Established 1946 1 Pages 20 Price : Rupees Five

Vol. 75 No. 6 Narendra Modi’s Reckless Politics Brings March 1, 2020 Mob Rule to New Delhi

Akhil Gogoi is in Prison for Political Reasons Siddharth Varadarajan Sandeep Pandey, Medha Patkar When It Comes to Curbing Dissent, Don’t be confused by the big is no dispute that the violence and Karnataka Is Going the UP Way media narrative of pro- and anti- communal riots of the past three days Monobina Gupta Citizenship (Amendment) Act clearly followed the call for direct Exploring Citizenship Dunu Roy protesters or “two sides” fighting action against the protesters that was Is the Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb, So Intrinsic it out in the streets of Delhi. And made by BJP leader Kapil Mishra to Delhi, Being Made Irrelevant? for heaven’s sake don’t fall for the in full view of the Delhi Police. Ishmeet Nagpal ludicrous claim made by the minister And that the Delhi Police, which The Trump and Modi Show: Of Tangri Kebabs and Cannibal Cows of state for home affairs G. Kishan reports to Union home ministry, Madhumita Dutta, Sirisha Naidu Reddy that the continuing violence not only failed to clamp down on Why there is No Good News for is a “conspiracy to defame India”. inflammatory speech but also on the India’s Healthcare Bharat Dogra As the death toll from the Delhi violence when it erupted. Is the World About to Witness the End Riots inches past 30, we need to Egged on by Mishra’s words, of the War in Afghanistan? remind ourselves that until violence a mob of Hindutva activists and M.K. Bhadrakumar was cynically unleashed on the lumpens attacked one of the The Wars No One Notices Stephanie Savell women and children protesting the sites of the anti-CAA protest in While Media Amplifies Unrest in Venezuela, Citizenship (Amendment) Act in North-East Delhi. This was the Millions Revolting in Colombia different parts of North East Delhi— ‘Salwa Judum’ model of vigilante Alan MacLeod, Whitney Webb most of whom are Muslim—the violence imported to Delhi. An Editor : G. G. Parikh national capital had witnessed 70 independent investigation will surely days of peace. reveal the hidden hands involved Associate Editor : Neeraj Jain Throughout the 70 days of in the mobilisation of the crowd Managing Editor : Guddi peaceful protest across multiple because such mobs do not form locations, there were no mobs on spontaneously. Predictably, the Editorial Board : the rampage, no stone pelting, no protesters they viciously attacked— B. Vivekanandan, Qurban Ali, burning of shops and homes. Only who had been sitting peacefully all Anil Nauriya, Sonal Shah, people sitting on dharna, surrounded the while—fought back. But there Amarendra Dhaneshwar, by the national flag, copies of the matters ought to have ended, if the Sandeep Pandey preamble of the constitution and Delhi police had done its job and the D-15, Ganesh Prasad, portraits of national icons like Dr Union home minister Amit Shah, Naushir Bharucha Marg, B.R. Ambedkar, Mahatma Gandhi had done his. Mumbai - 400 007. and Maulana Azad The big media presented what So why did violence suddenly was a violent attack on the anti-CAA Email : [email protected] engulf the city? Who willed it? Who dharna by a lumpen mob mobilised Website:www.janataweekly.org allowed it to happen? By now, there by Hindutva groups as “clashes 2 JANATA, March 1, 2020

between pro-CAA and anti-CAA burnt in Mustafabad. Worse, the and Haryana high court. protesters” but the ugly reality of meagre huts of poor working Muslim Is there a similarity between what was really happening became families were destroyed by masked what has played out in Delhi over evident that evening and the next thugs shouting Jai Shri Ram. My the past three days and earlier day. If the crowds mobilised were colleague Raghu Karnad spoke to incidents of communal violence? driven only by their support for the their Hindu neighbours who testified Yes there is. We saw all of this in the CAA, why would they chant slogans to this, and added that the arsonists capital in 1984 when the Congress- like ‘Hindustan mein rehna hoga to threatened to kill them unless they led government presided over the Jai Shri Ram bolna hoga’? It was too chanted Jai Shri Ram. massacre of thousands of Sikhs evident that the mobs which the If it was possible for anyone in following the assassination of Indira Hindutva leaders had assembled had Delhi to still delude themselves that Gandhi. Rajiv Gandhi may have a different task—to intimidate and the government and police meant been a so-called “inexperienced” attack Muslims in general, spread well and that they were battling some prime minister but his home minister, fear and insecurity across Delhi incredible conspiracy to “defame Narasimha Rao, was no babe in the and polarise the city and country on India”, the Delhi High Court’s order woods and the Delhi Police had communal lines. at 1:42 am on Wednesday should tonnes of “experience”. Yet they The fact that nothing short have cleared all doubts. allowed more than 3,000 people to of a communal riot was being There were 20 odd riot be killed. imposed on Delhi became apparent victims who lay injured in a small In Gujarat in 2002, Narendra on Tuesday when mosques, Muslim hospital in Mustafabad—the Al Modi as chief minister presided shops and Muslim homes were Hind Hospital—who needed to be over a state government that allowed targeted across a number of areas in transferred to the government-run more than a thousand innocent North East Delhi. Guru Tegh Bahadur hospital in Muslims to be killed by Hindutva In scenes reminiscent of the order to receive proper treatment. thugs. In both 1984 and 2002, the demolition of the Babri Masjid, The doctors at Al-Hind had been police were mute spectators to the thugs climbed atop the Badi Masjid trying since 4 pm to get the police to violence because they knew the in Ashok Nagar, Shadara, planted a provide an escort for ambulances to mobs had the backing of the ruling saffron flag and then tried to break take the injured safely away since the party. Delhi 2020 is no different. away parts of the minaret. They then Hindutva mobs were still threatening torched the mosque. My colleagues them. Sadly, the police offered Poison in the blood Naomi Barton and Avichal Dubey them no help. In desperation, they A question many people ask is were in Ashok Nagar and filed a approached the high court through why would Narendra Modi, Amit quick story on the destruction of a lawyer and Justice S. Muralidhar Shah and the BJP allow violence the mosque. The response of BJP convened a special sitting in his to take place at a time when they supporters online was to claim the house and ordered the police to were playing host to Donald story was fake. No less a person than provide the victims safe passage. Trump. Incidentally, the Congress MoS Home Kishan Reddy demanded government had no qualms about that action be taken against news From 1984 and 2002 to 2020 showcasing genocide on the streets platforms that published what he The same judge also pulled up in November 1984 even as world said was “fake news”. the Delhi Police on Wednesday leaders gathered in Delhi for Indira This attempt to deny the ugly afternoon for failing to even take Gandhi’s funeral but it is still worth truth about what was happening cognisance of the hate speeches of asking why Modi et al. would bring to Delhi under the watch of the BJP leaders. He knew what he was rain on their own parade. The answer Modi government obviously could talking about. After all, he was the is quite simple. Remember the story not last long. After all, The Wire one who finally sent Congress leader of the scorpion and the frog? A frog had released video footage that Sajjan Kumar to jail for the 1984 is carrying a scorpion across a river its reporters had themselves been massacre of Sikhs. And perhaps that as a favour but then the scorpion witness to. It then emerged that was why the Centre immediately bites the frog. As they both drown, mosques were also attacked and notified his transfer to the Punjab the frog cries out, ‘Why did you bite JANATA, March 1, 2020 3

