyond, omitted to mention that Delhi has themselves since we gained our Delhi. been ruled for the past five years freedom. This is the selfless force Ostensibly, they had been by the , and that that these lawless elements, and brought to kick off a Delhi election every one of these schemes has those who hide behind curtains and campaign, but Modi used the already been implemented without direct them, are now stoning and occasion for a very different, specific consideration of caste or creed— killing.” purpose. What this could be had but by the AAP. He also failed to Killing? Yes, that is the precise been revealed in an expansive mention that the AAP had already word Modi used on that fateful moment in February 2018, by created a cheaper and more efficient evening. Nor did he leave any doubt the RSS sarsanghchlalak Mohan network of mobile clinics that had in his listeners’ minds about who the Bhagwat. Bhagwat had boasted that brought medicine to the doorsteps of hidden instigators are: “These are “his organisation could assemble the poor in Delhi four years before of two kinds: those who have never its cadres to fight much faster than he announced his health scheme risen above vote bank politics, i.e the Indian army could in a situation last year. the entire opposition, and those have of war… The Sangh will prepare profited from this vote bank politics, military personnel within three days, Modi’s real message who think they own the state, who something the army would do in All this, however, was only the think that the history they write is JANATA, January 5, 2020 7

the correct history, the future they by a stone or, in extreme situations, and turned student demonstrators aspire to is India’s future… who used a bullet, but they constantly face into criminals, and the police into to think that they owned the country. the risk of being prosecuted for an saints. The government’s camp Now that they have been decisively excessive or inappropriate use of followers have been quick to take rejected by the people, they have force. Modi’s speech has absolved the hint: within minutes, his pet TV resorted to their old weapon: ‘divide them in advance from blame for any channels, and their anchors, began and Rule’!” criminal act they may commit “in to portray student demonstrators as Then, as the crowd’s roar grew pursuit of their duties”. destroyers of public property and the to a frenzy, came the clincher: “Will Policemen can now run after police as their victims. you back the police?” The crowd fleeing demonstrators firing their Four days later, in an roared, “Yes.” revolvers at them, as TV has unprecedented departure from “Will you honour them?” “Yes”. captured them doing in Assam. They constitutional propriety, General “Will you show them respect?” can smash students’ motorcycles Bipin Rawat—now Modi’s Again the roar, “Yes!” and scooters at leisure, as they handpicked chief of defence staff— To swelling cries of “Aadesh, were caught doing on camera in breached the wall that has separated aadesh (Give us the order, give us Aligarh, in order to put the blame the military from civilian matters the order)” from the frenzied young on ‘anti-social elements’. They and accused unspecified political men in saffron caps and shawls can enter the homes of people and leaders of encouraging acts of before him, Modi said, “To honour destroy everything in sight, claiming “arson and violence by university their martyrdom we have built a that they did so in hot pursuit of and college students”. And the Delhi monument to the police in the city. ‘miscreants’. They can pick up police has added a new category of I ask all the people of the 1,700 The Hindu’s UP correspondent and persons to those on whom it will use colonies of Delhi, will you go to the question him for hours, throwing recently acquired automatic facial police monument and offer flowers vile communal slurs at him, because recognition software in tandem to the martyrs?… Will you respect he is a Kashmiri. with drones, to identify in crowds: the police? Will you treat them as Finally, they can kill “rabble rousers and miscreants”. your brothers? Will you honour demonstrators, as they have done Modi’s government still has them and give them the respect that in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh and more than four years to go. The is their due?” Karnataka. It is not accidental that, fight to save religious pluralism, To each rhetorical question, he of the 25 demonstrators that the secularism and democracy is just received an enthusiastic assent. police have killed across the country beginning. since the protests started, 18 have Police as ally and accomplice of been in UP, or that almost all of those (Prem Shankar Jha is a Delhi-based RSS killed have been Muslims. journalist and writer.) Modi has seldom said or done Few in India will deny that anything without a preconceived the policing of public protests is a purpose. It is therefore difficult thankless task. Far too many are meceepeJeeoer efJe®eej not to draw the conclusion that the infiltrated by hoodlums intent upon mebkeÀuHe yeoueeJe keÀe main purpose of his speech, and creating chaos to facilitate theft. But probably the rally as well, was not the police are not saints either. A 2010 meceepeJeeoer meceeiece to personally launch an electoral study of human rights violations by 12-13 pegueeF&, 2019, efouueer campaign in a state where the BJP the police showed that 1,224 out kesÀ DeJemej Hej ÒekeÀeefMele is likely to lose, but to forge an open of 2,560 ‘encounters’ between the mebHeeokeÀ ë kegÀjyeeve Deueer compact between the police all over police and alleged criminals that ÒekeÀeMekeÀ ë jceeMebkeÀj efmebn the country and 51,335 shakhas of occurred between 1993 and 2010 ueeiele cetu³e ë 200 ªHe³es ceW GHeueyOe~ the RSS. were ‘fake encounters’, or extra- For the police, crowd control is judicial executions by the police. mebHeke&À ë not only a risky but a thankless task. But in his speech Modi did not pevelee ì^mì - 7738082170 Not only can policemen be injured attempt to draw any fine distinctions, (Heesmì keÀe Ke®e& Deueie) 8 JANATA, January 5, 2020