me? We’re both going to die now’. and planned, with each person and to this violence, just a diabolical And the scorpion shrugs his shoulder organisation assigned the role he, she political plan to divide the people on and says, ‘What can I do? It’s in my or it must play. communal lines. The riots of 2002 nature.’ The communal riots of 2020 helped make the BJP electorally The fact is that it is the BJP’s are the opening shot in the BJP’s invincible in Gujarat. The work to nature to polarise, even if its campaign to retain power in the bring this vital aspect of the Gujarat communal poison causes a PR states where it still rules, and of model to Delhi has begun in earnest. disaster for India. For Modi and course at the Centre. With the Shah, a US presidential visit economy showing no signs of (Siddharth Varadarajan is journalist, is a one-off event but politics, recovery, desperate times call for political analyst and academic. electioneering and vote-bank desperate measures, the people He is a Founding Editor of The building are a continuous, never- of Delhi be damned. There is no Wire. He was earlier the Editor of ending process. The BJP fought the “Hindu side” and “Muslim side” The Hindu.) recent Delhi assembly election on a hard communal platform. They ran advertisements that were openly Akhil Gogoi is in Prison for Political Reasons communal and BJP politicians freely circulated anti-Muslim memes and Sandeep Pandey, Medha Patkar images on social media. The one consistent message from these Akhil Gogoi, leader of the the model of development and images and words was that Muslims largest grassroots mass organisation governance which promotes are traitors, traitors need to be shot. in Assam, Krishak Mukti Sangram disparity, empowerment of common Unfortunately for the BJP, Delhi’s Samiti, has been incarcerated under people, and deepening of democracy. electorate did not succumb to this sections 18 and 39 of Unlawful He has used the Right to Information hate campaign, and though the Activities Prevention Act in Act to expose corruption in saffron party’s vote share improved addition to sections 120B, 124A, government schemes, held protests by a few percentage points it was 153A and 153B of the IPC and against Lower Subansiri dam, still convincingly trounced by the the case handed over to National taken action against toll plazas to Aam Aadmi Party. Investigation Agency, which give relief to common people, and But even in defeat, the BJP saw was created to counter terrorism, undertaken constructive activities a political opening in the AAP’s because the Bhartiya Janata Party led like establishing the Kaziranga refusal to openly confront its government views him as a political National Orchid and Biodiversity communal agenda. The party’s local challenge. Akhil Gogoi is the first Park in over four hectares of land, for leaders calculated that if we launch accused booked under amended which he should have been rewarded an aggressive movement against UAPA which now allows even rather than being punished by Muslims and stoke a communal riot, individuals to be labelled as terrorist. successive governments in Assam. the Aam Aadmi Party will not be His organisation has been supporting He is presently facing 137 cases in able to counter us because it cannot the state wide mass protests first various courts of law and is a regular embrace the anti-Muslim rhetoric against the Citizenship Amendment visitor to jails in Assam. of the Hindutva parivar nor speak Bill and then the Act, and has taken The charge against him of being very aggressively against it. And in a a clear stand against the communal a Maoist is false as the government polarised atmosphere, the BJP would character of the law like no other doesn't have any concrete evidence be able to play to its sole strength mainstream organisation in Assam, against him. He has been falsely once again. because of which he has also been accused of instigating violence When it comes to the BJP and accused of favouring the illegal during the anti-CAA protests from Sangh parivar there is no such thing immigrants. 10th to 12th December, 2019, the as an accident. Nor do they ever lose We believe that Akhil Gogoi's biggest protest that Assam has sight of the long-term. Everything activities are aimed at holding the witnessed in recent times. Akhil was the parivar does is well thought out authorities accountable, questioning not present at any of the locations 4 JANATA, March 1, 2020

where violence took place during students and sympathy among Gana Parishad, a party which this period. The truth is that it was not middle class, KMSS is a grassroots emerged from its movement in the just KMSS but common people who organisation with popular support 1980s but is now in alliance with came out on streets and highways, among peasants and students. AASU, BJP, it should come out openly and just like at many places later in the which led the movement during join hands with KMSS in building country, in the movement against 1979–85 resulting in the historic a political alternative to the BJP-led CAA–NRC. Unlike in the past when Assam Accord, is now again in the government in the State, a demand on many occasions organisations leadership role in anti-CAA protests being articulated by many public- have led movements, this time it after 12th December 2019, and spirited citizens and intellectuals is the people's movement that has has an additional responsibility to of Assam. There is no denying the forced the organisations to join them. maintain the revolutionary character historic role played by regional While KMSS has been held guilty of of the movement. Akhil in an open sub-nationalist forces in Assam's violence, no action has been taken letter from jail has written, “The way public life and shaping its political against the people responsible for the AASU, Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba trajectory to protect the interests killing of five individuals in Assam Chatra Parishad and artists in Assam of indigenous people, as well as during these protests—Dipanjal Das, have united, KMSS, Forum against attempts to resolve the migration Sam Stafford, Abdul Alim, Ishwar the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, question through cross-community Nayak and Azizul Hoque. civil society in Assam, college dialogue and by holding the state The government has conspired and university students, people’s accountable. They must now step to put Akhil Gogoi and 23 of his organisations, tribal organisations, in to fill the vacuum created due to activist colleagues in jail to cripple and other national organisations anti-people central impositions and the strong challenge that the mass and crusading writers–intellectuals, divide-and-rule policies of the BJP, movement posed to it. In the as well as the citizens of Assam, and lack of any credible alternative. popular struggle against the central must be united too. We believe The popular sentiment sees a role government's attempt to scuttle the that it is impossible to achieve our for Akhil Gogoi in this resistance Assam Accord after the BJP came goal without such a unified national and emergence of alternative, and to power in Assam, KMSS has struggle.” Akhil has called for a all people's forces must join hands been at the forefront of the protests unified forceful and intense mass to demand his immediate release. with 70 organisations on board. movement, not merely symbolic, The All Assam Students Union capable of bringing the government (Sandeep Pandey is with Socialist (AASU) soon after set up another to its knees. Party (India) and Medha Patkar is front, with 30 organisations. While As AASU is opposed to CAA with National Alliance of People's AASU has strong presence among and has distanced itself from Asom Movements.)

When It Comes to Curbing Dissent, Karnataka Is Going the UP Way

Monobina Gupta

The recent spate of retaliatory Considering the horrifying meeting in Bangalore. She was actions against anti-CAA protesters images flooding our visual networks immediately surrounded by a group in Karnataka are a replication of in recent months, one more of the which clambered onto the stage. As mechanisms honed by the Yogi same genre should perhaps not they dragged her away, she shouted, Adityanath government in Uttar agitate us. Yet it does. On Thursday, several times, “Hindustan zindabad, Pradesh. The fact that both the state we saw 19-year-old Amulya Leona Hindustan zindabad.” governments relentlessly targeting Noronha manhandled and dragged The incident comes on the back of protesters are led by the Bharatiya away from the stage after raising several other such crackdowns. The Janata Party (BJP) is ominously the slogan “Pakistan zindabad, Karnataka government has applied significant. Pakistan zindabad” at a public the outdated sedition law on a range JANATA, March 1, 2020 5

of people, cutting across a spectrum “Long live India! Long live Pakistan! Indian politics. If the Congress is of ages and walks of life. The list of Long live Bangladesh! Long live Sri the progenitor of many repressive those booked under sedition includes Lanka! Long live Nepal! Long live acts and measures now in full play, “a university student from Mysuru, Afghanistan! Long live China! Long then the BJP is much more than their the headmistress of a school in Bidar live Bhutan!” dutiful replicator. If the Emergency and the parent of a nine-year-old Many sensible people would call was a dangerous anti-democratic studying in the same school, and the posts little more than teenage- measure that took two years to three Kashmiri students of a college speak; sweeping statements that, on defeat, curbing dissent is now an in Hubbali/Dharwad.” the surface of it, are disembodied everyday affair with no end in The Karnataka police also slogans. One has the right to disagree sight. Dissenters are not citizens of arrested journalist and poet Siraj with them. But does the path of every India, but pro-Pakistan conspirators, Bisaralli for reciting an anti-CAA disagreement or criticism have to Maoists and the like. poem, besides indicting Rajabaxi lead to jail? The official language We are in a moment when the H.V., the editor of a website where used against dissidents has grown mere act of reciting poems, singing a video of Bisaralli’s rendition at a harsher as anti-CAA protests have songs, raising slogans, reading the literary meet was uploaded. spread further around the country. Constitution, or being youthfully In the very latest case, charged politically engaged brings the with sedition and denied bail, Adityanath’s defence of police potential threat of prison and state Amulya was sent to judicial custody violence violence. While the prime minister for 14 days. Karnataka chief minister Concluding the discussion tweets about all and sundry while B.S. Yediyurappa lost no time on the governor’s address in the staying silent on these most pressing in dubbing the college student state assembly, Uttar Pradesh issues, his colleagues make the an activist who has links with chief minister Yogi Adityanath meaning of his silence loud and Maoists. “As Amulya’s links with recently defended the police’s role clear. Naxalites (Maoists) were proved in in the deaths of anti-CAA protesters. an investigation by the state police, According to him, nothing can be (Monobina Gupta is Managing she must be punished and action done to save “those who want to die.” Editor at The Wire. She has worked will also be taken against the people In fact, he urged people to appreciate in several news organisations behind her,” Yediyurappa said. the role of the police in dealing with including the Telegraph and the Amulya”s father Oswald Naronha “rioters” during the protests. “Jo jis Times of India.) bhasha main samjhega, usey uss has denied the charge and called for an inquiry. bhasha main samjhayenge (We will Janata Subscription Meanwhile, Sanjeev Marady, talk to people in the language they leader of the Sri Ram Sene, a Hindu understand),” he declared, going on Annual Rs. : 260/- right-wing group, has declared a Rs to say: “Agar koi marne ke liye aa 10 lakh bounty for killing the student raha hai to woh zinda kahan se ho Three Years : 750/- activist. “I request the government jayega (If someone is coming with Demand Draft / Cheque to not grant bail to Leona. If she is the intention to die, then how will released, we will encounter her, or that person remain alive.)” on Mumbai Bank give a Rs 10 lakh reward to anyone Over 20 people died from firing in favour of who kills her,” Maradi said on during the anti-CAA protests in UP camera. in December. The UP police have In a different world, we may booked 135 people protesting CAA JANATA TRUST have tried to understand Amulya’s under sedition, and arrested 20 in D-15, Ganesh Prasad, larger point of view. We could have Azamgarh. Naushir Bharucha Marg, taken into account the fact that in a What we are witnessing Facebook post recently, she wrote: currently in Indian politics is unlike Grant Road (W), “Whatever country may be—long anything we have seen before. The Mumbai 400 007. live for all the countries!” Adding: BJP is a party like none other in 6 JANATA, March 1, 2020 Exploring Citizenship

Dunu Roy

There is no doubt that the Delhi but migrated to Pakistan; resident Jawaharlal Nehru, who asked elections have been comprehensively in Pakistan and migrated to India; “what that word means”, when he lost by the Bharatiya Janata Party and persons (or their parents) born in was accused of “appeasement of (BJP), but the sub-text is that it India but residing outside India—the Pakistan, appeasement of Muslims, improved its vote share from 32.2 Members had three major concerns. appeasement of this and that”. per cent in 2015 to 38.5 per cent The first concern was who was Nehru drew significant support this time. The Aam Admi Party to be issued permits to return to from Mahboob Ali Baig Sahib’s (AAP) kept its share of 54.3 per India as citizens—apart from Hindus (Madras) sharp question to the cent in 2015 almost intact with 53.6 and Sikhs who “have no other Members, “What would you do if per cent in 2020. In other words, home but India”. As explained one of your men becomes a traitor, the BJP has gained more adherents by Ambedkar, only those persons a Communist and tries to overthrow for its rabid Hindtuva agenda, from Pakistan would be allowed the Government?” Brajeshwar expressed most viciously against who had a permit for Resettlement Prasad (Bihar) also agreed with those protesting the new emerging or Permanent Return. But several Nehru “that the security of India norms for citizenship that make a Members contested this, with Dr. today is menaced not by Muslims mockery of the Constitution. P.S. Deshmukh (C.P. & Berar) but by Hindus.” In the final vote, the At such a time, therefore, it bluntly stating, “For aught I know Assembly overwhelmingly agreed is illuminating to go back to the he might be a fifth columnist”; with them. concept of citizenship as expressed Prof. K.T. Shah (Bihar) demanding, Just as much as the issue of during the Constituent Assembly “to see to it that there would be no the Muslim ‘traitor’ was agitating debates—especially on 10th, 11th, Quislings amidst us”; and Thakur the minds of some Members, there and 12th August 1949, when the Das Bhargava (East Punjab) wary was a second issue of concern that relevant Articles 5 and 6 came of those who are “occupying lands kept cropping up. This centred up for discussion—and explore and usurping the rightful owners by round the issue of how politics and whether the concept is frozen or can terrorising them and becoming a economics were intertwined. Jaspat be developed further. Apart from majority in this country”. Roy Kapoor (U.P.) cited the case of some renumbering—so that now In a similar vein, B.P. government employees, who had the Articles are from 5 to 11—and Jhunjhunwala (Bihar) echoed that, opted for Pakistan but “after going correction or modification of a few “people from Eastern Pakistan are over to Pakistan came back to India words, the original draft was passed infiltrating into Assam for some finding that they had no scope for by the Assembly as it was, except sinister motive i.e. to increase their a decent existence in Pakistan”. for an additional Article 10 dealing population”; Maulana Md. Hifzur Baig also spoke of “persons who with “Persons voluntarily acquiring Rehaman (U.P.) cautioned the House are employed in the provinces of citizenship of a foreign State not to against “conspirators and cheats or Pakistan coming back to India”. And be citizens”. those who have come to consolidate Sardar Bhopinder Singh Man (East The main themes of the debate their business”; and Rohini Kumar Punjab) argued that the permit is not are startlingly familiar in today’s Chaudhury (Assam) was vehement simply “to enable a person to visit context, even though they were in excluding “those persons India for trade or commerce but that being framed in the shadow of the who surreptitiously introduced it will entail along with it citizenship Partition of the country. Thus, while themselves into my province … to rights also”. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the Chairman of exploit more from that province of Shah warned against foreign the Drafting Committee, had framed Assam”. capitalists who might come “merely five categories—persons born and This early version of the to enjoy those benefits of our fiscal residing in India; not born but ‘ghuspaithiya’ (infiltrator) was or industrial policy, without their residing in India; resident in India firmly rebutted by Prime Minister heart being in this country”. At JANATA, March 1, 2020 7

the same time, Bhargava was and partly because no consensus 5,70,000 crore) but contributing concerned about those who went could be reached, the Constituent to much more wealth abroad be to the colonies as “indentured Assembly left these cases “to be considered as Indian citizens? And labour” and wanted to come back decided by laws which will be made finally, all those persons who are as “industrialists, businessmen and by Parliament hereafter”. In fact, this ‘illegal immigrants’ (only around ardent labourers who will certainly decision was enumerated in Articles 55 lakh, or 0.44 per cent of the be an asset to this country”. Alladi 10 and 11 of the finally approved population, had reported their last Krishnaswami Ayyar (Madras) also Constitution. residence outside the country in argued that people from Goa, French Accordingly, the Citizenship Act 2011) or internal migrants (100 Settlements and other places “have was passed by Parliament in 1955 million who contribute 2 per cent to come to India and have settled down to provide for citizenship by birth, national GDP), are they eligible to in this country, regarding India as descent, registration, naturalisation, be citizens or not? a permanent home, and … have and incorporation of territory. In all The idea of a Republic embodies assisted commerce”. these, the condition of ‘domicile’, a social contract wherein citizens Even Chaudhury confessed that or being resident on the territory collaborate to elect a government and he wanted citizenship rights for of India, has been the primary pay taxes so that governance may be people who “had come to Assam consideration. But the question of possible. Taxes, in turn, can be paid … as government servants or as who is an ‘Indian’ could not be settled only when citizens—irrespective employees of businessmen”, adding even in 1949. There is a curious of whether they are rich or poor or however that, “Every province exchange between Dr. Deshmukh of any religion—are able to protect would like to be prosperous but it and Prof. Shibban Lal Saksena (U.P.) livelihoods and earn, as guaranteed should not be at the cost of other where the latter asks for a definition by the Constitution. Those who persons”. N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar and the former responds with, “I contribute to the common wealth, (Madras) agreed that “a very large thought that an Indian is a very even by providing the most menial number of Muslims who will come easily recognisable person. When of services, should surely be entitled over to India from Pakistan and who combined with domicile, it is easier to both rights and responsibilities of will apply for registration and get to define it.” citizenship. If the Citizenship Act is registered, much to the detriment of Within this context, whether to be amended, the debate on ‘work’ the economy of Assam … (and) the the amendments to the Act in 1986, cannot be evaded any more. economy of West Bengal”. Thus, 1992, 2003, 2005, 2015, and now it was interesting that Members in 2019 have clarified the matter (Dunu Roy is Director, Hazards could not reconcile the supposed is open to interpretation. But one Centre, Delhi.) difference between protecting those thread that remains untangled is who, according to them, came in the intertwining between politics and contributed to the wealth of the and economics. Is the person who meceepeJeeoer efJe®eej nation and those who were a drain is born and resident in India but mebkeÀuHe yeoueeJe keÀe on it. who runs away with all the wealth Finally, there was the concern that wascreated (23,000 dollar- meceepeJeeoer meceeiece about those whose citizenship status millionaires had left India in the 12-13 pegueeF&, 2019, efouueer was not made clear in the draft four years between 2014 and 2018; Constitution: including women just 36 of them are said to have kesÀ DeJemej Hej ÒekeÀeefMele after marriage; infants; persons not defrauded the public exchequer of mebHeeokeÀ ë kegÀjyeeve Deueer born as Indians, or born of parents Rs 40,000 crore) worthy of being an ÒekeÀeMekeÀ ë jceeMebkeÀj efmebn or grand-parents who were Indian; Indian citizen? those who, after going over to Or conversely, should the ueeiele cetu³e ë 200 ªHe³es ceW GHeueyOe~ Pakistan, came back to India and did persons born in India but resident mebHeke&À ë not want to go back to Pakistan; or outside India (estimated at 1.8 crore pevelee ì^mì - 7738082170 those in search of double nationality. in 2019, half in ‘Muslim’ countries, (Heesmì keÀe Ke®e& Deueie) Partly because time was limited who sent back $80 billion—Rs 8 JANATA, March 1, 2020 Is the Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb, So Intrinsic to Delhi, Being Made Irrelevant?