Press Release: Ham Bharat ke Log

End the Reign of Terror in Uttar Pradesh Immediately

For the last one week, Uttar about what exactly is happening protestors using outdated Pradesh is under a reign of terror. in Uttar Pradesh. Internet has been colonial era laws (Section Uttar Pradesh government is shut down for good part of the last 144). Human rights activist employing unlawful and lethal week almost all over the state. Media and himself a retired Inspector tactics to harass and intimidate persons, human rights activists and General of Police, Shri S R the citizens that are protesting even lawyers have been detained Darapuri, currently under against Citizenship Amendment Act for trying to find out about the treatment for cancer, has been (“CAA”) and National Register of detainees. Opposition leaders have arrested. Magsaysay Award Citizens (“NRC”). The authorities been prevented from visiting the winner Sandeep Pandey was are brazenly targeting Muslims, places affected by police atrocities. placed under house arrest. A besides all peoples movements and Therefore we still do not quite know score of other social activists are human rights activists, throwing the extent of police repression. But under arrest. There are several democratic norms, constitutional we can see a pattern in what we have cases of police detention without rights and the due process of law learnt so far from various reliable production before a magistrate as to the winds. The goal is not just to sources. (detailed report based on required by law. As of December suppress all dissent against CAA/ information from nine districts 25, UP police said that they NRC in Uttar Pradesh, but to send enclosed). It is clear that the police had arrested 925 people and a signal to anyone who may dare to and authorities in Uttar Pradesh are preventively detained more than raise a voice against anything. guilty of the following: 5,500 others. We still do not Under this regime, UP police • Denial of constitutional rights have a full picture of the number has acquired a notorious reputation to legitimate, democratic and of persons detained without a for repeatedly breaching the due peaceful protest: Authorities charge or those who are missing. process of law, including over 3,500 clamped down on anti-CAA/ Indiscriminate detentions and ‘encounters’. But ever since the NRC protests even before it could arrests are going on and Muslim beginning of the anti-CAA/NRC begin. Permission for peaceful localities spend nights in fear of protests, UP police has crossed all assembly and demonstration midnight knock. limits of a constitutional democracy. were summarily denied, Section • Reward posters: All over the There is little doubt that all this 144 was used indiscriminately state, ‘reward posters’ have is happening under the personal and activists who could have come up with pictures of the direction, sanction and supervision launched a protest were detained protesters, without any attempt of the Chief Minister. He publicly without any basis. This, while to establish their guilt, offering announced a doctrine of revenge the police failed to prevent rewards to anyone who offers against the protesters. In a shocking violent protests by supporters information. audio tape in wide circulation, of CAA / NRC (in particular, • Inappropriate Charges: a senior police official can be demonstrations led by members Review of FIRs against detainees heard saying that he has the CM’s of BJP). shows that the authorities have instructions and full immunity to • Curtailing of information charged detainees with crimes beat the violent protesters to pulp, flow: Authorities have imposed that are not warranted by the so as to teach everyone a lesson. internet shutdowns and limits alleged facts in the relevant FIRs, Sadly, none other than the Prime on transportation to prevent including charged like attempt Minister has openly supported this peaceful protests against CAA / to murder, rioting armed with wanton cruelty and breakdown of NRC. a deadly weapon and criminal law and order. • Unlawful Mass Detentions/ intimidation. Large number of Worse, the government has made Arrests: Police have undertaken FIRs have been lodged with it very hard to gather information mass detention and arrest of anonymous accused running into JANATA, January 5, 2020 9

more than 30,000 persons. This have not received post-mortem • Police officials and personnel, gives police the license to arrest reports. Relatives of the deceased whose complicity in police anyone at any stage.. were pressurized not to bring atrocities is beyond doubt, • Torture during custody: the dead body home and were should be suspended and all the while a fuller picture of the rushed into burying it outside guilty should be brought to the treatment of those detained and their family burial ground. No book; arrested is yet to emerge, there compensation has been offered • Suitable compensation should are reports that they have been to any injured or to the family of be paid to those injured in police subjected to merciless beating the deceased. action and to the family of the and torture of various kinds. • Punitive action targeted at deceased; The same treatment was meted Muslim Community: There are • Citizens constitutional right out to juvenile detainees in more than one reliable reports to assemble and protest in a Mujaffarnagar who were placed of the police raiding Muslim peaceful manner should be with adults in violation of the colonies, entering homes, restored; law. ransacking them, and detaining • To ease the climate of fear • Intimidation of Detainees’ people indiscriminately. In and suspicion, and to allow Friends and Family: It has been several places, state authorities a meaningful dialogue, the reported that friends, family have sealed shops and Government of India must and counsel of detainees, who commercial establishments announce that it is not going have approached authorities, owned by Muslims. Notices ahead with NRC and NRC- have faced serious harassment, have been issued to Muslims linked-NPR. intimidation and in some cases unrelated to any protest or detention. violence to compensate for the • Excessive, Deadly Force: damage to public property. Janata Police are using excessive (often This reign of terror must end deadly) force against CAA / is available at immediately. We therefore demand NRC protestors. At least 18 that: protestors, all Muslims, have www.lohiatoday.com • The government of Uttar Pradesh died since the protests started, must to stop this state-sponsored including an 8-year old boy. attack, release innocent detainees Every available evidence points forthwith, quash FIRs with large Janata Subscription to police firing as the cause of number of anonymous accused; these deaths. Yet the police claim • A credible and independent Annual Rs. : 260/- that except in one case people inquiry by an SIT under the died from crossfire from locally Three Years : 750/- supervision of the Supreme made weapons and that the Court should be set up so as to Demand Draft / police only fired rubber bullets ascertain the truth about protests, and teargas shells. However, Cheque on violence, police action and a video from Kanpur showing killings; Mumbai Bank a policeman firing from his • Institutions like the National revolver at the protestors belies in favour of Human Rights Commission these claims. and the National Minorities • Denial of treatment to injured Commission must take up this JANATA TRUST and dignity to the dead: The case suo motto and institute victims of police firing were D-15, Ganesh Prasad, immediate inquiries into the denied medical aid by private Naushir Bharucha Marg, allegations about violation of hospitals on orders from the human rights and assault on the Grant Road (W), authorities. Post-mortem was minorities, respectively; Mumbai 400 007. delayed. Families of the dead 10 JANATA, January 5, 2020 Poets: Ridiculous to Paint Faiz's 'Hum Dekhenge' as Anti-Hindu