Ishmeet Nagpal

Delhi has historically been a miracle. Her son survived and she Muslim weavers integrate Hindu a prime example of the Ganga– donated the crescent made of silver iconography like the lotus motif Jamuna or Ganga–Jamuni Tehzeeb; to the Hanuman temple. into their designs. Locally known with its iconic Khariboli language as ‘booti’ (meaning small plant/leaf/ (a mixture of local dialects), being Secularism flower), the design is a must on the home to the literary and music Ganga–Jamuni Tehzeeb also famous Banarasi sarees. traditions of the North India region, traces back to the Bhakti Movement The travelling Patua Chitrakars, and being the birthplace of Qawwali when Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, who are also predominantly and the Delhi Gharana. Today, Delhi Jain and Sikh saints propagated Muslims, have long carried the is the epicentre of divisive politics similar ideas of spirituality beyond tradition of storytelling in West and the rising resistance against it religious norms, giving the Doab Bengal, using painted scrolls to tell by the populace in a bid to preserve area a cohesive regional identity stories from Hindu epics as well as communal harmony and secularism. rather than a personal religious tales of Sufi saints. Durga Puja and Ganga–Jamuni Tehzeeb is apparent identification. When Bhagat Kabir Dussehra witness Muslim artisans in the core values of the people sang, “Chadariya bheeni re bheeni, making the Hindu idols while coming together in the nation’s re Raam naam ras bheeni”, alluding people of Lucknow come together capital today. to how his soul is soaked in Bhakti to observe Muharram regardless of The tradition has been passed ras of Raam’s name, his spiritual their religion. down through generations by the expression of devotion to a Hindu The shared identity of this residents of the Doab (means land God was never a conflict with the fact region is also evident in the cuisine. between two rivers, in this case, the that he was born as a Muslim. Bhakti Varanasi is popular as the holy city land between Ganga and Yamuna/ poetry and Sufism was beyond for Hindus but few people know Jamuna) region of the central plains such definitions and divisions. The about its rich culinary tradition with of North India, which has long composite multiculturalism that this raan-musallam, murgh-musallam, witnessed a syncretic fusion of movement cultivated is one of the machhli-dum, and biriyani, served on Hindu and Muslim religious and core ideas of India as a secular nation the same table as Matar-ka-nimona cultural elements. The term Ganga– even today. (a traditional vegetarian curry) and Jamuni Tehzeeb originates from an Kabirpanthi weavers of khoya-matar-makhana (curry made Awadhi poetic phrase as the Nawabs Chhatisgarh still sing Kabir’s with green peas and fox nuts). of Awadh were the fore-runners dohas (couplets) to the tune of the In Lucknow, the very architecture of this culture, propagating the loom. The famous carpets woven and structure of the city speaks to a practices in central Uttar Pradesh in Kashmir by Muslim kaarigars shared influence of Mughal era as from Awadh to Prayagraj (erstwhile (skilled weavers) embroider images well as Hindu tradition. Ganga– Allahabad), Lucknow, Kanpur, of Goddesses Durga, Lakshmi, and Jamuni Tehzeeb is ingrained into the Faizabad, Varanasi, and Ayodhya. Sarawati on their handlooms. The people’s lives, yet radicalisation and There are many historic stories influence comes partially from the divisive politics are quick to dismiss in the folklore of this region that erstwhile interactions with their the existence of this brotherhood or describe syncretic and synergistic Kashmiri Pandit neighbours and attack it. practices. One such story is about partly from the weavers who may In 1920, Lala Lajpat Rai said, the reason behind a silver crescent have migrated there for work from “The Indian nation, such as it is moon perched on top of a Hanuman the Doab region. The stories of these or such as we intend to build, Temple in Aliganj, Lucknow. It is weaving traditions are bittersweet in neither is nor will be exclusively said the crescent was presented to light of the tragedies both Kashmiri Hindu, Muslim, Sikh or Christian. the temple as a token of gratitude by Pandits and Muslim residents of It will be each and all.” The time the Queen of Awadh. Her son fell ill Kashmir have endured over the past of reckoning is here, with reports and no one was able to cure him. She decades. of targeted violence from Delhi went to ‘Hanuman Lalla’ to pray for In Varanasi and Bengal, the getting increasingly alarming as on JANATA, March 1, 2020 9

February 24, 2020, even as Donald each tenet of communal harmony poet, theatre artist and writer. Trump visits the most imposing is precious. Traditions like Ganga– She works as Communications Mughal architectural landmark Taj Jamuni Tehzeeb deserve to be Manager at Save The Children Mahal a few hundred kilometres discussed, celebrated, and preserved. India in Mumbai. She writes for away. In this moment of turmoil, (Ishmeet Nagpal is a social activist, SabrangIndia.com.) The Trump and Modi Show: Of Tangri Kebabs and Cannibal Cows

Madhumita Dutta, Sirisha Naidu

Indians love eating their tangri rapidly growing domestic market. zealots claim as the site of an ancient kebabs, i.e., barbequed chicken The removal of import restrictions Hindu temple. (Maybe POTUS can drumsticks, and the Americans are would give US poultry producers offer to mediate on this dispute also, eager to sell them the millions of access to a market of at least US along with the one in Kashmir) tons of chicken legs they have piled $300 million. Much of the real theatricals are up in their freezers. The leaders Besides chicken legs, India has however reserved for Trump’s trip of the two of the biggest so-called also offered to open up its dairy to Ahmedabad, a city that propelled democracies are magnanimously market to US imports, which bodes Modi to power and which will host obliging both sellers and clients ill for over 73 million marginal and a ‘Kem Cho Trump!’ or Howdy during Donald Trump’s visit to India landless farmers, each of whom Trump! show. The preparations between 24–27 February. own an average of at least 2 milch include re-laying or widening of 18 While a US–India trade deal animals (cows, goats), that provides roads of 20 kilometers (12 miles) is unlikely, India has offered a livelihood option throughout the length, a half a kilometer long concessions, one of which is cutting year and is a major contributor brick wall, and city beautification tariffs on chicken legs from 100% to the rural economy. Besides the (including planting palm trees) to 25%—a move likely to devastate economic argument, a sticky point along the road from the airport to the the country’s small poultry farmers. that has been bothering the Modi mega cricket stadium that is being But then why let such minor details government is about the feed of built in preparation for the visit. such as thousands of job losses and the cattle raised in the US. In the The hastily built wall, in this case, possibly more farmer suicides get in land of the ‘holy cow’, where won’t keep the “Mexicans” out, the way of the latest episode in the even a mere hint of beef eating but Indians living in slums. These Trump–Modi romance. or possession of beef can lead to preparations for a three-hour visit by The Congress-led UPA lynching, especially of Muslims Trump will cost the city a fat sum of government had earlier imposed and Dalits, it will indeed be rather approximately Rs 85 crore, which is a ban on US poultry since 2007 ironical if milk products from cattle about 1.5% of the total budget of the claiming fear of Avian Influenza, fed on “bovine extract” are sold state of Gujarat. No matter that 42% but clearly with a view to protecting and consumed in India. One fears of the children in Gujarat suffer from the domestic poultry industry. In for the lives of ‘cannibal’ American stunted growth and that India takes response, the US filed a complaint cattle, which may face the wrath of the global top spot for the proportion against India at the World Trade religious zealots and lynching mobs of child wasting (20.8%), a strong Organization (WTO). In its ruling of India if US refuses to certify them indicator that predicts mortality in 2014, WTO ruled in favour of the free of such sacrileges! among children under five and US, which India appealed and lost Trump’s visit to Modi’s country, results from acute food shortage. in 2015. In 2016, the US threatened of course, is expected to produce an The construction of the wall India with trade sanctions for not incredible show, even if it is only has also forced the administration complying with the WTO order and for the love of tangri kebabs and to evict the slum dwellers who still sought compensation. The United dairy products. The show line-up insist on being poor and living in States of America is the world’s includes a visit by Donald and slums, even in the ‘achhe din’ of largest poultry meat producer, with Melania Trump to the world famous Modi’s India. But any stray ill- 18 percent of global output, while Taj Mahal, built by a Mughal king in feelings toward the wall should India is the fifth largest and with a memory of his wife but which Hindu dissipate on seeing the loving hand- 10 JANATA, March 1, 2020

painted portraits of the two great Monday (Feb 24) slammed President air pollution, create good renewable leaders and a proud proclamation Donald Trump for selling weapons energy jobs, and save our planet,” ‘World Largest Democracy Meets to India, saying that the US should he said. World Oldest Democracy’ (sic). instead partner with New Delhi to Sanders also criticised the US And while Trump and Modi fight climate change to save the president for his statement regarding court each other, we have two planet. the violence in New Delhi, calling parallel stories of crises emerging in Sanders made the comments after it a "failure of leadership". Asked the countries they rule at their whim. Trump, at the ‘Namaste Trump’ rally about incidents of violence during In the US it is the cruel treatment at Motera stadium in Ahmedabad, his India visit, the US president of migrants from Central America announced that deals to sell state-of- had said, "As far as the individual fleeing economic and physical the-art military helicopters and other attacks, I heard about it, but I violence and low wage growth. In equipment worth over $3 billion will didn't discuss that with him (Modi). India, the abrogation of Article 370 be sealed with India on Tuesday. That's up to India." Reacting to has made life even more miserable Instead of selling weapons the issue, Sanders on Wednesday for the people of Kashmir while to enrich Raytheon, Boeing, and tweeted, "Over 200 million Muslims the Citizen Amendment Act has Lockheed, the US should be call India home. Widespread anti- introduced a deep sense of insecurity partnering with India to fight climate Muslim mob violence has killed for a large proportion of the change, Sanders said in a tweet, the at least 27 and injured many more. population that cannot produce valid first by a Democratic presidential Trump responds by saying 'That's documents. State and majoritarian candidate on Trump’s India visit. up to India'. This is a failure of violence has also increased with “We can work together to cut leadership on human rights." institutions and individuals critical of the ruling government being Statement about ownership and other particulars of JANATA physically attacked, trolled or FORM IV (see rule 8) arrested under sedition charges. At the same time, disastrous economic 1. Place of publication : Mumbai policies like demonetisation and 2. Periodicity of its publication : Weekly GST have devastated livelihoods. 3. Printer’s name : G. G. Parikh Not surprisingly, the Modi Whether citizen of India : Yes government has tightly controlled the release of official economic Address : 33-A, Ganesh Prasad, data and statistics that impedes Naushir Bharucha Marg, comprehensive assessment of the Grant Road (W), Indian economy. The surreptitious Mumbai 400 007 attack on the working classes goes 4. Publisher’s : G. G. Parikh hand-in-hand with the ‘othering’ and Whether citizen of India : Yes persecution of minorities. Address : As above India under Modi and the US 5. Editor’s name : G. G. Parikh under Trump are like twin peas in a Whether citizen of India Yes pod. Irrespective of what deals they Address : As above reach, it is the common people of both countries who lose. 6. Names and address of individuals Janata Trust who own the newspaper and partners D-15, Ganesh Prasad, (Madhumita Dutta and Sirisha or shareholders holding more than Naushir Bharucha Marg, Naidu are researchers based in the one percent of the total capital : Grant Road (W), US.) Mumbai 400 007 Editor’s Note: In the midst of I, G.G. Parikh, hereby declare that the particulars given above are true all this dismal news, here is some to the best of my knowledge and belief. positive news. PTI reports: Democratic presidential front- Mumbai (G.G. Parikh) runner Senator Bernie Sanders on March 1, 2020 Signature of Publisher JANATA, March 1, 2020 11 Why there is No Good News for India’s Healthcare

Bharat Dogra

Over the last two years, the most original allocation for the scheme physicians. “We allowed insurance common comment on allocations in the 2019-20 budget was Rs companies to come between us and for the health sector in the union 6,400 crore but this was cut to half, our patients,” a doctor lamented. budgets was that there has been or Rs 3,200 crore, in the Revised A rich country like the US may “some increase” in it. However, Estimate (RE). This year, the budget be able to manage the wastes and any headline that really captures the allocation is back to Rs 6,400 crore. frauds of such a system, but not wider reality would have said that However, in the case of this and a poor country like India which the ‘government has fallen behind other insurance-driven schemes, the needs a strong public health system health commitments by over Rs primary issue is not the budget cut but is staring at a serious shortage 30,000 crore and made big cuts in but how these schemes are gradually of funds. A glaring indicator is the priorities’. driving India towards a system official data for 2018, which records Keeping the extremely low driven by insurance companies and that there is an 82% shortage of allocations for the health sector in private health providers instead of specialist doctors in Community India in mind, the National Health concentrating more attention and Health Centers (CHCs), which Policy 2017 fixed a target of raising resources on public health. primarily treat rural patients. Among central and state allocations to 2.5% The biggest model of such the states, Uttar Pradesh has a 94% of GDP by 2025. This should be private-profit and insurance-driven shortage. taken as a minimum, as according health systems is in the United A large number of rural health to comparisons with several other States. Dr Sandeep Jauhar has centers lack the most basic facilities. countries and India’s own needs, the worked at senior positions within Horror stories of people, particularly allocation should actually be higher the American system and has been children, dying due to lack of proper than this target. writing about it in The New York care even after reaching big public Since this limited target cannot Times. In his book, titled Doctored— hospitals continue to be reported be achieved in one go, the National The Disillusionment of an American from time to time. Health Mission prepared a road-map Physician, he quotes a congressional The need to spend more on so that by gradual increases in state investigation which found that private health care has emerged and union health budgets year-on- surgeons had performed 2.4 million as a leading cause of people being year, the stipulated target can be unnecessary operations resulting in pushed into poverty. achieved by 2025. 12,000 deaths. In a country like India, As per this road map, the Union The Institute of Medicine has preventive health care and social government allocation in 2019-20 estimated that wasteful health medicine is probably one of the most should have been Rs 1 lakh crore, spending (spending that does not important factors in improving health but the actual allocation fell short by improve health outcomes) costs outcomes. However, this will be around Rs 34,000 crore. In 2020-21 $750 billion annually in the US. A relegated to the background once the the allocation should have been Rs study published in the New England country embarks on a private sector, 1.24 lakh crore, but actual allocation Journal of Medicine found that one profit and insurance driven health fell short by about Rs 55,000 crore. in five Medicare patients discharged model. In a recent review of health Coming to the second part of the from hospitals was re-admitted sector budgets, the Centre for Budget proposed headline, about making within a month. In a survey of and Governance Accountability has budget cuts in its own priority 12,000 physicians in the US, only noted, “A continuous effort on the schemes, the Union government has 6% said that morale was positive part of the Union Government to in recent times been most vociferous and that depression levels among shift from healthcare provisioning about its Ayushmann Bharat scheme, physicians have been high. to purchasing has been observed in also known as Pradhan Mantri Among all professions in the recent years. National Health Policy Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY). The US, the suicide rate is highest among 2017 coined the term Strategic 12 JANATA, March 1, 2020 Purchasing to describe a gradual Is the World About to Witness the End of the conversion of the government’s role from a provider to a purchaser War in Afghanistan? of healthcare services for its M.K. Bhadrakumar citizens.” Another point raised in this The manner in which US in the Taliban. review is a special concern for President Donald Trump’s Pompeo’s announcement economically-weaker states in administration is ramming a peace came immediately after a stunning the context of performance-based settlement down Afghanistan’s op-ed by the deputy head of the component of central funds. The throat is disconcerting. Delhi’s Taliban (dreaded leader of Haqqani review notes that 14 states were silence is more so. One shudders to network), Sirajuddin Haqqani, in penalised in 2018-19. “Most of think that comprador elements in the New York Times, the flag carrier these are economically weaker the Indian establishment could be of the Washington establishment, states with poor infrastructure and silently collaborating with the US vowing that his fighters are “fully human development indicators. project, in the shadow of Trump’s committed” to the reduction in Penalties imposed on such states, in recent trip to visit India. violence deal. terms of loss of resources from the Neither the Indian political The Haqqani network takes the Centre, might adversely affect the leadership nor the “deep state” seems cue from Islamabad, and Sirajuddin’s underprivileged sections in these to grasp that the geopolitics of the opinion piece (which was highlighted states as they depend on public South Asian region is transforming by the Voice of America later) provisioning for health.” with far-reaching consequences. signals that Islamabad wants the Meanwhile, the health sector Events are moving in a torrential reduction in violence pact to be allocation of the budget as a flow, navigated by the US-Pakistani displayed on the ground. Indeed, percentage of GDP has remained compass. With Pakistani help, the Sirajuddin’s piece also signifies more or less stagnant at around 0.3% Trump administration has secured a his metamorphosis from a branded during the last four years. To be near-optimal deal with the Taliban. terrorist to a political figure, which more exact, the actual expenditure The deal calls for negotiations is how most insurgencies end. in 2017-18 was 0.32% of GDP and between Afghans to start in March, Washington is well aware that the 2020-21 budget estimate for an eventual countrywide cease-fire the Haqqani group was responsible this is 0.31%. So, there is actually and a commitment from the Taliban for terrorist attacks on the Indian a decline, whereas the road map not to harbour terrorist groups, diplomatic establishments in outlined by the Modi Government to while setting a timetable for the Afghanistan. But today US self- increase health spending to 2.5% of withdrawal of US troops. interest dictates that Sirajuddin’s the GDP calls for a gradual increase A senior US official said that mainstreaming in Afghan political in Centre’s health spending. “the agreement for a seven-day life and a potential elevation As a proportion of the total ‘reduction in violence’ is ‘very eventually to a leadership role at Union Budget, the health spending specific’ and covers the entire the national level are useful and was 2.6% in 2017-18; in the 2020-21 country, including Afghan necessary, since he can deliver BE, this is down to 2.3%. Overall, government forces.” Importantly, peace. there is certainly a clear trend of the Taliban has committed to a halt As for Pakistan, it can rest the Union Government going back in roadside and suicide bombings as assured that a regime in Kabul with on its critical health commitments, well as rocket attacks. Sirajuddin in a commanding role as expressed in its own policy The scheduled “reduction in will be amenable and never play statements. This is not good news violence” began on February 22. On footsie with Indians. at all for our health. February 21, US Secretary of State Ironically, on a parallel track, Mike Pompeo disclosed that the pact Washington also finessed the (The writer is a freelance journalist will be inked on February 29, which rejectionist stance of the Afghan who has been involved with several suggests Washington’s growing trust president Ashraf Ghani at a joint social movements.) JANATA, March 1, 2020 13