Top poets and writers including banned under his regime,” Akhtar understanding what the poem means. Javed Akhtar, Rahat Indori and said. He was a communist and had no Vishal Bhardwaj have described Filmmaker-composer Vishal connection with religion. He did attempts to paint Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s Bhardwaj, who had used Faiz’s not believe in any God, Ishwar or revolutionary “Hum Dekhenge” ‘Gulon Mein Rang Bhare…‘ in his Allah. as anti-Hindu and pro-Islam a critically-acclaimed, Kashmir-set “This poem was originally “ridiculous” and “narrow-minded” 2014 film “Haider”, said those written against Zia, who was a attempt. interpreting it as pro-Muslim fanatic and a military dictator. Faiz’s They were responding to IIT- and anti-Hindu lack “emotional poetry never died, it was alive even Kanpur forming a committee to intelligence”. before this controversy erupted inquire into a complaint against “It sounds totally ridiculous. To but then politics will ensure that the recitation of “Hum Dekhenge” understand poetry, you need to feel he reaches to even those who have on campus by students to express it first. You need a certain standard never heard about him,” said Indori. solidarity with their peers at Jamia of emotional intelligence, which The poet said he was also sad Millia Islamia in their protest against seems to be completely lacking in that people were giving religious the amended Citizenship Act. those who are interpreting it as pro- colour to his poem even when he Faculty members and some Muslim and anti-Hindu,” Bhardwaj has written that everyone’s blood students filed a complaint against a told PTI. is mixed in the soil of this country. student for reciting the poem, which Faiz’s daughter Saleema “How can you brand it or attach they claimed provoked “anti-Hindu” Hashmi, in an exclusive interview it to any religion,” Indori asked. sentiments. with PTI, said she found the whole “Article 15” co-writer and poet “This poem was written against controversy “funny” and hoped that Gaurav Solanki took to social media a fundamentalist called Zia-ul- ultimately her father’s words will to put things in perspective about Haq, a dictator. It is interesting that win over the hate. how the phrase “Anal-Haq” in fundamentalists, all kinds of, don’t “Let’s look at in another way, “Hum Dekhenge” is an equivalent like this poem,” Akhtar told India they may end up getting interested of “Aham Brahmasmi”. Today TV. in and its metaphors. “Can someone tell those calling Explaining the context of the Never underestimate the power of Faiz’s ‘Hum Dekhenge‘ anti-Hindu poem, which was written in 1979 Faiz,” Hashmi said. and the IIT professor and the panel to criticise the dictatorship and “I suppose poets and their investigating it, that in the very fundamentalism of former Pakistani words are claimed wherever and by same poem he talks about raising general-turned president Zia-ul-Haq, whomever, they are needed. They the slogan of ‘Anal-Haq’. The word the veteran poet-screenwriter said provide the words that people cannot means ‘I am the truth’, ‘I’m God’, if Faiz’s poem is anti-Hindu, then find for themselves,” she added. which is the equivalent of ‘Aham one would have to believe that Zia Indori, whose ‘nazms’ Brahmasmi’ in Hindu culture, which was secular, which does not make “Sarhadon par bahut tanav hai talks about every person, every soul sense. kya” (There is a lot of tension on being God. Is there a bigger protest “It seems we are negotiating the borders, find out if an election and spirituality than this? with people who have no sense is nearby) and ‘kisi ke baap ka “You should be a little ashamed of history, have no idea who this Hindustan thode hi hai‘ (Hindustan that the poem that you are calling great poet was, who have no idea is no one’s property) have also anti-Hindu and accusing it of being what poetry is, who don’t know the emerged as popular anti-Citizenship Islamic is actually anti-Islam for language in which it was written, Amendment Act protest anthems, Muslim fanatics, so much so that they don’t know anything. This is said calling Faiz anti or pro any Sufi saint Mansoor-al-Hallaj, who written against a fundamentalist, religion is laughable. first gave the slogan of ‘Anal-Haq’ regressive, almost Talibani mentality “People first need to understand was hanged,” Solanki wrote in a holding dictator. This poem was who has written this poem before Facebook post. JANATA, January 5, 2020 11