meeting on February 15 with Nonetheless, interestingly, the dialogue. An interim government Pompeo, US Defense Secretary UN and the European Union lost no would have met the purpose ideally. Mark Esper, and the chief negotiator time to congratulate Ghani on his Quite obviously, the recent with the Taliban, US peace envoy election victory. This would suggest, four-day visit by the UN Secretary- Zalmay Khalilzad, on the sidelines again, Washington’s confidence that General António Guterres to Pakistan of the Munich Security Conference. the anti-Ghani opposition leaders— took place in the above backdrop What offer the Americans made some of whom are on CIA payroll, where Washington is grooming to Ghani that he couldn’t refuse in fact—will ultimately accept the the UN to navigate Afghanistan’s we do not know yet, but he has fait accompli. transition. overnight turned into a believer But Karzai further responded Washington encourages and enthusiastic supporter of the by tweeting: “As was feared, Guterres to prioritise Pakistan’s reduction in violence pact between unfortunately, the wrong decision goodwill and cooperation for the the Trump administration and the to hold elections and misconduct sake of the success of the fateful UN Taliban. in the process caused divisions mission in Afghanistan. His highly It is entirely conceivable threatening further instability. Now controversial remarks on Kashmir that Ghani’s next move after the it is upon us, the Afghan people, and Modi government’s anti-Muslim Munich appeasement on his return to to protect our homeland from the policies (while on a visit to Pakistan Kabul—after the announcement of negative consequences, steadfastly last week) fall into perspective. the results of last year’s presidential work for peace and foil…foreign He didn’t speak flippantly. His election on February 18 by the designs against our unity, integrity chastising remarks were intended Independent Election Commission, and sovereignty.” to put Delhi on the defensive. declaring Ghani president for the Evidently, feelings are running Guterres hinted probably that India second time—would have tacit US high. But Pompeo’s announcement cannot afford to be a “spoiler” in approval. on February 21 setting the date for the Afghanistan. You don’t throw stones Unsurprisingly, the Afghan signing of the reduction in violence from glass houses, after all. opposition has roundly condemned pact underscores that Washington is Ghani’s move. Chief Executive confident of steamrolling the anti- (M.K. Bhadrakumar is a former Officer Abdullah Abdullah is Ghani political forces drawn from Indian diplomat.) threatening to form a parallel the non-Pashtun ethnic communities. government. In essence, the US is playing The former Afghan president the “Pashtun card”—opting for the Hamid Karzai also lashed out at the restoration of Pashtun dominance to Janata so-called international community stabilise Afghanistan, which has of for prompting Ghani to rig the course been a historical reality. is available at election result. In a statement on But there is a significant February 19, Karzai said, “The section of enlightened Pashtuns www.lohiatoday.com process that was imposed on our and the Tajik, Hazara and Uzbek people under the name of ‘elections’ nationalities who feel marginalised was not a national process and was in and let down. They had expectations contrast to the values of democracy.” for a future for their country as a Spectre of He rejected the election results modern, moderate, plural and truly and stated that “the election process independent state. Fascism fundamentally serves foreign They would be apprehensive that Contribution Rs. 20/- agendas in Afghanistan, which are the US-sponsored settlement would Published by aimed at weakening Afghanistan’s put Pakistan in the driving seat in Janata Trust & Lokayat national sovereignty and creating Kabul eventually. They would have D-15, Ganesh Prasad, division among the Afghan people no reservations about integrating Naushir Bharucha Marg, so that foreigners can implement the Taliban as such but through a Grant Road (W), Mumbai 400 007 their plans.” transparent process of inter-Afghan 14 JANATA, March 1, 2020 The Wars No One Notices