Below is the original poem and Bas naam rahega Allah kaa, will smite the heads of our its English translation. Jo ghaayab bhi hai, haazir bhi, tormentors; Jo manzar bhi hai, naazir bhi. Hum Dekhenge When, from the seat of the Almighty Faiz Ahmed Faiz Utthegaa ‘An-al-haq’ kaa naara every pedestal will lie displaced; Jo main bhi hoon, aur tum bhi ho, Then, the dispossessed we; we, Laazim hai ki hum bhi dekhenge Aur raaj karegi Khalq-e-Khuda who kept the faith will be installed Woh din jiskaa ke waada hai, Jo mai bhi hoon, aur tum bhi ho. to our inalienable legacy. Jo lau-e-azl mein likha hai Every crown will be flung, Jab zulm-o-sitam ke koh-e-garaan each throne brought down. Rooi ki tarah udd jaayenge, We Shall See Translation: Mustansir Dalvi Only His name will remain; He, Hum mehkoomon ke paaon tale who is both unseen, and ubiquitous; jab dharti dhad dhad dhadkegi, Inevitably, we shall also see the day He, that was promised to us, decreed who is both the vision and the Aur ahl-e-hukam ke sar oopar on the tablet of eternity. Jab bijli kad kad kadkegi, beholder. When dark peaks of torment and When the clarion call of ‘I am Truth’ Jab arz-e-khudaa ke kaabe se tyranny Sab but uthwaaey jaayenge, (the truth that is me and the truth will be blown away like cotton fluff; that is you) Hum ahl-e-safaa mardood-e-haram When the earth’s beating, beating will ring out, all God’s creatures Masnad pe bithaaey jaayenge. heart will rule, those like me and those like you. Sab taaj uchaaley jaayenge. will pulsate beneath our broken feet; Sab takht giraaey jayyenge. When crackling, crashing lightning Courtesy: The Wire and PTI

During the Quit India Movement, RSS was in Bed with Muslim League

Shamsul Islam

The Quit India Movement, also went underground and continued upsurge. known as ‘August Kranti', was their struggle by broadcasting Addressing the 24th session of a nationwide messages over clandestine radio the Hindu Mahasabha at Cawnpore movement for which a call was given stations, distributing pamphlets and (now Kanpur) in 1942, ‘Veer’ on August 7, 1942 by the Bombay establishing parallel governments. Savarkar outlined the strategy of session of the All India Congress It is well known that the then the Hindu Mahasabha of cooperating Committee. It began on August Communist Party of India opposed with the rulers in the following 8, with Gandhi giving the ‘Do or the Quit India Movement, thus words: Die’ call in his ‘Quit India’ speech betraying a great phase of mass “The Hindu Mahasabha holds delivered in Mumbai at the Gowalia upsurge in the history of the that the leading principle of all Tank Maidan. freedom struggle. However, the role practical politics is the policy The British swiftly responded Hindu Mahasabha and Rashtriya of Responsive Co-operation… with mass detentions. Over 100,000 Swayamsevak Sangh played in the The policy of responsive co- arrests were made, mass fines movement remains under wraps for operation which covers the whole were levied and demonstrators reasons unknown. gamut of patriotic activities from were subjected to public flogging. The Hindutva camp not unconditional co-operation right up Hundreds of civilians were killed, only opposed the movement but to active and even armed resistance, many shot and injured by the police also supported British rulers in will also keep adapting itself to the and the army. Many national leaders suppressing this historic mass exigencies of the time, resources 12 JANATA, January 5, 2020

at our disposal and dictates of our situation that may be created in attitude towards the movement national interest.” the province as a result of any becomes clear from the following This ‘Responsive Cooperation’ widespread movement launched by utterances of its second chief and with the British masters was not only the Congress. Anybody, who during most prominent ideologue till date, a theoretical commitment. It soon the war, plans to stir up mass feeling, M.S. Golwalkar. While talking got concretised in the ganging up of resulting internal disturbances or about the outcome of the Non- Hindu Mahasabha with the Muslim insecurity, must be resisted by any Cooperation Movement and the Quit League. The Hindu Mahasabha, Government that may function for India Movement, he said: led by Savarkar, ran coalition the time being.” “Definitely there are bound to governments with the Muslim The second-in-command of the be bad results of struggle. The boys League in 1942. Savarkar defended Hindu Mahasabha, Dr Syama Prasad became unruly after the 1920–21 this nexus in his presidential Mookerjee, who was also the Deputy movement. It is not an attempt to speech to the 24th session of Hindu Chief Minister in the Muslim league- throw mud at the leaders. But these Mahasabha at Kanpur in 1942 in led ministry in Bengal made it clear are inevitable products after the the following words: “In practical that both these parties looked at the struggle. The matter is that we could politics also the Mahasabha knows British rulers as saviours of Bengal not properly control these results. that we must advance through against the Quit India Movement After 1942, people often started reasonable compromises. Witness launched by Congress. thinking that there was no need to the fact that only recently in Sind, the In this letter, he mentioned think of the law.” Sind-Hindu-Sabha on invitation had item wise the steps to be taken for Thus, the prophet of Hindutva, taken the responsibility of joining dealing with the situation. It read: Golwalkar, wanted the Indians to hands with the League itself in “The question is how to combat respect the draconian and repressive running coalition Government. The this movement (Quit India) in laws of the inhuman British rulers! case of Bengal is well known. Wild Bengal? The administration of the He admitted that this kind of negative Leaguers whom even the Congress province should be carried on in attitude towards the Quit India with all its submissive-ness could such a manner that in spite of the Movement did not go down well not placate grew quite reasonably best efforts of the Congress, this even with the RSS cadres: compromising and socialable as movement will fail to take root in the “In 1942 also there was a strong soon as they came in contact with the province. It should be possible for sentiment in the hearts of many. At HM and the Coalition Government, us, especially responsible Ministers, that time, too the routine work of under the premiership of Mr Fazlul to be able to tell the public that the Sangh continued. Sangh vowed not Huq and the able lead of our esteemed freedom for which the Congress to do anything directly. However, Mahasabha leader Dr Syama Prasad has started the movement, already upheaval (uthal-puthal) in the minds Mookerji, functioned successfully belongs to the representatives of the of Sangh volunteers continued. for a year or so to the benefit of both people.… Indians have to trust the Sangh is an organisation of inactive the communities.” British, not for the sake of Britain, persons, their talks are useless, not Hindu Mahasabha and Muslim not for any advantage that the British only outsiders but also many of our League, beside Bengal and Sindh, might gain, but for the maintenance volunteers did talk like this. They ran the coalition government in of the defence and freedom of the were greatly disgusted too.” NWFP too during this period. province itself.” It would be interesting to note what Golwalkar meant by ‘routine Hindu Mahasabha sought to crush RSS followed Savarkar in opposing work of Sangh’. It surely meant the Quit India Movement Quit India Movement working overtime to widen the Following the Hindu Mahasabha The other flag-bearer of divide between Hindus and Muslims, directive to co-operate with the Hindutva, the RSS, was no different thus serving the strategic goal of the British, Hindutva icon Dr Mookerjee in its attitude towards the Quit British rulers and Muslim League. assured the British rulers in a letter India Movement. It openly sided In fact, contemporary reports dated July 26, 1942: with its mentor ‘Veer’ Savarkar of the British intelligence agencies “Let me now refer to the against this great revolt. The RSS’s on the Quit India Movement were JANATA, January 5, 2020 13