Stephanie Savell

I’m co-director of the Costs of Project has, for instance, come up political costs in distant lands are of War Project at Brown University’s with a comprehensive estimate of remarkably little interest here. Today, Watson Institute for International what the war on terror has actually it’s difficult to imagine a devastating and Public Affairs, founded by cost this country since 2001: $5.6 war photo making the front page Catherine Lutz and Neta Crawford trillion. It's an almost unfathomably of a mainstream newspaper, much in 2011, on the 10th anniversary of large number. Imagine, though, if less galvanising protest, as several the invasion of Afghanistan. Their we had invested such funds in more now-iconic images did during the goal: to draw attention to the hidden cancer research or the rebuilding of Vietnam era. and unacknowledged costs of our America’s infrastructure. In August, for instance, the counterterror wars in Afghanistan, That $5.6 trillion includes Costs of War Project issued a Iraq, and a number of other countries the costs of caring for post-9/11 report that revealed the extent to as well. veterans as well as spending to which immigrant workers in the When I go to dinner parties prevent terrorist attacks on US soil war zones of Iraq and Afghanistan or take my toddler to play dates (“homeland security”). That figure are exploited. From countries and tell my peers what I do for and its annual updates do make the like Nepal, Colombia, and the a living, I’ve grown used to the news in places like the Wall Street Philippines, they work for the US blank stares and vaguely approving Journal and the Atlantic magazine military and its private contractors comments (“that’s cool”) as we and are regularly cited by reporters. doing jobs like cooking, cleaning, quickly move on to other topics. Even President Trump, we suspect, and acting as security guards. Our People do tend to humour me if I has absorbed and, in his typical report documented the kinds of begin to speak passionately about fashion, inflated our work in his servitude and the range of human the startlingly global reach of this comment at the end of last year rights abuses they regularly face. country’s military counterterrorism that the US has “foolishly spent $7 Often, immigrants are stuck there, activities or the massive war debt trillion in the Middle East”. living in dangerous and squalid we’re so thoughtlessly piling up for The media also commonly conditions, earning far less than they our children to pay off. I don’t mean draws on another set of striking were promised when recruited, and to suggest that no one cares about figures we issue: our calculations with no recourse to or protection America’s never-ending wars, just of deaths, both American and from the American military, that, 17 years after the war on terror foreign, in Afghanistan, Pakistan, civilian officials, or their home began, it’s a topic that seems to fire and Iraq. As of 2016, about 14,000 governments. relatively few of us up, much less American soldiers and contractors Our report’s revelations were, I send us into the streets, Vietnam- and 380,000 inhabitants of those thought, dramatic, largely unknown style, to protest. The fact is that countries had been killed. To these to the American public, and another those wars are approaching the end estimates, you have to add the reason to demand a conclusion to our of their second decade and yet most deaths of at least 800,000 more never-ending wars in Afghanistan of us don’t even think of ourselves Afghans, Iraqis, and Pakistanis and Iraq. They were also a significant as “at war.” from indirect causes related to the black mark against the private Numbers to Boggle the Mind devastation caused by those wars, contracting companies that, for In such a climate of including malnutrition, disease, and years now, have profited so greatly disengagement, I’ve learned what environmental degradation. from those wars. Nonetheless, the can get at least some media attention. Once you get past the shocking report got next to no coverage, as has Top of the list: mind-boggling numbers, however, it becomes far often been the case when it comes to numbers. In a counterpoint to the harder to get media (or anyone human suffering in those war zones relatively limited estimates issued else’s) attention for America’s (at least when the sufferers are not by the Pentagon, the Costs of War wars. Certainly, the human and US soldiers). JANATA, March 1, 2020 15

Do Americans really not care? terrorism—a staggering 76 nations, in interest on past war borrowing by That, at least, seems to have been or 40% of the countries on the planet. the 2050s.) the judgment of the many journalists Of course, it’s hardly surprising Our map of the war on terror did, who received our press release about these days that our government in fact, get some media attention, but the report. is far from transparent about so as is so often the case when we reach In truth, this has become many things, but doing original out to even theoretically sympathetic something like a fact of life in research on the war on terror has congressional representatives, America today, one that’s only been brought this into stark relief for we heard nothing back from our made more extreme by the media’s me. I was stunned at how difficult outreach. Not a peep. That’s hardly full-time fascination with President it can be to find the most basic surprising, of course, since like the Donald Trump—from his tweets information, scattered at so many American people, Congress has to his insults to his ever-wilder different websites, often hidden, largely been demobilised when it statements. He—or rather the media sometimes impossible to locate. One comes to America’s wars (though not obsession with his every twitch— obscure but key source for the map when it comes to pouring ever more poses just the latest challenge to we did, for example, proved to be a federal dollars into the US military). getting attention of any sort for the Pentagon list labeled “Global War Last October, when news came true costs to us (and everyone else) on Terrorism Expeditionary Medals out about four Green Berets killed of our country’s wars. Approved Areas of Eligibility.” by an Islamic State affiliate in From it, my team and I were able the West African nation of Niger, War to the Horizon and a to learn of places like Ethiopia congressional debates revealed Demobilised Public and Congress and Greece that the military deems that American lawmakers had little And so we continue to face a part of that “War on Terrorism.” idea where in the world our troops grim reality of this 21st century We were then able to crosscheck were stationed, what they were moment, one that long preceded these with the State Department’s doing there, or even the extent of the presidency of Donald Trump: “Country Reports on Terrorism,” counterterrorism activity among the the lack of connection between the which officially document terrorist Pentagon’s various commands. Yet American public and the wars being incidents, country by country, and the majority of those representatives fought in our names in distant lands. what each country’s government is remain all too quick to grant blank Not surprisingly, this goes hand-in- doing to counter terrorism. checks to President Trump’s requests hand with another reality: you have This research process brought for ever greater military spending to be a total war jockey, someone home to me that the detachment many (as was also true of requests from who follows what’s happening more Americans feel in relation to those presidents Bush and Obama). or less full time, to have a shot at post-9/11 wars is matched—even After visiting some congressional knowing what’s really going on in fed—by the opacity of government offices in November, my colleagues the conflicts that now extend from information about them. This no and I were struck that even the Pakistan into the heart of Africa. doubt stems, at least in part, from most progressive among them After all, in this era, secrecy a cultural trend: the demobilisation were talking only about allocating is the essence of the world of of the American people. The slightly—and I mean slightly—less Washington, invariably invoked in government demands nothing of the money to the Pentagon budget, or the name of American “security.” public, not even minimalist acts like supporting slightly fewer of the As a researcher on the subject, I buying war bonds (as in World War hundreds of military bases with repeatedly confront the murkiness II), which would not only help offset which Washington garrisons the of government information about the the country’s growing debt from its globe. The idea that it might be war on terror. Recently, for instance, war-making, but might also generate possible to work toward ending we released a project I had worked actual concern and interest in those this country’s “forever wars” was on for several months: a map of all wars. (Even if the government didn't essentially unmentionable. the places where, in one fashion spend another dollar on its wars, our Such a conversation could or another, the US military is now research shows that we will still have only come about if Americans— taking some sort of action against to pay a breathtaking $8 trillion extra particularly young Americans— 16 JANATA, March 1, 2020

were to become passionate about support any American military whoever will listen what the longest stopping the spread of the war campaign, would have to be met war(s) in US history are costing on terror, now considered little by a strong counterforce. Through Americans and others around the short of a “generational struggle” the engagement of significant world. by the US military. For any of numbers of concerned citizens, the this to change, President Trump’s status quo of war making might be (Stephanie Savell is an anthropologist enthusiastic support for expanding reversed, and the rising tide of the and co-director of the Costs of the military and its budget, and US counterterror wars stemmed. War Project at Brown University’s the fear-based inertia that leads Toward that end, the Costs of Watson Institute for International lawmakers to unquestioningly War Project will continue to tell and Public Affairs.)

While Media Amplifies Unrest in Venezuela, Millions Revolting in Colombia

Alan MacLeod, Whitney Webb

Many of the massive anti- Colombian teachers protest to the country’s teachers, and those neoliberal protest movements that defend their lives affiliated with Fecode in particular. exploded across the globe last Of the recent protests that have The president’s political party, the year have pressed on into 2020, taken place in Colombia, the strikes Democratic Center, have stepped especially those that rose up led by Colombian teachers and one up their rhetoric towards education throughout Latin America. Many of the main teachers’ unions in the workers, asserting that teachers’ of those demonstrations—clearly country—the Colombian Federation unions, namely Fecode, “must newsworthy due to their enormous of Education Workers (Fecode)— disappear” while some Democratic size, composition, and motives— have received almost no coverage Center politicians have moved to were and continue to be ignored by in English-language media. The criminalize teacher protests and prominent English language news Fecode-led strikes revolve not strikes and fire any teachers who outlets, essentially creating a media around demands for better wages make political statements deemed blackout of these movements. or increased funding for public non-essential to the subject they This trend has been particularly education but around the slew of teach. magnified in Latin American death threats and recent murders that As these verbal attacks have countries whose current governments have targeted Colombia’s education grown, teachers in Colombia are closely allied with the United workers. have been increasingly targeted, States, with Colombia, in particular, “Our teachers continue to be especially after Fecode-led strikes standing out. Despite being faced threatened and attacked,” said and demonstrations took place with protests from hundreds of Fecode head Nelson Alcaron, “This during the latter half of last year thousands of people fueled by anger government is indolent. It isn’t denouncing a new wave of threats over state corruption, proposed taking measures to protect their towards teachers which they assert neoliberal reforms and a spike lives,” he added, noting that 240 are linked to Duque’s political in murders of social leaders, the have been threatened this year alone. base. Since 2020 began, the wave unrest in Colombia has garnered Though the fact that Colombian in violence against teachers has remarkably little international media teachers are protesting in defense of continued to grow. In the first attention. their very lives is clearly newsworthy, two weeks of February alone, one In contrast, US-supported right- adding to the importance of the teacher was murdered, a regional wing movements attempting to demonstrations is the fact that coordinator of Fecode survived topple socialist governments like these murders and death threats are an assassination attempt, an entire those in Venezuela and Bolivia have closely tied to Colombia’s current school was forced to close down received a great deal of coverage and government led by President Iván due to death threats made against open support from both the media Duque. Duque and his political teachers, and 15 Fecode-linked and the political class. allies have incited violence against teachers were forced to flee the town JANATA, March 1, 2020 17