straight forward in describing the These historically documented the Indians. They together mounted fact that RSS kept away from the facts make it clear that the RSS one of the fiercest repressions on the Quit India Movement. According not only betrayed the Quit India freedom fighters. Shockingly, they to one such report, “The Sangh has Movement but also rendered great now rule over India and call RSS the scrupulously kept itself within the service to the British masters by symbol of Indian nationalism. law, and in particular, has refrained aligning with the Muslim League from taking part in the disturbances when the former were faced with (The author is former Professor, that broke out in August 1942”. the nation-wide popular revolt by .)

Six Numbers the Modi Government Did Not Want You to Know in 2019

Jahnavi Sen

The Narendra Modi government it decides to simply pretend that In January 2019, Business wants to know all about us—where those numbers don’t exist. Standard published a series of we and our parents were born, So while Modi and Shah focus articles leaking the survey’s results. where we live, what we do, details on the NPR—data which many Unemployment was at a 45-year of our family members, our mobile believe can be used for dangerous, high, the NSSO had found, and youth numbers and so on. For a country of majoritarian purposes but which unemployment was substantially more than 133 crore people, that is a their ministers claim will mainly higher than in previous years. massive (and massively expensive) be for implementing welfare The Centre finally released that exercise. But the costs are worth schemes—here’s a look at all the data only in May 2019—after the it, the Centre has decided, and the other numbers the government general elections were over and National Population Register (NPR) should be paying attention to. Most the Narendra Modi government must be updated next year. of this data has been used and had been re-elected. Even then, The NPR, and the planned NRC analysed by experts, economists the government sought to play it is linked to, are enormous data- and successive governments in the down the survey’s results by saying gathering exercises, and will give past to put their finger on why the that the numbers were not strictly the government access to personal economy looks the way it does— comparable, as the survey’s information about everyone living but the Modi government appears methodology had changed. in this country. This information to believe this data just isn’t worth Even after the numbers were can then potentially be used as the looking at. released, nobody in the government government (and therefor ruling has addressed the issue or said what party) pleases—whether to deny Unemployment it intends to do about this rising people citizenship, as many are The Modi government’s number. afraid will happen, or to target relationship with economic data voters in different areas based started on a low in 2019. Consumer expenditure on demographic analysis. This, The National Sample Survey The most recent controversy clearly, is the kind of data the Modi Office conducted its latest periodic highlighting the Modi government’s government likes. labour force survey between July proclivity to turning a blind eye But there is plenty of data the 2017 and June 2018—a period to uncomfortable numbers is the ruling regime does not like. In 2019, considered crucial because it National Statistical Office’s 2017–18 the Centre has time and again been would reveal just what impact consumer expenditure data. Leaked accused of suppressing crucial all- demonetisation had on India’s again to the , the India numbers that could help frame working population. Two members of data showed that consumer spending better policies—and give Indians a the National Statistical Commission fell for the first time in 40 years. The clearer picture of just how well the resigned when the Centre refused to decline was because of falling rural economy is (or isn’t) doing. When make this data public, and yet the demand, the data said. the government doesn’t like the data, government didn’t blink. Instead of coming up with a 14 JANATA, January 5, 2020