where they lived and worked. Last projectile. to cover the popular movements week, death threats were sent to Since November, however, against Duque’s government, the an additional 25 teachers ahead of the national strikes and general media would have to acknowledge their school’s plan to commemorate anti-government sentiment have the gravity of Colombia’s current a massacre committed by a continued, with national strikes situation, which would then increase paramilitary group 25 years ago. In and related demonstrations taking international pressure on Duque and response to the wave of violence and place in December and January. his administration to address the threats, Fecode announced another Another strike is planned for Friday issues that motivate the protests, strike to take place in coming weeks and a separate strike is scheduled something the US government does to both highlight and denounce to take place in March. Protest not support. the dangerous situation faced by organizers asserted last month Duque was elected president Colombian teachers. that these actions will continue in May 2018 to much fanfare from “until something changes,” with the Western press. The election Western media ignore largest the high rate of murders targeting took place under a generalized strike in over 40 years social leaders remaining one of the state of terror, his leftist challenger One reason for the jump in main complaints of those Gustavo Petro narrowly escaping violence targeting Fecode and demonstrating. an assassination attempt, while Colombian teachers may be due to While the protests have gripped many of his supporters were less the fact that their demonstrations Colombia, they have barely been lucky. This was the first election helped to spur much larger protests reported in the Western press, in which the left felt they had a that have united diverse factions with coverage of the months-long chance of gaining power since the and groups in Colombian society rebellion garnering barely a few, assassination of President Jorge in their opposition to various right- disinterested mentions. CNN, Gaitan in 1947, an event that sparked wing policies of the Colombian for example, appears not to have decades of civil war. Right-wing government. Following the Fecode- discussed the events for over two paramilitary death squads linked to led demonstrations in August and months. When mentioned at all, the the government issued public death September of last year, a massive idea that the protests are largely the threats, promising to kill those who national strike and anti-government result of “foreign meddling” (CNN) voted for Petro. In addition to the protests saw hundreds of thousands from Venezuela or “Russian trolls” intimidation tactics, there was also take to the streets last November (New York Times) is often floated. widespread vote buying; American amid a backdrop of anti-government In comparison, there was human rights lawyer Daniel Kovalik, demonstrations in several other widespread coverage of and an election observer, was mistaken Latin American countries, including immediate support for the right- for a voter and offered money to vote Chile and Ecuador. Today, seven wing protests and coup attempt that for Duque. There were over 1,000 million Colombian students have brought down Bolivia’s socialist official electoral fraud complaints. been left without teachers amid a president Evo Morales in November, Despite this, corporate media massive strike. with media falsely claiming he had heralded the flawed election as a The national strike was resigned (CBS News) due to election victory for democracy, downplaying joined, not just by Fecode, but fraud (New York Times). Collectively, or flatly ignoring its failings. After by the country’s labour unions, corporate media welcomed the fall of his victory, Donald Trump invited student groups, indigenous and a supposed “full-blown dictatorship” Duque to the White House where Afro-Colombian communities and (Miami Herald) and the “restoration he said that it was “a great honour” farmers, among others. It was the of democracy” (The Economist). to be “working very closely” with largest national strike to take place him, especially on regime change in Colombia since the late 1970s and State-backed terror and “low- in Venezuela. In comparison, the was met by the Duque government intensity democracy” in Colombia Venezuelan election taking place at with curfews, border closures, One reason for the lack of media the same time, overseen and praised rubber bullets and teargas, with at coverage likely owes to the decades- by 150 international observers was least one person killed by a police long US-Colombia alliance. In order written off as a “heavily rigged” 18 JANATA, March 1, 2020

(New York Times) “farce cementing leaked instruction books show, and underneath lies a mountain of autocracy” (Huffington Post) and include criticizing the judiciary oil and valuable minerals. Under the the “coronation of a dictator” (The or police, unrest among labour or guise of eradicating coca production, Independent), despite the lack of student groups, striking, questioning the US and its local partners have evidence of fraud. the government, circulating petitions forced millions of people off their Duque, as previously mentioned, and refusing to pay rents and ancestral land, impoverishing them is the protege of Álvaro Uribe, a taxes. Indeed, as historian Doug in the process. And if they refuse man once ranked by the US Defense Stokes found, one manual entitled to leave, they are often killed and Intelligence Agency “on a list of Revolutionary War, Guerrillas and labeled as FARC terrorists afterward. 104 important narco-traffickers Communist Ideology noted that As a consequence of near- contracted by the Colombian participation in the democratic constant violence, Colombia has narcotics cartels” and who was process was a dangerous sign of the largest internally displaced alleged to have served as the “head subversion, as communists can population in the world. 16 percent of Colombia’s paramilitary groups” “resort to subverting the government of the country—some 7.7 million by former paramilitary members by means of elections in which the people—have been forced from their prior to and during his time as insurgents cause the replacement of homes in a massively underreported president. an unfriendly government official to genocide, a disproportionate amount Under Uribe, the government one favourable to their cause.” of them from black or indigenous carried out a years-long series of The forces trained by the School backgrounds. For context, Syria’s extrajudicial murders and massacres of the Americas took the message to displaced population numbers 6.2 that resulted in over 10,000 deaths. heart and made Colombia by far and million. Dubbed the “False Positives away the most dangerous country in Yet because Colombia has Scandal,” Colombian forces would the world to be an activist. According for decades been a close ally of murder anyone they wished, later to the United Nations, a minimum of the United States and Europe, the claiming their victims were members 107 human rights defenders were country continues to be referred of the leftist revolutionary army the killed in 2019, with the number of to as a “democracy.” This has led FARC. Through this practice, the those killed in 2020 already hitting to academics coming up with new military could impose its rule across double digits, something the UN phrases to explain the apparent the country through terror and by High Commissioner on Human paradox, including “low-intensity disappearing those who opposed it. Rights describes as a “staggering,” democracies,” “undemocratic One member of Duque’s Democratic “vicious and endemic cycle of democracies” and even “genocidal Center party, Senator Carlos Meisel, violence and impunity.” More trade democracies.” recently called for this Uribe-era unionists are killed in Colombia The fact that so many groups— program to be reinstated. than all other countries combined, students, unionists, victims of This policy was part of a with over 2,000 killed between violence, farmers and teachers— longstanding partnership with the 1991 and 2006, alone according to are on the streets in such numbers United States to control the country Amnesty International. Meanwhile, protesting today is a testament through force. Thousands of soldiers 52 journalists have been killed to their fortitude, given the long and other security forces have been since 1992, compared to just five history of violence meted out by the trained at the notorious School of the in Venezuela (none of whom were government and its death squads. Americas in Fort Benning, GA (now killed by the government). But like in Chile, young and the rebranded as the Western Hemisphere Uribe and other presidents disadvantaged are beginning to Institute for Security). There, partnered closely with the US in break the spell and lose their fear. recruits are taught that communist its “Plan Colombia” program, While the outcome is far from subversion is a cancer that must a campaign ostensibly aimed at certain, the conviction of those be immediately eradicated through reducing drug production but whose protesting is not in doubt. force to ensure freedom across the real target was the local population Americas. They are instructed on and leftist militias such as FARC. (Alan MacLeod and Whitney Webb torture techniques based off Gestapo Colombia has some of the most are staff writers for MintPress manuals. Signs of communism, fertile, unspoiled land on the planet, News.) JANATA, March 1, 2020 19 R.N.I. NO. 1855/1957 20 JANATA, March 1, 2020 Postal Registration No. MCW/275/2018-2020. License to Post without prepayment WPP License No. MR/Tech/WPP-210/West/2018-20 Published on Sunday, March 1, 2020 & Posted on Wedenesday, March 4, 2020 at Mumbai Patrika Channel, Mumbai GPO-1

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