plan to tackle this, the government panchayat—were not published. into why these suicides continue rejected the survey’s findings due A little before the incomplete and what could be done to alleviate to “data quality issues”. According data was published, RSS chief farmer distress. to Mint, after deciding to junk the Mohan Bhagwat had said that survey, the Centre made the effort ‘lynchings’ are a Western construct Caste census to try and find credible reasons and should not be used ‘defame’ Data from the Socio-Economic for doing so. This was the first India. His statement was widely Caste Census 2011—collected under time in independent India that the criticised as trying to cover up the UPA government—has not been government rejected a survey done crimes against minorities. Several released even eight years later. by the National Statistical Office. leaders of the BJP have expressed This data is supposed to be used explicit support for the accused in to frame welfare policies targeting GDP growth lynching cases, and government marginalised groups. Another way to deal with agencies have been accused of going In April 2018, Union minister numbers you don’t like, the Modi soft on the investigations to ensure Ramdas Athawale (an NDA ally) had government has shown, is to change that nobody is punished. said that the data should be released them altogether. That way, you and he would be taking up the matter can’t be accused of withholding Farmer suicides with Modi. Former chairman of the numbers—but you also don’t have Within the NCRB report National Commission for Backward to deal with criticism that your mentioned above was a section on Classes, Justice Eshwaraiah, too government might have made things farmer suicides. Like the rest of faulted the Centre for sitting on worse. the report, this data was three years this important data. However, the In late 2018, the government late—and yet incomplete. For 2016, numbers have still not been released. released new official GDP back the NCRB has left out the section series data, according to which on causes of farmer suicides, which (Jahnavi Sen is Executive News GDP growth under the Manmohan could provide important insights Producer at TheWire.in.) Singh government was slower than earlier recorded. Several experts questioned how these news ‘My Darling Daughter!’ numbers were arrived at—even Baldev Singh Mann saying that they “turn the basic laws of macroeconomics on their head”. On the night of September birth did not bring joy to our home. Even with this manipulated 25, 1986, Baldev Singh Mann, a "So, the guddi has arrived", said your data, the GDP growth has fallen communist–activist fighting the aunts in a sad tone as if nature had to new lows in 2019. But instead extremists in Punjab, was killed given me an unfair deal. Your uncles of taking measures to address the while on his way to his village, did not even speak to me today. falling growth rate, the government Chinna Bagga, in Amritsar district, Perhaps they think it’s best to say has attempted to wish it away by to meet his one–week–old daughter. nothing in the circumstances. I am claiming that it is only a cyclical Reproduced below is the letter he sure that my friends and comrades phenomenon. wrote to his daughter the day she who share or empathise with my was born. ideology will congratulate me and Lynching Welcome to the world my demand a party in celebration of The National Crime Records darling daughter! I got the news of your arrival. Bureau published its 2016 ‘Crimes your birth from your dadi on the 18th Your dadi is surprised by in India’ report an entire three years (September 1986). While intimating the congratulatory messages she late—and still decided not to put out to me the news of your birth, your has received from your mother’s all the data it had collected. Numbers grand–mother did not express the natal family. "Whoever sends under certain sub-headings—mob joy that she undoubtedly would have congratulatory messages on the lynching, murder by influential shown had a son been born in your birth of a girl?" is how she sees the people and killings ordered by khap place. Because you are a girl, your situation. Your dadi is saddened by JANATA, January 5, 2020 15

the fact that I stand ‘diminished’ with for the emancipation of starving people, is certain to end in victory. your arrival; a son, on the other hand, children, of women who are forced You might hopefully be spared the would have ‘added’ to my status. to sell their bodies in order to feed era of darkness in which people are My darling, I am not in the least their bellies, of workers who trade today forced to live. Hopefully, the surprised by their reactions for I their blood for bread, of peasants seeds of sacrifice that we are sowing am aware that in the present social groaning under the crushing burden today will give birth to a garden in system a girl is considered a burden, of debts. And in this battle for a new which you can inhale the breath of a source of indebtedness. I had world, your father, too, is playing his freedom. Even if we are unable to heard and read a lot on the subject. humble role. win in our battle, my darling, try Today, I am having to live through In the times in which you have you must to be at the head of the the same experience. Perhaps your been born, Punjab stands divided caravan engaged in the battle for dadi is even more saddened because along communal lines. In some truth. It is far from my dream that in her view I am unemployed and places people are being killed you grow up to be a Sikh, Hindu or useless. So, at least, you should have because they do not grow their hair Muslim. Try you must to rise above been born to someone with a proper long enough, while in others people such identities and be a human source of livelihood. This is how are being burnt alive for precisely the being. Beware, lest the humanity in society has been for centuries. The opposite reason. Humanity is being you is diminished because of such enslavement of women is an integral butchered in the name of religion. divisions. part of the feudal, capitalist system. Having created divisions among My darling daughter, these few Dear daughter, your father is people, having initiated a Holi words are my message to you in neither a good for nothing, nor that’s being played with blood, the this moment of your birth. I hope worthless. He is busy in the struggle Devil is having a good laugh from a you will accept them and try to act to change the present social setup distance. My baby, in the moment of according to them. These few words where the birth of a girl like you your birth your father is engaged in a are the foundation of your life, to is greeted not with joy but sorrow. battle against the forces of darkness. build your dreams on. There is no doubt that even many Such forces are conniving to banish Your father progressive–minded people, who every sun that could bring light into are regarded as path–breakers and this world. (Courtesy: Communalism Combat, April 1999) leaders, have in their practical life My darling young one, it is behaved in much the same fashion absolutely essential to struggle Spectre of Fascism as is to be expected from hard–core against such an evil conspiracy, Contribution Rs. 20/- reactionaries. But I have resolved even at the risk of one’s own life. I to live my life in a fashion where cannot be certain that in this search Published by there is no dichotomy between word for light, I too will not be done Janata Trust & Lokayat and deed. away with. Whatever may happen D-15, Ganesh Prasad, My lovely one, it will perhaps to me my little one, you will forever Naushir Bharucha Marg, Grant Road (W), Mumbai 400 007 be a long time—only after you’ve be proud to be born to a father grown up—that you appreciate the who battled against the evil storm. ideal of my life and the struggle that Perhaps I will be unable to provide I am engaged in. Perhaps I have been you with the comforts or fulfill the The Unemployment unsuccessful in explaining to your responsibilities that are expected of Crisis: Reasons and mother till date that I am not killing a father. But the legacy of principles Solutions time but am in fact investing it in the I will leave behind will be precious. Contribution Rs. 25/- fulfillment of very lofty aims. I am You are the flame of a candle that is struggling for the birth of a social destined to spread light. Beware, do Published by order in which the shackles that not ever get mislead by the devils Janata Trust & Lokayat enslave human beings are broken to that conspire to torch homes of the D-15, Ganesh Prasad, bits, where the oppressed can heave poor in the name of humanity. Naushir Bharucha Marg, a sigh of relief. The struggle is on The struggle, the struggle of my Grant Road (W), Mumbai 400 007 16 JANATA, January 5, 2020 The Most Important Venezuela: Social World's 500 Richest Decade in Human Program Delivers 3 People Gained $1.2 History Starts Now Million Homes Trillion in Wealth

Bharat Dogra Venezuela’s President Nicolas in 2019 Maduro announced on January 2, Jake Johnson The year that dawns on January 2020 that the Venezuelan Great 1 2020 is no ordinary year. Several Housing Mission achieved its 2019 The 500 richest people in the leading scientists and scientist goal by completing the delivery of 3 world, all of whom are billionaires, groups have repeatedly said that million dwellings to the Bolivarian gained a combined $1.2 trillion in the life-nurturing conditions of our people as planned. wealth in 2019, further exacerbating planet are badly threatened. Due “Despite the imperialist inequities that have not been seen to a number of factors this year is economic, trade and financial since the late 1920s. going to be a very important year if blockade, which robbed us of That's according to a new time-bound solutions of this survival so many resources in 2019, the Bloomberg analysis published crisis are to be found. construction industry did not stop,” last week, which found that the This day also heralds the Maduro said at an event in the state planet's 500 richest people saw beginning of the decade 2020–29 of La Guaira where he handed over their collective net worth soar by and there is even stronger scientific the keys of the dwelling number 3 25 percent to $5.9 trillion over the evidence that this decade is the million to a local family. last year. most important decade ever in The housing program, which "In the US, the richest 0.1 human history. This is based on seeks to deliver at least 500,000 percent control a bigger share the understanding that nothing new dwellings in 2020, has a new of the pie than at any time since less than a survival crisis exists on goal to achieve: to deliver 5 million 1929," Bloomberg noted. "The our planet and as time is running dwellings by 2025. 172 American billionaires on the out for resolving this crisis (which The Bolivarian president also Bloomberg ranking added $500 has tipping points), the decade mentioned that community-led billion, with Facebook Inc.'s Mark 2020–29 has acquired a very special dwelling construction has become Zuckerberg up $27.3 billion and significance from the point of the new method to increase the Microsoft Corp. co-founder Bill view of finding effective ways of supply of residences. Gates [rising] $22.7 billion." resolving this survival crisis within “Following our original proposal According to the Bloomberg the framework of justice, peace and with a greater decision, we will Billionaires Index, eight of the 10 democracy. deliver land to the people so that they richest people in the world are from It is essential that forces of justice, can get involved in the construction of the US. peace and environment protection houses,” Maduro said and explained Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos lost should come together and work that 70 percent of the residences will nearly $9 billion in wealth in 2019, with unity and firm resolve to bring be built through this community- according to Bloomberg, but he will important international governance based construction method. still likely end the year as the richest reforms and accompanying changes The Venezuelan president man in the world with a total net in value systems at ground level also announced that the banking worth of $116 billion. which are essential to find a way out system will increase the amount The analysis comes as 2020 of the most critical survival crisis of loans for purchasing dwellings, Democratic presidential candidates, before it is too late. constructing residences or making particularly Sens. Bernie Sanders (I- This critical realization should house improvements. Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), set the agenda for the new year and The Venezuelan Great Housing have made tackling inequality a key decade and this realization should be Mission was created in 2011 by the component of their policy platforms. an important part of our wishes for late Venezuelan President Hugo Warren has proposed an annual a happy and purposeful new year. Chavez and its mission is to reduce two percent tax on assets over $50 the country’s housing deficit. (Bharat Dogra is a journalist and million and a three percent tax on author.) Courtesy: Telesur assets above $1 billion. JANATA, January 5, 2020 17 Sanders, who has said he does New Govt in Argentina Passes Measures to not believe billionaires should exist, is calling for a wealth tax that would Alleviate Socio-Economic Crisis slash the fortunes of U.S. billionaires in half over 15 years, according to Tanya Wadhwa his campaign. The new Argentinian President public services, such as electricity, (Jake Johnson is a staff writer for Alberto Fernández, within 13 days gas, transportation and water, until Common Dreams, a nonprofit, US- of assuming office, has taken a June 30, 2020. based, news website.) number of measures to reverse the The law completely or partially socio-economic crisis created by the exempts all small and medium-sized previous right-wing government of enterprises (SMEs) from paying Mauricio Macri. The new President, property taxes in order to encourage who hails from the Frente de Todos their participation in providing (Front for All), a coalition of center- employment and eventual economic left parties, took office on December development of the country. 10. It contemplates the creation of a The national government special tax, known as the “Country has called special sessions of the Tax”, which will be charged on the National Congress from December purchase of foreign currencies, air 13 to 31 in order to discuss and tickets and tourist packages to travel pass several bills addressing the abroad as well as cash withdrawals economic, food, health and social and expenses made in a foreign crisis facing the country. country. Also, it increases the withholding Economic measures tax by soybeans, corn and wheat On December 21, the Argentine exporters, so as to increase their Senate approved the bill of contribution in solving the economic “Social Solidarity and Productive crisis. Reactivation,” proposed by Earlier, on December 17, President Fernández to curb the President Fernández and the recession, with 41 votes in favor, 23 governors, including those of the against and one abstention. opposition, agreed to suspend the A day before, on December application of Fiscal Pact for one 20, the Chamber of Deputies had year, signed in November 2017 approved it with 134 votes in favor between provincial leaders and the and 110 against it after debating it former president Macri. With this for more than 15 hours and adding decision, taxes such as income tax, some modifications. real estate taxes and stamp duties With this law, the national will be reduced. government aims at declaring an On December 14, the emergency in economic, financial, government approved the Decree administrative, energy, fiscal, health, of Need and Emergency with the pension, social and tariff matters. It objective to counteract the effects is focused on taxing the wealthy and of economic crisis. The decree allocating greater resources towards prevents possible mass dismissals social spending. in the private sector and further Among other measures, the deterioration of the labour market. new law freezes the prices of basic It established that a private sector 18 JANATA, January 5, 2020

worker dismissed without a justified years old and 6,000 pesos to those a person who tries to escape and reason in the next six months, will women who have two or more represents an imminent danger. receive double the compensation children. that they are currently entitled to. Regional integration Measures guaranteeing women’s In terms of regional integration, Social measures rights Fernández stood with the socialist On December 16, President On December 12, the new and progressive governments of the Fernández and Health Minister Health Minister Ginés González region, such as Cuba and Venezuela. Ginés González Garcí held a García announced a new protocol Both, Cuban President Miguel Díaz meeting with representatives of to guarantee legal interruption Canel as well as former Venezuelan the pharmaceutical industry. In the of pregnancy as provided by the Vice-president Jorge Rodríguez, meeting, all national and foreign current law. He announced that for traveled to Argentina to attend laboratories agreed to reduce the any case that falls within the current Fernández’s swearing in ceremony. prices of medicines by 8% and keep legislation, the abortion would be Rodríguez’s presence in them frozen until the end of January performed without the need of a Argentina overruled the sanctions 2020. court order and within a maximum and travel ban applied by previous The same day, Fernández period of 10 days. Argentine government against announced that the retirees who In Argentina, abortions are legal Venezuelan President Nicolas receive pension, would get an only in case of a rape and when the Maduro and his ministers under additional bonus of 5,000 life of a pregnant woman is at risk. the Inter-American Treaty of Argentine pesos in the months of However, despite the law, the right to Reciprocal Assistance (TIAR). December and January. Retirees and legal and safe abortion is not always Only seven days ago, on December pensioners will also receive guaranteed as different provinces, 3, Argentina among other right- free medicine. In addition, the health centers and professionals wing governments of the region, beneficiaries of the Universal refuse to comply with it. had approved a range of sanctions Child Allowance (AUH), a social Following the announcement, against 29 Venezuelan ministers. protection plan for special and the next day, on December 13, an In addition, on December 11, underprivileged children, will also administrative court suspended Fernández and Diaz Canel held a get an extra bonus of 2,000 pesos the precautionary measure that meeting at the presidential palace for these two months. prohibited the sale of misoprostol and consolidated diplomatic and On December 20, the national in pharmacies. Misoprostol is a economic ties between Cuba and government began the debate on the drug suitable for performing a Argentina. Food Emergency bill in the Senate, safe medical abortion and will Fernández also supported the in order to address the serious now be available in all pharmacies democratically elected Bolivian situation of food insecurity facing throughout the country. President Evo Morales, who was the country. overthrown on November 10 by In addition, under the Food Plan Commitment to reverse Macri’s a US backed military coup and that will be launched on December policy of repression sought political asylum in Mexico 24, the government announced that On December 15, Security on November 11. it would distribute 2 million food Minister Sabina Frederic, in an Just two days after assuming cards in order to combat hunger in interview with a national media office, on December 12, the new the country. With the help of these outlet Página 12, stated that the Foreign Minister, Felipe Solá, cards, poor citizens will be able national government would repeal granted political asylum in Argentina to purchase basic food products the protocols decreed by the former to Morales, Vice-president Alvaro worth 4,000 pesos a month for free. Security Minister Patricia Bullrich. Garcia Linera and three other Under the scheme, the government Bullrich passed resolutions that ministers and their families. will give 4,000 pesos per month legalized trigger-happy use of to women, who are three months firearms and authorized the national (Tanya Wadhwa writes for People’s pregnant or have a child up to six police greater liberty to shoot to kill Dispatch.) JANATA, January 5, 2020 19 R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 20 JANATA, January 5, 2020 Postal Registration No. MCW/275/2018-2020. Published on Sunday, January 5, 2020 & Posted on Wedenesday, January 8, 2020 at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1

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